Question 1

What should I study before military basic training?

Accepted Answer

Focus on the core recruit knowledge required at boot camp: your branch's ranks and insignia, General Orders of a Sentry, chain of command, core values, creed, the phonetic alphabet, and military time. Pair memorization with branch-specific fitness standards (Navy PRT, Army AFT, Marine PFT/CFT, Air Force / Space Force PFA, or Coast Guard PFA) so you ship physically and academically ready.

Question 2

What are the military General Orders?

Accepted Answer

The General Orders of a Sentry are the three (Navy / Marine Corps / Coast Guard) or eleven (Army / Air Force / Space Force) standing rules every recruit must memorize verbatim. DrillDeck USA's General Orders module lets you read, fill in the blanks, reorder, and quiz yourself on the exact wording your branch requires.

Question 3

How do I learn military ranks?

Accepted Answer

Use spaced active recall, not passive reading. Start with enlisted ranks for your branch, then warrant and officer ranks, drilling insignia recognition both directions (rank → insignia and insignia → rank). DrillDeck USA's rank module includes flashcards, matching, and timed quizzes for Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.

Question 4

How do I prepare for boot camp?

Accepted Answer

Combine three things weekly: recruit knowledge study (ranks, General Orders, creed, core values), branch-specific fitness training to PRT/PFT standards, and the basic training readiness assessment to find weak areas. DrillDeck USA's recruit dashboard tracks all three and gives you a personalized readiness score before ship day.

Question 5

What fitness standards are required for basic training?

Accepted Answer

Each branch sets its own scoring: Navy PRT (push-ups, plank, run/swim), Army AFT (push-ups, plank, 2-mile run + new events), Marine PFT (pull-ups/push-ups, plank, 3-mile run) and CFT, Air Force / Space Force PFA (push-ups, sit-ups/reach, 1.5-mile run), and Coast Guard PFA. Use DrillDeck USA's branch fitness calculators to score yourself against current standards.

Question 6

What recruit knowledge is required before shipping?

Accepted Answer

At a minimum: ranks and insignia, General Orders, chain of command, your branch's creed or sailor's/airman's/Marine's creed, core values, phonetic alphabet, and military time. Recruits who memorize this material before boot camp spend their early weeks excelling instead of catching up.

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NATO Phonetic Alphabet

Military Time

Navy Ranks & Insignias

11 General Orders

Navy Chain of Command

Sailor's Creed

RTC Maxim

Navy Core Values

Navy PRT Standards

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Military Recruit Study — FAQ