U.S Army BootCamp

[555th]

I hid a tooth brush in my laundry sack and left my "inspection" tooth brush in my locker for display. Same with uunderwear and a T-shirt. Then I wore same two unifroms the whole time and left the rest for display.

Remember it's just a game and it's over soon. Don't voluteer for anything. The Drill sargeant may ask, "who here likes to Bowl....Do we have any good Bowlers?" Some dumbass will raise their hand and end up cleaning the toilet bowls for the duration.

[Gunco]

Never volunteer for anything...let me repeat do not volunteer for anything. They may ask whos from california or who's from texas, don't raise your hand if you are. cause that makes you a queer or steer neither is good!

I did my basic at "FT. lost in the woods misery" then on to Benning.

Like 555th said its all a game. You'll learn quick that you have clothes to wear and clothes for display. You'll learn valuable skills like sleeping hidden in small places or standing up and How to look awake during classes.

Don't worry DI's aren't allowed to hit you anymore like back in the 80's when I was in.

Do the right thing, listen to the DI's they are there to teach you, and don't be the class clown or class fuckup.

Just remember these things and you'll be alright.

[zteknik]

aright!!!!way to go!!!
the guys gave you most of the tips
definatley dont call the di sir!!!!!
as a former nco-(non commisioned officer)staff seargant
we hate that!!!the likley respnse-i personaly guarenty-
will be DONT CALL ME SIR!!!YOU %$36 *%$%^$^ I WORK
FOR A LIVING!!!!(fill in for profanity!)
just do as your told do it fast and with intestinal fortitude
meaning with high motivation!even if its cleaning the latrine!!
dont worry about getting stuff right-even if you realy are right
in there eyes your wrong
i was gonna say if you wanna impress the drill sarge learn how to put a spit shine on your boots but they dont issue those anymore
i came from a family with a lot of military background
so it was like summer camp to me
dont take anything personel unless its a compliment -you dont get to many of those unless you do an outstanding job!!
not much else i can add
for choosing to serve and carry out a tradition
hopefully there wont be any political bs for you
and the cool thing is range time is a bennifit!

[nkluksda]

Don't volunteer for SHIT. Keep a low profile. You don't want to be seen as a suckup, a trouble-maker, a smart-ass, or a know-it-all. Do what's required the way it's required, and don't question whether it makes sense.

And whatever you do, if you know how to field-strip and reassemble an M4 in nothing flat because you've been around firearms all your life, for God's sake, at least pretend to be paying attention to the training cadre so a Drill doesn't notice you being bored and call you down for some 'personal' time demonstrating what you think you know. And if, by chance, the above does happen, whatever you do, DO NOT outperform a Drill doing the same task. Never. Never ever. Unless you like pushups...

[XSapper]

Good luck! Glad to see some young people still wanting to seve. Everybody has pretty much covered it. Early october is Knob Creek machine gun shoot, if you get a pass that weekend you should check it out. It's real close to FT Knox.

[mtdew]

You gonna love the Army, for fuckin' ever! If you can keep a low profile, if at the end of basic the D.I. still doesent know your name youve done good. A nail that sticks up gets pounded down. And they will pound you down. I tried to be invisable But about week two the D.I. noticed me. I was 17 and looked 12. 125 lbs. Thereafter I was known as ''pretty boy Pearson". And no weekends off for us.I've never heard of that. The worst thing for me was the lack of sleep. We averaged about 4 hours sleep each night, But others I've talked to got as much as 8 at other posts. I was glad and proud I did it. You will be too. Go do your best and remember not to take the shit they say personal, they dont know your mother! Good Luck!

[gunsho_roamer]

Originally Posted by Fuhckliberals

I have a few questions to those who went through boot camp.I am going to boot camp at ft. Knox kentucky in august.I know you cant bring anything but whats the appropriate clothing you have to wear going to boot camp.i know you also cant talk when your in line waiting for food.any helpfuls tips would be great, thank you pvt. Bartwink.

19 Kilo?

I was in Ft. Knox in 1984 for USUT. Bring a good attitude, Uncle Sam takes care of just about everything else.

[XSapper]

We didn't get any passes until after we graduated basic. 4-6 hours sleep a night during basic, around 8 hours during ait.

[Rikoshay]

During my 2 day pass after basic was when Iraq invaded Kuwait (1990). AIT was worse than basic. You're going to see a lot of things that don't make sense, get used to it.

Unless things have changed in 19 years, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A HAIRCUT. I was always told "at least the haircuts are free", and that was a load of BS.

If you can get somebody to teach you "facing movements" and how to stand at attention that is helpfull.

Start running and doing pushups, lot's of pushups!!!

[Budda Budda Jam]

Yeah, another thing the recruiters don't tell you is your health care isn't free. If you live in a barracks they bill you for that every month. Your dental coverage is subtracted from you pay. I don't know how much money I spent while I was in the Corps on uniform stuff. I remember having to buy new belt buckles and brass just because the display brass wasn't in a sealed plastic container. There is so much of your money wasted on frivolous things while you in. I'd still say the good experiences out weighs the bad ones. I would do it all over if I had to.