It's Up To You - Basic Combat Training (1967)

A Young Soldier In Advanced Training Recounts His Experiences During The Army Basic Combat Training Course From The Time Of Initial Processing To Graduation.
Department Of Defense
Pin 30201
It's Up To You - Basic Combat Training

[@jasonpayne1240]

I just caught myself wondering how many of these recruits depicted in this film were killed or wounded in Vietnam. My absolute respect to all of them (and their families) for serving under those conditions.

[@montanamountainmen6104]

My dad was drafted in 1967. He took his Basic Training at Ft. Benning, GA. In those days he said the Drill Sergeants were ruthless, most of them were Korean War vets. He said they'd beat a recruit senseless if needed and if you complained , well you didn't out loud. After Basic he went to Ft. Gordon then Ft. Bragg . Then the Army wanted him to use the skills he acquired so they sent him to Vietnam......Then he stated he knew why the Drill Sergeants were so ruthless, war is no joke.

[@lorenzoduron4848]

I chuckled when the narrator said, "Then we were herded into this innocent looking building...which just happened to be filled with tear gas."

[@edparadis6685]

This is so suger coated that I'm getting cavities by just watching it.

[@markgariepy4992]

I served in afganistan and desert shield, and storm. I guess the only difference is that I was not drafted. I made a choice, and these guys didn't. All my respect to them.

[@jackklenk4352]

Lol. “It’s an honor to pull guard duty.”

[@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw]

I was drafted into the Army during Vietnam. NOBODY failed basic training during that period, the Drill Sergeants “fixed” it so everybody graduated basic training. I even saw a drill sergeant fire a weapon for a trainee so he could qualify on the firing range & graduate basic training. Uncle Sam needed body counts in the ‘Nam!

[@ZacL324]

My grandfather volunteered for the Army during Vietnam as soon as he turned 18, in order to escape the fate of working in a coal mine for the rest of his life. He was flight engineer for a CH-47 crew.

[@reginaldmassey3272]

In 1967 I was 9 years old and my uncle was 18 and he went to the marines, he went to boot at camp legune I believe. When he finished he came home a totally different person, then on to Vietnam until 1972, he was a mess, drinking, drugs, nightmares, he's now 72 years old, retired from post office, 4 grown daughters, thanks for everything uncle clarence.

[@multitieredinvestor5246]

Went through basic twice 1956 and 1963. Attended jump school and photography school during 1st tour. Reenlisted in 1963 went through basic again, but wore tailored fatigues with shadow of SP4 insignia and jump wings. That caused a lot of questions, but my company commander looked at my form 20 and verified I earned them. Went to grunt AIT then Infantry OCS First assignment went to The Domican Republic during combat, two tours in Vietnam. Retired 1980 as a major.

[@ronnyrono782]

After finishing a session of unarmed combat training the drill sergeant said, God help you if you ever get in a fight and have to depend on this. He was speaking the truth.

[@ARMYEXERCISE]

Great advices: 1.) avoid creating unwanted attention. 2.) observe everything around. 3.) be a team player. 4.) Don't quit / Never give up.

[@tomservo5347]

My Dad was drafted in 1966 into the Army. Being the only son on a farm he talked to the county agent on getting a deferral but was told even after going through hoops to get one it would only be good for 6 months and then he'd be back on the draft list. The agent said "just go and get it over with". (He ended up in West Germany thankfully. I think my grandparents did a lot of praying.)

[@creeksidehashman5365]

Could you imagine some recruiter shows this film to some kid and he thought, it won't be so bad the drill sergeants all seemed like pretty swell guys.

[@butgod2480]

I found myself in Army BCT 4 years after this film was made. Hadn't seen it until now and this is as close to reality as it was in my time. Found myself nodding, laughing, and shaking my head while watching because I shared most of this. Good times.

[@dbcooper692]

1967 seems like yesterday. Life is so short!!

[@ralphgreenjr.2466]

In 1967 I graduated from High school and attempted to enlist in the USMC. I was 17 and need my parent's signature to enlist. My Father, the WWII infantryman was not going to send his son to Viet Nam. In 1969 I was drafted, then enlisted at the reception station. My DIs were more like "Full Metal Jacket" than those depicted here. They could and did lay hands upon you as they saw fit to motivate you. It worked!

[@dleland71]

I took BASIC, B-17-5, in Ft Knox, KY in 1974. On my 2nd day in a recent graduate told me, "The next 8 weeks will be the hardest in your life. But when you've graduated, you wouldn't trade it for anything." He was right! Although this film depicts 'different' training, I still remember mine, 44-years ago, just like it was yesterday.

[@jerryjc5]

I like to offer a huge word of thanks to every veteran.

[@gulliver3644]

May of 65 I enlisted and left the day after high school graduation. Went to Jackson for basic and lived in “tent city” for almost 3 months. Best days of my life in the Army. It was nasty and hot. But the men who trained there were the best of the best.