Dear James,
I wish you the best as you begin your service to our Country. Thank you.
Now, to get though basic training it is important to set a routine. Establish patterns for yourself and stick to what works. This will allow you to take care of you personal stuff and not be lagging when you fall out at O-Dark thirty. Lagging at fall ot, being out of uniform, being slow are all ways to make your basic a living hell. Some one will be the slowest. Don't let it be you. Plan ahead. At some point in your basic you'll start getting some descetionary time (very little). Use it to get ready for the next days traing rather than going to the PX.
Listen to what you are told, think -- Then react. Do the Think Stage quickly.
Find a buddy, rehearse out loud as you practice your common tasks -- visualize.
AIT is more of the same.
Airborne! Black Hats are intimidating even compared to Drill's. Move with a purpose, The PT should not be too tough given you've just finished Basic and AIT. Don't fall out of a Friday Run. Don't buy a set of wings until you've earned them. You will get some free time during Airborne -- Stay off of Victory Drive (or at least keep it zipped) and don't spend all your cash at Ranger Joes. Ground week is hard, you'll be sore and the saw dust sucks. Tower week is less strenous, but the Black hats will demand higher performace levels. Honor Ungawa! If there are Marines in your class, look out, they will be the craziest of Marines, and all Marines are crazy. Whatever you do, avoid going drinking with them, it can only lead to trouble.
Jump week is a cake walk. Just remember the PLF is not feet, knees, face. Get through your 4th jump and even if you bounce on your 5th, we'll pin Silver Wings to your corpse. You earned 'em.
I can't really help with Air Assault or Ranger as the "needs of the Army" prevented me ever getting a shot at these. I can tell you that Ranger is tougher than anything you've ever done. There is no shame in not making it. I know good men, that I would follow to hell that never earned their tab. I know others that hold the tab, that I wouldn't follow into a 7/11. Set your mind right, don't get hurt and never quit and I'm sure you'll get your tab.
Good Luck and God Speed.