Any recent graduates from the REBI course want to share their experiences. Just wondering what to expect. Ive been through basic training before and was wondering if its the same treatment.
No, it's not like basic training. It's a great two weeks. I just got done recently. It's a really good balance between classroom and hands on training. The two weeks will go by before you know it.
My main piece of advice is to make sure you are in shape before you get there. You are expected to be able to pass a physical when you get there.
I was not prior service when I went, and it was two of the best weeks of my life. I really wished afterwards that I had gone to regular basic, but I had an awesome time at REBI.
No, it's not like basic training. It's a great two weeks. I just got done recently. It's a really good balance between classroom and hands on training. The two weeks will go by before you know it.
My main piece of advice is to make sure you are in shape before you get there. You are expected to be able to pass a physical when you get there.
I was not prior service when I went, and it was two of the best weeks of my life. I really wished afterwards that I had gone to regular basic, but I had an awesome time at REBI.
Any word while you were there if the curriculum is going to change? CPO Kalbach
Yes, they are in the process of reforming a lot of the curriculum and the hands on training. PO Hatch and GMSC Clayton are working hard to make sure that it's not the picnic it used to be. The session we attended was the first in which the test was not directly taught to the enlistees, and instead was a real test of knowledge. We got a day in Marlinspike seamanship, a day in fire school (which was new for REBI), and from what we were told all future classes will receive pepper spray training. They also told us that all future REBI classes have to pass the physical fitness test while they are there or they don't graduate. There were three people rolled out of my class, and the whole time we were there it was made clear to us that the old days of REBI being a two week party were over.
They are also trying to get back to the roots of the school so that it's more for direct petty officers instead of the accelerated petty officer program. Don't know if that's going to float or not, but that's one reform they are trying to make.
The curriculum books were in the process of being revised while we were there and that is an ongoing process. I don't know when it will finish, but we were given a number of worksheets and notesheets in our various classes to add to the notebook we got upon arrival. The problem they are having is the two week span. They have a tremendous amount of time to throw at someone in a remarkably short amount of time. One of the suggestions offered by many of the enlistees in my group was to increase the amount of time for the course, especially for non prior service, to give us more work on customs and courtesies and short order drill.
so where do guys stay for REBI. In the barracks? with the boot campers? C school dorms? Does the REBI eat, etc with the regular coasties or are we sectioned like when I was at boot camp.
I graduated the REBI program in July and had an awesome time. Its not as stressful as the regular basic training but thats not what its there for. Its more of an adult learning environment desigined for those of us with prior military experience or significant civilian experience to enter at a higher level. Alot of my class consisted of civilians coming in as 3rd class petty officers in the Yeoman, Port Security, and Storekeeper ratings. We had a full day on the range, military customs, how the reserve point system works and half a day on the 41 MLBs. The program is going through alot of changes to produce better trained reservests because alot of us are getting activated and the days of "you're a reservist, you'll never have to do this" are gone and the program is adjusting so we get the most relevant training in the short time available.
Originally posted by netime: Any recent graduates from the REBI course want to share their experiences. Just wondering what to expect. Ive been through basic training before and was wondering if its the same treatment.
I just graduated from REBI Friday and it was a great experience. Even being a prior Coastie I thought the program was very informative and it's always good to have a refresher for the SWE. You get treated the way you deserve to be treated as a company. If you do what's expected and asked then everyone will be fine. I don't want to give too much away, but I enjoyed all of it. Good luck!
Yeah you are formed as a company. Everyone comes in together from Philly airport. The CC's meet you on the bus and begin the inprocessing. The company will be Romeo, whatever class and year, we were 02-08. Once again it's a great program that Senior Chief Clayton is trying to improve on. If he gets his way then it will be an even better program. This has been touched on up above, but be in shape when you get there. Especially for the swim test! Pay attention in the classes and pass the PT and the 12 days fly by.
We don't give away all the answers about REBI as we want to make sure that everyone starts off on the same foot. It doesn't really matter how many make up a Company, etc. You will find out when you get there. You already know what to expect. Relax, you'll be kept informed.
While the numbers are out there somewhere, what really matters is that the person applying falls within the age requirement and is committed to graduating. Some REBI classes have more prior service, some have more civilians, all depends on the applicants applying at the time. It's good if there are some prior servie in each class, that way they can help the civlilians with close order drill and customs and courtesies.
quote:
1. What is the average age range of those in REBI?
2. On average, what percentage of those in REBI are prior service vs. non-prior?
