[sho_bc]

So, because the first one was deleted, and I think it is helpful/useful as an insight to policing as a career (and because I have a question....) I'm starting this thread again.

So, my question is the following:
As I spend my non-working hours getting my room packed into boxes, is there anything suggested to bring/not bring to Depot that might not cross your mind until you're there, and its put away in one of many boxes? I've gone through the list thats posted online in the booklet, but its somewhat vague and open to interpretation.
Example: jeans and t-shirts? I know dress code is business casual, but a pair of jeans and a t-shirt or two for the weekends? and for business casual, do golf shirts pass as casual shirt-wear?
How about a laptop? any reason NOT to bring it? I'd like to keep a journal whenever I'd be able to fit it in between assignments, studying, polishing, sleeping, and more polishing. I find inputting on my laptop easier than writing in a book for speed and editing purposes.

.... I think thats it for now. :)

[Five-Oh]

First thing I would bring is one weeks worth of dress pants, button-up shirts, and ties. During the first week before you get your uniform you have to wear a shirt and tie. If you're there during the winter, you will also have to wear a shirt and tie to go to the mess hall on the weekends.

During the summer, dress code for the mess is at least a collared shirt and some decent pants (ie. Dockers). So I'd say bring about 4 collared shirts and a couple pairs of dockers.

For the weekends while you're not at the mess and after your classes are over for the day you can bring pretty much whatever you want as long as it isn't offensive. Jeans and t-shirt for the winter or shorts and t-shirt for the summer.

You'll also need to bring lots of work out clothes. Keep in mind you'll probably be working out or running about 10 times a week and going through shirts faster than you can clean them. You'll probably also want to bring gloves, a toque, and wind-resistant clothing for the winter runs because it is always freezing cold and really windy during the winter.

There are computers with open internet at Depot that you are allowed to use, so if you want to use those, you can use them instead of bringing a laptop. Most of the laptops that people had there we all used to watch movies and upload their pictures.

The main thing is to try to bring as little as possible because you don't have too much room for storage. Bring what you need and you will end up buying a lot of things while you're there.

[sho_bc]

"Bring as little as possible" includes a mountain of clothing, eh? ;)
I spent the last 3 years paddling every day of the week, so I think I've got enough work-out shirts, and as long as no one else takes offense, I'm fine only changing shorts/thermal tights a couple of times in a few times in a week. That much paddling in False Creek sort of messes with your nose's sense of "smelly".

Are we going to be wearing runners with the dress pants etc? Or should I pack dress shoes as well?

Are we provided jackets during that first week, or should I be sure to bring something nice and toasty? I'll be heading out late February/March, so I'm guessing it'll still be relatively brisk there at that time. They're looking at a HIGH of -22*C for this Saturday... :damn:

Does this look about right in terms of average temperatures?

January Avg Low: -21° Avg High: -10° Avg Precipitation: 1.11 cm
February Avg Low: -17° Avg High: -7° Avg Precipitation: 0.75 cm
March Avg Low: -10° Avg High: 0° Avg Precipitation: 1.39 cm
April Avg Low: -2° Avg High: 11° Avg Precipitation: 1.78 cm
May Avg Low: 4° Avg High: 18° Avg Precipitation: 3.94 cm
June Avg Low: 10° Avg High: 23° Avg Precipitation: 5.77 cm
July Avg Low: 12° Avg High: 26° Avg Precipitation: 4.88 cm
August Avg Low: 11° Avg High: 25° Avg Precipitation: 3.86 cm
September Avg Low: 5° Avg High: 19° Avg Precipitation: 1.96 cm
October Avg Low: -2° Avg High: 11° Avg Precipitation: 1.79 cm
November Avg Low: -10° Avg High: 0° Avg Precipitation: 0.95 cm
December Avg Low: -18° Avg High: -7° Avg Precipitation: 1.17 cm

[Five-Oh]

They will give you 5 t-shirts with your name on it that you will wear during your fitness and PDT classes, so don't go too overboard on the amount of shirts you bring. You will also have to buy some Depot issue short shorts for your fitness classes.

No you will not be wearing runners with your dress pants. As far as footwear goes bring 1 pair of dress shoes, 1 pair of indoor running shoes, 1 pair of outdoor running shoes, and whatever shoes you regularly wear.

