Military Zone Prospective Corp Members.
Malik Olamilekan Adeboye@adeboyemalikolamilekan580166
8 days ago
THINGS TO KNOW WHEN POSTED TO A MILITARY BARRACKS
Good Day Everyone,
This is going to be a long read, and it will contain everything you need to know when you are posted to a barracks from my own point of view. I will not be mentioning the exact barracks I am serving in, but it is somewhere in the South Western part of Nigeria.
With all that being said, let us get right into our business of the day.
You must wear your 7/7 especially when passing the gate.
You must be properly dressed, all tucked in and wearing your cap. You do not have to wear jungle boots; your white shoes are acceptable too.
All military personnel are big on respect. Greet anyone you pass, you never can tell who they are. As a first timer, ranks will confuse you, so be polite to everyone. A corps member once bought job for all of us because she was making a video and did not greet the GOC when he was passing by.
All military personnel are different. Some are friendly, some are quiet, and some will disturb you. Do not assume that because you met a nice officer, the next person will be the same.
Military personnel are big on ranks. Just like a lecturer with a doctorate will be offended if you call him “Mr.” and a professor will be offended if you call him “Dr.” do not call a Colonel “Sergeant” or a Sergeant Major “Private.” Na trouble you dey find oh. When you are unsure, just use “Oga.” Example: Oga Okon is calling you.
When passing by the Quarter Guard in uniform, wear your cap or else they will ask you why you are passing by their father’s Quarter Guard without a headdress.
“Buying job” means getting punished for one thing or another. Job can come in different forms like being locked in the guardroom, wearing your uniform every day for three months, running around the compound till you reduce in size, etc.
They don't like being recorded. Your phone can be taken away from you if you're using it when you're passing the gate.
Soldiers are different from Officers. Officers are the high ranking officials starting from Second Lieutenant upward. To make it simpler, they are the ones who have stars or other insignia on their chest.
Private is the least rank in the Army. Some of the soldiers in camp with you were Privates, and the highest ranking person in camp was a Captain with three stars. The GOC (General Officer Commanding) is one of the highest ranking officers in the barracks.
Females, respect yourself! Females, respect yourself!! Females, respect yourself!!! I no go talk pass that one.
There are friendly officers, and they are good to have as friends. They will help you if you run into trouble and can connect you to opportunities.
The Army Headquarters (Div) does not retain corps members. Our GOC said corps members are not even supposed to work in headquarters at all because of confidentiality. If you are permitted, you can work in departments like Legal, Finance, Education, G1, G4, or the Library. Some of these departments even pay additional stipends, some as high as ₦35,000 monthly, while others might not pay at all. It really depends on where you are posted.
Some officers give money. They can carry you and your colleagues out, order food, give you cash, and still be strict with you while laughing together.
It is not all work in the barracks, there is party too! Parties can be organized among corps members or from headquarters. There is transportation, free food, and ladies enjoy more 🌚.
There is accommodation for corps members, usually called the Corpers Lodge. There is also Mami Market where you can get whatever you want. It is free, you just pay a small monthly token for light and upkeep (about ₦1,000). (Note: I am speaking for my barracks.)
There are rules and regulations guiding the lodge, nothing hard, just to maintain orderliness. They use prepaid meters. Bathroom and toilet are at the end of the block. You will have one roommate, sometimes two or three, especially when baby corpers come and there is no space. They will be rearranged when senior corpers leave.
No fighting. Guard room is real. Military Police is real. There is a curfew of 10 p.m. in the barracks too.
If you are deployed to a command school, there will be a headcount every Monday, you will be paid a small stipend, and ladies are not allowed to wear trousers.
The probability of being deployed to a school is high.
You can serve in places like Garrison, NAOWA, Golf, Kitchen, Intelligence, Military Police, Hospital, etc.
You can live outside the barracks if you prefer, but be prepared to come anytime you are called.
You can be called at any time. Emergency Parade can happen anytime, and you are to appear in your 7/7. You will be informed beforehand though.
There is no drill or physical training for corps members (in my barracks). I have read that some others do though.
Your uniform will open doors for you. It will help you when you are trekking, they will spare you when they are supposed to punish you, and so on.
You will lose your fear of soldiers. They are humans, even the officers. Just be respectful.
The barracks is biiiiiiig! If you do not get a bike man, you will trek most times unless you find a bus or tricycle, and those are usually full.
You are to collect your monthly clearance in 7/7.
Pray to have a good superior wherever you find yourself.
At the gate, Command or Army Day students are flogged when they come late, even before they reach their school gate.
The barracks is a little world of its own with farms, plantations, fisheries, schools, hospitals, gas stations, golf courses, stadiums, and more.
No immoral dressing. Ladies, wear a bra when going out of your lodge, and no shorts either. Military Police will carry you before asking questions.
There are different quarters in the barracks, Officers Quarters, Sergeant Quarters, Soldiers Block, Garrison Block, etc.
Respect the women you meet, you do not know whose wife she is. Officers wives plenty for barracks oh.
The CO (Commanding Officer) is in charge of corps members. If you make noise in the block or do not clean, your light will be disconnected. Oh, and light is 24/7 here 😌.
NAOWA (Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association) is a good place to serve. There are lots of goodies because they are always organizing programs.
Lastly, have fun, make friends, and enjoy the experience. It is just a year, and it will definitely end.
P.S: This is subject to verification.
I wish you all the best.
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From Olaoluwa.
