Best advice for basic training?

First follow all of your Drill Sergeant's instructions contrary to popular belief they're there to help you. Good luck to you.

I began to remember my experiences some ok many really, really tough from the past when my youngest son of 5 left for basic training last year to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, often referred to as "Fort Lost-in-the-Woods" specifically with stories of water snakes in the lakes and 'chiggers' which are little red insects which drink your blood and burrow under your skin and live there for their entire lives until i time to move on and find new hosts. Spiders, snakes, insects, more challenges to get past those from time to time. Additionally, dangerous animals, wild dogs, feral animals, occasionally had to deal with those infected, once we had a dog who was infected with rabies and bit a soldier, who had to be medically evacuated out of the field by air ambulance(helicopter with the big red cross on it)to get the shots to be protected immediately or be vulnerable to a fatal infection! Once we had a soldier who was fatally shot after shooting their rifle around the firing point and he shot at the tower and shot at the Non-Commissioned Officer with a full magazine of 30 live rounds of 5.56mm and put the weapon fire selector switch on semi and started recklessly shooting at everyone in range, kid stood up and took aim and shot the RANGE OIC in the tower behind him through the safety glass in the helmet(non-fatally) and on the firing lanes shot the firing point safety NCO with the paddles in the left shoulder and he tried to fire at the soldier in the next firing point, however the Range OIC took out his service handgun from the tower and took aim and shot the soldier in the head below the helmet before he could fire his weapon again, killing him instantly dead. Needless to say, that was over 30 years ago back in the early 80's and I have not heard of that anymore. Now they control the rounds and only give them to you one or two at a time until everyone is brought to a level of trust and familiarity unlike in those days. However, one of the reasons for doing it that way was due to time constraints and learning to figure out how to make life and death decisions and knowing you could do it...we did win WWII...pretty amazing when you think about it.

Although you may be intimidated by the Drill Sergeants, don't be afraid to ask questions. Just make sure you do it in a constructive manner. Also, make sure you start running before you go to basic so it's not a shock to your system. Be prepared to not get much sleep the first couple of weeks as you will have to pull guard duty some nights. And whatever you do, never even think about quitting. You will get through it, just never ever ever quit and you will be fine. If you have a moment of weakness, look at the guys to your left and right and know that if they can do it so can you. Good luck and thanks for serving!

Get your PT score up...anytime you have down time, push, pull, run, or sit-up...in Basic, we had one tabbed Ranger DI...he gave the 5 of us with Ranger contracts a PT test every other night...you are there to become a warrior...become one.

Be invisible...if the DIs know your name, you're doing it wrong...keep your mouth shut and your ears open and remember, when you are sucking-they are watching...no one cares if you are hurting...no one is your friend...you are going into the Infantry which is just a stepping stone to greatness...become the subject matter expert in everything you touch...go Airborne, go Ranger...never quit...quitting gets easier as soon as you start doing it...Don't listen to anyone on here who isn't Infantry-they have no idea what we do and who we are...

Don't volunteer for anything. Take correspondence courses.

Pretty simple - do what you are told, keep your mouth shut, take care of your shit, take care of your buddies shit, have a good attitude even when it sucks, give 100% at everything you do and you will do fine. Do not get dragged into nonsense by some dirtbag. I ended up doing an entire career and never expected to and one of the keys was making sure I always kept all options open - no article 15s, etc. I got selected for a green-to-gold scholarship after 7 years enlisted and after ROTC finished my career as an officer. It is a great life if you chose to make it great.

Don't take anything personally. The military's job is to break everyone down and rebuild the pieces into a synchronized fighting component. Follow orders. Respond rapidly. Ignore the advice and ALWAYS volunteer! High-speed, low-drag!

Remember to drink water throughout the day. Your cadre especially drill sergeants should remind you to drink water while training. Whether they do or not, Fort Benning is very hot and humid during the summer into at least September. You probably know this already; but, by the time you are thirsty you are at least one quart low.
Listen to and watch your cadre and learn what it means to soldier and lead soldiers.
Watch out for wildlife - there are alligators in many of the lakes and the Chattahoochee river [I swam by one accidently on a Chattahoochee river raft event] and poisonous snakes.
I spent a lot of time at Benning - Jump school in 1979, Infantry Mortar Leaders training in 1980, IOBC in 1980, IOAC in 1984, commanded an Infantry OSUT company 1985 - 1986, served as chief of Test and Evaluation for all initial entry infantry training and then Scheduling Officer for the training center.

well in Basic, get ready to be sick alot from all the shots that they will give you. be prepared for not getting alot of rest. Work out in the evening as well (pushups, situps, pullups, even do some weight lifting if they have that in the barracks), make friends in there as well. Be prepared to get yelled at alot, have family and friends write you alot. dont speak unless spoken to.

Good Luck and drink a ton of water as well.

Prepare to get your ass kicked. The only thing that matters is do NOT give up, stay positive always and always give your all. And lastly dont be last move with a purpose.

Just understand that the first three weeks are the worst of it. Everyone is going through the same training and that most, not all are having the same thoughts that you are. Remember why you decided to enlist and keep your eye on the prize. Best of luck.