[August 25, 2017] In Part 1 of this series, I wrote that each of the military services has a boot camp (called by different names) that has one mission; to successfully turn civilians into military members.1 The methods they use are similar and the preparation one should undertake are, therefore, also similar regardless of which branch of the service.
Here are a number of specific things a person should do before entering military service. Note that it is best to have an acquaintance or friend help keep you “squeaky clean” honest by overseeing what you are doing and give you accurate feedback. Here they are in no particular order:
- Mental Preparation:
- Prepare mentally to improve resiliency and gain grit.
- Watch YouTube videos on your service ‘s boot camp.
- Talk with anyone recently graduated from boot camp to gain insight into “do’s and don’ts”
- Read the short history of that military service.
- Find any publication that is on boot camp.
- Go to a nearby military installation and buy a book on your service.
- Get certified in life saving through the Red Cross or other similar agency.
- Smile more and do it often.
- Research good clean jokes and learn to tell them well.
- Have a positive attitude.
- Stand with good posture, walk crisply.
- Simplify your life.
- Learn about security and practice it when talking or using social media.
- Clean up your Facebook, twitter accounts etc. make them clean, positive, upbeat, … Focus on developing good personal habits (no excuses for what you do wrong, no blaming others for anything, no cursing, speaking plainly, looking people in the eye when speaking to them, firm handshake, neat and conservative hair, personal cleanliness, etc.).
- Physical Preparation:
- Do both aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
- Avoid injury by avoiding risky sports like skateboarding, downhill skiing, tackle football, etc.
- As time approaches for entry date, focus workouts on that service’s physical fitness test standards.
- Also ensure doing each individual exercise to their standard.
- Practice yoga to strengthen joints.
- Meals: no snacks, junk food, carbonated beverages like Pepsi, sugary and greasy foods, etc.
- No illegal drugs or alcohol.
- If you smoke, chew tobacco, or use it in any way, stop!
- Avoid OTC medicine if possible.
- Wake up daily at 5am and go to bed at 9 or 10 pm – stabilize your daily routine.
- Use proper stretching regularly to lessen impact from exercise.
- Look up the military services specific stretches they use.
- Keep yourself clean and well groomed.
- Shower daily.
- Learn to operate large equipment. Access may be difficult but worthwhile.
- Spiritual Preparation:
- If not already a member, chose a local church, synagogue, etc. Go to their services and get to know the people there.
- Listen closely to the sermons as they give great insight and advice on how to be a better person.
- Beware that many people are anti-religious so be careful about who you discuss it with.
- Read the Bible, especially the New Testament, or any religious book. The traits of a successful military person are reflected there.
- Family Preparation:
- Improve relationship with your family.
- Talk with your family about military service but don’t overdo it.
- Set up easy ways to communicate with your family like Facebook, email, texting, Twitter, etc.
- Get list of everyone’s birthday and always acknowledge them.
- You represent your family, so do them proud by behaving properly starting now.
- Ensure relationships are strong and flexible because joining the military will put stress on them.
- Seek guidance from other s on how to strengthen spousal relationship.
- Social Preparation:
- Learn to keep your opinions to yourself.
- Never complain about others.
- Be willing to forgive others.
- Be honest and direct.
- Listen to others.
- Always be polite.
- Be willing to change.
- Be respectful.
- Honor all your commitments.
- Don’t compare yourself or others to others.
- Don’t join anti-American, anti-religious, anti-government, or similar organizations. If you are already a member, quit immediately and repudiate them openly.
- Stay away from events, people, and organizations that use or might use violence.
- Volunteer at an organization that helps the disadvantaged.
- Focus on positive things; reject negative thoughts.
- Be around good people who do good things and are positive in their relationships with others.
- Drop “friends” who are negative, are doing illegal things, or involved in immoral or unethical practices.
- Remember that you are being judged by others at all times, so just be as good as possible.
- Learn the ‘rules’ where you are and follow them.
As noted earlier, there is a close link between the mental, physical, spiritual, family, and social connections to succeeding.
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Note: Here is one of the better websites that focuses on how to prepare for Boot Camp. It also has links to the other military service Boot Camps: http://todaysmilitary.com/training/boot-camp