Boost Barracks

[NavySTL]

Does anybody know what the BOOST barracks are like? How many to a room? Is there a television, etc......

 

[fc2spyguy]

I was taking a look at the BOOST website that is linked from the sta-21 website and it looks like 2 to a room.

 

[STA-21-INTEL]

I'm in BOOST now so I can tell you anything you want to know. There are two to a room, very college-dorm like. A bunked bed with desk underneath with computer. Each person has a wall locker and small chest of drawers (three drawers). Thats about it. Very dull rooms. Very little personalization is allowed and once you switch to NSI, all personal effects must be stowed. I wouldn't plan on bringing alot of civies just because their isn't alot of room to store them and when NSI starts they all have to be sent home (I think they actually let you bag one set up to store for the last weekend). Alot of people here now are having to mail boxes of clothes home (not cheap). I live in family housing right now but everyone has a room (for the days you have duty and to do homework, etc) but I will move in full time the end of Feb. Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[boobcheese]

The description of the rooms sounds pretty accurate but they must have changed policy since I was at NSI in June of 03'. When I was there you were allowed to have civilian clothes. I actually wish I had brought more as we had liberty every day after classes and obviously on the weekends. If you didn't have enough room in your barracks you could simply keep them in your car if you brought it.

 

[squirrelgrl2005]

I graduated from NSI in April '04 and we did not get civilian clothes privileges until the end of Week 7. After going through 6-month BOOST, it was hard for a lot of us to store all of our stuff, but there's a room they use as a seabag locker so that was helpful. There's liberty after class (but on-base only for the first couple of weeks), but you have to be in uniform and there's a 2200 curfew for several weeks, moving up to midnight eventually and then overnight.

P.S. The rooms SUCK! Don't bring a lot of stuff, you don't have much room.

 

[fc2spyguy]

Do we get internet in the rooms?

 

[STA-21-INTEL]

Yeah, they provide internet to every computer, free. Main reason is so you can do homework, research, and they also send out class related email (you'll get an email address when you get here and no, student aren't on NMCI so accounts don't carry over) All the public email cites (ie hotmail, yahoo, etc) are blocked pretty effectively (no going through the german portal, etc) but there is an internet cafe on base that you can check those types of accounts from time to time if need be.

 

[KimberlyD]

Are they still allowing a/c units to be installed if personally owned?

 

[STA-21-INTEL]

They were allowing small window fan type units at the begining (not really air conditioners, just helped circulate the air) but they haven't been necessary since around the first of October (not really needed even before then) so the vast majority of them have long since been stowed. I believe they are not authorized during NSI, but I wouldn't stress it too much because it won't be needed at all! (I say that as I am watching out my window as the snow is piling up)

 

[fc2spyguy]

Are we allowed to hook our own computers up to the internet or do they have computers in there already that we have to use?

 

[STA-21-INTEL]

They have them already. A few of the BOOST guys have hooked up their own monitors to the CPU's, maybe a couple have used their own CPU but I'm not sure. I wouldn't plan on bringing anything that big, honestly. I would strongly discourage you from bringing anything other than uniforms and a very few civies. There isn't much storage in your room and they do have inspections weekly where all that personal stuff has to be out of site (except pictures on the desk, etc). When NSI starts even those have to be gone. The seabag storage room was mentioned earlier and this is available. Keep in mind, though, that it is a room the size of one of the dorm rooms that people from an entire wing (approx 20 rooms) must share for storage. If many people have their computers, it would be full REALLY quick and there'd be no room for the luggage it is really intended for. The people with their own monitors etc now, will have to send them home or somewhere when NSI starts. Think a slightly relaxed version of OCS. They don't pound you into pulp, but they don't go out of their way to make you comfy cozy.

 

[VarmintShooter]

How long is BOOST these days? When I was there it was a year long. A year of what you guys describe sounds like it would be even more miserable than when I was there. It's only a short program now isn't it?

Is Dr Shafaee Mogodham (sp?) still there? She was a ... well, I shouldn't say. Dr Fatoma was cool, as was Dr Vitalo. Several others were ok as well according to my buddies.

Good luck to those headed to RI, and be sure to try Becky's BBQ in Middleton.

B. I. G.

 

[fc2spyguy]

Yeah, I'm not really looking to RI but it's a means to an end that is well worth it.

 

[STA-21-INTEL]

It's not all that bad. I am surprised, honestly, that it is actually preparing em for college. I was not happy that I had to come, but now I think it has probably helped me. To answer the length question: There is a 6 month, a 3 Month, and the marines have a 9 month program. Dr. Shafaee-Moghadam is still here (my English teacher) and I know exactly how you feel. Don't know Fatoma. I had Dr. Vitalo for pre-calc last semester, he is really cool (not the best at "dumbing-down" math, but very cool).

Thanks for the recommendation for the restaraunt, I've been searching for BBQ somewhere!!

 

[squirrelgrl2005]

Dr. Shafaee.... ahh, the Shaf-meister. The memories... are interesting. Haha. Dr. V rocks, I had him for trig (which I sucked at). I remember Fatoma, he was teaching the Marines when I went through 6-month last year. I only saw him briefly, never talked to him or anything.

Is Mr. Prassl still there? I had him for pre-calc and algebra, he was probably one of the best math teachers I've ever had.