What is the best advice you received prior to coming in the Service?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 23:39:13 -0400

Mine was ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF YOUR SOLDIERS FIRST, EVERYTHING ELSE YOU WILL LEARN AS YOU GO. I have lived by that since I first came in and will continue for as long as I stay in.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 11:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 23:41:11 -0400

I also was given the advice to be careful messing with women that live near military post's most of them will just be looking for benefits and your paycheck I was told if they know the exact amount of my check just keep on walking also something I live by everyday.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jul 27 at 2014 8:18 PM

Capt Jeff S. — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 20:18:53 -0400

I was told that the longer you stay in, the better it gets.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 7:59 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 19:59:18 -0400

Take as much advantage of the experiance as possible, example: Use TA while in, USMAP, and excellent programs.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 6 at 2014 9:48 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 21:48:39 -0400

As an O, listen to your SNCOs. The advice that never failed me.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Aug 7 at 2014 2:49 AM

SSG Pete Fleming — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 02:49:21 -0400

I like this question... however how many of us were given the good advice but were young and knew better?

But the one thing my recruiter did say was that during basic, keep your mouth shut. No matter what happens they only have you for a couple of months...

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 11:43 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 11:43:00 -0400

My father told me, "Son, don't go into construction and don't join the Army". After two years working construction, I joined the Army.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 12:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 12:52:21 -0400

The best advise I got was more geared towards Basic and it was this: "don't get noticed. It will keep you out of trouble."

Response by SrA Jeff Campbell made Aug 7 at 2014 10:29 PM

SrA Jeff Campbell — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 22:29:30 -0400

My Dad who was active duty for the Marine Corps. informed me that, "No Matter what you do....Never EVER, EVER VOLUNTEER when asked. I used that advice while in basic training and had no problems with any bad details or duties. Thanks Dad! Now the recruiter that recruited me to the USAF told me, "When you go to basic make sure that you tell them you want to be stationed close to your home state." HA HA HA HA....what a joke that was....I should have put all southern bases on my DREAM sheet...may have had a better chance of getting stationed up North! Oh well, I did my time and learned a lot of stuff.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 10:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 22:40:05 -0400

Prior? "Watch that lying sonofab**tch recruiter" comes to mind.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 13 at 2014 6:02 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 18:02:11 -0400

The Vietnam vets telling me to stay in and make it a career. Thanks guys, you were absolutely right.

Response by SPC Cecilia Wilson made Mar 9 at 2022 9:56 PM

SPC Cecilia Wilson — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:56:15 -0500

My brother told me before I left " It's time to put your BIG GIRL DRAWS ON " LOL. He also said, "Remember your training, one mistake could cause the lives of many to be lost"

Response by SPC Cecilia Wilson made Mar 9 at 2022 9:58 PM

SPC Cecilia Wilson — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:58:43 -0500

My brother told me" It's time to put your BIG GIRL panties on", he also let me know that one mistake could cause a lot of people to lose their lives