How to Earn More Money in Basic Training
by Michael Volkin
Due to the success of my book, I have spoken to thousands of recruits and countless drill sergeants about basic training. Many recruits aren’t aware that if they do a good job in basic training they can earn awards and get promoted faster. Of course, getting promoted means more money. Therefore, I bring you the top five tips you should know before you arrive at boot camp. These tips will earn you higher rank and more money in the military.
Top 5 tips you should know to earn a promotion faster:
5) Fitness
Nearly every recruit I talk to is not prepared for the physical aspect of basic training. In basic training, you are not going to spend an hour a day in the gym doing bench presses and leg squats. The exercises you do will most likely be exercises you have never heard of (i.e. donkey kicks, mountain climbers, ski jumpers, etc). Also, basic training runs usually consist of wind sprints and other exercises where the speed and direction of the run changes quickly and frequently. Therefore, your jog around the block at your house is doing little good for preparation purposes.
To prepare for basic training you need to prepare your muscles (and your mind) for basic training type exercises. Believe me, when you get to basic training, your muscles will thank you for the preparation. All the other recruits will be having calf cramps and muscle soreness and you will be sleeping like a baby. Check out the famous 8-week basic training fitness routine in The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook (www.UltimateBasicTraining.com).
4) Understanding Drill Sergeants
Drill sergeants will undoubtedly treat you like you have never been treated before. They clearly don’t want to be your friend, they don’t want to make you feel warm and fuzzy and they certainly don’t want you to feel like you’re at home. There are however, ways to deal with drill sergeants that won’t drive you crazy. Remember, drill sergeants don’t personally hate you. They have a very short time to turn you from civilian to soldier. The basic training process needs to jar you mentally. If your drill sergeant calls you dumb, ugly, and stupid, etc., don’t think twice about the comment. They are testing you to see if you are fit to be a soldier. Drill sergeants are always testing you, even when you think they are not. Remember basic training is a mental game. The recruits who fail overwhelmingly do so because they can’t handle the mental stress, not the physical stress.
3) Know Before You Go
When you arrive at basic training, you will receive what’s called a “smart book.” It will contain tons of detailed information including the phonetic alphabet, marching procedures, military traditions, and more. Often a recruit has trouble absorbing all this information in such a short time. Do you know your phonetic alphabet, your general orders, how to read military time, and the soldiers code? If not, memorize this information before even seeing a drill sergeant.
2) Prepare Yourself Mentally
This is the number one reason recruits fail basic training. Many people think the lack of physical preparation would be the number one reason. However, mentally preparing yourself for basic training is more important than the previous four reasons, combined. Why? If you’re prepared for basic training mentally everything else will fall into place. You won’t mind waking up at 5 a.m. to do road marches or buff the barracks floor. Your mind will be clear and focused on a single goal, for you to graduate. By preparing properly you can even achieve rank and higher pay faster. Three days before you leave for basic training, I suggest you set your alarm to wake you up for 4:30am in the time zone that you will be attending basic training at. Don’t just wake up and watch TV either, go for a brisk walk or light jog followed by some easy stretching. This gets your muscles and mind ready for early morning workouts.
1) Respond with confidence
When a drill sergeant asks you a question, be sure to respond with confidence. Responding with a hearty “yes drill sergeant” will show your drill sergeant you are paying attention and you are motivated. Exclaim your response loudly, with minimum words and with authority. Any other type of response will show weakness.
Following the above tips will certainly help you prepare for basic training, thus making it easier for you to get promoted and earn more money. Good luck!
By SGT Michael Volkin, teacher at Basic Training University and author of The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp, both available at www.UltimateBasicTraining.com
what will happen if u fail boot camp.. i heard if u give up u go to military jail till u do it... is it true???
you won't go to jail, you will be held over for the next cycle and be go through it again or try to pass what you failed
It all depends on the reason you failed. If it is agianst law you could go to the brig. If it is lack of physical fitness they have a training area to help you til you can pass the PFT. If it is something that you won't be able to do things needed to stay in the military then you could be separated honorably. For most reasons though you will be recycled the next week or when they believe you are prepared to continue basic training.
There are many places and reasons for things. Definately don't go into basic with any type of mindset that you could fail. You must believe in the end goal of graduation and that you will do whatever you need to, to make it happen.
i havent even gotten my equivalent test done yet but with the hardships,and struggles in my hometown of the bronx im 100% positive when istep foot on that plane or bus its going to be nothing but focused on my objective which is to be all i can be!!watch and see.....
While I was in Basic Training they sent the people could not pass the physical fitness test to a place grouped with others who could not pass it and they would continously work out and do stuff to better the soon to be soldiers until they were able to pass it. Though after 3 weeks if they were not showing improvement because their inability to complete the fitness requirements they were honorably discharged. Now I'm not 100% positive on what I just stated but I'm pretty sure. Anyhow I wouldn't worry about going to the brig. Only people who are disorderly in conduct trying to get out of the Military would go there for doing something. If its something physical or you just can't handle it mentally they will not send you to the brig. Of course they will do all they can to help you pass your problem and continue on to become a soldier but if you cannot then they will not hold it against you for the simple fact that you made it a hell of a lot farther then most people your age even attempt. Like said in previous statements though don't think failure only have success in your mind.
how can you get the phonetic aiphabets to study if you can get it through could you please send thenmto me
My son is in Bct in Ft. Knox (going for NG). He wrote me today that he is on "trial" for failing his Red Phase PT test. They told him that "either he can be sent back to reception for 2 weeks to await the next company, be generally dismissed, return home for 45 days to return and start again or that nothing will happen to him". Does this sound right, he is very upset and seems to be trying his hardest?
Subscribe to Army.com Field Report RSS
