My last topic Post... (please read)

[GLax]

well guys, i have 9 days to go. i leave for Army BCT (Infantry) Jan. 8th! i'm definately not the most well known member here, but i'd just like to say thank you to everyone here for all their help with any question i had (there were many). i'd also like to say thank you for giving me interesting conversations to read, i have to say i'm a better informed person for reading them. i'd also like to give one more big thank you to Hood, without him, we'd never have our little community here on the internet!

thank you's aside, i want to ask any of you guys (who have been to BCT) for any advise you can give, do's, dont's etc. help is VERY appreciated! when i come back in March, i hope i can get a chance to post. maybe i can share a few stories from BCT with you guys...

(ok a few more thank yous p-))
thank you to all of you who have served before me, i hope i can help make you even more proud of the Army you once served in, or are still serving in. for those of you who are seniors in high school, enjoy your time with your friends and family, its a strange feeling knowing your 'moving out', so enjoy their company while you can!

once again thank you very much,
GLax

p.s. my real name is Dan if you'd like to call me that :D

[Vance]

Hooah Dan! Best of luck. I'll be coming soon as well, I'm a Junior in HS. :D

[farmgirl]

Good Luck Dan, and thank you so much for doing what you're doing! :hug:
Marydawn

[Durandal]

Good luck Dan and be safe!

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Peace dude be safe and do what you've been told and dont ask why.

[ibstolidude]

Good Luck..

-Be the Gray Man, stay below the military ridge line.
-leaders will be recognized in time for their actions not for being the first to bragg, first to bark out orders, or pretend to know all things.
-Be the last to sit, be the first to stand.
-Never eat, sleep or rest while others work (unless in shifts).
-Because your **** is squared away does not mean that the unit/TEAM/squads is...continue to work.
-It will end...all things do...at that time your only legacy will be your memories, your deeds, and your brother at arms...not bragging, not should'a, not could'a. - no matter how "****ty" it is It will end.
-Training is supposed to suck to prepare you for when the metal hits the meat.
-Live by the gouge, Die by the gouge - barracks house gossip should be discarded until you have the experience to sort through the BS
-No ****ing Bitching!!!! Second only to lazy ****ers on the most hated list is whiners...as if you are the only one who is tired, hungry, wet, hurting and miserable!
- Death is in the details!
- Your feet, your weapon, your truck and your commo are your life... like a bitchy woman, treat them well becasue they will leave you or worse lie stiff when you expect them to perform. ;)

I could go on..but you will ignore it when you are scared, tired and hungry and you as we all do will learn form succes and failure.

GOOD LUCK.

Do however try and show you knowledge by asking any of the following, it will immediately mark you as someone "in the know"; thus making your time here productive:
- refer to the Singcar or ASIP radio(or any really) as a PRC-E7 (****ounced "prick - E - seven")
- The M4 and M16 is a gas operated weapon...ask them when you should replace the gas.

[DE_Six]

Good luck, Dan. Stand fast!

[Kitsune]

May you find strength, when you need it.
Good Luck.

[Flagg]

Different army, but I'm sure the rules are the same:

Help your room/section/platoon mates....they'll need it.....and they'll help you when you need it most.....and you WILL need help

Always remember, ONE mouth, TWO ears...listen twice as much as you speak.....every platoon has at least one big-mouthed A-hole everyone will hate...don't be him.

Weapons are first, gear/kit is second, you are last

If one NCO/officer says A, and another NCO/officer says B, and you get beasted for it....don't get angry.....laugh....it will get funnier the more time passes by...trust me on this one

If the NCOs are hard on you just suck it up.....the HARDER they are on you the more RESPECT and PRIDE you'll have for your mates and yourself once your done

And finally...NEVER, EVER quit...

[Tane Angle]

ibistolidude covered most of it. You might want to print those out. One more thing to add: Don't ask a lot of "Where we going? when are we coming back? How long will we be out?" kind of questions. Be ok with the unknown.

Best of luck, take care of yourself, and take care of your people and they will take care of you. Thank you for your service. Take care.

[FallenAngel]

Although I haven't been through what you're about to go through- it sounds like ibistolidude covered all the major points. Don't forget two things though:

A- ask questions if you really are unsure. I am sure the instructors have it down to a science on molding you into the soldier you're suppose to be, but I am sure in your weeks there something will slip through the cracks. As said about- death is in the details. If you're unsure- ask. The only stupid question is the one not asked.

B- KISS principle. ;)

[ShotOver]

Aaah, Goodluck Dan old boy. Kick some arse mate woot

Come back in one piece, haha.

[GLax]

Good Luck..

