So my original ship out date was November 20th but today it got bumped up to july 14th. July weather has got to be a hell of a lot better than in November. I'm pretty nervous but at the same time excited and ready for all the challenges ahead of me. I was wondering if anyone could give me an insight on what boot camps like. What do i need to know? What should I and shouldn't i do? Is it really as bad as they make it seem?
Any little bit of help would be greatly appreciated.
This sounds simpler than it is, but if you can remember it you'll do fine. Ready?
Q:
What do i need to know? A: Nothing. When you need to know something, someone will tell you. Anything else that you know is useless for the next few weeks, and can only serve to screw things up.
Q:What should I and shouldn't i do?
A: Do as you are told exactly as you are told. DO NOT THINK!!!! Okay, think during the few minutes of spare time. But don't think too hard or too long. Nobody is interested in anything you have to offer on how to make things easier, faster, better, or logical. The whole point is that it isn't supposed to be easy, fast, better, or even logical. The test is whether you will do what you are told. Sometimes they WANT you to do a stupid thing. You go thinking too much and you are going to be sorry.
Also, don't listen to all the guys who are not smart enough to stop thinking. There will be dozens of low-IQ doofuses with bright ideas that they will share with you. You don't need their help. You just need to do as you are told. If the CC tells you to shave every single day, but the dorks in your company tell you that they heard it from a guy who heard it from a guy that you shouldn't shave the day you go to the tear gas shack, you do as the CC told you. Sure, the tear gas stings your face a little, but it will be burning your eyes, nose and throat so much that you won't notice the stinging on your face.
Q: Is it really as bad as they make it seem?
A: It is exactly as bad as you make it. If I got through it, any person of average health can make it too. You make it good or bad by remembering that it is a test - a test you will have to take over and over until you pass it. The guys you see who have worn out their first set of uniforms and still haven't graduated, the guys who have lined-out their company number two, three, or four times on their laundry bags, those guys are still there because they just can't help but to overthink the process. It is all really too easy if you just remember the simple rules: speak when spoken to, do as you are told.
Boot Camp is easy. Millions of people have passed through it. If somebody is not cutting it, encourage him. If you can't get a good shine on your shoes, watch the guys who can. Don't overthink, but don't turn your mind off either. Be a team player. The whole company lives as one unit. So, if you all help each other, you'll all get through it just fine.
