My take on learning BCT knowledge before Beast:
1) Learn the 7 Basic Responses. The Cadre on your bus will say them once...from that point on you are expected to know and use them.
2) Learn how to report in: "Sir/Ma'am, Basic Cadet (your last name) reports as ordered." This is always followed by one of the 7 Basic Responses and you will use it whenever you initiate speech with Cadre. For example: "Sir, Basic Cadet YOLO reports as ordered. Sir, may I ask a question? (wait for Cadre response) Sir may I use the latrine?"
3) Learn the officer/enlisted ranks.
4) Cadet rank: Know that bars on shoulderboards or metal ABU rank means firsties (seniors). These are cadet officers, and will be your flight commanders, squadron commanders, group officer positions. Chevrons mean 2-degrees (juniors). These will be your cadet NCO's. Basically, the more "stuff" someone has on their rank, the more important they are. When cadre are wearing blues, their rank is on their dark blue shoulderboards and blue berets. When the cadre are in ABU's, their rank is on both sides of the collar, and also on the beret.
5) If you want to look over "other" knowledge, great. However, I reccomend just looking it over and not memorizing it. Yes, you will memorize this and much, much more in BCT, but you won't do yourself any favors for knowing it ahead of time. We expect that you will start from square 1, with no prior military knowledge. BCT will be stressful regardless of your preparation. Plus, the temptation to "pimp your classmates" becomes greater when you know knowlege that no one else has memorized. During Basic, strive to be a stealth cadet. You can let your academic powers shine during the school year.
6) Use common sense. This might be laughable now, but as soon as you are under stress and don't know how to do most of what is suddenly expected of you, most of it goes out the window. The joke is that basics are the smartest students in the US, and as soon as they inprocess they lose all common sense. For instance, if you are talking to a female cadre, use "Ma'am". If you are talking to a male cadre, use Sir. Don't try to report in as "Sir slash Ma'am, Basic Cadet....". You will then be *politely* asked "DO I LOOK LIKE A SIR SLASH MA'AM TO YOU BASIC?!!!!!". Also, when you are told to put on your boots, yes, we also want you to put on socks. If you have to use the bathroom or throw up before before/during PT, report in to a cadre and ask to go. The hallway is not a good option. If the cadre ask for an answer to a yes/no question, you can answer directly with "Yes, Sir"; or "No, Sir." You don't need to report in, ask to make a statement, and THEN say yes or no. Bottom line: Listen, follow dirctions, and ask for clarifiction if you need it. However, THINK!!