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mattlowery
Registered User
be ballistic at all times, become part of the team, and do the other things i mentioned...you'll be fine.
Matt L.
Matt L.
Hey whats up!
I haven't wrote much, most of the time just reading the replies. But I recently received my commission. I'm currently enrolled in the IFS program. I'm doing the program at a local flight school near my ROTC Unit. (ODU) The program is sweet. The Navy pays for everything. You get books, headsets that are worth $150, and most of all free flight lessons. Today was my first day up. From the beginning the instructor allowed me to taxi off to the runway and take-off. It was pretty wild b/c we flew near Fentress Field( its a practice field that all the aircrafts from NAS Oceana use.) Here I am flying a Katana and off to the distance you see F-14s and 18s zooming by. Landing the plane for the first time is pretty wild.
If anyone has any questions about IFS, feel free to ask me any question.
Is there anyone out there classing up OCT 15 for API?
Jeff
I haven't wrote much, most of the time just reading the replies. But I recently received my commission. I'm currently enrolled in the IFS program. I'm doing the program at a local flight school near my ROTC Unit. (ODU) The program is sweet. The Navy pays for everything. You get books, headsets that are worth $150, and most of all free flight lessons. Today was my first day up. From the beginning the instructor allowed me to taxi off to the runway and take-off. It was pretty wild b/c we flew near Fentress Field( its a practice field that all the aircrafts from NAS Oceana use.) Here I am flying a Katana and off to the distance you see F-14s and 18s zooming by. Landing the plane for the first time is pretty wild.
If anyone has any questions about IFS, feel free to ask me any question.
Is there anyone out there classing up OCT 15 for API?
Jeff
Hey whats up!
I haven't wrote much, most of the time just reading the replies. But I recently received my commission. I'm currently enrolled in the IFS program. I'm doing the program at a local flight school near my ROTC Unit. (ODU) The program is sweet. The Navy pays for everything. You get books, headsets that are worth $150, and most of all free flight lessons. Today was my first day up. From the beginning the instructor allowed me to taxi off to the runway and take-off. It was pretty wild b/c we flew near Fentress Field( its a practice field that all the aircrafts from NAS Oceana use.) Here I am flying a Katana and off to the distance you see F-14s and 18s zooming by. Landing the plane for the first time is pretty wild.
If anyone has any questions about IFS, feel free to ask me any question.
Is there anyone out there classing up OCT 15 for API?
Jeff
I haven't wrote much, most of the time just reading the replies. But I recently received my commission. I'm currently enrolled in the IFS program. I'm doing the program at a local flight school near my ROTC Unit. (ODU) The program is sweet. The Navy pays for everything. You get books, headsets that are worth $150, and most of all free flight lessons. Today was my first day up. From the beginning the instructor allowed me to taxi off to the runway and take-off. It was pretty wild b/c we flew near Fentress Field( its a practice field that all the aircrafts from NAS Oceana use.) Here I am flying a Katana and off to the distance you see F-14s and 18s zooming by. Landing the plane for the first time is pretty wild.
If anyone has any questions about IFS, feel free to ask me any question.
Is there anyone out there classing up OCT 15 for API?
Jeff
How long has IFS been with the ROTC guys? I was in the IFS office when it was first starting out. In fact, some of those guys are in my squadron now. The plan was to start with OCS grads, then start up at the Academy, and then ROTC for fiscal year '04. It looks like things have progressed faster.
I just stubmled upon this website and thought I might be able to answer a few of the questions floating around. I just finished my 3rd week of API. Right now, they need people for Corpus, so thats where most people are going. In two weeks, Whiting could say they need people and it will swing that way, you never know. For the most part, you (Navy) will not get sent to Vance or Moody unless you a) have prior flight time and b) ask to go there.
There are lots of cheap places to live in Pensacola, the BOQ is pretty hard to get. The military clause is alive and well down here- which means you can break your lease (30 days notice) with orders to somewhere outside of 35 miles. Whiting doesn't count, this only works for Corpus. Make sure to ask for it in your lease. My advice is to go to the Navy housing office when you get down here and they'll help you out.
Right now they're not sending you through IFS if you just report down here for API, but if you're stashed somewhere, you might be able to call and ask if you can get it.
