Whether you’ve always wanted to be part of the armed forces or this is something that you’ve just recently decided that you want to do, preparing yourself beforehand can make your entrance into the armed forces go much smoother for you.
To show you how this can be done, here are three ways you can prepare to enter the armed forces.
Mentally Prepare To Follow Orders
Being in the armed forces will be unlike anything that you’ve ever experienced before. Especially in the beginning, so much of your daily life will be completely out of your control, something that you’re likely very unfamiliar with.
To help make this transition easier to manage, MyFuture.com recommends that you spend some time mentally preparing yourself to follow orders and live a much more regimented life once you get to basic training. For some people, this adjustment will be very hard to make. But for others, following orders and falling in line will feel easy. Based on your own personality, you can likely gauge how much time and energy you’ll need to put into being open to others leading you and letting go of control over your daily life and activities.
Develop A Respect For Weaponry
Aside from getting in the right headspace before you go to basic training, there are also things that you can do to prepare for all that you’ll be learning at basic.
One area that you might not have a lot of experience in is weaponry. However, Stew Smith, a contributor to Military.com, shares that you actually don’t need a lot of experience handling a firearm to do well in this area in basic training. In reality, you’ll find it much more beneficial to learn things like gun safety, how to maintain or clean and properly store a weapon, and certain terms for using weapons. In fact, because you’ll need to learn how to use a weapon in the exact way that the military wants you to, you may have to unlearn and then relearn if you have developed bad habits from previous firearm use.
Plan For Some Dietary Restrictions
A big portion of basic training when you enter the armed forces is getting you physically fit. As a part of this, you’ll likely be given some pretty strict dietary restrictions, like not smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, eating sugar, and any other rules that your instructors want to give you.
For some, these types of restrictions won’t be hard to manage. But for others, being told what they can and can’t eat can be extremely challenging. However, if you know that this is coming beforehand, you should have an easier time coping with whatever dietary restrictions are placed on you at this time.
If you plan to enter the armed forces, consider using the tips mentioned above as you prepare for basic training.
