RSP - White Phase

Additional training modules for the remainder of White Phase.

Depending on the number of months between when you enlisted and when you ship to Basic Training, the length of your White Phase in the RSP will vary. In the White Phase, you’ll continue with the fundamentals of Guard protocol and Army values, and begin to learn basic tactical and combat concepts and strategies. You’ll also continue to focus on getting physically prepared for Basic Combat Training. White Phase courses include:

  • APFT
  • Proper Wear of the Military Uniform
  • Military Customs, Courtesies and Traditions
  • Wear Your Uniform With Pride
  • Army Values
  • Soldier's Creed and Warrior Ethos
  • Use Visual Signaling Techniques
  • Employ Camouflage, Cover and Concealment
  • Tactics: Move as a Member of a Buddy Team
  • Tactics: Move as a Member of a Fire Team
  • Tactics: Move as a Member of a Squad
  • Success as a Team in Basic Combat Training
  • Every Soldier Is a Sensor: Overview
  • Every Soldier Is a Sensor: Observation Techniques and SALUTE
  • Responsibility and Accountability
  • Tactics: Squad Formations
  • Tactics: React to Contact
  • Tactics: Conduct Squad Attack
  • Disassemble, Assemble and Perform a Function Check on the M16/M4
  • Disassemble, Assemble and Perform a Function Check on the M9


Here’s an example of some of the subjects you’ll cover in White Phase:

Be Proud of Your Commitment

People join the Guard for lots of reasons—like getting college money, or getting the discipline, training and special skills that military service offers. Some people join for the sake of travel and adventure, or so they can follow in the footsteps of a parent or friend. The chance to protect our country, help others and fight terrorism are other reasons that make the Guard attractive to many Soldiers. But no matter what brought you here, there’s one thing that everyone in the Guard has in common: Being a Soldier makes you part of something greater than yourself.

Your Commitment Will Change You
The change is awe-inspiring. It will be a breakthrough—you’ll reach inside yourself and find you have the power to achieve. It’s an amazing thing to experience, and only a Soldier can experience it.

The change is forever. The things you gain are permanent and positive. No one can take them from you. Every single thing you learn will help you face all of life’s challenges, big and small.

Wear Your Uniform With Pride
You are wearing a legacy. The Army uniform isn’t just a useful set of clothes: it’s a symbol of the American republic itself. It’s a reminder of the battles fought and won throughout our nation’s history, in which Americans of every generation have shown bravery and strength, defending our country’s ideals and freedoms.

This rich tradition makes the uniform a symbol of all those who have given their lives for the higher cause that every Soldier serves. As such, the uniform represents every person who wears it, whether serving at home or stationed abroad. And it provides a sign of comfort, strength and honor to all those we protect. Wear it with pride.

The Army Values

These seven values are at the very heart of what the Army and the Guard represent. As a representative of the Guard, you should embody them every day, at all times, in and out of uniform. You’ll hear about these values a lot during your military career, because they’re at the core of every good Soldier. Don’t just learn them—LIVE THEM.

Loyalty—Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers.
Duty—Fulfill your obligations.
Respect—Treat people as they should be treated.
Selfless Service—Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own.
Honor—Live up to all the Army values.
Integrity—Do what’s right, legally and morally.
Personal Courage—Face fear, danger or adversity, whether physical or moral.

Battle Buddies

Battle Buddies are assigned at Reception Battalion on your first day of BCT. Working as a team of two—you and your Battle Buddy—will be your first chance to show you can be a successful team member. Battle Buddies share a common goal, work together, communicate effectively and give each other mutual support and assistance.

Responsibilities of Battle Buddies
Learn these responsibilities. Your Drill Sergeants take them very seriously.

  1. Never go anywhere without your Buddy.
  2. Tell your Battle Buddy where you will be at all times.
  3. Keep each other informed.
  4. Talk about each day’s training and the next day’s activities.
  5. Help each other.
  6. Encourage each other.
  7. Keep each other in line with all Army standards.
  8. Tell the Drill Sergeant of any problems or status changes in your Buddy.
  9. Help your Buddy live the Army Values.

Fitness From Within

Naturally, physical drills and exercises will be a large part of your training. But the decisions you make about what you eat and drink will play just as big a part. Here is some important nutrition information to help get your body into the best shape ever.

