Don’t go to basic training unprepared.  The small amount of preparation you can do before basic training will save you hundreds of sit-ups and push-ups in front of a drill sergeant.  During basic training you will be dealing with Drill Sergeants who love to yell at you and hang on your every word.  One of the best compliments I received at basic training was from a drill sergeant on my graduation day. The drill sergeant came up to me and asked me if I belonged on stage.  She wasn’t asking me if I deserved to graduate, she was asking me if I was with the right platoon.  She had never seen me before because I flew “under the radar” so well.  I made it through basic training without getting yelled at much, here’s how I did it:

In my best-selling book, I teach military recruits how to make basic training as stress free as possible.  It’s important to understand that nothing will make you “yell-proof”; however, there are preparations you can make to reduce the amount of personal attention you get from Drill Sergeants.  

Understand Why They Yell- Drill Sergeants don’t personally hate you.  If you take the yelling and insults a Drill Sergeant gives you personally, you will add extra stress to an already stressful situation.  A Drill Sergeants goal is to motivate and train you in the quickest time possible.  Their job is to break you down as a civilian and turn you into a member of the U.S military in the shortest time possible.  That job is not easy and would be difficult with a Richard Simmons type motivation approach.  If you get personal attention by Drill Sergeants at basic training, just remember it’s for your own good.

Don’t be Friendly- Your Drill Sergeant isn’t looking for a friend, so leave your manners at home.  Don’t attempt to have a leisurely or friendly chat with a Drill Sergeant because you will find yourself doing push-ups in the mud.  90% of what you say to a Drill Sergeant should be “Drill Sergeant yes Drill Sergeant”, or “Drill Sergeant no Drill Sergeant”.  The other recruits should be your friends, the Drill Sergeants should be your motivators and trainers.

Don’t be Einstein- Drill Sergeants aren’t impressed with all the knowledge you know, or think you know. Many recruits come to basic training hearing stories and learning lessons of when their friends and family attended. Don’t listen to those recruits as stories are often exaggerated or interpreted incorrectly. Even if you know the answer to a question, don’t shout it out unless you are specifically called upon.

Speak with Confidence, Even if You Know Your Wrong- Drill Sergeants love to pick on recruits who answer or talk in a quiet or timid voice. Their job is to turn you into a lean mean fighting machine. When asked a question, only respond with a confident voice, even if you don’t know the correct answer. A wrong answer spoken confidently sounds better than a right answer spoken timidly.

Don’t be Late- When a Drill Sergeant asks you to be somewhere in 45 seconds, you better be there in 15. Arriving on time is the same as arriving late to a Drill Sergeant.

SGT Michael Volkin is the author of several basic training books, including the best selling: The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp