reporting to basic training tomorrow. can't sleep tonight

[THAC0]

well guys. one more cigarette, then i think i am off to bed. I will try to check this tomorrow before i leave.

thank you all.

 

[Mazza35]

All this talk of the military gets me thinking I should join up.
Thinking of Police force as my future career. But the Navy sounds really cool, and barely anyone dies so it's a great way to serve and have little chance of death xD
The girlfriend might disapprove, 4 years of serving minim (Australian Royal navy) but the pay is decent and it's a secure job..

 

[loc978]

From someone who went through US Army Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox a number of years ago...

IT GETS BETTER

First 2 weeks are hell on earth. After that, it gets better. Never easier, but the TIs knock off the screaming to get their message across, and you get a routine going which really helps.

NUMBER ONE: Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut
The less attention you draw to yourself the easier it will be. Getting singled out is a nightmare from which there is no escape.

NUMBER TWO: SEE NUMBER ONE
Seriously. Do what your told, do things right, and things cannot go smoother.

NUMBER THREE: If you are unsure about a command, ask when they stop talking if it has been made clear you have permission to speak. If it hasn't, make it clear you have a question with body language, eye contact, et cetera.
Much better to get angrily growled at to clarify then to get screamed at for being wrong.

NUMBER FOUR: DO NOT WATCH EXPECT THINGS TO BE LIKE FULL METAL JACKET
They only beat you in the Marines don't generally beat you in any service anymore. No physical violence is supposed to be happening, but if it does happen, the punches will not be to vital areas, and they will be pulled, so don't scare yourself, it does no good. Everyone makes this mistake. Your mileage may vary. Mine did.

NUMBER FIVE: Count down the days after 2 weeks. You'd be amazed how fast things go.

NUMBER SIX: Go to church on Sundays, even if not religious. I'm an Atheist, and tried out all the different churches to help me focus. Wicca was fun, as was Buddhism. And Christianity has enough people that aren't yelling at you to relieve some pressure.

And that's it. Good luck, and thank you for serving.

^basically what he said. Corrections as I see 'em made^
My dog tags say NO-REL-PREF (there was actually a joke among us atheists there about worshiping the almighty Norelpref), and I went to the Jewish church through most of basic (we had a choice of Jewish, Catholic or Protestant when and where I went. I tried Protestant the first week, as it was familiar to me... that didn't go well). They had snacks and a guy with a guitar who took requests. He even humored the one smartass who said Stairway. Never had time for Freebird, though.

 

[manic_depressive13]

We're on the parade deck practicing drill and *M16 hitting deck crash!* So the battalion commander yells follow it. This recruit is my hero, he snaps to attention and drops forward and never even put his hands out in front of him. Breaks his nose and fractures his orbital, none of the command ever singled him out again.

I beg your pardon, I think I may have misunderstood. Are you saying this guy broke his own face in his eagerness to obey a command?

 

[Anthony Wells]

never volunteer for anything. ever

 

[Rawne1980]

I do believe this is an appropriate time for a sing along.....


I'm just ribbing you.

As an ex Army man I feel it my duty to to aim light banter at all Air Force and Navy personnel.

You'll see why when you get where you are going, assuming it's the same in the US as it is here in the UK. We have a bit of a rivalry between the 3 forces and have to mock each other.

 

[Anthony Wells]

We're on the parade deck practicing drill and *M16 hitting deck crash!* So the battalion commander yells follow it. This recruit is my hero, he snaps to attention and drops forward and never even put his hands out in front of him. Breaks his nose and fractures his orbital, none of the command ever singled him out again.

I beg your pardon, I think I may have misunderstood. Are you saying this guy broke his own face in his eagerness to obey a command?

what i took from that was he followed the command to a T the commander told him to follow it. drop to the floor. so he did without moving. so i think the recruit was being a smartass and following the order at the same time

 

[BlackMageBob]

One tidbit. Don't say "I am a Master at Arms", or "I will be Master at Arms". In the Navy, our job is our name. Outside of bootcamp a person isn't just a Petty Officer Second Class, they are MA2, ET2, CE2, etc. Infact, that is actually the common reference for people up/down from you. So say it like "I am trying to become an MA." or "I'm hoping to be an MA". This will save you at least one scream-fest.

