This experience may be difficult for me to relay to some people on a face to face basis, so I am cross posting a... smei-blog that I have written for the National Guard Forums. My original idea behind posting these there was to help out those who came after me, give them a little insight as to what they should expect when they go to their first drill weekend at an RSD (recruit sustainment detachment). The idea of the RSD is to prepare new warriors for basic training, it gives us guard soldiers a leg up on Regular Army recruits (who go to the same BCT as we do). Instead of worrying about the small things like PT, cadence, etc. We can instantly step up in to leadership roles, and be high speed right off the bat.
Anyway, I have been to two drill weekends, the most recent one being this weekend. After each, I have posted a summary of these drills. I have decided to post them here to give my family and friends some insight in to my military experience.
As a side note, the SFC that runs Det. 11 made it a point to find out who I was while we were doing the AAR today. Just a moment of recognition as he was talking about warrior knowledge resources online. It was surprising to know that not only new recruits are reading my words, but the NCO's as well.
First weekend, which came about a few days after my final enlistment contract was finished and I was sworn in at MEPS (military entrance processing station), Sept 12-13:
HOOAH!
It was a fun weekend, already can't wait for next month. The atmosphere was very welcoming for the handful of red phase people that were there. Right off the bat, I forgot about being nervous, and not knowing what the **** I was doing. Everyone of rank made sure that we were squared away, and ready to start learning. We went through an intro class, and got issued some equipment for the weekend (PT uniforms and water bottles etc.).
Shortly after that, we fell in to formation with the rest of the RSP warriors and had a Beret ceremony for the guys that just got back from basic. It felt very cool to be a part of that, even though it might not be a big deal to some people.
The rest of the day was spent going over moving in formation, cadence, falling in by squad, proper technique for facing etc. We got time to talk about the specifics of BCT, and hear stories, get suggestions, ask questions. Getting the first hand info in a relaxed atmosphere made me less nervous about BCT. In fact, I think its worth mentioning that the whole weekend there wasn't tons of pressure to get things perfect right away, it was all about learning the basics so we can practice them before we "get down range." All of which gives us, as guard members, an edge at basic. I am really surprised that the other branches don't have RSP programs, I would have thought that at least the Active Army would.
Chow was good, to my surprise. We had pizza for lunch the first day, Golden Corral for dinner and the best (and biggest) breakfast I have had in a while (eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, toast). Just when I thought chow couldn't get any better, our lunch on the second day was pulled pork. An excellent meal to top off an excellent weekend.
The pain... I was a little worried about how much we would get smoked. Really, they were light. A few people did get did get dropped a few times, for a handful of push ups. We got dropped as a whole group a few times for not knowing things that had been taught repeatedly over the past few months (which sucks for me, I just got there lol). There were issues twice about not using chain of command, and that pissed of the sergeants more than anything. And, we got ourselves a hydration formation, full to empty bottles (most of us had quart bottles) twice. It was a pain, but it wasn't that bad, despite getting up to evacuate the water three times during the night. We did have one guy that couldn't keep the water down, which was funny as he11 considering the latrine was 20 feet away and he just stood there and puked all over the drill floor lol.
All in all, it was good times. I really feel like I am a part of something, and I haven't even gone anywhere yet. Knowing IET PT, moving and formation, chain of command, and just getting integrated in to the system makes me feel like I will be seriously squared away to go down range. I can't wait to volunteer to take a squad leader position.
I reserve the right to add more later if I want to. Heck, I might as well post about each RSP as they happen. Shipping after the first of the year means I'll put up three more of these. Hope they help!
HOOAH!
marcus
Pt.2 second Drill weekend, October 3-4, yesterday and today:
I was debating weather or not to post again after my second drill. I figured, why the heck not, more info can only help newer people, and that's the whole reason for this right? And with the 120 day cutoff coming down, it makes me think the whole program is becoming more standardized, which would make my monthly updates more applicable.
RSP Drill, second weekend:
Since I had been here before, and spent some time getting paperwork squared away the day before, walking in to the armory was much less nerve wracking than last time. And, this time around, I'm not going to be drying off after a shower with a civ. t-shirt. I am more prepared for what is about to come down the pipeline at us. Which is what the whole program is about, right?
