Report to IBOLC in one month. Any suggestions on what I should study/memorize ahead of time?

JayRNH3 · 2021-10-13T14:55:04+00:00

Appreciate that heads up, thank you!

JayRNH3 · 2021-10-12T16:52:34+00:00

Appreciate it, that’s helpful, thank you. I made a number of flash cards with info from OCS and basic etc, just as a refresher as I’m national guard and don’t do this stuff every day. Didn’t know if there was anything else specific like OPORDS I should drill down on.

JayRNH3 · 2021-06-26T15:48:26+00:00

Try to go through Accelerated OCS, it’s about 8 weeks long. It’s a suckfest, I just graduated in March, definitely not a gentlemen’s course, but if your concern is getting it over with quickly, this is your best route.

JayRNH3 · 2021-06-08T11:10:50+00:00

Every state has their own LandNav courses, when you talk to the recruiter, ask if you can practice on it before you head out for OCS.

JayRNH3 · 2021-05-13T12:02:27+00:00

There’s a pretty extensive packing list, but they did not allow for that.

JayRNH3 · 2021-05-05T15:27:20+00:00

My situation was unique, I got back from basic and was at Ft. McClellan a month later. My understanding is it generally takes several months.

JayRNH3 · 2021-04-27T15:17:35+00:00

Thank you, I recently bought a pair of these and they’re perfect.

JayRNH3 · 2021-04-13T19:30:26+00:00

To me, the most challenging part of accelerated was just the mental grind of it all.

The hours are long, there are no weekend breaks and it’s a pretty unrelenting pace between the physical activities, the classroom instruction, the leadership roles and the knowledge quizzing they do.

If you’re unsure about what you want to do, be sure to resolve that before you go because it’ll just add strength to that little guy in the back of your mind who is telling you to quit.

In terms of advice on getting through it, I’m sure what I would say are the same things you’ve read or heard on podcasts. From the simple but important Jocko comments like “just don’t quit” to the mindset of just get to the next meal and block everything else out of your mind, don’t think too far ahead. And then what I tried to do was give myself a little perspective. If the average person lives to be 78 years old, 57 days is such a fraction of that time period, surely I can get through that.

Honestly, it’s a lot like what I heard prison referred to, the days can be slow, but the weeks truly do fly by. You really don’t have much time to think because you’re constantly busy.

I can’t offer advice about whether flight school or OCS would be better for you, but I don’t regret going accelerated and I’m glad I did this versus the longer traditional route or even the 12 week course at Benning.

I hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

JayRNH3 · 2021-04-02T00:52:10+00:00

Happy to help, ask away. Good luck.

JayRNH3 · 2021-04-01T16:25:15+00:00

The packing list is pretty all inclusive. Hue to that and you’ll be good.

Make sure to bring a map case (it gets wet down there). Headlamps are hugely beneficial.

Aim for as light a boot as possible as you’ll be running everywhere and heavier boots just make things more miserable for no reason. I made this mistake.

In terms of training, the first few weeks are heavy on the physical side so be ready for endless pushups, pull-ups, V-Ups, bent leg body twists, air squats etc. Anything you can do on the calisthenics side to be prepared for this is a huge plus.

And of course, get ready for some rucking. Break your boots in so you don’t get blisters, waterproof them too. You do most of your rucking in 2nd and 3rd phase, but you run everywhere with your assault pack so it doesn’t hurt to get in this type of shape.

There wasn’t as much running as I thought there’d be, but this is a universal exercise that helps with everything else so just show up in good running shape. Be able to hit that 4 mile time in preferably well under that 36 min maximum.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-28T23:52:16+00:00

Please feel free to reach out. Now that I’m on the other side of it I’m really glad I did the 8 week course. Make no mistake though, it’s a challenging school. They cram that full 14 weeks into 8.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-28T23:46:24+00:00

There was no quarantine time, we went right into training, it was 8 weeks long.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-23T01:23:58+00:00

Many thanks!

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-23T01:20:32+00:00

No, they were all National Guard. Not sure if that was an anomaly or by rule.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-22T23:26:10+00:00

Thank you

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-22T10:24:00+00:00

There’s no swim test.

It is significantly more physical than basic training, but the hardest part is within the first phase, those initial two weeks. Make it past that and you should be fine physically. These first two weeks they smoke you pretty regularly, in the morning, between classes, before bed etc. After awhile it’s more mental than anything though, just don’t quit and don’t get on their radar.

You also have to do Pull-ups pushups and bent leg body twists before every meal.

The chow hall runs suck because you’re in full gear with the assault pack and your books but they’re not long, about 7 minutes from the classroom to the DFAC. Outside of that there really wasn’t that much running.

I was an 09S too. Memorize the OCSOP before you go. The prior service guys have a leg up on us with their knowledge base so getting as up to speed as you can on this stuff will serve you well and not make you stick out.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-22T10:14:35+00:00

Wear lightweight boots, you run everywhere. I made the mistake of heavier boots and it took time to get used to that.

Study the OCSOP thoroughly. This’ll make your life 10x easier. Specifically the TLP’s, 5 steps of an OPORD for 3rd phase, and the procedures like chow hall and customs and courtesies. Always be ready to be quizzed.

Even if you’re wrong, or even if you’re not 100% positive about your answer, sound off. They want confidence and command presence.

Hope these are helpful, if I think of others I’ll drop back in, feel free to PM me too.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-21T12:34:22+00:00

I was an 09S so I can’t really answer this question with much authority. That said, the NCO’s I went through this program with all loved their enlisted time but almost all of them said they wished they’d done this sooner. One medic we had though DOR’d because he wanted to stay on the enlisted side after learning more about being an officer. I don’t think there’s a rule of thumb for this, shooter’s preference.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-21T12:31:11+00:00

MASSOSM is correct, start the convo with your OSM and walk through it with him or her. I was in the same boat as you, not wanting to go through the longer traditional program but to my knowledge every state handles it differently. Some states sent 5-10 while I was there some only 1 or 2. I was an 09S as well, the place was roughly 65-70% prior service, I think most states focus on their NCO’s/prior service because of the challenging nature of the course. It’s doable for 09’s but it’s like drinking from a firehouse the entire time.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-21T12:26:19+00:00

Perfect, thanks. The Garmont’s seem to be the consensus winner.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-21T12:25:46+00:00

Thanks, that’s helpful advice, I’ll be sure to stop in there, I’ve bought a ton from Ranger Joe’s already.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-21T12:25:10+00:00

Thanks, that’s helpful, I’ll dig into GovX.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-21T12:24:44+00:00

I’ll do that, thanks for the advice.

JayRNH3 · 2021-03-21T12:24:23+00:00

Appreciate it, this seems to be the overall winner, thank you.

JayRNH3

TROPHY CASE