I leave in a few months for basic training at Fort Jackson and I am pretty nervous about it. Any advice or tips?

PVT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:40:23 -0400

Response by SPC Joseph Wojcik made Jun 12 at 2018 12:52 AM

SPC Joseph Wojcik — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:52:32 -0400

Don't sweat it, just follow directions and you'll be fine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 5:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 05:11:24 -0400

Show up on time, in the right uniform, with a good attitude ready to work and you will do well.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Jun 12 at 2018 8:05 AM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 08:05:41 -0400

This started out with three rules, but there are a whole lot more:
1. Your Drill Sergeant is always right.
2. When in doubt, see rule #1.
3. Never question the authority of anyone over you. If in doubt, see rule #1.
4. Generally speaking, never volunteer for anything. Be voluntold.
5. You will meet a lot of people from all sorts of backgrounds. Learn to work with others, even if you don’t like them.
6. Don’t complain. You signed up for this character building experience.
7. Never lose your weapon.
8. Pay attention to your instructors.
9. When you get to AIT, you are there to learn, not party.
10. Start with rule #1.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Jun 12 at 2018 8:31 AM

LTC Tom Jones — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 08:31:59 -0400

Intellectually, know and understand the seven Army Values--have some discussions about them with your current chain of command for a deeper understanding. Physically, work on your run times and your push-ups. Emotionally, prepare for some criticism--it is never (supposed to be) personal. Spiritually, find and keep your center through the Lord our God or through whatever person, persons or ideals that gives you peace. You are stronger than you know and BCT will bring that out in you. Also, there are resources available to you if you need them--your chain of command, the Chaplin, this forum and those at home who are pulling for you. Godspeed, young lady ("lady" not politically correct but a sign of my upbringing and advancing age). FYI: SSG Warren Swan LTC Stephen F. Good Luck and do good.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 8:42 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 08:42:15 -0400

Everyone who's gone before you had the same fears. Basic Training is designed to push you outside your comfort zone...you will have days when you "feel" like you're not doing your best and days when you "believe" you can't go any further. The key is take it one day, maybe even one evolution at a time...and never, ever quit.

Always remember that everyone around you is facing the same challenge...and whether it looks like it or not at the time, your instructors' true mission is to prepare you, not break you.

Beyond that, here's a few practical "tips":

1. Don't try to "stand out"; this isn't a job interview.
2. Obey right away
3. Don't stab your battle buddies in the back...better to go down with all than stand alone.
4. When given the opportunity to wash-wash, to hydrate-hydrate, to sleep-sleep.
5. Always remember, "This too shall pass"...because it's actually a VERY short period of time.
6. You WILL make mistakes-learn from them and move on.
7. Watch your feet, ankles and knees...stretch, change socks.
8. Yelling is just about volume...it's designed to mess with you, so don't let it.
9. Keep thinking on the goal...it's worth it.
10. Do it for YOU...no one else.

Good luck and best wishes!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 9:17 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 09:17:18 -0400

The worst part of basic is reception. You also need to accept the fact that you will have to do a lot of pushups. There is always a fuckup or two who will get you smoked. For them, slide a note under Drill Sergeants door saying the whole platoon wants them gone. There is a chance they will do something about it.

Also, don't be a whiny bitch. Nobody cares where you're from, how hard you are, or whatever. If you complain all the time, people will think you are a little pussy.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 9:23 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 09:23:24 -0400

Mental toughness will make or break you. When things suck, just say hooah and tough it out.

Also, on Ricks, tie your boots tight as FUCK. Red marks are way better than heel blisters.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 10:50 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 10:50:21 -0400

Look, from a guy who is at Fort Jackson right now and watches the new BCT format on a daily basis, allow me to give you the no BS, straight up truth:

You're. Going. To. Be. Fine.

