BOLC June 2014

Specialties Government

Published

Hello all! I have been browsing threads to see who's headed for BOLC 2014 possibly June. No orders yet. Still waiting for the "phone call", my recruiter says it may take "2 weeks to 2 mos". I was commissioned (took an oath) Jan, 14th :). HOOAH! Also, are you going to Pre-BOLC? I am interested, I mentioned it to my recruiter and he just dismissed me. No prior military background/experience. I have been an RN for nearly 3 years. Currently working at a 25 bed Critical Access Hospital as a M/S Nurse. Still working on my APFT.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Hi Everyone!

It has been 74 days since I was commissioned, still waiting for that "phone call". My recruiter says that we are still pretty much on track, he predicted the wait could be from 60-120 days. He is adamant that I wait for my orders before buying my uniforms. I have been calling the nearest PX and they don't carry my size (I am Size 0 or size 1, BTW, in civilian clothes, typical Asian size). Regarding PT uniforms, they only have SMALL which they specifically say will look baggy on me. Can this be altered to fit me nicely? The PX personnel said it takes about 1-2 weeks to order. What about my boots, I would like to break them in? I know where to buy them online and yet I follow what my recruiter says, I guess, I'm afraid to make a mistake when buying them. Any thoughts?

On the other hand, my PT training has been really great! Running, sit ups, and push ups -- I have developed good muscles over the last 3 months that I have been trying to get fit. There are days I am not in the mood or too tired especially when I work 4 straight evenings/days. But I'm starting to really like it, so far :).

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Specializes in ER/Trauma ICU.

My recruiter says 6 weeks at BOLC.... San Antonio is a nice city only a 3 hour drive for me, but summers can be a bear.

ArmyMom, I would listen to your recruiter. So far mine has been right on the money with his information.

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If you are that small things like good boots may be tough to come by. For boots I recommend the Oakley S2V. I've never had anything better. My last two pair took no time to break in. The size is a direct match for men's sizes but I'm not sure about women's sizes. The exchange system on a large base like San Antonio is likely to have clothing in sizes to fit but your boot/shoe options might be limited. Good luck. Remember that nothing in training is personal. Even when it feels like it is.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
He is adamant that I wait for my orders before buying my uniforms. I have been calling the nearest PX and they don't carry my size (I am Size 0 or size 1, BTW, in civilian clothes, typical Asian size). Regarding PT uniforms, they only have SMALL which they specifically say will look baggy on me. Can this be altered to fit me nicely?

You really can't alter PT uniforms, unfortunately. I'm around a size 5 or 6, and smalls are a little large for me. I've never tried the XS, it might fit better. The ACUs are now becoming available in sizes that are geared towards those of us who are smaller in stature, but I haven't tried them yet. I just noticed that they had them to try on at the Ft. Stewart Clothing Sales, but I don't want to spring for a bunch of new ACUs just yet!

Once you're in the system, you can shop at the PX online - http://www.shopmyexchange.com. You can order uniform stuff from them, it's tax-free and has free shipping for orders over $49.

Is your recruiter available to take you shopping somewhere? That's what I did, and it was a couple of months before I even got my orders - we went shopping in December, and I didn't get orders or go to BOLC until March. You should be able to get a copy of the BOLC packing list that tells you everything to purchase. I think perhaps your recruiter wants you to wait so there won't be as much of a gap in your expenditures and getting reimbursed ($600, one time for officers), but $600 isn't going to get you everything you need anyway. And I'm like you - I would want to get my stuff early!

As for boots, I wear the Nike SFB. It is a fantastic boot! No break-in time at all. They are pricey, but so so so comfortable (and not much more expensive than most other boots). I wore them while deployed, I wear them in the ER. The PX website has them for $109, that is probably the best price I've seen. Your size should match whatever you'd wear in men's Nike running shoes, they are pretty true to size and they feel like a running shoe. They are about the lightest boot out there, though other companies are trying to make similar boots. I have had the same pair for three years, no kidding. I have a pair of Rocky's that I'm trying to break in, but I keep coming back to my Nikes. Fabulous for people with small feet!!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Here is everything you'll need to know about BOLC: http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/bolc/

Edited to add: you'll see a link to the packing list on the right side of that page, toward the top. You'll need everything on the first couple of pages, the TA-50 will be issued to you at Ft. Sam. This site is a heck of a lot better than it was when I was getting ready to go to BOLC! lol

Please note that the BOLC people encourage you to procure your uniform items before arriving at Ft. Sam. As they note on the site, Clothing Sales does tend to run out of some things because everyone waits until they get to Ft. Sam. But we had to report in our PTs, so I would recommend getting uniforms ahead of time.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Hi everyone, thank you for the infos, well noted. I received my packing list the next date after I was commissioned. I have been to AMEDD website and read the fine prints and pretty much the PDF docs. My recruiter says to "wait" for the orders and then maybe "hurry-up" when it gets here. Which I don't really like but ...

I will visit a Nike store to get my men's size and then wait til next week and see if that phone call comes.

Cheers! :)

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Specializes in ER/Trauma ICU.

Hey Army Mom

I'll be going to FT. Sam Houston on Tuesday to by uniforms with my recruiter. Maybe you should think about buying now too.

Day trip to San Antonio should be lots of fun.... oh and a trip to Buc-ees! I just love that place.

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Oakley S2V

Meant Rocky S2V. Been wearing them so long I forgot their name.

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Nike SFB boots are good for AMEDD because there isn't much wear and tear exercises but I f I was rucking a lot of in soggy conditions I would want something else

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Meant Rocky S2V. Been wearing them so long I forgot their name.

I have some of those as well ... I keep trying to break them in, then I go running back to my Nikes for the sheer comfort factor. lol. While deployed I wore the issued Bates boots that went with the multicam uniform. Once I got those suckers broken in, they were great! Gotta try the Rocky's again soon now that I'm home, I didn't take them to Afghanistan with me.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Nike SFB boots are good for AMEDD because there isn't much wear and tear exercises but I f I was rucking a lot of in soggy conditions I would want something else

Not a lot of rucking in AMEDD. I went with what would be comfortable for 12 hours in my ED. :D But I also wore my Nikes downrange a bit, they did okay on the ankle-murdering boulders that constituted the "gravel" on our compound. A lot of people there had the Nike boots, really. It's gotten a reputation as a garrison boot, but a lot of deployed peeps are wearing them, especially since they come in coyote brown.

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My Rockies didn't take more than a couple days to feel good. Boots, like many things are a personal fit. I can not wear danner boots at all but for those who can wear them I hear nothing but praise.

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