The Top 5 Personality Traits to Show at Basic Training

In my book, The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook (www.UltimateBasicTraining.com), I discuss many ways to become a “super recruit” at basic training. Here are the top 5 personality traits you should exhibit at boot camp to make sure you can mentally handle the pressure.

1.       Patience
This personality trait is an obvious one. At boot camp you will feel pressured by not only Drill Sergeants, but other recruits. Make sure you keep your cool. If you are prone to losing your temper or being impatient, you have to constantly remind yourself that the other recruits around you have been taken out of their normal daily environment.  More than likely, you will never see these recruits again, so be extra patient during the stressful times ahead.

2.       Stamina
Basic training is only a couple months long, but sometimes it can seem like an eternity. Remember to take one day at a time. If you are mentally at the point where you can’t handle the tough road ahead, remember the reason why you joined and write a letter home; doing this will help ease tension.

3.       Honesty
Lying will get you no where in basic training. Being honest will only encourage others around you to be honest. At basic training you want to make as many friends as possible, it’s best to maintain a friendship with honesty so others are there to help you out when you need to be helped.

4.       Submissiveness
Check your ego at the door. If you don’t the drill sergeants will do it for you. You will just have to bit the bullet and understand that there are others around you that may be smarter, stronger and faster. Don’t talk back to your drill sergeants and don’t try and dominate a conversation, doing so will only get you in trouble.

5.       Generosity
Remember, what goes around comes around. If you are willing to help others, they will be willing to help you. It is nearly impossible to make it through basic training without any friends, make sure you keep them by offering to help them whenever possible, believe me, the favor will be returned.

SGT Michael Volkin is the author of The Ultimate Basic Training Series