NALC early reg

[roger29]

Anyone else going 1st Reg?

[roger29]

No one?...

[Gambit]

Beuller... anyone...

[roger29]

There's gotta be someone....

How about, anyone want to go first reg?...

[MoJo]

Here's an interesting observation:

None of the MSIII's from my ROTC, as far back as I can remember, ever wanted to go in an early Reg. "It's too competitive, it's too hard" they all said. And the "unlucky" MSIIIs that we did send to an early Reg all came back middle-bottom third and said, "Don't go early reg, it's too competitive."

And then I had the honor of attending the Army Mountain Warfare School as an ROTC cadet, and when I asked my fellow cadets there when they planned on going to NALC, they all said, "Early Reg." And when I asked, "Why? I heard it's more competitive." They replied, "Bring it on."

Just thought I would share with you the different mentality of squared away vs. ate up ROTC cadets.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Listen, this has been discussed at length before. There really is no difference between the regiments. I went to 13th for about a week and commissioned from 2nd regiment. The majority of the cadets I spoke with before going all suggested an early regiment. I'm telling you the same. You get done quick and have the rest of the Summer for whatever.

[MoJo]

Listen, this has been discussed at length before. There really is no difference between the regiments. I went to 13th for about a week and commissioned from 2nd regiment. The majority of the cadets I spoke with before going all suggested an early regiment. I'm telling you the same. You get done quick and have the rest of the Summer for whatever.

I wasn't stating that the early regiments are harder. I was trying to use the reactions of different cadets to show how different cadets react to percieved challenges.

Some shy away because of a lack of confidence or fear of the unknown, while others aren't intimidated so easily.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Understood. I was simply stating that these "percieved" challenges are just that. The level of challenge between the different regiments is no different. Cadets who say otherwise, are mistaken.

[roger29]

Bring it on! I'm slotted 1st Reg!

[Sammy Sandbag]

Bring it on! I'm slotted 1st Reg!

Believe me, you'll be thankful. Especially when you are walking out of that place the last day in civies and 9th reg (or whoever it is this year) is just reporting in.

[roger29]

Alright, now that we have that established...what do you all suggest I do to prepare for NALC? Anything in particular?

[Sammy Sandbag]

Learn the TACSOP (mainly the TLPs) as best you can. Be able to spit out an op order on the fly. The better you are at that, the more time you'll have for actually carrying out the mission (including rehearsals.) Work on your PT as needed, the stories about the APFT graders are true. If you are decent at land nav, I wouldn't sweat that. The rest is stuff they'll go over in depth once you are there.

[Hammer6]

If your taking Dip, hid the tins in the pockets of your field jacket. Some TAC's during the shakedown will confiscate it, others wont.

That there is some true advice.

[Hammer6]

Also try to learn to get along with everyone, have a sense of humor and relax

[roger29]

Cool, yeah all that you mentioned I'm good for...but what will put me ahead of my platoon?

[Sammy Sandbag]

Cool, yeah all that you mentioned I'm good for...but what will put me ahead of my platoon?

300+ on your PT, mostly E's on blue cards, all first time go's, and good peer evals.


If your taking Dip, hid the tins in the pockets of your field jacket. Some TAC's during the shakedown will confiscate it, others wont.

If they do, you still get PX privleages on day 7 and they have dip at AAFES prices.

[roger29]

Well...how do you suggest getting all E's? and good peer evals?...

[Sammy Sandbag]

Well...how do you suggest getting all E's? and good peer evals?...

All Es: know your oporder and TLP really well, be confident and know your battle drills. And what a lot of people don't practice or put much effort in, is the yellow card. Take your time on the yellow card, write neatly, and say everything you did. I actually had a grader tell me the reason I got an overall E on a garrison eval was because my yellow card was so good. Other people in my platoon may have done just as much or even more work during their leadership positions, but their yellow cards sucked. Remember that the TAC grading you isn't there to see everything you do, so make sure you point it out to him/her.

