I know that one of the toughest parts of Basic (besides the physical conditioning) is withstanding the "torture" of the Drill Seargents. I'm a bonifide army brat and I've spent the past 19 years of my life dealing with the most intimidating man I know...my father (retired CW5). So, the yelling and screaming I'm pretty sure won't bother me. But when my mother went through Basic she said that she had a certain Drill Seargent on her ass constantly; even though she always seemed to excell at her tasks. What's the best way to keep that from happening to me :?:
P.S. Thanks for the advice 'bout my tattoo. Feel alot better now.

[quote:dacc2e1052="redbone_769"]I know that one of the toughest parts of Basic (besides the physical conditioning) is withstanding the "torture" of the Drill Seargents. I'm a bonifide army brat and I've spent the past 19 years of my life dealing with the most intimidating man I know...my father (retired CW5). So, the yelling and screaming I'm pretty sure won't bother me. But when my mother went through Basic she said that she had a certain Drill Seargent on her ass constantly; even though she always seemed to excell at her tasks. What's the best way to keep that from happening to me :?:
P.S. Thanks for the advice 'bout my tattoo. Feel alot better now.[/quote:dacc2e1052]

Keep a low profile. Don't screw up, but don't try to be number one. If you want to be Soldier of the Cycle, and get the comandant's award or whatever Esprit de Corps award they have, be prepared to get attention for it, both good and bad. But if you want the least amount of attention, just do what you're told, keep your mouth shut, and sound off loud when they tell you to.

If you get picked for a leadership positions like Platoon Guide or Squad Leader, prepare, you will be in the brightest of lights with the Drill Sergeants. This is usually a bad thing. Hang out in the back, but do what they tell you to do. Don't take it personally if they get at you once or twice. The true mark of success in basic is at Graduation. If you come up to them and try to say thank you, and they say "Who the heck are you", you've completed your mission.

All the above posts are good advice. Don't excell too much, and don't screw up too much. However, what I've noticed about DS' is that when you don't seem to get noticed, they are noticing you. The quietest guys in our platoon (including myself) would be the ones getting picked for leadership positions. If this happens to you, don't keep the status quo. Screwing up your job in a leadership position is definitely not something you want to do. Do your job and do it well, and you won't get screwed around with too much. Having good test scores, etc., can go a long way in the DS' liking you, whether they show it or not, they will in the end. You have to remember, that unless you're a real shitbag, the DS' really do like you, you become like sons to them. The DS' are just doing their job, and if you do come into the spotlight for awhile, don't sweat it, you'll think it's terrible at the time, but in the long run you'll look back and realize it just made you stronger.

The Drill Sergeants are supposed to be on your ass constantly, that's what they're there for. If you aren't getting yelled at every day, there's something wrong with those DSs. My best advice: do what you're told, learn what you can, move with a purpose, and don't take anything personal (it is a job after all)

Dont be a screw up and you'll be fine. Reguardless of what other people say volounteer for platoon guide and squad leader. Thats the first taste you'll get to being a leader, you'll catch hell from your drill Sgt if your platoon or squad screw up but its worth it. Take the hard right (being in a leadership position) over the easy wrong (keeping a low profile)

Sometimes you can't help but stick out. I was picked for PLT Guide right off the back and I didn't analyze why. Always do your best and remember you are no longer a civilian, but training to be a soldier. Basic last for only a few weeks.

SgtSmiles was right with what he said. If you dont want to do anything but make it through with out any attention just dont do anything that will catch the DS's attention. If you get caught the 9 1/2 times out of 10 the DS's will remember your name and when they need joes for something (leadership,details etc) your name will be called.

You will want to be the joe at graduation that your DS never knew thet you where ever in there Platoon.

I messed that up my first day because I said I was in MCJROTC and my DS said "ok jarhead" and I did so it was over after that. Dont ever Tell a DS you where in JROTC.

My experience with Basic was just about what SgtSmiles said. I really never got picked to lead anything. I was squared away most of the time, only really got in trouble once a few days before graduation for acting stupid. As long as you do what your supposed to when your supposed to you will be fine. I was honestly dissapointed in basic training. I expected it to be much harder mentally and physically. As long as you go in with a clear state of mind, do what they tell you and always do your best, you should be just fine.

Disappointed with it, eh? Try Infantry, Cav, or Armor basic training (OSUT) and you won't be.

^^I wish i had. Once i leave here and get to Hood, I will be volunteering for SF without a doubt.

Hooah! Good luck to you.