What is some great advice you had going through Basic training and AIT?

Finally an area I can comment on!!! Okay, one night, before lights out, sitting on our footlockers polishing brass. Out of the corner of my eye I see a shiny pair of dress shoes coming my way. My attempt at sinking through the top of my footlocker only got me more unwanted attention {in more ways than one!} as the shoes stopped in front of me and turned to face me. I snapped to attention with such force that my gun {this is my rifle, you know} poked through my damn boxer shorts as if to say "what the hell's going on now!?!?" At that moment Staff Sergeant Deuel got nose to nose with me and yelled "Private, put that son-of-a-bitch away unless you're gonna use it!!!", to which I replied "Sir yes sir!!!!" as I scrambled to obey. Neither me nor the fine Sergeant were very good at keeping a straight face, and these deficiencies were tested to the limit!!!! But neither of us gave in, at least for me requiring that I bit my tongue nearly off!!! And that is how I learned that I must not go around with my gun poking out. Semper Fi!!!!!

As a WAC in the 70's I was told my lipstick wasn't red enough. But my husband's DI said to get and make MANY copies of the DD-214.
God bless and RIP Sgt. Cherry.

PVT (Join to see) You ready to ship out? I remember when I was in your shoes and couldn't wait to start my adventure. Good luck and if you need anything reach out.

There will be situations where there is no correct and there is no winning. They want to see you keep giving your best under any circumstance. Memorize your reporting statement and chain of command ahead of time.

Eyes open, ears open, mouth shut, and move at a brisk pace with a purpose!!

And DO NOT put the drill SGT’s hat on if he/she are “not around”; they are- it’s a TRAP and you will suffer a HORRIBLE FATE!!!

pay attention to everything and Never try to be first, but make it look like you want to be first

When asked a question, no matter how sure you are of the answer, you are wrong, unless they have already told you the answer.

Don’t look up look down. Meaning, only be critical to those at your rank or lower, never to those who out rank you.

My advice remain focused on your own personal goals. Challenge yourself in ways that you normally would not. Not only will this help your career. But it will start the process in revealing your inner spirit and passion for what life has in store for your future. In the end the soldiers you join in TRADOC(BCT/AIT) will help define the character of the leader you can and will be.

PVT Campbell, Brandon...get focused, get motivated, and stay focused and motivated.