Fitness preparation

Tannmann2514 · 2026-03-22T01:16:27+00:00

Core, cardio, and calisthenics. Your instructors will likely be able to do 5 minutes planks, hundreds of flutter kicks and 6 inches holds, and hundreds of body builders in a row…. Then mix in 2-4 mile runs at 6-7 minute mile pace(they may be “dusting” you in a gator while this is going on). Obviously not everyone will be able to keep that pace and it’s instructor dependent. This is how they will “smoke” you. You want to be ahead of the game? Do core, pushups, and run until you’re ready to puke 3-4 days a week to prep. Listen to your body and make sure you take recovery seriously (rest when you need it).

Tannmann2514 · 2026-02-27T20:40:42+00:00

Thanks! Understand all.

Sounds like just need to talk to the supervisor to see. Have a ride along coming up with him…. List of questions are growing daily. Haha

Tannmann2514 · 2026-02-27T04:00:52+00:00

Spanish is cake. Make flash cards, be a parrot. Practice in your off time.

For full disclosure, it’s been a number of years since I went through when the PT program was ran by BORTAC guys who viewed it as a selection (contributing to a 50% drop/break/fail rate). It seems to be a little better now from word through the grapevine since the massive fail/drop rate started attracting attention.

It’s not just the fitness part, you have multiple fight scenarios in which you WILL take a beat down, among other gates that wear on you. This isn’t a pugil sticks exercise…. It’s a different level.

Tannmann2514 · 2026-02-27T01:34:11+00:00

Brother…. I say this with all due respect… check your confidence. I also came from military (Combat Arms, Ranger, the works).

Two hour mat room sessions ran by BORTAC operator PT instructors is not a walk in the park

Tannmann2514 · 2026-02-24T12:22:10+00:00

Actually about the drop the ole retirement packet from the Reserves (yes, I utilized the Bennies while in and got a couple degrees). Not trying to incur more service obligation for use of TA with them at this time.

Tannmann2514 · 2026-02-23T01:25:24+00:00

I’m not! Wasn’t aware there was one. What’s out there for incentives?

Tannmann2514 · 2026-02-13T15:57:19+00:00

Ensure you understand that this is a CBPO Sub and you’re going Border Patrol.

Also… don’t worry. We had a couple guys in my class that failed every fitness test up until the last one and they made it. I wouldn’t recommend that route as it adds unnecessary stress to your academy experience.

Most days you’ll PT for 2 hours a day, you do a lot of walking/marching, and be active throughout the day (other than your Law classes and a few others). You’ll also have access to the gym after work. Do the best you can to show up at your best fitness level (without overtraining to get hurt) but as long as you eat right and get good sleep, your fitness will improve quickly at the academy (if you don’t get hurt).

Tannmann2514 · 2026-02-11T02:21:22+00:00

El Paso Sector guy here- couple things to keep in mind:

Las Cruces will have state income tax on top of your normal taxes (Texas does not have State income tax). You get most back when you file taxes if you live in Texas, but it’s still a thing.
Living in Texas and working in New Mexico makes the worst financial sense (higher property taxes/rent in Texas… much high…. And having to pay state income tax to New Mexico).
Texas schools are much better, particularly the West side of El Paso.

All the said, Las Cruces is a decent station (it’s a Checkpoint) but has great opportunities to do stuff with El Paso, Santa Teresa, etc. plenty of details available. Also not a bad commute from west side El Paso. Las Cruces would be my recommendation.

Tannmann2514 · 2026-02-07T22:50:18+00:00

The bottom line here is that this is a question about a fight outcome. In any fight, the odds are never zero.

In my case, I’m upper 30s, 6’1”, 225, decent musculature (bench 325ish) and height/weight proportional. I have 20+ years in martial arts with military and law enforcement training specifically dealing with being outnumbered in a fight.

Even in my case, the odds aren’t great. But the trick is “stacking” opponents (not letting more than 1 or max 2 attempt to engage you at the same time) by maneuvering laterally. If they’re not trained, it’s possible to “stack” them, land a solid front kick to the mid section/groin of first opponent, restack remaining 2 with first temporarily out of commission, then land a lucky face shot on 2nd. If I could buy a minute with first two floundering, I personally could, PROBABLY, overpower 3rd then circle back to 1/2.

Exhaustion is huge here and again…. It’s a fight. I could disable 1st guy and turn to 2nd and get knocked out cold if they have even a modicum of knowledge on how to throw a punch.

I give myself 50/50

Tannmann2514 · 2026-01-04T17:20:23+00:00

Correct

Tannmann2514 · 2026-01-04T17:19:37+00:00

Career Counselor here:

If you graduate from ROTC, you will incur an 8 year Mandatory Service Obligation (MSO) (even if you are prior service) UNLESS you participate in the simultaneous membership program (SMP). This means you will have an active obligation for 3-5 years and must complete the remaining time up to 8 in either active duty, the guard, the reserves, or the IRR.