PS. The Navy is the best service, with the most awesome duty stations. Very few people in the other branches really get to go to cool places and actually live, where as in the Navy, its pretty much a given. Sign-up, serve, go live in Italy for three years.

 

[JoesshittyOs]

Huh, that's crazy. I got a friend who's on his way to basic training tomorrow as well.

First few weeks are the hardest, and then it becomes easy pickings.

 

[Fasckira]

Played through Battlefield 3, thats enough for me.

Joking aside, I considered the British forces awhile back as I felt kind of at a loose end but decided against it. Its a huge commitment and you're literally dedicating your life to it so good luck and hope everything works out the way you want.

 

[merc hunter]

hey guys. this will surly be my last thread on here for at least a while.

on March 18th 2011 I enlisted in the US Navy. After 9 long months in the Delayed Entry Program DEP, tomorrow I am to report to the Navy for boot camp. Tomorrow afternoon I will meet with my recruiter who will drive me to a hotel in Nashville TN. I will spend the night there, and then at about 4 AM Wednesday morning I will get on a bus that will take me to MEPS for a quick once over and then i will get on a plane (i have never flown before) to Great Lakes IL for boot camp for the next 8 weeks.

I am a bit nervous about the whole thing, and I can't sleep tonight. If anyone has anything they'd like to ask or tell me that would be cool. I'll probably be up for at least another couple of hours.

I know the feeling, I enlisted in the NZ Army over a year ago, the night before basic I was incredibly nervous, that was 16 weeks long. Its a bit to get used to to begin with but you will adjust, its something that im sure you will enjoy.

Good luck, merchunter

 

[loc978]

From someone who went through US Army Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox a number of years ago...

Spoiler: snipped for space

IT GETS BETTER

First 2 weeks are hell on earth. After that, it gets better. Never easier, but the TIs knock off the screaming to get their message across, and you get a routine going which really helps.

NUMBER ONE: Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut
The less attention you draw to yourself the easier it will be. Getting singled out is a nightmare from which there is no escape.

NUMBER TWO: SEE NUMBER ONE
Seriously. Do what your told, do things right, and things cannot go smoother.

NUMBER THREE: If you are unsure about a command, ask when they stop talking if it has been made clear you have permission to speak. If it hasn't, make it clear you have a question with body language, eye contact, et cetera.
Much better to get angrily growled at to clarify then to get screamed at for being wrong.

NUMBER FOUR: DO NOT WATCH EXPECT THINGS TO BE LIKE FULL METAL JACKET
They only beat you in the Marines don't generally beat you in any service anymore. No physical violence is supposed to be happening, but if it does happen, the punches will not be to vital areas, and they will be pulled, so don't scare yourself, it does no good. Everyone makes this mistake. Your mileage may vary. Mine did.

NUMBER FIVE: Count down the days after 2 weeks. You'd be amazed how fast things go.

NUMBER SIX: Go to church on Sundays, even if not religious. I'm an Atheist, and tried out all the different churches to help me focus. Wicca was fun, as was Buddhism. And Christianity has enough people that aren't yelling at you to relieve some pressure.

And that's it. Good luck, and thank you for serving.

Spoiler: snipped for space

^basically what he said. Corrections as I see 'em made^
My dog tags say NO-REL-PREF (there was actually a joke among us atheists there about worshiping the almighty Norelpref), and I went to the Jewish church through most of basic (we had a choice of Jewish, Catholic or Protestant when and where I went. I tried Protestant the first week, as it was familiar to me... that didn't go well). They had snacks and a guy with a guitar who took requests. He even humored the one smartass who said Stairway. Never had time for Freebird, though.

As to corrections

1. They DO not knock off the yelling for EVERY little thing. They still yell. A lot. But not as much.

2. Correct. Listen to the Army dude

3. They DO beat in the Marines. Not as bad as they used to. I know this isn't the most reliable source, but my friend Mike is about to finish his time in the Marines, and he'll fully admit they hit recruits. One dude mouthed off to a TI. TI broke his nose. Mike cracked a rib when he raised his arm while a TI was talking to him, and TI socked him in the gut. But they don't in Navy, Army, or Air Force.

