basic training

[mrblonde86]

hi all. i am due my halton dates any time soon after passing my pjft wth flying colours
i am just wondering if people had any tips on how to cope with the serious lack of sleep during basic training?
Also, does anybody prefer driving to halton than getting the train?
cheers

 

[Weedy23]

Hi there.

Congratulations on passing the PJFT. I passed mine on Tuesday, it's a great feeling isn't it?

As far as I know, you'll need to complete a final interview before you get your dates for Halton. Depending what trade you're going for, you might also be required to attend a specialist interview as well.

Good luck with the rest of the recruitment process and I might even see you at Halton! DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[propersplitbrainme]

i am just wondering if people had any tips on how to cope with the serious lack of sleep during basic training?

You'll drop into the change in routine in your life easier than you think. You'll find out what you can and cannot cope with and adapt to suit, its an essential part of the life.

 

[pie sandwich]

Lack of sleep only depends on how well organised you are. If you can get all you stuff done and done well then you will be able to get to bed early. But faffing around etc will cut the time you have to do your kit and therefore the amount of rest you get.

 

[Mickwreay]

Team work

Team work

Team work is the answer mate, help each other.
What you find difficult another person may find easy.
Help the weaker members of the flight, as one day they may help you.

Good luck to all you new entrants, you'll need it!!!!!

 

[FOMz]

The search button is your friend...

Also look at the 'similar threads' list at the bottom of this page - it may help.

 

[PVRisthefuture]

If you are slow, and can't iron or sow etc, then buy Pro plus to help out with those all-nighters.

Advise bringing your car... the boot is a wonderful place to hide stuff that you don't want found in your locker during inspection!

Good luck.

 

[paramole]

pro plus got me through a few tricky days when the previous nights sleep was not allowed!!!!
other than that, as has been said, working as a team will get you through with your head clear and ready for most things. pre plan and be ready to expect the unexpected.


best of luck. its not that bad really.

 

[Emballer]

I got my dates (provisionally) about a week and a half after my PJFT! I got my start date and Pre-RTC dates together. Once i had been to PRTC i got a date for my final interview although others had already had their final interview by PRTC.

Red Bull, Pro-plus etc are banned at Halton. The cpl's wont take it lightly if you're caught!

 

[tats]

pro plus got me through a few tricky days when the previous nights sleep was not allowed!!!!
other than that, as has been said, working as a team will get you through with your head clear and ready for most things. pre plan and be ready to expect the unexpected.


best of luck. its not that bad really.

Big no no, don't try and get through by using things - if they find them they won't be impressed as they want to see how you cope, not compensate. Although we did have a girl who survived on red bull and did exercise on pure sugar so it is possible but highly advised against!

Sleep is just something you get used to, we have lie ins here in comparison but some still find it hard to get up, just deal with it when you come to it and stop worrying, things will be fine. As much as I hated basic at the time, I look back and enjoyed it and that was only a few months ago, hopefully the same can be said about this course!

 

[falcons93]

hey mate, well done, ive just graduated last tuesday (im on one of the pic on the halton web site lol) the sleep depravation does suck, but you will be fine, biggest tip to get most sleep is learn to iron and sew because first 10 days are the hardest and the first nights are spend sewing lots of socks.


ohh yeah, no red bull or pro plus u will get ****ed if caught, day 00 re-flight integrity not abiding to the core values

 

[mrblonde86]

thankls for the replies folks,
i have my 2day visit to halton on the 6th and 7th nov and i start basic the follwing wednesday, will i be at any way, less advantaged than the others who go to their 2 day visit 6 or 8 weeks before there draught date, because mine is less than a week before before my draught date!

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

Go with open mind and mouth that is shut unless spoken to. You will look back at the days coming up with great reflection. You might not think so in a few weeks, but you will. Good luck with your future.DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[Nec Aspera Terrent]

1. Never miss a chance to eat, drink or sleep.
2. Five minutes early is too late.
3. Don't take it personally.

 

[D.I.]

1. Never miss a chance to eat, drink or sleep.
2. Five minutes early is too late.
3. Don't take it personally.

Excellent Advice, your body-clock will soon adjust itself to cope with the "short hours", however you should be lights out at 23:00 and out of bed for 05:00 - 6 hours is sufficient, spare a thought for your flight-staff who will be spending longer hours awake than you!!! TIME MANAGEMENT AND TEAMWORK MAKE THE DREAM WORK!!

 

[AgentTiro]

simulate the post pt rush by going for a run, getting home get showered and changed and ready to go within 10 minutes.

then try and sit through an afternoon of powerpoint without falling asleep

DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[Portcullis]

Another Survival Tip

Another Survival Tip

Do what you have been asked/told to do,

within the given time frame,

to the correct standard,

first time,

every time.

ie, Sort your kit out, put your washing on, do your block job BEFORE ringing g/f (she will just have to get used to it). DO NOT go for another fag break then end up ironing your trousers at 1 o'clock in the morning.

And get the team working very quickly. This ain't a job for individuals.

DT_Xtremez_28:
Good luck

 

[AgentTiro]

Just to add to what portcullis said, buy a hands free kit for your mobile so that you can actually do tasks whilst chatting to family / missus etc

 

[dark_sider1]

make sure you know what the difference between these two statements is :

1. Be here at 5 to the hour.
2. Be here by 5 to the hour.

You'll be fine. As was said earlier, keep your mind open, your mouth shut, and remember to always lock your lockers!

Have fun.

Oh, and if you ever meet him, avoid a giner-haired mong with a strange looking tattoo when you go the bop DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[vim_fuego]

I can't remember a time whilst going through Swinderby, Halton (during it's tech school days for you newbies) or Cranwell (NCAITC and professional training) where I ever pulled an all-nighter or even close to it...If you're an ab-initio then listen to your instructors and get on with it...If it's been a life habit to leave things to the last minute then change your liife habits now and do your tasks the minute you are released to...Do them to a good standard every time and when you've finished look around to see who else on your TEAM you can help...Never ever assume that when your block job is done that it's time to put your feet up...Work out who's good at what e.g. bulling shoes or ironing shirts work out a deal that enables these people to use these skills whilst the rest of you cover their tasks to an extent...

Live the good life...Smash plenty of calories into your face and re-hydrate often...Your p1ss should be faintly yellow at worst...If it's like marmalade you're not drinking enough [water] so sort it out...Before you start training (Say a month) start taking vitamins...You'll be living among dozens of other human beings who will all cough and sneeze on you so give yourself the best chance of survival on the annoying cough and cold front...Once in a while ensure that you chill out...All work makes Jack a dull boy so get ahead with all your tasks then go for a pint in the bar and talk about something else other than the state of your bedpack for an hour...Chat about what you're finding hard and what you think you've sussed and listen to your TEAM and their observations...see if you can compliment anyone and also look out for the real struggler and if you've the capacity to do so then see if the rest of you can pick up some of his workload until he catches up or biffs out...

If you're cut out for military life you'll soon fit in and begin to enjoy it...6 hours of sleep is plenty and it's only for 6 weeks then you should get some time off...Try to relax and enjoy the experience...If you can manage to do this you'll get more out of the basic course and we'll see the best of you...

Hope this helps.