900 divisions

jeannesarah · 09-13-2015, 08:44 PM

My son is in a triple threat division right now. He had no intention of volunteering based on what he had read here suggesting it was a lot of extra work with no corresponding reward. After a few days in a division filled with very immature individuals (go figure), when they came back through a second time he raised his hand - he said he figured it couldn't be any worse.

And now he loves it. In a recent letter he said if the guys could learn to shut up boot camp would actually be fun.

Looking back, I'm not sure any of the previous 'negative' posts were written by someone who was actually in a 900 division. So it was really good to read your post with specifics. And of course I understand that every division is unique and no two SRs will have the same experience.

He did say that his chief told them he would have no problem ASMOing anyone who failed a test or PFA. So the pressure to succeed the first time is there.

Jeff · 09-14-2015, 11:30 AM

This just re-enforces my desire to join a 900 division.... January cant come soon enough!

OKC · 09-16-2015, 08:10 PM

I have interest in being part of honor guard and drill team. If it means anything I was in NJROTC unarmed/armed drill team. How many of the 800 division recruits would you say had prior drill experience? Not counting band kids.

Also do you volunteer for drill team and honor guard? Or do they just pick based on their perspective of the individual recruits?

I don't want to miss my chance of being part of the 800 division. I leave for MEPS Tuesday morning, hopefully I'll get there the same day. When did you leave and did you get there the same day?

rouhanashi · 09-19-2015, 09:47 AM

800 divisions are specwar, 900 is band camp :P
Knowing your 15/16 count manual of arms is extremely helpful for drill team, honestly if you know that the rest is easy. About 2/3 of the drill team had actual drill experience, and even then some of the armed exhibition guys were pretty bad at unarmed drill.

To get into the division at all, they usually ask who wants to spin a rifle or who has experience. They sometimes ask for a demonstration, but I don't know if they do that anymore. It's not a big deal anyways. After that, you're just on the drill team unless you get cut. Most cuts don't happen until about week 4. As for the honor guard, I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure it's the same way.

I left July 7th and I got there the same evening. Don't quote me on this, but I think this week they're forming a new triple threat division. If I'm wrong, then it'll be a staff division. It's staff -> state flags -> triple threat and then it repeats.

Best of luck to you though!! If you have any questions about bootcamp in general I'm still recently graduated and I'm still at rtc on hold.

Keirstrider · 01-29-2016, 03:51 PM

I shipped last November 2015 and graduated December 31st 2015. I had the opportunity to be in a 900 staff division. Being a staff division is a lot different from being a regular rifle division. In addition to the usual drill and learning that you do in boot camp you are also required to serve at the Ceremonial Drill Hall and practice your assigned positions for the Pass-In-Review Ceremony. Usually the timeframe for learning these positions is fast track, your introduced to your position one week and two weeks later your performing. You will perform 2-3 ceremonies, including your own, and be expected to pass along your knowledge to the junior division that will end up taking your spot when you move onto your next training command.

A lot people refer to 900 divisions as band camp, but it really isn't. There are a lot of extra activities and stuff you end up learning in a shortened amount of time. Staff Divisions run the pass-in-review with many different positions, some on the drill deck and highly visible while others are behind the scenes, but no less important. It was a great opportunity.

Being a 900 division is not easy, and it's not a choice. If you end up serving in a 900 division you've got to have your stuff together and be able to pass your PRT better than at the minimum requirements. You will be hand selected by Drill Hall Staff members during your first night at boot camp.

09-14-2015, 11:30 AM	#2
Jeff Junior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Armed to the teeth Posts: 42 Rep Power: 10	This just re-enforces my desire to join a 900 division.... January cant come soon enough! __________________ shipdate: 20160105

09-19-2015, 09:47 AM	#4
rouhanashi Newbie Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 23 Rep Power: 8	800 divisions are specwar, 900 is band camp :P Knowing your 15/16 count manual of arms is extremely helpful for drill team, honestly if you know that the rest is easy. About 2/3 of the drill team had actual drill experience, and even then some of the armed exhibition guys were pretty bad at unarmed drill. To get into the division at all, they usually ask who wants to spin a rifle or who has experience. They sometimes ask for a demonstration, but I don't know if they do that anymore. It's not a big deal anyways. After that, you're just on the drill team unless you get cut. Most cuts don't happen until about week 4. As for the honor guard, I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure it's the same way. I left July 7th and I got there the same evening. Don't quote me on this, but I think this week they're forming a new triple threat division. If I'm wrong, then it'll be a staff division. It's staff -> state flags -> triple threat and then it repeats. Best of luck to you though!! If you have any questions about bootcamp in general I'm still recently graduated and I'm still at rtc on hold. __________________ DEP Date: 20140618 Ship Date: 20150707 Reclassed from MMN to HM: 20150824 Graduation Date: 20150904

01-29-2016, 03:51 PM	#5
Keirstrider Newbie Join Date: May 2015 Location: Great Lakes, IL Posts: 6 Rep Power: 6	900 Staff Divisions I shipped last November 2015 and graduated December 31st 2015. I had the opportunity to be in a 900 staff division. Being a staff division is a lot different from being a regular rifle division. In addition to the usual drill and learning that you do in boot camp you are also required to serve at the Ceremonial Drill Hall and practice your assigned positions for the Pass-In-Review Ceremony. Usually the timeframe for learning these positions is fast track, your introduced to your position one week and two weeks later your performing. You will perform 2-3 ceremonies, including your own, and be expected to pass along your knowledge to the junior division that will end up taking your spot when you move onto your next training command. A lot people refer to 900 divisions as band camp, but it really isn't. There are a lot of extra activities and stuff you end up learning in a shortened amount of time. Staff Divisions run the pass-in-review with many different positions, some on the drill deck and highly visible while others are behind the scenes, but no less important. It was a great opportunity. Being a 900 division is not easy, and it's not a choice. If you end up serving in a 900 division you've got to have your stuff together and be able to pass your PRT better than at the minimum requirements. You will be hand selected by Drill Hall Staff members during your first night at boot camp.

09-13-2015, 08:44 PM	#1
jeannesarah Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 39 Rep Power: 9	My son is in a triple threat division right now. He had no intention of volunteering based on what he had read here suggesting it was a lot of extra work with no corresponding reward. After a few days in a division filled with very immature individuals (go figure), when they came back through a second time he raised his hand - he said he figured it couldn't be any worse. And now he loves it. In a recent letter he said if the guys could learn to shut up boot camp would actually be fun. Looking back, I'm not sure any of the previous 'negative' posts were written by someone who was actually in a 900 division. So it was really good to read your post with specifics. And of course I understand that every division is unique and no two SRs will have the same experience. He did say that his chief told them he would have no problem ASMOing anyone who failed a test or PFA. So the pressure to succeed the first time is there.

09-16-2015, 08:10 PM	#3
OKC Newbie Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	I have interest in being part of honor guard and drill team. If it means anything I was in NJROTC unarmed/armed drill team. How many of the 800 division recruits would you say had prior drill experience? Not counting band kids. Also do you volunteer for drill team and honor guard? Or do they just pick based on their perspective of the individual recruits? I don't want to miss my chance of being part of the 800 division. I leave for MEPS Tuesday morning, hopefully I'll get there the same day. When did you leave and did you get there the same day?