You do not receive a jacket to wear in your first week, so bring something warm.

As far as the temperature goes, those sound like average temperatures. But keep in mind that is average, it gets WAY colder. The first week I was there it was -55 with the windchill.

[Rich Sandor]

Alex, Regina is a fairly big city. You can buy whatever you need there! (it's not a total hick town - LOL)

So does this mean no more Taurus SHO at autocross? Will you be autocrossing a Crown Vic when you get back? ;)

[skidmark]

Most of the stuff I needed aside from civilian dress I ended up buying either in the canteen at Depot or from the stores in Regina. I really can`t think of anything that I thought I should have brought from home and hadn`t.

Of course, that was 25 years ago now when they issued just about everything to you and will probably be somewhat different now.

[zulutango]

Wonder if your Drill Cpl likes mahogany polish like mine did? Canteen used to be the only source anywhere for it. Kiwi stopped making it I believe? Avoid the CC unless you like Regina Girls....kinda like Surrey Girls, but without the class or Skytrain Stations to work out of. :) :)

[sho_bc]

Rich, the SHO will be parked while I drive my beater out there. If there are auto-x or road course opportunities wherever I end up, then I'll be back in the game wherever that might be. Otherwise, I'll somehow manage it out to wherever I end up, park it, and do a whole shlew of work on it.

Are the T-shirts cotton? I've spoiled myself over the years with synthetics... :p
From what I've seen of the closet space, its a wonder things manage to stay inspectable... Do/did you use starch to keep things looking neat and tidy? That was a trick we used at my highschool in Thailand, to keep our uniforms looking cleanly pressed for class inspections.

Just wondering if driving down is advised/cautioned against? I think it might have been in the original thread, someone mentioned a troop-mate had bought a car while there in order to get around on the weekends? Would having a car there make me the designated taxi driver/DD on weekends?

[Five-Oh]

The t-shirts are cotton. They have an RCMP logo and your name across the front. You have to wear them while you're in fitness class and PDT, it isn't optional. Even if you like synthetics, the cotton t-shirts aren't the worst part. The worst part is the socks that they give you. I think when they were making those socks they actually designed them to be as uncomfortable as possible. I ended up buying some plain white socks from Wal-Mart and then got in trouble for not wearing the issue socks.

As for starching shirts, some people did that but I wasn't that fancy. I had never ironed before i went to Depot, so I drycleaned all my shirts and pants all the time. I always touched up the creases a bit because the dry cleaner always messed them up.

It would have been nice to have a car there, but with the money you can save on car insurance you might as well just take a taxi everywhere. Everything in Regina is a close taxi ride away and most of the people from Alberta/Sask/Manitoba bring cars and you can usually just hitch a ride from them if you want to go on a road trip to Regina Beach, Moose Jaw, or wherever else.

Edit: and yes you will be the DD every weekend if you bring a car.

[Soundy]

You won't need a car - you can just hop on the Riders bandwagon! :lol

[l2_narain]

congrats!

[sho_bc]

Originally posted by l2_narain
congrats!
Not counting my chickens before they're hatched... They're still into the background stuff right now, but I've already told them the "worst" of me, so I'm pretty sure from here on in things will just look better and better. :D

They issue socks, as well? Hmm... do they make you take off your shoes to check your socks? Or is it possible to modify the issued socks to work with regular socks? (You can PM me with that answer if you like :rofl: )

As for insurance savings... unless I got a storage space big enough for a car as well as all my misc belongings, I'd have to bring it with me, or sell it. I'll have to think on that one, because I'd like to be able to drive out to Wascana Racing Canoe Club and paddle on the weekends once it warms up a bit. Plus, I'd be able to store my paddling gear in the trunk and save closet space. :)

Five-Oh, what is the laundry situation like there? Are there coin machines? Machines for our own use with our own detergent etc?

