I think a lot of newbies poke their heads in this folder, but do not post much.  So you veterans, what is you do for a new soldier on their first day?  Intro's, do's and don't's, history of regiment, anachronisms, etc...??

Ken

If I bring someone new to an event or to a group function, I try to give them some detail on the group's history and who some of the people are before we arrive so they can understand what they are walking into.

In terms of drill and such, I try to have them over to the house with a couple of the other guys before a few weeks before the event to do about 4-6 hours of drill and usually some cookout to follow.

At the event, depending on who we are portraying and what role I have within the unit, they will either get turned over to our 2nd Sgt to go over the loaner gear.  And then myself (if 1st Sgt) or a Cpl if I have other duties at the moment, will perform a drill for about 30-60mins to refresh them on what we covered a couple weeks ago.

We try to brief them on what to bring to an event before we get there in some pre-event emails.  And then in the parking lot, once we dress them, we look them over and have them remove anything modern.  

I think we try to spread the experience out over a couple days so as not to overwhelm them on the first day at the event.  We let them know that they will make mistakes, and it is ok becase we have all been there.  And if someone is correcting you, don't take it personal, we are trying to help you enjoy your experience and also keep everyone safe.  

In most cases, I might try to go along with someone and spectate an event with them to help them understand what they are seeing and answer questions as they come to them.  

I have tried this approach with the last couple of guys to join our group and it has made their transitions a little smoother.

Greg pretty much summed up what we do as well. Once they have a chance to meet with the members of the unit and get to know them a bit, we try to pair them up with one or two experienced members of the unit, get them into the loaner gear, then get them familiar with the basics of drill first. We always encourage them to come to a more laid back event or meeting first to get "the feel" of the hobby before they go out into a more demanding event. We always stress safety first and make sure they understand how to properly fire from both the front and rear rank before they are ever allowed to load their first round. Likewise we explain that if someone corrects them, it is not personal and is only an attempt to help. One thing we encourage is to ask questions.

Ken (and Greg):
If I could throw in two cents worth still being a relative newbie (will be enlisting for my 3rd year in January) I would encourage anyone looking to join to try to come with an open mind and few if any preconceived ideas.

My first experience was via email with people like Ken who treated me with respect a genuine welcoming spirit...as did 1st Sgt. Davis.  Based on the time of year, etc. I was encouraged to attend the Company meeting.

Man did I feel welcome there although I went with a lot of apprehension.  I never felt that it was a club for the "good old boys" and everyonewas really great to this newbie.

My first event was Winter Dust Off and I never was made to feel like a "fresh fish" although I definitely was and had no clue as to what I was doing.  Nevertheless, I was treated as if I had been with the company forwever...beginning with wood detail and fire watch.  I must admit, I wasn't prepared for some of the rigors of a temperature of 0 and lugging wood, etc. but it certainly made me feel a part of the "team."

Of course, at the company meeting and continuing during dust off I was indoctrinated into what the 6th OVI was then and is today along with some handouts to read when I cot home.  I learned a lot about the "kit" at the dust off and the do's and don'ts of jumping into spending a lot of bucks until I was pretty sure I wanted to do this thing.

Spring training came next with a more rigourous version of Winter Dust Off but again, patience and encouragement were extensive along with the reinforcement of what I was to have learned (like holding the rifle when at order arms, holding my feet properly, etc.) when I did not do something right.

Personally, I think this was a great way to get indoctrinated since it was all within the company and prepared me for that day in June when I would first see the elephant and while physically not being quite up to snuff I was at least prepared adequately with the basics of soldiering in a very non threatening environment.

I think if I had jumped right into an event it possibly would have scared me away...but we all are different and react differently to the experiences to which we are exposed.

I like your thots Greg about trying to ease a person in, training them as to what to expect and how to expect "correction" when it is necessary.  Our company  leaders were good at explaining this as well.

For any newbies:  don't think of any question as being stupid...it's the only way you're going to get answers and understand better what kind of group you're joining.

Joe

Good point, I encourage any questions from the new guys because it tells me they are trying to learn.

I also will suggest books that I read when I first got into the hobby for them to read.  

One thing we don't want is for someone who is new to feel like an outsider, so we will try to fill them in on some of the jokes and such and keep them involved in the details of an event.  We will pair them up with someone who has been around a while.

Also one thing we say in our company is "If we aren't picking on you then we don't like you."  So if we are teasing you like we tease all the members, then you have been accepted in and are a good fit with us.  

We just stake out the Fresh Fish over an ant hill and pour honey on them.  

Of course, before they get the ant treatment, we've been in touch three of four times by telephone and have sent them a "Recruit's Guide". We insure that we have loaner gear available to fit the Recruit, If there is some issue, like feet that will not fit our loaner shoes, we make some other arrangement, such as asking the recruit to bring a pair of work boots.

