1199a Form Direct Deposit: Fill & Download for Free

The best way to prepare is to know what's going to happen. So here's the scoop:You leave MEPS with a group of soldiers headed to the airport. You'll arrive about 5 hours before your flight departs. One person will be assigned team leader (usually alphabetical i.e. A's first). Board plane and arrive at an airport near the base. This part was kinda confusing for me. Look for the Military Welcome Center (MWC). The Welcome Center is awesome! They ordered me a pizza which I ate while chilling on a plush leather couch and watching a movie. These centers always provides refreshment, internet access, long-distance phone service, stamps and stationary, games and hi-definition satellite TV on the big screen. This is your last taste of freedom. Enjoy it!Next is a bus-ride to the military base. Sleep. (I repeat, just sleep). People will want to talk and stuff but I would suggest you get all the sleep you can before you meet your first Drill Sgt.When I arrived it was after dark. The bus pulls into reception and all you see are large square buildings with that ugly florescent lighting. A Drill Sgt. will be waiting for the bus. He gets on board and the fun begins. Usually reception sergeants are one of two breeds: 1.) they are chill and just want to drink their coffee. or 2.) they wish they were BCT Drill Sergeants and have something to prove. Play it safe and keep your head down. From the bus you will be marched single-file into the nearest building. You will want to have these documents handy:-Any and all orders from MEPS-Social Security Card-Drivers License-SF 1199A (Direct Deposit Form) signed by bank official-Copy of lease for off-post quarters if married.After a few hours of paperwork you will be taken to a building around back. One by one, everyone is taken into a stall with a trash-can and told to get rid of all paraphernalia (i.e. knifes, weapons, drugs, porn). You keep your cell phone.Next you get issued a bunch of reception crap. Make sure you do not lose anything!!! Here you will get ACUs, brown shirts, brown underwear, and all the cool-looking military uniforms (but not your ASUs). Not that it matters, because for the next week or so, you will be wearing a beanie, a wind-breaker, and your PT uniform. Yes, you'll look as dumb as yoPainel. Get used to that, I guess.You will finally be shown to the barracks. Try to pick a bunk near the wall with an outlet to charge your phone (I stayed up all night texting friends). I don't know if you could get away with that or not. Just don't get caught, right?Reception is where you get used to doing pushups. Take them serious and you will be better prepared. "Pain is weakness leaving the body."The next few days will be a blur. There will be lots of power-point presentations and orientations. The worst part is all the shots you get. Hope you like needles. Get used to visiting the PX, but I wouldn't buy anything unnecessary. Pack light! Remember anything you get issued or you buy you'll eventually have to carry through the Shark Attack (more on that to follow). All the candy in the PX has dust on it for a reason--It's only there to tempt the fat kids. Here is what you should bring with you to BCT:BCT Packing list-Military Book of Mormon (Bishops can issue these)-75$ cash-Stamps (Trade value equal to cash)-Addressed Postcards (because they are easier to write than letters)-2-day supply of season-appropriate, comfortable clothing (But only pack clothes you wouldn't mind throwing away. I had to throw away a $300 jacket to make space.)-3 sets of white underwear-1 pair of comfortable shoes (running shoes will be ordered shortly after arrival).-1 small suitcase/gym bag-6 pair of white, calf-length, athletic socks (additional socks will be purchased at the Post Exchange)-Short Nylons to wear under socks (to prevent blisters) They are small and light. Worth it.-Flip-flops (you don't want those foot-diseases)-Antiperspirant-Toothpaste and Toothbrush with case Dental Floss-Shaving cream (yeah, optional for women)-Baby wipes!! These were the most valuable item I had in BCT. Trust me on this one. Get the "bricks" from costco. I went through two bricks of baby wipes in 10 weeks. Mostly I used to "shower" or after using latrines (instead of the thin tissue paper in the bathrooms). Sometimes the bathrooms don't even have toilet paper. Baby wipes also reduce the time you spend in a latrine. I swear by them.-A big package of Q-Tips (for cleaning your weapon and trading with other soldiers) Also a MUST HAVE!Here is your PX shopping list:-Foot Powder-Locks with keys (put the key on your dogtags when you get them)-Disposable/safety razor with blades (Shave your legs before you get there, then buy these at the PX. Can't take them on the plane)-Calling Card -Optional (I bought one but only used it once)-Shampoo (the small kind found in hotels--actually, just steal one from the hotel before you report to MEPS)-Soap (again, the small one)-A washcloth-A towel-Running ShoesIn reception you will be marching A LOT to break in those new running shoes. Take care of your feet. You'll be marching about a quarter mile every time you go to the DeFac (Designated Eating Facility). There are two lines for food. Stay away from the fast-food line if possible. And don't get too comfortable. You only have like 5 minutes to eat so stick to the things that are easy to swallow and have high protein/carbohydrates (i.e. eggs, yogurt, cereal, cottage cheese, nuts, hash browns, etc). This is the best time to get into the best shape of your life. Might as well eat healthy, right?Outside on the grass is where you do most of your push-ups while waiting for losers to finish their lunch. Also, expect shakedowns. If you happen to have anything in your pockets they WILL find it (i.e. cell phone). Every time. Never put it to the test.Once you get your ID card (with the worst picture in your life), dogtags, clothing issues, direct deposit paperwork, ears checked, eyes checked, dental work done, and all that other runaround business in the trailers, you'll finally be ready for BCT.The day before, they do a shakedown in the barracks to make sure you have all the necessary packing items. Hopefully you do. It all gets crammed into a giant green body bag and a laundry bag. Altogether it weighs like 75-80 pounds.You'll line up alphabetically (you'll be used to this by now) and arranged into platoons. The kid standing next to you will be next to you for a long long time. Your drill sergeant will make his first appearance and he/and