[zulutango]

Closet space is not a concern. The onlt things you hang in your closet are your uniform. Used to get up at 5.15am and wet dust inside the entire closet, including the very top shelf, remake the bed, vacuum and wet dust the counter and drawers. You keep all your personal stuff in the trunk in your pit. It is your own personal area & is off bounds to others unless you forget to lock it. We had to go running outside if it was warmer that minus 30 C. It's so dry that you can run in Nikes, lng underwear under nylon jogging suit, bunny fir gloves and full balaclava from Stupid Store and you got to run to Wascana Park for some freedom. Coldest morning was a minus 49 with the wind chill of minus 95C. Nose hairs break off immediately at that temp. Its all a mind game and they really DO want you to graduate but you must be able to put up with more than you ever have in your life before. I wish you good luck>Like Charles Dickens said in the opening lines of one of his books..."it was the best of times, it was the worst of times". Anyone who tells you that it was fun is either a liar, has a very bad memory, or has a really warped sense of fun. Feeling the badge in your hand at the end makes it all worthwhile though.

[sho_bc]

Originally posted by zulutango
Its all a mind game and they really DO want you to graduate but you must be able to put up with more than you ever have in your life before. I wish you good luck>Like Charles Dickens said in the opening lines of one of his books..."it was the best of times, it was the worst of times". Anyone who tells you that it was fun is either a liar, has a very bad memory, or has a really warped sense of fun. Feeling the badge in your hand at the end makes it all worthwhile though.
I think I'll be one of those people who says it was fun at the end of it. :D Things that have both a huge mental and physical challenge are things I love. I'm the kind of idiot that would go to army boot camp repeatedly if that was my only commitment to the experience. I trained for Judo 4-6 hours/day in +40*C every day for 2 months straight, I guess now its time to experience the flip side: sub-zero.

How long are the morning runs? I think I remember reading 30-45 minutes somewhere?

[zulutango]

Things have softened a lot since I went thru. No more "duties" etc, no more stand to's in the dorms, no more CB's, a lot less yelling and screaming and mental & physical overload. Two guys in my Troop were former Military and they said that the RCMP 6 months of mental & physical was tougher than Armed Forces basic training. The acadamics are piled on top of all this too and we got a maximum of two chances to pass ANY test/exam. We lost guys who failed first aid and CPR. My son is a drill Instructor in the Cdn Forces boot camp and he agrees. Of the 31 other guys in my Troop, not one said they would ever do it again, exactly like the first time. Every single guy, at one time or another, said that they would have dropped out if there was a way they could have done so and kept "face" with their families and themselves. You HAD to really want to be there more than anything else in the world. It is a total commitment to the process with no backing off.


Classes are 45 minutes each period, but sometimes they combine 2 or more. Your cross-country run was spread over 3 hours but we did ours in winter with shoulder deep snow on the golf course and the "Regina Hills" It was a balmy -29 that day with moderate wind.

[sho_bc]

"CBs"?
My dad was a drill instructor with the RAF for a while, and has raised me in such a way that I've actually grown to LOVE ironing my clothes and making them perfect, love the uniformed/regulated/strict ordered way of life, etc etc etc. He knows my mental mindset, and he's agreed that I'd probably get a "high" from doing boot camp type programs. For me, its not so much the process, but the outcome that I get the high from. The challenge of achieving that end is one of those nagging things that drives me to completion. The bigger the challenge, the harder I work/the more effort I put in/the higher my drive to succeed and to "over"-achieve.

Just an example of my drive, I went from being a "lowly" recreational dragonboat paddler to winning a gold and silver with my club at the Club Crew worlds, and then the same again with the national team, within a year and a half. Also, I learned to speak/read/write Thai in less than 1 year.

I'm really going to have to put that drive to good use when it comes to running in shoulder-deep snow... haha

[sho_bc]

Originally posted by zulutango
We lost guys who failed first aid and CPR.
I'm guessing CPR and First Aid are mandatory courses, even though you need to have them to even go to Depot? And that the courses are harder than the ones available to the public, because the St. John's and Red Cross ones are pretty straight forward and easy to pass...

[Gt-R R34]

Originally posted by zulutango
Coldest morning was a minus 49 with the wind chill of minus 95C. Nose hairs break off immediately at that temp. I

omg....i am never ever going to regina in the winter....

