well like the topic says, I just graduated 10jun2009 from C 1/79. Let me say I met some of the best people ever, and some of the worse lol. I'm in AIT right now in so I won't get into too much but let me just say one thing about WTC, YOU MUST BE IN SHAPE AND ABLE TO PASS THE APFT BEFORE YOU GO THE! I saw too many people crying about not being able to pass or being "cheated" by the cadre. Look if you need 50 push ups an you only got 30, don't bother coming. If you can't run at least 16 minute 2 mile, don't come. (depending on age and sex) The heat and humidity at ft sill can be unbearable and make it very difficult to breathe. you get my point on that I hope. Don't expect to be a DFB and expect to just pass by your looks, ain't gonna happen.

To you prior navy, marine, air force, The cadre are called sergeants, not sir or ma'am. They are not officers, expect to be dropped for your bad habits. You will be treated as adults as long as you behave like one. There are far more privilages that you will have that the IET soldiers would die for, don't ruin it by fraternizing, having contraband in the bays, or just plain old acting up.

Some of you soldiers are coming in as an E-5 or above, yet have been civilians for x amount of years. I'll give you a little tip too, there are ways to speak to people that doesn't require you showing your inablity, or lack of knowledge of the english language. Don't be speaking to lower ranking soldiers so rudely that it may cause a conflict. Some of these soldiers may have been living a lifestyle that will make disrespect intolerable by someone whom is considered a trainee too.

These are the basic points that enable your survival of the Warrior Transition Course without too much difficulty.

Oh I almost forgot, The Army Song, Warrior Ethos, 3 general orders, and 7 Army values. memorize these before leaving too, you will be saying them everyday and it's much harder to learn there in a stressful environment.

I'll keep my personal experiences and opinion about the course to myself as it has nothing to do with your ability to pass the course.

Congrats!

I'd say you had some Soldiers wanting to be more like civilians in the course?

Like I keep saying... the Army has been around for a very long time. It's not going to change for you, but you can open your mind and learn what you can here. This is for your benefit, my benefit and your country. You learn the basic fundamentals, skills and tactics to survive combat!

... on top of everything... you do it in just over 4 weeks verses going back to basic training :-) How long is that going to last? THINK ABOUT IT?

Mirandaspits - See you on the battlefield and good luck to your future success in the Army! It's what you wanted and you've met the challenge!!!

Good job PV2 Miranda.

I recall DS Vargas telling me some very good advice on the APFT. I had just failed the run by like 2 seconds, and knew i had crossed in time, but the grader didnt hear the time and wrote the next announced time.

"Never leave your APFT up to the pen of the grader"

I just took the APFT again for like the 15th time in my 2 years. Its for my deploying unit. I got my highest score ever. I was happy with just passing.

For all of you headed to Ft. Sill now. This is the time of year I went there 2 years ago. It is very hot and high humidity, lots of heat casualties. DRINK TONS OF WATER ALL THE TIME. If you are put in charge of a platoon. squad, or fire team, make your soldiers drink more than they want to. Your body wont always tell you that you need water by making you thirsty.

Right on Oldervet!

I've been there on the APFT myself in my years. Alway be sure to call out your grader's name, or alert them to your time.

Ft. Sill is currently reaching 98-100 degrees. It's rained recently and the humity lingers along with mosquitos too. Soon everything will dry and it will be blazin hot. Anyone who has deployed knows just keep drinking water, wear the proper uniform, limit exposure, and watch your battle buddies.

But no worries, the cadre are trained professionals and will ensure you're be safe at all times! :-)

I remember reading about everyone gives everyone else an IV. personally, im scared to death of needles, and cannot stand shots or IV's.

what happens if you fail that part?

also, what all transpires with that? Assume they train you on how to give one, but how?

Yes, live sticks.

LPN actually have to pay to get a course like this. Nothing to it and you won't fail.

No disrespect, but in combat things are a lot worse. Your battle buddy will sit in a chair, everything is set up for you and is sterile. Directions will be given to you by cadre/staff. You can't mess it up.

My advise/opinion is not to sweat the little things and concentrate on the course objective, skills and training. Don't set yourself up for failure without even trying.

I was reading in the packing list for WTC and wanted to know if they obligate you to buy running shoes once you get there or can you bring your own. What about class A uniforms, do we use them at all while at WTC?

running shoes, it has been discussed

Lots of guys worry about the CLS classes, everywhere, not just at BCT or WTC. Rakkason is right (as always). You will get tons of death by powerpoint on this, it will be detailed to you in depth. Then they will help walk you thru it. Remember, your buddy is in the chair or you are. the Cadre dont want someone getting hurt for no reason so they will be there with combat medics watching and helping. Its not that tough.

