Since I know a bunch of you are holding at the gates getting ready to come down here, I thought I'd pass some of the new gouge along so you all have a heads up. This is coming directly from the API Skeds officer, so I'm pretty sure it's good.
In the next month or so the API course (all 6 weeks of it) will be condensed to 3 weeks. All classes, exams, physical activities (swimming, etc), and physiology will be combined into this time period. The day should effectively run from 0530 ---- > 1800 in order to pack all that stuff in. The reasoning we were told today was:
1. The AF bought up a new primary training curriculum (JPATS) to go along with the T-6. It eliminates some of the redundant classroom and training evolutions that are currently in the pipeline. The Navy just picked up the same curriculum and is now in the process of implementing it. JPATS apparently doesn't include IFS or API, so the Nav has been fudging around with the system a bit as well.
2. This "master plan" incorporates a 20% attrition rate. The current API attrition rate is around 2%, so obviously something has to give. It was said that although this rate is much lower than in the past, now most of the attrites are happening in the VT's.....being more expensive at that point in training, they want to bring the attrition back to API. There was also something about API passing the trash on to Primary, so I guess that although our API classes have gotten better, we have been sucking more once we get behind the stick.
3. "They" also want to speed up the training program and make it more efficient.
Thus we have a 3 week API which will be shorter, and thus harder. Standby to take it guys. Sorry to say, but this will probably be an interesting transition. Note, this doesn't apply to those who are already classed up, just those who are going to in the next few months. Just thought you all should know! I know there are a couple instructors from both API and the primary VT's on here, so please correct this if my info is AFU'd.
In the next month or so the API course (all 6 weeks of it) will be condensed to 3 weeks. All classes, exams, physical activities (swimming, etc), and physiology will be combined into this time period. The day should effectively run from 0530 ---- > 1800 in order to pack all that stuff in. The reasoning we were told today was:
1. The AF bought up a new primary training curriculum (JPATS) to go along with the T-6. It eliminates some of the redundant classroom and training evolutions that are currently in the pipeline. The Navy just picked up the same curriculum and is now in the process of implementing it. JPATS apparently doesn't include IFS or API, so the Nav has been fudging around with the system a bit as well.
2. This "master plan" incorporates a 20% attrition rate. The current API attrition rate is around 2%, so obviously something has to give. It was said that although this rate is much lower than in the past, now most of the attrites are happening in the VT's.....being more expensive at that point in training, they want to bring the attrition back to API. There was also something about API passing the trash on to Primary, so I guess that although our API classes have gotten better, we have been sucking more once we get behind the stick.
3. "They" also want to speed up the training program and make it more efficient.
Thus we have a 3 week API which will be shorter, and thus harder. Standby to take it guys. Sorry to say, but this will probably be an interesting transition. Note, this doesn't apply to those who are already classed up, just those who are going to in the next few months. Just thought you all should know! I know there are a couple instructors from both API and the primary VT's on here, so please correct this if my info is AFU'd.
But that is good to hear that the VT's aren't just going down the shitter or anything