FY10 STA-21 Applicants gather round!

[xtreme_rob]

MR1,
I am not going until May, but I have read pretty extensively through the site. It states that we should have the Sailor's Creed, Chain of Command, Code of Conduct, General Orders and Phonetic Alphabet memorized. There is also a list of required items to bring as well as a list of NKO courses required to be completed prior to arrival. The NKO courses are listed for ALL OTC schools up there, not just NSI, so its easily overlooked. The first link is NSI page, the second is a list of NKO courses.

http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/otc/nsi.asp
http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/otc/cbt.asp

Now I have a few questions. When are we expecting to get our orders for the May NSI class? Also, are we going to be allowed to PCS prior to NSI (I would like to move my family to Texas prior to) ?
To anyone that has already been through NSI, what is the ONE thing you wish you knew about prior to arriving?
Thanks!

 

[xtreme_rob]

BTW, Chantix is GREAT for quitting smoking....

 

[MR1(SW)-->ENS]

MR1,
I am not going until May, but I have read pretty extensively through the site. It states that we should have the Sailor's Creed, Chain of Command, Code of Conduct, General Orders and Phonetic Alphabet memorized. There is also a list of required items to bring as well as a list of NKO courses required to be completed prior to arrival. The NKO courses are listed for ALL OTC schools up there, not just NSI, so its easily overlooked. The first link is NSI page, the second is a list of NKO courses.

http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/otc/nsi.asp
http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/otc/cbt.asp

Now I have a few questions. When are we expecting to get our orders for the May NSI class? Also, are we going to be allowed to PCS prior to NSI (I would like to move my family to Texas prior to) ?
To anyone that has already been through NSI, what is the ONE thing you wish you knew about prior to arriving?
Thanks!

FC2 (Combat Sister)<----Sorry dude I'm an Engineer still its protocol,
Yeah i got the same info off of the webpage im hoping someone can give me a quick answer on those. I talked to Ed a few weeks ago cause i have a buddy of mine who is going to be the re-enlisting officer and he transfers in late March. Ed said we should have our orders sometime mid-march. as far as PCS-ing, i dont have an answer i just know they give you like 1 or 2 days travel time on your orders but i dont know what they can do for you as for NSI. isnt NSI considered TAD prior to getting to your college?

 

[xtreme_rob]

Is NSI TAD? I Thought it was an intermediate duty enroute to the NROTC unit... Or maybe it's both.

 

[Van]

Hey I'm an "overweight" chain smoker that has problems with people that outrank me and tell me what to do. will i have a problem at NSI????

Now for my real question......in your first couple of weeks do they allow you to leave your room and go to the gym or are you restricted to a certain area? also did you guys that went through already have to memorize code of conduct, general orders etc? Thanks for the help homeboys and girls!

1. That certainly embodies the spirit of the post, doesn't it?

To answer your questions: Yes, yes, and to some degree yes. You can leave your room in the first few weeks and yes, you are restricted to a certain area called "Training Country" which includes the barracks, galley and the theatre/basketball court/gym. When I went through, we had to learn/know the CoC, General Orders, Oath of Office, Leadership Traits ("JJ-DID-TIE-BUCKLE"), and maybe a few other things. I don't remember ever being grilled on the Code of Conduct, which surprised me. We weren't "required" to know everything before we got there, but had to memorize it all up there. If you have time to do it, I'd read over the stuff every once in a while but they aren't going to make you spout it all off on Day 1.

xtreme_rob: See above. The Code of Conduct was part of our studying, but we weren't really grilled on it. We had to do the NKO courses when we got up there. I was in a Feb. class and had done quite a few of them beforehand, but had to do them again because it was a new year and they had updated most of them.

NSI is not really that bad. I can't really think of anything profound that I wish I knew prior to arrival. I wish I'd known how brutally cold it was up there in the winter! That, and the Thrift Store for uniform items.

 

[blizzy]

... Also, are we going to be allowed to PCS prior to NSI (I would like to move my family to Texas prior to) ?...

I'm coming from overseas, but I don't think that makes things much different. My PS1 thought it was reasonable to check into the school first, get TLE and househunting leave and then take regular leave before reporting to NSI. But, he told me I need to call my school, SUNY Maritime, and ask. The PSD rep that they work through said I cannot check into the school prior to NSI. However, I will be moving my wife from Italy to NYC when I transfer in April. I just won't check into the school--We'll secure a place to live and take leave. The Navy will pay BAH for dependant location. I just don't know yet who will grant TLE and househunting leave in this particular scenario. We need some PSD ninjas on here.

