Best advice for basic training?

I would like to echo what SSG Lanning has said so eloquently and concisely already... I would simply add that there are no limits on what you can accomplish or to what rank you can aspire to...to coin the phrase of a sister service keep your AIM HIGH...if you shoot for the stars you may just reach the moon...I went to basic training in 1982 as a private and left the service in 2006 as a major... Not all soldiers are called to be officers, but it is a noble calling and one hell of a responsibility. It is also an equally great calling to be an NCO because the ARMY would be sunk without them taking charge of their soldiers and getting them ready to perform as the situation requires. We are a team and each member has a role to play. Whatever path you may take let it be YOUR Path...envision the desired end state and let no one or nothing deter you. Welcome to my ARMY son and God Bless you.

First, you have joined the 1% of people willing to step forward and put their life on the line to defend out great nation. You should feel proud of that decision. Basic training will be physically, mentally, and spiritually demanding. You'll be reshaped into a Soldier, so go with the program. Strive to be "first" in every challenge thrown at you, but learn form them all.

Before I went to BCT many moons ago, I made sure I could do push-ups, sit-ups, and run two miles. Don't go into the Army out of shape. This will make life easier.

When I saw the word "lowly" I about passed out and then read each person's response as we all know there is no such thing when you talk "FUTURE". There may be one or two out there serving who feel and act that way, but for a future Soldier to say that, think not. I can tell you from my foxhole/cockpit, that I sought out every opportunity to get in shape before basic training so that the physical pain of getting into shape would not hurt so bad and that I could concentrate on the thing the Army was going to teach me. Education is key, start taking any online or public community college out there. It goes a long way whether you are a Soldier or not. Take every opportunity to do things you suspect need to be done and always be looking for ways to help the command achieve its mission goal. With the "mission command" scenario, even the "lowly private" has a solution that could very well be "THE ANSWER" to the problem or question. Be respectful and use candor to forward you ideas or comments. I could go on about a lot of things, but this is a decent start and you have a ton of reading already ahead of you from everyone.

Enjoy your service, I signed up for ONLY three years of service and 28 years later I am still doing it, catch the fever and enjoy the ride.

Welcome to the Armed Forces. Just stop, look and listen and you can pick up a lot around your surroundings. "Never make a mistake twice" It becomes a trend.

PVT (Join to see) since you have already picked the army and signed up,I can not advise you to go see a Navy Recruiter as you should have done. However, congratulations on your decision to join the Armed Forces and Defend your Country. Although you are a volunteer, once you take your Oath of Enlistment, that obligation is not going to stop - EVER.

On arrival in BOOT CAMP you need to engage your mind. This is the beginning of learning from day one second one. You will encounter all types of individuals set out to make your life miserable, many of them will be fellow recruits and some your instructors. Listen carefully to what your instructors want and expect, they will then become your teachers and friends; helping you through recruit training and ensuring your success in the Army. Ultimately your success or failure in the weeks of recruit training are up to you. Keep your eye on the goal of perfection and making it out as the best you can be. Once you graduate then and only then can you go on and get training in Ranger School, or whatever else you want! BUT, your performance in boot camp can help you get there.

If it doesn't get hard in basic, you are probably going to be a superstar. If it does, that's because it was designed that way.
My wife (a lifelong civilian) asked me once while watching something about Basic "Why do they yell at them like that? Why can't they just reason with them?" My answer was "because they aren't trying to win friends and influence people, they are training Soldiers to function under stressful conditions".

Remember that, and rise above, and you will go far. Anyone can make it through basic, and so will you. if you decide to go to the next level and be a Ranger or SF, it will be much harder...but you will have laid the foundations.

If you remember nothing else, remember that if (when) things get hard, just make it to the next meal. If you keep making it to the next meal, you will have eventually made it through all of them and succeeded.

Oh, and Welcome!

I was on sandhill in 2008. Id say dont play f*ck f*ck games. Do what your told. Dont put baby powder infront of the fan to combat another platoon charging at you in the buff. Because it sets off the fire alarm of the whole battalion... And then your doing a good ole smoke session out in the rain in nothing but your towel. Also dont listen to that tradition in bravo company 1-50 about shaving your whole body from top to bottom in honor of graduation. Your drill knows and will make you run after words the bext morning of graduation and boy do you feel it. Just have fun do what your told and remember 90% of it is mental and only 20% is physical. Play the game

Keep your mouth shut and do what you are told. There is going to be a lot of things that don't make sense to you in basic, but that is how it is supposed to be. You don't exactly get bonus points for going "above and beyond" at basic either. The process is designed to transition you from the civilian world into the military world. You will learn military tasks along the way, but they won't be the most important things you learn in basic training. You'll learn a lot about yourself; some good and some bad. You'll learn that there are no individuals in the Army. The smallest element is a team. This means that you will never be alone in the military. The only individual tasks you will complete will be weapons qualification and PT tests.

One thing people always kept doing is opening their mouths. Go there with your mouth closed and ears open. Don't assume you know anything. Be there to learn and execute.