PFCJon
09-26-05, 06:29 AM
For those of you fresh out of boot camp (like I was earlier this year) I figured I'd pass on some knowledge that may be useful for when you check into your unit.
Customs and courtesies: DON'T get informal with your NCO's or officers. You're not in boot camp anymore (so DON'T call your Platoon Sgt Sir!!!!) but you're not on the block either. Treat everyone there with the utmost courtesy and respect, stand at parade rest while talking to NCO's, come to attention when officers enter the room, and remember, it's "yes sgt, no sgt, aye-aye sgt. You may not offend anyone if you get a little casual, but if you're polite you'll make a good first impression.
Get a haircut: I checked in with 3 other boots last month, one had a BAD haircut and the other two hadn't bothered to get one. The admin bubba assigned me to the platoon with the best reputation for discipline simply because I showed up with a fresh haircut.
Square your uniforms away: Not just your Alphas, everything. IP your cammies, press your cammies, put cardboard in your cover- these little details will be noticed by your squad leader and platoon NCOs.
Pen and paper: Another way to make a good first impression is to go buy a small notebook. The kind with the little sections for different subjects are best because you can keep ink sticks and leadsticks in the little folders that they have in them. Keep this in your cargo pocket and write down anything that your NCO's want you to remember (don't just nod and say yes sgt, write it down, no matter how basic).
Chain of command: I'm sure different units vary, but my unit did not give me a list with the proper chain of command on it- it is my responsibility to know who my fireteam leader, squad leader... all the way up to Btn. Cmdr is. And if there is a problem, don't break the chain of command. The platoon Sgt is NOT the first person to go to with a problem, they have a ton to do already.
I am by no means a salty veteran or even a broken in grunt. I JUST checked into my unit last month and made some silly mistakes that were embarassing. I'll be PFC "New Guy" for a while yet, but hopefully some of this advice will help y'all make a more favorable first impression when you get out to the fleet.
Semper Fi and have a good morning Marines- OORAH
Cross
Customs and courtesies: DON'T get informal with your NCO's or officers. You're not in boot camp anymore (so DON'T call your Platoon Sgt Sir!!!!) but you're not on the block either. Treat everyone there with the utmost courtesy and respect, stand at parade rest while talking to NCO's, come to attention when officers enter the room, and remember, it's "yes sgt, no sgt, aye-aye sgt. You may not offend anyone if you get a little casual, but if you're polite you'll make a good first impression.
Get a haircut: I checked in with 3 other boots last month, one had a BAD haircut and the other two hadn't bothered to get one. The admin bubba assigned me to the platoon with the best reputation for discipline simply because I showed up with a fresh haircut.
Square your uniforms away: Not just your Alphas, everything. IP your cammies, press your cammies, put cardboard in your cover- these little details will be noticed by your squad leader and platoon NCOs.
Pen and paper: Another way to make a good first impression is to go buy a small notebook. The kind with the little sections for different subjects are best because you can keep ink sticks and leadsticks in the little folders that they have in them. Keep this in your cargo pocket and write down anything that your NCO's want you to remember (don't just nod and say yes sgt, write it down, no matter how basic).
Chain of command: I'm sure different units vary, but my unit did not give me a list with the proper chain of command on it- it is my responsibility to know who my fireteam leader, squad leader... all the way up to Btn. Cmdr is. And if there is a problem, don't break the chain of command. The platoon Sgt is NOT the first person to go to with a problem, they have a ton to do already.
I am by no means a salty veteran or even a broken in grunt. I JUST checked into my unit last month and made some silly mistakes that were embarassing. I'll be PFC "New Guy" for a while yet, but hopefully some of this advice will help y'all make a more favorable first impression when you get out to the fleet.
Semper Fi and have a good morning Marines- OORAH
Cross