<p>Folks, this is (or could be) a great lesson... You'll wear what they tell you to wear. If you decide you'd rather be "an individual" or have "special needs" during BCT, then the system will deal with that--and I don't think you'll like the result. There's a very good quote from Patton that EVERY cadet and grad knows by heart. "If you can't get them to salute when they should salute and wear the clothes you tell them to wear, how are you going to get them to die for their country?" Memorize it now. It'll save you some time...</p>
<p>Sounds like good advice.</p>
<p>Also if you're "bored," memorize this:
"Major General John M. Schofield's graduation address to the graduating class of 1879 at West Point is as follows: 'The discipline which makes the soldiers of a free country reliable in battle is not to be gained by harsh or tyrannical treatment. On the contrary, such treatment is far more likely to destroy than to make an army. It is possible to impart instruction and give commands in such a manner and such a tone of voice as to inspire in the soldier no feeling but an intense desire to obey, while the opposite manner and tone of voice cannot fail to excite strong resentment and a desire to disobey. The one mode or other of dealing with subordinates springs from a corresponding spirit in the breast of the commander. He who feels the respect which is due to others cannot fail to inspire in them respect for himself, while he who feels, and hence manifests disrespect toward others, especially his subordinates, cannot fail to inspire hatred against himself.'"</p>
<p>Hmmm...Tell me, how much of that kind of stuff do you have to memorize? Is that anywhere close to the worst?</p>
<p>That's the longest quote from a particular person you will have to memorize. As for memorizing in general, you will have TONS of it. Staff lists, quotes, Code of Conduct, and the vast majority of Contrails you will have to know verbatim if/when asked for it. Don't worry too much about it, just be receptive.</p>
<p>What happens if you don't have it memorized? Speaking of that, what would be a common punishment for "screwing up"?</p>
<p>You're not espected to have anything memorized when you come into BCT; you're actually expected not to. If you do memorize anything, use that knoweldge to help your classmates, NOT to show off.</p>
<p>As for "punishment"... for pretty much anything, expect the default to be pushups. ;)</p>