Hey guys,
I've just got back from my so called week at ACES. And here is what happened. I drove down from Valdosta the mornining of MArch25th. Upon my arrival I reported to the barracks as my orders instructed. And the clerks behind the desk looked as though they were surprised to see me. Luckily I was able to get a room, and actually it was quite nice, almost like a miny apartment.
But anyway when I arrived I immediately called the various phone numbers on my orders in an attempt to reach a point of contact. However, no one answered the phones, the pager # I had was incorrect, and their cell phone # was no longer in service. By this tim e I was a little agitated. I was in P-cola and that was it, I did'nt know who to talk to or where to go. So the next morning I got up and drove myself to NAMI (luckily I had an Itenerary) and I checked myself in with them, and I called my recruiter and told him the situation, and he gave me the # to the ACES coordinator Major Ardiss. And Guess what??!! Come to find out that the class was cancelled ten days prior!
I was ticked. But I took my flight physical anyway, and passed it no problem. But the Major was pretty cool. They did manage to give me a little impromtu tour of the base. I Checked out the simulator and I toured the swim facility. I went to the museum on my own. However, despite everything I did pick up a lot of info.
1. In reference to the T-34 flights THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SUSPENDED! I asked the major and he said that they were not. I did'nt get to fly because the Navy was'nt gonna gas up a plane just for me. But Again I assure you the flights are not suspended it came straight from the coordinator.
2. As for you weak swimmers out there (myself included) don't sweat it. I Had a Q @ A session with the swim istructors at API. And they said it is a very relaxed environment and they will take the time to help you swimm. And SNA's @ SNFO's go to the pool for an additional 5 weeks after they complete the 3rd class swim screen. He said if you can learn the breast stroke and be comfortabe with the water, by the time you leave OCS you should be a 2nd class swimmer.
He also said the same for API they are there to help you and the only ones who failed are the ones who gave up.
3. Last but not least the flight physical, Don't sweat it. The only thing they did different from my MEPS physical was dialate my eyes, and took my measurements. They did'nt even test my hearing they just used my MEPS results. And actually the MEPS Physical in my opinion was more intense. But anyway that about sums it up. I was pretty much finished by weds. but I had orders for the rest of the week. So for the rest of the time I just ate, slept, watched T.V and worked out.
Major Ardiss and 2nd LT Marcarthy helped eased things a little, so I'm thankful for that, and now the clock is ticking MAY19 OCS bound.
I know this was a little long winded but hey.
Stephen J. Hall
I've just got back from my so called week at ACES. And here is what happened. I drove down from Valdosta the mornining of MArch25th. Upon my arrival I reported to the barracks as my orders instructed. And the clerks behind the desk looked as though they were surprised to see me. Luckily I was able to get a room, and actually it was quite nice, almost like a miny apartment.
But anyway when I arrived I immediately called the various phone numbers on my orders in an attempt to reach a point of contact. However, no one answered the phones, the pager # I had was incorrect, and their cell phone # was no longer in service. By this tim e I was a little agitated. I was in P-cola and that was it, I did'nt know who to talk to or where to go. So the next morning I got up and drove myself to NAMI (luckily I had an Itenerary) and I checked myself in with them, and I called my recruiter and told him the situation, and he gave me the # to the ACES coordinator Major Ardiss. And Guess what??!! Come to find out that the class was cancelled ten days prior!
I was ticked. But I took my flight physical anyway, and passed it no problem. But the Major was pretty cool. They did manage to give me a little impromtu tour of the base. I Checked out the simulator and I toured the swim facility. I went to the museum on my own. However, despite everything I did pick up a lot of info.
1. In reference to the T-34 flights THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SUSPENDED! I asked the major and he said that they were not. I did'nt get to fly because the Navy was'nt gonna gas up a plane just for me. But Again I assure you the flights are not suspended it came straight from the coordinator.
2. As for you weak swimmers out there (myself included) don't sweat it. I Had a Q @ A session with the swim istructors at API. And they said it is a very relaxed environment and they will take the time to help you swimm. And SNA's @ SNFO's go to the pool for an additional 5 weeks after they complete the 3rd class swim screen. He said if you can learn the breast stroke and be comfortabe with the water, by the time you leave OCS you should be a 2nd class swimmer.
He also said the same for API they are there to help you and the only ones who failed are the ones who gave up.
3. Last but not least the flight physical, Don't sweat it. The only thing they did different from my MEPS physical was dialate my eyes, and took my measurements. They did'nt even test my hearing they just used my MEPS results. And actually the MEPS Physical in my opinion was more intense. But anyway that about sums it up. I was pretty much finished by weds. but I had orders for the rest of the week. So for the rest of the time I just ate, slept, watched T.V and worked out.
Major Ardiss and 2nd LT Marcarthy helped eased things a little, so I'm thankful for that, and now the clock is ticking MAY19 OCS bound.
I know this was a little long winded but hey.
Stephen J. Hall