Besides running, doing push-ups & sit-ups, what else can I do to prepare myself for basic training?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 12:30:50 -0500

I ship out for basic in 15 days I run when I can and do push-ups every night, is there anything else I can do to prepare myself

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Feb 7 at 2017 12:33 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 12:33:32 -0500

As long as you're in shape, you're fine. I'd hope you quit any bad habits like smoking ahead of time because otherwise you'll be even more miserable. Basically don't stress it. Look up general knowledge and be ready to get screamed at. Good luck.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2017 12:34 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 12:34:48 -0500

Just do what you're told. When you get dropped push yourself to keep doing more and more exercises than the other people you're with. You'll see people act like they are struggling when the really aren't. Basic is all mental never quit and write to someone it gives you something to look forward to in the day. My reception DS told me something that I use even today. Break the day down into three parts, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Mean cut it down and push to be like "just make it to breakfast" "Just a little more time till lunch" it will help you a lot. NEVER QUIT. Good luck man.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Feb 7 at 2017 12:55 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 12:55:09 -0500

Taking the initiative to be in reasonably good shape is a big step! Also remember the DIs are there to do a job so don't take anything personal-Also by the way THANK YOU for your decision to serve your Country when many others your age do not step up to the plate!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2017 1:22 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:22:49 -0500

Keep up with your PT program. DO NOT DO DRUGS!!!!! I would also say just stay indoors (other than when doing PT) until you leave to eliminate any chances of possibly getting in any kind of trouble.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2017 1:23 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:23:52 -0500

PVT Private RallyPoint Member Being in shape helps. The biggest hurdle is mental. Listen closely to the instructions that you are given, and follow them without question. Basic is about learning to function as a team. Always give your best effort in every task and do not quit. Best wishes on new challenges and adventures!

Response by PO2 Robert M. made Feb 7 at 2017 1:24 PM

PO2 Robert M. — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:24:35 -0500

One thing a friend of mine warned me: when in Boot camp, they are going to "mess with your mind" - and they are going to attempt to erase "civilian" manners out of you.
Remember that, keep a good military bearing, say " yes Sir/Mam or No Sir/Mam" as appropriate.
Remember it is for a limited time - and then you will join the "real" military.
It is a way for the Armed Forces to get you "in step" with their rules, regulations and life. Live it, breathe it and you will be successful! Good Luck!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 7 at 2017 1:43 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:43:09 -0500

Because you are listed as an infantry soldier PVT Private RallyPoint Member I expect you will be going to Fort Benning for Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT). You will be billeted at Sand Hill after going through in-processing at the 30th AG Reception Battalion. The reception battalion fits you for uniforms, boots, headgear and glasses if you need glasses; you will get the basic shots you need and get a military haircut.
I spent many years at Fort Benning going through jump school, mortar trainings school [IMPOC], the basic and advanced courses for Infantry officers. Then I served as a company commander and chief of test and evaluation among other things.
Arriving at Fort Benning in February is a great time to arrive because it gets very hot and humid there from may to September.
In addition to pushups, I recommend you work on sit-ups, pull-ups and jogging/running.
Once you get to Sand Hill you will be introduced to your Drill Sergeants who will provide most of your training. Respect them and listen to them. You will be taught to stand at attention, basic facing movements, basic marching movements - quick time is walking at 3 to 4 miles per hour and double time is jogging. You will learn how to salute and the r4st of basic custom and courtesies.
You will be taught how to fire the basic infantryman weapon of the semi-automatic rifle [ in my day that was the M-14 and M-16 rifle]. You will be taught how to assemble and disassemble that rifle, clean it thoroughly, fire it in daylight and at night. You will be taught how to handle hand grenades, basic first aid, communications and so much more. When I was accompany commander map reading and land navigation were important as well.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Feb 7 at 2017 1:47 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:47:18 -0500

Before you arrive: Keep running. Then run a bit more. Oh, and if you have time, go ahead and get some running in.
When you arrive: Check your ego at the door; after all is said an done you'll pick up an even bigger one once you leave.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 7 at 2017 1:48 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:48:40 -0500

I appreciate your willingness to serve our Country! You'll need to build psychological and spiritual toughness along with your physical readiness. I don't know your personal situation, but get yourself squared away with your family before you start Basic. Make sure your family understand why you're joining the military and is willing to support your decision. Also, get right with your spiritual or religious life. You'll be under a lot of stress during Basic and you'll need psychological and spiritual toughness.

