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

In retrospect - it is not as hard as it appears. Just go along with the program, do better than you think you can and you will be just fine. Don't be first and don't be last in anything, is what I learned. I was never last but I was first a couple evolutions and then the drill staff tends to expect that kind of performance every time. The only problem I had in basic was he final PT test, I was almost recycled because I had a hard time with the minimum amount of PULL UPS! I HATE PULL UPS! In the 1 mile buddy carry I was carried more often than just about anyone else in the platoon. I was only 135# in basic, about the same as a heavy ruck.

Don't volunteer for anything, don't say you know how to drive a truck, and above all, don't call the DI sir.

Don't say thank you
Don't say coming drill sergeant
Don't volunteer for anything
Don't fall out of runs
Don't step away from your locker if it's unlocked
Don't screw over your battles by not waking up for fire guard
Don't be a snitch
Don't be a blue falcon
DO excel in PT
DO excel in marksmanship
DO your very best on every task

Basic is not the Army. It's training. Training you to be a Soldier. Shut up, keep your head down and out of the minds of the drill sergeants, do what you're told, and remember, training eventually ends. DONT QUIT. You will be offered a moment a truth where they'll ask who wants to go home. If you take it, you will be there as a holdover longer than if you would have just fought through.

Be prepared to sweat your ass off.

One other point. Try to never be in the front of any line. And, remember if you at the rear it becomes the front when an about face is executed.

Oh, one more thing......Pack AS LIGHT AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE!!!

Do a gut check before going to make sure you joined for the right reasons. If you come up with a lot of tangibles on the list and not many intangibles then you need to get your mind right before you get there. By that I mean if you're going for what the "service" can do for you vice what you can do for them you're going to be disappointed. If your mindset has a lot of I and me's vice us and we's you will face some challenges. Everything in the military is about the mission and the unit. Granted, you expect pay and benefits but the service always comes first. Anybody that meets the criteria can get through any recruit training if their mind is in the right place. USMC boot camp may be different but the principles and goals of basic training are the same. Be a team player, give 100% all the time, and display a positive attitude always and it will be noted. Do the opposite and it will also be noted. You'll get out of it what you put into it and at this point there's little you could do to prepare physically. You'll be under scrutiny from the moment you arrive so get it right the first time. If your Drill Sgt's see you lacking in areas but still trying your hardest and having a positive attitude that will go a long way toward you making it. Conversely, if you excel at everything but are an individual and display an attitude of taking care of yourself only, besides problems with other recruits you will have problems with your leaders. It takes a team to win and recruit training is just the first step, so be a team player and help others and you'll be fine.

Well I went thru Leonardwood in 1992, back then we still had separate men and women in BCT. So any advice I could tell you most likely would not help but keep your head down, stay away from stupid people and there will be some in BCT and soldier on.

Stay away from the Marines, we like to get people in trouble. Especially the Motor transport Marines, we're awful. Good luck though.

Pretend you know nothing about anything, keep your head up, listen and do everything your DS says, and don't ever let them know your name. Don't say anything other than yes DS or No DS or HOOAH. Move with a MF purpose anywhere you go, be in the right uniform and kinda be good at land navigation and you will graduate bct.