If I can help you out, let me know- smittyrunr@aol.com
There are lots of cheap places to live in Pensacola, the BOQ is pretty hard to get. The military clause is alive and well down here- which means you can break your lease (30 days notice) with orders to somewhere outside of 35 miles. Whiting doesn't count, this only works for Corpus. Make sure to ask for it in your lease. My advice is to go to the Navy housing office when you get down here and they'll help you out.
Right now they're not sending you through IFS if you just report down here for API, but if you're stashed somewhere, you might be able to call and ask if you can get it.
If I can help you out, let me know- smittyrunr@aol.com
frogggystyle
Registered User
I'm in my 4th week of API. Been in the Navy for over 10 years though. Here is a bit of info for you all.
pnbandit - I am not positive, so I don't mean to give you bum gouge if it turns out to be bum gouge... but from what I understand, you will collect BAH (in your case since you are married and your wife is in a house somewhere else than the greater Pensacola area) but you will not get to stay in the BOQ for free. I think they end up charging you. It is either one or the other...you either get BAH or you get a room free of charge. I am pretty sure that is how it works. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
smittyrunr gave some really good info about housing and the military clause. Listen to him.
As far as IFS is concerned - if you have the chance to go you should take it! There is a correlation in grades for those who went to IFS (or have previous flying experience) as opposed to those who do not. This whole aviation thing is new to me and it is much harder than I thought it would be. Everyone around me that went to IFS breezes through API. As a result, I sometimes struggle with some of the material. Some people can read boks and understand everything that is there. Then there are those of us who are more monkey skill inclined where books are not as helpful as hands on type stuff. You may end up having to dedicate 5 hours a night to studying...or maybe just 1 hour depending on how you learn and what your previous flight experience is.
As far as OCS - Don't draw attention to yourself. hehe If you are a prior, everyone will know whether you want them to or not... especially when you start wearing your ribbons/warfare devices on libery weekend. Just yell (be ballistic) at all times, shine your shoes (and edged dress them if you don't wanna be called a turd), press your uniform (NO military creases on your wash khakis!), and try to learn your essential gouge (your chain of command, orders of the sentry, and code of conduct) because you *WILL* be be expected to know them by the 4th day you are there. Go to this link and memorize *everything* -
https://www.cnet.navy.mil/nascweb/ocs/ocs_memorization.htm
You will be repeating this throughout the entire course of OCS, so get the stuff in your head while you can prior to going. Don't make "sir sammiches" (sir, yes sir!) because they don't like that.
Also, if you have the ability to do it - friggin' run and get in shape BEFORE you go to OCS. There are a lot of people that get injured because they get shin splints from not being adapted to the stresses of running on concrete. These people can end up spending *several months* in OCS healing or undergoing surgery. (I had one guy break his leg right next to me on the out PFA...he had shin splints and thought he could push through it.) I had one woman in my OCS class who was in OCS for 116 weeks because of her injuries and surgeries. This is not the place you want to hang in limbo...getting paid E5 pay amd having all the drill instructors and chiefs yell at ya all the time.
Oh, and being all gung ho and trying to take charge of your class is also a bad move when you first get there. You need to understand there are people just coming into the military who have never had someone yell at them. It is a serious dose of culture shock. They'll learn...and it is better to let them learn by those who have been there for a while. When you go to OCS, you are nobody...so don't think you are something special and act all bossy. Just try to utilize teamwork concepts...help where you can, but don't go in with the "I know everything" attitude. Remember, this is a small Navy and you will eventually see some of these people again...and people remember jerkoffs.
Edited by - frogggystyle on 07/22/2002 20:06:01
pnbandit - I am not positive, so I don't mean to give you bum gouge if it turns out to be bum gouge... but from what I understand, you will collect BAH (in your case since you are married and your wife is in a house somewhere else than the greater Pensacola area) but you will not get to stay in the BOQ for free. I think they end up charging you. It is either one or the other...you either get BAH or you get a room free of charge. I am pretty sure that is how it works. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
smittyrunr gave some really good info about housing and the military clause. Listen to him.
As far as IFS is concerned - if you have the chance to go you should take it! There is a correlation in grades for those who went to IFS (or have previous flying experience) as opposed to those who do not. This whole aviation thing is new to me and it is much harder than I thought it would be. Everyone around me that went to IFS breezes through API. As a result, I sometimes struggle with some of the material. Some people can read boks and understand everything that is there. Then there are those of us who are more monkey skill inclined where books are not as helpful as hands on type stuff. You may end up having to dedicate 5 hours a night to studying...or maybe just 1 hour depending on how you learn and what your previous flight experience is.
