armyNP

Just wanted to update for anyone who is seeking information from my experience as a SC 66P post BOLC! As others before me have stated, it is what you make of it. Read Pixy RN's blog on how to survive and what to bring.. lots of great tips! To add to hers, bringing large trash bags and lining the duffle and laundry bags were key to keeping everything dry. I did read somewhere to bring metal hangers to hang up the uniform to let it air out.. was very handy. I also kept the daily changes of clothes in the zip lock bags which was also very handy. You cannot have enough mole skin to use preemptively on the back of your heels and the balls of your feet, as well as broken in boots. I have Danner boots and my feet stayed warm and dry, so I did not miss not having a second set of boots. People did bring two pairs of sneakers, one they left in the duffle and one for the weekend so they wouldn't forget to bring them back. I just had the one pair of boots and my sneakers, and shower shoes and did ok. Packed minimal civilian clothes,, which unfortunately were summer weight!! lol I did have fun, minus a few mishaps!! For people attending in the near future, I would highly suggest cold weather gear!! I attended the short course which ran from Oct 26- Nov 21, 2014. The weather was crazy! It was 80's the first week, then ranged from 20-50's over the next three weeks. We had a solid three days of cold rain which was brutal since most of us did not have the appropriate gear. I was grateful for the weekend reprieve to purchase cold weather gear. (limited supplies at the PX) If you have your own cold weather TA 50 gear, bring it! Especially the neck gators, extra gloves, hand warmers, ect anything you think that would bring you some small creature comforts in the cold! I did have a poncho liner which was key with the sleeping bag on the colder nights, and a travel army pillow I purchased prior to going. As the other posts are mainly from the summertime months when it is hot, my experience was a tad different due to the cold front that arrived! Not a lot of showering went on, (no judging please! lol) so those baby wipes and dry shampoo certainly came in handy!!! Make sure you bring plenty of the pre-packaged wipes for the port-a-potty since we frequently ran out of toilet paper! The single packaged wet one anti bacterial wipes came in handy as well. I unfortunately injured my back during the first week which was most unpleasant so was not able to carry my assault pack with all the handy baby wipes, snacks, ect. so I was grateful for the individual wipes that I could stash in my pockets. A battle buddy had generously carried my MRE's for me when needed. Might not seem like a big deal but when you leave your tent in the morning, typically you do not see it again until night time. When you return from the weekend, we went straight to training so make sure you have what you need before you pack that duffel for the weekend. By the way they have remodeled the hotels at Fort Sam and we all had our own rooms! The people at the CandleWood suites made out with having condo like accommodations of full kitchens! Each hotel has the free laundry facilities so bring the single use laundry detergent pods to save yourself the headache of the bottle! Purchasing your own canteens ahead of time, I would highly recommend. People did use camelbacks but you still had to carry the two canteens. I didn't mind the water so drank it without flavor, but a lot of people used the powder packets of gatorade or lemonade, crystal light with caffeine.. ect packs to flavor it. Speaking of caffeine,, if you are a tea drinker.. my tip for you is to use the water bags in the afternoon with lunch to heat the water, bring your tea bag and drink from the bag. A tad tricky at times not to wear it! but it just grossed my germ phobic self to drink from the issued canteen cup. I also would do that with hot chocolate packets! Due to the weather the first week, we ended up going to the range the 2nd week. Not a big deal you would think,, except it was super windy and cold and most people had left their fleece and waffle tops, gloves, in their duffle's. We went directly from the hotel pick up to the TTB, then to the range. So we did not have access to the duffle bags prior to that and was quite cold alllll day on the range. Learned a lesson from that one!! My take on BOLC, it is to get you to understand the Army way of doing things. Learning and Utilizing the chain of command, military bearing, being a true team building experience and building on leadership skills. You have to be flexible with truly embracing the motto of "Hurry up and wait" and you will do fine! Some people brought books with them to read with the in between training sessions, standing around time.. I found that I just enjoyed chatting with different people during that time. It is what you make of it. We integrated quite easily with the active duty group. Again, I think if everyone has the right attitude, things just go smoothly. There is always going to be the few that will have to prove they are smarter than everyone else.. fortunately they were the minority and were not able to taint the good mojo our platoon had. All in all it was an experience I am glad that I can now say is behind me!! If you are into crossfit you will be in better shape than I was going into this! Doing pull ups, working on flexibility will only benefit you on that obstacle course! Which by the way, don't feel that you need to accomplish each task like everyone else.. do your best and make sure you don't set yourself up for injury like I did! The dang belly buster got me good! Review the BOLC website and bring the required documents as stated!! I had plenty of copies of my orders, all certificates and the record PT test. As for the record PT test, do yourself a favor and have the paper signed by two people. The person administering it, the company commander or 1SG with printed name and contact info! Or have a memorandum letter written by the cc or 1SG stating that you took the test on ___ date, your score in each category, total score, with their signature, printed name, and contact information,, or you will be taking the PT test there! I did not bring a laptop which was a pain the first week with the classes, but was really not needed the other times. I do wish that I brought it do to being able to review the discs that were handed out in class, but you can get by with ipad or just phone really. Please feel free to ask any questions!! I know I had plenty prior to going and all the posts helped me get prepared as well as my peers from my unit. I did find that having a duffle on wheels was the best way to bring all my belongings there... people did have regular suitcases but did need more than one, which is a hassle to get settled on the first day and the last day. Space saver bags are essential! Bring one for the sleeping bag to stuff in your duffle as well.. Just remember to have fun!

