My first BDA

Gennaver, MSN · Oct 4, 2006

Hello to everyone on this forum. I have been reading for a while but this is my first post. Next weekend will be my first Battle Drill Assembly as a direct commission RN with no prior military service. After calling the unit administrator, I was informed to show up at the next drill, in uniform, with a copy of my order so that inprocessing can begin. I have a few questions about this that maybe someone here can answer?
What will be done during inprocessing?
How much am I expected to know and follow of military culture? - I'm a little nervous about being a 2LT without knowing anything, like saluting and who to salute, slang and acronyms
How long does it take to get acclimated to a unit?
What takes place during drills?
What will be expected of me as a 2LT RN?
I'm sure I have more questions. If you can thing of anything else pertenant that I should know, add that in in a response to this post. I'm pretty nervous about starting my USAR career, but above all I'm excited to get started.

Hello and congratulations. :)

Is it this upcoming weekend or next weekend? Do you have three days until or ten days? Just trying to gauge the stress level you may be feeling.

Since I do not know the answers to your questions I can only imagine but, think that as a reservist you will meet many people there who fully can empathize with you there who where in your same predicament in the past.

I imagine the inprocessing is before they send you to go to the OBC, (two weeks I think for reserves).

I found some information about inprocessing at the OBC website but, it doesn't seem like that would appy to Battle Drill Assembly.

Good luck! Someone who knows how to answer your questions will probably reply soon, just wanted to say hiya.

Gen

athena55, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2006

Hello CSHRN:

Well, since I saw your post only today (5 Oct) I am assuming that your BA is 7-8 Oct, correct? Where is your TPU?

I would hope that you got a welcoming email from your CO? If not, once you arrive, hopefully before morning formation, you could seek out the unit administrator and find out who will be your mentor. I would suggest you arrive NLT 0730 hours (NLT=No Later Than)

I can remember my first BA. at that time I hadn't yet received orders to attend OBC and I knew nothing about Military Custom and Courtesy. When you took your Oath did you receive the handbook: Army Officer's Guide? 50th Edition. LTC Keith E. Bonn, USA (Ret). Stackpole Books. You can find it at Amazon.com The ISBN is: 978-0-8117-3224-6. You can also check it out at: www.stackpolbooks.com. It cost something like $25.00 USD

Another good reference that you may find invaluable is:

Army Dictionary and Desk Reference. 3rd Edition. Major Tim Zurick, USAR (Ret). Again from Stockpole Books. Around $17.00 USD. ISBN: 0-8117-3154-5

Remember to salute anyone higher in rank than you. Wait for them to acknowledge you - they will return your salute. Hold your salute until they do. One big mistake I made on my very first day was....I called the SSgt "Ma'am". Gulp, didn't do that again. At least she understood that my Mum raised me to be respectful.

Oh, another suggestion (given with the best intentions): memorize the different insignia of Rank: www.goarmy.com/about/ranks_and_insignia.jsp

Try to make the best of your first BA. If you can keep us posted on how things went for you!

Respectfully,

athena

Gennaver, MSN · Oct 6, 2006

Army Officer's Guide? 50th Edition. LTC Keith E. Bonn, USA (Ret). Stackpole Books. You can find it at Amazon.com The ISBN is: 978-0-8117-3224-6. You can also check it out at: www.stackpolbooks.com. It cost something like $25.00 USD
Another good reference that you may find invaluable is:
Army Dictionary and Desk Reference. 3rd Edition. Major Tim Zurick, USAR (Ret). Again from Stockpole Books. Around $17.00 USD. ISBN: 0-8117-3154-5
Oh, another suggestion (given with the best intentions): memorize the different insignia of Rank: www.goarmy.com/about/ranks_and_insignia.jsp
Try to make the best of your first BA. If you can keep us posted on how things went for you!
Respectfully,
athena

Thank you for listing these Athena55,

Gen

CSHRN · Oct 9, 2006

I got the officer's guide book when I took the oath of office and have read it already. I have been reviewing the ranks too. My first drill is this weekend coming, the 14th and 15th.