If you could go back to the day you left for boot camp and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 16:52:00 -0400

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 6:59 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 18:59:00 -0400

Good question, PO3 Steven Sherrill. I would tell myself to do my best and try my hardest as the units and the years come and go. Not to half-step and just go with the flow, but to really try all the time.

I would also lecture myself about saving for the future. I had a dear aunt who was like a second mother to me, and she always encouraged saving a little bit each pay day. That was some of the best advice in the world.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 20 at 2015 7:24 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 19:24:59 -0400

I'd do better at keeping a notebook with home addresses and phone numbers of all friends along the way.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 7:30 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 19:30:42 -0400

I was told before Basic - Do what you are told, in the way you are told, and when you are told.

I was also advised to never be first in line because those who were first always got pulled out to tell others what to do in line. I noticed that those at the end of a line became the front of the line when you did an about face or to the rear march so I stayed in the middle. It worked pretty well.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Mar 20 at 2015 8:39 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 20:39:28 -0400

You don't know you have the problem, but your lack of ability to recognize objects and faces will cause you serious problems, most immediately in BCT with the whole camouflage bit. And with seeing some of the targets way down range.

Also will cause you some grief on the range when you fail to notice that old and corroded cartridge that was only too apparent to the SDI from 20 feet away when he came by to verify that we were policing up all the brass. The next four days will be a fun ride.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 20 at 2015 8:50 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 20:50:09 -0400

While walking to the company latrine for a shower, do not salute the LT with a bar of soap in your right hand.

Response by PO3 Monty DeVries made Mar 21 at 2015 6:43 PM

PO3 Monty DeVries — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 18:43:50 -0400

Don't eat the peaches

Response by PO1 Bill Adams made Mar 26 at 2019 3:11 PM

PO1 Bill Adams — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:11:40 -0400

Stay for 30!!!

And also, Stop being stupid!

In a way those two are just one.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 4:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 04:50:22 -0400

There’s going to be some hard lessons learned... but those are the lessons you understand best. There will be dark days... but those are the days that make the rest shine brighter.

Keep your eyes up, chin tucked, roll with the punches and never stop fighting.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 2 at 2019 5:32 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 17:32:25 -0400

Don't do it!!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2019 10:37 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 10:37:26 -0400

I wish I had done more exercising a few years before I enlisted. I was excited about going and couldn't wait for the day to come.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2020 8:58 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 20:58:33 -0500

Try to piss inside the cup so that when you hand over the urinalysis specimen, the Petty Officer won't want to K***!!! you... and do not ask why he wasn't wearing gloves.
Back up piece of advice just in case: Don't look around "Times 3" at the firing range.
Back up advice #2: That long night of trying karaoke in Yokosuka, Japan for the first time.... don't talk to anyone in the berthing when you get back to the ship.... go straight to bed. ;-)