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

SFC Harry Fox — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 14:22:46 -0500

As a Drill Sergeant about to start his 10th training cycle in BCT, I often give the new soldiers some extra knowledge to assist in their new career.  What I am asking of you is, if you were to be able to give some knowledge to a company of Basic Combat Trainee's what would it be?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 2:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 14:40:02 -0500

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.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 13 at 2014 3:29 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 15:29:31 -0500

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.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 7:59 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 07:59:34 -0500

We tell Young Officers to seek a mentor... I think the best advice you can give them is to find someone at the unit they can look up to and they should ask them to help mentor them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 6:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 18:29:34 -0400

Be on time and hustle. Also, be humble and willing to learn. (I encountered far too many egos in Basic.) Don't be discouraged by failure; If new soldiers had all the necessary skills already, they wouldn't need to be in Basic. And have integrity, DS see and hear more than Privates think.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 7:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 19:05:54 -0400

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.  "Career progression is not an option.  You will always be doing something to further yourself personally or professionally."  The military is one of very few careers where YOU are in charge of how far you want to progress.</div></div>

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 9:20 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 21:20:28 -0400

Read the Constitution, know what it says, do what it says, defend what it says.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2014 11:06 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 23:06:23 -0400

Pay attention, watch and learn how your leaders lead. Much of what you observe will help you develop your own leadership style. You may not always agree with your superior but get the job done. They have been where you are. Find a mentor that you can emulate. And always strive to be the best you can be you deserve it to yourself.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Jul 22 at 2014 9:49 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:49:38 -0400

The quickest and honorable way to get out of here is to graduate. That is what I tell each cycle here at Ft Benning.

Response by SPC Corie Davis made Jul 23 at 2014 9:26 AM

SPC Corie Davis — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:26:54 -0400

Respect as I was getting out i noticed a lot of soldiers didn't have respect for anyone matter of fact I was told once since I am a SPC I didn't deserve respect.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Oct 9 at 2016 4:29 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 16:29:31 -0400

be as 100% strack as you cam then go one step further. Pay attention to what you drill instructors are telling you. Although there is a good amount of hazing and harrassment, DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY. Part of the job of your DI is find a little something about every man in the platoon and latch onto it. Just remember you WANT to be noticed, and you want to be noticed doing well. ALWAYS pay attention to the boring audio/video presentation and do the best you can to not fall asleep. Every action taken by a DI is meant to teach you. Remember, this is the first step to coming home alive and all in one piece. I know that at the time of enlistment you had to make a choice as to MOS. But, go to your AIT but keep in mind all the the Army has to offer. Go as far as you can in your training. Forinstance, conside OCS, Parachute School, other speciality schools. Remember that some of these additional training classes have a minimum time in service prior to the school, also so requite a certain amount of time left before you ETS in order to take the class. I don't know much about taking classes or MOS training that may lead to a good job post ARMY. I have not seen that work out too well. Go for the brass ring on each and every go 'round. SFC Harry Fox, I only want my comments here to augment your comments. A new recruits best friend for success in the military is you, the DI.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2020 5:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 17:29:42 -0400

The Army exists to protect the Constitution and the people of the United States from all enemies foreign & domestic. Have you been watching the TV for the last 60 days? Have you observed our domestic enemies running riot through the street, murdering, raping, attacking our local and federal civilian law enforcement officers, all the while burning our major cities? Have you observed the extreme Socialist "elected" leaders of those cities bowing before the Communist Insurgents? Have you seen other city leaders that don't share the insurgents beliefs bow before them out of the well grounded fear that *no one* will come to save them when they raise the alarm? If you haven't seen these things then WAKE UP!
Can your soldiers do what they must? Can they obey orders even if those orders conflict with their *personal* ethics? Can they kill the enemy? Can they do what most likely become necessary before all of this is over? If there is any question in your mind then you must find a way to inculcate the "Way of the Warrior" into at least some of the recruits. It was this willingness to do the impossible that made the Greatest Generation ready, willing, and able to "close with and destroy the enemy in close combat."
It begins easily enough ...
"Your MOMMA"S are not here"! No *I'M STRESSED CARDS* will be honored in this BCT COURSE!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2020 5:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 17:48:56 -0400

As a recruiter I talk to Future Soldiers almost every day and I tell them two big keys to success in the Army. Right place, time and uni. And do what others are not willing to do. Details, schools and assignments. It all pays off.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2020 6:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 18:20:29 -0400

The harder you try at the Army the easier it gets, though it’ll never be easy. Think before you act. Don’t be afraid to ask why, but ask the right kind of why - not “why do I have to do this?” but “why does this task have to be done to support the larger mission?”

Be a team player, always, but no one will manage your career better than you. Learn above your level. Teach below your level.

And once you become a leader, never forget the scared useless pri’t you used to be, and make sure the scared useless pri’ts in front of you work WITH you and not FOR you.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jul 26 at 2020 7:24 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 19:24:11 -0400

Along with the advice below, I would recommend that new Soldiers not fraternize and maintain additional focus on cleanliness during this time of COVID-19. BCT is the worst place for a romantic relationship due to legality, transitory nature and likelihood to go to different bases after graduation. They need to also be extra cautious since military members have died from disease as well as combat or accidents.