Hello!
I’ve recently passed OASC and will be going on OIC in the (very) near future. I was wondering if anyone could shed a light on what to expect/ pass on any friendly advice? Everyone I’ve asked has either been so long ago they don’t remember a lot or just want to tell horror stories… :unsure:
Thanks in advance! 
Improve your drill. Seriously. Irrespective of how good it is now, make it better. Be sure of >proper< timings/pauses, compliments on the march, saluting at the head of a formation passing a dais etc. If you haven’t been reprogrammed with the ‘new’ about-turn-at-the-march, sort it[color=#0000bb] now[/color].
Practice the extended SMEAC briefing approach, in task groups with you as leader and also as a team member (ideally with people you don’t totally know…similar to OASC, but much more so).
Be confident (or become more at ease) with oral briefings, again as an individual and as part of a team.
Aim to have your kit immaculate from the start, and to improve during the course. Thread a flat elastic around/through the v-neck of your jumper, with the knot stitched-down on the inside. And no, your shoes aren’t perfect yet, try harder. Seriously consider taking a good steam iron, and some form of improvised ironing board. Remember pressing/ironing cloths, and be happily prepared to rewash uniform in the utility rooms (it’s impractical to take 5xlong+5xshort-sleeved shirts). As well as the kit-list, take washing powder, teabags, spare coat-hangers, hand-mirror, A5 wire-bound notebooks, A6 blank postcards, pens/pencils and a sense of humour.
Don’t be tired before you attend. Try and improve your own personal stamina, not through some crazy exercise regime, but by building-up energy in reserve for what is an extremely-good but demanding experience.
Know the key elements of ACP4, 1 and 2, and the common-sense aspects of ACP5. Get to know every member of your course from Day 0, and treat it as a team event where the only person you have to be better than is yourself. Course staff are excellent, genuinely supportive and well-suited to their roles: they deserve a massive pat on the back.
wilf_san
Thanks for the help, that’s really useful!
Alternatively, a boot lace threaded inside the neck is also fine. This might even be easier than pulling about with elastic.
Have the long ends exiting from the front side so that you can tie them in a bow once you’ve put your jersey on. Obviously have them on the inside of the neck so that they can’t be seen… I’ve seen it done the other way :ohmy:
Pack a sense of humour and plenty of beer tokens…
Socialise and network with your fellow attendees - buy a round of drinks - help each other out especially on Drill and Uniform. Study hard, but make sure you relax as well. Days are very long and information overload, but all in all a worthwhile experience. Course staff are fantastic. Don’t be a know it all, but engage with your team and the course staff - have ready prepared questions for the guest speakers - hint look at your program and you can ask questions that directly affect your local situation.
If it’s anything like my experience on SSIC 10 years ago, take some Pro Plus to pop just before the health and safety talk. I could barely keep my eyes open.