What should I know before reporting to my first unit?

My advice to anyone new to the armed forces is this:
Always be in the right place, at the right time, and in the right (squared away) uniform. If you can consistently do that, your world will be a much happier place as most of the negative attention will be given to those who can't do those things. Beyond that, work hard, smoke the APFT, and LISTEN to your NCO's. Lastly, you're going to meet a lot of other Privates who are eager to show you where to go to get beer/women/etc. You're new and you'll want to fit in but I advise that you pass on the offer at first. There will be plenty of time to have fun, trust me. But when the new guy screws up he tends to get stuck with that label. You don't want that.

Ok a few things ' I'll keep this short and sweet so you can be squared away! Stay single , where a condem , keep your mouth shut , don't kiss ass and above all " never be late " oh almost forgot " keep track of all your paperwork ' especially medical !!!!

So much good info already provided. Look good in uniform, and make sure your actions reflect that uniform. Show up early and volunteer (yes, this may piss off your peers, but you do it, they won't be your peers for long). When they need a body for the motor pool, your right hand should shoot up EVERY TIME.

This won't help you as a private, but maybe it could, but it will help you as a young SGT trying to move forward. 1: You have no friends. Oh, you'll make them. For sure. But at the moment, no one is your friend. 2: Become buddies with a joe in S1. This makes life so much easier. 3: Make sure you are on e good side of the supply clerk. 4: Get in good with a SGT in the S3 shop. No one knows more about the 5 Ws than him. 5: Most importantly- be yourself. Bring *you* to the unit. Your strengths, your weaknesses. We aren't perfect. We make mistakes. Roger sergeant, and move on. But be you. Have personality (without crossing that line). Enjoy soldiering. Be proud. Have fun. Have fun. Every day, have fun. Ask questions. Learn one thing from every leader you encounter, whether it's something to do, or something you would never do. Learn. Love. Soldier.

If you don't have a POV by the time you get there, your unit will advise you to bring your first line supervisor (maybe someone else but typically it will be your first line) with you. I'd advise you to listen to them. If they don't give you that advice, I'm giving it to you now. If nothing else, a second set of eyes never hurt. especially if they know a thing or two about maintenance and repair.

Always keep 1 set of ACU's for inspection and reporting-that's looking sharp. Next-STAY SINGLE. Why you ask? Some of the ladies/men around bases WANT to marry soldiers for their benefits and then cheat with anything on legs ( saw that happen before). Next, be respectful to everyone, but DON'T get conned into CQ shifts (others will lie to get you to do them, but tell them NO WAY-you do as scheduled and DON'T SELLor BUY shifts either aka WRONG MOVE. STAY AWAY from strip clubs!!!! That is TROUBLE in brick house. Get ready for a world of changes-AIT is different than Duty Station (Permanent Party) cause you are responsible for your conduct-you 'screw the pooch' you pay for it and no one else. Best sources of info-COMPANY CLERKS! They can do miracles and know the paperwork;talking of paperwork-MAKE COPIES of ALL Medical paperwork you get (profiles, if you go to hospital for injuries-paper trail needed to prove service connected injuries IF released from service) so find a small printer and get a laptop and MAKE SURE YOU LOCK THEM UP SECURE!!! Stay away from Payday Loan places too-they are OFF LIMITS!

I was a Company Clerk for a time and I saw crap go down and was glad a Captain gave me this advice and a LT helped me and SSG's took this then 37 year old under their wing. You can have fun, but DON'T and I mean this-DON'T go acting foolish and get kicked out for being a 'clown' by using drugs or Drinking and driving...you made it this far and have so much more to do and give! You made it this far and are part of a great family!

To start, I'll reiterate what the senior NCOs have said about keeping clean prior to reporting so you don't start off on the wrong foot. Without a POV, you'll be limited at least initially so if you don't get one before you get there, don't be in a rush and take your time to get one. Let your platoon buddies who will have been there a while give you an idea of where you can go that is reputable as with most smaller places around any military base, there can be shady business.

So you know what to expect, if you fly in to the Killeen airport, there are Army liaisons there to check in with and give you a ride to where to report in at the Copeland Center for in-processing. If you are driving or being driven there, that is the building to report to. You'll get your temporary barracks there, unless you're arriving accompanied. You'll be part of an in-processing unit (much like initially at BCT and AIT) where you'll go through all the different areas to take care of paperwork and other details. Expect to do PT and the normal soldier day of hurry up and wait.

After a few days, your unit representatives will pick you up and shuttle you to your assigned unit's S1 for more in processing. That's when you'll meet up with everyone who will be your chain of command and they'll take care of your unit in-processing from there.

Everything you'll need you were issued already. If you have more specific questions beyond, feel free to add.

If you don't own a vehicle, try to get one before you go. If you wait until you get there, be careful about where you go to get one. I'm sure the post has a blacklist of places you should stay away from.

Parts of Killeen are pretty crappy so be careful about where you go.

Don't get involved with strippers and be wary of the women that live within 100 miles of the post because there's a good chance they're someone's dependent and you could end up with your butt in a sling.

The Cavalry is a proud bunch with a lot of history. Learn about it and embrace it.

There's some good leadership at the top of things at Hood right now. I've encountered MG Funk and CSM Smith (III Corps CG and CSM) in the past and they're good people.

Don't be that PVT that says "but they said in basic/ait". There's the way we're taught to do things and there's the way that things are done. Listen to what people are telling you and if you have questions about it, be tactful in your approach.

Between the moment you graduate and the moment you report to Hood, do your best to stay out of anything that even remotely resembles trouble. For the love of God, do not report in while intoxicated. As SFC Vernon McNabb provided that link, start there. Research all that you can so you know exactly where to go and how to get there. Are you taking a bus or flying from Gordon to Hood? I would say for things to buy, not much you can buy (other than food) right now since you don't have a POV to store it in.

Do you own a vehicle? If not, make sure your sponsor is aware of that so they make arrangements to meet with you and help you get around post for inprocessing. Go to http://www.hood.army.mil/ and there is a wealth of information for you there.

Right place, right time, right uniform. Always have a pen (be extra and have a map marker) and paper on you ready to take notes at all time. Make a ranger purse and keep that with you for instant knowledge whenever you have down time at work. Never get caught doing nothing. Remember your work speaks for itself and that someone is always watching, and some people will take credit for the things that you do, you will shine regardless. Focus on better in yourself at all times, go to school when they are offered and do ssd1 as soon as possible. Listen to everyone. And always, always, ALWAYS, follow the army values.