Basic Training Terms, Explained

If your Soldier's letters and calls are full of acronyms and terms you've never heard, you're not alone. Here's a plain-English glossary of what comes up most during Fort Jackson Basic Combat Training.

People & Roles

• Drill Sergeant: The instructor and leader responsible for training, discipline, and daily supervision of a platoon of trainees throughout Basic Combat Training.
• Battle Buddy: The partner every trainee is assigned for accountability and support — Soldiers are expected to know where their battle buddy is at all times.
• Company Commander: The officer in charge of an entire company (multiple platoons) of trainees.
• First Sergeant: The senior noncommissioned officer in a company, responsible for discipline and day-to-day operations.

Training Terms

• BCT (Basic Combat Training): The 10-week initial training every new Soldier completes — what most people call "Basic" or "boot camp."
• AIT (Advanced Individual Training): The job-specific training that immediately follows BCT, where a Soldier learns their MOS (see below).
• MOS (Military Occupational Specialty): A Soldier's specific job in the Army, such as infantry, medic, or logistics.
• Reception (Zero Week): The administrative processing period before official training begins — medical exams, gear issue, and unit assignment.
• Red / White / Blue Phase: The three color-coded stages of BCT. See our week-by-week guide for what happens in each.
• Rifle Qualification: The marksmanship test trainees must pass during White Phase to continue training.
• Ruck March (Road March): A long march carrying a loaded rucksack, used to build endurance throughout training.
• Battle Rattle: Slang for full combat gear and equipment worn during field training.

Structure & Units

• Battalion: A military unit typically made up of several hundred to a thousand Soldiers, divided into companies. Fort Jackson has 11 BCT training battalions across two brigades — see our battalion directory.
• Company: A unit within a battalion, usually a few hundred Soldiers, divided into platoons.
• Platoon: A smaller unit within a company, typically 30-50 trainees, who train together directly under a drill sergeant.
• Brigade: A larger command made up of multiple battalions. Fort Jackson's BCT battalions fall under the 165th and 193rd Infantry Brigades.

Rules, Discipline & Support

• Article 15: Non-judicial punishment a commander can give for minor misconduct, without a full court-martial.
• UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice): The body of military law that governs conduct for all Soldiers.
• FRG (Family Readiness Group): A command-sponsored network that shares information and support with military families — more common at permanent duty stations than during Basic Training itself.
• Chain of Command: The line of authority from a Soldier's immediate supervisor up through leadership — the correct path for a family to raise a concern if needed.

Graduation & Visiting

• Family Day: The day before graduation when families get an on-post pass to spend time with their Soldier. See our Family Day guide.
• Hilton Field: The parade field at Fort Jackson where the graduation ceremony is held.
• Pass: Authorized time off post or off duty, granted at a commander's discretion.
• Visitor Pass: The credential required for all visitors 18+ to access Fort Jackson starting August 1, 2026. See our visitor pass guide.

Still Have Questions?

For the bigger picture of what your Soldier is going through, see our Basic Training week-by-week guide, learn how to mail your Soldier, or look up their unit in our battalion directory.