I leave for basic later this month. What are some tips for keeping a low profile and smoking the least amount possible?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 15:35:15 -0500

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 3:52 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 15:52:55 -0500

PVT Private RallyPoint Member There will be a lot of information thrown at you. Listen very carefully to what is said and be very observant. Have a can do, positive attitude and always give your absolute best effort. Help your fellow recruits when you can. Enjoy your upcoming challenges and adventures.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Mar 4 at 2018 4:05 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 16:05:58 -0500

No! All of you kids need to make mistakes and learn the lessons first hand. Getting dropped for push-ups builds character. Guys and gals that keep low profiles make shitty leaders; you have to be willing to make mistakes and take risks or you are just going to coast through life scared and useless.

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Mar 4 at 2018 4:16 PM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 16:16:45 -0500

It's recruit training, GET IN THERE AND GET SOME!!!

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Mar 4 at 2018 4:30 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 16:30:38 -0500

The only way to keep profile is to do what is told and your best but even that don’t work!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 5:32 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 17:32:02 -0500

Just do what your told move with a purpose sound off and as for getting smoked get used to mass punishments no avoiding it

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 4 at 2018 6:01 PM

SPC David Willis — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 18:01:52 -0500

Yell loud, move fast and try to learn everything the first time. You're still gonna get smoked like crazy though.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 4 at 2018 6:13 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 18:13:43 -0500

Make sure you get a US Army tattoo before you leave. Drill Sergeants love it when Soldiers show that much pride and motivation.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Mar 4 at 2018 6:18 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 18:18:54 -0500

If it’s any help or consolation I showed up at basic as an underweight smoking and drinking nineteen year old (been doing that since I was thirteen) and lo and behold here I am still alive and kicking Basic will not kill you,it is tough and demanding but it has a purpose ,one you will find as I did that if you don’t quit anything is possible,good Lord they even made me a Sergeant of Infantry!

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Mar 4 at 2018 6:30 PM

MSG Louis Alexander — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 18:30:24 -0500

Once you arrive at the reception station forget about keeping a low profile. Regardless what you do the Drill Sergeants are going to eyeball you, it’s part of the indoctrination. When you arrive at the basic training area, you might be able to slip under the radar if you hang in next to the last roll of a formation, otherwise expect the Drill Sergeant to be up and down your ass like diarrhea. Smoking? What’s that? Only a figment of your imagination! Now is the time to end that nasty habit, besides it’ll give you more oxygen and trust me, you’re going to need it if the Drill Sergeants are worth their salt. Other words Alex, Man up! You can do it. Remember, Basic Training is a mind game. Do as you’re told, when to do it and do it as though your third monkey on Noah’s Ark loading door, and brother it’s starting to rain. If the Drill Sergeant singles you out, go with the flow and remember, there is nothing personal when he directs his comments and or anger on you. Show him just how good you are under pressure by not giving him further excuses to eat at your ass.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 6:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 18:48:19 -0500

Do not worry about trying not to smoke, tobacco products are completely against the rules. You will not even be allowed to have any sweets (ice cream, candy, etc.). BCT is strictly about health and discipline. At least when I went thru, things may have changed and you can probably drive your personal vehicle to each class now, hahaha.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 4 at 2018 7:00 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 19:00:54 -0500

Get good at pushups and flutter kicks before you go.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Mar 4 at 2018 7:20 PM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 19:20:04 -0500

Congratulations and thank you for serving. Just do what you are told and carry out all orders to the best of your ability.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 8:41 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 20:41:47 -0500

Shut up in formation

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 8:45 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 20:45:08 -0500

You will be smoked, it's unavoidable. And 8/10 times it won't even be because of something you did. Great little thing called "collective punishment"

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 4 at 2018 10:38 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 22:38:51 -0500

Don't bring or buy any cigarettes. Nowadays, smoking is prohibited in basic training.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 5 at 2018 12:11 AM

PVT Mark Brown — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 00:11:40 -0500

What you do in basic training is going to be the basis of your entire military career, be it 3 years or 30 years. It all starts when you take that first step off the bus and enter the world of no return. Low profile, what is that. I did not keep a low profile and it served me well for my entire time in the Army. Whatever you do, don't be shy, be assertive. Don't go with the flow, be the flow. The more your drill instructors see you the better soldier you will be. You may feel like if you are being a person that your Cadre become aware of from day one that you are being singled out or picked on. Perhaps there is some of that but, listen young Pvt Grimmett, there is a purpose to the madness. Your professional soldier leaders are trained to make you the best you can be and then a whole bunch more. It is a reflection on them. Lessons I learned in basic and AIT in 1968 live with me today. Be proud, exceed and take it like a man. Good Luck! Thank you for volunteering to serve our great nation. It is men and women like you that are the backbone of this great America. Protect freedom, I carried the torch many years ago and now I and those like me are passing that torch onto you.

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Mar 5 at 2018 12:42 AM

CW3 Jeff Held — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 00:42:08 -0500

Quit smoking.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 5 at 2018 6:52 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 06:52:27 -0500

The best thing I found out when I went to basic eons ago, was to not draw attention to myself, follow instructions given, and do your best.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Mar 5 at 2018 9:43 AM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 09:43:19 -0500

PVT Grimmett,
Low profile? Are you serious? Drill Instructors are trained to look at everything and everyone, sooner or later one of them will get to you. That's what they do. But don't take it as a bad thing, there is a good side of all this. There is a reason for everything, like having two or three DI's yelling at you at the same time. If you get to go to combat, trust me, it will make sense to you as it did to me. Just get in there and learn brother, and do your best. If this small 5"7" puertorrican who barely spoke any English, so can you.