Get a rack as far away from the main entrance to your bay as possible.Try to get a bunk or rack, as it’s called in the military, closer to the rear of the bay. This will help you in two ways. Having a bunk next to the front door means getting to be the first trainee who’ll experience the drill sergeants wrath when he comes in and wakes you up at 0430 in the morning. Being in the rear gives you a little extra time to get up, get oriented and get going.
Secondly, having a rack in the rear will allow you a little more privacy since they’ll be less foot traffic in your immediate area. Often you’ll only have one drill sergeant at a time, as they rotate duty days. So while the drill sergeant is busy focusing on those trainees closest to the door, you’ll be able to fly low under the radar. You’re still going to get smoked no matter what, but it’s better to get smoked for someone else’s mistake than your own.
Staff Sergeant Brito is a recruiter with the California Army National Guard. He is a veteran of thirteen years of both the US Army and Army National Guard. He can be reached via email at iguardcalifornia@yahoo.com. He has posted numerous videos on Youtube.com about basic training. Click here to view them http://www.youtube.com/user/iguardcalifornia?feature=mhum