[skidmark]

CB = confined to base

[zulutango]

"CB" also means dressing in uniform, forming up and marching to the Duty Cpl for an inspection, then marching back to the dorm. Repeat this ever hour, on the hour from Friday after class till Sunday night at 11pm. (you do get Sunday off till noon hour, and no overnight stuff). Also expect unannounced dorm inspections where they look for (or manufacturer if there none) "problems" with anything they like. This punishment was inflicted on each Troop as a group according to the date it was marked on the Sgt. Major's wall calander. It was also individually imposed for "attitude adjustment" purposes on deserving troopmates. The punishment was imposed even though you had done nothing wrong...to get you ready for the public humiliation and punishment when you leave Regina and have actually done nothing wrong. Also can be used as great pre-marriage conditioning because it's worse being right in a 'discussion" with your wife, than it is being wrong!!!!!!!!!


And before you ask...I did have a Troop CB but escaped an individual CB...my Pit partner and I were the only ones in the Troop to do so. Managed to duck the heat seekers. Did get my hat tossed on the floor because of dust that had collected underneath my bed between when we left for morning classes and when we got back for lunch. Someone also came in & unbuttoned the top buttons on 2 of my shirts hanging in the closet but I found them in time. It's a mind game.

[jaguar604]

Congrats

I know two people who were differed for a year on their applications because one of their friends, who they have not talked to in months, smoke marijuana.

Threads like this give me some great information since I'm going to apply within the year.

[sho_bc]

Of the people I associate with, only one of them I know is a "frequently casual" pot smoker. This situation and its circumstances were made made clear to those officers/retired officers working on my file many stages ago, so I don't think I should have any problems with that. If there are others, then I guess it sucks to be me for not being more aware of what they do when I'm not around, and will deal with that bridge if it presents itself. :)

[PR0WL]

Dont but too much before you go, I made that mistake... I would strongly advise not bringing your car as well. Like Five-oh said you will be DD and everyone will be asking you to drive them to Tim Hortons and WalMart and NOT just on weekends...

There's phones that go directly to the cab companies and when you get a van and fill it, it ends up being cheap.

One small thing to add to the list; FLIP FLOPS or some kind of sandals. You dont want athletes foot! Bring them, they dont have them at the canteen.

As for Mohagany polish, theres a store in Regina that carries it if the canteen doesnt. (canteen ran out when i was there!)

[sho_bc]

Flip flops? Interesting. What for? I've got flip flops, and I've got crocs.... any one better than the other?

Also, if I were to bring my paddle and PFD so that I could paddle on the weekends (but no car), would there be a place to store/secure them? My paddle costs over $500... I guess I'm not so worried about theft, given where I'd be, but more worried about damage, getting knocked about or knocked over.

[PR0WL]

wear flipflops or sandals (whatever you wanna call em) in the shower to prevent athletes foot. I just went to old navy and bought a pair for 5 bucks which is all u need.

The socks they issue you (the blue ones especially) will make your feet rotten, dont wear them. You might get busted for not wearing issue socks but i doubt it, even if you do its still worth it.

I was there through the summer mostly, my feet got really smelly and if i was wearing the issue socks it would have been a lot worse, it got over 40 degrees above and when you're standing in the middle of the parade square wearing wool and trying not to move its not so fun. A few people collapsed in the heat - not fun.

[sho_bc]

Hm... I've never experienced dry 40*C... only tropical. Should be an interesting experience.

Are you suggesting to buy some blue socks and bring them with me? Or wait to see what they issue, and try to find socks that look similar? Same deal with white socks, or do they issue regular sports/crew socks in white?

I've got a pair of those $5 Old Navy flip flops... I'll be sure to pack them with me.

[Five-Oh]

I totally forgot about the flip flops, but yes you will need them. About 500 people use the same showers in the fitness gym and the PDT gym. So if any of them have athlete's foot or antyhing like that, you will get it. Most of the time you don't have time to dry off properly after showering, so you are basically putting your soaking wet feet into socks and then into shoes for the rest of the day. If anything is a breeding ground for gross stuff, that is it.

As far as socks go, just buy some black or dark blue sport socks to go with the uniform and some long (ie. not ankle socks) white sport socks to go with your fitness uniform. You might get in trouble for both, but it is worth it.

[PR0WL]

For the record, it was Five-Oh who told me to bring flip flops :D

[PHO?]

anyone know anything about E.R.T? i cant seem to find where they train at?

[Five-Oh]

They train all over the place depending on what they're training on. You need a certain amount of service before you can even apply to ERT. If you're not a member yet, don't even bother looking into it because it is a long ways away.

