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Five-O · 04-10-2006, 07:22

Sir,
Saturday morning started with 26 soldiers and the APFT as the first event. Lots of max scores which I expected, lots of 270-280's which show room for improvement. What I did not expect, however; was that two quit after the PT test. We then did some other endurance events, SUT and team events. That is all we lost the entire weekend. Saturday's weather in MD was rainy and cold which I think increased the team work across the board giving soldiers an increased feeling of shared misery and comraderie. Last event was a 20k (with about 60lb) on a relatively flat/even surface.
We had a 19 year old PFC ,a 47 yr old SGT and everything in between. I am a former active NCO and I'll tell you what sir, the NG brings alot to the table as far as life experience, job skills and professional training that active duty just can't. We had a laywer/serveral engineers/law enforcemet/medical school student/truck driver and so on. Combining those skills brings a lot to the table when it comes to problem solving time. We had one guy drive 8 hrs from NC to try out.
Not everyone met the standard but they accepted everyone else (as far as I know) into the unit for training. They were looking for effort as well as performance and to a man everyone drove on and did not quit. If the guys performace was marginal but his effort was maxed out they took him. Now if he does not improve in May then bye-bye. Eventually the numbers will draw down but the core group of soldiers there will make it IF they want it. We will see what happens when the long hot days of summer creep in. One of my fellow candidates just got back from selection(not selected but invited back) and said the two days here were harder than any two days at selection BUT it was only two days not 24.
It was a challenging weekend that remininded us of how tough it's going to be. Very very doable but tough. For many of us it was the first time at the unit so we passed around an email list to coordinate training days and partner with guys who live close enough during long marches.
The cadre there were total Pro's. Stoic, informative, approachable. Set the example of what a QP should be. I am a little tight but training today and super motivated.
Sir, your book was all over the place down there. Most were talking boots, socks and SFAS packing list. I saw a PFC showing a SSG how to turn a sock inside out so the seem would not rub his toes to avoid a blister! I think it will a great success if not already.

F-O

04-10-2006, 07:22	#4
Five-O Guerrilla Chief Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 704	Results Sir, Saturday morning started with 26 soldiers and the APFT as the first event. Lots of max scores which I expected, lots of 270-280's which show room for improvement. What I did not expect, however; was that two quit after the PT test. We then did some other endurance events, SUT and team events. That is all we lost the entire weekend. Saturday's weather in MD was rainy and cold which I think increased the team work across the board giving soldiers an increased feeling of shared misery and comraderie. Last event was a 20k (with about 60lb) on a relatively flat/even surface. We had a 19 year old PFC ,a 47 yr old SGT and everything in between. I am a former active NCO and I'll tell you what sir, the NG brings alot to the table as far as life experience, job skills and professional training that active duty just can't. We had a laywer/serveral engineers/law enforcemet/medical school student/truck driver and so on. Combining those skills brings a lot to the table when it comes to problem solving time. We had one guy drive 8 hrs from NC to try out. Not everyone met the standard but they accepted everyone else (as far as I know) into the unit for training. They were looking for effort as well as performance and to a man everyone drove on and did not quit. If the guys performace was marginal but his effort was maxed out they took him. Now if he does not improve in May then bye-bye. Eventually the numbers will draw down but the core group of soldiers there will make it IF they want it. We will see what happens when the long hot days of summer creep in. One of my fellow candidates just got back from selection(not selected but invited back) and said the two days here were harder than any two days at selection BUT it was only two days not 24. It was a challenging weekend that remininded us of how tough it's going to be. Very very doable but tough. For many of us it was the first time at the unit so we passed around an email list to coordinate training days and partner with guys who live close enough during long marches. The cadre there were total Pro's. Stoic, informative, approachable. Set the example of what a QP should be. I am a little tight but training today and super motivated. Sir, your book was all over the place down there. Most were talking boots, socks and SFAS packing list. I saw a PFC showing a SSG how to turn a sock inside out so the seem would not rub his toes to avoid a blister! I think it will a great success if not already. F-O Last edited by Five-O; 04-10-2006 at 11:37.
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