The One Question That Decides If a New Recruit Stays in the Army

Every year, about 50,000 new soldiers start their Army careers at Fort Jackson, South Carolina — more than half of everyone who joins. Their first night begins on a silent bus. This film follows the first 24 hours of a new recruit, hour by hour: the bus, the first formation, the amnesty box, the one phone call home, the lines for ID cards, shots, boots and pay, the barbershop — and the one question every recruit is asked before basic training begins. Veterans: where did your bus stop, what year was it, and what's the first thing you remember? Tell us in the comments. Chapters: 0:00 The bus 1:34 Why the bus is full 4:17 The first thing the Army takes 4:53 The first formation 6:46 The amnesty 7:48 The call home 9:10 The first morning 9:44 The lines 12:51 The barbershop 13:15 1966: the air gun 14:27 What 24 hours changed 15:38 The Moment of Truth 18:16 The one question 19:56 Where did your bus stop?