I'm in the DEP and graduate from high school in 5 months. What can I do to prepare for basic training and 17C school?

2018-01-16T01:02:24-05:00

Response by Cpl John Barker made Jan 16 at 2018 1:07 AM

2018-01-16T01:07:21-05:00

Get your cardio up (i.e. run and do pull ups/ push ups instead of straight weight room) start distancing yourself from your friends A to stay out of trouble B you are about to leave them behind to essentially start a new life...don't go to boot camp with a girlfriend...just don't

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2018 2:54 AM

2018-01-16T02:54:37-05:00

Jacob Mack Work on getting in the best shape of your life. Listen and observe in Basic Training, and stay squared away. You will face challenges and obstacles that you will overcome. Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

Response by Sgt Tee Organ made Jan 16 at 2018 9:29 AM

2018-01-16T09:29:55-05:00

Learn how to do what people tell you without asking why. Then run your ass off till you start Basic. Problem solved.

Response by SGT Tim Falletti made Jan 16 at 2018 1:08 PM

2018-01-16T13:08:18-05:00

I echo what everyone else has already said. Make sure you run, run, run, run everyday until BCT. Pushups, sit-ups, and don't get into trouble before you leave.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 16 at 2018 1:24 PM

2018-01-16T13:24:43-05:00

Congrats on your decision to serve, young man. You're already a step above your peers.

Response by CPT Stephanie Lincoln made Jan 16 at 2018 2:16 PM

2018-01-16T14:16:11-05:00

Get in the best shape you can, it will save you a lot of misery at Bootcamp if you are already in good shape. Plus learn facing movements, basic commands, etc. Get a Soldiers Skill Level 1 Book and start studying.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2018 4:45 PM

2018-01-16T16:45:15-05:00

Lots of people addressed the physical preparedness so I won't other than to say hit the gym, run outdoors, especially with a backpack with some weight, etc. I'll address the preparing for 17C school as I'll assume you're already accepted with a school date on your contract in the DEP. The more you are prepared the better you'll do, though they'll teach you as much as they can. It is mostly a matter of how much material they're going to try to cram into your head it is like drinking from a fire hydrant. Learn Python, shell scripting, powershell, network fundamentals, subnetting, routing and switching, sysinternals, Unix, Active Directory, ports and protocols, and you should do better than your peers.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jan 16 at 2018 5:08 PM

2018-01-16T17:08:26-05:00

For starters, graduate. Next, give up any bad habits you might have. You're going to be without access to tobacco for a couple months, so you might as well start now. If you're not 18 yet, don't run out and get tattooed up on your 18th birthday. I can't count the times I've had to tell someone their tattoo is out of regulations. Stay in shape. Eat healthy. If you're on the heavier side, try not to be as heavy in 5 months. If you have friends that like to smoke weed or other stuff, drop them now. You don't want to get all the way to MEPS and then get sent back home because you popped on the piss test.

Good luck and have fun.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2018 6:30 PM

2018-01-16T18:30:11-05:00

Basic training just right place, right time, right uniform. Mentally prepare yourself but essentially it’s auto pilot after awhile. 17C study up on basic windows and Unix command line, familiarize yourself with networking to start and prepare yourself for 46 weeks of training after basic

Response by SFC Walter Lovett made Jan 30 at 2018 10:09 AM

2018-01-30T10:09:17-05:00

I agree 100% with SSG Joseph Chen. I did not go through JCAC to become a 17C (transitioned from 25D) but many of my Soldiers did and those are the skills they learned. If you do not know networking (subnetting, routing & switching) get the basics along with ports and protocols. Scripting in Python and knowing Kali Linux will put your mind in shape for the training. Basic understanding of Active Directory and Windows event logs will help too!!
Good luck, Thank you for volunteering, and Don't Quit!!