My CCC course was the Reserve component version and honestly it did not prepare me at all for the aspects of Reserve Command time. What I would have done differently was focused more on the Distance learning notes that I took, research the specific regulations for Reserves and those that sort of apply to Active component and found a way to mesh the two to overcome the culture of the Reserves. It would have allowed me to have the technical knowledge with room to play around the not-so-structured environment in a reserve unit. Now that I am AGR, I try and incorporate what I have learned with other MSC officers like me and with other branches. We, MSC, kind of have it differently than the other medical branches that attend the CCC. We need it a little more, but it does not prepare us like the Active Component CCC for MSC officers.

If I had done my own research while I was there or directly after, I could have more strategically handled my first illicit drug Urinalysis Separation packet and my first civilian arrest in between drills differently while being an HHD Commander of a Training BDE. Two weeks of just talking about MDMP and not how to conduct a Training meeting or personnel actions within a unit and my role as Commander or just the ability to ask clarifying questions from the CCC-DL portion left me at a disadvantage. But I marched on and continue to pick up what I can when I can and share what little I know with others.

It would be great if A. The Reserves CCC incorporated more of the DL portion in the 2 weeks, B. More chance to go to the Active component version if you are high or worthy on the OML, C. Make the CCC Reserves course longer than just 2 weeks or make the DL portion more interactive like ILE or something.