POC

[mrpageuk]

Thank you to all those who gave advice about the POC, I found lots of the information very beneficial.

Briefly this is my account:
Date of POC 22nd March

Travelled down on the Sunday, which i believe is the worst part, as your going into the "unknown". Met up with two other POC's on the way down- that i found relieved some of the stress.

On the course there were 14 in total, 10 arrived by Sunday, the rest on monday.
Sunday evening you make your way to the Porter in the mess, who directs you to your sleeping quarters. You have a chance to unpack, make your bed with the many sheets they leave. You share a room with another person- personally having others around makes life alot easier, as you all help each other out.
Back upto the Officers Mess, dinners served at 19.00- being apprehensive about the following days, i found it hard to eat large meals, instead a tried to have smaller snacks.

Day one starts with breakfast, dont go mad on the food! Being nervous generally makes your digestive system shutdown, and i ended up on the toilet 5 times that day.
Introduction by the Colour Sergeant, who checks your boots, a few people brought various types and as a result had to borrow a pair for the assault course. Then your shown how to March and conduct yourself correctly around CTC, i was dreadful at the start- but you do pick it up after awhile!

You move onto a course presentation, letting you know what to expect over the next few days..
Then to the Gym test, the warm up wasnt particually hard- running around a large square, swinging arms, side-steps etc.
You are split into two teams, red and blue. Everyone then lines up and you begin the bleep test (myself 13.8 ). I was shattered after this, and had a bollocking for not "controlling my body"
Then straight into pushups ( 38 ), sit ups ( 85 )- you hold hands behind the ears, and pull ups (9)
After a quick shower you move onto the essay and interview. Very relax atmosphere for both of these, the essay questions are more general than specific. Interview, learn the basics- Commando 21, where are 40,42,45 based, Commanding general of RM and Commanding officers of 40,42,45 units!
Dinner at 19.00 again, this is were i learned not to trust a RM officer. One of the YO decided to be polite and read the starter course to me "prawns, pasta" etc. Falling for this prank i decided to go for the prawns, over the waitress came " il have the prawns please" (the people around listening in... )she looked at me wierdly, so i repeated myself a few times! hmm- and to everyones amusment of course- their was none!!
After dinner a few of us got an early night.

Day 2

Bottom field- starts with carrying the logs to the assalt course and a absolute beasting of a warm up for around 15-20mins (carry people up hills, drag them, kick them etc..) Followed by exercises with the logs as a team (shoulder press, bicep curls)
After this in your groups, you are given an obstacle to access as a leader and then brief the group on how you intend to carry the log over (at the end of your brief ask if anyone has any questions, i got pick up on this, as i didnt). Team assault course starts. Afterwards you put the logs away, then start the 45sec rope hang, 200meter and 100meter firemen carry's. Finally the individual timed assault course!

Pasta lunch- eat some, dont go O.T.T

Lecturette- A mixture of subjects, mine was on a public relations exercise to Germany, others did Chickens, Parachuting, Cyber terrorism, Magic

Endurance course- enjoy!!
A brief warm up, nothing spectacular. You start the endurance at a fast pace, which slows down quite alot. Lots of tunnels with stones in, mud and water. Go onto www.commandochallenge.co.uk under "course maps", it shows everything you need to know. Just keep going, i hated the stones in the tunnels- make sure you show lots of effort when the staff are watching. Hare and hounds is mainly down hill, head down and work! The 3miles back was run at a steady pace, which i really enjoyed.

Discussion exercise- Relaxed atmosphere again, a quick tip: dont wait for people to finish their discussion, otherwise your never get your point across- Judge when there about to finish and start your point, its a bit rude, but you need to be heard.

19.00 Dinner and a few beers (some a few to many), One lad played the piano which was really great, maybe abit loud though- for some reason at 2 in the morning our fire alarm went off and we were told to evacuate. Standing outside in the cold for awhile, whilst for some reason everywhere else dead quite.. another prank I wonder?

Day 3

Battle swimming test: 6 lengths breastroke, then into trousers, shirt and webbing with gun. Jump off high board, swim 25 meters and back, pass out webbing, gun and finish by treading water for 3minutes.

Presentation- very interesting and amusing, 2parts: one on young officers training followed by one on specialisations.

Last was De-brief with course officer!

All POC's were fantastic and made the experience really enjoyable.

Any questions i would be more than happy to help.

[joethejudge]

How many completed the POC?

[mrpageuk]

7 completed the POC

[El Prez]

Well done Senor Page. When do you start?

[rambo]

Well done mate. Do you have any more interviews from here onwards?

[mrpageuk]

A.I.B date has been booked for early July, after my A levels!

[rambo]

Im not really sure what that actually is. I havent really clued myself up on the officers course. Do you feel this will go ok.

[mrpageuk]

The A.I.B is set to a very high standard, and is predominatly looking at the academic side of a person, as well as other qualities such as leadership and the overall character.

Il try my best...

[rambo]

Well good luck mate. Let us know how you get on wont you.

[El Prez]

Rambo, AIB is the Admiralty Interview Board. A board consisting of officers, a trick cyclist and usually a headmaster. Have a look at some of the fixed posts or announcements at the start of 'Joining the RM' there are a few describing the process.

[rambo]

Ok i will do. CHeers for that, you never know when that type of knowledge will come in handy. I myself start my journey trough the corps in 28 days and counting.

[ph1l]

Did most people on your course have degrees or were there mostly people with just A-Levels? Also what was the normal age of the peole on your course?

Well done and congratulations


Phil

[mrpageuk]

From what i recall:

Of the 14:
- around 5 where still doing A levels
- The rest either had degrees or were finishing them

Of the 7 that passed
- two (inc myself) were 18 doing A levels
- Rest degrees

[saffer]

Early July is quite a long time. My AFCO suggested that it would be about 1 month to 6 weeks after the POC.
Is yours late due to exams?
I have my POC coming up soon, should be a laugh.
Without putting doubt into your mind, as I am sure you will do well - sounds like you breezed the POC - but what will you do if you do not pass the AIB? join non-comissioned or wait untill next year.
I wish you the best of luck with the AIB!!!

What a-levels are you doing by the way?

[mrpageuk]

A.I.B date was booked after my A-levels! Of which im taking Biology, Chemistry and P.E.

If i fail A.I.B:

Few options really- firstly I dont really want to go onto university, especially this year as its to late.
If the standard is to high for me, then i might look at alternative routes through the Navy as an officer.
Going in as a Marine could be an option, but after spending so much time working towards being an RM officer and seeing at POC what lifes like, im not sure its for me!

A year out is quite awhile, yet theirs plenty of time to prepare for the POC and A.I.B again.

How about yourself- any back up plans?