Starting in Garnerville soon? Read this:

Life_On_Mars · 11-08-2016 7:55pm

People always want boots done. A shirt takes 10 mins, boots at least an hour. You'll not struggle to get a swap there mate

Tackleberry1 · 11-08-2016 8:50pm

D4z you've got a deal! I'll do your shirts of you do my boots!

dollasign · 11-08-2016 9:55pm

D4z wrote: »

Say I'm excellent at bulling/polishing my boots but terrible at ironing, is it a thing to trade these in GV? Say I polish the boots of someone who isn't that great at polishing and in-turn they iron my kit?

Trying to get the mrs to train me but shirts are just so annoying!

No offence to your mrs but i would scrap that theres a special way to iron them apparently and the crease must be exactly right.

D4z · 11-08-2016 10:06pm

Tackleberry1 wrote: »

D4z you've got a deal! I'll do your shirts of you do my boots!

I hope we get into the same squad.

dollasign wrote: »

No offence to your mrs but i would scrap that theres a special way to iron them apparently and the crease must be exactly right.

I mean the basic fundamentals of ironing, I think I have lifted an iron once in my life.

dollasign · 11-08-2016 10:56pm

D4z wrote: »

I hope we get into the same squad.

I mean the basic fundamentals of ironing, I think I have lifted an iron once in my life.

Yeah i hope i can find someone to do my ironing ! (of course i will do someones boots in return)

Tinfoilcap · 12-08-2016 9:51am

dollasign wrote: »

No offence to your mrs but i would scrap that theres a special way to iron them apparently and the crease must be exactly right.

A special way where you shouldn't have any creases apart from where you're meant to have creases.... It's not hard to iron your uniform.

WannabePC123 · 15-08-2016 6:00pm

This is going to sound quite silly lol Does anyone have any idea on piercings for GV. I have quiet a few on my ear and was just wondering if I need to take them out or not.

Homer01 · 15-08-2016 6:18pm

WannabePC123 wrote: »

This is going to sound quite silly lol Does anyone have any idea on piercings for GV. I have quiet a few on my ear and was just wondering if I need to take them out or not.

'No items of jewellery may be worn through the nose, eyebrows, lips, ears, tongue or any other visible part of the body.'

Only allowed items of jewellery allowed on duty are a wristwatch, wedding ring, engagement ring, civil or other partnership ring and signet ring.

Google PSNI Uniform Style Guide

WannabePC123 · 15-08-2016 6:33pm

Homer01 wrote: »

WannabePC123 wrote: »

This is going to sound quite silly lol Does anyone have any idea on piercings for GV. I have quiet a few on my ear and was just wondering if I need to take them out or not.

'No items of jewellery may be worn through the nose, eyebrows, lips, ears, tongue or any other visible part of the body.'

Only allowed items of jewellery allowed on duty are a wristwatch, wedding ring, engagement ring, civil or other partnership ring and signet ring.

Google PSNI Uniform Style Guide

Thanks Homer01!!:)

Homer01 · 15-08-2016 7:26pm

It did mention not visible piercings as well. Just said the officer should be mindful of safety issues lol

D4z · 17-08-2016 4:12pm

Is the list on the first page updated / current on what we should bring? Anyone know if there is anything else that isn't included on that?

blueboat · 17-08-2016 4:30pm

Boot cleaning - any polish that works better others? Expert boot cleaning advice welcome.

Homer01 · 17-08-2016 4:47pm

blueboat wrote: »

Boot cleaning - any polish that works better others? Expert boot cleaning advice welcome.

Kiwi; nothing else comes close.

If you haven't read this whole thread then I highly recommend it. It's fun to read at any time I can only imagine how great it would be after getting the call.

Hopefully some recent recruits will check back in and add to this.

blueboat · 17-08-2016 4:50pm

Thanks homer. Must dash out and grab some to 'brush' up on my technique if you will.

majgreen · 17-08-2016 6:49pm

Kiwi and a jewellers cloth ( 5 on Amazon) will work your boots a treat. Sneaky tip, thin layer of polish, rub it in, then heat it up with a hairdryer to make it smooth and even.

You'll be shown how to bull your boots by your senior squad on your first day though. I thoroughly recommend getting a good start on them as early as you can.

blueboat · 17-08-2016 6:53pm

Thanks majgreen, seems kiwi is the way to go. Nice tip on the hairdryer, never thought of that.

D4z · 17-08-2016 8:41pm

majgreen wrote: »

Kiwi and a jewellers cloth ( 5 on Amazon) will work your boots a treat. Sneaky tip, thin layer of polish, rub it in, then heat it up with a hairdryer to make it smooth and even.

You'll be shown how to bull your boots by your senior squad on your first day though. I thoroughly recommend getting a good start on them as early as you can.

