My fiance just went into bootcamp a little over a month ago and well getting answers from him isn't exactly the easiest thing. He will be attending A-school in Pensacola, FL and I had a few qestions if someone could please help answer them for me I would really appreciate it.

1. How long is A-school???
2. Does he have to live on Base during A-school?
Even if he is married by then?
3. How often does he get liberty and how far is
he allowed off base?
4. He is trying to go for P3 mechanic, how
often do they usually get deployed and for
how long ( I know everyone is different but
at least so I can get a generalization)
5. For a P3 mechanic, what type of school comes
after A-school and for how long?

quote:

Originally posted by ZS_GIRL:

1. How long is A-school??? what rating? ther are two main areas that attend A school in Pensacola: Aviation and CT. A schools are anyhwere from a few weeks long to several months long.
2. Does he have to live on Base during A-school?
Even if he is married by then? yes. for one, getting married between Boot and A school is almost impossible. 2: only schools lasting longer than six months can he request to bring dependents down and seek out approval to live in town or in housing. MINIMUM.. the first 30 days he must live in the barracks, regardless of marital status.
3. How often does he get liberty and how far is
he allowed off base? Each A school sets Liberty restrictions. plus ther eare pahses. first Phase he cannot leave base at all, gradually he gets permission to leave base during the day all the way to Final Phase, where his weekends are free to include overnights off base so long as he is not on duty. I have seen the mileage restriction be as low as 35 miles. I have also seen it much higher. and sometimes, they cannot cross state lines.. even if the Florabama bar is within the mileage restriction...

I cannot answer the Aviation related questions, DH is in the CT community.

After "A' school he will get orders to his duty station with "C" school in route or after he arrives. "C" school is specific to P-3s (or whatever airframe he gets assigned to) and trains him to repair that specific airplane. Length of "C" school depends on his rating and last from a few weeks to a few months.

Deployments vary but you can usually expect at least 6 months.

Does he already have orders through to a P-3 outfit--or does he just want to go to P-3s? When he gets detailed out of A school as an AD or whatever, he could go anywhere they might need him.

I wish I could give you more information all he has told me is that he will be going to A school in Pensacola and that he is going to try for P-3 mechanic? Do you know how I can find that out? Its kinda hard to find out answers about stuff while hes in bootcamp. The mail takes so long.

So he will attend C school wherever he gets stationed? Or is he going to have to go somewhere else for c school and then he'll get stationed? Sorry I'm a little confused and I'm just trying to figure stuff out as I go along, this is all new to me. And you say 6 months at a time? how often is that usually?

Not sure but I guess I know what I can ask him next time I finally get to talk to him or when I write him later. The only thing I do know is that his orders put him straight through to A school in Pensacola. Would his recruiter be able to tell me??

He has a 3 week break between bootcamp and A school. We knew all of this when he enlisted so we planned our wedding for then. but I'm just mostly trying to figure out when I'll be able to be with him again on a day to day basis.Its miserable not being able to be with him or talk to him

he has to go through the core aviation training first. How well he does on that, coupled with what C schools are avaialble when he is done, determines whther or not he will get P3s.

he could finish top of His A school class and still not get it because the Navy won't have a need for P3 mechanics when it comes time for him to choose a platform.

as for the break between Boot and A school..still no guarantee he will be permitted to go any where. In fact, I can pretty much promise he WON'T. My stepson also had a one month break between Boot and A school( at he time he too was going aviation before he was DQ'd for his ankle) and he did NOT get to come home.. he went to Pensacola and hung out doing scut work.. so unless you were planning on going there to get married....

Generally speaking, C schools are on the same COAST he will be statioend at, but not necessarily the same base. he could get stationed at Mayport or even Oceana after C school in Pensacola. or even Overseas.

as for deployment lengths and rotations: there are no more set scheduels any longer. 6 months is average.. he could be gone four 4 months, home for 3 and then gone again for 6. every time the sqaudron deploys, he will most likely go too.

well I hope thats not the case for his break cause his recruiter guaranteed he would be back. She siad all he would have to do is show up to the Navy office twice a week to check in. Thats why we did the wedding for when he comes back. If he isn't here we will lose everything as far as out deposits go and a bunch of people will be very disapointed.

quote:

Originally posted by ZS_GIRL:
well I hope thats not the case for his break cause his recruiter guaranteed he would be back. She siad all he would have to do is show up to the Navy office twice a week to check in. Thats why we did the wedding for when he comes back. If he isn't here we will lose everything as far as out deposits go and a bunch of people will be very disapointed.

