[Prospect6]

I prefer to hardly post. Only read read and reread on this site. But I wanted to share a very small pearl of wisdom for the guys about to venture into OSUT as a prior service 18x. I am currently training through the Q and observe daily the do's and dont's of keeping your head up and your nose clean. I hope I am not out of line by sharing a very important tip.

When I first signed up as an 18x I too was originally dismayed at the idea of doing the "beginner stuff" over again. I went through the basic training the second time and at the time, with the exception of lots of range time, saw little benefit... until I reported to Bragg in a bus full of fresh Airborne OSUT graduates that were now my peers. They were now classmates, and I now think of a lot of them as brothers.

Never look down on your classmates no matter what phase of training you are in. Day 1 OSUT, the guy you decide to laugh at may end up your TS at SUT. And remember the GOLDEN RULE, always.

Just a few seconds here or there helping a new soldier with a ruck, or prepping gear, or checking LES's, etc. Little things that you wouldn't think about. A few seconds for you, little do you realize made a world of difference for them.
You will eventually fall into a group where you feel like you can connect with people on a 'been there done that' level. But don't ever turn your back on young guys. And don't show up with the holier than now attitude either, cuz I've seen smart, physically dominant guys dominate themselves with their attitudes.

Good luck. Everyday I wake up, I'm happy to be here. Always sore, but always happy.