We hold "Fresh Fish Drill" for any brand new troops; along with guys who've been to a few events; but are far from vets. This avoids the new guy getting singled out by himself.

We make it clear, that a man at his first reenactment may, or may not, be able to fire during the scenarios. The usual situation is a new man fires only caps on Saturday; but standard blank rounds on Sunday. The old hands, around the new man, watch closely for safe actions and make the final decision whether, or not, he shoots blanks. It should be noted that we have withdrawn shooting rights from old hands, who've gotten sloppy and unsafe.

Following a new recruit's first event, we follow up to insure the man had a good time and if he has any questions.  

Phew...I'm glad I missed the ant hill and honey treatment.  The book suggestions from my compnay were also helpful giving a perspective on what the men actually went through compared to what we are doing in an effort to honor them.

The firing issue you mention Bill is important.  If thre was one lesson continually driven home during my very first winter dust off was that of safety.

Give them large, excessive quantities of alcohol. That is how we got ken Cornett into the 6th Ohio. Me too for that matter

Seriously, first day? I find just trying to make them feel at home and welcome and "one of the boys". Doesn't matter how good the kits and impressions and drill if the person feels like an outsider you lose them. Ease them into the drill and MOA, etc.. but make sure they are never standing around alone.

Just my MFO,

Mike

Quote :

Sgt6ovi wrote : Give them large, excessive quantities of alcohol. That is how we got ken Cornett into the 6th Ohio. Me too for that matter Mike

Mike,

Sort of reminds me of how they "recruited" seamen into the Royal Navy!

Showed up 15 minutes before Assembly with a full canteen and everything brand spanking new. My retired Colonel father and I had put everything on me the day before, punched holes in leather, adjusted braces, etc. He put me through modern manual of arms (which I had been taught since an early age).

So when it came to assembly they walked me through everything slowly.....after assembly (roll call at 8AM)....was assigned to awkward squad......basically went an hour 10 minutes off, an hour 10 minutes off.....then battalion formation (Parade) and drill.

After lunch they asked me about firing and I said I wasn't confident about it....so they put me in the color guard....watched the battle for a while, died on the retreat......

Went home that night, came back the next day....went through the same thing.....11 years ago and still hooked.

Bill,


Sort of reminds me of how they "recruited" seamen into the Royal Navy!

Good to know we are being authentic!

Mike

Aren't you supposed to have them rub wet powder all over their face?

Galen
Alabama

  Hallo!

 A slightly different experience...

 Several of the units I belong to, or have belonged to, require a "sponsor" as a friend, guide, and mentor to a Newcomer.
 As a result, the new recruit has a change to phase in and nail down some of things others try to do at the first event- whether
loaner gear, the start of all of the  unit standard specified clothing and gear acquisitions of the approved makers and vendors, having attended either some  Q & A's, tudoring sessions,
drill sessions, company/mess business meetings, etc.
 Also we try/tried to pair new recruits with sponsors/mentors living close by so that there is interaction and socialization if possible.
 And in the era of the Internets, we encourage them to participate on our Yahoo Group board and even a WWW forum or two, to "expand their horizons" and to "test the water" to help swim with the sharks.

 As a result, except for some drill and manual of arms, the rest is a combination of jumping in the pool and getting wet under the watchful and supportive eye of the sponsor/mentor as well as the NCO's and Officers.

 Over the years, as we lost the "local base" of formal units, and the problems of scattered individuals across several states and even regions... the Internets helped a little...

 Curt

I arrived late on Friday for my first event (I planned to get there earlier, but I locked my keys in my truck while registering *facepalm*) so one of the NCOs ran me through the manual of arms and maneuvers real quick with a couple of other new guys.

It was kinda rushed (as mentioned before this was my fault,) but it was still really fun.  

--Last edited by BrooksvilleRaider on 2009-02-24 09:58:15 --

I must agree with all the answers except the ant hill lol.  We have a strict policy on new recruits... No recruit will be able to participate in a battle reenactment unless they attend our annual training camp in April.  This doesn't mean they cant come they just can not go to battle.  We are a very safety heavy group and are proud to be incident free.  We also assign each new member a mentor usually and NCO but some times its someone who has been doing this for awhile now.  They mentor system has really benefited our ranks and new members come with a base knowledge before our annual training camp.

Quote :

7thNJCoA wrote : I must agree with all the answers except the ant hill lol.  We have a strict policy on new recruits... No recruit will be able to participate in a battle reenactment unless they attend our annual training camp in April.

Hey,

The ant hill and honey takes care of the wimps right quick!  

Drew,

Are you saying that if a new recruit doesn't make your annual drill, they have to stay in camp for an entire season?