Best advice for basic training?

First of all congrats on your decision to join. Trust your Drill Sergeant !! They know what they are doing. Do what they tell you to do, how they tell you to do it and when they tell you to do it. It is really that simple. Accept all challenges with enthusiasm and do the best you can. If you make a mistake OWN it and learn from it. Everyone was a new recruit at one time and had the same feelings you do but believe me its all worth it.

Best advice I can give you in addition to what others have stated - Be physically fit before you leave for training. Look up the Army PT standards and do your best to be capable of meeting them before training starts. This is probably the hardest part of basic for most people and being prepared for it in advance will make things MUCH easier for you.

Oh, and if "Sir/Ma'am" is not already part of your vocabulary, start practicing now.

The Lt. Makes a great point, especially #3. Stay hungry, and don't ever feel down.

Use common sense and pay attention to details. When I decided to go SF after desert storm I needed an infantry mos and that's where I did my second basic training. Give it your all and don't act like a know it all. Represent us well

Wanted to echo the thanks for your decision to serve. Your humility and willingness to seek out advice already have you on a great path.

Just know that you will screw up, you will get yelled at, that's how it is designed to prepare you for future training. Best wishes!

Don't take the DI induced stress personal. There are many reasons that people join the military but when you are training or fighting it is your job. The NCO's and Officers appointed over you are the bosses. I did well in the military when I figured out what the expectations were and strived to meet them. The number one goal is to do your best. Don't settle for 70%. If you strive to do your best, it will show in the soldier you become. When the instructor teaches you to shine your shoes, make them glow. If he says eyes front, pick a point and look there. If you get yelled at, it's not personal and at the end of the day everyone wants you to be successful.

PVT Hitt - I went through basic training in 1975 so I'm not certain my experience then is relevant now. Regardless, I'll provide you my perspective. First of all, DON'T consider yourself a "lowly" future soldier. There are no lowly soldiers, just soldiers. Admittedly, some soldiers are better than others, but unless one shames themselves by committing an immoral, illegal, or unethical act, you are soldier and be proud of it.....only a very small percentage of Americans can claim to have met the test. I spent over 28 years on active duty and underwent numerous rigorous schools requiring a lot of skill and preparation, but in hindsight basic and AIT were not among them. The reason is because then I wasn't expected to know anything, and the drill sergeants taught me everything I needed to know to be successful in both basic and AIT. What I believe is important to every man or woman who go through basic and AIT is to be mentally and physically prepared. I had absolutely not knowledge of the Army and was immediately shocked at how I was suddenly treated and talked to. You must be mentally prepared to go from being someone in high school, college, or simply your neighborhood, to just one of many, many young men or women trying to make it through the mental and physical stresses of the training. And while you might be referred to as "lowly," your challenge is to always carry yourself with pride and honor, while being absolutely respectful to your drill sergeants. Inquire into the physical standards of basic training and use that as a guide. You better be proficient at the Army Physical Fitness Test before beginning training. In 1975 we marched everywhere we went, eventually capping off our training with a 25 mile road march. Thus, it might be helpful to incorporate ruck marching into your preparation, as well as learning how to take care of your feet, to include how to care for blisters. Since I'm not familiar with today's basic training standards, that's all I have to tell you. Do some research, get yourself physically prepared for what you'll face, and just as important, be prepared for the mental stress, and have the right attitude, including there is nothing the drill sergeants can present you with that you can't achieve!! Good luck!! Mark Beattie

Congratulations first of all on your journey into the US Army! Welcome to the family! Here is a piece of advance that my father (Veteran, PFC Donald F. Burroughs, Purple Heart recipient from the Korean War) gave me before I left for basic training. He said, "Son you haven't listened to me for 17 years, so listen to me now. Keep your mouth shut and look straight ahead. Don't eyeball the Drill Instructor and you will do good the first couple of days! Also, don't say yes sir if you are approached by a soldier with stripes and rocker. Say, yes Drill Sergeant!"

I listened and it saved me from getting thrown off the cattle truck and I didn't get dropped for push-ups in the first 48 hours. I pass along that same advise! Good luck, stay focused, and listen!

PT, PT, Don't fall into the usual slump of drinking your nights and weekends away find other ways to spend your off time that are more self building, PT on your own time. Pay attention to all of your leaders and more experienced pears, they have a lot of experience to pass down to you. PT some more, never turn down the opportunity to go to school. When in charge be in charge!!!...........oh yea do more PT.

Just have a good time . Take it one day at a time . It's something you will never forget. And it will follow you through your career. & years after the military . Just remember you will not be right and you can not get it right at first . If you think something your D. I. Said is funny don't laugh. It is all worth it at the end .