Get your possessions, property, and money under control. Make sure somebody you can trust is willing to care for your stuff while you are in Basic. Also, pay off any debts you might have or arrange for payment while you are in Basic. If you don't have a bank account, open one. You'll need a place for your pay to go to.

Hopefully your recruiter told you most of the stuff I wrote. Other RP members will have good recommendations. Read them all.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2017 2:05 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 14:05:04 -0500

Ask questions before you go just like you're doing now, being mentally ready is just as important as being physically ready.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Feb 7 at 2017 2:40 PM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 14:40:09 -0500

Congratulations, on your enlistment. Pt or physical training will be a given. Mental toughness is key to your success. Remember to think positive and you will be stronger than you ever been. Things you have no control over Basic training, Drill instructors etc... all of the above. You do have control of your thoughts be positive.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Feb 7 at 2017 4:49 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 16:49:32 -0500

It's important to be in shape, but don't overdo it and hurt yourself before you get there.
Also, focus on form when you do your push-ups, or you'll show up thinking you can do a hundred when you can't even do twenty.
One more thing, quit doing sit-ups. They're bad for your back. I did zero in preparation for OSUT, but did flutter kicks, planks, and bicycle crunches every morning. I arrived maxing my APFT.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2017 4:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 16:51:48 -0500

Ruck a lot

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2017 6:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 18:49:25 -0500

Keep doing what you're doing.

It's the purpose of basic to get you in shape. Don't do any crazy workout ideas that will just make you hurt yourself. Eat right, get some sleep, enjoy life, see your friends.

You'll get plenty of Army life in basic. It's exciting to look forward to. But you're not going to change yourself in any significant way by changing something 15 days out. Just enjoy life not as a soldier while you can.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 7 at 2017 7:09 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 19:09:12 -0500

Listen ,learn and never ever ,ever, quit .welcome to the Brotherhood

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 7 at 2017 8:28 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 20:28:18 -0500

Running is Good. I would end up being a Navy 5k Runner. Push Ups are Good. I was Part of Zetterholms Mad Dogs "Company 443 Push Up Position Hut" I could do more than 125 at the Blink of an Eye. Have Fun!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2017 8:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 20:51:51 -0500

Mental preparation is key... it will be tough, hard, exhausting, and demanding. Don't let it defeat you, determination is key. Knowing is half the battle! Go forth and do great things!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2017 9:44 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 21:44:54 -0500

Be a team player, majority of operations conducted in the military are completed as a team. Don't try to make yourself look better by putting other soldiers down, and don't make yourself look ate up trying to help someone else. It sounds confusing right now, but everything has a medium in the military. Just do as you're told, be in the right uniform with the correct motivation whether it's genuine or not.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Feb 8 at 2017 12:36 AM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 00:36:38 -0500

Be mentally ready! If you joined to be a Soldier and to serve your country honorably, there should be nothing that stops you from achieving your goal to graduate. You must be totally committed and disciplined enough each day to endure what challenges you will face and overcome through perseverance in basic training. The Drill Sergeants will train you to become a Soldier and ultimately a future leader down the road. You will learn from mistakes you make and just know that is ok and expected. You will learn to work as a team, build some self-confidence and discover leadership skills that you didn't know you had. No matter how tough or how bad of a day you might be having just know the rest of the platoon is having the same day. Learn from others and drive on to the next lesson or training. Keep positive and never quit at doing your best. Stay mentally tough and you will graduate basic training.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2017 2:08 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 02:08:51 -0500

PVT Private RallyPoint Member have someone yell at you. Though I hear you now get cellphones so just learn how to text. I would make sure your situps are good as well though for the APFT.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2017 6:05 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 06:05:52 -0500

Great job doing PT on your own. I know fat NCOs and Officers who don't have that discipline. Prepare your mind to be pushed. Good luck!