Didn't know a hairdryer would do the trick. I've been using a heat gun to do it, was considering bringing that to GV as it gives such a nice even finish compared to a lighter.

majgreen · 17-08-2016 8:54pm

Heat gun works great but a hairdryer is more readily available and re-useable for most people. Boots will be shiny in no time!

Homer01 · 18-08-2016 1:29pm

MartinC2006 wrote: »

I think you find out the day before attestation?

There is then 10 weeks of firearms/driving etc before you’ll be on station?

Could be wrong but I’m sure someone will clarify.

Martin.

Is this still the case? Is this additional to your time in GV prior to going to your station?

majgreen · 18-08-2016 2:53pm

Homer01 wrote: »

MartinC2006 wrote: »

I think you find out the day before attestation?

There is then 10 weeks of firearms/driving etc before you ll be on station?

Could be wrong but I m sure someone will clarify.

Martin.

Is this still the case? Is this additional to your time in GV prior to going to your station?

No, this is the old system. Firearms is incorporated into the 22 weeks and driving is done once you're in station depending on operational need. Generally speaking you find out your station around week 18/19

ZeGerman · 21-08-2016 12:18pm

For your boots, bring make up pads, lots and lots of make up pads. I'd also scrap the sewing kit as you get multiples of everything you might need a button on.

D4z · 28-08-2016 9:00pm

I heard you're allowed a full beard in GV but I am curious what constitutes a full beard?

majgreen · 28-08-2016 9:17pm

You're either clean shaven or a good few weeks growth. If it's just stubly then you'll be told to shave

D4z · 28-08-2016 9:22pm

Does it have to be a dan bilzarian beard or could you have a keanu reeves with a few patches going on?

Homer01 · 28-08-2016 10:33pm

Found this from about 18 months ago.

mambono5 wrote: »

beards are fine and allowed if well kept/trimmed but ya might get a bit of stick from the drill staff haha and your photos must match how you look as once you have a beard if you choose to shave it off then you will get into bother and have to see about getting a new warrant card

majgreen · 28-08-2016 10:57pm

A short beard is okay so long as it's tidy and not just a few days worth of stubble. It's a lot more relaxed out at station though

TheCub · 31-08-2016 9:39am

If you have an important occasion during training would you be allowed off for it? Such as a wedding.

WannabePC123 · 31-08-2016 9:51am

TheCub wrote: »

If you have an important occasion during training would you be allowed off for it? Such as a wedding.

Would like to know this too. I have my sisters wedding next year and wouldn't like to see the reaction if I couldn't be her bridesmaid lol!

Homer01 · 31-08-2016 10:03am

From what I've seen and read there are no holidays given during GV. If you're getting married or birth of a child then you'll get a day off.

I'm sure someone more qualified than me will have a definitive answer.

dollasign · 31-08-2016 2:57pm

Homer has hit it on the head no holidays allowed in Gville unless it directly involves you eg your wedding or your child birth nothing else and you only get one day.

jaswill · 07-10-2016 12:29pm

Hi Guys pretty new to this, at Gville do you need to pass the PCA again to complete your training at the college? Thanks

D4z · 07-10-2016 12:41pm

jaswill wrote: »

Hi Guys pretty new to this, at Gville do you need to pass the PCA again to complete your training at the college? Thanks

Yes. You will complete the PCA course towards the end of GV afaik.

majgreen · 07-10-2016 12:55pm

Yes. You must complete the PCA in your final week of training to graduate. Two shots or you are dismissed. You do plenty of PE throughout the course though so there is no reason to fail it

WannabePC123 · 07-10-2016 1:08pm

majgreen wrote: »

Yes. You must complete the PCA in your final week of training to graduate. Two shots or you are dismissed. You do plenty of PE throughout the course though so there is no reason to fail it

Would i be correct in saying you have to pass the push pull? If so, does the PE involve stuff that will help with this?

majgreen · 07-10-2016 1:09pm

If I remember correctly push pull was removed however the PTI staff weren't over happy wth that decisions (and rightly so, it's important!) so you still do push pull throughout but are not assessed on it

Sydnor87 · 08-10-2016 10:16am

I believe the push/pull is still part of the assessment at GV, meaning you will be required to pass it.

Pretty sure the PI mentioned that during the PCA familiarization.

D4z · 06-11-2016 7:12pm

Question to those who have been through GV:

If you had to redo GV what would you do to prepare yourself?

majgreen · 06-11-2016 8:29pm

D4z wrote: »

Question to those who have been through GV:

If you had to redo GV what would you do to prepare yourself?

Good question. Personally there are a few things I would work on if I were to go back. I imagine everyone would be different though.

1) fitness. You do a lot of it in GV and the better you are the easier you'll cope. It hit me hard when I joined and meant that I was taking longer to complete gym plans outside of lesson time. Get running now at the least. Try weights if possible and just get a head start.

