I have officially sworn in and leave for basic training three days after Christmas. I don’t think the reality of this decision will really set in until I’m in Georgia with an angry man in a funny hat yelling in my face, but for now I’m looking forward to this. After nine weeks of boot camp, I leave for Ft. Huachuca, AZ for intelligence training, followed by language training in Monterey, CA. What should I know or prepare for prior to shipping out? Any books I should read or sites I should visit?
I just wanted to offer my thanks. I wonder if you can put your membership on hiatus until you’re able to get to the internet again?
If you have computer access while you’re at Fort Benning, give me a yell - I’m in Columbus.
If you’re not already in pretty good shape, start jogging and doing pushups.
oh… also meant to say, good luck and travel safe!
Good Luck. Hmm, Army Intelligence, I know that’s supposed to be an Oxymoron. 
Thank you one and all. I’ll try to post while in Ft. Benning if I get the chance. I’ve been doing push-ups and sit-ups quite a bit. I’ve started jogging again, but it’s been about three years since I last had a running regimen. I’ll prepare as much as I can, but it’s still going to hurt. I’m actually looking forward to being in shape again.
Ha! I lLIVE in Georgia. Most of us would be GLAD of the opportunity to have an angry man in a funny hat yelling in our faces! When I was a child we all wished for an angry man in a funny hat to yell in our faces on Christmas Eve, but wall we got was the genial white-haired guy with all the presents. You are SOOO lucky!
(OK, I kid. Best of luck in boot camp and don’t forget to sample the BBQ 'round here if you get the chance!)
But have you done it wearing a helmet, carrying a rifle, fully clothed, and wearing boots (new boots at that)?
You’ll get used to it.
Try not to attract too much attention to yourself, at least for the first week or so. Otherwise, you might find yourself with a nickname that’ll follow you throughout your enlistment depending on the manner in which you drew the DI’s attrention.
Do the best you can. And, when graduation comes, stand tall, look sharp, stick your chest out, and let the whole world see the best damn soldier ever to come out of Basic Combat Training. Drive on!
Is your MOS is 98X? I did that–Arabic linguist. Best thing I ever did with my life. DLI & Monterey absolutley rule, and the job, after you finally finish the training, is just a kick in the ass. I envy you.
Forget about the internet while you’re in Basic. It will cease to exist. You may also forget what the backs of your eyelids look like. But keep your mouth shut and your nose clean and you’ll breeze right on through. Basic is actually kind of fun if you don’t have an attitude problem going in. The physical torture element is only an hour or so a day, then it’s all walks in the woods, trips to the range, days in the classroom and al the yummy chow you can shove into your gob in 5 minutes. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. And you’ll never have to wonder what you’re going to wear or where you’re going and what you’re going to do from day to day–it’s all planned out for you like a good tour vacation. Drill Sgt is really quite reasonable and totally honest.
Apart from being cold in Georgia in the winter, you’re about to have the time of your life for the next 2 years! Oh yeah…books to read. See youer local recruiter and ask him for a “smartbook.” No shit, you’ll be issued one when you get to Basic, but if you get the basic Drill & Ceremony stuff and ranks and greetings stuff down before you ship out you’ll be MILES ahead. Because you’ll get dropped FREQUENTLY for missing salutes or improperly greeting different ranks, and you will not have time to study this on your own time.
And Know Your General Orders Before You Get There!
“Attrention?”
Attention.
I saaaiiiiid, A-tenHUT!
That’s better.
Dismissed.
“What is your major malfunction?” I think you’ll need to know that for later when the man in the hat asks you this question. He may ask it several times.
Thanks again, folks. I’m actually going in as a 97E Human Intelligence Collector. I have not yet taken the DLAB for language qualification, but if my ASVAB was any indication, I’ll have no trouble getting my pick of language. I hope to study either Mandarin or Arabic.
Did you order a Code Red, sir?
In all seriousness, be safe and good luck. hugs
97E eh? So…you’ll be an…interrogator? :backs away:
DLAB is one of those funny tests. I took it with one other guy. As we were waiting for the results in the next room (yep, you don’t need to wait for long, they tell you right there) he was all smug like he’d totally cinched it. I was thinking, “Hm, I guess supply doesn’t sound too bad.”
He bombed it and was offered a nice job packing a rod for 10th Mountain Light Infantry. I actually smoked all the language structures they tested for and so got me some Arabic. Yeah…it’s an elitist thing.
Hey, I was a Chinese-Mandarin Cryptolinguist in the AF.
Its a fun job: most of your enlistment will be spent in training if you get one of the 63-week courses like Arabic or Chinese. And the Presidio of Monterey is a great place to study.
But why are you joining the Army? Don’t you know the AF has the best chow, the easiest jobs and the best assignments?
Just want to say a hearty Thank You.
I was an Arabic linguist, too! Except for the Air Force. When were you at DLI, Inigo?
And Drake, Inigo is right, Monterey doth kick much ass. Think about that when the big man with the red face and the funny hat is calling you names you didn’t actually know existed, but yet somehow you know exactly what he means.
When you graduate, I will be honored to welcome you to the profession of arms. Congratulations, and good luck.
1LT Lucretia, USAFNC
Here’s a site: Maximize your APFT score.
If the Army is anything like the Navy, also start doing 8-counts. What’s an 8-count?
Starting in a standing position:
- Squat.
- Get into pushup position.
- Split your legs apart.
- Bring them together again.
- Down.
- Up.
- Get back into squating position.
- Stand up.
Repeat.
The broader view of what the army is capable of acomplishing attracted me to it. As for why I decieded to join the armed forces, I guess I’m not sure. I have a steady job that pays fairly well, I’m living in a nice place, and I have some good friends. I think I’m in a rut, though, and am not actively completing my education because I wasn’t that interrested in my major. I guess I was looking for a proverbial kick in the pants. In the longer view, I think I have something to offer, and want the opportunity to serve.