| As a former Army Drill Sergeant I am often asked | | | | know what is going on. That is ok. If you pay |
| what to expect for a new recruit during basic training. | | | | attention to your drill sergeant, you will pick |
| While it has been 10 years since I was a Drill | | | | everything up quickly. |
| Sergeant, I think that most of my advice is still | | | | Once actual training starts, your days will fly by. Pay |
| relevant. | | | | attention and get sleep whenever you can. It always |
| The first thing you need to realize is that it is ok to | | | | amazed me that after a full day of training, some |
| be scared, anxious, and nervous. Believe me, | | | | recruits would stay up half the night talking. Don't fall |
| everyone feels this way before departing for basic | | | | into that. Go to bed as soon as lights go out. You will |
| training. So the sooner you understand that, the | | | | be happy you did when you get up at 4:30am. |
| sooner you can move on. You will more then likely | | | | As for the training you really can't fail. The only you |
| end up at a reception station first. This is where you | | | | that you will is by not listening. Do everything the drill |
| get all of your paperwork completed, uniforms issued | | | | sergeant says. If you have trouble with something, |
| and just get accustomed to Army life. This is usually | | | | just try as hard as you can. If you still have trouble, |
| a very low stress environment so don't get used to | | | | ask one of your fellow Soldiers. You will need help |
| it. You will end up at the reception station for around | | | | while you are there so don't be afraid to ask. Of |
| 3 to 5 days. After that, you will get shipped to your | | | | course if all else fails, you can always ask your Drill |
| basic training unit. | | | | Sergeant for help. |
| When you arrive on the bus to your unit, get ready. | | | | So get ready to be tired, yelled at, and scared all the |
| That first day is very long. There will be a lot of | | | | time. The pride you feel when you finish makes it all |
| yelling and more pushups then you can count. This | | | | worth it. |
| first week (fill week) is very hectic as you don't | | | | |