What can you tell me about basic training at Fort Benning?

I graduated last August and my advice to you is just to accept that it will suck. There will be moments where you question yourself but just make sure you sorround yourself with solid guys. You don't want to be that guy that hangs out with the guy always getting smoked.

Before I shipped I used to read stuff like "never volunteer for anything" but if you're a natural leader you'll know when to take charge when others mess up . Yes being in a leadership position won't mean anything once you're at your unit but it gets you going in the right direction mentally.

Also, you're going to deal with a lot of guys with different backgrounds and different values so getting a long with everyone and avoiding drama was one thing a lot of people struggled with at basic for some reason. I'm from NYC so I guess I was used to the diversity.

Last but not least enjoy your time there. You get to a point in blue phase where you almost enjoy getting smoked . You begIn to catch on to the Drill Seargants games and it's pretty entertaining lol

If you're an honest 288 now, your PT score may actually go DOWN in basic if you don't work on it on your own. I would suggest keeping it as high as you can. When you get to your unit, they won't know much about you other than scores, so it can't hurt your first impression for scores to look good.

Also, an old guy's advice for you: Consider doing at least one enlistment on active duty. It's an experience you'll remember for your whole life and the only people I ever see regretting it pretty much do that to themselves. Even if you have other life plans, 4 years is a REALLY short time on the scope of a lifetime.

I'm actually going to go against the conventional wisdom and tell you to go in as a blank slate. Ready yourself physically, of course, but don't spend time trying to learn D&C, tactics, BRM on your own. They will show you the way they want you to do it, and unless you are personally training properly out of the newest army doctrine, "bad habits" can be hard to break. Get your mind right, and make sure your affairs are in order at home before you leave so that you won't be worried about things while you're gone. It's going to suck, but I think most of us that have been in awhile will tell you that, if given the chance, we would do it again right now. Good luck to you!