A-Pool Update

I figured since there hasn't been new gouge on A-pool in awhile I'd post some for the guys coming down for what it's like right now.

As stated earlier, the purpose of A-pool is to get everyone on the same page to class up. In A-Pool, everyone has appointments (NAMI, flight gear fitting, anthro, FAA physical) we need to complete before classing up for IFS/DIVOLC/API.

Muster is M-F, khakis, 0645 in the auditorium. There haven't been stash jobs given out, so more than likely you go home after muster. Not a bad deal.

NAMI is not half the beast everyone makes it out to be. All I had to do was get my eyes and ears checked, but some needed to do everything (EKG, x-rays, etc). As long as you passed the initial flight physical and have the documentation on waivers (I have one), you SHOULD be good to go. They are not trying to ruin your career.

The big thing for me was the fact that they treat everyone like children (part of the problem is that I went to the University of Florida - I'm sure the academy kids will be used to it). I understand where they are coming from, but it does get annoying. They will threaten to pink sheet you for everything. Bottom line is don't be a retard.

Other than that, everything is moving really, really fast down here. Time in A-Pool to classing up for IFS/DIVOLC is ~1 week.

Good stuff, mid. Checked in this past weekend. Its going to be about a 2 week wait in A-Pool to class up in DIVOLC for me. If you have your cloud card, sounds like API class up isn't too far behind DIVOLC (a week or two from what I was told). One month or so in the Pool sounds purty good to me.

Those pink sheet briefs were so demotivating haha. We also have to muster everyday now while in IFS.

Physically muster at the auditorium or just online through a website? Last year during the flying portion we just had to muster by logging in to the system; doesn't really make sense to make you do a physical muster during the flying part. I mean, if you miss a flight, the flight school will report it.

If you were privy to all the myriad ways ensigns have found to fuck up something as simple as A-Pool, you'd understand the 'pink sheet briefs'.

During that entire brief, I was thinking about how badly those before me must have screwed it up to require draconian rules to enforce common knowledge.

We have to physically muster at IFS office everyday, which is where I'm actually heading right now

Are they still sending students out to places like Mobile? I live on Perdido, and did IFS at Trident. So I'd have to drive on base, turn around, and drive to Alabama every day?

Yeah, it's funny to look at A-poolers with the benefit of relatively SHORT hindsight. Not a bad plan to brief all check-ins with: "Hey! If you have an idea about doing something - STOP. Don't do it. It's probably retarded, and will get you a pink sheet or booted".

Stupid ENS tricks (just like junior enlisted ones) remind me that you're basically retarded until at LEAST 25 (approximately. +/- for some).

There is a shit-load of Marines around the age of 20 who are leading small units in combat overseas as I type this.

Maybe idiots are just idiotic, regardless of their age and location, and when you give them a lot of time off, they do extra-dumb shit.

yup, I am currently finishing up divolc as I have classed up for IFS this week. When divolc is done tomorrow, i have to begin muster next week for IFS every freakin morning m-f which sucks, b/c basically I would have to go into the IFS office, sign a piece of paper, and leave for the day.

Yeah man totally sucks man.

yup sure does

Looking back, that was probably my biggest beef with how stuff worked.

Being treated like a child by the USN/DOD well into my thirties (although the frequency of being treated like a retarded teen did diminish post wings, it never stopped)

And for you about to comment on my performance, this was unit wide or bigger policies.

Sent from my PH44100 using Tapatalk 2

A lot of time off, a good paycheck, and (for many) their first taste of independence.

And then go party until you shit your liver out or your dick falls off, whichever comes first.

Sounds like a rough life. I do not recall the time we had to muster during A Pool, but I do know it was like twice a week, unless someone screwed up and we all got punished. Sounds like people keep screwing up and hence all the pain for all. Still you are getting paid to come to work for an hour, and the head home.

And get used to be treated like a child.

We met some "Marine FOs" tonight.....what is the difference between an a pool ENS/2lt and an A-school Sailor/Marine? Basically nothing, but the a-pooler will tell you how cool they are because they are going to fly in 6 months in the backseat......

What is the point of mustering if all you do is sign your name and leave?

What are the typical retarded/idiotic things that the new guys do to get reprimanded/pink sheeted?

Do we really have to answer that?

Did this event occur in the glorious Seville?

Enjoy this time "off" while you can.

If I was unmarried and wanted to risk my career over an 18 yr old or junior sailor, then yes, that would be my jam

Go ahead and complain about a CQ det to PCola more!