How to get Honor Graduate or Leadership position at basic training?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 13:52:42 -0400

Would A good range score, and knowledge help. Im already a good shot since ive been shooting since ive been little and RSP has already taught me most of what we are gonna be taught in BCT.
only thing im not the best in is PT, I can pass but im excelling in it.

Response by CPL Mark Andersen made Oct 31 at 2018 1:56 PM

CPL Mark Andersen — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 13:56:10 -0400

If you go in with the attitude that you already know most of what you will be taught in BCT, you are in for a rude awakening. You want to excel, bust your ass.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 2:25 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 14:25:59 -0400

While having that goal is commendable, I would recommend that your personal thoughts on your marksmanship should be shelved a little bit. Chances are they will teach you a whole different way than what you were brought up. More often than naught, those that came in with civilian honed shooting skills most had habits that hindered them on the qual range in Basic. Not saying that is always the case, but just the norm that I've seen first hand. Don't go in there thinking you can outshoot everyone and that you won't learn anything new. You'll end up having a bad day.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 2:42 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 14:42:53 -0400

Leadership roles at BCT rotate almost daily. If you're good at it you'll probably get fired to give those with less experience a chance.
Just do you best, work as a team, and don't try to through your weight around.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 2:43 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 14:43:36 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member To start, adjust your attitude, and be willing to learn and excel doing things the way the Army teaches it. Work on your PT. Forget about getting Honor Graduate, and concentrate on putting forth your best effort at every task. Quitting is not an option. When you can, help your fellow recruits. Enjoy your new challenges and adventures.

Response by TSgt David Holman made Oct 31 at 2018 2:48 PM

TSgt David Holman — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 14:48:51 -0400

The best way to be the best is to go in as a sponge. If you think you know it, you aren't going to learn it "the Army way". If you already knew the answer, hearing it again is good reinforcement, if you didn't know the answer, or thought wrongly, then it is a good correction. If you go in with an "I already knew that" attitude, your instructors are going to eat you for breakfast.

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Oct 31 at 2018 4:41 PM

SGT Chris Stephens — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 16:41:05 -0400

Make sure you let the drill sergeant's know you were taught most of the information during RSP. Also, step up and volunteer to teach one of the classes. They love nothing better than a soldier that volunteers.

Response by SGT Christopher Combs made Oct 31 at 2018 5:38 PM

SGT Christopher Combs — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 17:38:33 -0400

Do a maxed out pt score everytime, work your ass of and hope the drill SGT.'s like you and I've never heard of an honor graduate. Good luck and getting ready for basic isn't even close to have already thinking you know all about basis training.. Good luck

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 31 at 2018 6:39 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 18:39:33 -0400

I would not tell other trainees that you want to be honor grad, some will resent you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 7:26 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 19:26:07 -0400

It is commendable to want to excel, and being aware of the potential awards permits you to be better prepared to earn one or more, but it really just helps you be a better Soldier (working hard, not winning an award).
Ask your Recruiter for guidance, specifically whether TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 is still being being used, as well as STP 21-1 Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks. If so, obtain a copy and become familiar with them.
Ask your Recruiter for a physical readiness plan, and do it. If your Recruiter doesn't have time, Google improve Army physical readiness improvement plan and follow it.
If you're going to Engineer OSUT, they have (had) several awards: Soldier's Creed Award, the High Physical Training Award, and the Trailblazer Award. Google may answer that for you. Left FLW almost 2 decades ago so I don't know what is current.
Keep in mind that your challenge is whatever the task at hand, and your DS isn't your enemy. Your DS isn't your friend, either, but there to train you and enforce the standard. Maintain your military bearing (control your emotions and don't get disrespectful) even when you are being screamed at or getting smoked (you'll know it when it happens) even if you have done nothing wrong. The heat of the moment is NEVER the time to point out an error by your DS. If your DS errs they will know it, even if they don't say it. Don't expect them to tell you so.
Read the training schedule every evening and prepare for the next day before lights out.
Study, and help your peers.
Don't try to stand out, or get in the spotlight to make yourself look good. Be good, and your DS will notice.
If your placed in a "leadership" position, understand that you really aren't in charge of your peers, but you are going to be held responsible if you don't help them be prepared. If you act like you're the boss of somebody, you'll unfortunately learn this military thing called set up for failure. Just be a team player, never a "Blue Falcon" (Google it if you don't know).
The comments that appear negative are likely not meant to be negative, but there is a reason for those comments: nobody likes a spotlight Soldier. I always got a kick out of the guys who showed up at a school proclaiming they were going to be the DHG, then barely passed. I was an HG from every leadership course I attended including DS School, and the DHG and Leadership Award recipient from my Advanced Course (guess its SLC now), but I never went with that goal in mind, which is the point. I went physically and mentally prepared, studied hard, and helped my peers.
Best wishes.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Oct 31 at 2018 9:22 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 21:22:52 -0400

My recruiter made me a team leader to basic in the mid 80's then was made a squad leader by my drill! Don't go in expecting this you'll be disappointed!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 11:32 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 23:32:20 -0400

Pretty much everyone leads in BCT at some point...at least they did in mine. Wasn't lack of leadership, just giving everyone a chance to do it. As far as weapons qualification, like others have said just do as you're told because a lot of people that had shot guns before basic had bad habits. As far as Honor Grad goes, like with any course excel in classes, stay out of trouble, be where you're supposed to be and at right time, etc; DS will make final decision.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2018 9:41 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 09:41:10 -0400

I recieved Distinguished Honor Grad 2 weeks ago. Learn the Army writing style, work on your D&C, and practice public speaking. Also, when put in charge,(and you will be put in charge) be in charge.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2018 1:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 13:30:26 -0400

Learn well yourself, and then be willing to work with others. Your DI's will recognize ability, and then they will use you if your able to help others reinforce subjects they are poor in. As always be and do your best. A piece of paper is just paper, it's no better than the day it was written. Want, and be able to help others.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2018 6:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 18:34:28 -0400

Nobody cares about honor graduate from basic. Just being honest.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2018 5:26 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 17:26:29 -0500

Don't worry about leadership positions, they don't mean crap once you get out of BCT. Just keep your head low, stay out of the DS radar and bust your ass.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 6:53 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 18:53:03 -0500

To be 100% honest, you need to change your attitude. The Drill Sergeant's will see you as arrogant and have a field day with you. Being in a leadership role in BCT doesn't mean jack, for one, two since we're talking about leadership....a true military leader is more concerned with taking care of his troops rather than "me, myself, and I." Forgot about awards and positions, did you join to be a servant onto your fellow soldiers and country or did you join for yourself and recognition? I wish the best of luck but please considers changing your attitude.

Response by SPC William Biles made Nov 16 at 2018 8:34 PM

SPC William Biles — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 20:34:25 -0500

If you go to BCT at FLW l, Mo., with the attitude that you know shit, you will be the PVT in this picture. "Don't be the, 'One,' Private."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2018 9:30 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 09:30:32 -0500

Work your ass off, be a sponge (learn everything you can, pay attention, ask questions), do what you are told (you don’t know enough to really argue, yeah if it’s morally wrong but that’s actually super rare. You’re there not just to learn skills but learn discipline and the Army culture), realize that the Army isn’t a movie there is day in and day out mundane shit you will do and don’t let dumb stuff just roger move out and attack every problem with enthusiasm and vigor. (Run on sentence but this text box isn’t great)