ZS-Girl
It appears you have made wedding plans while the horse is way out ahead of the cart, not even in harness yet. Your young man is in an occupation directed by schedules, schools, quotas, and time constraints not of his making. The word "wedding" is not a reason to alter the scheduled and timed progress of your young man's new career. May I recommend you alter your wedding plans until you can see a clear picture of when your young man has time in his directed schedule for leave and a marriage ceremony.

This is friendly advice from one who has heard the pleas of wedding plans for many years. Alter your plans to fit his career.

quote:

Originally posted by ZS_GIRL:
If he isn't here we will lose everything as far as out deposits go and a bunch of people will be very disapointed.

I agree with sb5

and be prepard to be disappointed. you have ZERO garuntee that he will be allowed leave, or that he will even graduate boot on time. His orders will not be handed to him until the day of departure.

The motto of the Military wife is "Semper Gumby"-always flexible. If your wedding doesn't happen as you planned it, frankly, too bad. You're not the first nor are you the last. If you can't come to terms with that it's going to be a rough few years on you while he's in.

How do you know there will be a 3 week class up break?

my own wedding was pushed back FOUR TIMES because of the military.. twice while he was in C school and twice after he was in the Fleet.
honestly.. expect that it will NOT happen so you need to talk to your vendors NOW to see if they would be willing to work something out.

quote:

Originally posted by catherine0830:
[QUOTE]"Semper Gumby"-always flexible.

Cathy
Goodurn. Never heard that one before, but it is an excellent fit.

Those wives who married Navy careerist early know the pain of absences, short budgets, illness when hubby is gone, and plans that flush down the tube when hubbies Squad/Ship pulls out or does not return on schedule.

I recently attended a Reitrees Group counseling at NAS Lemoore and part of the humor was how we used to eat BBJ sandwiches for the few days prior to our one payday per month. God, what a career. But we came out well.

BBJ Sammiches? What the heck are those?

Perhaps he meant PB & J which many of us know very well. Another good quote is "Semper Separatus"--you can probably figure that one out...

ZS_GIRL

All of the above posts are right as rain, maybe not fun reading, or what you wanted to hear, but very very true.

BUT it can be done...BTDT..My wife and I married as teenagers --48-- years ago!!! It CAN be done!!!!!

And by the by we ate Peanut Butter and Saltines..

Doris Day sang it.. "Que Sera Sera"

ZS_Girl, I'm not sure if your fiance wants to hang his hat on the P-3. It's an ageing aircraft, soon to be phased out by the P-8 (turboprop aircraft to jet aircraft). Not sure on the timeline to phase in the new aircraft. He might just want to stay open to whatever opportunities are out there. This will become clearer as he delves into A School. The "needs of the Navy" will dictate as well.

Catherine0830 I know he'll have a 3 week break cause there is a 3 week lapse between his boot camp and a-school. That and his recruiter keeps telling us he will be home when he's done with bootcamp and he'll have to go check into the Navy office every day while hes here. But aparently that may not be the case.

quote:

Originally posted by ZS_GIRL:
Catherine0830 I know he'll have a 3 week break cause there is a 3 week lapse between his boot camp and a-school. That and his recruiter keeps telling us he will be home when he's done with bootcamp and he'll have to go check into the Navy office every day while hes here. But aparently that may not be the case.

Recruiters are like used car salesmen. There are some very good ones out there, but some will tell you what you want to hear.

Sparsons Thanks for all the info so far. As far as him doing the P3 thats just something he was talking about going for but other than that I don't really know anything. I'm sure he'll be able to tell me more or figure it out while hes in A school but I'll be sure to let him know that they are going to be replaceing the P3. I know hes also trying to avoid a ship as much as possible but I'm sure its inevitable.

Yea trust me we're finding that out.

quote:

Originally posted by Flamethrower53:
BBJ Sammiches? What the heck are those?

Dang, modern Navy needs. I should of said Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. Thanks sparsons.

