Privilege to train TR 350-6

[stalking-butler]

I would appreciate the advice of Quiet Professionals and/or current and former Drill Sergeants regarding a contingency I would like to address prior to re-experiencing Basic Training as a prior service 18X. I have researched this specific subject both on PS.com and other forums and only found one non-conclusive reference to TR 350-6 on this site. Hopefully this thread will help other PS enlistees as well.

I will of course stay in my lane and quietly reap any and all benefits from re-experiencing IET, but I confess (having experienced it before), I fear a depreciation of my physical rucking ability while in Infantry OSUT based on the following:

1. Required rucking events during basic occur once per phase and are at a maximum 15km (and as I recall are not timed events so much as unit cohesion builders or milestones). In other words, not particularly challenging.

2. From the accounts of 11Xs of the past 5 years, the rucking requirements during Infantry School are not nearly as challenging as those of USAREC’s SFAS preparation plan which I have followed religiously over the last year or so. I have done the distances out to 18mi with mile splits under 15min, which have been valuable both in mental and physical conditioning.

I expect no more or less than a professional team of Drill Sergeants and cadre during my time at Ft. Benning, but I acknowledge that all companies are managed differently, and there is the potential for some to be not so “by-the-book.” According to TR 350-6, as a MOSQ E-4, I should have extended privileges (relative to new recruits), but this is NOT always the case and seems to vary from company to company.

My interest is not to feel special or have a phone on my off-time. I am not whining about the suck or I wouldn’t be doing this in the first place. However, I would like, if at all possible, to spend some additional time on non-duty hours rucking - at a minimum to maintain what I have earned in long, lonesome, sweaty hours.

So premises aside, I have some questions in the event that I am as restricted as all other recruits:

1. Is it best to simply shut up, and trust that SOPC (and my weekends at Airborne School) will be sufficient to get me back up to speed?
2. Or would it be best to respectfully challenge my treatment, with reference to TR 350-6? Again, I seek training opportunities, NOT any other form of special treatment.
3. As trainers yourselves, how would you want a recruit to approach you about such a discrepancy between the unit’s practices and the overarching regulations?

As always, I appreciate this site and its keepers for their wisdom and professionalism. I endeavor to one day contribute to this community as more than just a wannabe.

Thank you for your time.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by stalking-butler

1. Is it best to simply shut up
Thank you for your time.

Bingo

[k-rub]

You aren't the first to go through the pipeline.

Focus on the 25m target. Get the 18X contract. Do the best with what you have at the time. Basic Training Cadre are not likely to cater to you wanting to maintain your rucking. Their goal is to see you learn basic infantryman skills.

If you have time and are able, ruck. Keep doing what you are doing. The SOPC guys in my course were typically some of the best at rucking. From what I understand, PT will constitute the majority of your time at SOPC.

IMO it is a great honor to receive an 18X contract. I wouldn't go into Basic with the mindset of tipping the ship...

[stalking-butler]

Eyes on 25m. I am grateful for this opportunity, and will continue to train.

Thanks

[TrapperFrank]

Best of luck to you on this journey and all future endevours. Keep an open mind and stay focused on the 25m target.