 

[6993adam]

Anybody in Rhode Island yet? I just checked into the CBQ.

 

[mc6]

Where do we check in at? I saw King Hall or Nimitz Hall on the NSI website FAQs.

 

[6993adam]

I went to the CBQ and they said that we couldnt check in until sunday.

 

[wlawr005]

Go to King Hall, there will be a watch there (usually one of the LDO/CWO students). They should be expecting you, there is no reason to spend money at the CBQ. Your names will already be on the doors on the rooms where you stay, and there are no keys so you should be able to get settled in right away.

 

[MR1(SW)-->ENS]

Quick Question for those who attended NSI, can't believe i didnt ask this before.......I have sleeves up and down my arms, those are the only visible tattoos i have, none of them offensive, matter of fact they are all pro-navy. for some reason my PG-13 from 2006 hasnt made it into my ESR, but i do have a medical waiver on hand. when i did my STA-21 boards, the CDR who was heading it up threw away my tattoo waiver and said i had nothing to worry about. Do the Division Commanders or anyone give anybody a hard time with tattoos?? i mean ive been Sailor of the Quarter/Year at every command ive been at and got nothing below a 10 on all my interviews. im re-doing my PG-13 just to cover my @ss and hopefully everything will turn out ok. just trying to get a heads up. Thanks guys.

 

[OscarMyers]

What kind of internet connection do they have? Is it one of those MWR internet centers or is there anywhere to get wifi?

 

[haubby]

Quick Question for those who attended NSI, can't believe i didnt ask this before.......I have sleeves up and down my arms, those are the only visible tattoos i have, none of them offensive, matter of fact they are all pro-navy. for some reason my PG-13 from 2006 hasnt made it into my ESR, but i do have a medical waiver on hand. when i did my STA-21 boards, the CDR who was heading it up threw away my tattoo waiver and said i had nothing to worry about. Do the Division Commanders or anyone give anybody a hard time with tattoos?? i mean ive been Sailor of the Quarter/Year at every command ive been at and got nothing below a 10 on all my interviews. im re-doing my PG-13 just to cover my @ss and hopefully everything will turn out ok. just trying to get a heads up. Thanks guys.

Not sure about this honestly. The instruction is pretty clear about the size of the tattoo (no larger than your hand) when it is not covered by pt gear. Waivers that are good for the Enlisted side doesn't always transfer to the Officer side. I do know they are cracking down on this and NROTC is making sure all tattoo's are photographed, documented, approved and so on.

 

[MR1(SW)-->ENS]

Not sure about this honestly. The instruction is pretty clear about the size of the tattoo (no larger than your hand) when it is not covered by pt gear. Waivers that are good for the Enlisted side doesn't always transfer to the Officer side. I do know they are cracking down on this and NROTC is making sure all tattoo's are photographed, documented, approved and so on.

Yeah i have no problem with that. i know i was reading in the NAVADMIN if you had your waiver then you were good to go. I have mine and all of mine are pro navy anyway. it does say if you cant cover them all with your hand then you can become waiverable as long as they are nothin explicit. im sure ill be fine but im gonna make sure my paperwork is straight before i get to NSI in May.

 

[ac2NASTY]

What kind of internet connection do they have? Is it one of those MWR internet centers or is there anywhere to get wifi?

They have a Rec Center with computers (and internet), ping-pong tables, pool tables, xbox and play station rentals for their TV area, a mini movie theater with a list of movies to choose from, and a lounge area with a big screen for the sports fans. Across the street from the Rec Center there is the MWR computer lab with probably around 15 or 20 computers plus a Starbucks. Can't beat that! Not to mention both of these locations have wireless internet so if you are bringing a laptop you can use your own. Just sit in the corner with your back against the wall and let your significant other put on a show for you. Ha! There are also a few computer labs in King Hall. Each lab has maybe 8 computers that work and the printers are always out of paper.

I was in the last NSI for the FY09 and we were able to use the E-Club for the first half of NSI and then they decided that from now on, all OC's should only be allowed in the O-Club. There were a lot of mixed feelings about this because we weren't enlisted anymore but not officers yet either. Hmmm?? Not sure what they will do this year.