quote:
...would be able to live with her(we are currently living together).
Drybean,
Those are some good questions. From the Navy's point of view (post OCS), they could really care less where you live. Some guys live in the BOQ (Bachelor Officer's Quarters) on base, but a lot of single guys live out in town, sometimes a couple guys get together and rent a house or something. So yes, you could get a place out in town, and your girlfriend could come out and stay with you.
quote:
...how much personal time you get while you are in training (after OCS...
Well, that really depends on what point of training you are at, also how well you are understanding the material you are given. Like Matt said in one of his earlier posts, the training program is REALLY front loaded during each of the stages. For instance when you start the FAM flights, you are struggling to learn all the aspects of flying, course rules, comms, and the new material that comes with each brief. So you are going to be studying most of the time when you are not flying, plus teaming up with some studying partners to go over the material and quiz each other.
Also during API, and ground school, prior to getting into the plane, you are spending a lot of time learning material (unless you have prior flight time, or majored in Aero) that is completing foreign to you. While not difficult to learn, it is a lot to take in in such a short period of time, hence the "fire hose" effect.
I personally found that from my FAM13X checkride on, to be very easy for Primary training, and had quite a blast. That was just the "hump" for me, when it all just "clicked" and I went from thinking about what I was doing, to actually subconciously doing it, sort of like learning to drive a 5 speed for the first time, then that muscle memory kicks in and frees up more of those brain cells for other work in the cockpit. Same thing happened to me again here in Advanced training, it took me till around FAM6 in the T44 till I felt comfortable in the aircraft.
quote:Is training so intense that we would be better off if she stayed where she is? Are there breaks in the training where I would be able to visit her?
I think I have seen and heard of all sorts of different arrangements that guys have had with their girlfriends/wives while going through training. I personally don't think training is "so intense" that you guys should be apart, but I also think your girlfriend needs to have a really good understanding of what you are about to enter into. I sat my wife down and explained that I would be studying more than I ever did in college, plus group studying, and then the varying hours of your schedule when you actually get into flying. My wife was great about it all, and I made her a part of my "studying machine" so to speak. I still think she probably knows my EPs and checklists better than I do!
But throughout training, I have always made time to back off from the books, either going to the beach/pool, taking my wife out to dinner/dancing and a movie, you name it to free some stress up, and spend some quality time with the better half. It is all a balancing game, how much stress will the seperation cause you? Would it be better to have her here and helping you out? You know your relationship, and are going to have to make the call on that one. The other thing to keep in mind, is that she will more than likely be completely uprooted from family/friends. While you day in and day out will be meeting new people in the training program and busy studying while she may be left out there alone. Recommend finding the other guys in your class with wives and girlfriends and getting some phone numbers and getting them together, may help.
Whew, a long answer, I will get off my soap box now. Hope that helps answer your question, sure other people probably have their two cents to add in also.