or she will be the meanest-looking person you've ever met. It's all a facade. Don't let them fool you. They act mean in front of the other sergeants and for the first week or so, but eventually you'll learn to like them/hate them. You'll understand.You'll be marched by platoons into a cattle-car ( It's exactly what it sounds like. You'll get used to these too.) Remember: From this point forward, YOU WILL BE CARRYING EVERYTHING IN YOUR ARMS OR ON YOUR BACK. Figure out the best way to accomplish this. Keep in mind you will have: Green duffel bag, laundry bag, airplane carry-on bag, and suitcase. Good luck! Try to consolidate. (Hence why I had to throw my jacket away).The Cattle Cars will take you to the "Starships" in BCT. (Starships are what they call the barracks, not sure why.) Here comes the "Shark attack." The moment the cattle car stops, all hell lets loose. At any given moment you will have four drill sergeants screaming down your neck.) Try not to drop anything. That attracts their attention. They will tell you to line up all the bags in alphabetical order on the "drill pad." This is the area immediately under the barracks. They want this to be accomplished in X-amount of seconds. It's an impossible task. They just want you to fail. And everyone will. Next they want the bags lined up from small to large in x-amount of seconds. Also impossible. More push-ups ensue.Something that I wish I had known before hand is this: IT IS ALL AN ACT. They actually rehearse this and have lines to scream. Don't roll your eyes.You'll do so many pushups in that first brief hour, you'll want to die. Finally, you'll be allowed to go up to the barracks. You'll be 2-3 flights of stairs up in the "starship." This is where you meet your drill sergeant, officially.From here on out, it's up to you to keep your head down! Good luck soldier! I truly envy you. I would go back and do it again in an instant!Some more helpful hints/facts:What to memorize:Officer and Enlisted ranks: Call to attention for officers, yell "at ease" for sergeants (enlisted)Soldiers CreedArmy SongArmy Core ValuesGeneral OrdersThe Tower: This is where you have the "confidence course." This is basically a lot of repelling and heights. It's fun--if you like heights.Gas Chambers: Not exaggerated. They are bad. From where you'll be staying it will be about a 5-mile ruck-march up a dirt road. If you are a fast runner, you'll pass the buildings in the morning durring PT.Running: this is where most people fail the PT test. The rest will come with getting "smoked" all the time. But running you only do like twice a week. Which means you have to be able to qualify on the run BEFORE you leave for basic. This is another one of those things you just trust me on. Start ASAP if you're not in shape.The PX: in BCT you go about once a week (or every other week). Here you can buy stamps, paper, envelopes, shaving cream, gel, cough drops, and pretty much anything else. Also you can buy your grandma fun little trinkets here and they mail them out for you.Writing Letters: Best time to write letters is while on fireguard duty or when you go out to the shooting ranges. Just find yourself a sturdy small writing pad and pack it along for the marches. There is TONS of down-time at the shooting ranges. You'll die of boredom otherwise.Fireguard: every other night you could be pulling night guard duty. You basically walk around and make sure everyone is in bed and all the weapons are on safe. Super lame. But it is also a great way to make some fast cash. Seriously. I made about 250+ easy bucks in the last five weeks. I wish I had figured this out sooner. Some people will pay you up to $20 to take their fireguard shift. No joke. I usually traded with whoever was scheduled first, or right after my shift (so I didn't have my night all broken up). On nights after a ruck march or PT test, you could probably ask for more. Someone once paid me $40 to take a shift. This is fun guiltless spending money. I used it to buy my grad ring, and a few nights at a hotel in AIT (just to get away from the barracks).Bed-Making: You'll get good at this. Here is a brilliant trick for the first few weeks--Make your bed as best you can, leaving one of the sheets off and folded under your pillow (this makes your bed look sharpest). At night, don't mess up your bed by climbing under the covers. Simply sleep in the sleeping bag that was issued to you. Use the sheet under your pillow to cover up the sleeping bag. It's flawless. In the morning it only takes you 30 seconds to tighten up your bed. Just fold the sheet and place it back under your pillow. The sleeping bag goes in your locker. I'm telling you, this is brilliant. On mondays you get new bedding issued so you'll only have to make the bed once a week. If you get really good, you can charge other soldiers to make their beds. I charged $4 and it came with a cough-drop under the pillow. Once again, I made bank.Weapon Cleaning: Use the Q-tips and baby wipes. Takes half as long. Everyone will want your Q-tips. You can trade these like gold. Perfect for cleaning the infamous "star-chamber." Also, the ones they sell in the PX are small and expensive, so buy them before your leave for Basic. Start cleaning your weapon immediately after use and it's easier. Plus, once again, the shooting range is boring, so keep Q-tips in your pocket. (Note: it is not a gun, it is a WEAPON).Shooting Range: There are 45 pop-up targets (silhouettes) and you only have 45 rounds. I'm assuming you know your way around a weapon already. If you struggle in this area then don't bother shooting at the 300 meter targets (the farthest targets). Save those rounds for when you miss the easy targets. Gives you like 8 extra rounds.Graduation Rings: I bought mine for like 100 bucks. Some are special ordered for like 250 bucks. I still own mine and wear it more than my high school ring. Up to you.Custom Platoon T-Shirts: Found at the end of Basic. Waste of money. Everyone gets them and after a while you start to recognize all the stupid designs. I didn't get any and I don't regret it. You'll see plenty of them in AIT.Finally, the "Right of Passage" comes at the end of your longest ruck march (you must complete like three or four of these, the longest one is only 16 kilometers). A ruck march is basically just walking along the side of a dirt road with a heavy backpack. Most everyone in your group who will get recycled are the ones who drop out of this march. Don't drop out. But competing everything is the best feeling in the world.Good luck!