Best advice for basic training?

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First, get at parade rest when reading this, even retired, I am still and E-8. (If you do not know what parade rest is, go see your recruiter immediately and make them teach you...immediately...that means now)

Second, just about everyone there is going to be young and inexperienced, and knowing you do not know much is already putting you ahead of the game.

The best advice I can give anyone going to IADT is 'Don't quit.' If you do not quit, you will make it through. It is designed for people physically weaker, with lower test scores to make it through and they do all the time. IF you are the weakest and dumbest person there, then laugh at everyone who quits and realize that you actually were not the weakest or dumbest because you had what it took to simply not quit.

Last, do some push-ups because you didn't go to parade rest after I told...and if you did, which I doubt, you didn't do it fast enough. No, I am not joking, knock them out. Do twenty, since you were asking.

Can't hear you!!!

I learned my Army Ways at the Sand Hill School too, and my advice would be, run!
No, not run away. This is a running Army, so if you aren't a runner, work on that; particularly as an infantryman.

Other than that, just know that the Drill Sergeants are doing what they do for a purpose, even if you can't see it-and its OK not to see it or understand it right away. But as you work through OSUT and in the years to come, you will begin to understand why things are the way they are and why you trained as you did (For the most part. Some things, well, you'll scratch your head and just never understand! LOL).

One of the first things I always tell people is that everyone's experience will be different, so you have to assume your experience will be as well. Fort Benning is known for being a bit more intense than some of the other Basic Training posts, which for some people is a good thing. But even there, it's going to vary from unit to unit.

I've never been to Benning, but I've heard that the Drill Sergeants there sometimes break the rules that are designed to protect soldiers in training. If it's minor, I'd ignore it, but if it's a problem, don't be afraid to go to see the IG, or talk to a chaplain about it. Even if you're not religious at all, the chaplain should go to bat for you. These rules are there to protect you.

Overall, the biggest factor will probably be the people you're around, so try to get along with people. In Basic, the worst part was that 3 of the guys in my platoon were obnoxious. I really enjoyed AIT because everyone I was around was pretty cool.

Things to do before reporting.
Work on your physical condition, eat heathy, no smoking, no drinking alcohol, stay away from drugs..

When you get there, mouth shut, eyes and ears open...team work is the key...get and keep a "can do" positive attitude... Fellow instructions NO short cuts..

Wish you well in your endeavors...Go Army

I graduated from Basic Training a little over 10 years ago (at Ft Leonard Wood), so this may be dated advice; however, the best advice I can give you is to just stop thinking. First, you will not have enough food nor sleep to power both your brain and your body; moving your body is much more important. Nobody sees what goes on in your head. Secondly, if you start to question WHY you are doing things a certain way, because you know that there is some better way or maybe you just find something arbitrary and ridiculous, you will go out of your mind and be miserable.

All that being said, take time to look around once in a while and truly be present in the moment. This is something you'll never have the experience of doing again, and it will go by so quickly. You will find out things about yourself that you truly didn't know prior to your enlistment, regardless of your age going into it.

First of all, don't call yourself lowly. You've made a commitment few ever make. No, you're not a soldier yet, but you're in the queue, and that counts as far as I'm concerned.

1. Be extremely agreeable (yes, Sergeant or Drill Sergeant - whichever their preference)
2. Shut up and do what you're told
3. Listen close the first time - they already told you how to do it
4. Don't be THAT person - they'll tell you why at some point...just do it for now
5. Enjoy your time - you'll make lifelong friends in basic

That's it for now...

Pay attention to detail, learn as much as you can, take advantage of the education progams available and always do the right thing.

Do push ups and flutter kicks until you think you're going to puke. Then do more. Oh, and drink water!

Really just be open to learning new things at a rapid rate, think ahead to what is coming next, be ready with your need gear, and be on time!

If you have the right attitude you have lots of fun, serious.

Good luck!

Welcome to the family. You will find no worse scoundrels or better people that exist on this planet than in the military. be one of the latter to your fellow soldiers. It will shape the rest of your life.

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Don't ever call a female drill sergeant ,"Ma'am".
3. Don't put your damn hands in your pockets.