Best advice for basic training?

PVT Hunter Hoffmann Hitt, God bless you brother. Thanks for volunteering during wartime. You need to understand your life will change for ever. The biggest change you will notice right off is your time belongs to the Army. The Army will tell you when it is time to eat, sleep work, exercise, and when you can go home. This is a lot of control over your life. Anyone who has absolute control over your time has a lot of power over your life. You volunteer, but will be held accountable if you fail to comply with your duties and responsibilities.

My first night of basic training in the Air force in 1990 when I went to sleep I decided I was going home after the weekend. I felt like I was at a summer camp that turned out I hated being there and wanted to go home. I really thought for about 30 seconds I was going home after the weekend. Then the fear hit me I ain't going nowhere but to pt in the morning. They got me for the next 4 years.

When I went to Army Basic four years later I was more prepared. I suggest not being afraid to volunteer. Most say do not volunteer. But believe it or not, when you get out of basic and have that type of attitude can get you some negative attention depending on where you work. Good luck.

give it your best, keep positive at all times. It has been 25 years since I went through basic/ait things have changed but a US ARMY Soldier is and always will be one of the best in the world. Listen to your DS and everyone of rank in your platoon/company/battalion. Try to be a leader that is what the Army wants you to do is shine so shine and try to be the best (don't have to kiss someones ass to shine just do it on your own). If you have time before you leave get into the best shape you can by running, push-ups and sit-ups.Pay attention in class do not fall asleep the classes can be quiet boring for sure. Always respect those of higher rank and know your ranking. Silver and Gold demand the utmost respect so give it to them.. Other than these few tips good luck keep a strong will because they will try to break you as soon as the bus pulls up to the intake and do not look forward to sleeping a lot when you first get there.. Do not take anything of great value because you will have it taken from you as soon as you get to your training company. Find a good pair of running shoes before you go. Good Luck..

Enjoy it, You only do it once. Luv the suck!

The best advice is to, do everything that the Drill Sergeants tell you, don't be a smart ass. And volunteer for jobs that they ask the company to do. Remember that it is a mind game from day 1. It is designed to tear you down then build you back up into a model soldier. And most of all if you are religious or not go to Church on Sunday. you will get about 4 hours on Sunday for church and letter writing. then in the afternoon you will have classes.

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.