My point was this:
Allow the course staff, and the BMQ/SQ 'experience' to shape the soldier. There is something to be said for a recruit devising a way to get a second shave kit for inspection, rather than arriving on course knowing all the curveballs that will be thrown at him. I also feel that recruits worry (understandably) about being unprepared for basic (as in, not having the right kit). The kit list given to the troop should be followed, "You all will have bush hats or none of you will." If we tell troops, "nah, don't worry about that, you don't need it" or "even though it's not on the kit list, bring this ___", and he never gets to use it because it's not on the list and not everyone has it.
Sir, YOU might draw up a list of stuff to bring, but don't forget that troops from other units won't necessarily get this 'primer'. If you are using it as a recruiting aid, fair enough. I would suggest anecdotes from troops coming off their BMQ. My stories of QL2 in Tent City in Wainwright, learning the many uses of the steel pot (shaving, sitting, digging), for instance, are not as relevant to todays BMQ-bound soldier. Maybe some troops have some pictures or video to lend. That might be very effective. Or just video some of your own unit's training, I would suggest FIBUA, or anything live-fire.
The stress of Basic, the stress that you are all f*cked up, that you will never attain that standard.....followed eventually by the realization that you have pulled through, and achieved what you thought impossible just a couple of weeks before, that is what the real value of BMQ/QL2 is. By 'revealing the secrets', so to speak, you remove the mystery, and in my view, somewhat spoil the experience. They have to learn these lessons themselves. I know I will never put a fifth mag in my map pocket on a long tab, not because I was told that, but because I remember the 4 inch gash, and the bloody leg and socks at the end of my first 13k ruckmarch. Let the troops figure it out together, on course, as a platoon/section/fire team....it builds the skills of teamwork through common suffering.
Having said that, I admire your desire to prepare your troops beyond the level that is required of your position.
charge them 5 bucks for two measley elastics!! - on my QL2 it was smokes - '$0.25/smoke now, or double back later'....i made a killing! (NOTE:this is illegal!)