Just do what you're told, when you're told, as fast as you're told and in the manner in which you are told, and you'll be fine. Give everything you do 110% and do not EVER quit at anything you set yourself to do, and you will make it anywhere you wish to go in your army career. Plain and simple. Do not let anyone else tell you different. And when you have someone in your face telling you that you're worthless, that you're going to fail, or that your mother should have swallowed you instead of contaminating the world with your presence, just keep telling yourself (IN YOUR MIND *DO NOT SAY THIS OUT LOUD*) that they can go pound their face into the sand because their opinion is irrelevant and only matter as far as you allow it to.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 11:10 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:10:05 -0400

It’s not tough, you’ll be fine just do everything your told and never quit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 2:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 14:25:58 -0400

Check out some YouTube videos about Basic Training and just listen and obey your Drill Sergeants. Don’t be the person that gets picked on and work together as a team. My niece is about to graduate from Basic Training at Fort Jackson, and I did Basic Training twice (1986 & 2002-03).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 9:56 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 09:56:19 -0400

If you're early, you're on time; if you're on time, you're late and most likely pushing; if you're late, you and your battle buddies are pushing.

90% of Basic is mental, but don't take that 10% for granted.

Lastly, if you stand out for anything, make sure you stand out for something good. Don't stand out for being an idiot.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 8:19 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 08:19:15 -0400

You can’t prepare for the mental breakdown that will happen but you can start the physical build up. I don’t know if your Future Soldier training is preparing you physically but it would be in your best interest to go to the gym and work on your triceps. I promise you that will help you so much. Check out APFT Standards for your age and gender and work towards them. Run everywhere. Lol. Start drinking milk now. Don’t quit. Basic training will suck but it will be fun. You’ll make friends easier than you ever have. Just remember when you go to Fort Jackson, the other trainees are not your enemies. You’re all working towards a common goal. Act like it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2018 6:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 18:18:36 -0400

Went to E 3-34 in Jackson, not sure if they tore it down lol but learn everything you can. Do the Future Soldier program if your recruiters signed you up for i online. It helps on basic if you kinda know what you're doing or are familiar with it. Also, seriously, don't catch the Drill Sgt's eye, or attention. Don't even let them catch you breath. Jk xD but you should always pay attention because they are there to help you, thats you main mindset in BCT. Start seeing how many pushups and situps you can do in 2 min each. And see where you're at in your 2 mile run. I failed all the PT test except the last one and I wished I had prepared more for it. Be motivated, it'll suck but just remember, the fastest way out of Basic Training is to graduate, and it's going to be so freakin awesome if and when you graduate.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2018 8:54 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 20:54:01 -0400

Expect to be very confused for the first few days, just go with the flow. Your DI will tell you what to do, listen up keep your mouth shut.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Apr 20 at 2020 2:04 PM

LTC Tom Jones — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 14:04:53 -0400

So, how did it go?

Response by PFC Kay Richardson made Oct 9 at 2020 1:26 PM

PFC Kay Richardson — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 13:26:06 -0400

Start the exercising now. I had started running before I went in but I only had a couple of weeks.

Response by PFC Shaun Newton made May 9 at 2021 11:21 AM

PFC Shaun Newton — Sun, 09 May 2021 11:21:02 -0400

The fastest way through basic training is to graduate

Response by PFC Shaun Newton made May 9 at 2021 11:24 AM

PFC Shaun Newton — Sun, 09 May 2021 11:24:42 -0400

Keep your head down and your ears open. One of the things they are going to stress is PAY ATTENTION TO SMALL DETAIL even if you think it doesn’t matter pay attention to it because to the DS it matters. Always make sure your locker is spec and make sure that it is ALWAYS SECURED. A insecure locker will warrant a bay party and not in a good way.

Response by SPC Michael Tierney made May 9 at 2021 6:16 PM

SPC Michael Tierney — Sun, 09 May 2021 18:16:57 -0400

There isn't much to fear. If you are in decent physical condition you will have a pretty good time. If at all possible, be a squad leader or a platoon guide (assuming they still have those in basic). Don't get drunk and do what you are told. The Army is fun.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 9 at 2021 9:55 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 09 May 2021 21:55:20 -0400

Don't quit. Have a great attitude. Your destiny is in your hands. You follow what I say and you will do just fine!