I just finished up my first and only RSP weekend. I really enjoyed it.
It started at 0745 with morning formation. Fortunately, I was able to quickly catch on the basics (attention, parade rest, dress/cover, etc), but of course, the atmosphere was everyone helping everyone. RSP is to prepare you for BCT.
However, we did get smoked a few times. A couple of times it was because we did not sound off or follow instructions like we should have. Other times it was because no one called "at ease" when an NCO entered the room. But it was not too bad.
In the mornings we focused on PT. Saturday it was the PT assessment (or PT test for stripes for skills). The assessment was a 1 mile run, 1 min pushups/situps. They stopped us as soon as we hit the minimum pass requirements on the pushups/situps, so I am not too sure how well I could have done, but I passed. As for the run, I will have you know that this "old guy" was second to finish at 6:41! (HUA) Definitely made me feel good.
Today's (Sunday's) PT was pretty hardcore. We started with an apprx 5 mile run. I do not think I have ever run 5 miles. I thought for sure I would fall out. But again, the "old guy" lead the way. Other than two times when the group went from the normal pace to an all out run did I fall behind the 5 rank (line), which was the front apprx 20%. Of course, the cadence was what helped the most. They are fun and they take your mind off the running. It also helps keep your breathing on rhythm.
I thought I was good to go when I finished the run, but the SGTs had something else in mind. Another 30 minutes or so of pushups/situps/etc. I thought I was going to pass out from lack of water. (ADVICE - hydrate, a lot, before an RSP weekend)
After PT we showered and went back to formation. On Saturday, this was followed by a short class then chow. On Sunday, we had a short Chapel service followed by chow. Chapel service was optional. Those that did not want to be at Chapel performed some detail (chores) during that time.
The afternoon was pretty good too. Saturday, we had some classes. The coolest class was tactical movement. I got some introduction to different tactical formations and actually performed a battle drill. It was nice to have something different from all the administrative stuff I had been doing.
On Sunday, I spent my time in the afternoon finishing up paperwork needed before I shipped.
All in all, it was a great weekend. It is nice to know, based on the word of those fresh out of BCT, that the hardcore PT this morning was tougher than the beginning of BCT. So I should have no problem.
I guess if I would give someone going to RSP some advice it would be:
-Read the materials they give you prior so that you have what you need (the right clothing/uniforms, etc)
-Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
-Go in with an open mind and good attitude. They will be easy on you (not with PT but in correcting you) if it is your first time at RSP. They know you don't know anything.
Well, that is about all I can think to say about RSP weekend. My next post will be from Ft Leonard Wood.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
A day at MEPS
MEPS, the Military Entrance Processing Station. What can I say? It was a long day. The first of many I'm sure.
First, MEPS - Raleigh is only 10 minutes from my house, yet I was required to spend the night in a hotel the night before. But the best part is, we had a guy there from SC who was shipping to Ft Jackson, SC for BCT. They flew him from SC, through Atlanta, to Raleigh to be shipped to SC. Not that I didn't expect these types of things to happen, I was just surprised to see it so early.
The hotel night wasn't that bad. I was still able to eat dinner with the family before working out, then I hung out with the 17-20 year olds in the lounge until it was time to go to bed. (Yeah, they made me feel old)
The wake up call was 0430, the start of a long day at MEPS.
When we arrived at MEPS, they divided us into two groups. The shippers gathered and entered first, then the rest of us. Some were there for the same reason I was, some just had one or two things they had to complete.
As soon as I got inside it was time for the fun part, the very thorough physical examination. I will spare you worst details. It started with a briefing, where I quickly saw the first evidence of the type of private (PVT) that is sure to get me quite strong (from pushups) during BCT. We then went through the series of medical interviews, blood draw, hearing test, vision test, physical, ortho (where they make you duck walk in your undies), etc. Then it was time for the weight/tape check.
The weight/tape check was one of the two major concerns that I had been praying about up to this point. The military has many standards, including weight standards. If you don't meet weight, which I didn't by about 20 lbs, you get "taped". Taping is where they measure your neck and belly and, with that ratio, determine a rough guess of your body fat. Four days prior I was two inches over on my waist. The night before, still a half inch. Needless to say, I wasn't looking forward to it. But, God was faithful and I passed the tape without an issue. (this was one of two "God Things" that reassured me of my decision)
After the tape test and all the other medical, it was time to start discussing my contract. I headed over to the liaison's office to discuss the terms. The second major concern I had was ship date. For several reasons, I knew that I really needed a ship date in September. The likelihood though of a September ship date getting assigned in August was slim. But again, God was faithful and the Sergeant (SGT) gave me the ship date of September 13th without any issue.
