No matter which branch of the service, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, or the Air Force that you decide to join, one thing they all have in common is some sort of basic training. A little time spent planning and preparing will save you a lot of grief. Here are some of the top things you can do, secret tips to prepare for basic training.
Don’t Flaunt Your Luggage
This sounds like a strange thing, but the one item that you do not want to do in the initial stages of boot camp is to draw unnecessary attention to yourself. Pack your gear to take to basic training in a non descript, black or one color suitcase, preferably black or brown. Do not make the mistake of bringing luggage or personal items with designer labels, garish or bright colors, or any other trait that will draw attention to you. You will be doing pushups till the cows come home, so when your DI (Drill Instructor) looks you over the first time, its best to have the gear to “blend in,â€
Take a Black Marker
When you arrive at enlisted basic training a lot will happen in a very short time. People will be yelling at you, and you will be thrust into getting gear, getting a haircut, and being issued other equipment. It always happens that someone in the company will lose something, and with luck and a little planning it wont be you. Take a magic type black indelible marker to boot camp with you, or even two. Use them to mark your things clearly, you will likely be told exactly how to do that.
Just Say No
If you smoke, you should give up the habit before you arrive at basic training. Alcohol, Tobacco, and even snacking are not allowed at basic training. You will be fed three squares and a cot, so to speak, during basic training. It won’t be luxury food, but it will be filling.
Consider Finances And Phone Cards
Find a phone card that you can add time to over the phone. Try a few out before recruit training starts, some are easy to use, others you have a multitude of numbers to enter and long waits. Find one that works for you and take it with you to basic Training. If you don’t have a Checking or Savings account with an ATM card; get one. Military pay is often direct deposited, and if you have one when you arrive you are ahead of the game.  Make sure you have a blank voided check with you, or at least the routing and account numbers.
