Air Force guy heading to PCola

[Dennis]

Well, just when I thought I knew as much as I could about SUPT the Air Force decides to send me to PCola.

In other words, I have no clue what to expect now. I've been doing some looking around but I can't find anything that's not a couple years old. I suppose I'll start w/ some questions...

-I have to do IFT before I do anything, so how will that work with the whole process?
-Where will I be living? On/Off base? Do I get a choice or is it made for me?
-My class date says 28 Aug but I hear that it doesn't mean anything?
-Will we be doing any swimming?

Looks like I'll be showing up there really late this Friday, maybe sometime Saturday. My orders say Whiting on them, but I should report directly to Pensacola, right?

 

[KBayDog]

Well, just when I thought I knew as much as I could about SUPT the Air Force decides to send me to PCola.

In other words, I have no clue what to expect now. I've been doing some looking around but I can't find anything that's not a couple years old. I suppose I'll start w/ some questions...

-I have to do IFT before I do anything, so how will that work with the whole process?
-Where will I be living? On/Off base? Do I get a choice or is it made for me?
-My class date says 28 Aug but I hear that it doesn't mean anything?
-Will we be doing any swimming?

Looks like I'll be showing up there really late this Friday, maybe sometime Saturday. My orders say Whiting on them, but I should report directly to Pensacola, right?

Don't know the particulars about AF training, but:
1. Start dates for API are flex; doesn't matter what service.
2. The AF pilots do not participate in swimming. The FOs/NAVs do, however.
3. You have the choice of living on or off base. If you are single and want to live on base, expect to live in the BOQ on Correy Station. If you want to live out in town, start looking for a place YESTERDAY. Married and want to live on base, you will most likely wind up in Whiting Pines housing (~45 mins north of NAS P'Cola).

I wish I could help you with any other questions, but I (like most on this forum) are not too familiar with the AF procedures. Good luck.

 

[Dennis]

I'm single and want to live off base. Is it that hard to find a place?? What is the BOQ at Corry Station like?

 

[KBayDog]

Can't speak for the Q; I'm married. From what I understand, bachelor housing in Pensacola (apartments, primarily) are non-existant. Your best bet is to call the AF unit you are reporting to, and ask them. I'm sure there are some single lieutenants that can help you out.

The bulletin board outside the computer lab at API is chock-full of listings for people who need a roommate to share a house; you might want to start there.

 

[zippy]

Good advice on the roomate thing- finding an apartment is tough, and time consuming and most places usually only have 2 bedrooms available. Start looking online now for what you want.

 

[Dennis]

is it that they don't have 1 bedroom apts or that they don't have them available? i've been looking online for a bit now -- no one is answering phones probably because its sunday/late afternoon -- but i've found a ton of places w/ 1 bedroom apts (doesn't say avail or not)

is living in the Q for a short time an option? as i understand it i'll have a bit of time while doing IFT and waiting for API to work this all out .. ?

I just finished OTS .. so figuring this out before hand wasn't an option, unfortunately. And now I'm stuck in San Antonio for MFS until Friday.

 

[KBayDog]

is living in the Q for a short time an option? as i understand it i'll have a bit of time while doing IFT and waiting for API to work this all out .. ?

You can live in the Q as long as you want. You have the privilege as an officer of claiming BAH, if/when you find a place you'd like to live.

As far as the specifics of AF life in P'Cola, I'm telling you, your best bet is to call your command. They will help you (though, I'll bet they won't help you until Monday...) You aren't the first to go through flight school, and you won't be the last.

The majority of the folks on this board are Squid/Jarhead types, so we probably cannot get too AF-specific (including your "IFT" - we have a similar program, but again, it is not the same as yours).

If you have general questions about flight school or life in lower Alabama, feel free to fire away.

 

[gregsivers]

After Hurricane Ivan came through the housing situation in Pcola was horrible. I left in Dec, and the waiting list for the apartment complex I was in was really long. They had someone signed up to move into our place as soon as we moved out. I would suggest going to the board right outside the Flight Management office on base in Pcola and look for places on there. Thats probably your best bet for off base.

The Q is either full or not, depending on who you talk to and what time of day it is. You might get a room there if you're lucky from what I hear.

 

[trvsmrtn]

I think I'm just gonna buy a pop up camper and live in the parking lot. I'm so tired of worrying about this damn housing deal.

 

[KBayDog]

Don't worry about it - you will find a place to stay. It is only getting better. It just requires a little more homework and effort, but it's not impossible.

You just cannot expect to walk up to an apartment complex and walk away with keys anymore. Call the housing office before you show up; they're the experts. 1-800-793-9407

http://www.naspensacola.navy.mil/housing.htm

 

[flynavy26]

I'll be heading down next Friday for house hunting leave (report to API May 1st). I am also married and thought about Whiting Pines but the drive would suck. I went to A-school in pcola and can remember the traffic lights down there were horrible.....yours turns green while the next one turns red and so on.
Does anyone live in Whiting Pines or know much about the Navy housing at Whiting? If it's nice I would almost consider it since I do have follow on orders there for Primary.

 

[KBayDog]

I live in WP; moved in about a month ago. It's nice - better than most places in Milton/Pace. Most everyone here is a SNA/SNFO. There is currently no wait for 0-1 housing (you might want to put your name on the "waiting list" just in case things get busy in May).

The drive really isn't that bad. In the mornings, it takes 45 mins. In the afternoons, it takes maybe an hour (figure 1:15 if you leave between 4 and 6). There are quite a few folks that commute for API, so carpooling is a possibility.

It will pay off once API is over. Plus, it's better (IMO) to suck up a drive for a few weeks than have to worry about uprooting the family after a month and a half (with the usual moving headaches), set up a new house, AND begin Primary.

PM me if you need specific info.

 

[flynavy26]

Thanks for the heads up KBayDog. I'll give it a go and check them out when I come down. I've heard some married folks say they rented a house halfway between both bases, but it just seems that would be even more of a pain. Thanks again.

 

[Dennis]

I'm sure I'll find a place. I was more wondering if I had to live on or off base. Thanks for the roommate tip-- I'll be sure to check there if I can't find a place for myself.

 

[ellsworb]

Af

Hey,

I'm an AF guy up and Whiting. Your contact at Pensacola NAS for A-pool, IFS, and API is MSgt Brown. Call the quarter deck (don't even remember that number) and ask for them to Xfer you or to have them give you his number. When I was down there, he was in and out a lot, but usually always had a Casual LT workin the phone. He'll help you out as best you can.

Congrats on getting Pensacola, means you only gotta go through 6 months of crap back at Vance (or track T44's and do the complete navy training).

you can e-mail me at invertedofficer@hotmail.com with any other questions.