I thought all Mom's fed their kids snacks of BB&J sandwiches prior to dinner, and once we became career sailors we were recycled back to BB&J prior to paydays.

ZS-Girl: Three weeks off after boot camp, and only has to report to the Recruiting Office daily? This sounds like 3 weeks of free time, no leave charged. The world of PB&J has changed. Hon, don't hang your hat on the Recruiter's word. If the 3 weeks does come off it possibly will be a surprise to everyone on this board.

Anytime the new ex-Boots had down time between assignments they were placed in holding units to pick up cigarette butts and polish hallways. But free time home? A very far reach at best.

quote:

Originally posted by ZS_GIRL:
Catherine0830 I know he'll have a 3 week break cause there is a 3 week lapse between his boot camp and a-school. That and his recruiter keeps telling us he will be home when he's done with bootcamp and he'll have to go check into the Navy office every day while hes here. But aparently that may not be the case.

that is known as Home Area Recruiting and is NEVER a guarantee. you request it..and it can be denied.. by the recruiting office, by his RDCs, by the A school he is going to.

Hi!
I know it must feel horrible right now, what with him being gone and you not knowing when you will get to see him again on a regular basis. My husband is in DEP right now, and I know he'll be gone for at least 5 months (RTC + at least the first 9 weeks of A school) before the kids and I get to move to be with him. Its tough. However, I know this is the name of the game. These first separations are only precursors for what is to come. We need to learn to get used to not having our boyfriends/husbands around, because they can (and most likely will) be gone for even longer stretches of time in the future. Your fiance just signed up for several years of this, and in a way, so did you. Sorry.

Personally, I would hold off on the wedding plans and recoupe all the funds you can until he is sure of his future deployment. Even if he goes to A school there is that chance he might not make the grade and be shipped off to the fleet before completing. The only sure thing in the Navy is that nothing is a sure thing. As far as hoping for shore duty. He should have joined the Army. And that 3 weeks off after Boot. Unlikely! He'll get TAD before that. Temporary assigned duty. He'll know more when he complets Boot, First hope he get's that done. I went into boot with about 107 men and about 92 completed with me. But many things have changed since the days of sails when I was in.
Well you know your getting old when your back goes out more than you do, or when happy hour is a nap

quote:

Originally posted by ZS_GIRL:
Catherine0830 I know he'll have a 3 week break cause there is a 3 week lapse between his boot camp and a-school. That and his recruiter keeps telling us he will be home when he's done with bootcamp and he'll have to go check into the Navy office every day while hes here. But aparently that may not be the case.

Hey ZS...I went through P-cola in 2007. THey will probably send him to P-cola and then he will be on hold, probably barracks support while he waits to class up. It's up to the command whether he can take leave or not while he is on hold, but I am guessing no because he won't have enough leave accumlated yet. The TWO weeks of leave he will have will be between his C school and his final command. Judgeing from your previous posts, I would guess that he is going to be an AS, but I don't know how long the school is, maybe someone else knows?

2nd, as for moving dependents to A school, I went though the same thing. Even though my AT school was approx 7 months, counting hold, the navy says that if your ORDERS say more than 180 days, you can move dependents at navy expense. No bull, my orders were cut for 178 days, so I was SOL.

And sad thing to let you know about P-cola, they stopped allowing the married guys from living off base with their families back in Nov 07 due to problems (underage drinking parties in married guys and gals homes). It was a rotten deal for them, but the command at the time wouldn't hear of changing the policy. I hope for their sakes the policy has been changed since then, but I haven't heard much about it.

Good luck and keep us updated.

I would like to add something for the prospective Wives of squids. Not to be harsh, but get used to not having your man around. Once he's done with the skate duty of schooling, he'll be out in the fleet. Please, prepare yourselves for LOONG periods of time when he will be away doing the bidding of Uncle Sam in some far off corner of the Ocean. This is the nature of the beast you are signing up for. No, it's not pleasant. No, it's not fun, but these are the FACTS.

Do yourself, and your man a favor; square with that concept NOW. You will be better off.

What Eric said.

