I did both my BMQ and SQ on weekends. It had its ups and downs. For one, I was able to keep my "regular" income as I could work from Monday to Friday mornings. It was a nice break from the stresses of the course, but it also allowed any injuries you have developed, to heal.
With both courses, it was not run every weekend. The first portion of BMQ was alternating weekends; SQ was the same. The problem with this is that with two weeks off, you start to forget things and you're not in the right mindset when you show up for the next weekend. There was then a 5 day stretch between Christmas and New Years where we trained, followed by every Thursday night and all four weekends in January. This was nice as you were always in the right mindset, and remembering what you had been taught was much easier. However, it meant that between the civy job and the army I had not a single day off from December 26 to January 28. (I know, I know, this is nothing for you reg force guys, but this post is directed at reservists: people with civy jobs or school, so please don't beat me ;D ).
We were given one weekend off and then SQ started. Again, the first few weekends were alternating. The nice thing about a back to back BMQ and SQ was that many of the staff and students were the same. However, it got really mixed up here. Our weekend dates were changed: once to accomadate Cougar Salvo, and again because they didn't want us training over Easter (probably because the DS wanted Easter off). As a result we had three weeks with no training, and there was some confusion as to when we would actually be training (I found out one weekend that training was cancelled about four hours before I had to leave). Then came five straight weekends of training. As before, one could keep the mindset much easier. But, as before, I ended up without a day for a while...I think 41 days in this case.
Other things I've noticed with weekend courses -up to you whether they are good or bad points.
PT is a lot more interesting. My BIQ was runs, rucks, stretcher PT and circuit training, and the actual PT itself lasted only 20 to 30 minutes. Weekend courses: PT was certain almost every Saturday and Sunday morning; it may have been cancelled once. It lasted from 45 minutes to 1h 45m. Anything from ruck marches through the city at 0530 (involving rucking over frozen sand) runs on the beach and into the freezing sea water followed by push-ups on the frozen concrete) to hauling 20 foot longs as a section on a 2 or 3km march.
The days run later: 0500 to between 2100-2200. In WATC, we were done classes by 1700 and had nearly a full hour for dinner. From about 1800-1900 to 2300 we were "on our own." This happened very rarely on BMQ/SQ. We also only got to sleep in once; on my BIQ, they often gave us an extra hour or hour and a half.
Its really hard to mess up an inspection. You have much less to worry about: simply lay your stuff on your cot properly and take care of yourself. No hospital corners, no locker inspections. We never even did weapons layout.
As for a full time course: you can never be late. Sure, you can miss timings, but you'll never show up late. There's nothing worse on a weekend course that sitting in traffic Friday evening wonder whether or not you'll make it to the armoury on time. You also don't have to worry about making plans for when you're done, like on a weekend course. Nothing worse than thinking you'll be done at five only to be let out at seven and miss your dinner, party, etc., etc. Also, no worries about trying to get let out early for something.
Full time courses generally offer more free time, and more personal time. But this can be taken away just as easily as it is given.
As for injuries, there is no real downtime so minor injuries can turn serious, and that means a trip to the MIR and possible a trip home. And almost everyone will get the shack hack.
I could probably add more, but I think I've taken up enough space. One final point on weekend courses: its a great way to stretch out two 22 day courses to 8 months (October to May)!
But I wouldn't change how I did any of my DP1.
) but our BMQ standards are still messed, I think.
