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Surviving Basic Training's Dreaded Red Phase
By Michael Volkin
Basic training is divided into three phases; red phase, white phase and blue phase. Red phase in basic training has many nicknames, none of which are pleasant. This will be your first of three phases; it will also be your hardest phase. Red phase lasts 2 weeks. During red phase you will begin the process of becoming a soldier. This is known as the hardest phase only because you are in a new environment. In actuality, it will be your easiest phase physically. You will get acquainted with your morning fitness routine, which actually gets harder as basic training progresses. Also, you will not have any long road marches in red phase. Many soldiers will not be able to make the mental adjustment from civilian to soldier. However, with a few key pointers, red phase will be over before you know it. I suggest you print this article out, and take this with you to basic training.
Since the recent release of my book, The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook (www.ultimatebasictraining.com), I have had countless e-mails from new recruits asking me if I am a recruiter. I am not. Recruiters, although honest, will paint you a better picture of basic training. I do not. I will tell anyone that basic training is tough, but it’s much easier if you are prepared, hence the reason I wrote the book. This article will give you a few tips (I am betting your recruiter did not tell you) on how to survive red phase.
First and foremost, understand that red phase is all about failure. Your platoon will fail at just about ever order given to you in basic training. Read that last sentence again. Don’t go into basic training thinking your going to impress everyone with how fit you are and how well you pay attention, because it doesn’t matter in red phase. The purpose of red phase is to break down your civilian attitude and realize that in order to accomplish the tasks your drill sergeant gives you; you will have to work in a team. In order to break you down, your drill sergeants will give your platoon tasks they will fail, on purpose. Why would your drill sergeants do this? The reasoning is simple if you understand this sentence: With failure comes learned knowledge. That is an important sentence to understand. Think of it like this; let’s say you want to open a lemonade stand. You get all your equipment ready and open up your shop. Your customers start to buy your lemonade but you notice after a while, your not getting repeat business. After asking around you discover that people think your lemonade is too sweet. After adjusting your recipe your sales now skyrocket. That failed recipe taught you what kind of lemonade people like. So during red phase, don’t get mad when you fail. Try your hardest, but expect to fail.
Another great tip to surviving red phase would be to establish your personality. Red phase is where you’re judged the most be other members of your platoon. Be sure to make that extra effort to help people out. Also, try to see if any members of your platoon are having a particularly tough time, and make an effort to alleviate their stress. A little attention in red phase goes a long way. You can never have enough friends in basic training.
Lastly, speak with confidence. When you are asked to say something to your drill sergeant, say it with confidence even if you’re not confident about your answer. Speak loud, firm and with motivation. Your drill sergeants will notice, trust me. Drill sergeants like to pick on recruits who aren’t confident.
If you would like to see an article about a particular topic of basic training, please e-mail me at michaelvolkin@ultimatebasictrainingguidebook.com . To learn more tips like the ones in this article, go to ultimatebasictraining.com.
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