I am a WTC Drill SGT, I have SUCCESSFULLY completed over 2 years mentoring and instructing Basic Combat Training. Ask your questions here so I do not have to keep jumping from subject to subject. Also those who have sent me pm's i will only answer here. Thank you for your contribution to our military services and for your patriotism to continue to serve in the US Army.
NinjaDrill, Wondering on whats going to go on with me when i show up to sill. I get there on the 28th of june and it says my class doesn't start till the 9th of july. just asking to see if i'm going to do the inprocessing stuff when i get there or am i going to wait till the full class shows up i'm sure i'm not the only one in this situation. Is there a 4th of July schedual we are going to have to follow or are we going to be alowed to leave base till such time as we are told to come back.
I will be going into the Ca-NG very soon as a SSGT. I am PS Navy, out for almost 20 years. I am looking forward to learning a whole new military way.
Question is this. I wont be going to WTC any time soon. I will drill with my unit for likely near 6 months (some say more). I will have all my uniforms prior to WTC, but I know Sill will give me new ones too (just the way it works for NG soldiers). I am concerned that I will learn many things "not quite the right way" from my unit. With your prior experiences with guys like me, what would be some of the main areas to watch out for that could stumble me at WTC after such a long time with my unit, considering I am PS Navy and know little of the Army way.
As my dad always told me, better to learn something new the right way the first time. It's harder to re-learn it once you learned it the wrong way.
Ninjadrill, Seconding the question from tweek on inprocessing. I was told I would be placed in "holding" upon arrival. We get any off base privileges? I am going to a follow on AIT in Sill and would like some acquaintence time with the area. Moco
Ninjadrill, Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. I have looked through the boards and i see some folks say that you can bring tobacco products. Is this a good idea or no. I.E. Skoal? Also i have seen other posts where people have taken there camera, is that still allowed?
You've said that you're a DS at Ft. Sill. For those of us that are simply there for processing before proceding to Sante Fe/WSNM, will we have the opportunity to see you then? Just curious because you have been an enormous help with information.
I ship out March 28th, WTC starts April 2nd at (supposedly) Sante Fe. So I know that I'll be at Ft. Sill for 4-5 days.
What can we expect to happen at Ft. Sill while processing? What can we expect while at Sante Fe? Is there anything that stands out in your mind that we should be prepared for? That you've noticed other recruits having the hardest time with?
I realize these questions have been covered in other posts, but this is the first time, I think, that we've had the opportunity to hear it directly from the proverbial horses mouth.
Ninjadrill, If a ship date to WTC (Inprocessing at Ft. Sill) is on a Monday, and the start date of training in Santa Fe is on that Friday, is that enought time to inprocess? This forum talks about soilders being held over at WTC for various reasons to start the following class. Thanks
Thanks Drill Sergeant. We know your time is limited. I don't have a question for you yet, but rather a comment for all the WTC soldiers. It's great to know all the answers before we take a test but what if the test changes? Part of our training will be to learn to improvise when we don't have what we need, adapt to changing situations, and overcome any obstacles in our path. Nothing wrong with asking questions ( I ask my share too ) but we must remember to remain flexible, i.e. the enemy wont always attack where we expect him to. Just my thoughts... for what it's worth.
Great point AZWOLFMAN. Last nights airing of the TV drama "The Unit" was a good case in point about this very issue. The SF team had to link up with a bunch of dirtbag soldiers (the NCOIC was a dirtbag) and the OIC was weak. As I watched the show I saw basic combat skills playing out, along with proper military bearing being re-taught to the soldiers. Very good show for us PS to watch IMHO.
Drill Sergeant! I have a question, Drill Sergeant!
(upon permission to speak)
Last week I twisted my ankle on the ice and have been wearing an ace bandage. This got me to thinking of training the run with those ankle support socks you get at the drugstore for about $12.00.
My question is, will the cadre allow me to wear such single layer support devices under my socks during runs and marches in order to help prevent injury?
Thank you for your time. Thank you for your service.
I guess I'm actually a "young one" headed to WTC!(I'm 23 by the way) I was in the Marine Corps and have only been out a little over 2 years but I'm volunteering to go. I'm still worried about not being in good enough shape when I report in...is there any type of PT regimen that you can prescribe to prepare me?
Ninjadrill, quick question.... what exactly are the pre-req for WTC, I am Navy Vet with 10 years active duty, I enlisted in the USAR in 2003 and out 2005, will I be eligle for WTC? If not is there a waiver I can request to override that and attend? I would definetly want to attend WTC before I head off to WLC, I am an E-5 and will have to attend WLC, however want to attend WTC first... any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
inprocessing- if u show up you r day zero, you have 4 days to inprocess, if u show up on a monday thinking you will ship on a friday....most likely not. 4th of july schedule? sorry I don't project that far out. Oldvet- as long as you obey custom an courtesies you'll be fine. also learn some Drill and ceremonies b4 u get here. Mocolsco- we ship evry 3 weeks, if u arrive here between shipments you will be in a holding status i.e. Labor, hehehhehe. pass is after duty hours.796994-tobacco is ok, but you will not smoke/chew during duty hours or around IET soldiers. NOXCruor, you better come earlier.MACEWILLIAMS- if u have a brace you better see a dr here to get permission to wear it or u won't be allowed to wear any braces unless prescibed by an Army Dr. 1259422- in shape? round is a shape too HHAHAHAHHA, as long as you can pass a PT test.Armysgt44- see your local recruiter, my job is to train em not enlist em, I have no knowledge on the requirements to get here. ope I answered em!
What can an individual do, or what can a unit do to bump up a WTC date by 4mo? Who to write/call? Are there last minute drops that leave available openings? Is it even possible?
I understand that you Drills at Ft. Sill will be our initial cadre for inprocessing. With the courses held entirely at Sill, will we have Drills throughout the entire course to "motivate" us to success or is the contact limited to inprocessing only?
Taking a quick look at your soldiers running shoes they brought would be much too costly for the Army I guess. Whomever supplies the Px with running shoes must have a friend in HQ. Maybe I should grease some palms and supply tightie whities to the Px also and make you all buy new ones when you get to Sill.
As a former distance runner, I can say pretty confidently that the purchasing of new running shoes for everyone will cause injury, no question. At the time the cadre goes through all my stuff looking for contraband, they could be checkinig my running shoes, too.
Just a suggestion. I am certainly not an expert in why the Army cadre is requiring this, and personally I would likely buy new ones there anyway as mine are pretty expensive shoes and I dont want to mess them up running through the desert in NM.
One last comment on running shoes. Proper running shoes, made for your type of feet/running style, can and will prevent injury. NEVER cheap out on running shoes, your ankles and knees will thank you when you are my age.
running shoes-we have a box where u stand on the box and we find out if you have high arches, flat feet or rigid feet, we then have the running shoes with the code on the that will provide u with the best fit., we have asic, new balance..... WTC will still be held at WSMR and Sante Fe, and also at Ft Sill. it all depends on when you get here what class u will get shipped to. ISOTEP- talk to your recruiter, its up to him or your state on your clas date. we have no control on that. Visone64- hmmmm, not a good idea to refer us as 'Drill', u can get one of them at your local hardware store, but yes you will have Drill Sgt's there to motivate you. BTW, we shipped off 138 to Ft Sill WTC, about 125 APFT failures...ouch!