By now, I have been at MEPS from 0530 to 1200. I'm hungry. But unfortunately, I must have been one of the last few to make it to lunch, so all that was left was a 6 inch veggie sub and some water. If you know me, you know a 6 inch veggie sub is basically lettuce, cheese and bread after I remove the things I don't care for. Oh, and did I forget to mention that because of my concern with taping I ate a light dinner the night before and only a banana for breakfast, thinking all the while over my growling stomach "if I can just make it to lunch".
After "lunch," it was on to operations. Operations basically reviews you contract to ensure everything was in order and then fingerprints you for the FBI database. After that process, it was back to the liaison to sign and finish things up prior to the swearing in ceremony.
The swearing in ceremony was pretty cool. It was a nice way to bring together all the fast paced, somewhat confusing and tiring events of the day and turn it back around to my ultimate purpose of being there, to join the NC Army National Guard.
I finally walked out the door from MEPS at 1600 to head to my recruiters office to get the items I would need for my first, and only, RSP (recruit sustainment program) drill.
My next update will be after my RSP drill on August 20th and 21st.
First, MEPS - Raleigh is only 10 minutes from my house, yet I was required to spend the night in a hotel the night before. But the best part is, we had a guy there from SC who was shipping to Ft Jackson, SC for BCT. They flew him from SC, through Atlanta, to Raleigh to be shipped to SC. Not that I didn't expect these types of things to happen, I was just surprised to see it so early.
The hotel night wasn't that bad. I was still able to eat dinner with the family before working out, then I hung out with the 17-20 year olds in the lounge until it was time to go to bed. (Yeah, they made me feel old)
The wake up call was 0430, the start of a long day at MEPS.
When we arrived at MEPS, they divided us into two groups. The shippers gathered and entered first, then the rest of us. Some were there for the same reason I was, some just had one or two things they had to complete.
As soon as I got inside it was time for the fun part, the very thorough physical examination. I will spare you worst details. It started with a briefing, where I quickly saw the first evidence of the type of private (PVT) that is sure to get me quite strong (from pushups) during BCT. We then went through the series of medical interviews, blood draw, hearing test, vision test, physical, ortho (where they make you duck walk in your undies), etc. Then it was time for the weight/tape check.
The weight/tape check was one of the two major concerns that I had been praying about up to this point. The military has many standards, including weight standards. If you don't meet weight, which I didn't by about 20 lbs, you get "taped". Taping is where they measure your neck and belly and, with that ratio, determine a rough guess of your body fat. Four days prior I was two inches over on my waist. The night before, still a half inch. Needless to say, I wasn't looking forward to it. But, God was faithful and I passed the tape without an issue. (this was one of two "God Things" that reassured me of my decision)
After the tape test and all the other medical, it was time to start discussing my contract. I headed over to the liaison's office to discuss the terms. The second major concern I had was ship date. For several reasons, I knew that I really needed a ship date in September. The likelihood though of a September ship date getting assigned in August was slim. But again, God was faithful and the Sergeant (SGT) gave me the ship date of September 13th without any issue.
By now, I have been at MEPS from 0530 to 1200. I'm hungry. But unfortunately, I must have been one of the last few to make it to lunch, so all that was left was a 6 inch veggie sub and some water. If you know me, you know a 6 inch veggie sub is basically lettuce, cheese and bread after I remove the things I don't care for. Oh, and did I forget to mention that because of my concern with taping I ate a light dinner the night before and only a banana for breakfast, thinking all the while over my growling stomach "if I can just make it to lunch".
After "lunch," it was on to operations. Operations basically reviews you contract to ensure everything was in order and then fingerprints you for the FBI database. After that process, it was back to the liaison to sign and finish things up prior to the swearing in ceremony.
The swearing in ceremony was pretty cool. It was a nice way to bring together all the fast paced, somewhat confusing and tiring events of the day and turn it back around to my ultimate purpose of being there, to join the NC Army National Guard.
I finally walked out the door from MEPS at 1600 to head to my recruiters office to get the items I would need for my first, and only, RSP (recruit sustainment program) drill.
My next update will be after my RSP drill on August 20th and 21st.
Introduction
Hello All,
My name is Brian Belvin and I am currently one of the newest members of the NC Army National Guard. I signed up on August 1, 2011 under an 09S (officer candidate) contract and will ship to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri on September 13th. I intend to use this blog as a medium to keep family and friends updated as well as a resource for future soldiers as I progress through Basic Combat Training (BCT), Officer Candidate School (OCS) and my Branch Officer Leadership Course (BOLC).
Before I ship out to BCT and start updating via letter, I want to give everyone some background information about what brought me to this point.
