Any tips for someone going to ARMY basic training?

Question

Anything you wish you wouldve known before you went in?

Answer 1

The main thing about basic training is your acknowledgement of your complete, total, absolute and unequivocal lack of freedom. As long as you know that everything you can do or say is entirely, arbitrarily dependent on a superior -- whether you like him or not -- you'll get by a lot easier. I've seen people completely break down midway through after coming to this realization, and its not the actual strain and pressure that gets them -- its just that fact that your person is no longer your own. Basic training is about learning to do EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE TOLD TO DO. Your personal skills and potential will become crucial later on, but the first thing to do is just swallow hard and take every thing you're given; the end of it will be that much more satisfying.

Also, try and find something small, and hang onto it for dear life throughout: Doesn't matter if it's your belief in your country or the system; the eventual salary/prestige you'll pull in later; the various combat skills you learn and will retain for the rest of your life -- even if its the sweet smell of gunpowder! Anything to keep you going when you're on the brink...

And oh yeah: ALWAYS keep an extra pair of socks handy!

With Great respect, and wishing you the best of luck!

Answer 2

Ey, just a reminder privates steal any and everything. Watch your gear Never leave anything unsecured. Even your underwear is fair game! lol! Funny but so true. Oh, also if you get home town recruiting make sure you keep your leave form and everything your recruiter gives you so you can take that to your new unit just in case your days or pay get screwed up. Which will happen. Bring as little as possible with you. Don't bring any aspirin, vitamins, etc.. They will make you throw it away. Oh, Drill SGT's will take all your personal belonging from you. You will have nothing. Make sure you pass all your PT tests so they won't screw with you and never give up Basic is fun you will meet a lot of people you never will forget. Stay strong and Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yeah, like why did you pick another service? Just kidding.
I don't have any tips for basic, but for later on, I do. In fact, my son joined the army and was in for 4 years. I gave him the same advise and it paid off for him. When you get to your first duty assignment, and get settled in and start to do your job, keep track, keep copies, etc., of all of your "atta-boys" that you get. For everything that you do, any achievement that you make, any award you get, get a copy and put it in a folder. Anytime someone says something positive to you or about you, write down the circumstances surrounding that incident.
When it is time for your performance eval, for promotion, for a service medal, your immediate supervisor gets a blank form to fill out. He/she can remember what you did yesterday, but with all of the people under them, it's hard to keep track of all the good things that a soldier does. That is where you come in. The supervisor will normally tell you that your annual eval is coming up, or they received notification for justification for a service medal, or you will be eligible for promotion, etc. That is when you pull out all of the paperwork that you have been saving, and give him/her a copy. U would be surprised how appreciative those are to the supervisor. Makes their jobs so much easier, and directly benefits you.

Answer 4

Well when I went through, I kept a low profile. I didn't out do myself and I wasn't a big screwup. The drill SGT's love to pick on the people who really mess up and they love to put the people on top in charge of things. Like making you squad leader or platoon SGT. That just more responsibility than you want at that time of confusion and little time frames. Just do your best, start working on physical fitness now so your not far behind when you get there, they will smoke you death for a while.

Answer 5

Keep your mouth shut and do what you're told. Grow a thick skin. Drill Sergeants yell a LOT. It's not personal. Don't volunteer for anything. Give every task your best effort. You don't have to be perfect, but make an honest effort to be perfect. Be prepared to be tired, sore and hungry most of the time. Give it your all and you will amaze yourself with what you're capable of.

Good Luck and Thanks for serving.

Answer 6

Try to be in relatively decent shape...its just makes everything a little easier (try running and pushups).
Lose any attitude that you may have that you think you're the baddest dude around.
Don't volunteer for anything, even if it looks like it might be a good thing to do.
Do what you're told, when you're told to do it.
Should be a cakewalk if you follow some simple principles.

Answer 7

easy...

take it 1 day... 1 hour at a time...

thats the way you make it... 1 day at a time....and REMEMBER stand up tall... people are watching you even when you dont think they are....

I remember being in Marine boot camp.. we all came to parade rest and stood there for like 4 hours... alot of people lost posture and kept standing tall.... the DI was watching.. I was made squad leader and later left boot camp with 2 stripes... all because I looked good

Answer 8

American basic training is not particually good so dont sweat it. Now if you were going into the British army well then you better have made sure your fit and ready cus it will be a Shock to the system.

Answer 9

Lots, but I went in '71 and they were NOT as wussified then as they are now with recruits. I won't bore you with the gory details, but those who went (a lot were draftees) know the deal.

Answer 10

They will be looking for physical fitness, leadership, enthusiasm and professionalism.

Realize that you are not in good enough physical shape, you know nothing about the profession of arms, keep your mouth shut and your ears open.

Have fun. It is a great experience.