Looks like I'm a bit late with my reponse, but here's a
perspective from an Arty reservist anyway. I finished my 13-year
cycle back in '01.
Yes, it's prudent to report with wearing your fullpack (helmet,
SBO) & carrying a civilian bag (PT attire, personal equipment),
though bring along an extra #4 set too (in lieu if booking out in a
stinky uniform). FYI No need for a "standard pack" yet unless you
have to do standby (in later ICTs); your unit will be issuing
footpowder/kiwi/toiletpaper, T-loaning out
ponchos/groundsheets/shoebrushes, & also collecting money to
finance a BN fund for mealboxes/F&N syrup/makan for future CO
functions, etc.
Dump your barang in your car boot, or tompang with someone's on
arrival. Much depends on which group you're reporting with, & I
think this relates to the "phase date" you're referring to; we
didn't have such phrases in my time. FYI My unit was split into 3,
of which 2 groups come in either 4-7 days earlier (key personnel,
S1 cell, etc. to prepare everything) or 3-5 days earlier (mostly
technical people to attend refresher classes/training & sit for
tests). There's no formal morning/last parades at this stage, hence
some flexibility with booking in-out (with officers' tacit
permission, natch).
The last group is the main body itself, & you won't necessarily
get a bunk immediately if you report with them. That's cuz the 1st
day is usually busy with administrative & logistical stuff. So
even as the various reservist i/c's scutter about taking over
stores/rooms/vehicles/etc., the rest of you are liable to hang out
in the canteen - all day!
The process will become more efficient, though. By my 6th-8th ICT,
everyone knew their jobs so well that we cut down the preparatory
logistics to just 2 periods (10am-12noon) & the main body could
move out for field training in the afternoon & run an IPPT in
the evening! Better yet, most everyone would've built an informal
contact network with the "early arrivals" after a couple of ICTs,
to learn what the training programme is (esp. IPPT schedules!)
& what to prepare for/when to bring in our barang. That must've
contributed to cutting down our "high key" ICTS from 21+ days to
around 14 as any.
My unit always made it a point to allow book-outs on the 1st day -
even during a very-tightly finetuned ICT schedule - as a nod for
everyone to bring in last-minute stuff that was needed. As for
discipline, the other camp people (inc. RSMs) will usually leave
the reservists alone &, remember, your unit RSM has his own
operational duties too (i/c of the regimental police) to
stereotypically boss people around.
There's no need to march point-to-point but, of course, long/dyed
hair & wearing slippers (usually during 6am drawing of rifles)
can get your asses chewed off.
If anyone's to pull rank, it's usually the respective junior
officers & junior sergeant majors - but more to set a tone (if
it was SAF regulars who took charge during the NSF days) & to
ensure everyone respect the hierarchy (you'll probably befriend
them enough by the 3rd ICT to call them by appointment rather than
"sir"). IMHO It's very much a citizen army in the reserves, with a
high level of cooperation & a can-do spirit.
