There are many men and women waiting to leave for Army Basic Training who spend their time going through catalogs looking at Blackhawk tactical gear or Fobus Holsters that were designed for the Israeli Security Services.
There is no question that Blackhawk gear is some of the best military and security equipment on the market, but you need to get through basic training and the rest of your army training first.
The modern army has changed a bit from what you might have seen in some old movies, or even how the Marine Corps still conducts basic training, but that does not mean that it is going to be a cinch to get through it.
There are a few basic rules that apply and will help you.
The first rule is "be in shape.
" Basic training is going to make physical and mental demands on a person that usually surpass anything they have ever experienced.
Much of the early part of your training will involve physical conditioning, but that doesn't mean you should arrive in poor physical condition.
One of the best preparations you can make is to begin a regime of physical activity.
This should include running.
It would not hurt to go to bed early at night and get up early in the morning either.
You can also reduce the amount of junk food that you eat, and replace it with a healthy and well balanced diet.
There are some people who think the time before they leave for Basic Training is party time.
They feel they should indulge themselves as much as they can before their "ordeal" begins.
If you adapt this way of thinking you will pay for it in your first weeks of training.
If, however, you arrive in good condition and ready, you will be way ahead from the start.
The second rule is to understand the nature and purpose of Basic Training, and do not take it personal.
It is fairly common for new trainees to feel that the entire purpose of army training is to humiliate and punish them.
This is not true.
The drill instructor does not hate you and it is your success that everyone is really interested in and not your failure.
The Army has always known that it is necessary to "condition" new recruits.
In some ways, the idea is to break down the bad habits of the civilian and replace them with the good habits of the soldier.
Many recruits are not very used to the concept of authority and discipline.
It is important that every soldier understand these ideas.
Remember, they are not really out to get you.
A third rule that will help you to survive is to stay focused on the end.
No matter how hard basic training may seem, millions of men and women have completed it.
They look back on it with fond memories many times.
It is a time of testing and showing your maturity.
It truly separates the men from the boys and the women from the girls.
Keep this in mind.
If you determine to do your very best and to give everything that you have to give, it will start your Army experience in the best possible way.
You will reap the benefits of your best effort for the rest of your Army career, and even the rest of your life.