NSI Session Iteration 2, Day 1 Update

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

I would love to share. I did not expect it to be that real. I thought it was going to be more of a introduction course, rather than a boot camp environment. That being said, I got to really learn what some good and bad leadership looks like. I also got to learn a lot about myself. That being said, 17 days may not be a lot, but it really changed my perspective.

Some of the best nights of my life occurred at NSI and some of the most life-changing. Overall, it was a needed experience. The most meaningful moments of NSI were when our DI's, MI's, and Chief's would mentor us. They were all passionate about this program and clearly wanted to be there. The Senior Enlisted really stressed on the importance of good leadership and the good/bad leadership they experienced. That will be indefinitely important to me and my development as a future Naval Officer.

One thing that has stuck with me was when our DI caught two candidates doing something stupid and he said, "I have done a lot worse to a lot better for a lot less." Much of the best advice we received were given by the DI's.

I wish we would have spent more time with the Marlinspike activity because I honestly cannot say that I remember how to do it, whereas I understand just about everything else major we did.


Pros:
Forces you to adapt to chaos
Discipline
Basic Naval Knowledge
Build Confidence
Comradery

Cons:
Knowledge Test has to be harder (I do not know or ever knew some of the major components of the knowledge book)
Lack of Teamwork opportunities
Marlinspike was way too quick, whereas the other major events had days of preparation before the real event.

I apologize, this list is not too detailed as I do not remember the finer details of NSI 1.

I appreciate your willingness to help aid the Navy in creating/adjusting a better NSI. As bad as it was in the moment, it was necessary and I appreciate having to go through it.

Thank you for your service sir!

I would love to share. I did not expect it to be that real. I thought it was going to be more of a introduction course, rather than a boot camp environment. That being said, I got to really learn what some good and bad leadership looks like. I also got to learn a lot about myself. That being said, 17 days may not be a lot, but it really changed my perspective.

Some of the best nights of my life occurred at NSI and some of the most life-changing. Overall, it was a needed experience. The most meaningful moments of NSI were when our DI's, MI's, and Chief's would mentor us. They were all passionate about this program and clearly wanted to be there. The Senior Enlisted really stressed on the importance of good leadership and the good/bad leadership they experienced. That will be indefinitely important to me and my development as a future Naval Officer.

One thing that has stuck with me was when our DI caught two candidates doing something stupid and he said, "I have done a lot worse to a lot better for a lot less." Much of the best advice we received were given by the DI's.

I wish we would have spent more time with the Marlinspike activity because I honestly cannot say that I remember how to do it, whereas I understand just about everything else major we did.


Pros:
Forces you to adapt to chaos
Discipline
Basic Naval Knowledge
Build Confidence
Comradery

Cons:
Knowledge Test has to be harder (I do not know or ever knew some of the major components of the knowledge book)
Lack of Teamwork opportunities
Marlinspike was way too quick, whereas the other major events had days of preparation before the real event.

I apologize, this list is not too detailed as I do not remember the finer details of NSI 1.

I appreciate your willingness to help aid the Navy in creating/adjusting a better NSI. As bad as it was in the moment, it was necessary and I appreciate having to go through it.

Thank you for your service sir!

Your feedback is very much appreciated. I've sent that over to the PNS who is running NSI this year, and the Captain who presides over all NROTC training is copied on that as well.

You are correct in that we could and maybe should spend more time on all things seamanship, but we suffer from a lack of time. We have to get three iterations of NSI in, and so we have to try and cram much of what the standard Sailor gets in 8 weeks of Basic training, or what the standard Marine recruit gets in 13 weeks and smash that into 17 days.

The important things people should walk away with is the importance of discipline, the very basics of Navy knowledge, and the building of comradery. And of course, we need to level the field a bit in terms of physical fitness.

One of the primary goals for NSI is that when the students report in their freshman year and the battalion forms up, they should be able to understand basic military orders, know how to march, and not collapse at the first 1 mile run of the year

 

[GLeopard]

Capt Meyers, I really appreciate your comments and interest in feedback. I also want to thank the public affairs officer for posting photos of the young men and women of NSI Cycle 2, one of whom is my son.

