| By :
William Gabriel
After high school many people consider what they plan to do with their futures. Some go off to college, some start jobs right away, and others decide to enlist in the Army. If you are planning to join the Army, you might benefit from a few tips to help you make it through basic training. Basic Training in the Army is extremely hard on new recruits. The whole program is designed to wear you down, and then build you back up. However, if you are prepare yourself for what is to come, you can improve your chances of finishing and becoming a member of the U.S. Army. 1. Before you arrive at boot camp, you need to get ready for the amount of running and marching your drill sergeant is going to require of you. Give your muscles and your lungs a head start, and begin a running program well in advance of basic training. If you haven't ever run, you can still work up slowly to your goals. Don't run more than a mile at first, and add your distance gradually. Before you get to training, you should be able to run a mile in 8 minutes or even faster. 2. Build your upper body strength. Pull ups and pushups are a good start, but you can also include workouts from combat self defense training. If you've never had a chance to learn a martial art or self defense regimen, at the very least pick up a Self Defense DVD and get familiar with the principles and techniques involved. Practice building strength in your upper arms and shoulders. You will be thankful you took the time out to do it. 3. Starting tomorrow, set your alarm to wake you up at the crack of dawn. Don't wait for Basic Training to get your body adjust to a new sleep pattern. Go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. There will be enough pressure on you to perform during training, so don't wait another day to program your body for sleep. 4. You need to be mentally prepared for the trials that await you at training. Knowing what life will be like for you can give you a distinct advantage. Have any friends that have gone through training? Ask them about their experiences and you will have a better idea what to expect for those long eight weeks. A word of caution: don't get discouraged by the horror stories you hear from your buddies. Chances are they are only trying to psych you out. If you ask them how the Army made them a better person, they will have plenty to share! 5. Once you get to training, stay mentally focused and alert. You knew going in that things would be very difficult the first four or five weeks. There will be a light at the end of the tunnel. You aren't being singled out—everyone in your group will be ridiculed, criticized, and made to feel about 2 inches tall. 6. Remember that your endurance and patience will be tried time and again. You will be pushed to your limits, feeling emotionally and physically exhausted at the end of every day. Do your best to keep your temper in check, and respect your superiors. There is no sense in adding fuel to the fire.
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