Travel and Signing In

So as I was trying to prepare for IBOLC I tried to find stuff on the internet that other new LT's had written. I did find one blog that was really good (here it is: http://bolcjournal.blogspot.com/2010/09/preparing-for-iobc.html) but while it was good it was only one LT's experience a couple years ago. I don't expect too much has changed but I wanted new officers, especially infantry ones, to at least have a couple things to read and get a better picture as what to expect as they go to BOLC. The plan right now is to update this at least once a week and more if I find it necessary. Less if I don't have any time, because lets be honest, this is important, but my time at IBOLC is gonna come first.

In case you cared, I'm an ROTC graduate from BYU. Was prior service but not combat arms. Because I was a December graduate I got my IBOLC dates pretty early and they changed four times, always earlier. I even got my RFO's about my next tentative assignment. But onto the important stuff...

Anyways, a bit about your PCS. If you don't mind a little hassle when you move I recommend doing a full DITY, I'm scheduled to make about $2500 from it after everything is said and done. Married couples I've talked to have made more than $3000. It really isnt that bad. Oh and check travel routes before you go, when I drove through Nebraska there had been a massive snow storm the night before, so while the roads for fine for us 12 hours later, there were at least 30 semis and a bunch of other cars abandoned on the side of the road, most of them had just slid off. No bueno.

So everything I've heard is to not report in early, I agree. I did however do a few recons and went on post a few times. Mostly to see how long it took me to get from my apartment to the gate and to where I need to be every morning. The whole "signing in" thing was a bit of a joke though. Just for kicks and giggles I went in one day early and an LT from a different class who got the poor assignment to waste his Saturday sitting at a desk all alone, handed me a welcome letter from my new 1SG and told me to be at the appointed place at 0430. Yes, 0430...damn. Anyways the letter basically said that the first week was going to be all in processing and to bring a backpack with every piece of paperwork you have.  The letter also said to be prepared to be on post until 2000 every night, but everyone I've talked to who went through in processing here at Benning said its more like 1000 every day. Ill let you know next week.

Records: Most of it youll have received from your S1 but prior service will need all their enlisted stuff and other things like lease agreement, marriage certificate, etc. Make sure to review your packet, page by page and make yourself personal copies. All my army paperwork was in a big unorganized box but now its time to get serious. 

Uniform: So I got both unit patches for my follow on unit and the follow me patch here at BOLC. Id heard you wear the follow on unit if you know it, and I talked to the NCO on staff duty and he said, and I quote "Hell yeah wear that thing! You dont wanna look like some new and confused LT with the "Follow Me" patch." Well ok sergent. Ill let you know what they say. Other than that make sure you wear clean uniforms. Your first paycheck will have money specifically for that, dont waste it, buy yourself some legit uniforms. 

Housing: If you want to live of post, you can. I recommend it and there are tons of places. Do make sure before you sign anything to make sure your apartment complex has been ok'ed approved. Met an LT who didnt do that, suffice to say he is in a world of hurt at the moment. Then you have to decide for how long, if you get a ranger slot you gotta decide if you wanna pay two months for a place you wont see, or put stuff in storage or what. Food for thought. 

Oh, and they dont do base decals here anymore on post, so just make sure to always have your CAC card, or at least military ID with you. And if you want to have a firearm in your car when you go on post, do the paperwork, dont break that rule. 

If you have any questions feel free to comment and Ill answer you the best I can. Obviously there are some basic OPSEC stuff so I wont go into too much detail about the actual training itself, more about what to except and how to better prepare yourself. I had to opportunity to be a Gold Bar Recruiter and had a lot of time to study, before you come I would suggest you read four books first:

FM 3.21-8 (Duh)

FM 3-90 Tactics

Ranger Handbook (its full of great information and isnt really that long)

Starship Troopers (if this book doesnt make you jacked to go infantry nothing will) 

Also for official infantry stuff check these links:

IBOLC Homepage- http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/199th/ibolc/

Training shedule- http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/199th/ibolc/content/pdf/IBOLC%20Training%20Calendar.pdf

Breakdown of scoring- http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/199th/ibolc/content/pdf/IBOLC%20Graduation%20Requirements.pdf