For a long time now, from around the age of 15, I felt as if God might be calling me to military service. Since that time, that sense of calling remained in the back of my mind, However, I never felt prompted to act on it until recently.
In May of this year (2011), I started to feel that calling a lot more strongly. It was undeniable and unavoidable. (Just ask my wife who saw me cry for the first time since she has known me) So I immediately started trying to verify that this was truly something I was being called to do instead of just something I was making up.
I started by reflecting on all that had happened up to May 2011. There was the sense of calling at 15 that never seemed to go away. There was the unexplained urge to finally start getting into shape and lose some weight two years ago that made me 40lbs lighter today. There was the job change that finally allowed my wife to stay home with our son. And, there was the fact that my new employer had one of the most outstanding military leave programs around, unknown to me prior to this.
Having looked back on all of this, I discussed the possibility to my wife. One of the most significant affirmations was her lack of surprise or discouragement. She was not surprised and was very supportive to the point where it seemed she almost knew before I did.
That first week was the worst. I couldn't even watch TV (which is a big deal if you know me) because of how much of a burden it was on my mind. Finally, I sat down and prayed, determined to spend some time in the Word, and asked God to speak to me and confirm if this was a call. Without thinking about it, I simply opened the Bible and began to read. The scripture was a passage I never remember reading before, Isaiah 45, which talks about the Lord calling a man named Cyrus to be a warrior, going on to give promises of being with him, warning about questioning/resisting his call, etc. This was when I "got something in my eye" and my wife and I knew our answer.
I continued for two months seeking guidance and prayer from close mentors, friends, and family, gaining affirmation at almost every turn. All this eventually led to my day at MEPs (Military Entrance Processing Station - where you go to enlist). I'll tell you all about this "adventure" in my next post.
(Quick Note: I understand some readers may not be Christians. To me, that aspect is the single most important aspect in my decision to join that National Guard and the story would not be complete without it. However, I assure you that while my writing will continue to contain the Christian, or God, aspects, it will be primarily geared towards updating my family and friends on my experiences while I am away and providing valuable information to those who may join in the future. So I hope you will continue to read on.)
My name is Brian Belvin and I am currently one of the newest members of the NC Army National Guard. I signed up on August 1, 2011 under an 09S (officer candidate) contract and will ship to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri on September 13th. I intend to use this blog as a medium to keep family and friends updated as well as a resource for future soldiers as I progress through Basic Combat Training (BCT), Officer Candidate School (OCS) and my Branch Officer Leadership Course (BOLC).
Before I ship out to BCT and start updating via letter, I want to give everyone some background information about what brought me to this point.
For a long time now, from around the age of 15, I felt as if God might be calling me to military service. Since that time, that sense of calling remained in the back of my mind, However, I never felt prompted to act on it until recently.
In May of this year (2011), I started to feel that calling a lot more strongly. It was undeniable and unavoidable. (Just ask my wife who saw me cry for the first time since she has known me) So I immediately started trying to verify that this was truly something I was being called to do instead of just something I was making up.
I started by reflecting on all that had happened up to May 2011. There was the sense of calling at 15 that never seemed to go away. There was the unexplained urge to finally start getting into shape and lose some weight two years ago that made me 40lbs lighter today. There was the job change that finally allowed my wife to stay home with our son. And, there was the fact that my new employer had one of the most outstanding military leave programs around, unknown to me prior to this.
Having looked back on all of this, I discussed the possibility to my wife. One of the most significant affirmations was her lack of surprise or discouragement. She was not surprised and was very supportive to the point where it seemed she almost knew before I did.
That first week was the worst. I couldn't even watch TV (which is a big deal if you know me) because of how much of a burden it was on my mind. Finally, I sat down and prayed, determined to spend some time in the Word, and asked God to speak to me and confirm if this was a call. Without thinking about it, I simply opened the Bible and began to read. The scripture was a passage I never remember reading before, Isaiah 45, which talks about the Lord calling a man named Cyrus to be a warrior, going on to give promises of being with him, warning about questioning/resisting his call, etc. This was when I "got something in my eye" and my wife and I knew our answer.
I continued for two months seeking guidance and prayer from close mentors, friends, and family, gaining affirmation at almost every turn. All this eventually led to my day at MEPs (Military Entrance Processing Station - where you go to enlist). I'll tell you all about this "adventure" in my next post.
(Quick Note: I understand some readers may not be Christians. To me, that aspect is the single most important aspect in my decision to join that National Guard and the story would not be complete without it. However, I assure you that while my writing will continue to contain the Christian, or God, aspects, it will be primarily geared towards updating my family and friends on my experiences while I am away and providing valuable information to those who may join in the future. So I hope you will continue to read on.)
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