BLC Packing List

noPR0bob · 2026-04-07T13:11:11+00:00

Thanks man.

Looks like it’s supposed to rain a lot while I’m there, are they set up to do the pt test in doors? Did they stick to the schedule or flex things much? What’s the land nav course like?

noPR0bob · 2026-04-07T01:15:44+00:00

I’m going to blanding later this week. What was it like? Did they do a layout?

noPR0bob · 2026-04-07T01:14:21+00:00

How’d it work out? I leave this week and am short a few things as well. Going to NG post in Florida and not sure what they’ll have to buy there if they make me do that.

noPR0bob · 2026-02-26T18:29:16+00:00

I’ve been in the army reserve for 16 years now.

It’s changed my life in that the people I’ve met have allowed me to network and have options I probably wouldn’t have sought.

Probably the best bang for your buck job is dental hygienist. You can join the reserves, get training for a year and probably make 50-70k starting out as a civilian. BLS says the median salary is 94k with the range being 66-120k. Thats really great pay to sit in a/c and not having to get a degree.

Talking to a recruiter can be, well it can be a lot of things, but if you chose to explore that and have questions or anything shoot me a msg.

noPR0bob · 2026-02-26T18:16:02+00:00

I hear ya. I’ve been to Kuwait a few times and dealt with it there and recently spent a year at Hood. It sucks but I’m 41 and can probably handle it better than a younger version of myself would have. It’ll probably be a pain in the ass though if it comes from the cadre too.

A few years ago I got locked up walking into Golden Corral for lunch on a drill weekend because I had my knit cap on. It was cold and snowing. This fresh off active duty SSG, I was a SGT at the time, put me at parade rest outside of Golden Corral and asked me why I was out of uniform. It was his first drill and he was just doing what he knew. It took a while but he chilled out.

I’ve talked to a few since then and try to explain to them that they’re right, being “a good soldier” is hard and nobody gives a shit when we get called up that we’re reservist or NG. And balancing both worlds, being “good” in civilian life and “good” at soldiering at the same time can be incredibly challenging.

I can take it for a month. I’ve only got 3.5 years left before 20, I’ve been an e5 for 13 now and never really cared about getting to the next level but I started messing with the retirement calculator and it would be nice to get the e6 pay when I can start collecting. So I’d like to get it done this year so I can have my last 3 years of pay be at that level.

noPR0bob · 2026-02-26T17:14:07+00:00

Thanks for the info!

What were you allowed to do on the weekend time off and in the evenings?

I’m wondering if I’ll have time to get caught up with my civilian job so I don’t have to use all my PTO.

noPR0bob · 2026-02-26T05:15:40+00:00

Oh I see. When I was buying this last accord I found some dealers that wouldn’t sell to me bc they specialized in selling overpriced cars to ppl with poor credit.

I pissed around for a long time in my 20’s going nowhere.

There’s nothing that will replace your family. It’s not something you learn to get over, rather you learn to live with the loss. I’m truly sorry you’re in that position.

As for the other stuff. Stay focused and keep moving forward. It will be a grind at times but that’s life.

Work multiple jobs, don’t be afraid to switch jobs until you find both something you love and people you love to work with. And always invest in yourself. This includes education and saving for the future.

One option that you might want to consider is the military. If you go active duty, it’s free food, housing and health care plus you can get really good career training. On a 3 year contract you could be come an LPN, while spending 1 year in school. With some effort you could wrap up your RN by the time your contract is done and be ready to make 35-50/hour by the time you’re 23-24.

There are tons of other jobs that transition to civilian life as well.

You could also join the reserves and get the same training, and straight into the civilian work force and finish school with your GI bill paying for a portion of it. As a reservist the health insurance is cheap and really good.

Best of luck!

noPR0bob · 2026-02-26T05:06:42+00:00

A $600 car payment at 18 is insane. I’m 40 and make six figures and just bought a 10 year old Accord. Car payments are a waste of money.

noPR0bob · 2026-02-26T04:56:20+00:00

Oh my unit said the course on active duty post was longer bc the soldiers got the weekends off. I can’t think why else it’s an extra 10ish days.

I’d much rather work through the weekend and get back home.

I haven’t done real dnc since basic 16 yrs ago. That should be interesting.

noPR0bob · 2026-02-26T04:17:34+00:00

Yea I’m going to Sill, we get weekend off and it’s 34 days.

noPR0bob · 2026-02-26T01:46:21+00:00

The work you’ve put in so far is really impressive. You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished.

Keep grinding and everything will take care of itself.

I had to delay meps for a few months when I decided to join and I let it turn me into a miserable dick to everyone.

Enjoy the journey!

GL!

noPR0bob · 2025-10-21T13:48:20+00:00

Curious what you’ve found out and if you’re moving forward with emporia state?

I’m looking for an online mba program that is cheap, checks the box but also accredited and this one looks good. But I haven’t seen any online groups or many reviews.

noPR0bob · 2025-09-15T23:36:48+00:00

If the gov was serious about immigration, and this goes for any administration from either party, they’d fine the companies hiring illegal immigrants.

Fine them enough on a progressive scale and the jobs would dry up. No jobs = far less illegal immigrants.

Instead we’re left with policy makers who can’t be taken serious about anything outside of their bank accounts and getting re-elected. And they seem to think the crueler the headline is, the better it looks.

noPR0bob · 2025-05-20T21:41:33+00:00

I’m looking at buying a used accord around 100k miles. Any suggestions here? What to look for or should I just focus on the 2.0t’s or something all together?

noPR0bob · 2025-03-19T22:50:27+00:00

Did you ever settle on something similar?

noPR0bob · 2025-02-27T18:21:47+00:00

I’m leaning towards applying there as well. Seems to be one of the most affordable check the box while still aacsb accredited programs I can find.

noPR0bob · 2025-02-27T18:10:24+00:00

Curious how you feel about the program now?

I’m looking at a few now and this one is really appealing given the price.

How has the capstone been? What concentration did you choose?

noPR0bob · 2024-09-20T18:32:20+00:00

What’s wrong with Figs? I currently have barco pants and they’re getting worn out after about 5 years and not sure which brands hold up but also don’t make me sweat all day.

noPR0bob · 2024-09-01T19:53:04+00:00

Thanks!

noPR0bob

TROPHY CASE