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All of the military services restrict privileges and personal freedoms during basic training and job training. Below are the training/restriction requirements for U.S. Army personnel undergoing Initial Entry Training (Basic Training, OSUT, and AIT), as required by TRADOC Reg 350-6.

IET means "Initial Entry Training." It's the period of time from the first day of basic training, through job training, and ends when the soldier graduates from their job training and reports to their first permament duty assignment (PDA).

The Army has two different IET processes. The first process is where the recruit goes through basic training for nine weeks, and then goes to a separate school (called Advanced Individual Training, or "AIT") to learn their Army job. The second method (used mostly for combat jobs) is called One-Station-Unit-Training (or OSUT). This combines basic training and job training into one single course.

When we discuss the training phases below, Phase I through III are for basic training, and the first 9 weeks of OSUT (which is basically the "basic training" portion of OSUT). Phase IV begins on the first day of AIT (job school) or week 10 of OSUT.

General

The goal of IET is to transform civilians into technically and tactically competent soldiers who live by the Army's values and are prepared to take their place in the ranks of the Army.  This transformation from civilian to soldier is accomplished during a five-phased "soldierization" process which begins with a soldier's arrival at the reception battalion and ends with the awarding of a MOS upon completion of IET.  By definition, soldierization is a tough, comprehensive process which totally immerses a IET soldier in a positive environment established by active, involved leadership.  This environment sets high standards, provides positive role models, and uses every training opportunity to reinforce basic soldier skills.  This demands that all soldiers in IET, regardless of rank, strictly adhere to the standards of excellence and commitment that set the United States Army apart from others and make it the world's best professional army.

It is essential that the officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and Department of the Army (DA) civilians assigned the crucial responsibility of transforming America's sons and daughters into professional soldiers be motivated, disciplined, and competent professionals.  Leaders must not only demand that IET soldiers achieve the Army standard during high quality, rigorous training, they must also demand that every IET soldier is treated with the dignity and respect entitled all soldiers.  This requires active involvement by professional leaders and trainers who maintain the highest levels of technical and tactical competence in their profession.

Phased Training

The concept of phasing and associated goals was established to provide intermediate objectives that give common direction and serve as milestones for IET soldiers during IET.  The training cadre informs IET soldiers of the goals and standards for each phase of training.  IET soldiers then know what direction to work towards and generally what effort must be applied to achieve the goals.   Movement from each phase is viewed as a "gate" or "passage" for each soldier.  The training cadre evaluates each soldier against the desired standards for each phase before advancing to the next phase.

The first three phases of IET are associated with Basic Training and the Basic Training portion of OSUT.  The last two phases are associated with AIT and the MOS skill portion of OSUT.  In OSUT courses, Phases III and IV may be combined.  This will generally depend on how early in the course MOS training begins and whether basic skills testing is conducted at mid-cycle or end-of-cycle.  The installation commander as part of the phased training program will determine actual phase lengths.

Phase I (Basic Training)

Phase I is designated as the "Patriot" Phase (Red Flag). This phase encompasses weeks 1-3 of basic training and OSUT and is characterized by an environment of total control where an active, involved leadership begins transforming civilians into soldiers.  Training during this phase is focused on inculcating Army values, traditions, and ethics, as well as beginning the development of individual basic combat skills and physical fitness training.  The goals for soldiers in Phase I include, but are not limited to:

(a)  Pass Phase I test.

(b)  Pay strict attention to detail.

(c)  Conform to established standards.

(d)  Master basic skills.

(e)  Maintain individual and platoon areas.

(f)  Develop physical fitness consistent with time in training.

(g)  Receive an introduction to Army values, history, heritage, and traditions.

Phase II (Basic Training)

Phase II is designated as the "Gunfighter" Phase (White Flag).  This phase encompasses weeks 4-6 of basic training and OSUT.  As its name implies, this phase is centered on the development of basic combat skills, with special emphasis on weapon proficiency. Skill development, self-discipline, and team building characterize phase II along with a lessening of control commensurate with demonstrated performance and responsibility.  IET soldiers receive additional instruction on Army values, ethics, history, and traditions.  The goals for IET soldiers in Phase II include, but are not limited to:

(a)  Pass the Phase II test.

(b)  Conform to established standards.

(c)  Display self-discipline.

(d)  Qualify with the M16A2 rifle or assigned weapon.

(e)  Develop physical fitness consistent with time in training.

(f)  Reinforce Army values, history, heritage, and traditions, and define the seven Army values.

Phase III (Basic Training)

Phase III is designated as the "Warrior" Phase (Blue Flag).  This is the last phase of Basic Training and encompasses weeks 7-9 of basic training and OSUT.  This phase is designed to develop and foster the IET soldier's understanding of the importance of teamwork.  This phase culminates with the application of all skills learned in Basic Training (and basic skills portion of OSUT) during a 72-hour field training exercise.  This exercise is designed to stress IET soldiers physically and mentally and requires each soldier to demonstrate their proficiency of basic combat skills in a tactical field environment while operating as part of a team.  The goals for soldiers in Phase III include, but are not limited to:

(a)  Conform to Army standards.

(b)  Pass the APFT to Basic Training standard (50 points each event, 150 points total).

(c)  Pass the EOCT.

(d)  Complete all Basic Training POI requirements.

(e)  Demonstrate the ability to think, look, and act like a soldier, without detailed supervision.

(f)  Demonstrate knowledge of the Army Core Values, history, heritage, and traditions.

Phase IV

Phases IV (Black Flag) and V (Gold Flag) of the soldierization process occur in AIT and OSUT, and are characterized by lessening of control and increased emphasis on the technical aspects of an IET soldier's designated MOS.  IET soldiers also receive reinforcement training on values and an introduction to the history, heritage and traditions of their specialty branch.  This lessening of control, expansion of privileges, and focus on MOS skills are all part of the evolutionary process marking the transformation from a civilian to someone who thinks, looks, and acts like a soldier.

(a)  Phase IV begins at the start of the first week of AIT, or the tenth week of OSUT. Phase IV continues to the end of the third week of AIT, or the thirteenth week of OSUT.  It is characterized by reduced supervision by drill sergeants (DSs), reinforcement training of common skills, values, and traditions taught in Basic Training, and an introduction to MOS tasks.  IET soldiers starting AIT will receive initial counseling upon arrival at the AIT unit.  This session will be used to establish goals consistent with the soldier's MOS training requirements as prescribed in the appropriate POI and this regulation.  During this phase and Phase V, DS's should evaluate IET soldier's behavior and their behavior should be consistent with Army core values.

Phase V

Phase V begins at the start of the forth week of AIT (fourteenth week of OSUT) and continues until graduation from AIT/OSUT.  It is characterized by reinforcement training of common skills, training, and evaluation of MOS skills, a leadership environment which simulates that in a field unit, and a culminating tactical field training exercise that integrates common skills and MOS tasks. This exercise is designed to reinforce the basic combat skills learned in Basic Training and how they apply to the soldier in the execution of their MOS duties in a tactical field environment.

 Graduation from AIT or OSUT

Graduation from OSUT/AIT signifies successful completion of the first five phases of the soldierization process.  All IET graduates, by definition, have demonstrated the technical and tactical skills necessary to join the ranks in the field and be a contributing member to the unit's mission accomplishment.  It does not signify the end or completion of the soldierization process.  Soldiers continue to develop professionally throughout their military careers, both in and out of the institutional training base.  Reinforcement at the unit level and in the non-commissioned officer education system (NCOES) are essential aspects of the Army's soldierization program.

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