As far as OCS - Don't draw attention to yourself. hehe If you are a prior, everyone will know whether you want them to or not... especially when you start wearing your ribbons/warfare devices on libery weekend. Just yell (be ballistic) at all times, shine your shoes (and edged dress them if you don't wanna be called a turd), press your uniform (NO military creases on your wash khakis!), and try to learn your essential gouge (your chain of command, orders of the sentry, and code of conduct) because you *WILL* be be expected to know them by the 4th day you are there. Go to this link and memorize *everything* -
https://www.cnet.navy.mil/nascweb/ocs/ocs_memorization.htm
You will be repeating this throughout the entire course of OCS, so get the stuff in your head while you can prior to going. Don't make "sir sammiches" (sir, yes sir!) because they don't like that.
Also, if you have the ability to do it - friggin' run and get in shape BEFORE you go to OCS. There are a lot of people that get injured because they get shin splints from not being adapted to the stresses of running on concrete. These people can end up spending *several months* in OCS healing or undergoing surgery. (I had one guy break his leg right next to me on the out PFA...he had shin splints and thought he could push through it.) I had one woman in my OCS class who was in OCS for 116 weeks because of her injuries and surgeries. This is not the place you want to hang in limbo...getting paid E5 pay amd having all the drill instructors and chiefs yell at ya all the time.
Oh, and being all gung ho and trying to take charge of your class is also a bad move when you first get there. You need to understand there are people just coming into the military who have never had someone yell at them. It is a serious dose of culture shock. They'll learn...and it is better to let them learn by those who have been there for a while. When you go to OCS, you are nobody...so don't think you are something special and act all bossy. Just try to utilize teamwork concepts...help where you can, but don't go in with the "I know everything" attitude. Remember, this is a small Navy and you will eventually see some of these people again...and people remember jerkoffs.
Edited by - frogggystyle on 07/22/2002 20:06:01
How is everyone doing? I am reporting to Pensacola Aug. 16th to start API, and I was wondering if anyone out there has orders to report at that time. Also, how far in advance can you reserve BOQ rooms? If anyone has any other insight I am sure it will be very helpfull!!
thanks
Mike
thanks
Mike
mattlowery
Registered User
Mike,
I am in the BOQ right now and am in 3rd week of API. we did the mile swim today and everyone in the class kicked ass. i never in my dreams thought i could swim a freakin mile, breaststroked the entire thing. as for the BOQ, it varies daily depending on the number of people moving in and out. A ton of API students live here, so fluctuations are great. I've heard that they can be a little dishonest and tell you there are no rooms, but just keep asking them. good luck.
Matt L.
I am in the BOQ right now and am in 3rd week of API. we did the mile swim today and everyone in the class kicked ass. i never in my dreams thought i could swim a freakin mile, breaststroked the entire thing. as for the BOQ, it varies daily depending on the number of people moving in and out. A ton of API students live here, so fluctuations are great. I've heard that they can be a little dishonest and tell you there are no rooms, but just keep asking them. good luck.
Matt L.
Mark: talk to hennekecfi more about this, but a month is plenty of time to get 25 hours in. It will take some cash on your part I'm sure, but I've been lucky enough to run into someone else on here that has the same generosity that hennekecfi is showing and we'll probably fly 50 hours or so in the next month for my instrument rating. Just have to put the time and money into it. Hennekecfi I'm not sure how generous you are offering, but I thing it shows wonderful character to go out of your way to help someone.
SaraCoffman
Registered User
I am reporting to OCS on 26 Oct with an aviation slot. The only plane I've ever flown was a glider. So, needless to say I really don't have a clue when it comes to flying a plane. I am currently reading some books on flying. Next week I will be going to Camp Pendleton to do a Helo simulator and then I will be doing a F-18 simulator at MCAS Miramar to get an idea of what these aircraft are like. What is an IFS, and do you recommend that I take one? I was talking to a Helo pilot who recommended that I not take civilian flight school because I will have to unlearn everything in order to learn the way the Navy wants. What do you guys think? Should I at least take ground school?
Thanks,
Sara
Thanks,
Sara
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