Week One - Inprocessing

And so it begins!  I spent the last week on an OPFOR detail for another company, which naturally involved a lot of downtime for us.  We were responsible for ammo distribution and guard, in addition to playing OPFOR.  I picked a couple of the cadre's brains, as well as listened in on some of the AAR comments from the lanes the platoons ran, so I gleaned some knowledge from that.

I think the comment one cadre member summed it all up - as officers, you can't feel sorry for yourself.  You're going to be cold, tired, hungry, etc., but you still have a mission to do.  Even when you're 'just a Joe,' you can't zone out.  You've got to help your buddies out and continue to be a team player.  Don't start getting complacent and forgetting the little things.  Some examples cadre gave, which we also observed firsthand - rucksack flops, clanging weapons around, noise/light discipline.  It's these little things that irk them.  As another cadre member told me, IBOLC doesn't have a lot of washouts beyond those that get cut for height/weight or PT.  It's when you come here with the attitude that you know it all already, and you don't need to pay attention or take it seriously that blindsides people.  A prime example from this last week - one student didn't check to make sure all of his live ammo was turned back in, and when another student borrowed a magazine form him during the lane, he ended up firing a couple of live rounds.  Nobody was hurt, thankfully, but it really drives home what happens when you get complacent.

I digress - back to inprocessing.

The day started out at oh-dark-hundred; having been given a welcome letter the previous Friday, which included everything we needed to bring, there wasn't any real surprises or or people not coming prepared.  We took care of eight/weight, personal paperwork, finances, and reviewed the material and expectations for the upcoming weeks.  The day was long.  Most of the time that got eaten up was from people not following one simple rule, which they harped on again and again - do not fill in paperwork until told to do so.  They have a specific way they want things filled in, and even though you say 'I've done this stuff before, it's all self-explanatory,' you will fill in something incorrectly, and everyone has to wait until you've redone the form and caught back up with everyone.  The forms you fill out are expected to be pristine - any mistake, and they have to be redone.  Expect to do at least a couple over again.  I'd also suggest bringing a book - there will be some downtime, as there is different paperwork to fill out depending on your commissioning source, and some groups will be done while others are still hammering away.

Let there be no mistake - Ranger School is taken very seriously here, and the cadre flat-out stated that IBOLC is Pre-Ranger School for us.  Barring injuries or failure to meet standards, you will go to Ranger School afterwards.  I've got no qualms about that, personally.  Anything to get me prepared.

You'll also be split up into your platoons and squads today, and get some face time with the platoon trainers.  As the day wound down, we got schedule information for the week - tomorrow will be physical exams, book issue, and CWST.  Wednesday will be the PT Test.  Our PT uniform for tomorrow caused some difficulties - as they announced that we would be wearing the APFU jacket, and it was already 1900.  SInce all the ROTC guys had to turn in their winter PT gear, there was a mad scramble afterwards to go pick up stuff from Ranger Joe's - where the jackets are 30 dollars more than at clothing sales, and most ROTC guys are broke form not having a job for several months (the economy sucks, what can I say?)

One last little aside - after we had broken down into our squads, and the cadre chose the PSG, the PSG started organizing us for tomorrow.  To choose squad leaders, he asked all the prior service guys and West Point guys to raise their hands, and chose from them.  I think it's safe to say that everyone respects the aura of prior service, but the West Point thing got a few raised eyebrows.  Apparently OCS and ROTC guys aren't quite up to snuff on our drill and ceremony?  =P

Observations / Lessons Learned:

• If you're missing anything from your clothing bag, for whatever reason, get it ASAP - wait until the last minutes, and you may be fighting with every other 2LT in the world for the supply at the PX.  Either that, or paying through the nose for it at an off-base shop.
• Bring everything with you that you think you possibly may need - receipts, family documents, memorandums, whatever.  The welcome letter was very concise, but you never know what you may need, given your circumstances.
• You're going to be stuck with guys who come from all walks - OCS, ROTC, West Point, prior service, branch transfers, National Guard, you name it.  Get to know these guys, pick their brains, and never think any less of them because of where they come from.
• Follow the directions of the administrative staff.  Follow the directions of the administrative staff.  Follow the directions of the administrative staff.  Follow the instructions of the administrative staff.  'Nuff said.
• Expect downtime, and have something on hand to keep you occupied/productive.
• If you're hurting for money, don't be afraid to talk to cadre and going to AER - they will understand that you've been unemployed for some months, and have a lot of expenses to take care up before you first paycheck rolls in.
• If you're coming from OCS, you will still have the TA-50 you were issued during OCS.  Because of that, when you're in HHC waiting to class up, you can expect to be pulled for OPFOR detail.  Just a heads-up.