Is it a good idea to work ahead? As in, memorizing ranks and creed before I'm expected? Will that make me finish the DEP program faster?

You'd be helping yourself out by working through your material quickly. It'll give you more time to soak up all that information. You're doing yourself a favor. Just remember, if you get it done early, don't forget to go back from time to time and review so that it stays fresh.

Thanks! ^_^ I'm actually being picked up in 5 minutes for the meeting, so I won't be back on. But I'm glad to have gotten at least one response. :-)