OCS Day 0 (Sunday, 07/JUN/09)
June 22nd, 2009 Doug Posted in Journal Entry | 5 Comments »
So as bad as yesterday went, today has started out fairly well. My orders stated that I should report at 0800 this morning, but actually it is noon, and they in no way expect everyone to check in by noon. Not that that was a bad thing, other than the fact that I had to get up earlier than I needed to, but I was able to get all my paperwork done early and now have a good chunk of the day to finish getting my stuff squared away.
I still don’t have my car registration, but hopefully my wife will be able to take care of that today. As soon as she gets home, she is going to see if she can find the registration (it should be with my 2008 taxes) and if she can, e-fax them to me immediately. If not, it will have to wait to tomorrow till she goes to the DMV to renew the tabs and registration, then e-fax that to me. Of course it’s preferable to get it today, before I have to report to my company and so that it will be like it never happened, but if I got to wait till tomorrow, so be it. I just need it by tomorrow, when my temporary vehicle registration expires.
Later tonight…
So I did get the registration today and I was able to renew my pass for 30 days. I then reported back to HHC for what was supposed to be a 1600 formation. At some point that formation was changed to 1500 so I was technically late. It wasn’t a big deal, but so much for showing up early. I was the first one there this morning and ended up being the only one late! I quickly got my stuff thrown into a room, had chow, then had another meeting where we got split up into platoons, and now we have some down time. I’m going to use this to get my stuff in order. Class start tomorrow!
February 25th, 2010 at 5:08 AM
hey Doug-
Whats the deal with having time to buy required stuff from MCSS such as the ascots and OCS rank, road guard vest? DO they alott time for that, or do we need to have everything in hand on upon reporting?
Also, what rank did you wear when reporting, the OCS rank or your regular rank?
Thanks!
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:51 PM
Hey,
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Yeah, their is a fair amount of stuff that should be purchased at the MCSS. For example, the road guard vest has to be purchased their because everyone has to be the same. Also, the Officers Guide should be bought their to ensure you have the correct edition.
Other than that, you can get most of the things on the packing list at other places for cheaper. Fer example, Ranger Joes and Commandos both sell OCS rank. However, avoid the ‘OCS kits’ they sell, becuase the contain a bunch of stuff you do not need.
As far as timing, try to get there at least a day before your report date, to orient yourself and get what you need. You won’t need everything right away, but it’s probably just as easy to buy it all right away, because then you have it. If you have a car you can store excess things there.
Finally, if you have the option don’t sign in to Battalion until the day you have to report. Get there a day early to figure out where everything is, but don’t sign in. Instead, stay in a hotel or, better yet, in the ‘hotel’ on post. Then sign in that morning, and that will give you all day to get settled. If you sign in before you will probably get stuck doing details, where if you don’t sign in your still free for another day!
Let me know if you have any other questions.
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:04 AM
THanks for the reply. So, you are saying have everything prior to signing in. I will be in a leave status, and will have to sign in to come off leave unless I can sign in at a Staff Duty that wont hand me over to school cadre, I am probably screwed. I was hoping they would give me some time to go to MCSS.
Also, did you wear the OCS rank when reporting?
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:55 AM
hey, another question! Specifically I am worried about buying the ACU field jacket and a SECOND pair of boots. Are these items in the room/wall-locker layout??
Long story, but am having trouble acquiring these items prior to arrival.
If I have time to purchase these there later, that would help me out.
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:14 PM
The field jacket is a complete waste of money: in all likelihood, you won’t need or use it, so don’t buy that right away. It’s possible that they will make you get one (for example, if it is included in the room SOP.) But for my class, many people got away with not buying one. It can be bought at the MCSS.
However, my Company never did an initial showdown of packing list equipment: some Companies do. So, perhaps buy it at the beginning and return it later? I’m not sure, but that may be the safest advice. Sorry to be uncertain…
You will need two pairs of boots. It is a requirement, but really, you need two pairs of boots. You should be issued these though…what is your status? Prior service? College-Op? Either way you should be issued boots.
You can sign in off of orders at Staff Duty the day you arrive. Again, what status are you? If you are coming right from BCT, and the bus drops you off at SD, then ya, you’re probably screwed. But if your driving, you can choose when to sign in (as long as your leave orders go through that date, of course. If you leave orders end a week before class starts, well then ya your going to have to sign in at SD.)
Regardless, if you do go to HHC you will have lots of time to go to MCSS.
Wear whatever rank and unit patch that you wore before OCS. They’ll get you squared away.