Soldier Life Soldier Life
Overview
Becoming a Soldier
Being a Soldier
Fitness Nutrition
Army Families
A Soldiers Future
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ARE YOU ARMY STRONG Photo of sniper

See what it takes to be a Soldier in the U.S. Army.

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See how three Soldiers are getting the most out of their training path and then discover your own path of strength.

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BASIC COMBAT TRAINING

Follow the nine-week evolution from civilian to Soldier. BCT is where recruits discover physical and mental strength and learn what it takes to become a Soldier.

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Photo of a U.S. Army Soldier in helmet and goggles Overview
WHAT'S IT LIKE BEING A SOLDIER?

To be a U.S. Army Soldier is to be a part of the strongest fighting force in the world. You’ll spend your days training, working and serving together to protect America’s freedoms. But you’ll also have time after work for family, friends and personal interests. From recruitment to retirement, the U.S. Army provides a unique and diverse lifestyle for Soldiers.

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BECOMING A SOLDIER

The first step in becoming a Soldier is working with a Recruiter to find out the best way to serve your country in the Army—and how you can use what you learn in the Army to succeed in life. If you decide to join, you’ll have nine weeks of Basic Combat Training (BCT) where you begin the transformation into a Soldier. At Advanced Individual Training (AIT), you’ll learn the skills to do your Army job

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BEING A SOLDIER

Learn why each Soldier’s role in the Army is important—and why you’ll find such satisfaction in what you do. Every Soldier’s career is unique. As you follow your interests and develop your skills, new opportunities open up. When you’re not training or working, you’re taking advantage of the benefits of living on an Army Post. And whether you’re on duty or off, you’ll be living the shared Army Values, such as Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage.

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FITNESS & NUTRITION

Because a Soldier's level of physical fitness has a direct impact on his or her combat readiness, a Soldier in the U.S. Army must be mentally and physically fit. Not only are physically fit Soldiers essential to the Army, they are also more likely to have enjoyable, productive lives.

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ARMY FAMILIES

You will find that military life can be a wonderful experience, although it has some challenges. You will notice right away that it is a community, but it definitely is not like living in your hometown. For one thing, you'll find that the Army has its own special language and uses a lot of abbreviations that will be new to you—to include the name of some of your benefits.

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A SOLDIER'S FUTURE: STRENGTH FOR LIFE

Soldiers are given every opportunity to grow — especially when it comes to a career. As a Soldier in the Army, you’ll gain a foundation of confidence, discipline and leadership that will serve you well whether you continue your career in the Army or choose a job in the civilian world. It’s the strength to do good today — and the strength to do well tomorrow.

THE ARMY EXPERIENCE

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A lot of misconceptions I had about the Army are what you see in Hollywood.

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Talk to me or any other recruiter and we're here to help you accomplish your goals.

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I became a 31 Uniform because I thought it could give me the best skills.

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The training that they give us here becomes instinctive, and everything just becomes an easy flow.

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Leaders are made here. We teach them how to lead Soldiers.

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When you've been through the training that we go through, there's nothing that you can't do.

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You're not only doing this for a grade, but you're also doing in front of your peers.

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For me, the Army's a part of me, but it doesn't overtake me. I'm still a woman; I'm still an individual.

Photo of a city in a foreign country

It varies from person to person on what they do with their free time.

I like to travel, experience the culture.

Photo of a Soldier with a satellite dish in the background

I want to get my bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.

Photo of a Soldier outside

After graduation and after Airbourne School, I start Ranger Indoctrination Program.

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Because I know Korean, doors open. You start to look at jobs you didn't even know you could have.

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In the Army, that motivation takes you a long way. It takes you to the next school. That motivation takes you to the next rank. It takes you where you want to go.

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