I graduated from boot on 05 Oct and am looking to go into AST school, from all the information i have seen in videos,news articles and posts physical shape is absolutely crucial to this. I dont plan on putting my name on the list (if allowed and recommended) for about a year. I would like to spend that year getting into the best shape i can and the question i have is if there is a possible work out routine or series of workouts anyone would be willing to share with me. Also i have gathered that the mental stress part of the AST training is impossible to prepare for, how true is that and if its not entirely true what sort of exercises might help me mentally overcome this challenge. Feel free to email me at Vincec9999@hotmail.com and thank you in advance.
SN Collier. I do not have private conversations regarding the training. I think it's better here, out on the table. For all to learn and critique. First, I say put your name on the list now. The AN program and School will get you in shape. Unless you have serious problem like being overweight. In a year the list wait could go from a few months to a few years. My take on school was 2 things are crucial before going to school for the average AN. Know how to swim, and be in good in mental shape. The rest is mindless. Push-ups do not take talent just dedication. Swimming takes some skill that cannot be gained by just doing reps, you need a teacher. The mental game is possible to train for. I just think a lot of people do not know how to train for mental strength. Saying it's impossible is hog wash. Are you as mentally strong as you were 10 years ago, I doubt it. your stronger now! It can change. People like to be dramatic about AST "A" school. It makes for better stories. Mental strength comes in the form of delaying gratification, living in faith that things will get better, Dropping pride and ego, then asking for help when you need it. In school it is to late to ask. So you need to ask now, then follow that up with action! Also this is the biggest the tip for mental strength: you cannot think your self into better behavior, but you can behave yourself into better thinking. Think about that for awhile. Put your name on the list. The AN program will get you inshape for school. That's it's purpose, let it work for you. What do you hope to gain by waiting? Being in better shape? Again I think the AN program will help you more than training yourself will.
As for a work out, It's no secret what were doing over here. Swimming, running, push ups, sit ups, pull ups, chin ups. numbers and sets and what not are just minor details. I suggest joing a swim class if you need help, a competeinve team if you are advanced and play some sports, that should be enough till you get the AN program. That's 8 mos. of hard training the An program and school combine. You will be tired when that's all done.
Wow, so that’s all you got out of Dogshow’s post was the possibility of increased wait time for school? I can’t speak for Dogshow, but I think he is trying to say, “take care of the things you can control”. Like getting your name on the school list asap and start swimming, running, etc. The school list wait you can not control young jedimaster. As a general rule the school list waiting times are short compared to years past. The opposite was true for past years with wait times up to 2-3 years.. I remember getting my name on the list with an 8 month wait that soon jumped to 12 months, 18 months, and than to 24 months. I about died!! I know that other AST’s had to wait just as long.. Not so good. The waiting list time line can change due to many reasons not known to young and eager E-3s (budget, decreased attrition, new pool change over, etc.)
I'm on the A-school list now. I put my name up back in June, and am at #20 now. When I put my name on the list it had an estimated wait time of 6 months. Now it is listed at 4 months. [URL=http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cgPC/epm/epm-2/AO_Pages/airmanprog.html]
Bear in mind, as well, that every name on an aviation "A" school list just might not be ready to go to "A" school when that name is called. Some guys do not have a flight physical completed or some other necessary action hasn't been done in a timely manner. You might jump over a few names and go sooner than you think. Get your name on a list, get the prerequisites done; when you get your Airman Program orders to an air station then you should sit down, strap in, shut up, and hang on!! The way you handle the ride will determine if you're gonna make it in aviation.
