Hello, I was released from the USCG Reserve after about a year to go to the Air Force Reserve. I have orders to go to tech school in a month (I never went to tech school in the USCGR) and wanted to know a few things before I went.

1. What are the living arrangements like? How will I know where to go etc?

2. What should I take? Laptop? Extra civilian clothes?

3. I am told I will be under TDY orders. How is that different from those coming straight out of basic? Is it longer, shorter?

4. I live in Dallas. Is there any time I will be able to visit my home?

5. Will I be able to have visitors?

6. I have had some people mention that I might want to bring some of my Webbing, and gear that I had from the Coast Guard (Eagle PC, Pouches, Oakely's, Gloves etc) Is this true?

7. I am new to the AF. Will I be able to follow up on certain procedures of my entry to the AF while at Tech School? (Gain my security clearance for the AF Portal, Check on Tuition Assistance)

8.People have said that tech school gives you one of your yearly physical fitness tests? Is this true?

9. I have an apartment. How do I apply for housing assistance to for it while I am gone? (Do I do it with my unit? At Tech? etc)

10. I have only been issued two sets of ABUs from my Reserve unit and a dress uniform. That is all. Do I need to buy the rest of my uniforms? Can I request them from Tech School?

Thanks in advance. I have jumped the Coast Guard ship so fast and set sail for tech school that I have yet to be able to get any real info from my Reserve Unit yet.

1. Since you are going TDY you wont be put up in the dorms with the other students, and you won't have to put up with the off duty crap they have to go through. All you'll do is go to PT, go to class, then leave. You should get a cash advance from you're home unit and you'll be put up in a hotel on lackland complete with private room and maid service. The only down side is you have to share a bathroom with the room next to you.

Your orders should either have reporting instructions or an address to a website with them, if they don't then when you get to lackland ask the desk at the hotel on base.

Also, the tech school for SF is right behind the hotel where you check in so you wont have any problems finding the place.

I would take a laptop and plenty of civilian clothing since you'll have the afternoons and weekends to do whatever you want. High speed internet is available in the rooms for free starting next month.

You should be able to visit dallas on the weekends as long as you have time. I think you'll just have to get a safety briefing from your instructors and tell them where you're going.

You can have visitors on base, I just don't think they are allowed to stay the night in your room because they are meant to be single occupancy. Not 100% sure on that one though.

The tech school will issue you all the gear you will need for the course and thats probably going to be what you are allowed to wear. As for the sunglasses and the gloves feel free to bring them, you should be authorized to wear them as long as they are uniform compliant and you are not in formation.

I have no idea on question #7 but I don't see why not.

As for the PT test, I don't remember what the TDY guys did but I know we did 3 tests while we were down there.

I would go to your finance office with a copy of your orders before you even leave to set up your housing allowance while you are gone.

If you are entitled to more uniforms get them from your reserve unit before you leave. I know you will be required to have access to every uniform combination while you are down there (ABUs, short and long sleeve blues, and service dress) so make sure you do. You may not be able to get more ABUs from your unit so its up to you if you want to buy more out of pocket before you leave, it just depends on how much laundry you feel like doing.

I just wanted to add a little perspective to your questions about Tech school in the Year 2008 as opposed to my reality of 1982. I am sure the guys on this forum who came in even before me have an even more "interesting" perspective. You will have a blast and don't take my answers as a slam, its not.


1. Living arrangements
A: Three to a room, bunk beds, one table 4-chairs, one window with a draft and squeaky floors..........oh yea community toilet down the hall

2. What should I take;
A: Me and my duffle bag of two pairs of civvies and the rest military cr&p

3. I am told I will be under TDY orders;
A: My orders read get on the bus go around the corner and get off 200meters from where you got on.

4. I live in Dallas. Is there any time I will be able to visit my home;
A: I lived in Wisconsin, the only time I had away was to visit Wilford Hall with Heat Stroke Actually we went to Corpus Christi ALOT!

5. Will I be able to have visitors;
A: Back than we used to sneak the lady friends through the first floor windows away from the CQ
or; you made do on the parade field

6. I have had some people mention that I might want to bring some of my Webbing, and gear that I had from the Coast Guard (Eagle PC, Pouches, Oakely's, Gloves etc) Is this true;
A: Just use the junk they give you, its free and there is no need ruining the good stuff.

7. I am new to the AF. Will I be able to follow up on certain procedures of my entry to the AF while at Tech School? (Gain my security clearance for the AF Portal, Check on Tuition Assistance)
A: I did'nt even know what that stuff was, all I cared about was graduation day!

8.People have said that tech school gives you one of your yearly physical fitness tests? Is this true?
A: I ran, carried, humped, pushed/pulled more cr$p in Tech school than that AF PT test every did. Oh yea than I went Camp Bullis!!!!!!

9. I have an apartment. How do I apply for housing assistance to for it while I am gone? (Do I do it with my unit? At Tech? etc)
A: Can you check on the Soldiers Relief Act?

10. I have only been issued two sets of ABUs from my Reserve unit and a dress uniform. That is all. Do I need to buy the rest of my uniforms? Can I request them from Tech School?
A: I can only hope Uncle Sugar gives you the rest. Don't you have a in-processing checklist from the school, house?