Things You'll Need:
- discipline
- mental fortitude
- a sense of humor
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Step 1
Before you enlist know where you might be sent for basic training. Try and see if you can be sent to Fort Jackson or Fort Leonard Wood, both of these locations train both male and female soldiers making it much more likely to be treated better and having the physical testing a bit less intense. After you know where you are going or if you do not care start by running nearly every day, doing pushups 3-5 times a day, and you might even consider practicing waking up a few days a week at 3:30am.
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Step 2
The key to surviving basic training is knowing that it is a big mental game and meant to teach team work and courage under stressful environments. You will be around people from all age groups and all walks of life and the biggest shock will be that nobody really gets along at first. To survive basic training and not be "noticed" (which is what you want) simply do what you are told and do it quickly and try to not ask questions. Having very good listening skills will put you ahead of the pack and will allow you to help other soldiers who are lagging behind. If one person fails in training everyone suffers so teamwork is key.
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Step 3
Do not and I mean DO NOT go to sick call unless you REALLY need too! Especially while you are at reception, this will pull you out of the tightly scheduled process of getting you geared up and ready for for pick up to actually start basic training and also while you are in basic training will force you to possibly miss training that you will somehow have to make up at a later date. If you must go to sick call go on Sunday morning when there is little done in regards to training events. Try and hold out and wait to go when you get to AIT (advanced initial training) after you leave basic training.
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Step 4
Do not worry about whether or not drill sergeants will hit you or how physical it will be. Nobody hits you, physical training is hard but NOT impossible, and as time goes everyone understands what is expected and drill sergeants actually start treating you with respect.
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Step 5
You will actually enjoy the food, will get to sing a lot and often times the drill sergeants will make you laugh more than you thought would be possible. You will learn that you can work with almost anybody after basic training and time will go by faster if you realize that it is simply a moment in your life. Almost anyone can get through basic training as long as you are mentally strong and you are good at following directions.