I say this as a spouse of 11 years who has been with DH since before he enlsited 14 years ago.. so the first couple of years.. was as a less than nobody GF.

quote:

Originally posted by ErikBloodaxe:
I would like to add something for the prospective Wives of squids. Not to be harsh, but get used to not having your man around. Once he's done with the skate duty of schooling, he'll be out in the fleet. Please, prepare yourselves for LOONG periods of time when he will be away doing the bidding of Uncle Sam in some far off corner of the Ocean. This is the nature of the beast you are signing up for. No, it's not pleasant. No, it's not fun, but these are the FACTS.

Do yourself, and your man a favor; square with that concept NOW. You will be better off.

Erik - I am a spouse and I don't think it is harsh at all. I think there are some wives who no matter how politely you tell them or how many times you tell they don't want to hear it.

ZS_Girl

I'm a veteran of active navy and have seen and went through alot. There is no guaranteed on anything in the Armed Force unless is on paper, through out your husband career and your relationship in the Armed Force there is going to be alot of hurry up and wait. In plain English you have to be patient don't let things get to you and plan only when your sailor get the words from his command and then you both can plan. In your case I think your husband is coming home to assist the recruiter for couple of week before he goes to his "c" school and all he have to do is to show up the recruiter office. This is just the beginning of your relationship so patient is one of the most important things to adopt. Also be aware of your community or base, there is alot of program out there for spouse when their soldier or sailors are deploy, get involve and it will benefit you and your relationship down the road. Good Luck!

Sounds like your really into the control of your relationship and have set deadlines or schedules to be married within a expected window of time.

There are so many variables from getting set back 2 weeks in Boot Camp due to anything from getting sick, hurt, or failing Written Tests.

Both my Brother and I were in the Navy and sadly my brother missed going on Liberty Weekend at the end of Boot Camp due to some General Military Instruction like in An Officer and a Gentleman.

The pressure of being in a relationship in a very Intense time of his life could backfire on you and the "Dear John" letter will soon be in your mailbox or eMail. He will feel smothered with unrealistic requirements of a wedding band.

Lets say it does work out and you do get married. Now unless you are wealthy, you will be living on E1, E2, or E3 Pay and being married you qualify for FOOD STAMPS. So when you get your first apartment and go to the Rental Rip Off Company to get Furniture, the Rent to Own junk.... They will require an allotment of his pay be sent directly to them. You will end up living in a unsafe area, alone, away from family and HE will be GONE most of the time.

I watched a young couple in San Diego on my last Tin Can go from an Excited New Navy Wife to a very Hardened Young Wife in 2 years... She was very different. Young Wives become Victims when they know the Hubby is away.... The stuff of Lifetime Movies....

I waited until I was in 10 years until I got married. It only lasted 13 years.

As a Chief on Ships, I saw many of the problems encountered by my younger Married Shipmates and even had to intervene to help and guide them in the areas of Finance and Relationships.

Many Young relationships failed, and many young relationships caused work related poor performance issues leading to being let go from the Navy.

My recommendation is to WAIT until he is a E4 and at his first Duty Station before getting married.

If you do go ahead with the marriage, you will need a good family support system and being ALONE in a strange town with a Child and NO CAR could turn your Fantasy of a Relationship to a Horror Story.

Sorry to sound so Negative but someone needs to tell it to you like it is....

Good Luck,

AL

While I was an instructor at Great Lakes in 1985 a "A" school student flew his wife in for the weekend and it ended badly.... The fights, Alcohol, and Frustration.... After a night out on the town, he needed to get back to the hotel to sleep as he had to work in the morning. He was out of money and tired. His wife was caught up in all the attention from the hundreds of single sailors wanting to buy her drinks at the bar. He dragged her to the Hotel but she wanted to go back to the bar without him to enjoy the company of her new friends.... A fight in the Hotel parking lot resulted in him blacking out and beating her head into the ground. She did not make it.... As it turned out I was doing my 6 months as a "A" School Company Commander and he was one of my students. I went to court as the military representative. It ended badly for him and His Wife. Just another story of the pressure of a young relationship. Many of us could write books on the subject.

