Bring 2.5 gallon ziploc bags, a few quart ziploc bags,and a few gallon ziploc bags.
You'll need them for the FTX when the waterproof bags they give you inevitably have 30 holes in them.
Bring lots of quality pens and sharpies.
Also, I'd bring a book on Greek mythology and tell them that is you religion so you have something to read. EVERYONE will have a bible to borrow.
Also, dont bring a large amount of clothing aside from underwear, you will IMMEDIATELY change into army PTs and ACUs
Dont bring key locks, bring locks that are combo based but not the traditional school locker locks bu something like this.
Its MUCH easier and faster when you're forced to change uniforms 50 times.
In you notebook write down lyrics to a bunch of songs to keep your mind off things. I only got mail twice during basic, you'll want something to mentally disappear.
Edit: disregard all typos
Anything that'll make the front-leaning rest position more tolerable.
http://www.guardyourhealth.com/fit-text/
Keep pushing yourself no matter what. Enjoy the experience. A lot of Basic Combat Training is in your mind.
It really depends on where your feet are getting messed up. If you have solid boots, blisters shouldn’t be a thing. You can always wear sock inserts underneath your socks to reduce friction, slap on mole skin in the areas you get friction burns.
My suggestion for long ruck march training is to run long distance (not with weight, it fucks up your extremities). Don’t ruck beyond 6-7 miles for training, just do it a few times a week.
The March isn’t bad, especially considering the low weight. You’ll have no problem finishing under 4:30.
Also, super bummed that you won’t be able to earn and wear the badge :( big army screwing everyone
https://www.amazon.com/Popular-Patch-10587-National-Guard/dp/B07CN1SRDZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=National+Guard+Patches&qid=1626992953&sr=8-11 That’s the one that pops up for me on amazon. That should at least set you on track for finding what you’re looking for.
what the fuck kind of plates are you running? a medium sapi weighs 4 lbs per plate. If your entire kit weighs 20 lbs, that is still really fucking heavy if you aren’t mounted 24/7. To OP,
You know what one is right? They are very clutch when everyone is fighting over outlets.
I swear by this one. I use it for drill, backpacking, on the go and use it to charge anything from my phone, gopro, headlamp, and Steam Deck.
Hi, fellow Amazon author here. Just FYI, when linking to your book, the URL only needs to be as long as the ASIN. You don't need the rest of that gobbledegook:
Funny enough, there is an outdated book that served as a complete guide to newcomers. Even though the guard had changed entirely by the time I joined, I went ahead and purchased this while I was in OCS and it has a lot of great history of the TXSG.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1537426141/ref=cm\_sw\_em\_r\_mt\_dp\_03VKZAC2FH1MWV59WBVX
handkerchiefs are an inspectable (locker) item. have them:
the supporter with cup is in fact what you think it is. it's for combatives. You can get one at hibbets, dicks, etc, most sports places.
You'll be doing PT in the early morning and it can get cold. you'll also need to match what everyone else in the company is wearing. Don't be the one guy that left their long sleeves at home and ruin it for everyone else. The gortex is required for locker display (inspectable item.)
They'll put a packing list out for rucks, but honestly no one followed it, and no one checked. As long as you can meet 35lbs without water weight added, you're good to go.
You're also gonna want your wet weather gear -- the land nav courses, especially at night, will leave you soaked from dew and sweat alone.
Men's Cotton Handkerchiefs, Ohuhu 13 Pack 100% Soft Cotton Handkerchiefs for Men White Pocket Square for Suit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LKN2CR4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZHZC745C4PNZM01HPH85?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Yes
When I went in the summer I didn’t need the winter stuff, but that was South Dakota and 20 years ago.
i use these locks. time savers especially in the dark. can create a custom combination.
I recommend this or similar. Easier to open under stress than traditional combo locks.
Plus if you catch someone stealing, lock inside of a sock properly applied will put an abrupt end to aforementioned thievery.
