I am going into the military after HS and I was looking for a advice on how to handle the mental stress of training. One way I was thinking of is telling myself that those that came before me years ago (during WWII/Korea/Vietnam) had it much harder than I do.

Don't overthink this. The way to handle the stress is to suck it up and focus all your energies on the task in front of you at that very moment. Then when you have downtime you can philosophise about Grandpa's hardships.

Do you play any team sports now?

What stress? All you'll be doing is learning how to do your job. It happens on every job. You want stress? Wait until you get deployed to a combat area. That my young friend is when you'll encounter true stress.
As far as basic training or boot camp goes, as has been stated, you just suck it up and get through it. You don't need to be a champion athlete, accomplished academic or a uniquely talented marksman to get through basic. It will take all the effort you can put forth however and that's where the "tough it out" part comes into play. Don't let anything bother you for too long and remember that when that Drill is barking at you for something you screwed up, there's always the next guy in line just waiting to screw up and then that Drill will forget all about whatever you did. Keep us posted.

Originally Posted by Easy-8

I am going into the military after HS and I was looking for a advice on how to handle the mental stress of training. One way I was thinking of is telling myself that those that came before me years ago (during WWII/Korea/Vietnam) had it much harder than I do.

As the gents above have said, basic should be just another thing you have to do if you are prepared enough.
Are you?
There is no excuse for being unprepared, you have had all your life to prepare for this moment...

And why should it have been any tougher during WWII?
Get your arse through basic. That is your current hurdle.
And if you decide you are going to worry about **** you can´t control atleast worry about the conflicts you could get sent to instead.
More troops have died in Iraq then during the second big one.
And kid, you´ll get your chance at WOT yet.
Believe you me, this thing ain´t over by a longshot.

The only thing that is better for you is the wealth of information, helping you make an informed decision.
The work, the soldiering hasn´t changed that much since your grandpa was in.

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Do you play any team sports now?

No, I have never been into sports.

Originally Posted by KJ

And why should it have been any tougher during WWII?

I have talked to many vets from that era and they tell me stories that would make full metal jacket look like summer camp.

Number one rule in the military:

All the "No Crap" stories tend to be embellished. Don't listen to what happened way back when.

Boot Camp Survival:

Focus on the now. When I say that, I don't mean focus on this year, this month, this week or even this day. I mean on the moment. Take everything one step at a time and do it to the best of your ability. When you start thinking too far ahead during training you lose focus because you are thinking about how much time and what events and you worry about what will happen. This causes needless stress and confidence issues that are better left until the event arrives.

Always, move with a sense of purpose and speed, loudly and in a most motivated manner. Always act as if you are the biggest baddest mofo in the platoon and will rip apart any task assigned to you in a most violent manner until it is completed. But always remember that no house is built with just one board, teamwork is key.

Do not give 100%. Almost everyone else is giving 100%. Give 200%. Make them aware you are there and are willing to do what it takes to get the mission accomplished.

In short: Don't sweat the small stuff and do your best.

Originally Posted by Easy-8

and they tell me stories

There you are then.

What IS easier is for you being prepared to meet the challanges you are faced with.
You have the entire time up untill your enlistment to assemble information on how to be the best soldier you can be.
Don´t waste that time.

As for sweating whats to come?
That stuff is not in your control.
What you can control is how you perform THIS task, and after that is completed the NEXT task.
You are not supposed to know every little thing.

You are training for combat, and in combat no plan survives the first contact with the enemy.
You never KNOW what´s going to happen next.

Take the advice in this here thread to heart and you´ll do just fine kid.

One step at a time, that´s all there is to it for now.

//KJ.

Easy 8, get into the best shape of your life so that you can focus your mental energies and the physical demands won't **** with your head. You should be running at least three times a week so hard that you PUKE... rinse your mouth and run some more. If you aren't puking, you ain't pushing hard enough, but give your body a day in between to regroup. I think its time you have a recruiter, one with a BLUE disk give you a diagnostic APFT. Post up your raw numbers for sit ups, push ups and two mile run. We'll then help you sort out how to get your ass into the 300 club BEFORE Basic. And if you're thinking airborne also post pull up scores, palms out, full hang.

Originally Posted by BD

one with a BLUE disk

(An infantry dude)