If you are thing about enlisting in the Army, you probably need to know a couple of things about making it through basic training. Army basic training is difficult. It is designed to break you down both physically and mentally. After you have been sufficiently broken, the training will switch it's focusing to building you up. If you are prepared for the first half of training you can make the entire eight-week session more productive and improve your chances of making it through with flying colors.

Before you get to training, be prepared to do a lot of running and marching. Before you go in it is a good idea to give your leg muscles a head start. Run consistently and increase your distance to build strength and endurance in your legs. You are definitely going to need it at basic training. If you are not good at running long distances yet, gradually work your way up. Start by running a mile or less at first and keeping adding distance every week or two. If you can run a mile in eight minutes or under, you've reached a decent starting point.

Your upper body strength will tested too. Now is the time to rehash all the combat self defense skills you developed. If you didn't have the opportunity to learn self defense you can still pick up on a few of the basic techniques. Practice doing pushups and chin-ups every single day, because in basic training it is unlikely that you will go a day without being tested in these areas.

Get yourself on a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed early and wake up early. Waiting until you arrive at training to establish these habits can be detrimental. So from here on out, no more hitting the snooze button.

Prepare yourself for the challenges ahead. If you know what to expect at training before you get there, you will have an advantage. Talk to others who have completed basic training. Ask them what things they found most difficult and do what you can to prepare ahead of time. Don't just concentrate on the negative experiences, however. Find out about the benefits of completing basic training and entering the Army.

Once you arrive, keep your mental focus. You know that the first four or five weeks will be very difficult, and you can expect to be criticized for everything. Just remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and when you finish you'll feel like you have accomplished the impossible.

When you are at basic training, your patience and endurance will be pushed to their limits. Remember that it's never a good idea to lose your temper, and never ever talk back to your drill instructor. If you can keep these things in mind and work hard to prepare your body for the physical requirements that basic training will demand, you will finish with a renewed sense of self-confidence and be prepared for many more of life's most difficult challenges.