preparation for OBLC

[Staczse7]

Hi there!

this is a message coming directly from the FOB:

I am presently at the June OBLC-RC down at FSH I have some suggestions for you all in order to be successful.

1.) start hydration at least a month before heading there.

2.) I would suggest going to a sauna to acclimate to the type of air conditions that are present. steamy and hot. It was `110 degrees yesterday with 100% humidity. your acu's stick to you like a second skin

3.) be prepared for the "Marriot" you will be sharing a room with another person, you have a twin size bed, microwave and a small fridge. The commissary and the shopettes have been useful.

4.) the food is carb, carb, carb..... there isnt really much protein served at all. I would suggest bringing a protein source.

5.) be prepared to "move it", we have been on our feet, we have been marching in "full battle rattle" (kevlar, LBE, ruck). endurance is key here. If it is warm in your area, get used to it now. as previous, the temps easily reach 100+ by noon.....people were being trucked off to BAMC by EMS for heat exhaustion

6.) make sure your boots are broken in. I have blisters on both my heels. tons of other soldiers have been seeking medical treatment for their feet.

List of things to bring

1.) duct tape and moleskin..... works well for "hotspots"

2.) baby wipes.....tons

3.) parachute cord..... makes a nice clothes line in your 20+ person tent at the FOB

4.) foot powder

5.) water flavoring packets

6.) sockts, tshirts, you wear your pt clothes to bed

7.) Camelbak is essential black or acu print only is allowed

8.) sunscreen, bug spray.

9.) well fitting boots

10.) protein.......you cannot bring food to the FOB but protein powder individually packed is ok.

11.) trial sizes of everything

12.) good attitude...... there are some slugs here (we are here w/ 350+ med students...... they do not integrate well with us at all "we're just reservists", however little do they realize we will deploy long before most of them get their legal license to practice. I've gotten to the point where I do not pay attention to it. and the guys are more friendly than the gals.

13.) you need to be ready to follow direction. even though the land nav a mile in each direction wide....people separatedc from their battle buddy and got lost. People that dont listen hold down the whole operation.

I hope this helps all preparing for OBC.

Edie

[Iworecords, RN]

In their "pumps"......?

:)

lololololol -- No -- lololololol By the late 80's -- heck by the late 70's, OBC for ANC Officers had changed dramatically.

During the Viet Nam War (when I went to to OBC) what was expected of ANC Officers was much different from what later new Officers went thru. For one thing, we all reported to OBC in civilian clothing -- no one had uniforms. The first day we were given a class on the uniforms and then taken to a warehouse where we were issued our basic uniforms which included underwear -- yes underwear lolololol We were allotted a $250 uniform allowance with the basic issue deducted from it. Out of the remainder we had to buy our brass, our "Blues" and our green overcoat -- and pay for the tailoring. Secondly, we attended class in the Quad -- a group of 4 buildings overlooking a large enclosed cement courtyard. Here we learned to march -- had uniform inspections -- and learned about the Army which included a class on weapons (slide show -- NOT hands on). We were taken to Bullis for 1 day to do land navigation. We did NOT do PT -- we did NOT go to the range. We wore our fatigues maybe 3 times -- 1 day for an inspection -- 1 day when we operated on the goats -- and on the day we went to Bullis. Uniform of the day -- for the most part -- was Cords -- with stockings and high heels -- unless we were having an inspection of our Greens or Blues.

Totally different from what ANC Officers go thru now.

[olderthandirt2]

It is great having you here on the forum! Thank you for sharing your experiences.....they are priceless!!

How many times were you deployed.....to where? I would love to hear about your career :)

thanks again,

c.

[Iworecords, RN]

I'll start a new thread

[hopeful_army_NP]

It is great having you here on the forum! Thank you for sharing your experiences.....they are priceless!!

How many times were you deployed.....to where? I would love to hear about your career :)

thanks again,

c.

I agree, please tell us more, thanks!

[markisrn]

Hear you loud and clear on the good fitting boots. thanks! What brand and type of boots are the best. I heard the Altama Exospeed were a good choice. Any opinions.

[Iworecords, RN]

I can tell you what NOT to buy lololol The AF has a boot that they say is so comfortable that you'd think it was a sneaker. The top is not as high as an Army combat boot -- but it does pass muster. It's great for catonment but out in the field we had a ton of ankle injuries.

[NotNursy]

OK, now I'm getting scared.People are talking about passing out, being taken to the hospital by EMS, dying in formation at the tender age of 21.....Someone please tell me its not THAT bad because this now sounds like 4 weeks of straight hell for Reserve OBLC.:uhoh21:

[NotNursy]

The Altama exospeed are great. Very light and comfortable, don't know yet how they are in a field environment because I've never been to the field yet. I wore them on my first "Army Day" all day and they didn't hurt my feet at all.There 's an Exospeed II out also now which costs a little more.

[lifeafter40]

OK, now I'm getting scared.People are talking about passing out, being taken to the hospital by EMS, dying in formation at the tender age of 21.....Someone please tell me its not THAT bad because this now sounds like 4 weeks of straight hell for Reserve OBLC.:uhoh21:

I have not been to OBLC, but was stationed in Texas, at Ft. Hood for a couple of years. It gets HOT...but the problem comes when people are not acclimated to it. If you know you are going to OBLC in the near future, then just do as some of the other posters have said... get used to working out in the heat... turn the air off in your car...start running outside durring the hotest part of the day...and most of all, begin hydrating yourself a month or so before you leave for Texas. You are all nurses, so you know that if you start to feel thirsty, then you are already dehydrated. Get used to drinking a lot of water every day, even if you do not feel like you need it; it will save you a lot of problems during your training. Reducing your intake of caffeine will help also. Heed the advice of your cadre... they train there all the time, and know what to expect. Field training may not ever be "comfortable" but you do not have to be a casualty of the Texas climate...just prepare for it.

Good luck!!!

LA40