What I've learned.. I'll make my introduction interesting by trying to accumulate some wisdom I have gained through my mentors and expirience thus far in the teams.Please feel free to question or comment on any or all points...



- BUD/S-



Take care of your body...just as many people get rolled out for medical reasons.



It may pay to be a winner but not all the time.. this makes you the bullseye for the instructors. Being first or last all the time is not being the grey man. Pick and choose your victories.



If you passed the screening test then you are capable of physically passing BUD/S.. Barring every excuse in the book it is simple.. if you want it, you will do it. All in your heads gents....

-SQT-

Now it is time to shift from survival mode to putting out mode, I still remember every guy in my STT class and how they performed..instructors included.



This is where you are going to decide what kind of Operator you are going to be. Are you going to be the guy who does the bare minimun... i.e cleans his own gear and doesn't take responsibility for the team gear, or are you gonna be the one who takes the initiative to do all the little bullshit that is inherent to working in a platoon environment. Your Reputation starts here!



It's total bullshit that team guys throw away the manuals and fly by the seat of thier pants.. the rules are there because someone most likely died or got fucked up doing during an evolution...Know the rules and keep your brothers safe.



Drop you fucking attitude at the door, I know that guys get thier tridents now out of SQT. To quote a geat movie "Wearing that badge don't make you right" -Ike Clanton, You had better prove that you earned that trident every day or I will make it my personal mission to tear it from your still bleeding chest. (whoops I forgot we can't do that anymore).



Yes (army)jump school sucks.. don't be that guy to show up to a team with no jump wings.



Figure out what you are good at during this time.. then become as proficient at it as possible. It's common now for a new guy to be the Dept head in a platoon..so your shit better be wired tight when you get there.



Pick the brains of your instructors, don't be a kiss ass but work these guys and get as much sea story time out of them as possible.



-Teams-

NEVER lie to your chief!!!! He is there to look out and mentor you if you can't be honest about little shit then you won't be trusted with anything else. Lol.. this mainly pertains to liberty.. Seriously, shit gets handled at the lowest level possible. If the Skipper gets a phone call from somone other than your chief and you are involved you are pretty much fucked.



1,000 "Attaboys" are cancelled by 1 "Oh Shit"



Volunteer for EVERYTHING... You have already fucked yourself and got in the teams so you may as well go all the way. Your platoon mates will appreciate the help and that attitude will enhance platoon cohesivness.



Some guys are going to be bent shitcans.. whether legitimatly or not thier attitude is poisonous, don't get sucked in.



1st Day/Last day Rule... 99.9% of all the alcohol related incidents happen on these two days..shit you not, be wary of them.



Our biggest enemies are Liqour, Women, and Ego... keep all three in check.



-ADMIN-



Keep a 3 ring binder with all of your certificates inside. Keep copies of all your quals and awards. These things tend to get lost by admin and YOU are responsible for keeping those things in order.



Start your TSP and Roth IRA's like fucking yesterday!!! If you don't know what these are find someone who does and make it happen. You will thank me in 20 years.



Track your LES's..read those things and make sure the info is correct, the last thing you want to be worrying about is whether or not your pay is dicked up.



Credit cards are not free money..especially the Gov't card. That is without a doubt the second fastest way to end your SpecWar career.



*IMPORTANT* Be wary of having joint bank acccounts, joint credit cards!!! I know you love and trust your Wife/Girlfriend/ Frog Hog, However when you get caught downrange with a long haired dictionary cause your wife knows your Myspace/yahoo/hotmail password, that sweet little thing you hide your dick inside is going to grow horns and take your new money, Harley, truck, house, kids and that dog she fucking hates and find some other guy she can give it to!



Do NOT give General Power of attorney to ANYONE!!! Most Jags won't do it anyway..think of the implications..



-General-



Keep your wives/girlfriends OUT of the Hot Tuna.. she has no buisness there. Especially when you are out of town.



We no longer have an excuse for not passing the rating exams.



Having an AD in the cleaning room pisses off the rest of the guys...Clear and Safe.. then white light your chamber.



Spray glue has many uses..as does riggers tape. Watch who you piss off...



Demo is the fastest way to kill you and 15 of your closest friends...



Pulling the trigger of your SIG while in the hoster even though it's usually empty is a great way to put a hole in your leg..or get kicked out of Green Team..



Chamber rides suck... bring a blanket.



Eyepro only works if it is on...



Letting go of the fastrope is never a good idea..



Running with a ruck is stupid...



Don't be a rock.. learn to use a computer and type.



Make sure the helo is on the ground or 10 for 10 before you jump out...



Beach..Boat..Bad.. Never stand between the Zodiac and the beach.. that fucker weighs a ton and comes fast.



Body armor only works if you wear it... ahem.. both plates.



And because I can go on for days I will close with this.. Every time we toast we tap our glasses on the table.. this is to our fallen bretheren and EVERY time I do it thier faces run through my mind.... They will never be forgotton this way... and because I know you don't know them, when you check into the east coast get your ass over to the Grp2 QD and memorize every face and name. This way they can live forever in our memories.



Cheers, Pati