What piece of knowledge would you give to new soldiers that are in Basic Training today?

Be at the right place, at the right time, in the right uniform and be ready to execute the task at hand.  Take care of the person to your left and your right.  Trust in your leaders.  They will provide you the tools for you to be successful.  It is up to you to use those tools. 

I constantly tell my Soldiers to train and get education as if they are already promoted to the next rank. Such as a new recruit to my unit, completing SSD, working to Max PT, begin college degree, military correspondence courses, Soldier of the Month boards, and more. I get them to understand that when they get ready for that next rank (SGT) they will already have most everything thing done and closer to being ready to lead Soldiers.

Shine you boots... Starch your BDUs...<div><br><div>Wait, am I showing my age?</div><div><br></div><div>No, seriously, the greatest piece of advice I have ever been given in the military was by my first PSG. &nbsp;"Career progression is not an option. &nbsp;You will always be doing something to further yourself personally or professionally." &nbsp;The military is one of very few careers where YOU are in charge of how far you want to progress.</div></div>