Leaving for Army, want some advice.

[Shrek926]

BTW, regardless of what some others have said, the Army is great. You will be a member of the single greatest fighting force in the history of man. Be shamelessly proud of that.

I am.

^^This.^^
Proud to have had the honor of serving

Sua Sponte

Oh, and advise... Head down, mouth shut, powder dry.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

This 100 times over!!!! Go to every board that you can to better yourself, some will laugh at you and say FTA ("F%$k The Army, can't wait to get out".) They are not your friends and will be promoted by time in grade only until E-4 and that's where they'll sit.

The hardest thing will be the wife and kids. Treat her like she is the only woman in the world and you're lucky to have her (10X more than you do now!), you will be away for long periods of time and "Jody" is waiting for her. I saw a lot of couples split while I was in because the guy took work home when on post and left for months, the wife couldn't take missing him and then dealing with him. Home is the "safe" zone, it's for love and respect. Work is the "war" you have to learn to leave work at work. Make sure she has a reason to wait for you.

I'm glad I was single until I learned this. I can't tell you how hard it is to see your friends go through a divorce while deployed and it's dangerous for everyone having a guy who's head ain't in the game.

Good luck to you and thank you.

Great advice DTK about the family matters. I do have a wife and kid at the house. I learned a few years ago to not bring work home. I know that the job I have now is different but hopefully that skill has stuck with me. My family backs me in my decision and has made it easier for me. It also gives me the strength that I need while we are apart. Thank you for the advice I appreciate it.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

Keep your family in mind when it gets tough and know that for the first couple weeks everything you do will be wrong. Do your best anyway...excet for the PT test.... just pass it the first time, then show improvement. U will suffer if you don't improve!

Make friends and keep in touch. ..they are the best friends you will ever know.
But don't "hang out" with the buds...it is your career...your paycheck...your life; stay focused on being successful.

When needed say "this day/hour/minute will end."
Then repeat repeat repeat....until it does.

Good advice and I appreciate it. Will use this tactic.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

When your DI tells you he will be your Mother-Wife-and Girlfriend don't ask him to tuck you in bed(mother) and how about some sex tonight(wife-girlfriend) don't even laugh when he says it---lol

Lol, naw plan I keeping "smartass" put away. Especially with the drill sergeant.

- - - Updated - - -

Everything has pretty much been said already. What is your MOS gonna be?
Army 98-08

Im infantry 11x. Looking to try and get 11b and airborne.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

A lot of solid sound advice here! read-it know-it live-it.............above all Thank-you for your service Tony

Yes TONS of great advice. Ive read some two or three times just to put it somewhere in my head for when I need it.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

I don't have any advice to give. Been out too long, don't know the ropes anymore. I will say thank you for deciding to serve your country and good luck.

Your thought brings me strength. Thank you.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

Make note of what I said earlier about not switching services.
My handle "Retread" refers to an old Navy term for someone who switched services.
The Army doesn't play well with people who earned experience elsewhere.

I love my choice in joining the Army. I almost joined the navy two years ago and im glad I didn't. Hooah!

 

[snoopiercomet39]

A lot of great advice so far. The one thing I would add is to think ahead and be prepared for the next excercise, the next day, the next whatever. As tired as you will be in the evening get ready for the next day so you aren't stumbling around at 04:30 trying to figure it out.

Thanks for your service.

Good advice. Hopefully in the evenings ill be tired enough to just pass out. I have a hard time sleeping and I don't want that to keep me up until 2am.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

As I retired in 1978 with 21yrs Army. It was an adventure. First unit 101st Airborne late fifties. I learned a lot and much good advice has been given on this subject. Thank you for service to this country. Do your best in everything you do, keep your ears and eyes open and learn and don't fall for others trying to bring you down.Any and every school you can attend is like gold and as one poster said,please keep a log and records of times and dates of your service,especially medical records. Good luck to you in your endeavor.

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it and it gives me strength.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

Don't let the slackers influence you. Be better because you ARE better. That's the most productive attitude. With that said, don't freak out when you start getting punished for something another idiot did. One of the most important things they are trying to teach you is that you are responsible for everyone else in your unit just as they are responsible for you. Roll with it. Don't let your emotions make your decisions for you. Think logically and understand that the DIs are typically very good at what they are doing. There IS method to the madness. Learn!

BTW, regardless of what some others have said, the Army is great. You will be a member of the single greatest fighting force in the history of man. Be shamelessly proud of that.

Great advice. Hooah!