How long is P'cola?

[quantumburnz]

I just commissioned in the AF and my EAD date is 31July. I want to buy a house when I come to P'cola but I'm not sure how long I'll be there for. I've heard at least 18 months to 2 years. I'm on the strike-nav track, hopefully for F-15's, and I don't start class until 4Jan. Can anyone give me an idea of how long I can expect to be in P'cola for once I start class? Thanks!

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Can anyone give me an idea of how long I can expect to be in P'cola for once I start class? Thanks!

Until you're done. Seriously.

 

[ArkhamAsylum]

Does that mean you're doing Primary at NASP?

 

[quantumburnz]

You'll have to excuse my lag of knowledge about all this. The strike-nav slot sort of "fell in my lap." I was a developmental engr going to Hanscom AFB about a month ago. However, my understanding is that the AF strike-nav track does most of the training at NASP. I've tried google'ing around and finding information about the strike-nav path but haven't had much luck. Any help you guys can give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TheBubba]

You'll get winged at NAS P-Cola.
About 18 mos. from API to wings.

You'll do primary & intermediate in VT-4 or -10. You'll fly the T-6 and the T-1.
Advanced is at VT-86. You'll fly the T-39.

After reattacks (a basic intro to air-to-air stuff) you'll select... either Bones or Strike Eagles. If you get strike (B-1s) you'll get your wings and move on. If you go fighter (F-15s) you'll do some more air to air stuff in the T-39, get winged and move on.

Basically, you'll be in P-Cola from API until wings. Just to give you a time line, I started API in Feb '06, primary in VT-4 the first week of May 06, finished intermediate about a week before Thanksgiving, and I'll be winged in July, weather and God willing. That includes Christmas break, rolling a couple classes (once for a baby, once for my own stupidity). I went strike, and I'm Navy. All in all, I am taking about 6 weeks longer than the AF guys I started with that got -15s. Taking me about 17-18 months.

Hope that helps.

 

[quantumburnz]

Awesome, just the answer I was looking for, thanks TheBubba!

 

[HeyJoe]

Awesome, just the answer I was looking for, thanks TheBubba!

The note was appropriate, but it is also somewhat tradtional to at least hit him with positive rep points for taking the time to answer your question.

 

[Schnugg]

Pilot or WSO?

You didn't say what flavor F-15... C or E

 

[TheBubba]

I'm on the strike-nav track,

Strike-nav == WSO

 

[Steve Wilkins]

I want to buy a house when I come to P'cola but I'm not sure how long I'll be there for.

...and on that note, I would not recommend buying a house unless you plan to rent it out after you leave.

 

[quantumburnz]

...and on that note, I would not recommend buying a house unless you plan to rent it out after you leave.

I fully intend to rent the house after I leave. I'm so sick of paying rent :icon_rage, I will never pay rent again if I can help it!

Sorry about the rep points thing, I didn't realize what it was or how to add it. Rep points added now though! Thank you for the continued input as well.

 

[JBM]

It's very expensive to buy down here right now. The banks are not lowering prices and nobody is buying. The market looks like it is gonna come down in about 6 months though...

Also before you make a decision, look into housing insurance...it is still unbelievably high after Ivan struck...

 

[a_m]

Definately try to find some of us other snfos down here for some questions, whether in threads or in pms.