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An old friend of mine leaves for basic training in January. He's 25, and has had a bit of a rough life up to this point, and needed something to stabilize things and get a decent paycheck. So after talking to me and other friends of ours in the service, he enlisted in the Army.
So yesterday, I got what will probably be my last chance to see him before he ships to Benning. He asked me for some advice on how to get through basic.
And I was kind of surprised to find that I couldn't really give him much advice. I don't think it's something you can really prepare yourself for, no matter how many pushups you do or how much you look into it. And recruiters don't help much, either (at least mine didn't).
I think I told him "Just do your best not to !#% up, and keep your mouth shut."
So I'm curious as to what advice and words of wisdom you all would give someone who's inc to basic (or boot camp, or whatever).
Don't bring anything but a toothbrush and paste and a shaver.
Always respect your DI and leiutenants
Stay focused
Don't f--- up and keep your mouth shut - LOL
the 8 weeks will be over before you know it
Be careful who you make friends with. Your going to be training with some of the biggest liars, BSers, thieves and dumb @ss's that ever walked the face of the earth. And people will judge you based on who you keep company with.
Keep your pie hole closed and your ears open. If you don't understand the training at hand, "don't wing-it" ask your instructor, that's what they're there for.
My best advice for someone entering basic training is to always keep in mind that it's all a game -a head game. It doesn't matter whether you're the best trainee or the worst, whether you do everything right or everything wrong you're still gonna get yelled at and f#cked with. Just stay focused and don't take it personal and you'll be fine. Those eight weeks will be up before you know it.
The thing you want to do in basic training is blend in with the crowd. Don't do anything to stand out. If you're a screw up it's going to be a long few months. It's not a good thing if your DI knows your name early on.
Ha. No, we've got a mutual jarhead buddy who didn't have a very good experience in the corps; plus the Army offered him more money, which was important for him.
I thought about it, and I texted him this: Remember, thousands have gone before you, and thousands will go after you.
Hopefully it'll help him out. I'm sure he'll be fine.
It is going to test your will to actually want to join. Being older in boot camp helps some and hinders some. Just realize it is a game and whatever you do is going to be wrong no matter what and you will have do do push ups or something no matter what you do. Just listen and do exactly what is told, not more and definatly not less is the biggest thing.
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