Instead of a play by play like I did last time, I just want to throw out an general overview of how this month was different that last. We had about the same amount of people, maybe 5-10 more warriors, and a handful more cadre. It seemed like any more people than that, and it would be too much.
Right off the bat, we did a PT test. Red and white phase did the 1-1-1 and green phase did the 2-2-2. The whole thing seemed to run smooth, and I was able to hook up with a battle buddy, about the same age and conditioning level as myself, and we paced together for the run. To our surprise, we both had increased our 1 mile run time quite a bit. So that was a really good start to the weekend.
We had quite a bit of PT, weather it was getting smoked, learning the basic exercises, movement relay, or station based group exercises. I will admit, I got broke off. But it wasn't a bad thing, I would have done more if they asked, and I look forward to doing it next time. Yeah, it hurt at times, but that is what this whole process is about. Get our video game playin, couch potato a$$es ready for basic. HOOAH!
I really like the emphasis on the AAR at the end of the day. While quite a few guys want to play paint ball all the time (which would be fun, don't get me wrong here), it was nice to be able for some of us to ask for things like land nav or weapons familiarization classes. While the PT on a regular basis, and DnC for a few hours here and there will help us, it would be nice to have a leg up on those skills that we have less time to learn, but may be just as important. I only wish I knew what other skills I will need to learn at basic are, or if I could learn some of the extra skills that infantry or medics learn. But I digress.
Yet again, the NCO staff and cadre do an excellent job of preparing us for basic, yet still do it in a fun and less stressful manor. They all want to bend over backwards for us to get us squared away, but have no problems breaking us off with smokings if that is what we need. I think I lucked out as far at RSD's go, even though I haven't ever been to another one. At this point, there's no way I would go to another Det anyway.
Hopefully my monthly summary will be helpful to some new folks out there. If you are a new enlist in Indy, hope you get assigned to Det 11.
HOOAH!
marcus
RSP Drill, second weekend:
Since I had been here before, and spent some time getting paperwork squared away the day before, walking in to the armory was much less nerve wracking than last time. And, this time around, I'm not going to be drying off after a shower with a civ. t-shirt. I am more prepared for what is about to come down the pipeline at us. Which is what the whole program is about, right?
Instead of a play by play like I did last time, I just want to throw out an general overview of how this month was different that last. We had about the same amount of people, maybe 5-10 more warriors, and a handful more cadre. It seemed like any more people than that, and it would be too much.
Right off the bat, we did a PT test. Red and white phase did the 1-1-1 and green phase did the 2-2-2. The whole thing seemed to run smooth, and I was able to hook up with a battle buddy, about the same age and conditioning level as myself, and we paced together for the run. To our surprise, we both had increased our 1 mile run time quite a bit. So that was a really good start to the weekend.
We had quite a bit of PT, weather it was getting smoked, learning the basic exercises, movement relay, or station based group exercises. I will admit, I got broke off. But it wasn't a bad thing, I would have done more if they asked, and I look forward to doing it next time. Yeah, it hurt at times, but that is what this whole process is about. Get our video game playin, couch potato a$$es ready for basic. HOOAH!
I really like the emphasis on the AAR at the end of the day. While quite a few guys want to play paint ball all the time (which would be fun, don't get me wrong here), it was nice to be able for some of us to ask for things like land nav or weapons familiarization classes. While the PT on a regular basis, and DnC for a few hours here and there will help us, it would be nice to have a leg up on those skills that we have less time to learn, but may be just as important. I only wish I knew what other skills I will need to learn at basic are, or if I could learn some of the extra skills that infantry or medics learn. But I digress.
Yet again, the NCO staff and cadre do an excellent job of preparing us for basic, yet still do it in a fun and less stressful manor. They all want to bend over backwards for us to get us squared away, but have no problems breaking us off with smokings if that is what we need. I think I lucked out as far at RSD's go, even though I haven't ever been to another one. At this point, there's no way I would go to another Det anyway.
Hopefully my monthly summary will be helpful to some new folks out there. If you are a new enlist in Indy, hope you get assigned to Det 11.
HOOAH!
marcus
Keep in mind this was cross posted from a forum. By all means, questions, comments etc. I like talking about my experience and life decisions with people, even if you don't like the military at all.
cheers
