This is it. The most dreaded event in the entire BMT journey. Everything you have learnt thus far has been to build you up to take on the 5D4N outfield in the jungle.
Just to mentally prep you, I’ll be listing down a few things that will be different out in the field:
- High kneel EVERYWHERE. Unless you’re eating or your commanders allow you to sit, be prepared to high kneel for everything and end up with a bruised knee at the end of your outfield.
- Noise discipline. You won’t be allowed to talk openly and loudly to your buddies
- Low levels of hygiene. Washing hands before you eat? There aren’t any taps in the jungle so you’ll be eating with the same pair of hands that grabbed the ET blade when you dug your shellscrape. Btw, in case you were wondering, you won’t be showering for 5 days as well.
- Rewearing your dirty long 4. You only have a total of 3 sets of long 4 uniforms for 5 days.
- Camo on all day.
- Sleeping in a basha or shellscrape
Moving on, I’ll provide the rough schedule for the 5 days for those who are curious.
Day 1: Building basha + Fire movement
Day 2: Digging shellscrape + More fire movement and other field skills
Day 3: “Tekan day” (you’ll be punished and feel like you’re at the lowest point of your life then your commanders will surprise you with a letter from your parents)
Day 4: Group Battle Course (GBC – you’ll practice fire movement as a group of 3)
Day 5: SIT Test
Tip: No matter how tough it gets, never lose hope. Keep pushing and think about how short 5 days is and before you know it, you’ll be on the bus headed back to coyline where you can enjoy a refreshing cold shower and sleep on a proper bed YAY!
Quote for outfield: “Believe you can, and you are halfway there.”