What would be the best advice for a private heading to Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood?

Weather can suck, do the best you can, listen to and do what the DS says.

The Blue Book is available for download on the internet. Learn the soldier's creed and rank before leaving.

Adapt & Overcome, Training will be 2nd Nature to you...

Range walk everywhere you go. Keep your smart book in your cargo pocket at all times, and read that little book every second you get. If you mess up (& you will) own up to it and deal with the consequences like a man. NEVER EVER become a Blue Falcon! Touch the campaign hat and you die. Open your eyes, shut your pie hole, and asks questions if you don't know something. Don't get yourself or anyone else hurt or killed bc of your inability to follow directions. Mentally this will be the hardest task you take on. Remember that your DS is your mother, father, and any other family member you can think of for the next 8 wks. Treat these highly skilled men and women with respect, as they are highly trained soldiers and professional. But the most important advise I'll give you is this. Remember the Army is a serious job. Treated as if this is all you have ever wanted to do in your life. The people that give you he'll are the ones looking out for you the most. Finally don't take anything personal. This is your job and only a job. Don't let it ruin who you are; unless you're some sort of an ass hat. Then you let it ruin you and build you into a real man. Good luck brother.

SGT (Join to see) stay away from Daisy's Spa.

At the end of the day they want you to succeed - that is the truth.

I know that Basic Training has changed a lot since I was there. So the best advice I can give you is do what your told and try you hardest. You will get out of your training what you put into it. Don't form an opinion about the military based on life in training. Training is designed to stress and test you both physically and mentally.

the weather is crazy. idk if you kn ow much about MO but the weather changes in a snap. was 89 Monday. now its like 42. so expect to be doing a lot of PT in the cold. also listen to what your drill sergeants tell you and do it exactly as they say to. don't volunteer for anything. stay below there radar. and all in all stay motivated!! if you start doupting yourself or feeling like you cant do it you wont pass.

Well, since you are "heading" there and not there yet, my advice is don't do something while in DEP that gets your contract voided and dropped from the DEP. If you are a Senior, stay on track to graduate on time. Do not violate the law. Do not get yourself injured. Most of all, stay committed to your decision to serve in the United States Army. Have your self squared away with all the pre-BCT requirements you must complete while in-DEP in order to ship to Fort Leonard. Stay in contact with your recruiter and attend all scheduled DEP Functions. Good Luck PVT

It will be sucky hot and humid. Listen to your drill instructor and drink water..especially when they say to do so. Otherwise, there is nothing specific about Ft Leonard Wood that pertains to basic training. It is going to be basically the same anywhere you go. You will be confined to a specific part of the base and will have your own barracks, dining facility and training areas. From what I remember and understand, you could cookie cutter this section and place it in just about any other training base and you would not likely know the difference while in basic training.