Im going to Good Fellows Airforce Base, Texas for my AIT.

Didn't go through basic for the Army but did for the Navy, then after Basic trained with every branch Army, Marine, Air Force, and even the Coast Guard for 8 months.

The few posts above me had some sound advice, don't always volunteer but don't never volunteer either, they are going to yell, scream, get in your head, and try their best to break you down. Just realize it is all a mind game, Don't EVER give the impression of giving up, they will run you until you throw up, but just know you won't be the only one doing it. Just follow orders, try not to get your name known too much, and do what they say....even when you think you can't. You'll look back and think 'you know that wasn't that hard' and that is the attitude you need to have, don't be the one complaining all the time...trust me it will only make you life worse.

I wont lie its no picnic, but after the first 2 weeks its not too bad and the towns people are really great!!

Excellent advice!!!

One other suggestion you can go to the website Togetherweserved.com and search for people that recently graduated from Fort Jackson, and ask them tips, boot camp has changed even since I went in back in 04, so I'm sure it's different for the Army now too, someone who just recently graduated basic can probably give you a better perspective

I was told to do 3 things


1: do what they say.


2:be on time


3: be in the right uniform

add 'do not complain'
and 'don't get an attitude'

and you're set

yea those are two good ones as well

one more,

when they are teaching grenade throwing, make sure to throw the grenade not the pin....

I know seems like common sense but one of the guys in my class at Pensacola did just that threw the pin, needless to say he had to repeat the course

haha nice

New Hollywood (barracks) was o.k. I was there in 87.

Old Hollywood sucked, from what I heard. Then again, they have probably torn it down by now.

It is all about attitude, my man. If you want to get thru it, you will.

Best of luck to you.

One more piece of advice. Get the address of everyone you know and write to them once you get assigned to a platoon, and ask them to write you back. Mail call absolutely sucks when everyone else is getting mail, and you're not. The more people you write to, the more mail you will get.

Also, stay away from any games during your down-time that involve gambling. Saw too many guys start out betting a few dollars and then losing their paychecks before they got out of basic. Kill time by reading your smart-book or any book for that matter, shining your boots, cleaning your wall locker, etc.

i was in, best advice i can give is dont let them scare you! they pressure you pretty hard depending on your m.o.s.! Pay close attention to what they are teaching you because if you see combat you'll need it! But, stay calm they can't hurt you they just scream a lot but it's all bark and no bite! I don't think that not volunteering is such great advice personally, but to each his own. most of the time if you didn't voluteer they picked up on that and selected you anyways and soemtimes its a good thing not a bad thing. plus if you want to be successful in the military you will find attitude is everything! Going with a positive attitude will go a long way toward a successful career. keep your nose clean too, a lot of pressure to fight, drink and raise hell. be careful, but it was some the best years of my life i absolutely loved it. b ut i am a bit deranged!

Learn to be patient, this is where the expression
'Hurry up, now wait' came from.

Basic is like a game, to mess with your head, the rest of your Army experience will not be like this.

You will meet many different kinds of people, be careful, at some point in basic they will have an M-16 rifle with real ammo in their hands, pay attention.

Remember the 'tall nail gets hammered the hardest', so don't be a show off, or draw attention to yourself.

Do as much phsical training as possible, cuz the Army likes it's boys very fit.

Good Luck.
I did basic at Ft. Bliss El Paso TX, winter of 1985, I was 27 yrs old too.

Air Defense Artillary?

How about this phrase:
"Make your buddy happy" You'll hear that alot, when you are standing in line for something.

No, I went to FT.Sam for AIT, 91-A, Field Medic, later 91-D OR Tech.

it's gonna be a head game

best to realize that from the first and just play the game. some people resist and rebel and they get the worst of it

nothing you do will be right at first and that's on purpose

after a few weeks you'll start doing things right and by the time you graduate you'll be AJ squared away

Just always remember... you signed up for it...

Keep you head up, be proud, but not to headstrong in basic....

Im sure with such a Politically Correct environment we are in nowadays, its probably different than when I was in... either way, they are training you to be a soldier... When you look back on the whole experience, you will see the big picture, and you will be a better man for it. Good luck!!!

Fort Jackson Basic
Fort Knox AIT

63tH8

Desert Storm

First Armor Division

Don't go in thinking you know it all...............never been in but believe me those that think they know it all will soon find out the hard way they don't....... It is always best that if you think you did it right double check, if you think it is clean enough or in the right place or polished enough double check.....

My brother was in the Marines I assure you every branch will teach you that cleanliness will be one of your priorities. And if it is not one of your priorities it soon will be.

Other then that take care , keep your head up and just know that many have you within their thoughts and prayers each and every day....

When I was in Basic, I volunteered for everything. When the Drill Sergeant asks for a volunteer, you're hand better automatically be high in the air. It pays off. You are showing that you trust them completely.

When the Drill Sergeant tells you to 'Sound Off', scream what they want you to say at the top of your lungs, no less.

You will be given a pocket training guide. At any time while you are
talking a break, make sure that it's out and your reading it.

You will be made to drink insane amounts of water. Embrace it.

Never give up while exercising. Even if you're convinced that your muscles can't handle anymore, use your will. You must never stop trying.

Never break the rules. Walk on grass and you'll wish you had died.

Lastly, if one of your fellow trainees is having a hard time at something, encourge them on. You'll find that as the weeks go by, if one of you fails, so do you all.

yeah, have a bad personality and you may become your Drill Sergeant's 'special project'