Hey all,
Just got selected for SNA a couple weeks ago now, and it still feels fkin awesome knowing that I'm going to fly for Uncle Sam. I got a couple questions that hopefully y'all have answers too, or chirps for.
1. Does going to API early (June) or later (August) change how fast you get through the pipeline? Or is there always going to be a waiting period before you even start classes.
2. What is there to do in Pensacola? I understand its work work work at API, but you can't work all the time. I heard there's a fish throwing contest close by? Surfing good here? Off-roading? Anything cool or fun to do with the guys and gals would be appreciated.
3. For my "sinkers," how long did you train before API for swims? I can get down to the other end and back of the pool in gear no problem, but that mile swim sounds scary, even the treading stuff as well. Workouts you used to prepare would be great.
4. Does this NSS score thing start at API or Primary.
1. Pipeline changes all the time. Some waits are long in A-Pool and others are short. A lot of it depends on where you are going to Primary, your designator (SNA, SNFO, SNFS, etc.), if you are coming in from a Grad Ed program, etc. Enjoy the wait if you get it. Looking back, I was motivated to start, but I wish I took a bit more time to smell the roses. I love the Fleet, but it will certainly take its pound of flesh and your free time is limited.
2. There is a lot to do in the Pensacola/Gulf Coast area. Pensacola proper isn't a huge city, but there is certainly plenty to do. People would go to Florabama (bar on the FL/AL border where the mullet toss is), not remember going to the Waffle House across the street from Florabama, go to Blue Wahoo/Ice Flyers games, go to Fairhope, AL (if you want boujie), go to Destin (if you want more of a touristy feel), go to Palafox and see half of NAS Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field's population, take in a concert at the Gulf Shores amphitheater, take a UWF senior to the Naval Aviation Museum for the third time and tell her about the all the planes that she knows more about than you, etc. Suffice to say, there is certainly a lot to do in Pensacola, but you might have to travel a bit. Pensacola is also spread out as well. A lot of 30-minute drives just to get across town.
3. The survival pool over NAS Pensacola has open swim during the afternoons for people to practice. You can't check out gear, but you can practice treading and stuff like that. Intermediate Water Survival (NIFE Phase I Swim) will build you up on treading and the tower-to-line jump (the underwater swim). You will also do endurance swims to prep for the mile swim. Treading is where I saw most people struggle. If you are worried about it, I would self-elect remedial swim on Day 1. There is no penalty. After that, failing an event is a pink sheet and you will get sent to remedial swim. Remedials will focus on what you struggle with and they will get you to a point where the test will be easy. You will be put on swim hold though, which will delay your class up. That also said, nobody to my knowledge has been attrited due to swim issues. Swimming is a skill that can be taught, so no need to tell someone goodbye over a skill they just need some reps at. The mile swim was my big anxiety event, but it was a non-issue. The time limit is 80 minutes, which is designed in a way to where if you are making slow, but consistent forward progress, you will have no issues passing. I did the survival breast stroke, with my self-imposed rule of slowing down once I felt my heart rate increase, and I finished at 53 minutes, being one of the last ones out of the pool.
4. NSS starts in NIFE, but it doesn't really matter when you leave. Your Primary events will quickly overwrite your NIFE NSS. Your Primary NSS is the one that counts (for selection purposes). After that, NSS matters little outside of Advanced pipelines that have additional selections (jets and helos).
