Many recruits aren’t aware that they can learn secret tips before arriving at basic training to make boot camp much more enjoyable. Follow the below tips to reduce your stress at basic training and avoid getting yelled at by your drill sergeants.  Whether your going into Marine boot camp, Army basic training or any other military branch, these tips can help you. Below are the top 5 tips to arrive at basic training prepared.

5) Experiment with Phone Cards

Staying in contact with friends and family is a necessity for your mental well being at basic training. However, phone cards often include advertisements and long operator recordings. After you finish dialing your long access code, an operator will give you further instructions, which for the most part you will not need to know, or already know. This process wastes valuable time when you only have a few minutes to talk to your loved ones. Experiment before you leave for boot camp and find a phone card that has no advertisements and allows you to connect with your family quickly.

4) Don’t Let Your Luggage Get You in Trouble

Your first day of basic training will undoubtedly be the most memorable for you. On this day, you will meet your drill instructor. I can tell you from experience that the first thing a drill sergeant looks at is your luggage. If they see anything but plain black luggage you are asking for push ups. Do not bring luggage with flowers, bright colors, designer labels, or anything that draws attention to you. 

3) Break the Habit
Tobacco products, alcoholic drinks, and even snacking are addictive and none of them are allowed at basic training. In boot camp you will have access to 3 meals a day. You will not get smoke breaks, you will not get to go out for beers with your buddies, and you will definitely not get chocolate cake for dessert. I suggest you break your habits before arriving at boot camp. In my book, I always stress it is easier to break habits under your own terms rather than your drill sergeant’s terms.

2) Bring the Ink
You will be issued many items at basic training and if you don’t keep track of everything, you will pay for it. Unfortunately, recruits tend to lose or damage some of their equipment. Instead of telling their drill sergeants, some recruits are prone to taking equipment from others. Bring a black marker to prevent your items from getting lost or stolen. With this marker you can initial and label everything you own. Having a marker with you will ensure that nothing you own accidentally turns up missing. You will also make a few friends because recruits who did not bring a marker with them will want to borrow yours; you can never have too many friends at basic training.

1) Happy Stomachs Equal Happy Recruits

Learn how to eat a MRE before you leave for basic training. MRE stands for Meal, Ready-to-Eat. I explain how to eat MREs in my book. Unfortunately, the first time you see an MRE you will be in the field and your drill sergeant will give you 10 minutes to eat one. However, it takes most recruits about 15 minutes to learn how to open and heat their meal. This will be your lunch, your dinner, and sometimes even your breakfast.  You do not get many luxuries in basic training, so at least make sure you eat well. 

SGT Michael Volkin is the author of one of the most helpful military books ever written: The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Boot Camp Survival