Quoted:
just practice sit up and pushups, a little running. They start off running like 20 yards down there, dont sweat it, and dont practice shooting, they unlearn all youve learned, and if you dont get unlearnt, theyll make you forget....
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I noncuncur.
I learned NOTHING about shooting in basic.
If he were going into the Marines, where markmanship instructors were properly trained and selected, that would be one thing.
We now know he is going into the Army - where anyone with a 100 GT score can score 80% across the board, graduate drill sergeat school, and wind up teaching privates how to shoot.
1911greg: get yourself a copy of the FM 23-9. Learn it. Pay special attention to the sighting system, and where to aim at what distance. When I went through, we had drill sergeants telling us to aim at the heads of the 300 meter target. (that was correct only with the old M16A1 - the current A2 is zeroed for 300m) and they even said shit like, "aim low so the rocks you spit up will increase your odds of scoring a hit."
Your mini-14 should be fine. Just practice groups, than shifting your hips to adjust your point of aim up, down, left and right. They don't teach that well at all, because the instructors can usually barely qualify themselves.
Keep your mouth shut, though. Let your shooting speak for you. Every one in your unit who shoots expert will have been a good shot before coming into the Army. Everyone who shoots a perfect score will have mastered the art of shifting your natural point of aim for field fire and learned where to aim at each yard line.
The advice on PT is good. Be warned, though, the Amry gets some PRIMO slugs. If you show up in too good of shape, you may find yourself wishing for time to work out as the Drill Sergeants try to get the majority to a basic standard of physical competence.
The Army has three general orders (though the Marine Corps seems to have a lot more, they really just split up the Army's into easier to memorize, shorter sentences). Learn them.
The Army has a GREAT book they give you guys now. Reading it is the only thing you are usually allowed to do when waiting around. Read it. It is very well put together from what I saw of it a few months ago. Lots of good info from several Army manuals, including the common task test (CTT) standards.
Keep your mouth shut and realize that the main thing we do anymore in Army basic is attempt to identify and weed out the guys who got in under questionable recruiter tactics or who will be serious discipline problems. Don't overcomplicate that thankless baby-sitting task the drill sergeants are faced with.
What is your MOS? If you are going to Benning, you may have better training. Good luck.