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  1. ben

    New movie out soon. "300"

    Yes, I am a Texan. Yes, I like guns. No, I am not in favor of anyone telling me anything about what I can/can't to or can/can't have regarding firearms. However, I have not heard of "Molon Labe" in my entire life. Thanks for expaining, I'll try and appear more educated in the future :D.
  2. ben

    Sonic Boom in Pensacola Area

    Thanks for posting that link. My wife and I felt/heard the boom here at our home in Milton. We were both caught by surprise and neither of us were sure exactly what had happened, though I thought it probably was a sonic boom. It sounded a little bit like a short roll of thunder, but thunder...
  3. ben

    New movie out soon. "300"

    I really didn't pay that much attention to the posts here, but if we're talking sword and spear warfare , why is this thread it the "Firearms" forum?
  4. ben

    Learning to Fly Helicopters

    My first helo experience was similar to what others have posted here. Flying course rules out to the field wasn't too bad, not entirely different from fixed wing. As long as the "left hand goes up to make the helo go up" concept isn't cramping your brain, you should be ok. Understanding the...
  5. ben

    Relationship Question

    I am not intimately familiar with all of the rules on this subject, but I'm fairly certain that if you were in a pre-existing relationship before your military service (for either one of you) then you have nothing to worry about.
  6. ben

    Telemarketer Prank

    I'm gonna have to say that the first link was significantly more entertaining.
  7. ben

    Telemarketer Prank

    Hahahaha that's worth keeping around even if it's not aviation related, IMO. And my opinion counts :D.
  8. ben

    Standard of living of newly commisioned ensign

    What is your degree in? That's a lot of cash to be able to pay that all back in two years... sounds impressive.
  9. ben

    Money spent during OCS

    Listen to Brett. You do not need to worry about uniforms until you are actually at OCS. They have several payment options, including getting an Exchange credit card that will save you 10%. Outside of that, you won't have any large expenses. A few hundred bucks, just like the OCS site...
  10. ben

    Oakley's military deal

    I did the gov't order thing... extremely satisfied. To get exactly what I wanted I had to combine discount frames with retail lenses, but it was worth it.
  11. ben

    What if you change your mind?

    ^^ The contract BDCP guys sign spells this all out. The alternative to earning a comission should be motivation for any BDCP guy to complete the program.
  12. ben

    The Aircraft You Never Hear Anything About

    Don't forget about the Army's C-23B Sherpa. I saw one doing weekend ops in Corpus Christi this year. Talk about a weird looking plane...
  13. ben

    Trying to go SNA

    I don't have my anthro sheet in front of me to compare, but I'm an average sized guy who was measured and disqualified for one particular aircraft. For me, they said my butt-knee length was too long for the T-45, which meant I couldn't train to be a jet or E-2/C-2 pilot. I think I could have...
  14. ben

    LORs

    llc21: I went through BDCP several years ago, and at the time knew no one in the military who would have been able to write me a letter. LORs from military personnel, active duty or retired, are NOT REQUIRED by any means. I realize that you didn't ask that specifically, but I see it on the...
  15. ben

    Pay Grades

    That happened to me. The BDCP contract said that I needed to be on the Dean's List. I had the 3.5 GPA for two semesters in a row but did not qualify for the list. I was in a full time status (min 12 hrs/semester) but my school's Dean's List policy required a minimum of 15 hours. It was...
  16. ben

    How Long is Acceptable?

    This is correct. Also, just be aware that there is a (large) difference between the day you start technically getting paid and the day you have cash money in your hands to spend. It took me roughly three months.
  17. ben

    Pay Grades

    I made the required 3.5 GPA under a full time load, but wasn't awarded the promotion because the dean's list at my university required more hours than the minimum for full time status. It was frustrating - I brought it up with my recruiter and he said there was nothing he could do. That was 3...
  18. ben

    Anyone play MS flight Sim 2004? Got a T34C?

    Seriously, you'll get the disc for free once you check into your primary squadron. Having it ahead of time really won't help you, in my opinion. If you want to have it just for fun, I'd stick with something else. It is good training though, especially when you get to RIs.
  19. ben

    CPR Take it.

    GMan, have some tact. I imangine that RockyMtnNFO has been through enough without your comments.
  20. ben

    CPR Take it.

    Glad he's OK! I hope I never have to use the knowledge, but I'm glad I have it just in case.
  21. ben

    Finding out where you'll be stationed

    It's like this: IFS API - find out where you go to primary Primary - find out where you go for Advanced (and which kind of plane you fly) Advanced - get your wings and become a designated Naval Aviator. Find out the location of your first duty squadron. Timeline: about a year and a...
  22. ben

    Any other alternatives to ROTC or BDCP?

    I was under the impression that you could apply for OCS any time. Similar to getting picked up for BDCP except you get an OCS date without the extra BDCP benefits (money, time in service, etc). Is this not how it works???
  23. ben

    Sedona and T-34's

    Haven't been to either, but that's pretty funny. The one in CC is on the "prohibited establishments" list, btw.
  24. ben

    Not a "spouse", but seemed appropriate.

    There are a few coasties in my advanced class. I'm 90% sure if you go through the Coast Guard you'll have to deploy on a ship before you go through flight school. You should look into the details before you make a big decision. Also, was your plan from day 1 to go into the military? I...
  25. ben

    Mypay

    I had a check arrive in the mail before the mypay direct deposit kicked in.
  26. ben

    BDCP vs. ROTC

    I recommend you get in touch with an officer recruiter. He/she will be able to answer all of your questions and get you started on your application. For BDCP you can get picked up either one or two years into a four year degree, depending on which degree you're seeking.
  27. ben

    Who makes unit patches?

