basic training

[cheifrider]

just found out my sons girlfriend enlisted today ,communications i guess (mos 25u?)leaves for her basic in april.

[micmac]

She will be in my thoughts and prayers,
Pete

[shane]

Ive been in the militery for 6 years and im glad to hear of your pride.

there is nothing more rewarding to a soldier than his fathers pride in him.

[cheifrider]

kids

well, my boy is in ft. eustis va learnin about whirlybirds ,and my future daughter in law just reported to ft. gordon ga to learn how to mess with your head using electronics ,it was twenty seven years ago today that i reported to ft benning ga. for basic training, IT WAS HOT!we have lost 2 local kids in the past 2 weeks " over there", christ they werent but 19 and 20 years old , RIP GUYS !

[cube74]

Congratulations, as a vet myself I know that what he will experience will make him a better person and stay with him for the rest of his life. Pride and honor. He is one of the good ones and you should be proud.

[fillibuster]

By the way. Any Viet Nam veterans here should contact your closest Veterans Administration. Go to the Veterans Services office. You are qualified for Veteran's Disability for just being "in country". Many health problems have been found to have been caused by chemicals that were commom in Nam. Breathing problems, heart problems, mental problems, ETC. There is money there waiting for you. Even a 10% disability is $ in your pocket. I am going through the program now.

A good friend, nam-vet, was recently determined 30%, but is somehow ineligible for any benefit funds. We are trying to understand this, with little luck. Good luck to you.

I enjoy membership in an active VFW as my finest current benefit.

[George Greer]

Chief...

I am in Germany and am a cilivian contractor, helicopter mechanic, working on the US Army, UH-60 Blackhawk, AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook helicopters that are being used in the current area of operations in the middle east.

I have seen many deployments while either being in the Army (11 1/2years) or as a civilian (30 yrs total) time working on these aircraft.

I have one item of advice for your son.

Get all the technical schools for aviation that he can get.....then once he has the certificates.....make sure it is documented on his official record.

Then, Get as much experience on the engines for the OH-58 (and any other ones if he can).

The reason.....It helps when time for him to get his A&P License from the FAA.

By his MOS alone, that will get him the permission from the FAA to get his General and Airframe License, BUT...to get the Powerplant.

Documented experience OR school is needed.

George

[INLINE4NUT]

George Thanks for your many years helping GIs ! I would expect no less, sounds like your a man on the level and a traveling man at that !BEST WISHES!!!

[cheifrider]

license

george , many thanks for the good advise , i will pass it on to my son .in his particular instance he is training as a "electronics and armament specialist ", which ,i assume would fall under the air framelicense .do you have any advice on the best way for him to become a pilot as that is his ultimate goalthank you for your time and your service, tom

[cheifrider]

.

my wife just downloaded a program called "skype"its a "real time " video link to whoever you are talking to .just got to say hi to the daughter in law in ft. gordon .

[Paquette]

I have been told by my Karate Sensei who was a Marine Recon Viet Nam Combat vet that there is no worse sound than a Huey Chopper going away after a drop in a Hot zone nor a better sound than a Huey coming to get you in a hot zone---Michael--6671

[Eddie G]

My son graduates from Marine Corps boot camp in 4 weeks. His Mom & i are very proud of his commitant .

[George Greer]

George Thanks for your many years helping GIs ! I would expect no less, sounds like your a man on the level and a traveling man at that !BEST WISHES!!!

Thanks, just doing what I like to do.

I-P-R, Nelms 323 Smyrna, Ga.

PM, Cornerstone 836 Wurzburg Germany (Bavaria), now dark.

Too many military bases in Germany closed and many lodges had to merge.

So mote it be.


Chief,

Have your son, take the FAST test, (Flight Aptitude Test). I am not sure, but I think that he's got to finish basic, AIT and then go to his first "real" unit. Then take a trip to the PAC, (Personal Action Center) to get the test arrainged.

I have a AH-64 Test Pilot friend that I will ask today about the specific sequence of events your son needs to follow, and necessary forms and their numbers (everything in the military has a number for it).

George

[George Greer]

Chief.

I spoke with the Apache Test Pilot yesterday, his advice.

He said that the compition for pilots once your already in the Army is fierce! He probably could have went straight to flight school from the beginning.

But, shoot....a recruiter won't tell you that it is possible..

College, College, and yet again more.....more schooling the better. Finish up his AIT, get even more schooling. Make some rank..ie SP-4, or Better SGT (E-5)

He also needs a AKO account to apply for flight school, his unit can set him up with that account, and he can apply online. And he can always speak to pilots there at his unit.

Good luck,

George

[cheifrider]

george , i have been passing all this good info on to my son , he is very greatful .as am i . thanks for the time you have taken , tom