Shipping to basic training tomorrow, any advice?

Question

Hey y'all my time is up, tomorrow I finally ship off to basic, does anyone have any last minute advice before I leave? I just came back from MEPS last night to do my final inspection since too many of us were shipping on the same day. What should I expect? Oh and my branch is military and I'm shipping off to Fort Jackson, any advice would be great thanks!

normalice · Accepted Answer

Here are some 'unconventional' guidelines to getting through basic training:

1-just about everyone you'll ever encounter has probably told you to "never volunteer" for anything. This is false. Obviously you don't want to come off as a brown-noser who volunteers all the time, but the drill sergeants get really annoyed when they need something done and no one wants to lend a hand. Furthermore, being on a detail is usually not that bad. In fact, in basic training it is the closest you'll come (socially) to having a party. The work is usually hard, sure, but that's why you are there.

2-follow orders. everyone in basic training (especially when it is a high-school crowd) is going to try to be a leader. Don't succumb to this. If you are appointed platoon sgt and get the 'best sgt in the history of the world' award, guess what it means when you get out of BCT - nothing at all. It's called 'training' because you are being taught something, and what you are being taught is how to follow orders. If someone tells you to do something, just do it. If you get into trouble for it, the "I was just following orders" excuse is very handy. You'll be punished anyway (everyone will), but you won't be 'really' punished (i.e. fined or discharged), unless of course you were ordered to do something against the rules. Obviously don't follow those orders (i.e. don't kill someone, don't have sex, don't eat candy, don't smoke, et cetera..).

3-training is the point of basic training. The yelling and urgency is just part of the shock value to make you more pliable. I'm not saying this to make it easier, I'm only saying that it's important to focus on the lessons. It's all very easy, but you'll getting about 3-5 hours of sleep per night (except Sundays, some places let you sleep on Sundays - depends on your captain, though) which makes it hard to retain information during the day. But, keep at it. Like I say, there isn't really much, but it is essential that you learn it.

4-you are a girl. this means that every one of the (ample) guys around you will spend 90% of the time leering at you. You'll just have to be a bitch - it's only 8 weeks. Do not offer their attentions any hospitality: it can not end any other way but badly.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Ehh, Army, Navy, Airforce?

I had a buddy who went through Marine OCS school, and he said it was brutal, though maybe the marines are just psychotic. They had college classes, drill instructors that would scream at them to do idiotic things over and over (like, one person was slow putting on his pants, so everyone spend 30 minutes tearing their pants on and off.) Breakfast was so short, with officers shouting at the trainees, that they literally didn't have time to swallow. Bathroom breaks were so short, after guzzling down quarts of water so they don't faint during exercises, it would be four or five marines peeing in the same toilet at the same time for time's sake.

Combine that with they got about 3-4 hours of sleep a day.

Oh, one thing he said was hilarious. Some of the people were getting so little sleep, about three weeks into training, they'd have time-lapse like the guy in "Limitless." Like, people would seem to teleport, because of the time passage... and there was hallucinations. One person freaked out in class after a swarm of butterflies burst off the whiteboard... no one else saw them, haha.

Make sure you have good boots! And, if you can, take some herbal supplements to boost your immune system, like Echinae and goldenseal. A lot of people were coming down ill.

But don't worry, the first week or so was easy, he said. And besides, Marines are psychotic! You probably signed up with a saner branch.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Your branch is military? what?

Anyhoo,my daughter finished all that,got her first assignment and just left for Afghanistan:(

Things to expect: The excersizes(sp)and such are brutal,they have you 'working' from sun up till about 5-6pm(I think).

On Sundays you either go to Church or perform more crap.

They teach you discipline.

My daughter says she barely passed-it was THAT hard.

They also teach you the basics. Like...when going to a restaurant for example,ask for military discount. How to properly make your bed,what to do/not to do when out in public.

stuff like that.

When performing battle excercises,you can't wear eye contacts-must wear glasses.

Hope that helps.

BamaY · Answer

Jackson is one of the more "laid back" training centers the Army have. I went back in 2010 to Ft. Sill it was easy on account we was the first co-ed basic company there was in Ft. Sill. (Not counting the test battery's that they gauged the effectiveness with.) Over the years basic is getting easier and easier for people to pass. We have 2 guys in our deployment who were 3 months out of BCT/AIT and they are our biggest weak links they have 0 discipline and almost no military education. If your given stress cards never use them, it will follow you and when you get to your unit; you will be "looked down" upon in a way. When doing PT be in the middle of the back don't be the "PT stud" or you'll be expected to do more and more when you could of just gotten lucky; and don't be the "PT dud" as you'll get harsher "training" to get you in shape. One of the guys that came from Jackson 2 years ago said the top platoon got to use their phones on the weekends for one hour either Saturday or Sunday depending on the schedule. Don't be a follower of your Drill Sgt. but still heed every word they say. You'll make friends fast some which may be come enemies by the end of your training. Don't fall into clicks and avoid the drama other attempt to cause. If you don't get picked to be a PG, PL, GB, or SL; don't worry they usually pick people who need leadership experience, the ones who they feel already have it are usually ASL's. About half way threw they let our PL choose the PG, GB, and SL's; just too see if they could make a wise decision. Don't be a "blue falcon" you'll just end up making enemies of everyone and it'll make your experience worse. You should still be learning "D&C"(I hope you do) it's a great discipline help as well as team builder but some say they didn't learn it in Basic. I have a young squad with me on this deployment many less than a year out of BCT before we came. I was able to tell quickly which are duds, BFs, and which are Soldiers. When your back in your bunks review all your notes that you took that day we often were quizzed on small details most didn't remember. Each Ft. has a different way of doing things if a Drill Sgt. is hard on you and you can't figure out why. It might be, because they see great potential out of you; I only say this cause when I ask my D.S. why he always gave me extra duty when I passed everything and never caused trouble. He replied with "You have the makings of an NCO, you came into this army with rank but due to a paperwork problem you lost it all, yet you didn't complain. You just told me "Charlie Mike Drill" and went back to training. While you wasn't the best you did have a answer for any situation we threw at your team. I want to see you excel in my Army." Thanks to him I pushed my self harder once I got to my unit, I even got the privilege of seeing him again on this deployment he had quit being a D.S. and wanted to see more action. Stay strong and Good luck from a gun bunny -13B