For my deployment CLS refresher i offered all the medics $5 if they could stick me the first time. I won. My veins are hidden and under decades of scar tissue from giving blood and having it taken.

Wes01,

Search running shoes, its all there.

You will be getting a full issue, including class A's, even though they are on thier way out. You wont wear them, or even see them until late in the course (alterations and rank sewing). No worries, and dont bring your old ones if you have them still.

Yep... always right!

curious if anyone knows why that is? Time will tell when Ninja gets spun up so I can check out the new job.

quote:

Originally posted by RakkasanDragon:
Time will tell when Ninja gets spun up so I can check out the new job.

He is setup as of Wednesday night.

Awesome. I was going to give him a ring yesterday, but got busy.

No worries, I'm still around while transitioning and training my battle to take charge.

CLS was very easy, there is no need to sweat it seriously. You're walked through the whole process and WILL NOT fail. Make sure you drink plenty of water the night before so it's easier to stick you. BTW, you won't be able to pick who is going to stick you, it's random

Rakassan, I understand why so much was left out of the program. WTC is a good program with some great fundamentals which are necessary for success in the future. You only get what you put into it.

I do have a question for you, While I was in CLS training there was a former cadre from C battery whom I heard sound off with Rakassan. I won't say the name, just curious if you were the one who periodically would stop by with "words of encouragement" RF

Oldervet and any other soldier who is taking a APFT, REMEMBER YOUR SCORE. If you are passing by seconds you need to sound off. It may take a few seconds for the grader to turn and see the clock. Also practice push ups in PERFECT FORM, anything else will not be counted and you'll just get tired.

quote:

Originally posted by MirandasPits:
I do have a question for you, While I was in CLS training there was a former cadre from C battery whom I heard sound off with Rakassan. I won't say the name, just curious if you were the one who periodically would stop by with "words of encouragement" RF

The identity is hidden at other Mods request, he is just being a nice guy and responding to the request. At one time he had his full real name displayed with current job function, so did CMTaMedic, gruntpain1775, IronErik, etc.

Long story why we request the Mods hide the identity (very long story). In short it leads to a more professional Forum of discussion and less general poster drama in public. Which is all good. So if you do figure it out or he chooses to tell you. Please do not post the information.

hey Miranda,

Enjoy AIT in a new post. Myself, Ranger, and one other from 4th plt are still here enjoying hold under status this last week.

Its hotter BUT 1/78th is much less drama.

IMO CLS was the easiest, spoon fed knowledge is easy to retain. My big suggestion is learn now how to stay awake. sipping water, not putting your head in your hands, and taking notes on everything possible will help you keep from nodding off.

hey sawdust glad to know everything is good. An you are definitely right about learning to stay awake, it will definitely be a challenge that will kick the strongest person in the teeth lol.

Where are you going to after 1/78th, are you going to benning? I am going back to base tomorrow afternoon I'm close enough to go home for the weekend at APG, MD.

MirandasPits - Erich has layed it out for ya.

I'm not batman... so nobody needs to start the witch hunt. Just an NCO with knowledge to assist you all with the latest and greatest.

Normally we moderate and do corrections, but this course is confusing and the information wasn't getting out correctly. That's why you see me answering questions as well. Trying to get everyone on the same page, and know what's expected in the course.

As for Rakkasan... it's just some name I heard around and picked up. Perhaps from that NCO you mentioned??? lol

All this secret squirrel stuff is funny.

When I got to WTC summer of 2007, Ninja was still a DS there. Virtually everyone was scared of him. He pulled the old skool DS on these kids (he was with the IET side then) but we WTC saw him a lot in reception. he ALWAYS spent time with us when he could. He pulled me out of ranks a few times. Everyone thought I got chewed out by him, but he was just giving me some personal encouragement and wisdom. he is quite a man, and soldier. I am proud to have met him, and honored to call him my friend now.

I really do appreciate your advice. Having read posters on this board, and even worse on the National Guard board, I'm really surprised at how many folks out here seem to be shocked that the Army would actually expect them to learn how to act like Soldiers. This is especially true when it comes to the APFT. WTF people? Really, this is about the most basic expectation that the military can have for us, it seems to go without saying that you should take care of your body state before you ship. I really don't understand people who show up out of shape.

I'm working on my 8k tactical march right now, anyone know how much weight I should put in my ruck?

With that said... the following quote is full of delicious irony I appreciate the advice you have given here, and I'd like to offer you a little in return: If you're going to take on someone's ability to use the English language, you should probably make sure you use proper English yourself. Otherwise you're just calling in fire on your own position

quote:

I'll give you a little tip too, there are ways to speak to people that doesn't require you showing your inablity, or lack of knowledge of the english language.

-PG