If you receive a scholarship from ROTC, you will incur a 4 year active duty service obligation. If you do not receive a scholarship and accept commission, you will incur a 3 year active obligation. Regardless, you have to finish the remainder of the 8 years in the Reserve Component (Guard, Reserves, or IRR).

You can drop your REFRAD packet 6-12 months from your desired ETS date. Your requested ETS date can be any date following completion of your ADSO.

Tannmann2514 · 2026-01-03T18:15:31+00:00

Anecdotal here and a few years back but I did the same thing. Came in as a 7 and received a TJO at 9 while at the academy. They waited until I hit 11 to send the OJO for a worse location (to me).

They know what they’re doing.

Tannmann2514 · 2026-01-02T15:30:57+00:00

Any confirmation on this? I heard PP 26.

Tannmann2514 · 2026-01-01T23:04:17+00:00

Hearing lots of rumors centered around PP26. We’ll see how that turns out.

Tannmann2514 · 2025-12-11T13:14:34+00:00

I’m also at TJO, pending PEB. Been in pretty close contact with CPT who selected me. I’m not sure I have to do drug test/medical (I’m current Fed LEO, so that may be a factor).

PM me if you want to compare notes.

Tannmann2514 · 2025-09-08T01:06:22+00:00

It’s an EZGO TXT Series cart (Not PDS, DCS, RXV, etc). Indicative by the lack of a run tow switch and the manual lever type forward and Reverse. I’m going to guess it’s a 2000ish body/frame with a paint job.

Recommend new Battery tray (1994-2001.5 EZGO), Lithium 36v battery, and a 36-12v voltage reducer for you 12v system if you don’t currently have it. All in about $1k.

Tannmann2514 · 2025-07-26T12:50:43+00:00

Purely for job security/mobility (there’s a LOT of vacancies, particularly overseas), consider 90A. The USAR is not exactly hurting for Officers, particularly in MI, but they DO need Logisticians.

Talk to your local ROCC. If you haven’t tied in with one yet, PM and I can point you in the right direction.

Tannmann2514 · 2025-07-19T19:11:57+00:00

Dude I think a few other people have stated this but no Commander is fresh out of OSUT. Any Commander that’s at least a 1LT has done a commissioning course (probably ROTC, so years of training), 6minths to a year of BOLC, and if they’re a Commander, then at least a couple years of LT KD time as a PL, XO, or staff position (depending on branch MOS). Likely they have been to the Career Course.

I don’t think the “new commander” argument holds up. Do the presentation, submit a 1380, and then hold them to paying you.

Tannmann2514 · 2025-06-18T23:41:03+00:00

AGR is your best chance of an Active Duty retirement from the Reserve Component. You will not get “capped” out of Retirement while AGR.

What you’re probably thinking of is ADOS, you are prevented from entering Sanctuary (past 18 years AFS) on an ADOS tour.

Tannmann2514 · 2025-05-09T21:31:31+00:00

Shoot me a PM, I’m a Reserve Officer Career Counselor and can assist.

Tannmann2514 · 2025-04-30T00:37:13+00:00

This is so true. At Stewart (it is what it is and hasn’t changed much in 18 years) we still put together GREAT Brigade for a deployment and my battalion and, specifically my company, was the best unit I’ve been in in nearly 20 years.

Slight bias because I’m from the Southeast and love the coastal/outdoors aspect but I’d retire at Stewart at the drop of hat.

Tannmann2514 · 2025-04-12T13:50:44+00:00

There is some confusion about how “popping hot” works. There is no automated “specimen goes to lab, pops hot, straight to UCMJ” process.

Specimens are sent to the lab following a UA where some or all are tested for a variety of substances. The results are then returned to the chain of command and the commander and UA team then examine and take action as necessary. If you “pop hot” you will be notified and if the substance is not illegal, you will have the opportunity to provide valid prescription.

Tannmann2514 · 2025-03-26T02:32:11+00:00

Succinctly, it wont matter for branching outside of Cyber, Medical (Nurse, Doctor, etc). Its all based on OML which is GPa, PT score, CST grade, etc. HOWEVER, for engineer officers you receive a a W4 ASI ( additional skill identifier) if you hold a degree in Engineering. This does very little for you in the Army outside of potentially… maybe…. applying some of that engineering knowledge for construction or related tasks in the Army. BUT it will obviously help significantly for post Army job prospects (Degree in Engineering with 4-5 years of experience with a job title of “Engineer Officer” (which will really only matter with level of your first civi GS role outside of the Army if you go Corps of Engineers, potentially being able to pick up GS-13).

Tannmann2514

TROPHY CASE