[sho_bc]

What kind of camera should I bring? A point-and-shoot, or a DSLR? I'm a bit of a shutterbug... I'm guessing there won't be any "photo-ops" during any of the training... It'd be something just for the weekends/free time?

[Five-Oh]

If you like photography bring whatever camera you want. There are lots of opportunities to take pictures during the training and I'd recommend taking as many as you can. It would be good if your camera can take video too. I have a video of me getting tear gassed and it is pretty funny to watch yourself in the gas chamber.

Also, everyone in the troop gets a job and one of the jobs is the photographer. The photographer takes a ton of pictures, makes a picture board to display at the grad weekend, and makes a CD of a whole bunch of pictures for all the troopmates.

[sho_bc]

DSLR it is, along with my laptop in order to move all the photos off the memory card at the end of each day, and to process. I'll bring my point and shoot for the video bits. Although, I already feel like I'm over-packing.

Originally posted by Five-Oh
I have a video of me getting tear gassed and it is pretty funny to watch yourself in the gas chamber.
Youtube is your friend and ours. ;)

[k2_alpha]

ahh is is kind of off topic but still related



i was wondering if i take criminal justice at langara would increase my chance of being accepted to the depot?

[Soundy]

Originally posted by Five-Oh
I have a video of me getting tear gassed and it is pretty funny to watch yourself in the gas chamber.

Originally posted by sho_bc
Youtube is your friend and ours. ;)

+1!

[PHO?]

Originally posted by k2_alpha
ahh is is kind of off topic but still related



i was wondering if i take criminal justice at langara would increase my chance of being accepted to the depot?

same question applies to me, but i am only going for a certificate

[PR0WL]

If you are in the the school system working towards a degree, diploma or even certificate and you want to eventually become a police officer then if i were you id still apply.

If you are taking classes, it wont hurt to fill out an application. Worse case scenario you dont make it in, but you'll have some of the application filled out for when you apply again or maybe they'll just defer you til you graduate.

BEST case scenario - you get hired and you dont have to go to school! Then when you get back you could even finish your schooling on your days off and I think the Force will cover the expenses

[Fox1096]

An odd question but during depot, is any part of the uniform that you need to wear made of wool?

Thanks

[PR0WL]

The Red Serge is wool

[zulutango]

Which, when worn in Billings Montana in July in 110 degree F temp, or Dallas texas in 99% humidity and 95 degree F, is VERY hot. Trust me on this one :(

[PACER]

Originally posted by skidmark
Most of the stuff I needed aside from civilian dress I ended up buying either in the canteen at Depot or from the stores in Regina. I really can`t think of anything that I thought I should have brought from home and hadn`t.

Of course, that was 25 years ago now when they issued just about everything to you and will probably be somewhat different now.

They also paid us to be there Tim..... oh by the way the took the horses away too...... (just kidding yournot quite that old) yet.

[PACER]

Originally posted by Fox1096
An odd question but during depot, is any part of the uniform that you need to wear made of wool?

Thanks

Yes......

As noted Red Serge and puffy pants are made with wool so are the wipe cord pants...... If they still issue them.

[PR0WL]

No wipe cord pants :( you can 1216 them tho ;)

[zulutango]

You mean whipcords? Wish we still had them for cold weather wear. Got them in B Div and I hear for Northern Service, along with mukluks.

[sho_bc]

Just a question regarding the first posting. I got the impression at the information session way back when that the first posting would be a few years, at least. I've since had aux officers and volunteers tell me that it'll be just 6 months to a year kind of gig. Which is it?
I'd rather have the few years bit.

[PR0WL]

It depends on where you go, there are postings called "limited duration posting" but even those are a few years. Theres a guy in Surrey that has done his entire service there (over 30 years). Most first postings are at least a few years.

[sho_bc]

Thanks, thats what I thought. I wouldn't see how such a short stint would be benificial to anyone, especially as a first posting.

[sho_bc]

i've got a question with regards to the hiring of RCMP offficers. My dad is reading a book on the history of the RCMP, and there is specific mention in it about people being hired on as "regular members" and people being hired on as commissioned officers, similar to that of military fashion. Is that still done today, or are all members hired on equally, with those earning promotions, getting them sort of thing?