 

[GLeopard]

I would love to share. I did not expect it to be that real. I thought it was going to be more of a introduction course, rather than a boot camp environment. That being said, I got to really learn what some good and bad leadership looks like. I also got to learn a lot about myself. That being said, 17 days may not be a lot, but it really changed my perspective.

Some of the best nights of my life occurred at NSI and some of the most life-changing. Overall, it was a needed experience. The most meaningful moments of NSI were when our DI's, MI's, and Chief's would mentor us. They were all passionate about this program and clearly wanted to be there. The Senior Enlisted really stressed on the importance of good leadership and the good/bad leadership they experienced. That will be indefinitely important to me and my development as a future Naval Officer.

One thing that has stuck with me was when our DI caught two candidates doing something stupid and he said, "I have done a lot worse to a lot better for a lot less." Much of the best advice we received were given by the DI's.

I wish we would have spent more time with the Marlinspike activity because I honestly cannot say that I remember how to do it, whereas I understand just about everything else major we did.


Pros:
Forces you to adapt to chaos
Discipline
Basic Naval Knowledge
Build Confidence
Comradery

Cons:
Knowledge Test has to be harder (I do not know or ever knew some of the major components of the knowledge book)
Lack of Teamwork opportunities
Marlinspike was way too quick, whereas the other major events had days of preparation before the real event.

I apologize, this list is not too detailed as I do not remember the finer details of NSI 1.

I appreciate your willingness to help aid the Navy in creating/adjusting a better NSI. As bad as it was in the moment, it was necessary and I appreciate having to go through it.

Thank you for your service sir!

Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[kimchee432]

That is very correct. Got back from NSI Iteration 1(not quite what I expected). 1 or 2 maybe DORed past the first week. Someone actually DORed with 3 days left.

3 DAYS?!!?!? Man, that's a shame....

 

[anom]

3 DAYS?!!?!? Man, that's a shame....

Very confusing considering NSI is pretty relaxed in the last few days. Most of the day is sitting down with MI's and they take questions about anything. It's the only time we got spoken to like humans outside of class.

 

[Miami Redskin]

New Update:

Daughter feels very proud she was complimented by one of the DIs for her ability to yell at people. Said she had excellent projection.

Her mother taught her well.

 

[ProudDad17]

New Update:

Daughter feels very proud she was complimented by one of the DIs for her ability to yell at people. Said she had excellent projection.

Her mother taught her well.

Did she have siblings to practice on?

 

[ProudDad17]

Very confusing considering NSI is pretty relaxed in the last few days. Most of the day is sitting down with MI's and they take questions about anything. It's the only time we got spoken to like humans outside of class.

Perhaps that candidate took some time to reflect on what he/she experienced and learned during NSI and decided the military was not the path for them. Some go in without realistic expectations or go in blind not knowing what to expect and decide to pursue another path. Others get pushed toward this path by parents (or themselves) seeing the scholarship as a "free" education and change course when they realize the cost of that "free" education. It may not have been about NSI itself, but the prospect of what lays ahead.

 

[anom]

I didn’t think to ask my son before he left for iteration 2 if he could receive mail. Did you get mail? Great job in NSI 1. Now go enjoy college,

We did receive a quick phone call from his cell phone that he had arrived at new recruit training. The FB page has been updated regularly for NSI 2 and we have enjoyed the pictures. Mom actually ID our son with shaved head and mask on. Said she could tell from his posture, his neck and his glasses. Go moms.

I am unsure if you can receive mail. I sent some but I did not ask if I could receive them. By the time you could receive mail it is going to be hard to send some back before the iteration ends.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

I am unsure if you can receive mail. I sent some but I did not ask if I could receive them. By the time you could receive mail it is going to be hard to send some back before the iteration ends.

In the Basic Training for enlisted sailors, each boot camp company has their own Mail PO. I don't think NSI is organized that way though. So someone would wind up having to truck it all across the Navy base to deliver it.

