How to Understand What Your Drill Instructor Wants
At basic training you are always being told what to do, how to do it and what way it should be done. Wouldn't it be nice for this to be reversed? Wouldn't it be nice if you could wake up in the morning and tell your Drill Sergeant what you wanted for breakfast, have him march to the chow hall, have him put it on a plate and deliver it to you with a written apology for having you do so many push-ups yesterday? Well I have good news for you Private, now you can. All you need to do is teach yourself how to control your dreams while you sleep, because in reality this would never, ever happen. However, there are a couple tactics you can use to subconsciously direct your Drill Sergeant to get what you want (or don't want) to happen in a given situation.
First, make a good first impression. Just like a first date, a first impression goes a long way. Imagine arriving at a girl's house for a first date with ironed clothes, some nice flowers, a washed car and reservations at a nice restaurant. Compare that to arriving late with your hair not brushed with plans on hitting the value meal at Wendy's (no offense Wendy's, you know I love you). Most girls would much prefer a man like I described in the first scenario. Drill sergeants are the same way. If you impress them from the start they are much less likely to pick on you the entire time your at boot camp. Make sure you know how to prepare your uniform not only for use, but for storing them too.
Another tip for giving a great first impression is to speak with confidence. If you respond to your Drill Sergeant with a full, loud, and confident voice, even if your wrong, it sounds better than a mousy response. Try it right now (if your alone in your house). Shout loudly Drill Sergeant, yes, Drill Sergeant. Now, try saying that phrase with a timid soft voice. What did the loud voice do (besides scare your dog)? The loud voice sounded like you knew the answer to the question or statement was Yes. Even if the correct answer wasn't yes, it still sounded better! The soft voice sounded like you were unsure or you didn't have confidence in yourself. Believe me, this goes a long way with Drill Sergeants. Drill Sergeants prey on those who sound weak or aren't prepared for basic training, by speaking confidently your Drill Sergeant will look to someone else when it's time to issue some mental punishment.
Secondly, a great way to get what you want at basic training is to understand what a Drill Sergeant wants from you. A Drill Instructor isn't looking for a know-it-all or a recruit who can replace them if they aren't in the room. A Drill Sergeant wants you to be able to conform to a situation and follow orders. They aren't looking for a show-off. If you really want to tell your Drill Sergeant what to do, keep your mouth shut. Nothing attracts the attention of a Drill Sergeant more than someone who is asking for attention by talking, snickering, or using slang words such as "yea" instead of "yes" or ending every sentence with the word "man". Remember who you are with and where you are. You are training with the finest and most advanced military the world has ever seen, act like it. You will be amazed at how much attention you detract from yourself by keeping quiet. Think about it this way. If you have two gazelles in a hungry lions cage, one of them is prancing around and ruffling leaves, the other is standing quietly against a tree, which one is the lion going to jump on? Correct, the gazelle making the noise, and your Drill Sergeant is no different.
About the Author
This article on basic training was written on behalf of http://www.ultimatebasictraining.com
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