OBLC in feb-march

Specialties Government

Published

I am going to OBLC in feb-march. a good time to be in texas and out of the frozen tundra of missouri

I just completed OBLC as a reserve officer November 24th. I did not receive my orders until 10 days prior to leaving. I actually received my travel information prior to receiving my orders. The experience was really great but I was not quite prepared for the course. We had 3 days off the entire time that we were there. I arrived on Thursday and was assigned to the Crown Plaza off base (only 8 reservist stayed at Ft. Sam). We were up at 4:00 am Friday and completed a lot of power point and class room type stuff the first Friday. Saturday morning was the PT test at 5:00 am on the cold, wet and muddy field followed by a days worth of power point classes. Sunday was more classroom time and we were up by 5:00 am on Sunday. The first Monday we completed a 2 mile road march with our equipment, attended weapons training classes and boarded the bus to Camp Bullis. We were at Camp Bullis until Friday evening. When leaving Bullis that first Friday we completed the 5 mile road march and boarded the bus. Wait times for the bus to and especially from Bullis can be incredibly painful. Classes both Saturday and Sunday-all day at Ft. Sam. Up early the second Monday-group PT and then board the bus back to Camp Bullis. Returned from Bullis on Thursday and then we had a 3 day weekend off. Up early the third Monday and back to Camp Bullis. A total of 14 days in the field with no showers was a life style change for me but I made it. The Reserve and All-Corp (active duty officers) are combined for the field experience (14 days at Camp Bullis) and in total we had about 530 people in the field (very large--too large for the field). I recommend that you take a lot of baby wipes, patience and a clear mind to OBLC. They teach you a lot of cool stuff and you truly get to meet a lot of wonderful people. However, it is not camp cupcake as many who went before me has stated. The focus is largely Army doctrine and discipline and yes they will drop you if you drop or leave your weapon but I am certain they are far easier on the officers at OBLC then they are on the enlisted in boot camp. Show up 10 minutes early for every formation in the correct uniform and reframe from complaining a lot and you will do just fine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Anyone who has the NERVE to complain about AF COT should read THAT post on OBLC. Hats off to my Army comrades...I went to ground combat school for the Air Force Security Police (now Security Forces) at Lackland and Bullis in July and August of 1996 for six weeks and spent a week and then I think three more days out there - that was MORE than enough for me.

Also - if you're here for OBLC at any point or get stationed at Ft Sam Houston and get some time off - PM me before you go to your course. I live just a few exits from Lackland and would love to put some faces with names if you have time - or even get you off base for a few hours on a weekend if you're car-less!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
Also - if you're here for OBLC at any point or get stationed at Ft Sam Houston and get some time off - PM me before you go to your course. I live just a few exits from Lackland and would love to put some faces with names if you have time - or even get you off base for a few hours on a weekend if you're car-less!!

Well, as far as I know I should be there for March-June OBLC. I will definitley contact you. I will not have transportation but if you have a chance to stop by my way that would be great! Hope all is going well for you with your 1st assignment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You get off post privileges the entire time at OBLC. You're all officers so they try to treat us like adults, doesn't always work. :) We also got every weekend but 2 off. The training is 9 weeks. If you're driving more than 50 miles you have to fill out a leave form to request a mileage pass and have a buddy do a POV inspection, it's really easy. You may not get your orders until a couple days prior, just be flexible. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I received my orders this past week for my OBLC report date of Feb 1st.

I guess I have a question for those who have gone through it already, what do I have to expect? I get some vague info here and there but I have not heard anything from a nurse who has gone through it already.

Thanks,

Meg

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Primary Care, FNP, AGACNP, Palliative Care.
I received my orders this past week for my OBLC report date of Feb 1st.

I guess I have a question for those who have gone through it already, what do I have to expect? I get some vague info here and there but I have not heard anything from a nurse who has gone through it already.

Thanks,

Meg

What board did you apply to and when did you find out you were selected? Are you a new grad on with experience? There are a few blogs regarding OBLC. Here is one from a person who just completed OBLC and is on the forum. http://oblc2009.blogspot.com/2009/10/intro.html This blog is from someone who completed OBLC last year as a new grad too. http://road2anc.blogspot.com/search/label/OBLC I hope this helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What board did you apply to and when did you find out you were selected? Are you a new grad on with experience? There are a few blogs regarding OBLC. Here is one from a person who just completed OBLC and is on the forum. http://oblc2009.blogspot.com/2009/10/intro.html This blog is from someone who completed OBLC last year as a new grad too. http://road2anc.blogspot.com/search/label/OBLC I hope this helps.

Thank you very much.

I forgot which boards I went to but I was commissioned in June and received my orders last week. I applied as a new grad but worked in a hospital while awaiting my orders. It has been a year since I graduated. I did find someone who posted all seven weeks which was really helpful and I will read those blogs you posted as well. I want to prepare myself as much as possible before going down there so that I know what to expect.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

I am from WA, I was commissioned for active duty in July, 2009 but until now I am still waiting for my SO.. or OBLC training schedule... my recruiter has no information for me.. I don't know anybody to contact and inquire about my training..... my life is on hold right now..... I need to know if I am going in Feb or March or June.... Any info would be highly appreciated...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
Hi,

I am from WA, I was commissioned for active duty in July, 2009 but until now I am still waiting for my SO.. or OBLC training schedule... my recruiter has no information for me.. I don't know anybody to contact and inquire about my training..... my life is on hold right now..... I need to know if I am going in Feb or March or June.... Any info would be highly appreciated...

Same for me, I was told I would go in March so all I can do is hope that is correct, my life is planned 100% around me going in March. The active duty dates for March OBLC that are posted are March 29- June 01. From what I hear official orders wont come until 1 month or less before you are to leave.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi,

I am from WA, I was commissioned for active duty in July, 2009 but until now I am still waiting for my SO.. or OBLC training schedule... my recruiter has no information for me.. I don't know anybody to contact and inquire about my training..... my life is on hold right now..... I need to know if I am going in Feb or March or June.... Any info would be highly appreciated...

Same for me, I was told I would go in March so all I can do is hope that is correct, my life is planned 100% around me going in March. The active duty dates for March OBLC that are posted are March 29- June 01. From what I hear official orders wont come until 1 month or less before you are to leave.

I know how you guys feel. I will be going in Feb. but I was commissioned in June. I was first contacted by a Maj. who told asked me where I wanted to be stationed and then told me unofficially that it would be Feb. My life was pretty much on hold until I received my orders. I received them about one month before my report date. I would watch the calendar to figure out about when I would get my orders. If I didn't get them about a month before the next BOLC, then I would figure the next date. Other than that I really didn't have anything to go off of.

I hope this helps. I know the waiting game is hard because I played it for about a year. :)

Meg

Up Vote Up Vote ×

SO how long were you acutally away from home? I am considering joining the army reserve. I want to know though how long to anticipate begin away from my kids. Also how long is a typical deployment?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment