U. S. Army Basic Combat Training Tips

Either you are about to go to MEPS or you just came back for the first time and you're just now wondering about that thing called BCT (Basic Combat Training). Well, I won't lie to you or pull your tail about the things you're wondering about, but my experiences will not likely be the same as your will experience. The Army is a strange creature now and it's changed a lot since I went to Basic and that was only in 2005. I also have the female perspective which is not something that is shared by majority of Soldiers simply because women don't even make up a quarter of the force and we can only go to two bases for BCT (both of which are co-ed), but what I can give you is basic tips especially the ones I wish I'd known about and couldn't even imagine to ask about.

+  Bring copies of your Enlistment Orders for your final trip to MEPS and subsequent trip to BCT.  Papers get lost, enlistment papers among them; so, to be safe keep them with you.

+ Bring ID to include Passport, Driver's License, Social Security Card, and anything else government issued.

+  You will have to have a Bank account; so get one now if you haven't one already that way your choices are more varied.  Once you have your enlistment contract I would recommend strongly that you go for USAA, they are military only, but very, very, good.  Bring account information with you. 

                    -As a side note, it would be beneficial to print out Account numbers, Driver License number, and any other personal information you will use a lot on a little card that way you don't have to be constantly shuffling around for everything.

+  Bring copy of medical records.  Most importantly your shot records.  Some shots are not good to get multiple times and for some it is worse to get too soon to each other.

+  Bring only the clothes on your back and extra underwear.  The only thing you'll get to see for a while is the underwear and socks (and for women, bras).  White above the ankle socks are the only ones that you can really bring with you.  Undies and bras have to be plain white, black, or grey.  Bras can only be sport type, but I recommend bringing one nice one for when you fit for the spiffy uniforms.  Your ta ta's will love you for it.

Things you can do to make life better for both during and after BCT.

+ On the flight, if you go by flight, to where ever you're shipped off to if you have a layover or is stuck waiting for a while then head to the USO. I forget what it stands for, but all they need is orders or Military ID and you chill in the coolest nexus. All Service members can be found there and all ranks as well. It's a good place to chat up and find out information. So if you're lucky enough to be in an airport with the USO go there. I know for certain that DFW has a very very nice USO and ATL does as well. SAV is like a closet, but can't always get the best and also Jacksonville has a decent okish one.

+ Use pantie hose or sheer socks similar to pantie hose under your green military socks to help prevent blisters. Don't try to double up the military issue socks as that will only make the blisters worse.

+ If you can, go ahead and buy a set of the current military issue boots, they cost a lot, but it is better to go ahead and start breaking your feet in. Oh the boot breaks in eventually, but your feet will adjust first.

+ While you're at it with the boots go ahead and start marching around in them as you'll have to do a 15 K ruck march. The ruck marches don't end after BCT either. I wish I'd known that, but well it sucks though you'll live. Ruck marches aren't always over nice terrain so find some nasty hiking trails or gravel roads to start getting used to it. I recommend carrying a day pack with 25-45 lbs. Start light.

+ Ruck Marches suck anyway you cut it, but if you're 1st squad leader of the leading platoon you've got it better then everyone else. The Accordion effect kills the ones in the rest of the line as you will sprint then crawl you're way to hell.

+ While at Reception study the Soldier Handbook. I know everyone else is playing around, but since you're stuck in lines most of the time anyway you might as well study it. Memorize the Rank Structure, Army Song, Soldier's Creed, and anything else you can then so that way you can worry about the important things later.

+ Volunteer! Volunteer! Volunteer! There's a thing called details in BCT and AIT; they are not so bad. It is an excellent way to get new views and interesting tips. If you keep volunteering from the start the Drill Sergeants will eventually get tired of you and then you can relax more in the end with a token volunteer effort.

+ Never look the Drill Sergeant in the eye. You can look anywhere else possible without shifting your head but the eyes. Don't try to mess with the hat either. Always call them Drill Sergeant.

+ Key to having a spiffy locker is don't collect junk. Keep only what is issued and line them up, role them up, and stack them up according to regs. Yes it's nice to have the little comforts of life, but for BCT you can manage without them. You'll have them again when you're out.

+ Eat light. If you eat a lot of heavy food or even just a lot of food you'll get sick. Eat the fruits, bird meats, and anything else light, but avoid the red meats except as a once or twice a week protein need. You won't be allowed dessert, caffeine, and such, but they won't do you any good anyways. I say stick with fruits and veggies. Fruits break down into usable sugars more readily anyways.

+ The Drill Sergeants will make you drink a lot of water, but getting water drunk is no joke. The only way to recover from drinking too much water is to just wait it out and you will feel terrible in the hours after. Salt helps retain water, but too much salt will give you little flesh cysts and dehydrate you. It doesn't matter what size you are though as Drill Sergeants make everyone drink 10-12 quarts a day. If you are small like me 8 quarts may be almost too much so slide those beads down (don't know what i mean? you will.) in a way that is logical. Like at lunch slide a bead down (technically you're absorbing water from the food anyways). For ladies, every time a latrine break is open take it. You'll be drinking so much water that once you have to go, you will have to go. Our bladders just can't take that much water.

+ Getting your Sergeant is trickier then you would have thought. There is a point system where every award, board, and what not is worth points. Different jobs have different point requirements and these change every so often. If you're serious about the military start from BCT and AIT and get that Soldier of the Cycle award (that's where studying the Soldier Handbook comes in handy). The earlier you start the easier and better it is for getting that rank. Some jobs are notorious for staying in the max for points; so, if you read this before contracting then ask about it with your recruiter (though they may try and fudge around a bit if you aren't careful).

That's all I can think of for now, but if you send me questions I'll add the answers to the list where I can.  Once you are in you join the family and those in the family are there for life, even those who leave service.  Veterans and simple old non-deployers all share the experience of having been a service member so come one, come all,  the Army keeps rolling along.