August OBLC

66HotelMikeFive · Jul 16, 2008

SilverRN,

I was just commissioned RC, 2nd Lt on July 1st and I am awaiting orders to report to my TPU. Will you PM me and give me the rundown on OBLC? Thanks 66HM5

SilverRN · Jul 17, 2008

66HotelMike5

I would PM you except I can't seem to figure that out. :banghead: Anything else in particular you're curious about?

66HotelMikeFive · Jul 17, 2008

SilverRN,

You are in Southern Arizona? I am in the "Valley". Are you drilling in Mesa with the 6253rd?

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jul 17, 2008

Silver, you have to have 15 posts before you can use the PM function.

SilverRN · Jul 19, 2008

Well that explains why I can't PM. At least it wasn't a case of missing the "reply" button somewhere! :chuckle

66HM5

I'm south of Tucson and actually drill in Tucson. I've met some of the folks from Mesa...wonder if we've met?

When I packed for school, I followed the packing list I was sent from the schoolhouse as well as one I found on here. Actually, using those two, there were not any things I didn't have but wished I did, except batteries. I took my camera and extra batteries. Left the batteries in my room when we went to camp. Of course, the batteries died on day one! Some things made life more comfortable, like the foot and body powder. Febreeze would have been nice after so many days without a shower. I discovered bug spray worked (almost) as well. Well, at least it masked the smell for me.

Physically, it can be a challenge. The first week we were moving all day long, with gear. While I was in the combatives class, the PT class looked like they were doing an extended APFT. Lots of push ups, sit ups and sprinting. They also went on some longer runs. Combatives was fun, but be prepared to move your body in ways you might not be used to. Prior yoga classes might have helped me out...you want my leg to go where? As someone who can't follow an aerobics class, much less dance, I found the class to be interesting to follow some mornings. A lot of "huh?"

I know some of us felt like we wouldn't make it the first week. It did take some adjusting to but for those of us who have drilled with a unit before, it wasn't too bad. You get used to lines for everything, the "hurry up and wait", and having your entire time planned for you. You also get used to not necessarily knowing what you might be doing next. We would usually find out what we were doing the next day at final formation. It is funny that by the end of the class, if there was a line, we would just get in it. Didn't need to know why, just that we needed to be in a line!

Don't get too frustrated. Eat. This is NOT the time to try to diet! You'll burn it off anyway. Drink plenty of water. Try to get in decent physical condition so things are a little easier. (The first week, it would take us forever to climb in and out of trucks. By the end of it, we could load and unload in a flash)

Okay, now I need to post a few more messages so I can actually reply to messages. Hope I covered the questions I got!

LG6142 · Jul 21, 2008

I've been reading some of the post. I am new to allnurses and I was just wondering if any of you would be attending the August 3rd OBLC at Fort Sam. For any of you who have been there how was it and how do you like the Army?

Hello there, I'm reporting to OBLC on August 3rd as well. Have you been able to access the course schedule on the AMEDD website?

OffandRunning · Jul 21, 2008

Hi LG, I haven't been able to access the course schedule either. My recruiter sent me a schedule but it was for the wrong class. Are you going to drive? I'm coming from Virginia and I'm going to drive.

LG6142 · Jul 21, 2008

Hi LG, I haven't been able to access the course schedule either. My recruiter sent me a schedule but it was for the wrong class. Are you going to drive? I'm coming from Virginia and I'm going to drive.

I will be driving from Alabama. I saw in my orders that we report to lodging first, but I'm wondering if we need to sign in with BN too or if there's going to be a liaison to assist at the lodging building. I'm thinking we'll get more info when we get there, but I can't help to feel a little blind...I'm just wondering what kind of space I'll have to live with, BTW, do you know if the lodging provided has high speed internet access?

LG6142 · Jul 21, 2008

I will be driving from Alabama. Also I read in my orders that I'm to report directly to the lodging building to sign in but I'm wondering if we're supposed to sign in with BN too or if there is going to be a liaison there to assist with questions. I'm just curious as to what kind of space I'll have to live with and I can't help but to feel that I'm already going into training somewhat blind...

OffandRunning · Jul 22, 2008

I feel the same way. Most of my info has come from internet searches and reading posts and blogs from people who have been there. I believe that when you sign in for your lodging its like signing in to your unit. They are supposed to tell us or give us a schedule for the next day or so. I'm not sure what the space will be like. Someone told me the rooms were nice. I think they have internet but you have to have your own ethernet cable.

lifeafter40 · Jul 22, 2008

I think the Army likes to see how new Commissioned Officers handle jumping into the unknown. Some people figure it out on their own, others ask and ask until they get the answers they need, or just follow the crowd... yet some will simply sit down and quit or get so frustrated that they function poorly. maybe this has nothing to do with it, but if not, it seems rather unusual for so little information to be disseminated to incoming Officer Students. I have heard these same sentiments from others who are preparing for their class dates. I understand the necessity for individual initiative and responsibility, but that is a lot to expect from someone with no previous military exposure... unless it IS a sort of test... a culling of the herd, if you will.

Just my observations,

S

jbrecon2 · Jul 22, 2008

I concur completely. It is a bit ridiculous. I wasn't even told I had to take the initiative to schedule OBLC myself, and sat around on my butt waiting for 6 months for a phone call that never came!! I call my career manager, and e-mail, and never receive a call back or a reply. I've called the transportation number they provided for plane tickets 30 times in the last two weeks and nobody has answered once. It's frustrating. However, I must say that when I was active duty everything is pretty squared away. If you need something and people ignore you, they will have a handful of NCO's, a company commander and a 1st SGT. banging down their door. In the Army your trained your first duty is always to take care of the guy/guys below you. For example.......I once mentioned to my squad Sgt. that I had a tooth that had been giving me some trouble. Just in general conversation at the motor pool during work. He didn't say anything further, just took note of it in his head. After lunch he handed me a piece of paper with an appointment to see the dentist on it. Next day 9am sharp. This is the Army I cannot wait to be a part of again.