I am going this year - against my better judgement - and I was at the last two SG's.
So here's some Do's and Don't for the uninitiated and/or curious, from the perspective of a fairly new Cpl:
DO:
... bring lots of non-perishable snacks, both for the ride up and for the duration of the ex. I'm no fan of IMPs and I regularly supplement with beef jerky, trail mix, granola bars, and anything else I can fill my pockets with.
... pack light. This year is supposed to be "offensive operations", meaning lots of moving and not staying in one place. You will be given enough crap to carry once you are on the ground, so leave most of the junk you never use in your follow-up kit, or at home. The kit list looks very reasonable this year, other than the rucksack + small pack arrangement, I am sticking very close to it.
... bring LOTS of bug juice and sunscreen.
... drink water and carry water. This year my camelbak is out of commission (anyone got a spare?) so I am carrying as many 2L canteens as I can.
... Listen to experienced troops, and your chain of command. Their advice and motivation will get you through the ex, and you will learn stuff you can pass on to other troops.
... Help out your fellow troops. If you are just coming off course this summer, it's nice when a guy that's been in a year or two takes you under their wing and helps you out a bit.
... Suck it up a bit. If you are fresh off course, you will be given crap jobs. My first SG, I was the #2 on the Carl Gustav. This meant that I got to carry it, and babysit it at all times, while the #1 smoked and joked (since we had no ammo for it and were not doing a Carl G shoot that year). Oh well, soldier on. Doing a dry-run withdrawal with a Carl G slung around you AND a rifle, and not whining about it, probably earned me some kudos from the lads that year.
... Bring a fleece or a jacket with you everywhere you go... if you end up being out in the boonies over night, and away from your cozy sleeping bag, you will be chilly. This time of year it's hot during the day, chilly at night.
... expect to get wet. Rain, water crossings, riding in inflatable boats, etc, will conspire to get you wet. Last year my digital camera was KIA on the boat event. The first year I got soaked the one night it rained because our hooch was assembled at night in total darkness and turned out to be crap (thanks, V-man, for absorbing most of the rain, have fun with the Picklies). That's why you keep some of your kit dry, in plastic bags.
... Bring lots of Ziploc bags, put everything in Ziplocs. Get those fancy large Coleman ziplocs for your spare clothing and squeeze the air out of them, store your clothing in your ruck/kitbag, it will stay dry.
... Adrep some mosquito coils, or bring your own. If the tactical situation allows it, use them, the mossies aren't scared of the 71% DEET stuff the army doles out, but those smokey coils help a lot.
DON'T:
... Hesitate to ask the old dogs questions. Most of them are helpful.
... Bother with electronic gadgets. You won't have time. Leave the digital camera at home (see above). Bring a disposable.
... Bother taking pictures of helicopters or fancy armoured vehicles. You will see plenty of them again and again "throughout your military career".
... Drop your rifle in the river. (see previous replies)
... Let your important/serialized kit out of your sight.
... Get caught wearing desert boots.
... Bother bringing your CWW boots (the Goretex) or most of the other fancy warm kit... thermals maybe but most of the other stuff will be too hot and heavy. Accept that you will get wet. Use those Goretex socks if you have to.
... Complain when the plan changes or there is suddenly a surplus of time. If you do, chances are someone will give you work to do. Look busy, occupy your time doing something training-related.
... Read a novel on sentry or manning a gun position.
... Leave food or garbage around, and make sure your kit is packed tight except when you are getting something out or while you are using something. You may have to move on very short notice.
... Bother with extra kit you won't use. It sounds like those folding chairs are not going to get a chance to get used much this year.
... Lie down in poison ivy. Or anything that looks like it. If it's night, don't lie down when they tell you to, if you can get away with it.
... worry too much about sleep, you won't have time. Sleep after the Ex, or during the waiting at the ranges.
That's all I can think of now... have a good Ex.
I will be muttering to myself "I'm not coming next year" again this year... but, chances are, I'll be there next year too.
) Well, from the int op's idea of how things are gonna work there, We're gonna be a sad sight... I dunno about the rest of you, but I'm used to comfy/safe air conditioned or heated buildings and armoured vehs... mmmm... Bison... Now I want a burger. Damn!