-Be the Gray Man, stay below the military ridge line.
-leaders will be recognized in time for their actions not for being the first to bragg, first to bark out orders, or pretend to know all things.
-Be the last to sit, be the first to stand.
-Never eat, sleep or rest while others work (unless in shifts).
-Because your **** is squared away does not mean that the unit/TEAM/squads is...continue to work.
-It will end...all things do...at that time your only legacy will be your memories, your deeds, and your brother at arms...not bragging, not should'a, not could'a. - no matter how "****ty" it is It will end.
-Training is supposed to suck to prepare you for when the metal hits the meat.
-Live by the gouge, Die by the gouge - barracks house gossip should be discarded until you have the experience to sort through the BS
-No f*** Bitching!!!! Second only to lazy f*** on the most hated list is whiners...as if you are the only one who is tired, hungry, wet, hurting and miserable!
- Death is in the details!
- Your feet, your weapon, your truck and your commo are your life... like a bitchy woman, treat them well becasue they will leave you or worse lie stiff when you expect them to perform. ;)

I could go on..but you will ignore it when you are scared, tired and hungry and you as we all do will learn form succes and failure.

GOOD LUCK.

Do however try and show you knowledge by asking any of the following, it will immediately mark you as someone "in the know"; thus making your time here productive:
- refer to the Singcar or ASIP radio(or any really) as a PRC-E7 (****ounced "prick - E - seven")
- The M4 and M16 is a gas operated weapon...ask them when you should replace the gas.

thx alot, EXACTLY what i am looking for! :D



If one NCO/officer says A, and another NCO/officer says B, and you get beasted for it....don't get angry.....laugh....it will get funnier the more time passes by...trust me on this one

If the NCOs are hard on you just suck it up.....the HARDER they are on you the more RESPECT and PRIDE you'll have for your mates and yourself once your done

And finally...NEVER, EVER quit...

i hope my NCOs are tough, theyre the backbone of any good unit after all. my recruiters always tell me that a good NCO will ask even a buck Private to tell him where they are on the map, so everybody learns. i hope when i get my own squad, i can be a good NCO and be an example for my men. i'm not gonna get ahead of myself though, i wanna be a good soldier first. i'll never quit, never have, never will. never acceprted a medal for second place, 'second place, first loser'


ibistolidude covered most of it. You might want to print those out. One more thing to add: Don't ask a lot of "Where we going? when are we coming back? How long will we be out?" kind of questions. Be ok with the unknown.

Best of luck, take care of yourself, and take care of your people and they will take care of you. Thank you for your service. Take care.

thanks Tane, i really respect your opinion. i'm really glad everyone wishes me the best...

[Nizark]

Thank you for your committment to our great country. I'm glad there are people like you out there so people like me do not have to go. God Protect you bro![/i]

[Midav]

I myself am pretty much new here, but, I do wish you the best and do hope you stay safe.

Remember man: Whatever may happen, you will ALWAYS have people supporting you and never ever doubt that, friend!

Take care.

[WARPIG]

Hey good luck Dan! First off I want to thank you. Stepping forward and taking the oath is a great step. I want to thank you for taking that step. In times like this it is a great honor those in uniform that people like you still aspire to earn your freedoms for yourself, as well as the people who come after.
Keep me in mind if you ever need any help. I train recruits prior to boot camp and am an Infantry vet. You seem to have gotten a lot of good advice already. Get hold of us when you get back.
One piece of advice .. set a goal every day. Even if it is as simple as .. not complaining out loud.. or improving by one sit-up.. or to have a great attitude all day. If you go through the day without a goal.. or direction.. your just wandering. Don't wander. Move with a purpose.

[usa320]

Hooah. Good Luck and be safe.

[Loco]

I wish you and your fellows have a lot of good luck.

[papasmerf]

Good luck to you mate.

[NcDeuce]

The best of luck to you...

Kick some ass and never quit!

[Argyll]

Good luck,listen and learn,then sit back and enjoy the ride,cause you're joining a new "Brotherhood",and as long as you heed Stoli's advice you'll be fine,and remember there will be many others with you who will also feel apprehensive,help them as they help you!
The Army is a great career,stick in there kiddo!!

[Trigger]

Good luck Dan. It sounds like you know how to listen to good advice. You're going to make a great soldier. woot

[GLax]

Hey good luck Dan! First off I want to thank you. Stepping forward and taking the oath is a great step. I want to thank you for taking that step. In times like this it is a great honor those in uniform that people like you still aspire to earn your freedoms for yourself, as well as the people who come after.
Keep me in mind if you ever need any help. I train recruits prior to boot camp and am an Infantry vet. You seem to have gotten a lot of good advice already. Get hold of us when you get back.
One piece of advice .. set a goal every day. Even if it is as simple as .. not complaining out loud.. or improving by one sit-up.. or to have a great attitude all day. If you go through the day without a goal.. or direction.. your just wandering. Don't wander. Move with a purpose.

taking the oath has to go down as one of the best days of my life. ironically, i took it on September 11th, 2003, which makes it even more special to me. i'll definately make it one of my goals to get back to you guys :hug:

[IDFM203]

Yeah good luck dan and I wish you much success in your future endeavours in the military...I guess I don’t really have much advice to give considering that most of it already was given, though I urge you to especially heed the don’t whine and done be lazy advice that ibstolidude dolled out.

Anyways again good luck and when you return to this site, don’t forget to come back with some pics for this is after all militaryphotos.net (although I advise you not to carry your camera around ;) )

Shalom to you :D