Commissioned through PA traditional OCS last year, happy to answer any questions you have here or over PM.
Generic advice:
Good luck man, it's a tough process here in PA but it definitely prepares you well, and it does a great job of weeding out the shitbags. Like I said above, feel free to ask anything or PM if you have more questions.
Seems like a lot of tablets these days only have USB-C ports. If that’s the case, then I’d invest in a USB-C CAC reader. This is what I got, works great.
Type C CAC Reader Saicoo DOD Military USB-C Common Access Smart Card Reader, Compatible with Windows (32/64bit) XP/Vista/ 7/8/10, Mac OS X https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NT53M7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_FRNMF5V5RE41VZSJBZPG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I used one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Clipboard-Lightweight-Polypropylene-Professionals/dp/B00290OG6I
And then got some plastic sheet protectors and then put my map in one and taped the open side.
You can put all your stuff inside of it so you don’t lose anything in transit.
Not sure what shoes you have but ASICS GT-2000 series running shoes are amazing and I highly recommend them. I had running issues before and when I switched it highly improved my issues.
I'm an attorney. . .
There are over 100 service members that would still be filling billets and doing their jobs were they not separated for simply refusing an unlawful order. Tens of thousands more will be getting out. You and the other sheep aren't concerned about readiness at all. The military will be hurting for bodies in the very near future.
Get yourself one of these and understand your oath a little better. Even a pretentious moron like yourself could understand this text:
Here’s a quick tip to gain weight and keep it on.
start taking creative monohydrate. It’s a natural substance in your body that usually comes from digesting meat. This supplement helps you rapidly gain weight and muscle if you work out by adding water mass to your muscles.
This isn’t a steroid so don’t have super high expectations, but I gained about 32 pounds as a 130 pound 6’0 guy to 162. It helps you keep on the weight you put on. You have to eat well and workout while you do it, but still.
BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate (Micronized) - Creatine Powder (1 Kilogram - 2.2 lbs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E9M4XEE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_2PAMFSW7PE9EGMTAJQKM
This one’s pretty good ^
Great thanks. is this the right kind of power convertor you are talking about? BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter 220V to 110V Voltage Converter with 6A 4-Port USB Charging and UK/AU/US/EU Worldwide Plug Adapter (White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E140XWA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1C8JBWHP5BJ0FY9T8HVF
I used these particular flashcards to help me study and I found them to be quite helpful, especially for helping me remember how do algebraic things.
The questions on these flash cards were just a bit harder than the questions on the asvab, so if you can master these you should have no problems with the real test
Since converters and power strips were brought up, stay away from power strips with built in surge protectors that need a us to european adapter, they tend to trip the circuit breakers. Something like this should be fine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FHHVC1C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_WCSHQX9T2SQCDWTJGRAY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
These are a no go: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B3J6JM5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_4CC9XBG28J7JTQW20ZBH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Use FM 7-22's ruck progression to build yourself up if you haven't already, can't recommend that enough. Get used to increasing the weight/distance, hydrate, etc, you know the drill. r/bodyweightfitness has been good for me with pullup/pushup progressions so maybe check them out too for tips/exercises.
You're prior service right? Non-physical fitness tip here, but get yourself a copy of the ranger handbook and specifically read over the sections on OPORDS until you have that "shell" they give familiarized. OPORDS are gonna be a huge part of your phase 2/3 training but if you can come in familiarized and ready, your evals in phase 2 and your practicals in 3 will be so much easier. No reason you can't take something like this waterproof and pocket sized version. I use it constantly when I'm writing out my field orders because it's organized exactly the way cadre (mine at least) expect a field order to be formatted and presented. Shaving time off your OPORD development will also do wonders for you, both in the field and for practice.
