- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 60
Here is my story for those of you who may be interested. I just joined the Pres, under the DEO program, and was enrolled as a 2Lt on January 31st. I am three weeks into my journey so I thought why not let others know what the life of a new recruit is like.
Week 1:
Myself and nine other where enrolled during a 2 minute ceremony. I am not sure what I was expecting but the process was a little under whelming. We all sat around a table with a bible in our hands and we repeated the pledge together. I didn't even see the Captain who enrolled us as he was behind me. For some reason I expected the officer enrollment to be a little different from the NCM enrollment but I was mistaken. The rest if the night we completed paper work and were sent home.
Week 2:
The initial group of 10 has been reduced to 4 as the other 6 individuals will not be parading at this unit. The four of us are ushered off to a side room and have no interaction with the rest of the unit. The first part of the night, we spend getting some of our kit. (Ruck, helmet, sleeping bag etc..) During the assigning of our kit, the supply clerk referred to me as Private which put me in weird situation. Should I tell her I am an Officer or pass it off? I decided to pass it off as I was not in uniform thus she would not have known. But as we were leaving, she wrote on my file Private, at which time, I corrected her. She looked shocked and somewhat apologetic. Her PO just looked at her a little funny but that was about it. Glad that awkward situation was over.
We spend the rest of the night being entertained by a corporal who provides us with some insight into what lies ahead for us. He focuses on the NCM aspect of the unit, as I am the only Officer in the group. This sucked a little but I understand the need to address the majority of the group. The night was concluded by a review of the rank structure and how to address senior ranks. Again, from a NCM point of view but I like getting the full picture so I benefited a great deal.
Week 3:
I meet my three comrades at the unit and again we ushered away to a side room. This is my third night at the unit and I have not seen or spoken to another Commissioned Officer. I am finding this odd as I assumed I would be put under the “care” of another officer until I am trained but again one should never assume anything. Once the Corporal arrives we are informed that tonight is uniform night. We get aboard a van and spend the next hour at the supply store getting fitted. Just like I expected, I didn't get my entire kit do to a shortage in sizes and supply but I got critical elements.
After the fitting, we return to our meeting room where we are given a quiz on rank structure. Not difficult for most but for those who had trouble I spent the next 20 minutes providing some assistance. It is too early in the game for people to get frustrated by something that will come in time. I wish the Corporal would have noticed the frustration by one individual and their sense of feeling “stupid”. We as a team, rallied together and the individual got through it. After the quiz, we were told to bring in all of our kit next week and we were dismissed.
So the last three weeks have not been glamorous or exciting but that is the life of a new recruit. I am a little disappointed I have not been introduced to other Officers and getting referred to most of the time as a Private but being new, not in uniform and untrained that is too be expected. There will be lots of time to be referred to by my correct rank and, at the moment, I am enjoying the time with my new comrades. I will keep this post updated every week for those who are wondering what it is like after you get in.
Week 1:
Myself and nine other where enrolled during a 2 minute ceremony. I am not sure what I was expecting but the process was a little under whelming. We all sat around a table with a bible in our hands and we repeated the pledge together. I didn't even see the Captain who enrolled us as he was behind me. For some reason I expected the officer enrollment to be a little different from the NCM enrollment but I was mistaken. The rest if the night we completed paper work and were sent home.
Week 2:
The initial group of 10 has been reduced to 4 as the other 6 individuals will not be parading at this unit. The four of us are ushered off to a side room and have no interaction with the rest of the unit. The first part of the night, we spend getting some of our kit. (Ruck, helmet, sleeping bag etc..) During the assigning of our kit, the supply clerk referred to me as Private which put me in weird situation. Should I tell her I am an Officer or pass it off? I decided to pass it off as I was not in uniform thus she would not have known. But as we were leaving, she wrote on my file Private, at which time, I corrected her. She looked shocked and somewhat apologetic. Her PO just looked at her a little funny but that was about it. Glad that awkward situation was over.
We spend the rest of the night being entertained by a corporal who provides us with some insight into what lies ahead for us. He focuses on the NCM aspect of the unit, as I am the only Officer in the group. This sucked a little but I understand the need to address the majority of the group. The night was concluded by a review of the rank structure and how to address senior ranks. Again, from a NCM point of view but I like getting the full picture so I benefited a great deal.
Week 3:
I meet my three comrades at the unit and again we ushered away to a side room. This is my third night at the unit and I have not seen or spoken to another Commissioned Officer. I am finding this odd as I assumed I would be put under the “care” of another officer until I am trained but again one should never assume anything. Once the Corporal arrives we are informed that tonight is uniform night. We get aboard a van and spend the next hour at the supply store getting fitted. Just like I expected, I didn't get my entire kit do to a shortage in sizes and supply but I got critical elements.
After the fitting, we return to our meeting room where we are given a quiz on rank structure. Not difficult for most but for those who had trouble I spent the next 20 minutes providing some assistance. It is too early in the game for people to get frustrated by something that will come in time. I wish the Corporal would have noticed the frustration by one individual and their sense of feeling “stupid”. We as a team, rallied together and the individual got through it. After the quiz, we were told to bring in all of our kit next week and we were dismissed.
So the last three weeks have not been glamorous or exciting but that is the life of a new recruit. I am a little disappointed I have not been introduced to other Officers and getting referred to most of the time as a Private but being new, not in uniform and untrained that is too be expected. There will be lots of time to be referred to by my correct rank and, at the moment, I am enjoying the time with my new comrades. I will keep this post updated every week for those who are wondering what it is like after you get in.