How to Take a Shower in Basic Training

Showering in basic training is an area that you may not have given much consideration to amongst all the other daunting things you know you will have to face. But if you are like most people, the challenge of getting into and out of the shower in three minutes may turn out to be just as demanding as any other task you are required to perform.

At home, you may use shower time for other things like singing, brushing your teeth or shaving. In basic training, three minutes is usually all you are given, so make the most of it.

Reconcile yourself to the fact that you are not going to feel as clean as you did at home. There will be aspects of your personal hygiene that you would never accept for yourself under normal circumstances. Just remind yourself that it isn't forever.

Before heading off to the showers, take whatever steps you can to prepare while still at your locker. Strip down to just a towel and shower shoes. Put shampoo in your hair so there's one less bottle you have to take with you. Lay out your clothes in order of wear so you can get dressed quickly when you come back. Remove any adhesive bandages.

Most likely you will have to wait in line for your turn under a shower head, so utilize that time and be proactive. Clip your nails. Dry shave. Take stock of your body and any areas that might need extra attentiveness.

When it's your turn, don't waste any time. Turn on the water and thoroughly wet your skin and hair. This should take no more than 30 seconds.

Lather up the greasiest spots on your scalp and turn your back to the shower head to rinse. This should also take no more than 30 seconds. You will not get to repeat.

While your hair is rinsing, lather up the rest of your body, making sure to hit all the hot spots (hands, face, underarms, crotch, feet). This should take 1 minute.

Rinse off thoroughly, making sure all soap is out of your hair and off your skin. Turn off the water and exit the shower.