Questions regarding reserves

[Sensfan]

Hi, I was called today and informed I was accepted into the reserves for 733 Communications.  If someone could answer some questions for me it'd be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

The recruiter is being very cryptic about things so I'd just like some black and white answers

1.  I'm going to Shilo for what I'm pretty sure is basic training, I live in New Brunswick so how will I be getting out there.  Military plane or commercial aircraft

2. How long will I be out there, Assuming I arrive July 1-2 what date will I be sent home.

3.  What are living conditions like.  Is it like a dormitory with 2 or 4 people per apartment type place or is it a mass communal living environment with like 20 people per one big room.  Can ya tell I have no clue about military life.

4.  The most important one.  Whats my access to TV like?  I'm a total sports nut and theres a load of stuff worth watching this summer so will there be like one communal TV with some fat oaf watching Real TV over and over or are there options.  Mainly TSN.

5.  Sports.  Is there a lot of chances to play stuff on base.  It's summer so will there be chances to play stuff like baseball, soccer, rugby, etc.  ANd should I pack my stuff for those sports just in case.

6.  What civilian possessions should/ am I allowed to bring with me.  Discman, a couple sets of normal clothes, sunglasses, etc.  Stuff like that.

7.  Is there a gym to work out in with weights and cardio stuff.

8.  Whats my internet access like?

9.  How short is short enough for my hair.

10.  Do we get to go off base and shop or go to bars, whatever. 


Again, thanks to anyone who can answer these.

 

[chunky_monkey]

Sensfan,
here's some answers I can help you with.
1.    How ever you get there will be up to your unit OR, they will book a flight for you and I would almost bet it will be commercial but it might be Military flight. You will only find out when unit calls you and gives you joining instructions
2.    Length of staying in shilo will depend on how long your course is, you will also find that out with joining instructions.
3.    Living conditions will most likely be transient quarters, 4pers per room. that will also depend on what building you're staying in, but the one's I've been in are 4pers rooms, with a bathroom and shower room on each floor.
4.    Access to TV will be minimal to none, you're on basic training not vacation in Jamaica
5.    You'll have enough PT on course to be sick of sports but if you still want to play sports you'll have a chance.
6.    Take as much civy clothing as you need but don't go over board. You might end up have a weekend or two off so have something to wear to go out and watch a movie or something.
7.    There will be a good size gym.
8.    Internet access will be limited, probably only in canex.
9.    Don't worry about haircut you'll be briefed once you start your basic training.
10. You MIGHT end up going off the base but I wouldn't count on that.

If you have any more questions, go ahead and ask

 

[Mystix]

They got Kosher food at basic?

 

[Ex Ranger Instructor]

Mystix: No, they won't.  Nobody is going to make you eat any pork products or anything like that if you don't want to, but you have to understand that there is one kitchen that has to make meals for several hundred people at once.  You'll get 2 or 3 choices, and most times there's a vegetarian option, but that's about the best they can do for you.

Sensfan:  Your course is going to be 2 months long.  If I were you, I'd expect to be quartered in a bullpen with plenty of other dudes and bunk beds.  Other than that, I think that CM gave you some pretty good answers, but since by your own admission you have "no clue about military life", I'll give you a heads up: your opportunities to play sports, go to bars, etc, are going to be zero.  That doesn't mean you'll be sitting around doing nothing.  It certainly doesn't mean that there will be a lack of physical activity.  On the contrary, you'll be constantly busy, and busting your ass, even on most of the weekends.  As CM said, MAYBE you'll get a chance to go off the base once or twice while you're there, but that isn't guaranteed by any stretch of the imagination.  I don't know why the recruiter wouldn't have been up front with you about this, as you should know what you're getting into. 

Also, I'm pretty sure you mean 723 Comm Sqn if you're from NB.

 

[combat_medic]

When I was on basic (5+ years ago), we had 1 weekend off, no television, no radios, with 12-16 people living in a tent for 6 weeks and sharing washrooms and showers with 40 other people. We did not get access to the gym, nor were we ever allowed to leave the base other than on the one weekend off. There was no internet access, and 3 pay phones between about 200 people. I think I got to read a newspaper once or twice in 6 weeks, otherwise there was just no time, or we were too tired to be interested.  We got to go to the Junior Ranks a couple of times, but were still required to be in bed by lights out, 2300hrs. One guy brought a stereo and it got destroyed in his bags. Another brought a discman and it was stolen. Bring whatever you want, but be prepared to lose it.

Your basic will be a completely new world for you. You will not be able to follow your sports teams, watch TV or use the internet. You won't get evenings and weekends off, and won't only work 8 hours in a day. For all intents and purposes, you will be cut off from the world. I think I managed to write a single letter and received a package from home, and made a weekly phone call, but that was about it. Don't expect any priveledges. If you get some, you'll appreciate them, but at least if you don't, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Andyd513]

If you arrive on the 1st/2nd I would assume you are going for BMQ/SQ which is running until August 21st, my flights are depart july 3, return august 21 or 22.

 

[Deleted member 585]

snip...
Also, I'm pretty sure you mean 723 Comm Sqn if you're from NB.

Actually willy, 723 is in Halifax, NS.   You're thinking of 722, which is in Saint John, NB.

Cheers.

 

[Ex Ranger Instructor]

Well, I guess I'm an idiot.  Whoops!

 

[Gryphon]

Alright, i'll just do a question-answer thing.. easier

1.  I'm going to Shilo for what I'm pretty sure is basic training, I live in New Brunswick so how will I be getting out there.  Military plane or commercial aircraft

Most probably civvy aircraft.. the Air Force does not have the budget to fly everyone and their dog to basic

2. How long will I be out there, Assuming I arrive July 1-2 what date will I be sent home.

It's a 8-9 week course, again, you;ll know in your joining instructions

3.  What are living conditions like.  Is it like a dormitory with 2 or 4 people per apartment type place or is it a mass communal living environment with like 20 people per one big room.  Can ya tell I have no clue about military life.

You'll be in 4-to-a-room shacks... not too bad, but it's a bitch and a half to get the stuff out of the carpets!!!

4.  The most important one.  Whats my access to TV like?  I'm a total sports nut and theres a load of stuff worth watching this summer so will there be like one communal TV with some fat oaf watching Real TV over and over or are there options.  Mainly TSN.

NONE... they have TVs in the mess, but a) you can't change channels and b) you have 10 minutes to eat.. what do you want to watch while your stuffing your face?

5.  Sports.  Is there a lot of chances to play stuff on base.  It's summer so will there be chances to play stuff like baseball, soccer, rugby, etc.  ANd should I pack my stuff for those sports just in case.

For the BMQ part, you'll get enough PT to make you not want to do sports, plus the fact that it's so bloody hot that you'll want to do cold saunas in the showers

6.  What civilian possessions should/ am I allowed to bring with me.  Discman, a couple sets of normal clothes, sunglasses, etc.  Stuff like that.

You can bring what ever the heck you want, you'll just never see it.. they lock all of the civvy kit up... until you're allowed to use it

7.  Is there a gym to work out in with weights and cardio stuff.

Not for the first couple of weeks...

8.  Whats my internet access like?

Five minutes every few weeks or so...

9.  How short is short enough for my hair.

VERY short... i'd say a number 1 MAX

10.  Do we get to go off base and shop or go to bars, whatever.

Only at the end

Listen, buddy, you're not going to Club Med.. you're going to do basic training.. no luxuries...