But yeah, I'll agree with the changes.

1. Your mileage may vary. The yelling never subsided where I was.

3. Eh, I believe it. Again, your mileage may vary. One of my friends joined the Corps less than two years ago, and his entire platoon put together took less of a beating than I did at Knox (I dunno about now, but back when the Army still wore BDUs, they'd beat ya... just not hard. A broken nose, a cracked rib, sure. Caved eye socket or broken rib, no)... but he and I are both POGs.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

Hazing is fun. Don't worry though, I'm sure it won't happen to you.

 

[Thaluikhain]

43 minutes after my post, 57 from when the thread started. I expected it to be sooner, really.

 

[manic_depressive13]

It's called discipline, and he was being a smartass, but he obeyd his orders in a way he thought fit. That's he kind of leader that gets people back home.

Dear god, okay. Um, sure. I think I'd prefer someone who can follow orders without significantly injuring themselves, but to each their own.

what i took from that was he followed the command to a T the commander told him to follow it. drop to the floor. so he did without moving. so i think the recruit was being a smartass and following the order at the same time

Smartass- An impudent person who often responds in a rude or sarcastic manner.

Dumbass- Someone who thinks it's a good idea to land on their face.

 

[Zio_IV]

Hey man, good luck out there and stay strong. I just got out of the Marines 11 months ago and we work alongside the Navy all the time. From their stories, it sounds like you're in for some tough times. But don't worry, if you persevere and maintain discipline (with yourself if nothing else), you'll make it out just fine.

I sure can relate to the whole "last day before" thing, though. I was waiting for the bus to take me to the airport, counting down the seconds till 2:40 AM. Once it hit that I was like, "Well, happy 18th birthday to me. Time to go through hell."

Kinda surreal, but I'm rambling now. Point is, keep your head on straight and try not to panic during the rougher parts. It'll be over before you konw it.

Semper Fidelis (lol I know it's not Navy, but hey, I was a Marine. Can't help it sometimes.)

 

[Anthony Wells]

It's called discipline, and he was being a smartass, but he obeyd his orders in a way he thought fit. That's he kind of leader that gets people back home.

Dear god, okay. Um, sure. I think I'd prefer someone who can follow orders without significantly injuring themselves, but to each their own.

what i took from that was he followed the command to a T the commander told him to follow it. drop to the floor. so he did without moving. so i think the recruit was being a smartass and following the order at the same time

Smartass- An impudent person who often responds in a rude or sarcastic manner.

Dumbass- Someone who thinks it's a good idea to land on their face.

he was being a smartass by following the order exactly. he was basically told to drop to the ground. so he did. like a rock. it was being a smartass. its like if i was told to do (insert some kind of expression here) and i did it eactly as it was said in order to spite the person for telling me to do it. im being a smartass without saying anything. true i might not be very smart for doing it especially if its stupid. but im making a point none the less without saying anything

 

[Elijah Ball]

I'm almost in the same boat. I leave for basic dec 27, but for the air force. I'm getting more and more nervous as the days tick by, but i think once i get there itll be fine. Not sure what you'll be doing, but just keep remembering your reasons for joining and you'll do fine. =]

"same boat" lolz, Navy joke. when i learned i would be in the DEP for 9 months i was like "that is forever" the last couple of weeks have flown by so fast though.[/quote]

hahaha, i didnt even notice the same boat thing. =]

and yeah, ive been in the dep since april. i am definitely ready to leave.

 

[Viedrick]

Been in the Army for three years, and I can remember being in your shoes. I went to Fort Benning, GA for my basic training. Fun times.

 

[RaffB]

...Really? I have to be the first to say this?


WHY?

The way the world is atm, I would rather die than go into any of the armed forces. The idiots in control of them and the politicians that they are following are just....morally retarded.

Don't get me wrong, I have respect for anyone who defends his/her country, and I do mean anyone, friend or foe. But right now I struggle to think of any major conflict that the western world is involved in that is a worthwhile cause to support.

Apologies if I seem like an ass, you have your reasons to join and I respect your choice, I just fail to see how it seems like a good idea?