What advice do you have on what I can expect as a 42A being sent to a JRTC rotation? What should I bring?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 18:07:00 -0500

Will be sent for a rotation to JRTC Fort Polk as a 42A. Any advice on what to expect or what to bring and how is it over there? How long ?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 19 at 2020 6:26 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 18:26:27 -0500

You are going to be there 4-6 weeks. Railing your equipment in and out will require rail load teams.

During your rotation. Strength management and casualty tracking will be key. If you don't request the right replacements, those who were "lost" are not "replaced" and moved out of the PHA back to the unit. Make sure you are requesting the right replacements.

You will likely pull ECP, perimeter, and guard duties. Keep hold of your sensitive items (weapons, NVGs, COMSEC, etc). Ensure you have the serial numbers of each, not just that you have one. You're accountable by serial number. Make sure you understand your orders, warrior tasks, and warrior drills. Ensure you know how to load, fire, clear, and clear malfunctions in what ever weapons you are assigned.

You'll convoy. You'll fight on the move. You'll establish a perimeter and occupy your perimeter.

Expect to spend 4-6 weeks in field conditions with about 2-3 of simulated combat conditions. You'll live out of a duffelbag and a ruck. If you are lucky, sleeping on a cot in a tent. Don't know if they are still occupying the "FOB" camps in the box. Depends on what type of training rotation you are on.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2020 7:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 19:04:01 -0500

Comfort items.
Stuff that will keep you warm and/or dry are at a premium.
Bug dope is not optional.
If you have room in your packing list, something to get you off the ground while sleeping, a hammock or air mattress is a nice luxury.
Lots of 550 cord and bungees to rig stuff up with.
Plenty of socks, underwear, and t-shirts. You will be wet a lot.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2020 7:09 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 19:09:03 -0500

You’ll be doing radio guard in a tent or you’ll be doing a details all day

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2020 7:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 19:23:04 -0500

If the Army ever gets an enema they’ll insert the tube in JRTC

If you’re there in the winter months, it rains a lot. A LOT. I counted 26 straight days. And the water doesn’t go anywhere since it’s all flat clay. If you go in the summer it’ll be a billion degrees AND rain a lot.

Take enough stuff to live in the field for about a month without resupply. I don’t know how they’re running rotations currently but we didn’t get laundry services or PX runs the whole time we were in the box. Socks are critical. Pack as much as you can without overpacking, I’d seriously wear a tshirt for several days if it meant extra space for socks.

The bugs are awful, the boars are aggressive and the whole place smells funny. Take a few things that might make you less misersable, like some pogie bait and some books and a good pillow. Avoid sleeping on the ground if you can manage and if you’re in a tent try to rack in the uphill corner.

The environment sucks. There’s no way around that, but it’s by design. It’s actually fantastic training. And if you get a chance to meet some of the locals, do so. Louisianans are some the most interesting and genuinely nice people you’ll ever meet. Eat every crawdad you can get your hands on.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Jan 20 at 2020 4:47 AM

SGT Robert Wager — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 04:47:07 -0500

What level of command?

Are you going to a personnel company or are you going to a combat arms battalion (infantry, armor, FA). This will drive your environment. Field environments all suck compared to garrison. Ask your personnel sergeant what you are allowed to bring over and above your packing list. Comfort items become gold. Baby wipes, a woobie, comfortable pillow, a couple of good books, hard candy, Raman noodles.... find a buddy in your section that has done a rotation and find out ideas of how to make it less miserable.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2020 9:49 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:49:59 -0500

Bring a good attitude cause god knows you wont have one a week in.