Whats the deal with Pre-SQ? (RES)

[PTE Gruending]

Anyone have any info on Pre-SQ weekends and where they might be running? It was my understanding that SQ(RES) runs from ~Jul1-Jul30 and that BIQ runs ~Aug1-Aug30... So what possible benefit could you have to doing some SQ before the course starts, when all BIQ‘s start around the beginning of August?

Anyone know if this option is available to 38Brigade or LFW in general?

It really irks me (being a University Student), that I can‘t get these courses started in May, and finishing up BIQ in June. It would be much more convient IMHO.
Thanks!

 

[ninty9]

I know what you mean. I‘m in the same position. Done in April, I could be on course in May.

Don‘t know the answer to your qusetion though.

 

[SpinDoc]

It was identified in the after-action reports of the summer SQ training ‘02 that in order to save some time on SQ proper and to better harmonize the quality of soldiers who attended "weekend" BMQ and the soldiers who attended the "summer block" BMQ, that a bit of "prep" work done in the form of a "pre-SQ" would be beneficial...

Basically it‘s a way of fitting more time into an inflexible (due to the onset of summer concentration exercise, etc) timeframe. It‘s like magic so to get 2+2=5.

 

[SpinDoc]

Plus keep in mind that it‘s not just *your* availability that matters, but the availability of instructors, course staff, and training resources. There is quite a bit of administrative preparatory work-up and juggling that candidates often don‘t see/realize. It‘s not as simple as "hey, let‘s make a MOC course in ______(insert month here)"

 

[portcullisguy]

Specifically, this year‘s pre-SQ, which for my course starts on March 14-16 and ends April 11-13, we are being instructed on C6/C9.

I am assuming, then, that the summer SQ, which is only 3 weeks, will not include any of the C6/C9.

Our first two weekends will cover in-class stuff regarding the C6/C9. The third weekend will be at Borden, where we will fire both weapons.

 

[PTE Gruending]

SpinDoc,
I realize that the Army cannot establish course dates based on everyone‘s individual need. Not that they should anyways, or you would have a load of troops complaining and whining about doing this course on X date. However, it seems to me that a large number of people in the Reserves (even NCM) are University students. Maybe even half based on my unit!I have heard recruiters say that courses are planned for when the kiddies get out of high school for summer, but the demographic is leaning the other way!

It is extremely frustrating as a University Student to have to go on course 1JUL - 30AUG, as opposed to something like 1MAY - 30JUN.

First and foremost: Students usually seek summer employment during their 4 month break. All government related (subsidized, crown corps, etc) pretty much only offer 4 month contracts. If I wanted to do my courses for the summer, I can kiss working for: SaskEnergy, SaskPower, Sasktel, Highway Dept, City, etc, or any govt sponsored work goodbye.

This means planning to do courses are pretty much relegated to lifting crates for the remainder of the summer that they are not on course. Not to mention start dates for these types of work (govt) are always 01May.

Students who go to school in a City where they do not live are in a conundrum; Its damn hard getting an apartment or a place to live in August or even July, when all the students start to come back. Can you imagine coming back off course on 30AUG, with the responsibilities of: a)finding an apartment (impossible) b) registering/getting counselling c) moving all you **** to your place ? Its hard.

Not many people want to hire students for 2 months of work, espcecially at the start of May when they have their pick of people available for 4 month work.

As well, it is probably better for you to go on course around the same time your unit stops parading (April/May/Whatever). For one, you should be in better shape. Secondly, you wont have 2 months of waiting in which to forget stuff like drill, IA‘s/Stoppages, Blah Blah Blah.

I realize I am complaing ad nauseum about my greatest frustration with the Army. But last summer, the lack of May/June courses really screwed up my life, setback my military career, created a general pain in the *** , and cost the government some big bucks.
So thank you for putting up with this rant ;-).

 

[SpinDoc]

Well, I can‘t really speak for LFWA since I don‘t work there, but I understand what you mean exactly. I went on a May course myself, but the serial as I understand it was much much less popular than the serials that came later.

Keep in mind that a lot of the course staff AREN‘T university students. Plus the fact that in early May, units aren‘t stood down yet so that means most Class B staff still have essential stuff to do taking care of the unit. Plus depending on the university, you have people who still have exams on the first week of May and whatnot... and high school students aren‘t done their classes yet. It all boils down to logistics of it. There are reasons... Probably... I would imagine...

But there *are* courses that are held in May... and those compete for course staff too.

Like I said, I hear you loud and clear, but there are more factors at play here.