How Long Is Army Basic Training? 10 Weeks, Phase by Phase (2026)
Army basic training lasts 10 weeks. GoArmy describes Basic Combat Training as four phases over 10 weeks, held at Fort Benning, Fort Jackson, Fort Leonard Wood or Fort Sill depending on your job. Before the 10 weeks start, you spend a short time at a reception battalion for in-processing. Soldiers going into infantry, armor and some other jobs do One Station Unit Training instead, which combines basic and job training into one longer course.
Here is every phase, the fitness standard you need to graduate in 2026, where you will go, and what happens after.
Army basic training at a glance
| Basic Combat Training | |
|---|---|
| Length | 10 weeks, plus reception |
| Reception | About 3.5 days at Fort Leonard Wood; 1 to 2 weeks at Fort Jackson |
| Locations | Fort Benning, GA; Fort Jackson, SC; Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Fort Sill, OK |
| Fitness test | Army Fitness Test (AFT), 5 events |
| Completion rate | About 90 percent, according to GoArmy |
Reception: week zero
Your first stop is a reception battalion, sometimes called week zero, for paperwork, medical checks, haircuts and uniform issue. It does not count toward the 10 weeks. How long it takes depends on the post: Fort Leonard Wood describes a "brief" 3 and a half days, while Fort Jackson says new soldiers spend their first 1 to 2 weeks in-processing. At Fort Leonard Wood, drill sergeants give trainees one minute to power on their phones and call home.
Army basic training phases, week by week
| Phase | Weeks | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Weeks 1 to 2 | Physical and tactical basics, first aid, the fitness test events |
| Red | Weeks 3 to 4 | Confidence course, gas chamber, rappel tower, and The Hammer field exercise |
| White | Weeks 5 to 7 | Rifle marksmanship, land navigation, and The Anvil, a two-day, two-night field exercise |
| Blue | Weeks 8 to 10 | Machine guns and hand grenades, a 10-mile foot march, and The Forge |
The Forge is the final test. Fort Jackson's 2026 graduation program describes trainees marching about 45 miles in 81 hours, mostly at night and under heavy load, sleeping about 5 hours on the ground during the day, and says entering The Forge is a privilege earned by meeting the Army standard on every task, including physical fitness. Some posts still describe basic training as three phases, Red, White and Blue, each ending in a field exercise.
Basic training is also changing. In 2025 Fort Leonard Wood began training drone operators so basic training units can use drones during The Forge, and since February 2026 infantry and armor trainees at Fort Benning get a 10-hour drone familiarization course.
One Station Unit Training (OSUT)
Some jobs combine basic and job training in one course at one post:
| Job | OSUT length |
|---|---|
| Infantry (11B, 11C, 11X), Cavalry Scout (19D), Armor (19K, 19U) | 22 weeks on GoArmy; Fort Benning's brigade pages (March 2026) say 18 weeks |
| Combat Engineer (12B) | 14 weeks |
| Military Police (31B) | 20 weeks |
The infantry and armor numbers conflict: GoArmy's job pages say 22 weeks, while Fort Benning's brigade ceremony pages, updated in March 2026, describe an 18-week course. Ask your recruiter which applies to your ship date.
The fitness standard to graduate
Trainees take the Army Fitness Test (AFT), which starts at basic training:
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 3-rep max deadlift | Hex bar |
| Hand-release push-up | 2 minutes |
| Sprint-drag-carry | Two 40-pound kettlebells and a 90-pound sled |
| Plank | For time |
| 2-mile run | For time |
To pass the general standard you need at least 60 points in every event and 300 in total; the combat standard for combat jobs is 350. Fort Jackson says passing the AFT general standard became a graduation requirement on January 1, 2026, and Army implementation guidance sets the 350-point combat standard for combat jobs, including soldiers in initial training. Check your score with our AFT calculator and the AFT standards and score chart.
Before you ship
- No fitness test to join. GoArmy says enlisted soldiers do not need to meet a fitness requirement before joining, and your recruiter will work with you on your job's physical requirements. Show up fit anyway; it makes every week easier.
- Body composition. The Army's standard is a waist-to-height ratio below 0.55. Check yours with our waist-to-height ratio calculator.
- Future Soldier Program. While you wait to ship, you attend weekly meetings and Future Soldier training. The Future Soldier Preparatory Course, a program of up to 90 days, can help you raise your ASVAB score or meet the body composition standard before basic training.
- Enlistment basics. You must be 17 to 42 years old (age waivers are possible) and score at least 31 on the AFQT.
- Train the events. Our free Army AFT program and basic training fitness prep guide cover what to do now.
Calls, mail and daily life
Fort Jackson says trainees can usually call home about once a week, at the discretion of their unit leadership. Mail can take 10 business days to arrive and is never withheld as punishment. Your day typically starts at 4:30 a.m. with lights out at 9 p.m., and you are paid on the first and fifteenth of each month. Bring $10 to $50 in cash and a standard wristwatch; smartwatches are not allowed.
Graduation and what comes next
At Fort Jackson, Family Day is the day before graduation, typically a Wednesday, and graduation is typically on Thursday and lasts about 50 minutes. Since August 1, 2026, Fort Jackson visitors 18 and older need a pass from pass.aie.army.mil. There is no break between basic training and Advanced Individual Training: most soldiers report to AIT the day after graduation, and AIT lasts from about 4 to 52 weeks depending on the job. A short break, typically about 10 days, comes after AIT.
Comparing branches? See Navy, Marine and Air Force basic training.
Sources: GoArmy, Basic Combat Training; GoArmy, Fitness requirements; Fort Jackson, Basic Combat Training; Fort Jackson, Unit FAQs; Fort Leonard Wood, Initial Military Training; Army.mil, 198th Infantry Brigade, March 2026; Army.mil, Army Fitness Test; GoArmy, Advanced Individual Training. Details vary by post and change over time; confirm with your recruiter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Army basic training in 2026?
Ten weeks of Basic Combat Training, after a short stay at a reception battalion for in-processing that does not count toward the 10 weeks. Infantry, armor and cavalry scouts do longer One Station Unit Training that combines basic and job training.
Is Army basic training 6 months?
No. Basic Combat Training is 10 weeks. Some jobs combine basic and job training into One Station Unit Training, which GoArmy lists at 22 weeks for infantry, armor and cavalry scouts, 20 weeks for military police and 14 weeks for combat engineers.
Where is Army basic training?
At one of four posts, depending on your job: Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; or Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Fort Jackson trains about half of all new soldiers.
What are the phases of Army basic training?
GoArmy lists four: Yellow (weeks 1 to 2), Red (weeks 3 to 4, with The Hammer), White (weeks 5 to 7, with The Anvil) and Blue (weeks 8 to 10, ending with The Forge). Some posts still describe three phases, Red, White and Blue.
Do you have to pass the AFT to graduate basic training?
Yes. Fort Jackson says passing the AFT general standard became a basic training graduation requirement on January 1, 2026: at least 60 points in each of the five events and 300 in total. Army guidance sets a higher 350-point combat standard for combat jobs.
Can you call home during Army basic training?
Usually about once a week, at your unit leadership's discretion, according to Fort Jackson. At Fort Leonard Wood, recruits also get a quick call home when they arrive.
Do you go home after Army basic training?
Not right away. GoArmy says there is no break between Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training; most soldiers report to AIT the day after graduation. A short break, typically about 10 days, comes after AIT.
