how long is A-pool?

[ben]

Ben, it would be easier if you could do your wedding while in A-pool. With things so backed up, they are not going to grant leave and roll people during API once you class up.

Thanks - that's what I meant to ask... brain fart. How easy or difficult is it to leave town (actually I'll be needing to leave the state) during A-pool?

That is exactly what I am trying to do - have the wedding after OCS and before API gets started. That brings me to another question - I have heard that a lot of guys take some leave right after comissioning and wait a while before they check in for A-pool (or API check-in, don't know what it's called). I would prefer to take just a little bit of time, as in not enough to have the wedding, because I would think that trying to get checked in before the ROTC/Academy guys needs to be a priority. So the question I'm getting at is what will happen to me in A-pool when I ask for leave? I'll have 50-something days built up by then but don't plan to use near that many . Would you guys agree that I should get checked in and "on the list" ASAP?

 

[jg5343]

Thanks Mcaf, Ben and I are pretty much in the exact same boat. I will be one OCS class ahead of him.
Ben, if you are going to get married after OCS anyway, I would just go down to the court and get the legal stuff out of the way so that when you report, you will already be getting paid for her as well as be paid for when they move her down. They don't care about when the wedding is, just that you have a license or not. Just a suggestion. Could make you some money, and save some hassle. Plus, being BDCP you could get all the paper work done here and be paid for her before you leave.

 

[Road Program]

How about a month long wait? That's what I got, but it would be half that if I wasn't on leave today and if they were starting a class next Friday. I'm a bit of a special case, though...lateral transfer SNFO.

SNFOs and AF Navs are classing up quicker than SNAs right now for sure. As of yesterday, pilots in A-pool were going nowhere any time soon.

 

[Red2]

Ben, it is really easy to take leave while in A-pool. I've done it twice. You just go down to flight management, fill out a chit and turn it in. If there is a problem with it they will call you. On the day you are leaving, you go down to the NASC quarterdeck, get the chit signed and leave. When you return, you hand in the chit.

 

[ben]

Ok, thanks Red2. That sounds pretty simple. The main thing now is setting a date that will safely fall in my A-pool time. We're thinking maybe right around July 4 or possibly also the May/June timeframe. Assuming that all goes well and I get out of OCS at the end of April, things should work out just fine based on what you guys have said so far.

What about the checking into A-pool ASAP to try to beat the ROTC/Academy guys - is that something to be concerned about or not? If not, I might take a few weeks of leave right after OCS just to kinda chill out. Opinions?

 

[jg5343]

Why just check in and go immediately on leave? Thats my plan.

 

[ben]

Why just check in and go immediately on leave? Thats my plan.

Yes, ideally that will be my plan. However, I have heard that they don't let you do that. Whether it is true or not is pretty questionable. Can anyone verify?

 

[WannaBEaP3gal]

What do you do during a-pool if you aren't assigned a job?? How often is there a physical muster? My boyfriend is going SNA so he will probably still be stashed in Jax for a while, so I'm trying to figure out how much I can go over there to visit. HELP!

 

[flynsail]

Icewoman,

I'll be in Jax for the comm ceremony, so I can answer your questions about being stashed here. Jax is within the max allowed driving distance. Simply put, you do not have to put in leave to drive there, just sign the travel log.

 

[flynsail]

Most powerful Navy in history... can't manage people correctly. Makes you scratch your head.

They selected me for SNA, so they did one thing right :icon_smil

 

[beau]

Yeah I waited 2 months (checked in Dec 14, 03, classed up around Feb 14). Got to A-pool turned around and put in leave for Christmas. When I went through there were about 150 people in A-pool, and I though that was a lot.....now,from what I hear, there is like 400 people. I almost went over to the API building just to check out the Gaggle when I was in town for D-Jets......almost

 

[flashypants]

Yes, ideally that will be my plan. However, I have heard that they don't let you do that. Whether it is true or not is pretty questionable. Can anyone verify?

Leave is pretty easy to get in A-pool. You just have to be "ready" to start API (i.e., passed physical, check-in PRT, swim screen, indoc briefs). You just have to complete those first few indoctrination items (I may have left a few out), but after that, it seems that leave is easy to get, as long as it doesn't interfere with your slated class-up date.

 

[gregsivers]

Icewoman,

If you're in A-pool with no job you muster M-F at 0730; MWF in pt gear and TR in khakis. At least thats what it was for me a month ago. I just finished my 4th week of API, and the people I know in A-pool still muster the same way. There's a 350 mile radius from Pcola in which you can drive without taking leave, just sign the travel log.

 

[WannaBEaP3gal]

I really want to get a puppy if I am in a-pool for a while, that way by the time I actually have to start API, it should be potty-trained and all that junk... or should I wait, I have no idea... anyone else w/ animals?

 

[trvsmrtn]

Just get the puppy. Your boyfriend can help watch it and by the time he classes up for api, it'll be fully grown.