Best advice for basic training?

Basic Training is easy: Do what you're told, do it quickly, and be prepared to do more.

BCT is super easy. Yes, it's physically demanding. Yes, you will get yelled at, but it's just to make you more resilient.

You will be taught how to shoot, how to pack your ruck; etc... the best way to prepare is to get physically ready. Do push-ups, sit-ups, and get used to running for long periods of time.
Do a 1-1-1 assessment, see how you do on a 2-2-2 (which is the Army PT test). There are score charts online (60 points per event will get you a passing score). Think of it like this: the more you sweat now, the less pain you'll be in later.

Drill Sergeants and Platoon Sergeants (you'll have these when you get to your unit) are probably going to yell, mass punish, and make you do a bunch of annoying stuff (extra push ups, police calls, pointless formations; etc.). Don't take it personally, just try to get some motivation out of it. Yelling is their way of expressing themselves, but remember it's their job to help you succeed. (Also, it's against the law for them to hit you...)

Army Life is easy: do what you're told, do it quickly, and be prepared to do more.

Airborne School is easy: do what you're told, do it quickly, and be prepared to do more.

Are you noticing a pattern?

You'll be fine, and remember PT is free.

You are going to get a great experience and join a fraternity of great people. I have read many of the responses and these are great. Here are a few things that you will also want to do. Make yourself and I love me book. Keep copies of all of your certificates, achievements, reenlistment contracts, photos awards in a binder. These will help you later on in your military career. As you leave each post get copies of your medical records. You can tough it through anything. When you are sick get medicine to fix it. When you are hurt see the docs to fix it and get it annotated in your records. When something is really wrong go see the doc and get it annotated in your records. It will make a difference later on in your Army career. You will always be Soldier even after you are out of the service.
Some of your Sergeants will say "suck it up and drive on" there are many times to do this. Occasionally you need to stop and get yourself help. There are many who "drove on" did not do some of the things above and became bitter.

Most importantly enjoy your experience and as the old Army saying goes: "Be All That You Can Be"

No such thing as a lowly Soldier. You raised your hand, which is more than most citizens do. You are about to undertake the biggest adventure of your life. We are here to support and encourage you along the way.

Don't forget to have fun while you're training! Step back and realize that you are being paid to work out, shoot guns, spend time outdoors etc. You're training for a very serious job but that doesn't mean you can't have fun doing it.

Deployments are another subject all together- don't worry about those yet- just focus on becoming the best 11B you can.

I have some simple advice for you that will help you in basic and through out your military career !!! 1st thing to remember when in basic and other training become unknown !!! That means you do exactly as your told when you're told and just kick back and watch everyone else go through what your going through and feed off there energy and mistakes !! Nothing better than a hyped up instructor lol !! You will be surprised! !! It's all a mental fuck for your own good !!! So listen, learn and keep your mouth shut and never volunteer for shit lol !!! As far as war goes ? May god have mercy and you don't have to worry about it ! But if you do ? Then you do as your told and most importantly when over seas ! (KEEP YOUR HEAD LOW AND YOUR RIFLE HIGH !!!! ) I will tell you what my uncle told me !! There's always someone who is more stupid than you are !!!!! So good luck and god bless America !!!!

Hunter, first thing. Why did you say a lowly future soldier, you must have confidence in youself you are not lowly but a young man getting his life on track. Second, start working out, run, pushup, pull ups, crunches get in tip top shape that will make it a lot easier for you. Get ready to wakeup early in the morning and know that you will be told what to do, when to do it 24 hrs a day for your whole time there but it will be well worth it in the end when you graduate and say to yourself "I did it". And as everyone else have said, listen don't say much, push yourself and trust your drill instructor and your buddies and you will be alright.

Major piece of advice: No matter how tough it gets, how many times you fail at something, how many times you fall, let others down, let your DS down, yourself down, etc. DO NOT QUIT! If it seems like it is hopeless, KEEP PUSHING FORWARD! Trust me! Even if you struggle in boot camp, this will set you apart and the DS will work with you to make sure you reach your goals! And in the end, you'll earn so much respect from your peers and youself!

Yes, in all things in training, never try to apply your own logic. Everything they tell you to do has a reason and a purpose. Dont ask, just do.

Trust your DIs they'll make a good soldier out of you but you have to let them. Be proud of yourself and honor the uniform you wear. You're not lowly; you're Army.

Like many others have said, you are not just a lowly soldier. You are joining the kings of battle, the front line landlords (because we own that beotch). As far as basic goes, just know this, there is no staying under the radar, drills do have eyes and ears everywhere, basic is 70% physical and 30% mental. I looked at basic as one big camping trip with better toys. Just keep an open mind and a clear head and the experience can be worth it. It is what you make of it.