 

[botello]

I didn’t think to ask my son before he left for iteration 2 if he could receive mail. Did you get mail? Great job in NSI 1. Now go enjoy college,

We did receive a quick phone call from his cell phone that he had arrived at new recruit training. The FB page has been updated regularly for NSI 2 and we have enjoyed the pictures. Mom actually ID our son with shaved head and mask on. Said she could tell from his posture, his neck and his glasses. Go moms.

We were told the MIDN were not allowed to receive mail, but *may* send a letter home. My son is attending session 2.

 

[botello]

I didn’t think to ask my son before he left for iteration 2 if he could receive mail. Did you get mail? Great job in NSI 1. Now go enjoy college,

We did receive a quick phone call from his cell phone that he had arrived at new recruit training. The FB page has been updated regularly for NSI 2 and we have enjoyed the pictures. Mom actually ID our son with shaved head and mask on. Said she could tell from his posture, his neck and his glasses. Go moms.

My husband "found our son", but he was wearing different shoes and glasses...our son doesn't wear glasses! I was able to find my son on day 5, but nothing since then. Will be so happy to see him on 7/18!

 

[GLeopard]

My husband "found our son", but he was wearing different shoes and glasses...our son doesn't wear glasses! I was able to find my son on day 5, but nothing since then. Will be so happy to see him on 7/18!

With the buzz cuts and masks on, it is very difficult to actually "find" one's son! I've been looking at ears, adam's apples, comparing heights, head sizes, tan, etc. I finally found one photo showing his face, no mask, and name visible on his shirt! Otherwise, it's a guessing ... or actually a "hoping" game for me!

 

[GLeopard]

I'm wondering about the mask wearing... Is this just a precaution, or are there cases of covid or other viruses at NSI? If my son is ill, would he be quarantined and would I be notified?

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

I'm wondering about the mask wearing... Is this just a precaution, or are there cases of covid or other viruses at NSI? If my son is ill, would he be quarantined and would I be notified?

At least as of this past Friday, there were no reported cases of covid for the NSI group. If someone does test positive, they are removed from the open bay barracks set up and isolated. Others around them are tested per protocols. As as far as I know they are allowed to notify someone about their status. So no news is good news.

 

[GLeopard]

At least as of this past Friday, there were no reported cases of covid for the NSI group. If someone does test positive, they are removed from the open bay barracks set up and isolated. Others around them are tested per protocols. As as far as I know they are allowed to notify someone about their status. So no news is good news.

Thank you for the good news!

 

[kinnem]

With the buzz cuts and masks on, it is very difficult to actually "find" one's son! I've been looking at ears, adam's apples, comparing heights, head sizes, tan, etc. I finally found one photo showing his face, no mask, and name visible on his shirt! Otherwise, it's a guessing ... or actually a "hoping" game for me!

I actually learned to recognize the back of my son's head over time. I was always able to confirm it was him art a later date. Who knew that was a life skill?

 

[Hox4565.]

I didn’t think to ask my son before he left for iteration 2 if he could receive mail. Did you get mail? Great job in NSI 1. Now go enjoy college,

We did receive a quick phone call from his cell phone that he had arrived at new recruit training. The FB page has been updated regularly for NSI 2 and we have enjoyed the pictures. Mom actually ID our son with shaved head and mask on. Said she could tell from his posture, his neck and his glasses. Go moms.

The ensigns in the female compartment collected mail each night to be sent, but we were never able to receive mail to my knowledge

 

[rj$0921]

Sounds like great experience for these young men and women. A friend of our DS that went to NSI I interestingly said there was no drug testing however someone stated in NSI II there was testing. I know the ROTC units at school randomly test however surprised that there wouldn't be consistent drug testing at each NSI. Possibly receiving poor information.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

Sounds like great experience for these young men and women. A friend of our DS that went to NSI I interestingly said there was no drug testing however someone stated in NSI II there was testing. I know the ROTC units at school randomly test however surprised that there wouldn't be consistent drug testing at each NSI. Possibly receiving poor information.

For NSI there were a lot of lessons learned. For example, there are routine procedures for the enlisted recruits to do urinalysis, which includes having the right bottles, labels, and trained observers.

So, things got more organized for iteration II. But fear not, most NROTC units will have everyone participate in Operation Golden Flow.