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Army Peanut Butter Shot 2024

army peanut butter shot
What is Army Peanut Butter Shot?

The army peanut butter shot is what the military calls a Bicillin injection. Bicillin is just another word for penicillin or a form of it. 

Today, I will discuss the army peanut butter shot, how bad it hurts, and the main reasons you get it whenever you go to military basic training, boot camp, or whatever initial training you must undergo in your particular branch. 

Some of you might be familiar with the Army Peanut Butter Shot, and others might have heard horror stories about it. And trust me, some of them are true, and some are fake. After this, I’ll get into all that and more about the shot. 

Table of Contents hide
What is the Peanut Butter Shot?
Why do people get the shot?
Where is it injected?
Is Army Peanut Butter Shot Painful?
Has the Peanut Butter Shot been discontinued?
How was the Experience?
Summary Notes

What is the Peanut Butter Shot?

“Peanut butter shot” is a slang term used by members of the US military, particularly those in the Army, to describe an intramuscular injection of penicillin G-benzathine.

The shot is called the “peanut butter shot” because it’s thick, like peanut butter, making it quite painful to administer and receive.

Why do people get the shot? 

The Army peanut butter shot prevents and treats bacterial infections, such as those caused by the Streptococcus bacteria.

It’s used to treat and prevent bacterial infections, which is good because, in basic training, you will be confined to a bay full of 45 to 60 other soldiers or service members who are training with you. 

Many people usually get sick during this time frame because they’re being exposed to new people and new environments in close proximity. So it helps mitigate any bacterial infections that might arise.

  • Bicillin injection: A form of penicillin
  • Purpose: Treat and prevent bacterial infections in a crowded environment.

Where is it injected?

The army injects the peanut butter shot into one of the butt cheeks on the upper end of it. So you pull your pants down a little bit to expose the cheek, and they will inject into the muscle.

  • Injection site: upper part of the buttocks

Is Army Peanut Butter Shot Painful?

The peanut butter shot hurts because it doesn’t spread as fast as other typical shots that are pure liquid. Since this one is a little thicker, it just sits in that area, and you must massage it. 

You have to rub it and give it a circular motion to help it spread through the buttock muscles.

You can also move your hips when sitting down. Move your glutes on whatever flat surface you’re on to help spread that liquid, which is the peanut butter shot. So that’s what I found helps, and it’s what the doctors even tell you there at the reception. 

Summary of Section

  • There are varying experiences of pain among individuals.
  • Tips to alleviate pain: massaging the injection site and moving the hips
  • Following the doctor’s advice is important to minimize pain and discomfort.

Has the Peanut Butter Shot been discontinued?

Some people think the Peanut Butter Shot is discontinued, especially if you attend basic training in 2020. There’s much talk about peanut butter not being a thing anymore because there is a pill instead, but that’s not true.

You would get the pill form mainly if you’re allergic to penicillin and can’t tolerate the shot. But you do need proof to back that up.

Sometimes the Army may be out of peanut butter shots. So they have to resort to the oral version, which is the pill, or your basic training may not do the actual shot, but that’s very rare. 

Chances are you will get the shot unless you’re allergic to penicillin or they’re entirely out of the shot, in this case, they will give you the pill form. But what are you guys hoping to get? Are you hoping to get the pill form or the actual shot? Let me know in the comments section below. 

  • Pill form: For individuals with penicillin allergies or when the shot is unavailable.

How was the Experience?

What can you experience when getting the peanut butter shot? To start this off, some people have passed out from getting this shot. Some people are afraid of needles; they’re afraid of things being injected into them. 

People have a couple of fears when it comes to this shot and shots in general. So that’s one of the reasons some people have passed out after getting this shot. 

Is that going to happen to you? That depends on you. If you’re afraid of needles, maybe, but pain varies from individual to individual. When I took the shot, I did not think it was that bad. It hurt, but it was just one of those things that lasted a few hours, and then I was good.

Some soldiers claim it hurt like a bee sting and felt like a baseball bat had hit them in that area. The lump stays red for a couple of days. 

It makes movement very difficult for some. It’s just one thing that can impede many of the movements you plan on doing because it’s injected right into the muscle. 

Suppose you don’t spread the shot around very thoroughly by moving side to side on a flat surface or by taking your palm, kneading it out, and spreading it into the muscle instead of just getting the shot and not doing anything. In that case, you’re probably going to have a bad time.

I want you guys to not go through as much pain as other service members do because they don’t do the proper things that the doctor tells them to do when getting this shot.

Overall, the pain scale will vary depending on you as an individual. But, again, I did not feel as much pain. It just stung for a bit, and then it was done.

Summary of Section

  • Different reactions: From fainting to mild discomfort
  • It’s important to follow the doctor’s advice to minimize pain.
  • The pain scale varies depending on the individual.
  • Proper care and movement can alleviate discomfort.

Summary Notes

  • What does “Peanut Butter Shot” mean? It’s an informal term for benzathine penicillin G injections in the military.
  • What is the purpose? Prevent and treat bacterial infections, especially Streptococcus.
  • The army peanut butter shot is part of the immunization protocol. It is administered during basic training in the US military.
  • Why the slang name “Peanut Butter”? Thick and dense, similar to peanut butter.
  • Where is it injected? Typically in the buttocks or upper arm muscles
  • Why is it painful? Due to its thickness, it can be uncomfortable to receive. Discomfort may last for several days at the injection site.
George N.
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