well as far as basic is concerned give it your full effort and stay off the radar and just do your best. you can approach it one of two way shoot to be the one that stands and and is the DI pet or just another body. I personally suggest just being another body but that is me. If you are going in with rank expect to be singled out. expect long days and boring classes.I think the std class was the sickesst one I have been to. As far as AIT is concerned it kinda varies from job to job but they lighten up some. Expect someone to screw up and **** the DI off. pass is great do good in your classes and don't cause any waves and you will get the better passes as soon as they are availiable. DON'T go back to the base Drunk if you have drank. just enjoy it for what it is. it is an experience you will never have again

First of all, congratulations on choosing to serve - in spite of what some folks may tell you it'* a very honorable choice. I salute you.

I've been there, but I'm a wuss so I tried the Air Force.

The best advice I can give you is to follow the rules, no matter how stupid you may think they are. As assinine as this may sound, you want to be "average" when it comes to activities in basic (this does not apply to tests or classwork). You don't want to be Mr. Gung-Ho (draws too much attention and responsibility), nor do you want to be the schlep or the Gomer Pyle screwup - that also brings undue attention. You just want to blend in. No matter what you do, though, expect to get yelled at for something, and don't take it personally. The whole purpose of basic is to break you down then build you back up in a military frame of mind. It'* highly affective for most people. The ones that can't adapt get a nice "thank you" and a ticket home.

Don't worry about the physical conditioning. You'll get there. It may kick your booty for a while, but you'll get in reasonable shape and either lose weight or gain weight (like my (then) scrawny arse did). It'* all part of breaking you down...probably more so than turning you into a lean, mean, fighting machine.

I assume AIT is akin to the AF'* Tech School. And, most likely, you won't have anyone constantly in your face. Those guys aren't TIs or DIs, they're instructors. You may still have to march & crap like that, but after basic the worst is over. Neither basic nor AIT will be representative of the "real" Army, however - at least it wasn't for the AF. It will be more like an everyday job, only you have to wear a uniform (but so does a UPS driver!) and salute officers.

Pht. No worries as long as you don't cry when a DI yells at you. I made it through and, like I said, I'm the biggest wuss on the planet.

I couldn't agree more. I sometimes wish I had made that choice when I was younger and single. Now that I am married with children the timing just isn't right for my family. I am higly proud of any one who makes that choice.

Benning in August/September.....



I was stationed there from 85 to 87. You're gonna love it....

It gets a bit warm and a touch humid there. But, you'll get used to it pretty quick

Ft Benning? You will not have any fear of damnation in the afterlife once you have enjoyed Ft Benning in the summer. One thing - the FIRST time you go to the PX, make sure to buy a few pairs of boot insoles, you will need them, army boots are NOT comfy.

One thing about basic training - Those who want to get out during Basic, they always say convincingly that they are going to send you home but never do. Those who are afraid of getting kicked out - they always threaten, but don't actually do it.

Physical stuff - an 18 year old male must be able to do 42 pushups in 2 minutes, 52 situps in 2 minutes, and run 2 miles in less than 15 minutes, 54 seconds.
If you cannot do these at first, worry not, they will train you. My run time went from 18:16 to 15:15. Yes, a full 3 minutes fell off my 2 mile time...

Of course you have to learn about grenades, rifles, machine guns, first aid, and a lot of other things. Most of your time in the days will be spent training or learning about army parade stuff [Drill and ceremony]

Well good luck man, and after basic, you will be in the best shape of your life.
Don't let them break you, they will try. Just think - only 8 weeks of this.

Yeah I have been thru this. I just wish I was in as good a shape as I was back then.

just a little heads up make sure and watch your back because we had a kid snap when I was in basic just on day before pt grabbed a broom and broke this other kids nose for no reason. just watch your back and find out who you can really trust and who the ones are that are not trustworthy

I was stationed in Georgia from 03-06; the heat and hudmity will be there I would tell you to go AF, but it looks like you already siged the papers.

Tell you girlfriend ASAP

LOL!!