Part two of update!! The first week out at the field was interesting... The Sunday prior we dropped our duffle bags off in the morning then had the rest of the day off.. Saturday we had an all day lecture until 1600.. Not bad .. Then Monday 4 am,,, rise and shine! On the bus out to the obstacle course!! Unfortunately I hurt my back by falling off the log roll "belly buster" I think they called it! Then off to the leadership reaction course!! It was fun but physical... I did a bit of damage to my back.. Had to get seen by medics got a ice pack and Motrin.. Piled in trucks and van off to the fob.. Carrying assault pack.. Got issued rifle and gas mask then collected our duffle bag and found our tent.. Hello army cot! Lol .. Not very comfortable.. With a bad back.. Off to sick call the next morning met a really cool PA.. Got some muscle relaxer and Motrin.. On temporary profile now but getting better each day! The cadre here are really cool.. As long as you be there on time.. Right uniform. No issues.. Stay tuned for week three!! Oh by the way read the other blogs about bringing the trash bags to line the duffle bag.. And gallon zip locks!! Snacks! It rained here ridiculously for three days and was cold!!

Update from BOLC!! So I have completed week two of the Short Course!! So the first day we arrived orders said to report to building 592... That was not correct lol it was actually at a hotel on base called Candlewood... We got the hotel shuttle to bring us over there... Filled out paperwork and then we were given our room assignments.. Back to 592 I go... At least we had the shuttle since it's a bit of a walk with bags.. Then we had to change into PT uniform and get to AMEDD building for continued in processing. As for the PT test everyone needs the copy of the record PT test with the 1SG or company commander legible printed name and signature AND contact information on said paper... OR a memo stating that it is a record APFT and that your score is accurate.. With the name typed or printed, signature and contact info.. If not you will be taking the PT test here.. You now have private room no roommates at the hotel .. The first week is classroom getting paperwork straightened out... Come with the documents listed on the BOLC website you will need them and it is not easy getting to a printer all the time..once you learn the lay out of the post it is easy to get around.. A car is best.. But you can walk everywhere on base, just give yourself enough time to get there! The Cadre set up a google drive with the power points on it and when we integrated the next day with the long course we were given their google doc/email account information so we could follow along. The integration was ok.. Everyone has been pretty cool and has been great with giving information for people who have no military background!

