What do you wish you had known before your first assignment?

Keep your mouth shut.(silence is golden) learn when you get there. Not saying if you have question not to speak. Just don't think you know it all. Learn from the people above you. Bust your ass in everything you do! show you have the knowledge and the want to improve and to learn. Be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there and in the proper uniform. Carry a note book and pen. Take notes. Read and learn from said notes. Stay away from the panther piss, and the clubs off post. You will do fine.

That is a geat question. I wish I knew what I could expect from shipborad living than I did.

If you have time get enrolled in some DL college courses. Get through your SSD's as quick as you can and don't be afraid to ask questions. Get there early and stay late, learn everything you can. Learn from the Good NCO's and what not to do with the bad ones. Find a good mentor and stay in his/her hip pocket. If you can do this you will stay well ahead of your peers. Good luck.