<p>could someone explain to me the definition of breaking because i don’t quite understand. Everyone has they’re limits and not everyone is of the same athletic ability. So what is really meant by breaking? YOu can only do as much as your body will allow but yet you get yelled at when you reach that point</p>
<p>Breaking as I know is when the body reaches it's physical maximum limit and fails to function further. Biologically, it's when there is a lack of ATP for energy to provide muscle contraction. </p>
<p>From what I understand, nobody is expected to make it through BCT without breaking. They want to push us to that limit so we can know what we're capable of, push that limit further, and make us stronger. The yelling (I hope) is to make sure that we don't stop before absolutely hitting that limit and not to see who is superman out there. After all, we are still human and unlike Michael Phelps, we can't go forever.</p>
<p>well, i'd say breaking is more frequently mental than physical.</p>
<p>it's basically when you give up.</p>
<p>they push us a lot here, but i'd say well over half of it is mental. it's very challenging physically, but when you don't know when it's going to stop, it's easy to want to give up. you have to overcome that.</p>
<p>that being said, there are times when people break from physical exhaustion. luckily, this is where teamwork comes into play-your classmates will help you get through.</p>
<p>ya its always fun putting your feet under the person next to you so he doesnt fail hehe</p>
<p>This topic makes me think of the billions and billions of pictures I combed thru during BCT last summer. For kodak moments of "breaking", go to the AOG website and look thru the pictures. They are the most touching moments. You see Basics carrying other Basics...helping them thru the mud, pulling them over obstacles, waiting for their fellow Basic at the end of a course....etc. It's absolutely amazing and wonderful. I have the most beautiful picture of my "basic", covered in mud, almost indistinguishable and she's being helped by a fellow Basic.. For weeks I searched to find out who he was. When I traveled to COS for I-day, I finally met the wonderful boy in the picture. I'm telling you, this "breaking" business is not just a term, it's a life long lesson. I cry every time I look thru those pictures...</p>
<p>Sorry, back to the discussion. Just being a mom for a moment... :)</p>
<p>Hey flymom, do you think you could provide a link?</p>
<p>ahh breaking... just when you cant take it any more, either physically or mentally. i'm very sound mentally, and decent physically, but you'll break both ways eventually. it's not a bad thing-- it's when you realize that you need help and cant make it through alone. and it feels great to help those around you too.. whether you know them or not. did that lot on the o-course and a-course</p>
<p>“I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious” -Vince Lombardi</p>
<p>well said. Ya my dad was telling me of his time in the Army and going through basic. Mentally is pretty self explanitory. they break you down mentally. Then he was saying about how they did pushups till they puke. I did track and never puked from running, but pushups!? wow. so ya it goes both ways</p>
<p>Mentally breaking--when you are tired/sore and say "I can't do this anymore," then stop.</p>
<p>Physically breaking--When you are tired/sore/numb and say "Why won't my arm/leg work?" then continue trying (and usually failing to do the exercise correctly)</p>
<p>Physically breaking is usually more accepted by upperclassmen (unless you are not fit and break before everyone else). Breaking mentally will usually garner more attention from the uppers. We don't like to see people give up.</p>
<p>I've puked while/after running. Oddly enough, that was before I got here. (hint: I learned how to prevent it from happening)</p>
<p>I think this would have been good to talk about at the SAF page, would fit in well with the What to expect and Pros/cons threads</p>
<p>Semper,
You can see some pics here on Webguy's site: [url=<a href="http://www.usafawebguy.com%5DUSAFA">http://www.usafawebguy.com]USAFA</a> AOG WebGuy | USAFA AOG WebGuy<a href="you%20must%20register,%20but%20it's%20free%20unless%20you%20want%20to%20purchase%20a%20membership">/url</a> Also, there are awesome pictures on the USAFA site.</p>
<p>Just wait till SERE they will break everyone</p>
<p>raimus - I would be interested in knowing your trick. How do you "prevent it from happening?"</p>
<p>
[quote]
So what is really meant by breaking? YOu can only do as much as your body will allow but yet you get yelled at when you reach that point
[/quote]
</p>
<p>And then the next day you will push a little bit more, thus your breaking point will move.</p>
<p>Just keep saying to yourself over and over again THIS WILL NOT LAST FOREVER.</p>
<p>By pushing you to your breaking point and making you pass it, those horrible fears will seem like nothing b/c you know you will survive. </p>
<p>Everybody is going to have a different breaking point. The only thing I know for sure is that when you hit and can go no further, people next to you will lift you up and say good job. These people will become your support system and want you to be the best.</p>
<p>Somewhere in your career you will face your breaking point, but you will never face it alone.</p>
<p>I personally know Iwould fail SERE...I would rather eat grass before the little bunny. I would also fail winter survival...good reason to be the wife and a Mom of people who want to be in the AF...Making a snow cave doesn't sound like something I would enjoy...nor water survival with treading water...give me a log cabin or a cruise ship anytime ;)</p>
<p>BTW if I am correct doesn't everybody fail a part of SERE?</p>
<p>You don't HAVE to eat the bunny.</p>
<p>What is winter survival?
Is it what they are enduring today?</p>
<p>Winter sruvival is when they take you in the woods and leave you there during the winter months...i.e. if you get the 22 to Elmendorf you will do it (Don't worry the guys from Eilson are known to bring out pizza to you)</p>
<p>Water survival also is when they take you to Florida and let you swim in the ocean for a couple of hrs (planes do fly across the pond)</p>
<p>Ask Bullet about the bunny story...he wrote about it a couple of months ago and even I was rolling on the floor. To sum it up, he was in charge of the bunny and had to listen to it all night, needless to say when morning came and he was sleep deprived he didn't see it as Thumper...he saw it as somebody who snored all night :p</p>
<p>Have you been drinking?%^&*()??</p>
<p>Why b/c I acknowledge that Thumper dies? You do realize you are in the woods for several days...not hours...or at least that is how it use to be...you will eventually say bunnies taste like chicken or be a botanist ;) I would choose it as the perfect time to go on a diet :) and eating the bunny is a high point.</p>
<p>For those who don't know, there is a 2nd part to SERES</p>
<p>When I was at 'kool skool' at Eielson, there was NO pizza! ;)</p>