IFS and API

[rugby mike]

I am finishing OCS in last then a month and will head out to P'cola for IFS and API. Unfortunately, with the move of OCS to Newport none of the pilots have received much information on the transition such as wait times, pcs orders, dity moves, housing....you get the idea. Does anyone know (especially those who just finished ocs) what is the current wait to class up? If there is a wait can we OHARP without going first to p'cola?, Can we just stash in pensacola or any other pertinent information someone may have.

 

[JBM]

As of last fall it took a while for IFS. They were taking only 25 every two weeks. Before you can even get on that wait list you need to get your FAA physical though. Once you finish IFS it shouldn't take too long to class up for API though.

 

[loadtoad]

Hey Mike you will get the best answers if you call and talk to stucon yourself. Sorry I don't have any names or numbers. Hopefully somebody can pm with it.

 

[Tom]

It'll probably be 1.5 months to class up for IFS. Classing up for API varies by many factors so there is no real average. As for OHARP I haven't seen anyone from OCS do it recently.

 

[john1513]

Currently in API

As of fall '07, it took about 2 months to class up for IFS. After you finish, you go on to API pretty fast (it took me less than a week). According to our class roster, the average # of weeks on board before getting to API was in the 25-30 range.

 

[BACONATOR]

If you're IFS complete or not required (PPL), then expect to muster for 5 days or less before you class up. The wait for IFS is probably a month or more (in addition to the waits for medical etc).

 

[fc2spyguy]

I'm here right now, and don't have a clue when I'll class up. Don't worry about it, it'll happen, and there isn't much you can do about it except to get your check-in done quickly. Enjoy the time, we'll be busy enough later down the road .

 

[FlyMikeFly]

Very true, if you are IFS complete or IFS exempt, you will class up super quick, I did!

 

[Kycntryboy]

For the love of everything that is holy enjoy the time off, the suck is comming.... trust me it will.

 

[Morgan81]

As for the OPs other questions, I think you'll only get a PCS move if you're a prior and have follow on orders to Whiting. I got a crappy partial dity move (I think thats what they called it, basically cash per mile from Newport to here) and as housing goes, I'd recommend booking a few nights in the BOQ so you can check in, and have some place to crash while you apartment shop.
Personal experience note: If you do not have follow on orders to Whiting then you are almost assured a spot in Corpus. If you really want Whiting, you can request it and a few people have done that. Point is, if you don't have follow on orders, get a place as close as possible to base and don't worry if you'll get screwed driving to primary.

 

[SnipeDude]

As for the OPs other questions, I think you'll only get a PCS move if you're a prior and have follow on orders to Whiting. I got a crappy partial dity move (I think thats what they called it, basically cash per mile from Newport to here) and as housing goes, I'd recommend booking a few nights in the BOQ so you can check in, and have some place to crash while you apartment shop.
Personal experience note: If you do not have follow on orders to Whiting then you are almost assured a spot in Corpus. If you really want Whiting, you can request it and a few people have done that. Point is, if you don't have follow on orders, get a place as close as possible to base and don't worry if you'll get screwed driving to primary.

Also, do a search on the subject because you should be able to use your military clause to move up near Whiting if you don't go to Corpus.

 

[Morgan81]

Also, do a search on the subject because you should be able to use your military clause to move up near Whiting if you don't go to Corpus.

Right, forgot to say that. Every place I've seen here honors the military clause, and even if they don't the NLSO can get you out of any lease. I was referring more specifically to getting PCS'ed.

 

[ChunksJR]

Right, forgot to say that. Every place I've seen here honors the military clause, and even if they don't the NLSO can get you out of any lease. I was referring more specifically to getting PCS'ed.

Careful on this one...Unless things have changed (and they may have since I finished API in Jun 01 ) the military clause doesn't apply to moves <50 miles...And the NLSO probably has much better things to do than get you out of something that you signed yourself into...READ THE FINE PRINT.

Either way, if you've got a family and coming to Whiting, I'd recommend family housing/somewhere close to Whiting. If you're single, live in the plethora of apartments within 10 miles of UWF...and in Escambia County...Santa Rosa isn't dry anymore, but you can't buy on Sunday. The 30 minute drive is worth being closer to everything. (Until I put my house up for rent in a year or so...than you want to live 3 miles from Whiting... <waving hand in front of you, a la Jedi Mind Trick> )

~D

 

[Navel_Avatar]

I am reading about ROTC guys that are knocking out IFS near their schools. If I am USMC PLC, commissioned, and waiting for TBS, could I do the same at a FAA certified school nearby? If not, I'm not too worried about it.

Edit: Disregard, I just read the cans and can'ts on CNET. However, I could always get some stick time here first: http://www.stallion51.com/

 

[Herc_Dude]

I am reading about ROTC guys that are knocking out IFS near their schools. If I am USMC PLC, commissioned, and waiting for TBS, could I do the same at a FAA certified school nearby? If not, I'm not too worried about it.

Edit: Disregard, I just read the cans and can'ts on CNET. However, I could always get some stick time here first: http://www.stallion51.com/

Yeah, as you found out, you will do the IFS thing around Quantico or Pcola (and even that gouge may be bad, so someone back me up if it is...)

Going on in a 51 could be a good time. Probably expensive as hell. Don't know the profile they would fly, but besides some extra g's it will probably be just like an aerobatic flight you will be doing in primary. BTW, you get to do some of those solo - save your money.