What are some tips on how to be a good Private?

Narrow your focus. You are an Infantryman, but that doesn't mean you are the ONLY Infantryman. It also doesn't mean you need to know EVERYTHING about being in the Infantry. You have a duty position, learn THAT position. Foucs (for now) on learning everything you can about your weapon system. To include assemble, disassemble, maintenance, proper deployment, quick battle drills to load, unload, and reduce stoppage, max range and max effective range, and purpose for that weapon system within the team and squad. If you are light infantry, understand your position and role in a dismounted patrol. If you are mech / Stryker infantry, understand your vehicle and role within the vehicle.

Worry about the BASICS, and get very, VERY good at them. THEN you can start expanding your focus. Your NCOs are there to help you learn, but ALSO to worry about the larger picture, so that you CAN just focus on the basics.


Next thing. Never EVER be afraid to ask your NCOs for help. You will have to learn there is a right time and a wrong time to ask (like don't interrupt if they are talking to the formation), but if you need help, ASK. Any NCO that refuses to help a Private that asks for it does not deserve to be an NCO. Period. I don't even care if it's "their" Private. THAT IS WHAT NCOs DO.


Last thing. Cut yourself some slack. You WILL screw up. You are a Private. We EXPECT you to screw up. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try or shouldn't care, no! Try your hardest, and when you screw up, figure out what what wrong and FIX IT! But once you screw up, learn your lesson and MOVE ON. If you dwell on your screw ups, rather than moving on prepared to do better, well... You never move on, and you never do better. Remember that you are still LEARNING, accept this, and just work on being better today than yesterday, and better tomorrow than today.


Now.... Regarding that homesickness. Use your technology, man! I am sure you have a phone and/or computer. Call home! Hell, call home daily, if you need to. On my last deployment, I had a scheduled time to call my fiance every single day. Some days I didn't make it because of mission, but the goal was every day. It was usually only 10-15 minutes, but it meant a lot to both of us. And that was as a SFC with 17 years and three previous deployments. Nothing wrong with staying connected to the people you love and who love you. Nothing AT ALL wrong with it. I know it's not as good as an actual visit home. Hopefully your unit will do a block leave pre-deployment. But even if they don't, that technology can help a TON.

The best thing you can do is just listen and learn. It’s tough being away from home, I get it. Hell I hate not being closer to home, and I’m 35 years old. You’ll make friends, and they’ll be lifelong, you just have to prove yourself. Be willing to help in any situation. If you get bored at work, and you will, ask your leadership if there’s anything you can do. Guys that sit around and do nothing when there’s seemingly nothing to do are a dime a dozen. There’s always work to be done, just be willing to find it. Want to be smarter? Read. There are reading lists out there for every rank. Want to be stronger? Do more than PRT on your own time. Lift heavy weights fast. Get into functional fitness. I can guarantee you that alone will help with any mental toll this is taking on you. Create discipline in all aspects of your life (reading, lifting, running, eating, etc.) because when motivation fails, and it will…a lot, discipline will kick in. Lastly, never be afraid to ask for help. You’ve already taken a step that most won’t: posting this question and asking for advice.

I don’t have anything to add, you have received a lot of good advice here! But I do wish you all the best!

Take a step back, and just catch your breath for a minute. You're new to all this Army shit, so of course you don't know things. Remember, you have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk. Ask questions when you don't know/understand. Look for the guys with at least two stripes to ask those questions. Then go ask the guys with the sham shield. Remember that each and every one of them has been you at some point in the past. Pay attention to the answers you get. Give it some time, you won't become bigger/smarter/stronger overnight. It takes more than a couple months to get really good at this stuff. On deployment, be aware of all that is around you, keep your head on a swivel, keep your weapon clean, and make sure your head and your ass are wired tight. You will learn an amazing amount of things while deployed. As SFC Livingston says, patience young Padawan.

Life as a private is pretty much always gonna suck, but the biggest tip I can give you is just make sure to show that you’re making an effort. If you have good leaders, they’ll meet you halfway as long as you’re putting in the work. Experience is going to do a lot for you, you should consider yourself lucky to be deploying so early in your career. You’ll learn a lot, bond with your platoon, and it will set you apart from newer privates who show up after.

Just know that will pass.... you will look back and laugh one day... I promise

Look to your NCOs, make every formation and choose your friends wisely. Right now you may feel you know nothing, but that will change with time.

be observant, keep mouth shut as much as possible. be on time everywhere and look sharp.

I believe all branches of the Military is a learning experience. I know that I've learned a lot while I was in the Military. Between being in Navy and Army I've learned a lot and took a lot of notes and asked a lot of questions. One way of learning what was going on. Switching over to another branch was a real eye opener. I had to learn the ways of another branch. It's not impossible to achieve whatever You put Your mind to achieve. Just take it one day at a time and always seek guidance from Your team leaders and squad leaders. That's what they are there for. Look at them as mentors, they are there to guide you and mold you into a great Soldier.

First off, I wish your mind and body wellness now and in the future. You cannot effectively do your job if you are not mentally together. Although it may sound contrary, you should seek guidance first from your squad and platoon leaders. If this is not helpful simply be candid about what you need in order to accomplish YOUR mission effectively. Remember, before you are of any use to others, you must take care of yourself. This does not make you look weak, it actually says that you care enough about your unit and it’s mission accomplishment than anything. You are simply trying to be the best you can be by staying engaged in your responsibilities. Again, I wish you wellness. Have a blessed military career!