5 Ways that You Can Become a Better Military Recruit

If you plan to enter the military, you need to prepare or else face a rude awakening that includes severe discomfort, pain and injury. Depending on the branch of service and job you choose, the task of preparing yourself can be something that takes a significant amount of time.

If you make the right decisions long before you actually join, your prep can fit easily into your current life schedule and work ethic as you prepare to make this transition.

In a recent Pentagon report, current recruits were called the "Nintendo Generation." You could take this as a compliment, because a video gamer's advanced hand-eye coordination is necessary for the controls of electronics, drones, simulators and other equipment.

However, it was not meant as a compliment. Army Medical Readiness Service Line Chief, Major Jon-Marc Thibodeau said, "The 'Nintendo Generation' soldier skeleton is not toughened by activity prior to arrival, so some of them break more easily."

Young people being called weak by older generations is nothing new. In the late 1980s and early '90s, Vietnam-era BUD/S instructors called the students of that time the MTV Generation. This was not a compliment, either, even though we could all dance like Michael Jackson.

The practice of old guys beating up on the younger generation goes back thousands of years. Even Socrates had enough of the younger generation back in 470 BC. "Children; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. They no longer rise when elders enter the room, they contradict their parents and tyrannize their teachers." (Attributed to Socrates)

Unfortunately, there is now objective data and statistics that suggest that excess weight is now a big problem for many potential service candidates. Recruits are getting injured easier with what we call "overuse" injuries. These can happen to athletes at all levels, but if running less than a mile is not possible without developing shin splints or other conditions such as tendinitis, there is a problem.

The term "overuse" is relative. A routine that is someone's warmup can be a total beginner's complete workout. One of the chief physical therapists at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, Capt. Lydia Blondin says, "We see injuries ranging from acute fractures and falls, to tears in the ACL, to muscle strains and stress fractures, with the overwhelming majority of injuries related to overuse."

There are many ways that you can acclimate yourself long before you join the military. Consider these:

1. Meet the Height and Weight Standards

If you're overweight when you enter the military, your weight will create challenges as you attempt countless activities. From running, calisthenics, obstacle courses, buddy carries and standing on your feet for hours at a time, being bigger than you should is a curse. Many impact injuries occur in overweight and deconditioned runners.

2. Have a Busy Day

Go to school, work part time or play a sport. Just get busy living. Get used to long days of work, both physically and mentally. An active life will help you more than you realize once you join.

There is no 30-minute workout that will prepare you for a day's work in the military. You must acclimate yourself to being busy by staying busy. There are no naptime sessions or mid-afternoon gaming time. Replace these with exercising, walking, studying or working.

3. Get in Military Shape

You cannot think that basic training or boot camp will get you in shape. They will help you improve your conditioning, but if you are not at a basic level when you arrive, there's a good chance you will end up broken and unable to complete the training.

You do not have to be an athlete to become physically conditioned and capable of handling military training. Just get moving. Start off by walking, stretching and doing some basic calisthenics. See beginner training program ideas for fitness and weight loss if you need it.

This process needs to start at least a year before you join, depending on your athletic or physical activity history. The less you have done in the past, the chances are the longer it will take you to prepare.

4. Climate Acclimatization

Regardless of the season, you should consider getting outside. In the military, you will not always be training indoors. Walking or rucking your gear for long distances may be part of your training, so build your body to handle load-bearing activities in the heat, humidity, arid and cold environments, if possible.

Do some research as to where you will be living during your training and check the annual weather statistics in that area. If you cannot get your body ready, you can at least get your mind ready for the possible discomfort.

5. Build Stronger Bones and Joints

Calisthenics is a good way to start. Eventually, given the physical demands of impact and load-bearing events, you will need stronger muscles and joints. Lift weights or walk with a weight vest. Find stairs, hills and bleachers to make walking harder on your legs so you prepare your muscles and tendons to be more durable for military use.

In the end, recruits need to be more durable with an increased work capacity to be successful in military professions. Luckily, there is plenty of information on training to become a tactical athlete, even if you are not an athlete or ever played sports in high school.

Getting good at elements of fitness does not require athleticism, though it does require consistency, patience and effort. See more ideas at the Military.com Fitness Section.

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Visit his Fitness eBook store if you're looking to start a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle. Send your fitness questions to stew@stewsmith.com.

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