ISP, drill & questions for Army Nurse Corp Reserve 2016 - thanks!!!

williams84 · Nov 8, 2016

I am a current reservist. I commissioned in June, started drilling in October, got my first round of bonus in November, and went to BOLC in February. I live 4 hours away from my drill unit. I drive it every month because I love my unit. We just deployed to Afghanistan.

PG2018 · Nov 8, 2016

The recruiter I'm working with told me the ISP typically comes a few months after commissioning. He said BOLC could come later.

I've read the various military services are authorized to reimburse travel expenses for members going to "drill" if their travel exceeds 150 miles. This is something I want to know more about. I'd like to know about overnight accommodations.

PG2018 · Nov 8, 2016

I am a current reservist. I commissioned in June, started drilling in October, got my first round of bonus in November, and went to BOLC in February. I live 4 hours away from my drill unit. I drive it every month because I love my unit. We just deployed to Afghanistan.

I'd like to talk with you about training and travel. What's required beyond initial training (2-3 week BOLC) and drill?

RayRN87 · Nov 8, 2016

Williams, great to hear from you and thanks for sharing the information. Are you prior service or is the reserves your first military experience (jw cause this will be my first time if I am selected). Also I assume 4 hr one way so 8 hr round trip? Either way it's awesome that you are loving your unit and willing to go the distance bc I will be in a similar situation. How long was your deployment in Afghanistan? Thanks again for the info, I really appreciate it.

williams84 · Nov 20, 2016

Sorry, guys. I didn't mean to drop off the face of the Earth.

Ok, so for the total time requirement the Army will possibly take up, it varies depending on the unit. I know that's a very vague answer, but I swear it's the truth. I am in a very, very small unit and since we were deploying, I was tasked with doing so much more than the "one weekend a month, two weeks a year" minimum. As the deployment got closer, I was pretty much working Army full time and trying to fit in my regular job. It didn't work and I ended up taking a leave of absence from my civilian job so I could get the unit ready. I do have friends who are in a much larger unit, such as a CSH, and they do the bare minimum. It's really up to you and how much you are willing to contribute to the team. As officers, you will have a huge responsibility for your readiness AND the people who are assigned to you. That's right, you are now responsible for people you've never met solely based on your rank. If you're brand new to the military, this will be an adjustment. Just be willing to learn from everyone, no matter what rank, and you'll be just fine. I was prior active duty enlisted in the Navy, so I had a better understanding of what would be expected of me. Without my enlisted soldiers, though, I wouldn't have been as successful with the transition. They'll say I'm still a work in progress. :-p

Driving round trip is definitely worth it to me. We're still deployed right now, but I know that when we get back, I'll be just as satisfied making the drive every month to be with this team.

I hope that helps. I'll try not to disappear again for too long.

PG2018 · Nov 20, 2016

How frequently did you have to "go off" for training somewhere? Was it more than the 2-3 week BOLC?

I swear, this is the only thing I want to know about the army, and no one can answer it, lol.

williams84 · Nov 20, 2016

Let's see, in the last year I attended UPL school (1 week active duty), BOLC (26 days?), a 4 day drill weekend, a 3 day drill weekend, 2 weeks at ATTC in Miami, and 1 week AT at Fort Gordon. Plus, 6 normal drill weekends (Saturday and Sunday). I also came in on my own accord to do a command turnover inventory for a weekend. The 2 weeks in Miami were the only ones my unit did "extra" because we were deploying. There will be FTX's that take more than the regular weekend drill. The CSH plans for 2 of those a year (those are the 3 and 4 day weekends).

PG2018 · Nov 20, 2016

Let's see, in the last year I attended UPL school (1 week active duty), BOLC (26 days?), a 4 day drill weekend, a 3 day drill weekend, 2 weeks at ATTC in Miami, and 1 week AT at Fort Gordon. Plus, 6 normal drill weekends (Saturday and Sunday). I also came in on my own accord to do a command turnover inventory for a weekend. The 2 weeks in Miami were the only ones my unit did "extra" because we were deploying. There will be FTX's that take more than the regular weekend drill. The CSH plans for 2 of those a year (those are the 3 and 4 day weekends).

Ok so two summer weeks or BOLC, as I understand BOLC takes the place of the summer exerciset, MUTA six I knew could happen, (I always am off Fri-Sun), and that's typically it? I thought BOLC was shorter. I want to do this but not to the point I have to take off from the office frequently. Hmmm

RayRN87 · Nov 24, 2016

Williams,

No need to apologize I greatly appreciate you and the information you have shared with us. I just found out I was selected to commission as a 1st LT 66S reserve position, any tips or advice when starting off in the reserves? Also how long is your current deployment ? Thanks again and take care

williams84 · Nov 24, 2016

Congrats on getting selected! Do you know what unit you'll be with and can you contact them? That would be my first suggestion. I had 4 months in between commissioning and when I started drilling. It almost felt like I wasn't selected at all. In the meantime, work on getting the pieces together for your uniform and keep working on your PT. Drill will come and your weekends will fly by. Once you have AKO access, you can start Phase I of BOLC (if it's still online). This will allow you to get put in Phase II faster. You don't want to be in TX in the middle of summer.

My deployment is 9 months. It feels like it just started, but I haven't been home in months. I'm hoping it flies by a little faster.

RayRN87 · Nov 26, 2016

Thx Williams and no I need to get that information from my recruiter. Also do you like the reserves, overall? What is better in your opinion active duty or reserve? This will be my first military experience and I don't want to kick myself for not going active duty from the start.