[PR0WL]

Our current commissioner William Elliot was never a regular member... that should answer your question

[sho_bc]

Not quite, because I was under the impression that he is the first non-regular member to have ever been appointed to the position of commissioner.

But then, following my own words of wisdom, and those frequently posted here, I searched, and found this:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/factsheets/fact_badges_e.htm
which explains that they are all (except in the case of the current commissioner) regular members who have been appointed to that position (for the higher-ups) and/or earned their rank (for the not quite-so higher-ups).

[sho_bc]

What sort of martial arts and/or combative training happens at Depot? Is it all done in sweats/shorts and t-shirts, or are there gis provided, or ....? Just wondering if I should pack my judogi or leave it out to bring with me. (I HATE breaking in new gis, and would rather wear my own which is nicely worn if they're used at Depot)

[PR0WL]

They will issue one to you... and dont worry its already broken in :D

[sho_bc]

mmmm, i get to smell someone else's recycled sweat? alright! :woot:

[Gh0stRider]

any tips on how to prep for the popat?

[sho_bc]

there are pre-runs/unofficial runs of the PARE held at the YMCA on 49th. It helped me visualize what the course layout would be like, for timing and pacing. My last 2 PARE tests were 3min14 and 3min16. I averaged 21 seconds/lap and then took my time with the push-pull knowing that I had LOTS of time to spare.

Other than that, make sure you're not a blob, in decent shape, and having decent core strength helps as well for getting up after the hurdles and during the push-pull.

[sho_bc]

Well, I leave on the 11th, and I had a few more questions, as my contact at recruiting is running around franticly trying to co-ordinate everyone from the lower mainland leaving the same day (the whole troop is apparently going to be from here).

After graduation, when assigned a detachment, is there anything set in place to aid in finding a place to live, even if only a temporary location?

I was told today that they've changed the policy on driving out, so in order for me to get out to the Wascana Canoe Club whenever I have time, are there buses that run close by Depot that would bring me close to the lake? It looks somewhat close on Googlemaps, but I thought I'd ask.

Oh yeah, one more thing, with regards to the laundry/dry cleaning. Is that a user-pay thing, or do you just bring your own soap, hope there is a machine free, and have at it?

Thanks!

[NiKoBC]

First of all, congrats on making it to Depot. :thumbsup:

About a month before you leave Depot you should have heard from your trainer. I get the odd email from trainers asking if anyone has a basement suite to rent for their recruit. Some people post up rooms for rent on the Detachment boards as well. If you don't have a place to live at the time you grad you'll be living in a hotel and the force will pick up the cost... for a limited time. I think it's something like 21-30 days. After that you're on your own.

I have no idea on the policy about driving out. Wascana Lake is about 10km from Depot and accessible by bus. There's a bus stop outside of the guard room.

You'll be given a laundry card when you arrive. If you're lucky it might have some cash on it from the previous Cadet. If not you can load it outside of the guard room. It's like a buck or two a load. You're responsible for purchasing your own soap.

[sho_bc]

First of all, congrats on making it to Depot. :thumbsup:

About a month before you leave Depot you should have heard from your trainer. I get the odd email from trainers asking if anyone has a basement suite to rent for their recruit. Some people post up rooms for rent on the Detachment boards as well. If you don't have a place to live at the time you grad you'll be living in a hotel and the force will pick up the cost... for a limited time. I think it's something like 21-30 days. After that you're on your own.

I have no idea on the policy about driving out. Wascana Lake is about 10km from Depot and accessible by bus. There's a bus stop outside of the guard room.

You'll be given a laundry card when you arrive. If you're lucky it might have some cash on it from the previous Cadet. If not you can load it outside of the guard room. It's like a buck or two a load. You're responsible for purchasing your own soap.

Thanks! And thanks for the info.
Up until a few weeks ago, according to the cadet handbook (I haven't checked to see if its been changed online yet), it was ok for cadets to drive out, but that there was limited parking available on-site. On the phone today, I was told they had changed that policy and there was no longer any more parking available to cadets.
Kind of a shame, as I'll be restricted on paddling gear I can bring with me (ie. no PFD and maybe not even my kayak paddle), and be stuck for storage, unless I can arrange storage with the WRCC. I don't suppose storing a rifle case under the bed would make much sense (I keep my kayak paddle in a rifle case for protection).

