Joining the Army

[Mr Peat]

Always and I mean always have multiple copies of your medical records. I speak from personal experience being a Disabled Veteran. Its amazing what disappears from your file.

 

[smokinbolt]

Yes keep copies of every paper ever given to you by the army. Enlistment records, everything. You will never know when you need them again. Also, this is more from a regular army standpoint, but some of the best friends you will have for the rest of your life you will meet in the army. Most of my friends now were prior army, my wife was in the army, her best friends are in the army. When you go through those challenges together, no matter how different you are, you bond. Also PM me for any questions. I was a 96B, my wife was a 96B, we have friends that are still 96Bs, we are trained on the systems, we might even know your instructors in AIT. Any questions you have, please ask. Between us, we have done every aspect of 96B work from BN to DIV.

 

[tasman]

Well as Brickhouse mentioned yes I was a Drill Sergeant for 3 years and thanks for the kind words!

There is a some good advice here. Do what you can to try to get in shape but don't worry about it, trust me if it is what you want they will get you in to shape.

The #1 thing that I told all of my soldiers and was mentioned is learn to play the game! That game is to get you physically, mentally and spiritually fit to accomplish your tasks at hand. So yes they will play head games but that is for a number of reasons. Some soldiers are just rock heads and need the extra attention, some is to make you learn how to be a team player and other reasons well it was just fun!
Don't expect any thing in Basic except to learn your Combat and Infantry skills. Fort Leonard Wood is where Drill Sergeants go to school so don't be surprise if you see a lot of them. he he!
AIT is for your MOS training and you will get a little more freedom and before you know it you will be on the move to your first duty station.
Your time will be limited and controlled once you get use to it, it is really easy. They tell you when, where, how and once in a while they might tell you why you are doing some thing. So there really is no surprises it is all up to you!

Good luck and I wish you the best! I am always here if you have any questions.

I will have 20 years active duty service next month! WOW

 

[xRanger]

Well as Brickhouse mentioned yes I was a Drill Sergeant for 3 years and thanks for the kind words!

There is a some good advice here. Do what you can to try to get in shape but don't worry about it, trust me if it is what you want they will get you in to shape.

The #1 thing that I told all of my soldiers and was mentioned is learn to play the game! That game is to get you physically, mentally and spiritually fit to accomplish your tasks at hand. So yes they will play head games but that is for a number of reasons. Some soldiers are just rock heads and need the extra attention, some is to make you learn how to be a team player and other reasons well it was just fun!
Don't expect any thing in Basic except to learn your Combat and Infantry skills. Fort Leonard Wood is where Drill Sergeants go to school so don't be surprise if you see a lot of them. he he!
AIT is for your MOS training and you will get a little more freedom and before you know it you will be on the move to your first duty station.
Your time will be limited and controlled once you get use to it, it is really easy. They tell you when, where, how and once in a while they might tell you why you are doing some thing. So there really is no surprises it is all up to you!

Good luck and I wish you the best! I am always here if you have any questions.

I will have 20 years active duty service next month! WOW

Good lord, 20 years??? Where were you stationed as a Drill Sergeant?

Makes me wonder sometimes, I would have had almost 16yrs in if I had stayed...

Edit to add: And if you need anything, you can hit me up as well...I will do what I can to answer any questions you might have!

 

[tasman]

Well as Brickhouse mentioned yes I was a Drill Sergeant for 3 years and thanks for the kind words!

There is a some good advice here. Do what you can to try to get in shape but don't worry about it, trust me if it is what you want they will get you in to shape.

The #1 thing that I told all of my soldiers and was mentioned is learn to play the game! That game is to get you physically, mentally and spiritually fit to accomplish your tasks at hand. So yes they will play head games but that is for a number of reasons. Some soldiers are just rock heads and need the extra attention, some is to make you learn how to be a team player and other reasons well it was just fun!
Don't expect any thing in Basic except to learn your Combat and Infantry skills. Fort Leonard Wood is where Drill Sergeants go to school so don't be surprise if you see a lot of them. he he!
AIT is for your MOS training and you will get a little more freedom and before you know it you will be on the move to your first duty station.
Your time will be limited and controlled once you get use to it, it is really easy. They tell you when, where, how and once in a while they might tell you why you are doing some thing. So there really is no surprises it is all up to you!

Good luck and I wish you the best! I am always here if you have any questions.

I will have 20 years active duty service next month! WOW

Good lord, 20 years??? Where were you stationed as a Drill Sergeant?

Makes me wonder sometimes, I would have had almost 16yrs in if I had stayed...

Edit to add: And if you need anything, you can hit me up as well...I will do what I can to answer any questions you might have!

Fort Lee, Virginia bro!

I am glad I had the opportunity to do it I wouldn't change it for any thing!

 

[Lopaka]

I'm in the AF...however, one thing that has been mentioned can't be stressed enough.

SAVE A COPY OF EVERY PIECE OF PAPER THEY MAKE ON YOU!!!!

Trust us!!!

Here is something that I have learned in the military. Have fun all the time..it goes very fast! When ever someone says you can't do anything...prove them wrong.

And a lesson that you will learn quick...

Always keep a coin on you at ALL times. 24 Hours a day...7 days a week.

 

[xRanger]

When I got to Battalion, you had to have a can of Copenhagen on you at all times...Front left BDU bocket...and you had better try and get the imprint in your pocket too...It didn't matter if you chewed, it was just well advised...especially if you were a new guy....

Edit to add: But that was more of a squad thing...I chewed, and I was squad leader at the time!! :whistling:

 

[Mr Peat]

Our requirement in the Platoon and being a Scout..You learn to live on the wild side. So you could drink anyone under the table. This was after we was in our regular unit. A bottle of Jack Daniels in one swig aka 750 mL bottle and I was never invited to parties except BMOB. You know its bad when a full bird Colonel was lecturing how bad alcohol is a problem in the Army and he is looking straight at YOUR Platoon. :laugh:

But the other thing that was pretty common was getting a tattoo which was the start of an addicting hobby as well as cigars.