Best advice for basic training?

Well all I can say is you need to get tough inside and out now! Remember never say the word ''CAN'T"!!! Never volunteer for anything unless you are picked by the Drill or Platoon Guide! PT is very important for being an Infantry soldier so run as much as you can along with the push-ups and sit-ups, all the other stuff like the mountain climber and all will come during the first half hour or so before the run. Never borrow anything from anyone! Always say yes or no Drill Sergeant at all times! When you get a weekend off and go downtown stay out of trouble for you do not want to get on the blotter report for you will become very popular in a bad way the next morning and it could cost you your Army career and do not let others influence you no mater what it may be! Remember when you graduate basic training you main goal in life is not only training on how to kill the enemy but also your outlook goal is to reach the grade of Sergeant Major! Always set the example in every thing you say and or do! Remember there will be times when you are very hungry and or wet and tired, always remember it is mind over matter- if you don't mind it won't matter and stay highly motivated and dedicated at all times! Your appearance at the work formation is very important as well, spit shine boots/highly shined and a very good pressed uniform! Personal hygiene is very important on a daily basis so shower and brush your snags everyday! High and tight hair cut or bald is good at all times! They will watch what you eat in the mess hall, stay away from the deserts and just eat the main meal and never go back for seconds! Team work is very important at all times but there is some things that is done on an individual basis as well! Sign up for Airborne School for after basis and then try out for the Ranger Course, for then when you get to the rank of SSG go to the Bradley Master Gunner Course at Harmony Church and Graduate from there and you will be promoted light lightning! Ranger Tab and Master Gunner is the ticket!!! Go out for the EIB when ever it is given for that is very important as an infantryman! Upper body strength is a must for always work out when you get the chance! Along with running! As CPL Reed said do not take anything personal for the Drills are there to convert you from being a civilian to a lean mean fighting killing machine soldier which will remain with you for the rest of your life and that will enable you to make good decisions in life and being a gentleman! In basic the Drills frown upon going on sick call, only go if you are in very bad pain and if you get a P2 Profile or better you are now useless to your platoon as well as to you battalion as a whole then you could be recycled to the next batch of trainees! You will always hear the saying - Hurry Up And Wait, but that is what you want to do is to be early to any and all events or missions you are about to par take in! Do not try to hide from saluting the flag, for it is a honor and a privilege to salute our precious flag for many of us have died in order to keep it flying! Make sure your geg line always match up, for it is your belt on the trousers and your shirt! Speak loud when having to answer something! Do not say you from Texas ok!!LOL.
Good luck and have a very good graduation! Also while on leave, you are always representing the Army in every way so your dress and conduct must be of high standards at all times just like when you are at your company working! Any drugs that is not prescribed by a Army Doctor is not to be taken or smoking weed or anything they do give piss test at random a lot and if you come up hot you could get booted out of the mighty Army on a bad note and then be lucky to flip burgers at McDonalds! Good Luck and hope you make it the whole 20 years and plus some!!!

SFC
U.S. Army Infantry (RET)

Find your inspiration and stay motivated. You are a valuable piece of this great team. Take advantage of any schooling that you can get into while you are active. It will boost your promotabity and will make you that much further ahead when you ETS. Enjoy your time be proud that you are a US Army Soldier!!!

Do pt on your own. Lots and lots of pt. Get on AKO and go to alms and start doing correspondence courses. Learn army history. It might get you a spot in the front of the line at chow. Research Medal of Honor recipients. Learn the army song. If you have a lumpy head, cut your hair before you go so they can see it

I can't believe no one has said this yet, but more PT never hurt anyone. You are going to get run ragged during basic and for at least the first phase of AIT. The better shape you're in when you report, the easier it's going to be on you.

As the Army's old motto goes "Be all you can be", meaning learn as much as you can and get as much as you can out of your enlistment.

Basic is a mind game, not a physical one. They know you can handle the physical aspect of it so don't let the mental beat you. With that being said TRAIN HARD NOW so your in the best shape you can before shipping.

Put in for every training/education opportunity you can. Try to get into an MOS that will help you in the private sector.

Make and keep friends as you go.

Coming here and asking questions was a good start, pay attention and learn everything you can, if your not sure about somthing practice untill you have it down to muscle memory.

Dear future soldier, along te ago I was like you about to enter the as a PVt. Along the way I served in Germany, earned a commission, went to medical school, became a paratrooper and served with the Special forces while in combat. I retired after 30 years of continuous serice. You are about to enter the profession of Armed services, only 1 percent ear arm the privledge to serve. I wish you only the Best , Brother inAs.

From a former drill sergeant. Either be outstanding, or standing out (of the spot light). There are only 2% that are truly outstanding in all things, like humble intelligent collegiate athletes with some ROTC experience. On the flip side, braggarts, morons, unintelligent (unable to learn quickly), couch potatoes are a drill sergeant's dream. Standing out, is doing your best in all things, a steady and reliable soldier. Be helpful to your peers. Listen to others to size up those that can be helpful versus those that would bring you down. If one of your peers say, "Come on, we won't get caught", realize that if you are worrying about getting "caught" you already know it's wrong. If there are some guys that are bullies, stay away from them as they will bring themselves down. Don't be in their blast radius. Read your soldier's manuals. They give those to you for a reason. DO write and call your family. Stay connected as they are your lifeline to the sanity of the world. And remember, the Army is not the "everyone gets a trophy" club. You earn privileges by success and teamwork. It's older, but truly be all that you can be. You are the Spirit of the bayonet. Embrace the fun. And remember, no matter how hard it is, hot hot, how humid, how smelly, how hungry, how thirsty, YOU are still safe as you are in training. The drill sergeants cannot kill you nor eat you. It's just a game to see if you have the sack to hack it. Man up and enjoy the ride. Last comment. Do NOT whine. Men do not whine. Have fun troop! SFC V.

PVT Hunter Hofmann Hitt,
You are starting on a glorious road to most noblest professions that spans the eons of time. The Roman Centurions were the Grunts of their days. Your are joining their Legends. We, you, my son, and I will have trooped some of the same ground. After 24 years I too have been there and Done that and the darn Tee Shirts have all shrunk.
The Army profession is a pathway, which you must take the lead in traveling it. You will need to chart a course which is right for you, at the time you make that decision. Along this pathway you must prepare yourself for either the future Battlefield or Boardroom or both. Your mind is like a parachute, if you need one and don't have one you may never need another one. Keep it about you clean, clear, and sharp.
If you can't be the first, don't be the last. Those in first and last will not be in other venues. We all have strengths and weaknesses, learn to embrace them.

Here are a few of my pointers;

1) Keep your Faith in your Lord and Savior, As you will become a Watchman on the Wall.

2) Fort Benning Parade Field, you will be walking of soil from all the Inf. battles for the last 200 years

3) Become the most Lethal item on the Battlefield, a smart Grunt. Knowledge is power, know others jobs.

4) Strive to know the job two ranks above you. As a PFC know what and how to be an Team Leader. The month before the E-5 Promo Board is not the time to sign up for Correspondence Courses. From weapons employment to Leadership principles. Mission accomplishment, Not Get-R-Dun.

5) Get to know DA-3355 Army Promotion Point Worksheet. This will keep you knowing where you stand.

6) Stay hungry. Seek Knowledge, seek Self Improvement. Embrace the local culture, no mater how long you are going to be there.

7) Save for the future, TSP or other Investments. Plant some walnut trees now and at your 20 year retirement, you will have a forest that you can logout for handsome profit.

Keep you feet and knees together and hold what you you got.
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Sand Hill in August?? Enjoy the suck.