Getting Ready For Basic Training

If you are a new recruit, you will need to go to basic training. There are things that you will need to do before you leave that might be easy to forget. You may remember later but it will be too late. The following are things that new recruits usually forget:

Be sure to take regular postal addresses for anyone that you want to write to while you are in basic training. You will need enough stamps and envelopes to take with you that will last for nine weeks.

You will need to purchase enough pre-paid phone cards to get you by for nine weeks. It may cost you more to buy them on-base, so purchasing them ahead of time will save you money.

Don't take your whole wardrobe with you. You will not need it while you are at basic training. Since you will probably lose quite a bit of weight while you are away at basic training, your clothes would probably not fit when you get out anyway. Just take one bag and one or two outfits. You will also need personal necessities.

If you take medication, be sure to take the original prescription bottles with you. Your name must be on the bottle. It is also a good idea to get documentation from your doctor so that you are able to take it with you to the base.

You will need to take enough of any personal items that you might need for at least a couple of weeks. Take soap, shampoo, razors and deodorant and pack it so that you will not have problems when you go through airport security.

While you are gone, you should have a friend or family member that will pay your bills. If you cannot arrange this, you might want to set up automatic bill pay. You will save money by cancelling your cable or satellite television and newspaper subscriptions, along with closing out any accounts that you won't use while you are gone.

You will want to give your current employer a two-week notice. Leaving them on good terms will result in a good reference somewhere down the road.

You will need to take a copy of your recruiting contract when you go to the army base. In fact, you should remember to do this throughout your military career.

Others who have been through the basic training process can provide you with some survival advice.

Don't go out and party the last night that you are at home. When you arrive at basic training, you should be well rested and ready for work. (It is a good bet that you won't get much rest for a few weeks.)
Finally, be sure to spend some quality time with your family before you leave.

Your recruiter will probably have a checklist for you to follow. It is important to read all of the material that they give to you and be sure to follow any important instructions. When you arrive at basic training, you will not have an opportunity to remember anything you might have forgotten. Be sure that you have everything that you need to get through the next nine weeks.