Soldier's Guides to...

Basic Soldier Knowledge

The information in this section is applicable to all soldiers from Charlie Company. Be sure to know, understand and apply the following info:

Keep you contact information up-to-date. This is absolutely critical. If you move, change you home phone or get a new cell phone, you must pass this info on immediately. You would render yourself useless if the unit got bugged out tomorrow and you couldn't be contacted.
In addition to your contact info, keep the unit informed on your personal info. If you graduated from high school / university, got married / divorced, had a baby, got your driver's license / lost your license, got arrested / convicted, or any other important event happened in your life, be sure to pass it on up through the chain of command.
Speaking of chain of command, follow it. Although the platoon level and company level leadership will help you, talk to your section commander or section 2IC first. That is why they are there. The platoon commander or 2IC cannot personally administrate all 30-40 pers in the platoon on a full time basis.
Memorize (or keep written with you) key phone numbers. You must know the Unit toll free number, the Company Orderly Room / Information line, and your section commander / 2IC phone numbers.
If you drive your car to the armoury, park you vehicle in the proper manner. First, park near the fence (think of it as a right hand marker on the parade square). Do not leave large gaping holes between vehicles. Always park by backing in. Never park in a reserved parking spot.
Keep your kit marked properly as per the kit marking guide. Check regularly to see if your name has faded and darken it as required.
Report any kit losses immediately. Keep you kit servicable at all time. Check over your kit after each exercise and get any required exchanges completed ASAP.
If you achieve 80% on PWT 2, you are authorized to wear First Class Shot Badge (crossed rifles without crown) on the lower left sleeve of your DEU tunic. If you qualify Marksman (80% on PWT 3), you are authorized to wear the marksman badge (crossed rifles with crown).
Keep yourself physically fit. Most courses are requiring candidates to do an express test before the course starts. Also, in accordance with CANFORGEN 087/06, "THE REQUIREMENT TO MEET THE MINIMUM OPERATIONAL STANDARDS OF BEING PHYSICALLY FIT, OPERATIONALLY EMPLOYABLE, AND DEPLOYABLE IS NOW A PREREQUISITE FOR PROMOTION". This means you must pass an express test before being eligible for promotion.
Keep your DEU at an acceptable level. See Highland kit guide for proper wear techniques & tips.

Private Must-Knows

Being peers to new recruits, you must invite them into the mess and help them to feel welcome.
If you receive conflicting orders, you must inform the person giving the second conflicting order of the first order. If, after considering the first order, the person giving the second order insists you follow the second order, you must comply with the second order.
Promotion to corporal is not automatic. In the platoon, it will be based largely on attendance. Those with lower than acceptable attendance can expect their promotion delayed. Qualification, position, availability, and other factors (such as attitude) also affect promotion.
You are eligible to wear one chevron after you complete your basic infantry course (DP1 Inf).
You must get your trade badge on your DEU tunic once it is issued. The trade badge for a DP1 Infantry qualified private is the bayonet (without ring of leaves).

Corporal Must-Knows

Be prepared to be a section 2IC if your section 2IC is not available.
Show a good example to the Pte's in both garrison and in the field. If you see a fault, correct it immediately.
Make arrangements to get a DIN account, especially if you're going on PLQ Mods 2 - 5 in the near future.