Good peer evals: don't be a blue falcon. Help your buddies. When you get to camp, you'll have people in your squad that are way behind the curve. Sit down with them and teach them. When you are not in a leadership role, be a good follower. Don't complain about the decisions your fellow cadets may make (even if they are bad.) If someone is screwing up while in a position, figure out a way to help/correct them without making it obvious and don't do it in front of the TAC. Be serious when you need to be, but don't be a by-the-book cadet all the time. No one likes a tool, but no one likes a sandbag either.

[roger29]

Cool man, like I've said before, I am a little concerned cause I wanna do well.

[roger29]

Alrighty, cool topic about dip...I like skoal berry blend...but back on the subject on of doing well at camp...

[Sammy Sandbag]

but back on the subject on of doing well at camp...

Yes please. What else would you like to know?

:::ADMIN EDIT:::
The "Dip Debate" has been moved to the All Grades Club here: http://www.aisforarmy.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=494 Please use this thread for discussions related to NALC preperations.

[airjun]

whats going to happen after camp when you loose all purpose in life?

[Gambit]

whats going to happen after camp when you loose all purpose in life?

You become an LT. ;)

[airjun]

yeah but yuou have the one year you spend in purgatory

[MoJo]

yeah but yuou have the one year you spend in purgatory

The one thing that pissed me off the most about our MSIVs is that year after year, after they came back from NALC and sent in their acessions packets...they'd all put their hands in their pockets and just have a, "I don't give a fuck anymore," attitude. :x

I think MSIV year is the most important year for any ROTC BN, merely because the MSIVs need to set the standard and example for everyone else...but after NALC too many cadets just get that, "I've done my bit," attitude and just stop caring.

[Hammer6]

MoJo -- Have you been to NALC yet? IF you have, you'd understand this attitude. But it seems from the tone of your article that you haven't though

[Sammy Sandbag]

Sounds more like unit culture than a MSIV problem. While there will be slackers in every year group at school, I'd say that the majority or IVs I had when I was a cadet were eager to teach and prepare the IIIs for NALC. While some years they seemed better than others, over all they had the right attitude.

[Trigga Time]

I'm not sure how peer evals work, also, I hear much of what you get graded on is garrison type stuff. What exactly do the grade you on in Garrison.

[Sammy Sandbag]

I'm not sure how peer evals work, also, I hear much of what you get graded on is garrison type stuff. What exactly do the grade you on in Garrison.

Are you talking about your blue card evals?

[roger29]

I think he is asking how garrison yellow cards and TAC blue cards go, and how peer evals play into how your TAC sees you.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Well, you'll have two garrison leadership evaluations. One in a squad level leadership position and the other in a platoon level or higher. I did mine as a squad leader and the company XO. There's really no ryhme or reason as to how or when you'll get picked. There won't be an even amount of cadets to match up to the positions needed. So they'll probably pick a few high speed cadets to pull platoon level or higher more than once.

You are in your leadership position for only one day, but you attended a WARNORD a couple days in advance, then the OPORD a day in advance. You'll probably also have to go sit through some FRAGO briefings as well. If you are in company leadership, you will go to a briefing room and get briefed by the TAC LTs. Then it's your job to write the company level opord and brief it to the PLs and PSGTs. Then it just gets filtered down in the same manner to the squad leaders.

Once you get to camp, your TACs will post a schedule of who is pulling what position and when. They usually do it at least a week or so in advance. It will also tell you who your evaluator is, and you need to get with him/her to see if they have any special instructions. They'll probably want to be present when you give your briefings so they can take notes for your blue card.

Just remember that your yellow card is where you make your money. Make it neat and descriptive. Remember your evaluator isn't there to see your every move, so make sure they know everything you did. I received E's on both my garrison blue cards, and both my evaluators commented on how my yellow cards helped me. Your evaluator will tell you when your card is due, and it's usually a few hours after you finish you leadership position. However, you are constantly doing something, so you probably won't have time to do it in that period. You should be adding to it as you go along during your rotation. You might just want to write it as a rough draft, then after you finish your role, transfer it to a new card.

As far as peer evals go, I've commented on this before. Your senior TACO will be the one compiling the platoon OML. Most of the time you won't even see him and he won't really see you. You'll be dealing with the platoon's TAC SGT and 2LT. So the CPT or MAJ will base his ranking of you on the peer evals (objective scoring also plays into it.)