Best advice for basic training?

There is no lowly soldier in the book, Welcome to the band of brother, Before Basic Training..

Practice Waking up at 0400(04:00 AM) and Do PT.
Push up, Sit up, 1 mile run.
Learn the Army Value and soldier creed.

Also learn Army ranks structure.

Hunter,

Great advise from everyone. I was not in the Army, but was a Marine. Listen to your superiors and do everything that you are instructed to do to the best of your ability. In other words, be a squared away soldier. In addition, be an excellent planner. Plan out your days, weeks, and months so that you are always prepared and on top of things. If you are having an inspection, do not wait until the last minute to have your uniform arranged, weapon cleaned, etc. Discipline, planning, and organization will take you a long ways in the military, and whatever follows military service.

I was a Drill Aegean for 3 years at Ft Benning School for Boys in 1985-1988. Bottom line, NEVER QUIT, GIVE UP or say I can't /won't! You will be told to do things that to you don't make sense or that you fully understand. You will be hot, wet, dirty, tired, hungry, and you'll be yelled at by superiors. There is method to the madness that is time honored and proven. Focus on getting stronger, orienting to military life, helping your buddy, and begin to accept the early stages of Warrior development. Start running/jogging now, start building your shoulders, back, arms by doing modified push-ups to full well elevated push-ups, most of all work on your core strength and hydration now. DO NOT injure yourself. Start slow and build slow. Memorize what they tell you, Soldier's Creed, cyclic rate and parts to infantry weapons systems. But most of all don't ever quit or mouth off to the chain of command or your battle buddy. Oh did I say you' be hot, dirty & tired? Good luck soldier!

There really is no advice to give except listen, don't talk unless talked to, don't fall out, do your best and become part of the team. There is no I anymore. You will figure it out quickly and excell! Welcome to the best thing that you will ever be a part of.

Do your best at all times and don't let other influence you on your decisions and do the best of your life in the military.God bless you.

First, have another meeting with your recruiter and ask the questions necessary to answer your concerns. Second, stay out of trouble before leaving for training. Third, embrace the suck factors of Infantry life outdoors 365 days a year. Not every recruit is qualified for Infantry training let alone life in an Infantry platoon.

Last, remember that Jodi is always glad you left town.

Start a savings plan and save money in a ira its free money dont spend your money mindlessly like i did , save for your future

Think about your future. Meaning, do you plan on being career military or getting out after a few years? Also, what skills do you want to transfer to the civilian world when you are done? I was a scout for 10yrs then got MedBoarded and can't use many of my skills; so now I'm going to school. If you want a career I'd say to do the combat arms thing for your initial enlistment. When you get into your reenlistment window see what MOS's are open; use the BEAR program and find a skill set you can use if you have to get out before your time.
As for finances, being infantry gives you free range almost as far as schools go. Do airborne, ranger, and anything else that puts extra money in your pocket. Sign up for the TSP or open your own IRA and put ALL your extra pays into it. If you're single stay that way and live in the barracks until you make 5 at least. If you move out find a place that can be covered as much as possible by your BAH; don't come out of pocket for anything you don't have to. I think that's enough for now. Any questions thing else just ask.

Welcome to the family. Be engaged but also know when to be quiet.

Thanks for being part of the 1%, not sure any of my advice or experiences would help since I went to boot camp in 1976, I am sure in 39 years, things have changed. Best advice I would give someone is shut up, do what your told, do your best at everything they ask you to do. Chance if you do those things, you will get out of there with a PV2 stripe, which means more pay.