Good Luck.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HiTech123,

AL
You've given the girl some good advice. I joined in 57. I waited till I made PO2 which was in 59 and got married in 60. Even though the pay is a lot better than my time so are the expenses. Counseling young sailors later in my career due to problems at home mostly to do with money problems. The sailor would get a part time job which inturn would affect his getting to work on time. The indebtness letters,bad checks at the Comm,exchange,and civilian bills.
It's not easy being a young married wife and THe Navy dicates your way of life which often leads to divorce. The rate of divorces in the ARMED FORCES are the highest it's ever been.
But I wish this young lady the best of luck in her future plans because she'll need it.
TAK AMCS

ZS Girl,

I have been checking back and I did not see a reply. I was hoping for a update. Calls from Boot Camp are earned and sometimes don't happen very often.

First step is supporting him thought the Boot Camp Experience. When he finishes HE will be on top of the world feeling like he could do ANYTHING he wanted. The Boot Camp Training puts him in the state of mind that through hard work and team work he can accomplish anything. So expect an excited self confident "ROOSTER" when he gets back from Boot Camp.

He won't be able to give you FIRM answers with the TIME and SCHEDULE questions you will have. In my opinion he will have about 1% chance to influence his path over the next few years. He will have 100% Control over events in his life to END his Career. Anything from a DUI, Failure to pay his BILLS, Physical Injury like a broken leg, or a Auto Accident.

The Navy has RULES and HE will expect to follow them.... After returning from a 6 month deployment on a ship a co worker was out with his buddies with a bunch of DIRT BIKES. They were jumping HILLS.... Well he was under a hill when a buddy jumped and landed ON TOP of him. He had severe injuries and head trauma. He was not wearing the required safety equipment including a helmet. After 6 months in a hospital the Navy Discharged him and because of not wearing the safety equipment did not cover any more medical.... He was on his own and could not walk.

Now for the Recruiter saying there would be 3 weeks between Boot camp and school.... In a perfect world that could be true.

He will be given orders to report to his "A" School base and to school. From there they go into a holding group or company where they will wait until they have enough students to start a class through the school pipeline. In that holding company he will do things like cut grass, paint, clean, stand fire and security watch or any jobs the NAVY needs to be done. So it could be one week or six weeks....

I left Boot camp in Orlando in 1976 and went to Great Lakes and left 13 months later after "A" and "C" School. I went from there to a ship stationed in Yokosuka Japan. It was an UNACCOMPANIED tour meaning if I was married I would still be going by myself... I was a E-4.

That was a 2 year tour then off to Norfolk for 4 years on another Tin Can.

With the world events in China and North Korea, I would expect that Hubby has a GREAT chance to end up stationed overseas in an UNACCOMPANIED tour. That means he goes alone. NEEDS of the NAVY.

This is just a little more Tuff Love Talk to give you a better feel for what a Young Wife would be dealing with in Today's Navy.

The Navy has a Very Low Tolerance today for Sailors that have events that bring discredit to the Navy like Alcohol, DUI, and Finances so being Married can really complicate his life.

Your behavior as a Wife will directly effect his career. If you bounce a check buying baby food at the base you can expect the Navy Exchange Store will be calling your Hubby's Commanding Officer as you are HIS Dependent.
Bounced Checks are a leading cause of Trouble for Young Couples. This will lead to being denied permission to reenlist and end his career. Then it is back to the current job market that is very poor. Today a McJob is looking good...

Honestly, I went in the Navy from day ONE planning to do 20 Years.... There are very few Good Jobs in my Hometown and returning 28 years later with a Retirement check is a good Thing. I worked for SONY for 8 years fixing Play Stations and stuff.

You ask, How far can he drive on Liberty.... Given the choice of spending the weekend with you and driving many hours back to the base to sleep and be ready for Monday Morning School all tired or jumping out of a Rack in the Barracks well rested and ready to LEARN... Which is better.... Weekends are time to do Laundry and prep your uniform for the following week. Time to hit the BOOKS and prep for the next week.

When it comes time to pick orders at the end of "A" School it usually goes with the Class Academic Standing. #1 gets to pick his choice of orders. #30 may not get a "C" School and be sent to a Aircraft Carrier as a E1 or E2 and be given the job when he gets there. And he may have ZERO Choice in what he gets.... It is called an UN-Designated Striker. So the better he does the better the chances to get a school he wants....

The Navy is EVEN tasked to send people to IRAQ and other places in the SAND BOX..... Navy in this age does not always mean Ships or Aircraft.... Think Ground Pounder....

