Your arrival at Reception marks the beginning of Army Basic Training. Time spent in Reception may range anywhere from several days to over a week. While here, clothing issue, medical immunization, eye and dental exams, and a variety of in-processing tasks await. Much time in Grant Hall is spent simply waiting. The long, wooden benches in both the central area and in various alcoves along the hall faciltate such sitting, sometimes for mind-numbing hours. Soldiers are encouraged to "read their smart books", and in so doing learn a shadow of what awaits them.

The real fun of Reception, however, is the naieve enthusiasm which marks both daytime processing and nighttime in the barracks. Here, soldiers are introduced to "fireguard duty", boot polishing techniques, and the inadequacy of barracks plumbing (i.e. two inches of urine on the latrine floor). Perhaps most important, these privates make the friendships and connections to one another which will foster commaraderie both during Basic and, in some cases, throughout a lifetime.