Leaving BOLC generally comes with a whole lot of firsts. Maybe your first PCS, first arrival at a new unit, first officer-NCO relationship, etc. I wanted to provide a few less talked about tips that helped me with my first transition (and those after).

Dress for success:
-If you report in uniform, make sure it is clean, well kept, set up appropriately, and presents a good overall appearance. Make sure your uniform is not faded, worn in places, torn, or have Velcro that looks like it went through a briar patch.
-Your first meeting with your unit/chain of command may be in civilian clothes, so make sure you wear/pack appropriate civilian attire. When I PCSd to Germany, I was picked up at the airport and taken straight to see my CO, 1SG, and future PSG. I always wear business casual when I travel. It tells my leadership that I am a professional. As a CDR, I saw one officer show up in sweat pants and a sweatshirt. His first impression was not very positive.

Letter of introduction:
-For some reason many officers do not send any sort of message to their future unit. This is a missed opportunity. Sending a message is your first opportunity to communicate with your future unit and chain of command. The most common message is a formal letter of introduction. Key topics to cover is your professional background (previous assignments, commissioning source, etc), your projected timeline, family information (spouse/significant other, dependents, marital status), and personal interests.
-Other documents to consider including with your first message is your ORB, career plan, and/or bio.

Finances:
-Every PCS is different, but I recommend having a few thousand dollars to cover the cost of your PCS before you are reimbursed and for the new items you may need starting out in your career.
-Starting a career in the Army can be quite expensive depending on your situation. As a graduate of West Point, I had no furniture, no appliances, no cooking utensils, and few civilian clothing options.
-When you PCS you are responsible for covering a lot of costs out of pocket before being reimbursed later. The most common large expenses are flights and hotels. Reimbursement could happen as quickly as a few days upon arrival or it could take weeks. If you plan on living off post, there may be an initial deposit and you may have to cover the first month rent before your BAH kicks in.

What are other things you found helpful during your first transition?

Chad