[NiKoBC]

If you're in a dorm there's a luggage room where I'm sure you could store a paddle. Nothing goes under the beds except your black bins. We had a guy bring his guitar out. Others bring golf clubs etc. If I were you I'd try and just borrow a paddle once you're out there.

[sho_bc]

They cost a whack of money (mine was $550cdn), and are generally made-to-spec for each paddler. Mine is an adjustable two-piece design, and is super long for my ape-like arms. My club here doesn't have any club paddles that are long enough for me. I'll probably bring it with me in its regular carrying case, just in case. I've been told that there are a small handful of regular members stationed at Depot who paddle out of WRCC as well, so maybe I can arrange something. *shrug*

[sho_bc]

Talked with WRCC, they have a place to store my paddle. I'll probably have it Greyhounded out once I'm settled and over the initial shock to my brain from having to fill it with new information again.

[sho_bc]

On my list of "recommended items to bring", it mentions an iron. Would that before for ironing the sheets? Or....?

Also, upon arrival, do they shave our heads military style, or is a very short/crew cut sufficient? I was considering trimming my hair before I left, but if they're going to shave it anyway, I'd rather not spend the money. :)

[Five-Oh]

On my list of "recommended items to bring", it mentions an iron. Would that before for ironing the sheets? Or....?

Also, upon arrival, do they shave our heads military style, or is a very short/crew cut sufficient? I was considering trimming my hair before I left, but if they're going to shave it anyway, I'd rather not spend the money. :)

Don't bring an iron, try and get one from the graduating troop or just buy one from Wal-Mart. You will use it for ironing your shirts, pants, and bed sheets.

They don't do anything to your hair when you arrive, it is up to you to get something done to your hair. Your best bet is just to go to the barber on base. There is extremely specific criteria as to what your haircut has to be, so you might as well just go to the Depot barber and get a $4 haircut and know it is done right.

[sho_bc]

Don't bring an iron, try and get one from the graduating troop or just buy one from Wal-Mart. You will use it for ironing your shirts, pants, and bed sheets.

They don't do anything to your hair when you arrive, it is up to you to get something done to your hair. Your best bet is just to go to the barber on base. There is extremely specific criteria as to what your haircut has to be, so you might as well just go to the Depot barber and get a $4 haircut and know it is done right.

cost is now $6.50. I got an LA today for my hair being too long... it was less than 1cm long, but I knew I was pushing it at the back. :blushsmile:

Question: Do you guys maintain the "depot" haircut still?

[NiKoBC]

cost is now $6.50. I got an LA today for my hair being too long... it was less than 1cm long, but I knew I was pushing it at the back. :blushsmile:

Question: Do you guys maintain the "depot" haircut still?

No. But.. If you start too look too shaggy you may get a "cut your damn hair" from your Cpl., but that's VERY rare. Most of the time you don't even get a second look if you "forget" to shave for a day.

[sho_bc]

Anyone who tells you that it was fun is either a liar, has a very bad memory, or has a really warped sense of fun. Feeling the badge in your hand at the end makes it all worthwhile though.

I think I'll be one of those people who says it was fun at the end of it. :D

La di da... I actually get an extra hour of sleep tomorrow, so I'm dragging this back from the dead as I do research for something else. Now that I've been finished for a bit, I can reflect on my time at Depot and honestly think to myself, "That was fun". :D My memory of it is intact and I rarely lie. I guess that means my sense of fun is really warped.... I'm ok with that. :thumbsup:

[Preemo]

During the application process, I heard they hook you up to a lie detector and ask you shock questions? I am only asking because a friend of mine applied and was asked crazy things!

[sho_bc]

"Shock questions"? Please define what you mean by that. Some people may find the questions shocking, but by the time you get to the polygraph the questions shouldn't shock you as you are given the list of questions well before the polygraph. And before the polygraph test is hooked up and begun, you're given word-for-word what will be asked. You're free to get up and leave at any point, but your application will be terminated.

If your friend has been sharing what was asked, that is a serious issue as you aren't supposed to tell anyone what is asked and sign legal documents stating that you will keep that information confidential.

[143what]

do they give difficulty to new recruits who have a lot of tattoos?

[Fafine]

since this is bumped up- do they care about recruits that smoke?

