What tips do you have for someone heading to a winter basic training at Fort Leonard Wood?

A lot of trainees are going to get sick. Stay clean. Use lots of hand sanitizer. Take it with you everywhere you go. Personal hygiene is even more important in cold weather. Change your socks regularly, especially if they get wet. You will be issued cold weather gear, use it. About the time you start to get acclimated to the weather you’ll be graduating.

Do what your Drill Sergeants tell you to do.

It's that easy.

Really, really is.

Congratulations! You will be fine in Army Basic Training. Once you have graduated from Army Basic Training, You will understand there are differences between Army Basic Training and Marine Bootcamp, and will won't be the typical civilian who does not understand. Even today, I cringe when a civilian ask me "was Army Bootcamp fun?" I politely explain that Army Basic Training was not fun, and that I there to learn, work, and succeed. Furthermore, I joined the Army not the Marines. I thank them for their time and we part ways. One more informed and educated civilian.....

Don't try to go AWOL no matter how bad you think it is. You'll never find your way off that post. It's called Fort Lost in the Woods for a reason. There's no exit.

I spent a few winters at Fort Lost In The Woods, it can get darn right cold.

The weather changes dramatically in the winter it can be -20 windy and wet and the next it can be 80. don’t question just do and don’t ever quit even if you feel like it. It snows, rains, humid and hot the humidity can be 80-100% and feel like 120 stay hydrated especially in the cold months and pack more than need stay prepared for any changes. Focus

Dress warm, lol

The weather here is definitely bipolar. Be ready for 28 degree weather one day followed by 58 degree the next. Or maybe a week below freezing followed by a couple days of warmth. Ice storms but not much snow. Or sometimes up to 18 inches of snow on the ground at one time. You will be assigned a Battle Buddy- best bet is to watch each other for signs or symptoms of cold weather injuries. Enjoy Basic.

I took basic there in Jan 79. If it snows, look for a lot of it. I was 30 years old retread from 67 - 70. Not too cold unless a arctic front comes through. Watch out for black ice. Can dump you while walking on sidewalks. We had one guy broke a vertebrae.

My grandson from Mississippi completed basic at Leonard Wood in the winter. The Army equipped him for the cold weather. The climate in central Missouri isn't all that different from north Texas. My best advice is to follow your DIs' instructions. Keep your feet as dry as possible. Dress in layers. Sweat is your enemy. Take off a layer or two when a work party or exercise period starts so you won't overheat. Alcohol does not make you warmer. It's a vasodilator so you'll feel warm for a while, then much colder. If you drink to the extent of passing out into a snow bank--hard to find in Missouri--you can end up dead.

As for being 29, I recommend you undertake a physical conditioning and running program now if you haven't already. Basic is physically demanding, but not impossible for a person approaching 30. Your younger counterparts have youth and strength on their side, but you should have experience and guile on yours. Work smart while they are using brute force to achieve the mission.