Hi scrubnurse, bummer lol, I did pass the PT test, now battling shin splints.. what is PRT? A guy in my unit said that two people while he was attending BOLC last year, did combative’s and one person ended up with a fractured wrist and another ended up with a spinal fracture.. I guess that is why I am anxious about that part of it.. but I guess ya gotta do what ya gotta do.. How is the weather there this time of year? I heard from people in my unit that I need to go check out someplace called the riverwalk? What have people been doing on the weekend? are you on base or in a hotel on the weekend? Thanks for your response I really appreciate it! ArmyNP

Hi Pixie RN! Thanks for the response! I don’t think combative’s is for me.. I grew up with 7 brothers.. been there lol. I am kind of looking forward to it, so I can fully participate in my unit! I wonder if anyone else on the government thread will be heading to BOLC this October? If so give a shout out! Thanks armyNP

Hi Everyone, scrubnurse and Dranger thank you for your responses! I am enrolled in this coming October’s BOLC course and looking forward to it in an anxious sort of way! I noticed you mentioned that the short course people will be doing PT twice a day? What is that we are doing? I have heard about something called combative’s and how some people have been injured doing this so I am a little hesitant about that. Do you guys know if that is still part of the program? Any other advice? I am older as well and happy to hear that it is the easier of the courses.. lol Any other tips you all have would be greatly appreciated! Hoping the weather is good for 4 wks I will be there! Thanks! armyNP

Hi Scrubnurse.. Thanks for the response! I was told that it would be a good idea to bring twin size sheets (dorm sheets for slang where I live lol) for the cot/bed in the field.. I know they give you gear and a sleeping bag,, that others have phrased as “well used” so I think its for comfort factor.. not sure.. that’s why I was asking.. I have a poncho liner or woobie I have heard it referred to.. that I was going to bring.. are you able to bring protein bars and stuff like that with you or is that contraband? do you have any other tips that you have learned since being there that make it easier.. like notebooks, paper, stuff like that.. hope it gets a little cooler there for you! Thanks again for the response..

Hi PixieRN do you know anyone that has cycled through fort Sam in January or March? Just curious how the weather was for them... Also on the packing list it says two pairs of boots... Since they are expensive.. Do you think it's necessary? I have a pair of Danner boots that I love.. Can't really afford a second pair... Do you wear the dress uniform for graduation? Heard conflicting accounts on that.. Would a poncho liner work rather than dorm sheets? One last question! I probably won't have any TA 50 gear issued to me before hand does it matter what kind of bag I bring my stuff in? Thank you for answering these if you can!!

Hi sorry! Forgot to add that I am reserves... @ psych guy my commissioning process was long... Had to do age waiver ... The entire process took about a year... Recruiters changed due to assignments ending and documents had to be resubmitted.... Since I have sworn in .. Dec 2013.. I had to provide same documents a few times.. So I highly recommend as the others have ... To keep a folder with all your things with you so you have access to them quickly.. My unit is over 60 miles from my home so it's a lot easier to have things on hand.., I need to figure out the Dropbox function others have mentioned as well.., I really like the people in my unit.. Especially commanding officer she's really cool... I'm trying to get my packet and everything together since I'm up for captain when I finish BOLC ... I've had to repeat a lot of the admit physical stuff cuz it was never entered from the pre-swear in physical.. My processing into the army has not be a usual one but I've had a good response from most everyone I've asked questions to and for help.. So that's made it ok.. I hope I've answered some of your questions.. It is a lot of hurry up and wait! Lol

Hi All, I am a newly commissioned NP trudging through phase 1 BOLC and was wondering if anyone was going to be attending Ft Sam Houston in the fall? I am trying to figure out the best time schedule wise on when to attend the phase 2.. and learn some more about what to expect while there... Do you still need to have a printer or access to one? I read PixieRN blogs which were fantastic!! Unfortunately at this point I am the only newbie officer attending BOLC in my unit... any thoughts or additional tips from people that have recently been would be much appreciated! Thanks! armyNP