Best advice for basic training?

One thing to do before starting Basic, if you are not already...
Get in shape. You'll get whipped into shape in Basic, but if you do some simple workout routines you will get by a little better. I ran a couple miles a day before going into Basic. Also did sit-ups, pushups and lifted some light weights. If you can find some monkey bars to practice on, that was one thing that a lot of guys had a hard time with, particularly if they were of a more normal weight, and especially if they were a bit overweight. I was a skinny guy weighing about 105 pounds at 5'10" tall. All muscle though. I came out of Basic weighing around 115. This was many moons ago, July of 1975 is when I went in, so the training may have some variances from what I experienced.
Just remember too, when you feel like you are getting your butt kicked, there isn't ANYone in your Basic training unit that is not going through the very thing that you are. That knowledge kept me going and I had a relatively easy time of it. Did Basic at Fort Dix, NJ and Field Artillery FDC training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. I was then stationed in the former Panama Canal Zone at Fort Kobbe. Great duty. At the time the Army was in a bit of a slump, I was fortunate to be stationed where I was as the training was hard, when anything broke down we got replacement parts in a hurry. Elsewhere in the Army at the time, vehicles would remain deadlined for long periods of time. The mission of the military in the Canal Zone enjoyed a relatively high priority which helped make things run smoothly overall. I was there pre-Noriega and the times were very enjoyable.

Head up. Stay awake. Follow orders. Have faith. Trust your drill sargent's. If you have to think about it for more than 5 seconds it's probably a bad idea. Finally don't do stupid shit
Foremost welcome to the army.

Welcome! Congratulations on your decision and thank you in advance for your service. There is no greater calling than to put on a uniform and put others ahead of yourself. The friends you make will be lifelong! As will the memories. I still keep in touch with my battle buddies and it's been 20 years! There will be some suck I'm not going to lie but you will learn to embrace it and eventually enjoy it. So my tips.. DONT keep your head down! You will not be able to coast through I can promise you that :-). DO push yourself out of your comfort zone! You will be amazed how present the weather is out there :-). Listen to your instructors, even when they are being difficult. YOU WILL GET YELLED AT repeatedly. Don't take it personally, it's all part of the process. It will help your mental toughness improve. And remember that the worst that will happen is you will wind up doing push-ups until you can't anymore then you will roll over and do flutter kicks until you can't do those any more. And you will come out the other side a BAD ASS :-)
Enjoy it my friend and welcome to the brotherhood!

My advice for you as I too went to basic at Benning at echo hill back in 83. Don't take the BS too seriously. I assume you are doing osut. So 13 weeks and then on to your duty station. Once your out of the first 6 weeks then start training for your MOS the Suck will be less. Embrace the physical part of the days and dont let it get you down.So to sum it up, Suck it up and drive on Airborne,

The 1Lt is correct, went through Benning in '83 ,Harmony Church, a lot has changed...Do not say "Sir" to a Drill Sergeant and run daily starting yesterday, 40 push'em ups 4 times a day won't hurt either. Remember, the first 4-5 weeks are mostly mental.

Just listen to ur nco dont do anything dumb and never listen to other privates focus on what your about to do from RETIRED SGT HERNANDEZ

Work hard.Study hard.Do not take anything for granted.Remember there is no better sense of pride then wearing that uniform. Take full advantage of every experience coming your way.stay strong and good luck Private.

First off, change your attitude! You are not a "lowly future" soldier.
You have become part of United States military, the best in the world!
Stay positive, follow orders and be ready to learn! The only person stopping YOU from being the best in what YOU do, is YOU!!!
I took Basic Training at Fort Ord many years ago, but believe me the Drill Sergeants now are just as good, professional and ready to teach you the best, as then!
Be ready for some very interesting challenges and when other special training and schools are offered, jump at the opportunities, you will be glad you did.
Since there is no draft, you volunteered for this, so make the best of it and who knows, you might just want to make this your career! Good luck, stay positive! Airborne!

There are a lot of good comments already, so I won't repeat the obviously well stated. I did that OSUT back in 1983. Went through my career and then came full circle and commanded a BCT Company. I can tell you this, people who fail in Basic do so through two causes. The one reason is just a drop and lack of motivation. Some days feel like you just wake up and the day is over. Some days feel like it is never going to end. Just keep going. When the training is over, life takes off at a 100 mph. What causes most people the biggest problem is medical injuries, mostly due to running and marching. Start now in learning how to stretch, take care of your feet and your muscles. Don't sweat so much getting in shape for it, you have 90 days, they will get you where you need to be, if you push yourself to get through it. As an Infantry soldier, you will live or die by the state of your feet, calves and knees. Stretching is one way you can reduce the possibilities of injury. In my BCT cycles, I typically lost 15% of the Company to severe stress fractures and lower extremities injuries because people were unaccustomed to the shock to their system. Google how to stretch to prevent shin splints and google how to prepare for long distance running as a new runner. Also look up how to prepare for hiking and road marching. Those tips will help you out. And now, while you have the time, start doing those exercises a bit before your ship date so the shock to our system will be less. Other than that, stay professional, maintain your integrity, no matter what, and do not expect that all other soldiers are doing so. Most will, but there is always going to be "that guy". Don't be "that guy", and don't hang around with "that guy". Learn your profession well, be dedicated to improving and learning, and you will be OK.

Why Infantry? did you take your ASVAB? IF you didn't you need to take it.. and be Serious about it.. have you already sworn in? at MEPS? Untill you swear in your not locked to a job.. I'd highly suggest that you NOT go as Infantry unless you like living like a wild animal and love camping, Juss my 2c. Also know that BASIC TRAINING isn't life in the Regular Duty army.