Hydration of the Human Body
Staying properly hydrated is crucial to your health and stamina, at BCT and beyond. The 10-12 gallons of water in your body:
•    regulate your temperature
•    protect your joints and organs
•    transport oxygen and nutrients
•    remove wastes and toxins from your bloodstream

Water also:
•    reduces risk of muscle injury
•    increases your ability to concentrate
•    reduces the frequency of headaches
•    boosts your immune system
•    reduces risk of urinary tract infections
•    prevents water retention

So don’t shortchange your body when it comes to water!

Dehydration
Your body loses water when you exercise, when you’re sick, when you’re in hot or cold weather and especially when you smoke or ingest diuretics (like caffeine). This water loss hurts the body. Dehydration affects your physical and mental performance and in extreme cases could even lead to death. Pay attention to these signs of dehydration:
• Dark yellow urine: Drink enough that your urine is pale yellow (some supplements and medications may change the color of your urine, so if you’re taking any, ask your doctor about it).
• Thirst: Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink—thirst tells you that you’ve already lost about two cups of water.
• Sweat: Pay attention to the amount of fluid your body is losing, and be sure to replace it.

Staying Hydrated
What to drink: Plain water and caffeine-free beverages (with no added sugar)

When to drink: Before, during and after exercising, throughout the day, before you go to bed and after you wake up, when it’s hot or cold outside and when you’re thirsty, sweating or sick

How much to drink: Some say that half your body weight is the number of ounces you should drink every day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds you need 75 ounces of water. But the amount you need depends on your body mass, your activity level and the air temperature. In general, most people need to drink more than they think they do.

Your body needs high-performance foods that give you unrefined carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and fiber—the bodybuilding elements that will give you the physical and mental stamina that BCT and AIT require. In contrast, low-performance foods have had many of their bodybuilding elements stripped away. These processed foods cause weight gain, chronic diseases and many other problems.

If you need to shed some pounds and shape up, avoid starvation and fad diets: they don’t give you the nutrients you need. Stick to a high-performance diet, and control your portion sizes. Eating six small meals a day instead of three large ones can help rev up your metabolism. Dieting, of course, won’t get you very far unless you increase your activity level. Make sure your weight-loss plans include a good workout routine.

Supplements

Dietary supplements should be additions to an already healthy diet, and never substitutes for a high-performance diet, a regular workout program or adequate rest. Do your research, so you know what you’re taking; and beware of marketing hype. If you’re taking any prescription medicines or acne medication, check with your doctor before you start using ANY supplements—even “natural” or “herbal” ones.

Supplements to Avoid

“Diet Aids”
Be especially wary of products that interfere with your absorption of nutrients and water. These include:
• Nutrient blockers (fat- and carb-blockers)
• Ephedrine, Ephedra, Ma huang
• Caffeine
• Guarana, guaranine
• Appetite suppressants
• Amphetamine or adrenaline derivatives
• Laxatives
• Diuretics (dehydrators)

“Performance enhancers”
Even if you’re very active, you don’t need extra protein (especially without the Vitamin A to digest it), and you don’t need extra hormones. Avoid the following:
• Refined protein powders
• Hormones and hormone-like substances
• Synthetic vitamins
• Neurotoxins (MSG, Aspartame)

Synthetic vitamins
Avoid multivitamin formulas that say:
• “Food-based”
• “USP”
• “Pharmaceutical grade”
Instead, look for those that say “100% Food,” “No USP nutrients” or “No synthetic nutrients.”

Supplements you may want to consider include nutrient-rich foods like butter, eggs, liver, coconut oil and cod liver oil. These foods used to be part of many people’s diets, but in the past century they have fallen out of use. They provide fat-soluble vitamins often lacking in our diets and provide nutrients which have profound health- and stamina-enhancing effects. In addition, coconut oil can boost metabolism to support weight-loss efforts.

 

• Go to RSP Main page 
• Go to RSP Red Phase 
• Go to White Phase Stripes for Skills 
• Go to RSP White Phase
• Go to RSP Blue Phase 
• Go to RSP Green Phase 
• Go to RSP Gold Phase

 

Note: Army National Guard programs and benefits are subject to change. For the latest information, please contact your local recruiter.