What do you wish you'd known or done before Army BCT?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:00:08 -0500

I'm hoping to leave in about a month for Army BCT. I have memorized the stuff all the articles say to. I'm working out like crazy. Doing rucks, running, push ups. All the old stand bys. But I'd like to heard, especially from recent grads, what do you wish you had done before, memorized, ect. that may have made a difference in your training!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 3:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:27:16 -0500

I wished I had learned to go without sleep before getting there.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jan 2 at 2020 3:30 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:30:32 -0500

Prepare personal and financial matters. During Basic Training, you have little to no access to your cell phone. Your contact to outside world is from letter writing and paper mail. If you have bills or prior obligations (work, legal, familial, social, etc.), make sure people know you cannot be reached unless it is life/death emergency (Need Red Cross to send official message for emergency leave authorization).

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 2 at 2020 3:32 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:32:41 -0500

Would have worked out a little bit more.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 4:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:07:56 -0500

I wish I wouldn’t have been worried about it before I left. qualify at range, pass the Pt test, complete the field, and don’t do anything crazy and you will pass. Don’t stress yourself out. Be ready to push because your battle buddies are do dumb things. I completed basic a little over a year ago

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 4:22 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:22:19 -0500

I woulda worked out more, and prepared to sleep very little

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 4:27 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:27:51 -0500

Definitely memorizing things is good but above all working out. You will see a lot of people struggle with PRT. Make sure you can do at least the minimum going in and keep working at it while you’re there.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Jan 2 at 2020 5:58 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:58:45 -0500

TSP Thrift Savings Plan.. don't touch it.. get your retirement Active or Reserve.. train for the ACFT...

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 6:35 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 18:35:07 -0500

What Major Chu said is fantastic advice. Personal and financial issues need to be handled before you leave. They will add massive stress that you don’t need to deal with during BCT.

Any bit of physical training that you can do prior to going is going to help you in the long run.

Aside from that, the cadre will teach you anything and everything that you need to know. Just listen and learn.

Response by CPT Daniel Cox made Jan 2 at 2020 11:12 PM

CPT Daniel Cox — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 23:12:44 -0500

This is actually what I did but it is my advice to you. If you can stand out and snag yourself a squad leader position and keep it for the eight weeks of BCT, you are almost guaranteed a promotion as an honor graduate. Volunteer (I know everyone else says to never volunteer for anything) for whatever you can those first days. If the Drill Sergeants have you fill out a questionnaire, highlight any leadership experience in High School or in extracurricular activities. I parlayed my honor grad in BCT and honor grad in AIT into an eventual commission six years later.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2020 7:43 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 07:43:21 -0500

Solider's Creed, Army Values and Definitions, Army Song, National Anthem and it would help if you looked up how to wear a uniform. Also, be prepared to not speak for long periods of time.