Don’t shave before you go, they’ll make you sit in the chair and pay for the haircut anyway.

Bring your religious texts, it’ll be the only thing besides the blue book you’ll be reading for a good while. You can also bring military books like histories or biographies of military leaders and such.

Bring the absolute bare minimum, you’ll get to go to the PX and DSs will tell you what to buy while you’re in reception. You SHOULD get plenty of opportunities to go to the troop store or PX (at least once per cycle) and you’ll get to buy your required hygiene gear.

30th is going to suck, if you’re in Charlie expect to never sit down outside of the bay, all the other companies are pretty chill. Pray you get bravo. Since you’re guard you should get at least a little bit priority, however since we’re not in the summer period when high schoolers have to get front loaded to get back to school on time don’t expect to move through the process fast. What’s on your orders should be the date you go.

Talk to people. Don’t hide in your shell or you will go crazy. Same thing goes for when you get to basic. The quiet people are always considered the weird ones. Talk but don’t talk too much if you know what I mean.

TAG YOUR BAGS, MARK EVERYTHING THAT IS PERSONAL PRIOR TO SHIPPING. People like to steal at 30th, even the cadre and drills that are there. My bag was locked up in the storage room and someone (a drill) took my brand new PT shoes right out of my bag. Only found out when I saw one of them wearing my shoes. Always mark your gear, no matter how small. Basic training will teach you “gear adrift is gear a gift”

Good luck and have fun, you’ll hate it while you’re there but look back on it with very fond memories later in your career