First off, sorry for the formatting, I'm on mobile. Download the PRT app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ssiedtech.prt) Go to references, then all drills. Do the preparation drill, then Conditioning Drill 1/ Conditioning drill 2/ Four for the core/ climbing drill 1 (Only 1 of these per day, try to do a different one each day) and then complete the recovery drill. If you do this daily, you will not only be a little better physically, but you will also be familiar with these exercises as you will do them every single day in basic.
https://www.amazon.com/NREMT-Exam-Prep-2019-2020-Technicians/dp/109880306X
That’s a good book
Also, don’t worry as 80% of your class will not know what’s going on either.
And that’s state dependent but you will come out with a EMT-B cert so if would be easy to pick up AEMT in the civi side and paramedic can be got easily too. If the Guard won’t send you to get the certs take advantage of the education benefits yourself
Good luck and have fun!
Realistically "in the field" can mean a lot of different things. As others have said, you can never go wrong with a solar power bank, physical books are also preferred for power reasons but Kindle works too. A 32oz gatorade bottle and drink mixes(Mio, etc) can also be great. Deck of cards is a classic. Battery powered/rechargeable fans are nice in non-AC tents when it is hot
Ranges Specifically: THIS chair is amazing.
buy the study guide on Amazon or get it from someone who has taken the exam
read the FAA helicopter flying handbook, focusing primarily on helicopter flight controls. (chapter 3)
If you've taken an SAT or ACT then you can understand the general theme of the SIFT. The only really unique section is the aviation knowledge section. If your math or vocabulary is bad then read/study more or get a tutor. If you're a good test taker I would focus on the aviation knowledge section since that has info that isn't common knowledge and can be easily studied for with the resources above.
I just bought this to help cuz I've worked waaay too hard and too long to build mass. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B8JTYVW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I'm not going to even be close to borderline when it comes time to go back in.
Well I think it goes without saying to read the reviews on amazon first. Curious which FE Exam book you thought was bad. When I took the FE and PE I used books from PPI and those were pretty close to the actual exams. Book I used for the older AFAST was this one: Military Flight Aptitude Tests, 5/e (Peterson's Master the Military Flight Aptitude Tests) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0768910293/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_hCzGBbQWRTRF0 Got a 139 on that test so I would say it’s a good book. Haven’t read up on the differences between the SIFT and AFAST so I can’t comment on it being a good choice for the SIFT.
I got in while still pretty heavy. My run time is not NEARLY as good as yours. There's a dude in my RSP who sounds similar to you, although he's probably less than 30%. ALL that matters in your case is that you make tape. There is an app called "Army PRT" that you should download, there is a body fat calculator that is the same that is used at meps. Go get one of these: https://www.amazon.com/AccuFitness-MT05-MyoTape-Body-Measure/dp/B000G7YW7Y/ and tape yourself just below your adam's apple, and just BELOW your belly button. I have a 17 1/2" neck but a 39" waist, I passed. Keep up on your run because I about died during drill last weekend.
Edit to add: some kinda miracle happened at MEPS and I got taped at 21%. LOL nope. I have a DEXA scan done about once a month and I'm probably 10-12% above that, but all that matters is the number they calculate.
I strongly recommend this. I scored off the charts in every category including EI which I'm completely hopeless at.
This G-Shock has been with me for years of hard use.
Here's what I decided on based on the features of the watches these guys picked. I would've gotten one of the ones they did, but this one has a vibration alarm function, which a couple of soldiers in the review section thought was great. It's pretty big, but the rectangular shape should make it look a little smaller than the usual wrist-mounted tactical wall clock.
Timex Men's TW4B025009J Expedition Shock Digital Watch With Black Resin Band https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YTYH16Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_acImxbTJE1X0X
Worth a look, I used it. Very helpful, does take some effort but you can get itt down in 2 weeks.
Late to the party OP but what I would suggest is getting the Army Study Guide App.
It has your soldiers creed, warrior ethos, general orders, APFT calculator, etc. Everything you will need to learn ahead of time and in a clean format.
For me, when memorizing the soldiers creed, I just went one line at a time and then added the next one once I felt comfortable with the previous.