2) revision. Big big tip. Revise a lot. That online material? Learn as much as you can. When you do your first exam at week 2, you'll be thankful. Hand in hand with that is learn a good revision technique that suits you best. Get in the swing early and it'll help when it comes to the late nights and pre-reads.

3) ironing and bulling. If you can, start now. Bulling takes time and if you can practice it will help. Get the right equipment and spend a little extra if you can on your polish, cloths and iron. You'll get more than your money's worth, trust me.

4) Chill out. Sounds strange eh? Do not panic. Do not stress. There are 39 odd other people in your boots too; and hundreds who have gone before you. Your first four weeks will be hell. You will want to quit. You will not sleep much. You will feel like you are learning nothing. It's better to enter with a cool, calm head and take everything one step (and show parade) at a time.

GV was the hardest thing I've ever done. I've loved it and I've hated it. Looking back now, it was kinda fun. Stick together as a squad and you'll carry each other through.

D4z · 06-11-2016 11:43pm

majgreen wrote: »

Good question. Personally there are a few things I would work on if I were to go back. I imagine everyone would be different though.

1) fitness. You do a lot of it in GV and the better you are the easier you'll cope. It hit me hard when I joined and meant that I was taking longer to complete gym plans outside of lesson time. Get running now at the least. Try weights if possible and just get a head start.

2) revision. Big big tip. Revise a lot. That online material? Learn as much as you can. When you do your first exam at week 2, you'll be thankful. Hand in hand with that is learn a good revision technique that suits you best. Get in the swing early and it'll help when it comes to the late nights and pre-reads.

3) ironing and bulling. If you can, start now. Bulling takes time and if you can practice it will help. Get the right equipment and spend a little extra if you can on your polish, cloths and iron. You'll get more than your money's worth, trust me.

4) Chill out. Sounds strange eh? Do not panic. Do not stress. There are 39 odd other people in your boots too; and hundreds who have gone before you. Your first four weeks will be hell. You will want to quit. You will not sleep much. You will feel like you are learning nothing. It's better to enter with a cool, calm head and take everything one step (and show parade) at a time.

GV was the hardest thing I've ever done. I've loved it and I've hated it. Looking back now, it was kinda fun. Stick together as a squad and you'll carry each other through.

What about in regards to the classroom based stuff - Are there a lot of essays or portfolios etc?

majgreen · 07-11-2016 2:21am

You have one essay to write during GV. Classes are mostly PowerPoint based. Some classes have a practical assessment too and that's when you're required to complete debrief sheets and action plans. Your development portfolio will be hefty by the time you graduate but if you keep on top of it you'll find it's easy to manage

Homer01 · 09-01-2017 10:57am

Time for a bump

Check the first page for a shopping list.

Banterbus28 · 09-01-2017 5:22pm

Be careful taking this thread as accurate not because of the posters but because the regime in the college has changed and so anything before jan 17 may not apply 100%

Homer01 · 09-01-2017 5:56pm

Banterbus28 wrote: »

Be careful taking this thread as accurate not because of the posters but because the regime in the college has changed and so anything before jan 17 may not apply 100%

And this is the importance of those successful to come back and give back to the community

This thread was started in a time before mobile Internet, iPads and iPhones but still very valid in my opinion.

Banterbus28 · 09-01-2017 6:05pm

Didn't mean my comment to reduce it's value, all information is valuable, if you got through the stages you are more than capable to decide what to take on board and what to not to.

swl33t · 09-01-2017 7:44pm

Does the shopping list still apply?

Homer01 · 09-01-2017 8:32pm

swl33t wrote: »

Does the shopping list still apply?

I really don't know but still looks as valid now as it did.
Boots will still need shined, rooms cleaned and uniforms ironed.

Whilst show parades may have gone they will still want recruits to be well turned out.

Nerves2016 · 10-01-2017 1:24am

Yes. They even make reference to checking the shopping list on boards.ie at induction......they also put together their own little list - its part of page 1

Banterbus28 · 13-01-2017 8:19pm

For bulling;

Clean boot with off brush to remove an dirt.

Dry dusting clith remove dust

Damp Sylvet cloth.

1st layer: wrap sylvet cloth around index and middle finger. Dab into polish and cover all leather and do large gentle circles, until bthe boot shines.

2nd layer. Index finger in sylvet cloth and tiny circles until shines. Repeat it until its gleaming. Could take an hour per boot.

majgreen · 13-01-2017 8:23pm

I can guarantee you right away it'll be a lot longer than an hour per boot. We'd spend hours per night for weeks on end until they were of a good enough standard! Good opportunity to bond with squad mates though, all sat out in the corridor bulling

Banterbus28 · 13-01-2017 8:30pm

Its an hour per boot per night. To have them like glass will take 2 to 3 solid weeks of an hour per boot per night lol

Starting in Garnerville soon? Read this:

Comments