POC 26th May?

[Cool Hand Luke]

Just wondering if any other aspiring YO's will be attending this one?

[hardy]

Yes mate, I'll be there. Looking forward to it. Have you had your POC brief yet? How was it?

[Cool Hand Luke]

Good stuff, no not yet mate only recieved confirmation this morning. I've got my medical and pre-poc brief on the same day on 8th May.

How did your brief go mate, what did it consist of?

[hardy]

Haven't had my brief yet mate. Was hoping that you'd had yours! They haven't told me a great deal about what to the brief is like so I've no idea whether it's a chat about what to expect from POC or something more detailed. Either way I'm sure it'll be helpful.

[Illustrious]

If its anything like the PRMC brief, you'll basically just meet the lads your going down with, swap numbers. Your careers adviser will also give you a run down of what to expect on the course and will also give you your travel warrant and anything else you need. Make sure you bring in the paperwork in that you should have been given.

[lil_dinger_bell]

PAG, What was your medical like? Because I am coming from Canada I have my medical, brief, and RT aptitude test all in one day.

- Anything I should keep in mind?

Cheers

[hardy]

Thanks for the heads up Illustrious and PAGreenwall. Much appreciated. Any extra advice you fancy sharing would be great. Can't wait to get down to CTC and put in some hard work.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Yep cheers lads. PA Greenwell, did you pass POC, I can't remember mate?

Hardy what careers office have you gone through? Also are you in your boots yet mate?

[hardy]

I've been processed through the AFCO in Holburn mate. What about you?

I've been wearing my boots in gradually but I've had to have some time off running because I strated suffering really nasty shin splints and thought it was unwise to risk a stress fracture so close to POC. I've been told resting and then investing in some Sorbothane insoles is the way to deal with shin splints so fingers crossed. How's your training been?

[Cool Hand Luke]

Birmingham AFCO for me mate. Going to purchase a pair of boots tomorrow from somewhere in Burton-upon-trent, I've been told to get a second-hand pair as they will be better worn in. Don't know how true that is?

I don't suffer too bad with my shins to be honest, what have you been doing instead then? My training is starting to come together now, still not as good as it needs to be yet though.

I might purchase some of those Sorbothane insoles too as I really struggle with blisters.

[hardy]

Second hand boots is the way to go mate. I've got a pair that were nicely broken in and it's made running in them a lot easier than if I had to start from scratch with a new pair.

It's gash not being able to run at the moment but I've been keeping up my CV by swimming and hitting the exercise bikes in the gym. Not the most inspiring PT ever but if it has to be done then fair play.

[aspiringofficer]

Yep, I'm on that one. Looking forward to it in a sick kind of way!

That's bang on with the second-hand boots. Wearing in new boots is an experience to be avoided.

So what time is everyone planning on turning up at CTCRM?

[Cool Hand Luke]

Good stuff mate, it should be a fun couple of days

I'm planning on arriving on the Sunday sometime between 3-6pm hopefully in time for some dinner. I have not checked the train times yet though so don't know what time exactly.

What about you mate?

[hardy]

Alright fellas,

I'm planning to leave London at 12 and should be at CTC for about 4pm (assuming there aren't massive amounts of gash engineering work on etc).

Looking forward to meeting everyone and then getting stuck in.

Hardy

[aspiringofficer]

I step onto the platform just before 5pm.

One week to go men - prepare for glory!

Would probably be wise for us all to get a bit of a sewing circle on the go Sunday/Monday evening and have a chat about how we're gonna work together on things like the leader-led/leaderless tasks on the assault course and the current affairs discussion as looking slick as a group makes everyone look good.

Is anyone still doing phys at this stage? I've binned pretty much everything besides swimming and a bit of cycling as of Saturday.

Anyone reading this thread who fancies throwing this particular POC batch any last minute words of wisdom - crack on!