[sho_bc]

do they give difficulty to new recruits who have a lot of tattoos?

I had thought they might, but when I was there, there were plenty of people with tattoos, male and female.

since this is bumped up- do they care about recruits that smoke?

There might be people who will try to get you to stop, but there are always cadets that smoke, and designated smoking areas.

[sho_bc]

Because others may benefit...

how was the depot?
Depot was lots of fun. I didn't think it was hard or tough enough, but I come from a military family and had higher expectations in terms of physical requirements and mental challenge. Thats not to say that it wasn't hard, because I did find some aspects of it quite challenging, and I also love being under that kind of pressure. Everyone there is rooting for you to do well and is willing to help you if you're willing to help yourself. Really, the only person that can screw up the awesome opportunity you have being there, is you.

There is lots of physical activity, lots of reading, lots of assignments, and not a whole lot of sleep. ...Well, unless you're one of those people I was always jealous of who were asleep by 10pm every night.

[143what]

sho_bc,

i have 2 sleeves, do you think that'd be ok?

[sho_bc]

I don't know what your tattoos look like, and I'm not the one making the decisions, but I saw several people with full sleeves on one of their arms when I was there.

[Five-Oh]

There is lots of physical activity, lots of reading, lots of assignments, and not a whole lot of sleep. ...Well, unless you're one of those people I was always jealous of who were asleep by 10pm every night.

I was one of those people!!!

As far as having full sleeves, I don't think it would be an issue as long as what you have on there is tasteful.

[zulutango]

Having tatts. of your Drill Cpl's mother or sister would not fall under "tasteful" :) Besides, I think Skippy never had a mother...ever hear of him 5-0? He's the reason the garbage can with the brass plaque on it is in the front lobby of the Drill Hall. Used to have to stand in it, standing at ATTENTION and salute for 45 minutes for "remedial drill training". It was NOT punishment, just added motivation for you to pay close attention to detail. Ah yes...the bad old days....

[Five-Oh]

Having tatts. of your Drill Cpl's mother or sister would not fall under "tasteful" :) Besides, I think Skippy never had a mother...ever hear of him 5-0? He's the reason the garbage can with the brass plaque on it is in the front lobby of the Drill Hall. Used to have to stand in it, standing at ATTENTION and salute for 45 minutes for "remedial drill training". It was NOT punishment, just added motivation for you to pay close attention to detail. Ah yes...the bad old days....

I would say he was long before my time. When I was there the one to watch out for was Cpl. Warkentine. You could hear her yelling all the way on the other end of Regina and I swear she would just make up things that were wrong just to yell and scream at us. I went to many "learning assistance parades" as a result of her and my hatred for ironing/bedmaking.

[sho_bc]

hey i read about your exp at depot and im also interested in being an rcmp. but i have a question that you may help me with XD i dont have any post secondary education and i was wondering if you had any and if so how much, and do you know if the other recuits all had post secondary or was there one or two that didn't have any- i plan on applying for rcmp sometime july and also apply for langara or some college- thanks any info helps.

Please read the sticky about PMing questions, people....

You don't need a post-secondary education, but it won't hurt to have one. The most important kind of education to have, is eduction in life (ie. life experience). One of the guys in my troop was in university for 1 semester before he was sent to Depot, one of the guys I work with didn't do any post-secondary. A few "older" guys I know in other detachments don't have any post-secondary either.

If you're going to be applying for a college as well as the RCMP, I'd take a second and figure out which one I wanted to do. The timeline for the RCMP application process might not work out so well with any scholarly timeline requirements. Also, the financial aspect of signing up for courses, getting through a few weeks of them and then getting called out to Depot didn't really attract me enough to finish up and get that piece of paper.

[zulutango]

Skippy ( 5 ft 7 in High Browns) accused Dave Radu (6 ft 9, plus High Browns) of having lint on the top of his hat. When dave made the mistake of saying there was not any, Skippy took his swagger stick, hooked the cap and threw it the length of the drill hall floor. Dave had to run down and bring it back. Skippy put it on the end of the stick and showed Dave the dirt. Dave got 50 pushups for "bringing pets into MY drill hall!!!!!" Mind games.

[TeamGREEN]

hahaha good times! the first few months will be a challange, but after that it gets smoother- good luck and just have fun on the weekends ;)