What note taking materials were you authorized for TEWTs? Specifically MPs?

2019-12-12T16:24:45-05:00

Originally we were told that we could type notes as they were verbally read to us; however, when we actually started we were told this wasn’t actually authorized. This is not the only inconsistency from our SGLs, but definitely one of the more frustrating.
I’ve looked through the ISAP and other TEWT resources we have and have found nothing that says typing notes isn’t authorized, just sharing materials.

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Dec 12 at 2019 5:05 PM

2019-12-12T17:05:33-05:00

About the only way to get inconsistencies out of the system is to seek clarification through your CofC
and if necessary, request a policy letter or to have the issue addressed in the op order as needed.
I Hope this helps and all the best to you.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2019 6:03 PM

2019-12-12T18:03:12-05:00

I just recently graduated MPBOLC this past July. During our TEWT week we were not allowed to type notes as well. However it did get progressively easier as the week went on you can also ask your SGLs to slow down the pace they are reading at if you feel you are missing too many things. Good luck on your TEWT and just be confident and you’ll be fine.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 13 at 2019 10:53 AM

2019-12-13T10:53:25-05:00

I don't know about the MPs, however we did not allow typed notes when I had the 554th Engineers and the EBOLC, LTs. The reasoning was to get folks in the habit of listening and writing, many locations at that time did not have any guarantee of continuous power to keep automated equipment charged so if all your info was on digits and it went belly up you could be SOL. You can always dry a note pad out and read pencil or pen on damp paper. At that time it was the same with notes for tested material so folks couldn't google answers during testing.
That was 2007-2008 timeframe so may be ancient history but provides some insight to the thought process anyways.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2019 10:04 AM

2019-12-14T10:04:45-05:00

It was 2001 and my cell phone was the size of a brick that only called people. So i just wrote things down on paper.

Response by CPT Brock Young made Jan 14 at 2020 8:43 PM

2020-01-14T20:43:50-05:00

I could only use 3x5 index cards when I went through BOLC... So I printed my notes as small as I could still read and taped the notes to the card.