    I think my old squadron got their patched through Wings & Things in Pensacola. Wings & Things Monogramming Address: 3815 W Navy Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32507 Phone: (850) 455-3081
  28. ben

    Where to do IFS

    I got my private certificate out of Easterwood and had a blast doing it. I can't comment about doing IFS since I didn't go through that particular program, but for me flying around TX was a lot of fun. If I were you I'd stay where you are and get done before heading to API.
  29. ben

    Weight of Individual Parts of Primary

    It is in print somewhere, I just can't remember where. We were told the individual weight of each stage during one of the horribly boring check-in briefs we got. I think it was in the curriculum brief (the one that explains the MCG). I'm not 100% sure anymore, but I think that RIs and Forms...
  30. ben

    What could go wrong?

    When I went through a couple of years ago, my recruiter explained to me that a professional recommendation is basically an actual acceptance, they just can't tell you that until you've cleared the PRT/MEPS/EPSQ. Barring some unforseen glitch in one of those parts of your app., you're in. They...
  31. ben

    IFS and per diem?

    Yes, if you are married. Otherwise I'm pretty sure it's one or the other. The navy will pay for you to have a roof over your head in one place at a time unless your spouse can't come with you on temporary orders and still has to pay rent at home. Make sense?
  32. ben

    GI Bill

    There should be an educational programs liason connected to your PSD office. I went to PSD and asked around until they got me to the right person. All you do is allocate how you want the $600 deducted from your pay and then sign a form. Painless and worth it.
  33. ben

    Loan Reimbursement?

    The short answer to your question is no, there is no officer loan repayment program in place. If you're still in school your best bet is to try for the BDCP deal. You'll make E-3 until you graduate, at which point you'll get E-5.
  34. ben

    Oar

    The OAR is a specific score derived from your performance on the ATSB. In the Navy I'm pretty sure all officer hopefuls have to take the test, regardless of designator. Obviously, the aviation specific stuff only applies to aviation applicants. I think that you can actually skip those parts...
  35. ben

    Xd.45

    Not sure if you're interested, but the Springfield will put tritium sights on for you if you mail your gun to the factory. Check out the Custom Shop part of their website.
  36. ben

    What are my chances?

    I'd advise you to listen to your recruiter. She should be informed on what scores are competitive for each billet and wouldn't advise you to submit your package if she didn't think you were qualified. Like someone else already mentioned, your GPA is pretty high. That will likely offset your...
  37. ben

    e-Bookbag

    Any use for those of us past primary?
  38. ben

    ID Card Question..

    Are you BDCP or straight OCS? If you're BDCP you'll be eligible for an ID immediately, as will your wife. Otherwise I think you'll have to wait until you report to OCS for your ID. You should be able to add your wife to DEERS while at OCS in the event that you can't do it beforehand.
  39. ben

    Questions about BDCP

    LORs are supposed to be from people who can attest to your work ethic, character, etc. I didn't know anyone military who could write a letter for me and I don't think it hurt me at all. The point is that your letters reflect who you are, and that's only going to be possible if the person...
  40. ben

    From the "Things not to do in A-pool" Dept...

    Four or five feet doesn't seem all that high to me. You can get more air than that with a regular behind-the-boat tube if you pop the wake the right way. All you need is a good ski boat. It's fun, but I can easily see how a guy could break his back.
  41. ben

    Housing Post OCS

    Yeah, you'll have time as a Candi-O. There will probably be other SNAs in your class who will be looking for roommates. You'll likely all class up for API around the same time so you'll have an instant study group. When I went through most guys were either living in Governor's Gate or Marcus...
  42. ben

    Bdcp Package: Where Am I?

    Your stuff looks good - you seem well rounded and your grades imply you'd be able to hack it in the Navy. I have no idea how the alcohol stuff could impact your chances, but I definitely agree that it was the right call to fess up. Good luck. I went BDCP a while back, let me know if you have...
  43. ben

    Whiting Pines Fencing

    My wife and I plan on moving into Whiting Pines housing this week and we need to put up a fence. The lady at the office said that all fences had to be taken down when residents move out. It seems to me that a fence isn't exactly something I'd want to take down if I took the time/money to build...
  44. ben

    Nko?

    If you're an official OC with an active duty ID card you should be granted access. Call the NKO helpline phone number and they should be able to help you with getting the account set up.
  45. ben

    Ensuring Your VT Squadron

    Not much related to the original topic, but I went through RIs first and finished up with PAs/Forms/VNAVs. You really build a quality scan in the RI stage that will make you a better pilot overall. There is just a little bit of adjustment required to get used to being in the front seat again...
  46. ben

    Computing NSS Quesstimate

    For my squadron (at least right now), using 300 in that same formula is accurate within a point or two.
  47. ben

    Updated list of things to bring?

    As far as the white t-shirts go, I recommend two sizes smaller than normal. Before OCS I wore size large, I took mediums with me, and ended up moving to smalls before it was all said and done. Especially if you expect to be there during any time other than the dead of winter... the collars...
  48. ben

    45 Acp vs .40 S&W .. H&K .. S/A ... S&W??

    bump @A4s - Did you ever decide which to buy? I've been looking into the XD in .45ACP as well, wondering if you picked that one.
  49. ben

    Places to live in Corpus Christi

    base housing Base housing in Corpus is pretty nice. Everything is either new or newly renovated. There is some older housing but it is currently being torn down. The management is done through a civilian company and they're not the greatest, but it's no worse than any management you'll...
  50. ben

    This will be the source of endless amusement

    I've actually heard from a lot of people that P-3's can be very career-limiting. Please elaborate for the benefit of guys like me who will be selecting soon. It sounds like a great lifestyle, but I'm not ready to decide today whether I want to stay in for 20+ or get out after wings plus 8...
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