MrOracle · Answer

You're heading off to Relaxin' Jackson. Basic Training shouldn't be too tough there, though it's going to be hot this time of year. When they tell you to drink water, do it.

Many of the things they'll have you do will be tough, but you'll get through it. You'll find one of the hardest things will be staying awake, because you'll be exhausted the entire time, both from physical exertion and because you won't get enough sleep.

Definitely avoid drugs, alcohol, and sex, because chances are you'll get caught (doing something stupid), and that will quickly end your career.

Understand that they aren't going to be "fair." The point of Basic is to get rid of your civilian decision-making process (slow and at your convenience) and replace it with a military decision-making process (mostly an instant "YES SERGEANT!"). As such, a lot of it will be mental. You will be punished for things you didn't necessarily do yourself. You will be given no-win situations, and asked questions for which there are only wrong answers. Expect that, and don't get angry about it. It's done for a good reason, which is to make sure that you can be counted on in a situation where your own performance may make the difference between life and death of the soldiers around you.

Good luck, and thank you for serving.

Triathlete · Answer

Being in the service(Marines (MSOR)) and getting out after 12 years. I can say Basic was a challenge but was fun. Just try not to bring attention to yourself, keep yourself low and inconspicuous.

Do EXACTLY like the DI says. Don't "think" in the way you would logically think the next step would be when they ask you something. Most of the time it is a test to see if you can follow directions. Even if the request seems bizarre, strange or repititious. Just do it.

You are going to be challenged physically and mentally. Most of what you do, no matter how much it hurts is mental. As the saying goes, "Pain is weakness leaving the body."

When you are doing something and you feel exhausted. The worst mistake you can make is to think you are going to be doe after and excercise or task. Get your mind ready that even if something is extreme and you are done, you have five more things to do afterward. So when you are done you'll be mentally rewarded.

The first 3 days to a week for some are the hardest. They will try to break you shake you and get your scared, and you WILL question your decision. That's okay, everyone has done that. You WILL get through it. After that 3 day to week hump it DOES get easier I PROMISE! Just hold on until then.

BTW make sure that you express to you family that you would appreciate letters from them. Trust me on this one, it really boasts moral...And anything that boosts moral is key.

One thing I learned later in MSOR, the guys that make it are the ones that can laugh and keep a positive attitude even when things look grime, through injuries and everything. Those are the ones that survive. Those were always the guys that I could depend on to stay positive and get the job done and be able to laugh at things they couldn't change.

Good luck! And if it was really an impossible chalelnge no one would pass boot camp. :-) Thanks for serving.

sexyasianboi26 · Answer

The army? You got nothing to worry about, they got stress cards, which is a joke imo.

Just stay clear from drugs, and drinking. Lots of kids ruin their chances, when they are at the hotel with the other pooles. They decide to go out to the bar, because its their last night, and it f*cks them up because of the piss test on the following morning.

Yup, nothing to worry about. Its not like your going into the Marines. Boy, when I went to Parris Island, I could hear the demon scream from the drill instructors a mile away and saw recruits getting kicked in da face.

Phoenix98 · Answer

The basic training is actually easier now then it was 30 years ago while still hard is not as difficult as it used to be don't expect it easy work hard train hard and you should do just fine don't expect them to go easy on you just because your a women.

Army Values

Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless-Service
Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage

Warriors ethos

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I have lived my life by these values since I was 10 years old growing up in a military family you learn these types of things before even joining. Memorize and remember the Army Values and Warriors Ethos.

Gunner365 · Answer

Branch is officer mos is enlisted. Jackson is army humid and hot as hell. Bottom line people will screw up be it you or your battle buddy will pay the price. Its 90% mental 10% physical just be ready for a challenge and don't be a blue falcon

ladsin · Answer

your hair is too long... but yeah its not that bad, just be sure to memorize everyones ranks right away some of my bois got f***ed over for that

BoBgoodman · Answer

Don't become frustrated and keep an open mind.  Great time to build a network and team work.  Finally enjoy yourself, this is a great learning experience.

beastman88 · Answer

well these people are going to do their best to try and break you down to make you quit. they only want the best

Slovpeter · Answer

I agree with sexyasianboi I'm going in about a year. Hope you do OK. Army basic is cake walk.

foxsquirrel · Answer

My God be with you during your stay at Fort Jackson!

Anonymous · Answer

Your branch is military? Jackson is an Army post, so I guess that means your branch is the Army lol

dalan777 · Answer

Good luck hope it all goes well for you. just be safe. careful and have fun !

Anonymous · Answer

how are you under 18 and in the military?

MyNameIsJonas · Answer

Good luck !

dudeman · Answer

run fast

Anonymous · Answer

Good Luck

Shipping to basic training tomorrow, any advice?

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