So that is my thoughts and guidance on Marriage and the Military. You may not like what I say but I would rather give you the worst possible situations and if you have the courage to go forward support him in His Endeavor in the Navy and Build a Family.

MANY have gone before you and have SUCCEEDED in building a Career and Family. The trick is to go into this with your eyes OPEN, and be Flexable.... We have many humorous levels of Flexibility in the Navy with the Most Flexible being called "Fluid", and "Vapor".... Kind of like a scale from 1 to 10....

I blew a free round trip to Hawaii being tied to a Navy Schedule while on my Honeymoon in Hawaii. The Flight back was overbooked and I was offered a free round trip flight to step off, but could not do it as I was Scheduled to Teach a "C" School Class at Great Lakes on Monday Morning. Had to be there....

Good Luck,

AL

With over 900 views as of today you have the interest of a great numbers of people.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HiTech123,

Bump....

Update.... Happy or Dear Jane Letter?

LOL

Close, but
still wanting to find Z's Girl

quote:

Originally posted by Fierce_USN:
Close, but
still wanting to find Z's Girl

HAHAHA!

stay safe Z!

Sorry it took me a while to get back for an update, things have been pretty crazy around here. Thank you for everyone's input, trust me I am very aware of what to expect, and I'm ok with it. I mean I realize bootcamp is only 2 months, which is nothing compared to say a 6 month to a year deployment but it was still tough and I made it through.

AS far as Zane goes, he graduated bootcamp and I went to Chicago for his graduation. Sad his family couldn't go but I'm glad I got to. Needless to say it was a real emotional weekend. He left for Pensacola FL, right after and I drove up (5 hours) to visit him a couple times and vice versa but he did get his leave when he was supposed to, the wedding was beautiful and a lot of fun. We're now happily married and have a beautiful 2/2 apartment in Pensacola. He is currently on brown bagger status and still waiting to class up for a flight engineer on a P3. I'm currently working on trying to find a job which shouldn't be too hard, I mean I have a bachelors degree and theres plenty of people hiring here. So, things are going well, the two of us couldn't be happier with our decision or the way things are going. All the bills and food are paid for with plenty left over for fun and savings which makes everything smooth sailing.

And as for the person who said I sound like I'm controlling and have set unexpected deadlines. You shouldn't really say anything when you don't know the situation cause it wasn't me that was pressing to be married by a certain date, all of that was his decision and he was pressing for it since before he left for bootcamp. I was just going along with it, it didn't matter to me when or how we were married, I just want to spend my life with him. The only thing I was worried about is all the people who made travel arrangements for the wedding losing their money and us to losing our deposits. But we already have furniture, I've been living on my own for quite some time now, I've lived in several different cities not knowing anyone, and if I end up far away from family and friends doesn't mean I can't visit and new friends can always be made. I have my own car and so does he, and I don't have a child and we aren't planning on having one for at least 3 to 4 years. Not that any of that is really your business or that any of it even matters now, its over with but someone talking out of their ass and creating a situation or senario that doesn't have anything to do with us or our situation and trying to give advice is very offending. But more than anything it just makes you look ignorant.

Sorry if I sound like a ***** and I mean no disrespect, I'm sure your just speaking from experience but sometimes its just better to just keep your mouth shut.

quote:

I'm currently working on trying to find a job which shouldn't be too hard, I mean I have a bachelors degree and theres plenty of people hiring here.

They may be hiring, but they probably won't hire you once they figure out you won't be there in 9 months, at least for any kind of job that actually requires a bacceloriate. You need to factor that into your job search. Really, other than odd jobs/low wage stuff, you are better off just taking the time off until your hubby gets to his permanant duty station.

One of the sad, yet not surprising bits is the trouble military spouses have with getting jobs. Employers know that Mil spouses rotate frequently, so they tend not to hire them. You'll know when they ask you, "so when did your husband get here?" They can do the math.

I guess we can call you Mrs Z, now,lol. Don't get too rioled at some of teh comments on here. They aren't put out to **** you off, but things that all of us 'oldtimers' have seen, often times, more than once.
You've gotten some good advice.
Remeber, any couple can make it, when everything's hunky-dory, it's th eones that can persevere, when the chips are down, that are the ones that are special.
Good luck