No Kit issued for part time BMQ

[LcK_]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if someone has already been in this situation, my part time BMQ begin in 3 days, and i still don't have a date for getting all my kit.
I've contacted my POC at my unit but he told me he doesnt have the answer for the moment, how i'm gonna learn to wear a uniform without the uniform lol.

I didn't find any subject about that on internet soooooo, can't believe i'm the only one who gonna start my basic in civi clothes...

 

[Remius]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if someone has already been in this situation, my part time BMQ begin in 3 days, and i still don't have a date for getting all my kit.
I've contacted my POC at my unit but he told me he doesnt have the answer for the moment, how i'm gonna learn to wear a uniform without the uniform lol.

I didn't find any subject about that on internet soooooo, can't believe i'm the only one who gonna start my basic in civi clothes...

Sadly I’ve seen this at my own unit from time to time.

 

[Seyek]

Can't speak for your specific situation, but there are times when entire courses get their kit on course as a group, which might be your situation. Or it'll be a mixed bag. Regardless, the course staff will work around as best as they can if the rest of the course has kit. I did one course where I don't think the candidates got kit until the third weekend.

 

[KevinB]

My SYEP program in 1987 had a lot of kit issues -- we had the old work dress issued, but that was about it for the first month.
Apparently the CA didn't expect anyone to stick around as despite being fitted for Tans in May of 1987, the next May (1988) I flew to Gagetown for a Class B and still didn't have either Tans or Greens (either the old one weight, or the heavier winter weight ones).

Eventually (after I finished the Recruit phase) but before my summer Basic and QL3 Arty- I was issued 1 set of OD Combats, and 1951 Pattern web gear, 1 pr of Combat boots (nothing like going to Petawawa with 1 uniform for 65 days...).

So no, not exactly a new issue for the Reserves.

 

[Eaglelord17]

It happens, just accept it and carry on. If it makes you feel better there is a decent chance you won’t be the only one.

 

[RangerRay]

It wouldn’t be the first time recruits had to wear overalls until kit came in…

 

[Colin Parkinson]

We kitted our SYEP courses in coveralls and 51pattern webbing. It worked. Show up with clean comfortable clothes, jacket and boots for day to day. You should also have a white shirt, plain black tie and slacks with some dress shoes. Make sure your clothing does not have racist/sexist labels on it, the plainer the better. Get a haircut, come to the course looking put together and you make a good first impression.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Last couple of courses I've seen spent their first week in civilian clothes before getting their kit issued.

 

[Furniture]

Back in 2001 when I joined, we spent a few days in civilian clothes before uniforms were issued.

That was in St Jean, and the CAF had piles of OD combats lying around to hand out. It was just a timing/staffing thing I'm assuming.

 

[NavyShooter]

Where are you located?

Edit to add - I see you're likely in Montreal based on recruiting center location posted in another thread.

In your course Joining Instructions, there should be contact details for course staff (near the end of the main part of the JI's) I will suggest asking your supervisor at your unit to reach out to the course staff to inform them that you don't have kit yet.

On Friday night, I recommend showing up dressed in appropriate civilian attire, with a bag of stuff to enable you to stay for the weekend.

Recommend packing as follows at a minimum:
-Shirts/pants/shoes/socks/undergarments for 3 days
-fitness gear - shirt/pants/running shoes/undergarments
-Appropriate jacket/gloves/mitts/toque for weather conditions in case of outdoors activities
-shower/ablution gear - shaving kit, shower sandals, shampoo, etc
-towel(s)
-personal sleeping bag (if you have one, or can borrow one)
-notebook/pen/pencil
-positive attitude and a readiness to adapt to change

Looking at the BMQ we have kicking off here in Halifax this weekend, most of the first weekend is lectures and briefings - there is some basic drill, and some PT, but TBH, if someone shows up this weekend without a uniform for weekend 1, it is NOT a game ender from my perspective.

If a soldier shows up to the BMQ this weekend in HFX without kit at report time of 1800 hrs, as Training Coy CSM for the lead mounting unit (LMU) we would be in touch with the OPS and Training staff at that member's home unit by about 1900 hrs. The soldier's home unit would get told to sort out their uniform issue in advance of the second weekend, but the soldier would be staying on the course.

They may end up finding a set of coveralls to issue you for the weekend - that's what I wore when I did Basic until day 3 when they took us down to get our kit issue.

Attached is a picture of the pre-BMQ kit check that my troops conducted last week. We have 13 of these soldiers starting BMQ this weekend as well.

Good luck, and I'm certain things will work out - you'll feel out of place this weekend, but it's likely not your fault - and your course staff will accommodate the circumstance the best they can as things get sorted out.

Best regards,

NS

 

[LcK_]

Thanks for everything guys, especially NavyShooter, it will help a lot to know that.
In the meantime, i know now that a lot of recruit on the course don't have their kit either and we got some instructions from the course staff to deal with the situation. So it's gonna be ok.