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Prior guys lend me your ears

Daniel Falcone

Daniel Falcone

New Member
Gents,

I'm an active duty Ch53E Crew Chief who has already put in his package through the OSO - looking to attend OCS in January under an aviation contract. I tried doing my best research and of course talking to all of my stick wigglers in the squadron - all of which has given me tons of information, but I'm still left with some questions. Not sure if there is anyone on the forum that has crossed over to the dark side in a similar situation.

Just wondering if I will have to redo the entire swim qual during API. I understand I have to requal the dunker, but will I have to redo the mile swim and all the tread and floats if my swim qual is current?

I'm married and want to leave the wife in North Carolina for the entire pipeline - have you guys had any experience with being a geobachlor during the process?

Again, not really concerned with any of these issues - not putting the cart before the horse just questions I haven't seen asked before. Also, anything else anyone wants to speak on for prior Aircrew going the pilot route should concern him/herself with or not with would be helpful.
 
Treetop Flyer

Treetop Flyer

Well-Known Member
pilot
Daniel Falcone said:
Gents,

I'm an active duty Ch53E Crew Chief who has already put in his package through the OSO - looking to attend OCS in January under an aviation contract. I tried doing my best research and of course talking to all of my stick wigglers in the squadron - all of which has given me tons of information, but I'm still left with some questions. Not sure if there is anyone on the forum that has crossed over to the dark side in a similar situation.

Just wondering if I will have to redo the entire swim qual during API. I understand I have to requal the dunker, but will I have to redo the mile swim and all the tread and floats if my swim qual is current?

I'm married and want to leave the wife in North Carolina for the entire pipeline - have you guys had any experience with being a geobachlor during the process?

Again, not really concerned with any of these issues - not putting the cart before the horse just questions I haven't seen asked before. Also, anything else anyone wants to speak on for prior Aircrew going the pilot route should concern him/herself with or not with would be helpful.
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Since you would be doing swim qual for an ejection seat aircraft, you will have to do it all over again. Plus it wouldn't make sense to skip the opportunity to renew your currency even if it was up to you.

You're right though, that stuff isn't very important. Getting to and through OCS is.
 
Ken_gone_flying

Ken_gone_flying

"I live vicariously through myself."
pilot
Contributor
I was prior C-2 Aircrew that was current on swim quals when I went through API. You have to redo everything. The only thing you don't have to redo is SERE School.
 
Pakol

Pakol

Learner's permit
pilot
Currently rooming with a prior-service rescue swimmer here at NAS. He did the whole kit and caboodle over again.
 
EODDave

EODDave

The pastures are greener!
pilot
Super Moderator
If you have it documented, take it in and ask. Worst case, you swim it again. Best case, you get a day off with pay.
 
HueyCobra8151

HueyCobra8151

Well-Known Member
pilot
When you say "leaving your family in North Carolina for the entire pipeline," I'm assuming you are talking pre-TBS until post-Winging. Just food for thought, but that can be a pretty lengthy process.

I commissioned in December 2008, started TBS April 2009, checked-in down at Pensacola in October 2009, and didn't start API until August 2010 (and I was one of the first guys from TBS to go). Finished primary in 11 short weeks (fuck that was painfully short), and winged (helos) in August 2011.
 
Daniel Falcone

Daniel Falcone

New Member
Thanks for sharing your experiences guys! Is the wait from checking into Pensacola and starting API usually just as lengthy due to backups and such? And if you don't mind me asking - what did you do while you waited?
 
P

Pags

N/A
pilot
Daniel Falcone said:
Thanks for sharing your experiences guys! Is the wait from checking into Pensacola and starting API usually just as lengthy due to backups and such? And if you don't mind me asking - what did you do while you waited?
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Drink, golf, PT, fish, chase skirt, road trips...you know, good clean fun that keeps you out of trouble.
 
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