To this day, what was the one thing that changed your life in Basic or advanced training?

PFC Donnie Harold Harris — Sat, 25 May 2019 12:05:11 -0400

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 12:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 12:28:17 -0400

It was being selected as the Platoon Guide and learning I loved to Lead and make an impact.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made May 25 at 2019 12:31 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 25 May 2019 12:31:36 -0400

In AIT: I became Squad Leader. PFC Donnie Harold Harris

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 25 at 2019 12:33 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 25 May 2019 12:33:54 -0400

Getting done....

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made May 25 at 2019 12:37 PM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Sat, 25 May 2019 12:37:34 -0400

I wanted to "quit" basic training before my second week was done. A new Drill Sergeant, Sgt Phillips, sat me down and talked to me. She convinced me to not give up and stick it out. **If anyone knows her, she was my Drill Sergeant in D-3-3 at Ft Dix during the summer of 83.**

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 25 at 2019 1:03 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 25 May 2019 13:03:57 -0400

My discovery moment was at the reception station at Ft Ord in 1953.

After washing my brand new fatigues in a mop sink and wearing them the next day, I was an “old” Soldier and could buck lines and act like I was really important to the newly arrived recruits.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 25 at 2019 1:09 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 25 May 2019 13:09:18 -0400

Knowing a couple of hot lesbians in AIT.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made May 25 at 2019 3:06 PM

PFC Donnie Harold Harris — Sat, 25 May 2019 15:06:08 -0400

They were an Admiral of the Navy giving a speech, I think Adm. McCarthy where he explained the making of the bunk. An wrote a book so titled. Make your bunk or bed. I have yet to read it. Well, Admiral. That is the single break threw point for me. I still make my bed. Even in Hotel rooms. The wife has always love that little part of my life. How simple
how powerful How long lasting it has been.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made May 25 at 2019 3:16 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sat, 25 May 2019 15:16:29 -0400

Became Flight Chief(dorm Chief)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 5:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 17:04:38 -0400

My drill sergeant looking me deep into my soul at the turn around point of an AGR (he was in front, I was last).

He looked at me and said- “if you can’t hang with the big dogs, stay your ass on the porch!”

I went from feeling sorry for myself to being honor grad and scoring a 400 (if there was an extended scale) on the end of course APFT.

All I wanted to do was be a Drill Sergeant after that day and now, I’m a senior Drill Sergeant Leader about to transition to the Chief of Training at the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy.

All because of DS (CW3) Michael Sexton.

Till the end!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2019 5:17 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 May 2019 05:17:50 -0400

why the hell did i sign up for this shit

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 26 at 2019 10:02 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 26 May 2019 10:02:56 -0400

Probably taking the Advanced Survival put on by the Kiwi's in Antarctica. It's the little things that can kill you and getting into the habit of paying attention stuck hard from then on. Something about a shovel and a saw and you either froze or not will get your attention. SERE School reinforced that later on.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made May 28 at 2019 4:41 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Tue, 28 May 2019 16:41:34 -0400

I think it was part way though "Plebe Year" at USNA ( I know, I know... pretty creme puff compared to other pipelines, but at 17, I was sufficiently "impressed"). I came prepared to face very difficult physical challenges... and believe me, they were there...but it was the mental game that gave me the most trouble. I had my 'dark night of the soul' when one of my squadmates literally went AWOL, and others began talking about quitting. First, I got scared, then I got worried... then, I got hot-coal and metal ANGRY. I decided if those <expletive deleted> flamers wanted to bilge me out, they'd have to carry my dead body out on a slab to do it. I dug in my heels, focused on my strengths, and started whittling away at my weaknesses. It was a rough year (and a rough three years after that)...but I made it, and no matter what, that can't be taken from me.