Best advice for basic training?

It's all designed with a very specific purpose in mind. Learn from those in your unit who are doing it right. Be the leader, not the follower. Get rest when you can, but not before you're "squared" away. Keep your ears and eyes open. Strive to be better than each day before it.

I can go on and on. Just be the best you can be and stay away from know-it-alls and trouble makers. Hooah!

When in basic, a certain number will be given leadership roles, Always learn what you are to do and the person in charge of you , you never know when you'll be called into that position. Listen twice as much as you talk, you learn much more that way and remember that even the "stupid" tasks have a purpose, complete them with pride and you'll figure out why later in training.

Hunter,

First, I congratulate you on your decision to join the US Army and enjoy Fort Benning, School for Wayward Boys, it is a great place to be introduced to the Army.

Second, I don't want to come off as a D.I.C.K. but you haven't earned the title of Soldier nor PVT and I am sure there are other titles you can place on your profile until you complete OSUT.

PVT Hunter Hofmann Hitt,

Hunter, your life is going to be changed forever, it is up to you how that change is made. If you make the most of it the change will be for the best and you will be a better civilian when the time comes to leave the service.

In Basic training all of the yelling and static has a reason, can you handle stress and still do your job. Listen to what the DI is saying when he/she is yelling, it will take your far. There is nothing you can do to stay on the good side of a DI, they are not your friend they are your instructor so learn! You can get on their bad side by being a screw up.

You will meet new people both good and bad, never lend anyone money! Not saying you can't float a guy a buck or two if he is short but no large amounts. Do not hang around trouble makers, they will take you down with them. There are not a lot of them but like anything else the Army does get a few bad apples. Stay away from the bars and clubs, you will spend all of your money for nothing.

Put some money in the TSP or thrift savings plan every month, it will grow fast!

Never buy a car from one of the lemon lots that surround military bases, get it from a dealer.

There are a lot of civilian businesses that will take advantage of young soldiers with high interest rates on things you may want to buy, so don't use them.

Learn the off limits list and never ever go to any business or location that is on it, it cause you nothing but trouble. The army has eyes!

You are not lowly, you are about to take a test to see if you are worthy of the uniform. Honor the uniform at all times, it has a blood line that goes back to the revolutionary war. Welcome to the family.

Private Hitt. It is going to be rough. It is made to take you to the point that you think you are going to break. Then, they start building you back. Look ahead, think, and be out going. Don't sit and think you have the wrong answer. The only stupid question, is the one that is unasked. If you can't get something down ask for guidance. BRM breath, hold, squeeze.

This was the best advise given to me. Be where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there, and in the correct uniform for the mission.

Do what you're told, when you're told to do it! Stay motivated and work as a team with the other Soldiers in your Platoon. It really is that simple, most just don't listen.

I have a free memoir about my year at Infantry School (Basic, Advanced Infantry, and Infantry OCS) available on Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/169084

Granted, much has changed in the decades since but I bet there's still a lot of good knowledge in it that will be valuable. information that I wish I had known before hand. Sadly, the only thing I knew came from Beetle Bailey comics and none of it was true.

Good luck

You are far from lowly as you are soon to be a part of a very select group of individuals that have answered the call to serve our country. Ft. Benning is a big post with a number of schools. I did Air Assault and Path Finder there back in the 80's. As far as basic you will be busy and you won't have any free time to check it out. However do what you're told and do it with energy and you'll be fine in basic. Also start doing push-ups and running 2 miles. Good luck! If you come into basic a PT stud DI may cut you some slack, but don't count on it.

Never turn around when the Drill Sgts say "come here you". Never volunteer for anything. Understand that your time there consists of one long mind game without sleep and a whole lot of physical exertion. Always keep a good attitude, and ALWAYS look to mentor those who struggle in your platoon. Drill Sgts love it when you look out for each other, even when they tell you not to do it. Did I mention it will be a long long mind game?

First off, congrats on your CHOICE to serve and I wish you well in your future. With great advice already given in the previous post, I would like to add a pitch for the Thrift Savings plan (TSP). I wish as a young soldier the TSP program was around when I joined. Google it and see what you think. If you decide to make this a career and contribute to TSP from the beginning, you will really set yourself up for financial success after retirement.

Additionally, once you get through basic and AIT, you might want to look into the Warrant Officer Flight Training program. It is very rewarding and I just wish I would have done it earlier in my career.

Just my two cents..