Response by Cpl Casey Meyer made Feb 8 at 2017 7:54 AM

Cpl Casey Meyer — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 07:54:27 -0500

Prepare yourself mentally for this one hard fact, that you're going to experience plenty of pain and sweat, but as long as you do not let your mind break, you'll be fine. You'll find the body can do so much more than the mind thinks it can. Remember this one phrase, "Combat Mindset", and live and love it. You'll be fine.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Feb 8 at 2017 9:22 AM

SGT Matthew S. — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 09:22:11 -0500

You will be physically challenged, regardless of your level of fitness - but going in better prepared is far better than not.

Mostly, though, the physical part is finding out what you are capable of - and usually far more then you thought it would be. The bulk of Basic, though, is mental. Don't take anything personally, and be ready to listen & learn.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2017 3:52 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 15:52:19 -0500

Everybody that has committed is on point. Other then me repeating everything else's hints. I'll mention that make sure you keep everything locked up. Also offer help to others that maybe struggling once you have the task figured out. When everyone works together as a unit, each task runs smooth. "ONE BAND, ONE SOUND"

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2017 2:51 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 02:51:30 -0500

I recently got back from Fort Benning and if you're already working out now, then you're on a good path. Lifting weights I don't think will do much for you at basic. Keep up the pushups/situps/running. Incline sit ups will help a lot. The biggest thing I struggled with was ruck marching, my feet had never really been broken in like that before, if you're really committed to preparing, go buy a pair of mediocre quality boots and hike around with a heavy backpack/ruck. That'll definitely help you out when you're doing the long roadmarches. Good luck man

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2017 2:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 14:29:59 -0500

Get yourself prepared mentally as well. That's what it is mostly about. A lot of people will want to quick during the 1st week of reception simply because of their perception of the NCO's guiding through that process (At least how it was when I went to basic). Just keep your head up, listen to what you're being told and you will make it through. Remember its only temporary.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2017 10:39 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 22:39:01 -0500

Did your recruiter give you a little white book? If so, learn it, learn the ranks from lowest to highest ranking officer. Treat the book like the holy bible of all military meaning of life. Carry the book with you everywhere you go, you eat, sleep, and go to latrine with it. You guard it with your life.

Be prepared for anything the Drill Instructors throw at you. They will tell you their platoon was the best in the company and they want to continue that record. It's a mind game. They will break you down and then build you back up.

Do not be late to anything. Do not be on time because you are still late, be a little bit early. Don't walk run to from point A to point B. Take advantage of your down time to study that book and whatever else you have learned. Write to your family when you can.

Make sure your locker is squared away and locked at all times. Make sure your bed is made properly at all times.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 9 at 2017 11:04 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 23:04:07 -0500

Take a deep breath, and take one day at a time. Be a team player.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 10:57 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 10:57:38 -0500

Romanian Deadlift, Barbell Squat, Planks for 2 minutes max on lats and front side, power jumps for 30 seconds (cause they suck). Basically just beat your legs into the ground and it should be a cakewalk. That way you can focus more time on studying soldiering level 1 booklet and all the stuff you have to memorize for the next day. You'll have plenty of time to run when you get there. Trust me.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 10:59 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 10:59:50 -0500

Also just memorize weapon systems just to get them out of the way so you can focus on the book. Should only take about a week to know everything. Put it on a flash card and just walk an talk to yourself :)

Response by SSG Tom Pike made Feb 24 at 2017 10:12 AM

SSG Tom Pike — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 10:12:06 -0500

Well I might be too late on this suggestion. But my son went through basic almost a year ago. I sent him off with 10 preprinted letters and stamped envelopes so he could send one home each week. They looked like this:

Response by PFC Robert Rice made Sep 29 at 2017 10:52 PM

PFC Robert Rice — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 22:52:05 -0400

Pray that the drill doesn't remember your name!

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2017 8:57 AM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 08:57:26 -0500

Lots of patience for the shitbags.

Response by SPC Robert Coventry made Nov 18 at 2017 9:58 AM

SPC Robert Coventry — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 09:58:13 -0500

Start getting used to getting up early and lack of sleep

Response by PFC Richard Vasquez made Sep 20 at 2018 12:03 PM

PFC Richard Vasquez — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 12:03:26 -0400

Always drop with with your battle buddies. Never let a Soldier do push ups by themselves.