If you could give a person about to go into the service one piece of advice what would you tell them?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 13:05:57 -0500

Response by CSM David Heidke made Feb 15 at 2017 1:07 PM

CSM David Heidke — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 13:07:44 -0500

start running

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2017 1:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 13:10:23 -0500

Forget everything you know, and everything you think you know.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2017 1:16 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 13:16:42 -0500

PVT Private RallyPoint Member Listen, observe, and learn from the best military members, so that you can be one of the best. Be a planner because there will be life after the military. Save and invest for the future. Use your educational benefits to full advantage.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Feb 15 at 2017 1:21 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 13:21:56 -0500

What you get from the military depends on what you're willing to put in to it

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Feb 15 at 2017 1:49 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 13:49:41 -0500

Don't quit. Things will be hard and you'll get stressed out. But don't quit. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish through sheer force of will.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2017 2:00 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 14:00:11 -0500

Choose your branch wisely, ask a ton of questions, know your facts so the recruiters don't lie to you, and always, always, always label your things...especially in basic training!

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Feb 15 at 2017 2:05 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 14:05:14 -0500

This is not a version of Call of Duty. Listen to your NCOs and don't go in acting like you know more than you do. Respect is earned.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2017 2:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 14:35:33 -0500

Don't get involved with strippers... or anyone that lives within 100 miles of an installation because there's too much of a likelihood that they could be a dependent of someone who could quickly end your career.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 15 at 2017 3:04 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 15:04:29 -0500

Do not under any circumstance volunteer for anything.

Response by SMSgt Roger Horton made Feb 15 at 2017 3:12 PM

SMSgt Roger Horton — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 15:12:36 -0500

Be a team player, seek advise, listen wisely, and follow those that know where they are going.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2017 3:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 15:34:07 -0500

PVT Private RallyPoint Member right place, right time, right uniform, everything else will take care of itself if you do those 3 things

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 15 at 2017 4:30 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 16:30:41 -0500

Make absolutely sure that you want this commitment to whatever branch you chose,investigate,ask questions, get feed back from different sources ,knowledge is power ,once your name is on that dotted line you have made a promise to our Country and you better damn well keep it..

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Feb 15 at 2017 6:14 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 18:14:58 -0500

At first there's going to be a whole lot of yelling. If you are the target of that verbal abuse. Listen closely, glean out the important things like what you should do the next time so you aren't the Drill Sergeants object of attention and let the rest of it go in one ear and out the other. The very best of luck to you in your new career choice too!

Response by SSG Michael LeGrand made Feb 17 at 2017 6:19 AM

SSG Michael LeGrand — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 06:19:12 -0500

KEEP ALL DOCUMENTATION....and keep any certifications you take while in.

Response by Jerry Rivas made Feb 20 at 2017 9:28 PM

Jerry Rivas — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 21:28:26 -0500

Do lots of push ups. Shut up. LISTEN. Save your pay. Go to school. Try for OCS.

Response by Sgt Christopher Delagarza made Feb 20 at 2017 9:34 PM

Sgt Christopher Delagarza — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 21:34:47 -0500

I would tell any potential recruit to do their research by talking to actual service members (not recruiters) to get an honest feel for what military life in whatever branch is going to be like. They need to determine as best as they can if this is something that their personality is going to be a good fit for, and if joining this organization is going to help them achieve their goals, or possibly do more to hold them back. The military can be a great opportunity, but it won't be for everyone.

Response by PO1 John Johnson made Feb 21 at 2017 8:36 AM

PO1 John Johnson — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 08:36:44 -0500

Keep your mouth shut and follow or learn to follow orders from people you may not like, listen to your unit/squad leaders, ask for advice when you don't know what you are doing and forget about ever BS'ing anyone, get all the "training" in that you can, don't do anything stupid (you'll always have at least an inkling ahead of time) or anything that will require you to lie about it later, work hard, and stay squared away.

It's all "one piece" of a successful tour or career.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Feb 21 at 2017 8:40 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 08:40:58 -0500

Don't take anything personal and do as you're told.

Response by Col Jim Harmon made Feb 21 at 2017 10:37 AM

Col Jim Harmon — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 10:37:54 -0500

Keep you eyes, ears, and mind open and your mouth shut.