How to Mentally Prepare for Basic Training

Copyright (c) 2010 Michael Volkin3. Honesty- Lying will get you no where in boot
Not everyone makes it through basic training. Youcamp. Being honest will only encourage others around
have to have the right personality and mindset toyou to be honest. At boot camp you want to make
deal with your drill instructors and other recruits. Hereas many friends as possible, it's best to maintain a
are the top 5 personality traits you should exhibit atfriendship with honesty so others are there to help
boot camp to make sure you can mentally handle theyou out when you need to be helped.
pressure.4. Submissiveness- Check your ego at the door. If
1. Patience- This personality trait is an obvious one. Atyou don't the drill sergeants will do it for you. You will
basic training you will feel pressured by not only Drilljust have to bit the bullet and understand that there
Sergeants, but other recruits. Make sure you keepare others around you that may be smarter,
your cool. If you are prone to losing your temper orstronger and faster. Don't talk back to your drill
being impatient, you have to constantly remindsergeants and don't try and dominate a conversation,
yourself that the other recruits around you havedoing so will only get you in trouble.
been taken out of their normal daily environment.5. Generosity- Remember, what goes around comes
More than likely, you will never see these recruitsaround. If you are willing to help others, they will be
again, so be extra patient during the stressful timeswilling to help you. It is nearly impossible to make it
that are ahead.through basic training without any friends, make sure
2. Stamina- Basic training is only a couple months long,you keep them by offering to help them whenever
but sometimes it can seem like an eternity.possible, believe me, the favor will be returned.
Remember to take one day at a time. If you areThe above personality traits will help you make it
mentally at the point where you can't handle thethrough boot camp, no matter which branch of
tough road ahead, remember the reason why youservice you are entering. Remember, boot camp is
joined and write a letter home; doing this will helpmostly a mental game, so if you know what is
ease tension.expected of you, you will be ahead of the game.