Although I said I was putting this thread on RLS, I'll make this post.
To the folks on here who are new to the CF/enrolling/about to leave for BMQ/BMOQ, regardless of component, environment and trade:
1. The people trying to help you on here have mulitple years of experience in the CF. Most, if not all, have been instructors at various levels. When you come on here and ask a question, then get an answer and reply with "well I was told XYZ but I thought I'd come on here and clarify", if you defend the info you were given by Cpl Bloggins at CFRC "Pickaname", why are you even coming here to ask? Better yet, why aren't you asking the questions to the folks you were talking to in the first place????? How many posts do you think are on here that go something like "The recruiter/Sgt/Officer told me I need to bring *insert item name*, can someone confirm that for me?" You are starting a habit of questioning directives/orders from someone who IS in an authoritive position over you (once you are sworn in, you are subject to the CSD, Code of Service Discipline);
2. About Joining Instructions. The CF has many unit/schools/establishments that are part of what we call "the training system". Each of them has published their own set of JIs. Depending on where you go, what you are doing there (staff vs student, NCM vs Officer, etc) you may have different JIs. JIs tell you things like mailing address, living/mess facilties, kit lists. YOUR job is to find the JIs that apply to you for the unit/base/formation etc you are going to, and follow them. The work of "what do I need to bring? where will I eat? how will I get my mail? How will Mom get ahold of me if Fluffy is sick?" is already done for you. Someone said something that the JIs haven't been updated yet this year. So? So that means...NOTHING HAS CHANGED OF SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANCE. Therefore, NO requirement to update the JIs. Simple! See the problem is you are thinking of things WAY over the level you should be. Let the people who run CFLRS worry about the content of the JIs for CFLRS. YOU should be worried that you (1) are fit enough (2) have your personal affairs sorted out so as not to disrupt your ability to focus on your training and (3) have all the requirements laid out in the JIs for your respective unit/trg establishment. YES. It is that simple. If it says "cotton briefs"....bring them! If it says "pink bunny slippers x 1 pair...bring them! Focus on the 1, 2 and 3 I have listed about. *Breaking News Story* when I went thru Basic a *few* years ago...I was given a list of things to bring and a list of things I needed to buy when I got there. And *gasp* I too got a pay advance to ensure I purchased the things I needed once I got to my unit. And guess what, I took the things on the list I was supposed to have on arrival, and then I bought the other things on the list identified to be purchased on arrival. Bottom line? We don't care what the JIs say. Our advice is simple.
Follow yours. Understand now that there are different directives for each base, unit etc in the CF that are specific and unique to those bases, units, etc. Don't worry about what, say, my sub-units PT and dress policy is, much like I am not concerned with the policies that apply to CFLRS or NRTD Borden. I have my own unit and Wing ones to follow. Those are different from the ones of other sub-units on my Wing, also not my concern UNTIL I am working with/for/at those sub-units. Ok?;
3. Yes, we know you are nervous/excited/whatever. Everyone here who is already in the CF has been thru the exact same process, either as an NCM or Officer. We all started out as fresh recruits/OCdts in civies the first week. How do you think we made it thru? We learned to follow directions/orders. Quickly, correctly. Because of our time in and experience, we have developed above the "imposed discipline" life into the area of "self discipline". Doing the right thing, at the right time, the right way, unsupervised and with the confidence of our superiors. You are just starting that journey. Start making it an easy transition by following simple orders without reading into them. As a recruit, your job can be very simply described as this:
Do WHAT you are told, WHEN you are told, HOW you are told.
Thats it. No more, no less need be said about it at this time. Every task you get, that applies. To drill. Kit and quarters. PT. You name it;
4. Understand this. It is far more important, at this stage in your career in the CF, that you FOLLOW your orders to the letter (regardless of what they are) than it is that you understand WHY those are the orders. The CF and your BMQ staff are trying to get you to follow orders WITHOUT QUESTION as a starting point. Why does your pillow cover have to be 18" wide? Who cares!
The question is..is it 18"? Do it, don't question it. The same principle will apply to say, handling drills for your C7 service rifle. Actually, to pretty much everything. First and foremost is the VERY important skill of following orders. Quickly. Correctly;
5. No one is getting mad that you are asking questions. Some of us are getting frustrated that our simple answers are then pushed aside or made complicated;
6. For the person who thought I was being a prick. Boy. Are you in for a shock. I'll say this, and I hope you read and understand this BEFORE your BMQ starts.
You have volunteered for, and been selected for service in the Armed Forces of Canada. The military. This is not your highschool debating team. This is not Boy Scouts, or Girl Guides. You have made it thru the CFRG selection process and are now about to start proving you have what it takes to make it in the CF. If a few direct words in this thread have hurt you in some way, you will need to grow some thick skin in short order; and
7. My last comment is for all you who think you won't need a lock upon arrival.
If you don't have a lock, how will you secure your wallet/purse/cell phone/IPOds/whatever else you bring BEFORE you get to the CANEX? CF recruits come from Canadian society, and some of those people are thieves. Just a fact of life. How would you like to have your wallet go missing with your credit cards/ATM cards, whatever else you have in it the Sunday you show up while you are gone for a wee-wee? Don't think it happens? Anyone? Anyone? It happened to some dummy on my Basic course in 1989, and it has happened again and again I am sure since then. Do you think if you loose your wallet and all your ID, the course will just stop so you can call all your credit card companies, bank, etc to report them stolen? How easy will it be for you to look after replacement cards and all that when you are busy from 0500-2300 hrs daily?
Take a lock EVEN if you have to replace it with the "Supervising Instructor Corporal" one later on. Everytime you leave your locker/bedspace, SECURE your belongings in your locker. That advice is regardless of what base/unit you are with.
This is all advice or opinion, which you may take, or leave.
EITS