TIPS FOR AMEDD Professional Management Command Soldier Focus Readiness Review

[jiosrn]

Some Tips for APMC SFRR

SFRR is a requirement for all APMC reserve officers who are attached and/or assigned to the APMC

Before You Go:

There will be a Letter of Information (LOI) that should be sent to you when you receive your orders to attend the SFRR. Read this letter very carefully, and start early on getting things ready. It will take longer than you expect.

Some important things:

• Get your military ID card (CAC). You will definitely need this before you arrive
  
• Have a set of dog tags.
  
• You will need the army uniform, currently the ACU. You will wear this everyday.
  
  • Have appropriate patches and name tapes in place.
    
  • If you are STRAP, your unit patch will be the AR-MEDCOM patch, for everyone else, wear your home unit patch.
    
  • You will need your patrol cap.
    
  • KNOW HOW TO WEAR THE UNIFORM. Some people showed up without the American flag patch, without the Army name tape, etc. They looked horrible. Don't be this person.
    
  • You will also need the Improved Physical Fitness Uniform (IPFU)
    

  [*]Have ALL of your files ready to go. The things you need will be in the LOI. Have them neatly organized, and readily accessible. Some people kept theirs in messenger-type bags, some had expandable file folders. You can't take too many files, or too much information. If you think you need it, carry it with you.

  [*]You can google how to wear the uniform, or just ask your recruiter, or others in your unit.

  [*]You can order your uniforms online via the Exchange online store, as well as other sites. You can also go to the nearest PX to get uniforms (you will need your military ID, or get your recruiter to go with you).

  [*]It is a good idea to look up proper drill and ceremony info. On the first day of SFRR they will show you how to line up, about face, etc, but it would be helpful to review this beforehand.

While You Are There:

• Most of the SFRR is made up of informational power points. There are lots of them.
  
• The sessions are very quick, and are packed with lots of information.
  
• Be prepared to take notes. They will provide you with a CD with the powerpoints, however, it is still good to take notes on important points.
  
• You can use a laptop during the presentations, if you desire to. There were a few people who had them.
  
• The round-robin sessions are where you will get your questions answered. Have all of your questions prepared before hand. The APMC staff are very busy, and it is good to be organized and prepared.
  
• Be prepared to sit around in-between the round robin sessions. People will finish at different times, and so there will be some down time.
  
• You will have to take the Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Be prepared for this. Some claimed they didn't know about the test (it's in the LOI), and didn't know how to do proper Army push-ups, etc. Again, look it up on the internet, and be ready. You will need the Improved Army Physical Fitness Uniform (IPFU) for this.
  
• On the first day, everyone will be broken up into squads. Your squad leader is your go-to person. Know who this person is.
  
  • Listen to your squad leader, and arrive to events early.
    
  • If formation is at 0615, have breakfast eaten, and be ready to line up by 0600. If you're on time, you're late.
    
  • I had to call members of my squad because they were nowhere to be found at 0610, when everyone else was forming up.
    

  [*]I recommend taking some bottled water with you, or other beverages if you desire. If you fly to Atlanta and don't have a vehicle, there are gas stations near the hotel, so you can definitely walk and pick up a 12 pack of water, or whatever. I drove to Atlanta, and carried water with me. It was definitely helpful, as buying individual beverages and snacks can get expensive.

  [*]Keep all of your receipts. You may not need them all, but it will be good to have them just in case. The finance department will go over travel vouchers, receipts, etc during the orientation.

That's really all I have. Just a few pointers. When I was preparing to go, I couldn't find anything on the internet about what to expect, and didn't know anyone who had been. Also, try to find a prior service individual while you are there, these people can be helpful.

If anyone has questions, feel free to PM me.