Finally at Charleston, awaiting class.

[heywaitfourme]

Well, after my year long battle, yes ONE YEAR, I'm finally here. I made it to the great state of South Carolina on Tuesday. I have become known fairly well down here already, being prior service, I showed up in my Dress Whites with a stack of 10 ribbons, wearing E-3 on my shoulder, with a Service strip on my wrist. Most people know my face, or ask if I'm THAT guy. The place is very friendly and they are allowing me to go and get my wife and housing goods on the coming wednesday.

If anyone has any questions, please ask, and I will do my BEST to answer or find an answer for the question. I fully intend to keep updating posts as to help the new people on the fence about the program. Although I'm not currently in any class, I am a friendly person and have talked with everyone I come into contact with. Some say the schooling is hard, some say it is easy. I won't know until I start, but I will be certain to update this board, or make new posts when I have the time.

[Gamecock]

I meant to give you and accidentally gave you .

I'll fix that tomorrow.

Good Luck,
GC

[midgetts]

Hopefully we'll be there soon, but seeing as it took a year for you, I'm not sure. My husband is prior enlisted as well (USMC) so you won't be the only one 

Best of luck to you!!

[kahdgarxi]

Thanks a lot for sharing heywaitforme. I'm shipping out in October. Can't wait to join you in Charleston.

[Preciousblue1965]

Well if you like seafood, I highly recommend Hyman's Seafood downtown.  Perhaps some of the best seafood around.  There are some other great places in North Charleston.  Have fun and enjoy your time there.  I always loved being in Charleston, except during the summer when the "no-see-ums" came out in droves, damn things weren't even deterred by Off Deep Woods.

[Golly Orby]

Hey, I saw you!  Really friendly, which was pretty nice of you considering I asked you the same question everyone else around here has been asking you.

Thank you for your prior service, and welcome to Charleston.   

[sovbob]

...I always loved being in Charleston, except during the summer when the "no-see-ums" came out in droves, damn things weren't even deterred by Off Deep Woods.

I remember those things.  We would always call them "flying teeth".  One incident I particularly recall was standing at attention outside while they did a personnel inspection and having the damn things gnawing away at my flesh.

[johnnieslingshot]

I grew up in the Charleston area.  We used to put a dab of Campho Phonique? (spell check) on the tongue.  It seems that the camphor in the product gets secreted through the skin and those damned sand gnats would stay away and the skeeters too.  It always worked.  Might be worth a try when the spring/summer comes about next year.

[joncashk]

Ahh the no-see-ums.  Nothing beat standing at attention on the pier next to the 635 watching the guy next to you keep twitching and smacking himself.  It was funny until you started doing it yourself. 

You're one of only 2 prior service guys I've seen that actually made it to nuke.  The other guy was a prior Army jumper and was a gold E-5 within 3 months of reporting on board.

[hezabear]

For you guys in Charelston if want a great place to eat go over to Mount Pleasent and try out Bamboo's. Ask for Josh he's the head cook and my son in law, great food and great people there.
Great place to take your lady friend. has an Asian flare to it. tell Brad set you.

[midgetts]

You're one of only 2 prior service guys I've seen that actually made it to nuke.  The other guy was a prior Army jumper and was a gold E-5 within 3 months of reporting on board.

That's the most discouraging thing I've read since finding this site... How many prior service have you seen try?

[Preciousblue1965]

I saw a former HM(FMF) go nuke and did really well for himself.  Funny part is that he was from the next town over from the town I grew up in. 

[EasyLivin]

That's the most discouraging thing I've read since finding this site... How many prior service have you seen try?

Keep in mind, this is an observation from only one person. I have met both of the prior service folks that are mentioned in this thread. I have also met a prior service member who went nuke, got a degree, then got pick up for an officer program. So, there is no need to be discouraged.

[Gamecock]

Funny part is that he was from the next town over from the town I grew up in. 

Why is that funny?   

[Preciousblue1965]

Why is that funny?   

Well it was funny to me becuase very rarely do you meet someone that knows all the same places you do from back home while you are in the Navy.  Just thought it was a neat coincidence(spelled right?).

[joncashk]

That's the most discouraging thing I've read since finding this site... How many prior service have you seen try?

I'm not saying that I've seen prior service fail.  Hell, I've barely seen anyone fail...especially in the pipeline.  Most people that I've seen get denuked were on the ship and they just couldn't mentally handle the stress of being an at-sea nuke.  With you being a prior Marine, I don't see you having that problem.  The prior service guy I knew did end up getting denuked...but it was for medical reasons. 

[heywaitfourme]

I have been in classes for a week now. I'm doing very well, was appointed class leader, and have made many good friends. I am sorry it's taken so long to respond. Being married, held me back a week due to going to get my wife and getting a house. (brand new constructed, never lived in 4 bed 2.5 bath....it's nice) The schooling is no joke, but with enough effort, I feel anyone could make it through....WITH ENOUGH EFFORT!!

So far, I've only heard of two other prior service from a different branch completely, get picked up nuke. One was the army E-5 stated in here, the other is a tanker who is here now. He's doing VERY well, and is almost finished with Power school.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask. I will continue to update this as my time here progresses.

email is heywaitfourme@yahoo.com

[Vorschau]

There's a prior army in my class as well. The material isn't that hard in NFAS to be honest. If you're struggling don't slack on your hours, or else you won't be able to see your wife as much as you'd like.

[heywaitfourme]

Just thought I'd give this an update.

I'm beginning week 6 and having a BLAST. The schooling is what I expected, but put the time in to actually learn the material and it's a breeze. I finally figured out my study habits, and have gone from doing VERY well, to excelling. I am still Class Leader, and have FINALLY gotten all of my class to pass their PFA. I still personally work 3 of the students, but aside from that, I'm generally out of the house at 6am and home for the night anytime between 6 and 7. It took a while to get a system down, but now that I have it, it's SIMPLE.

I will gladly answer any questions anyone may have.

[Creeker]

I did my time as a section advisor for NFAS back in the day, and from this quote:

I am still Class Leader, and have FINALLY gotten all of my class to pass their PFA. I still personally work 3 of the students

Your section advisor is probably very grateful to have you, and you have an great future in front of you.

Best of luck!!!

Bill

[NukeLDO]

Would someone finally change the thread title PLEASE!

Its Charleston...Charleston.

[Harley Rider]

heywaitfourme ,
I have been following your progress since you first posted here. You are going to do great things,,,If you need any advice feel free to PM me. Keep the press on,,,,

Brett

[heywaitfourme]

My apologies for the Misspelling of Charleston, maybe a Moderator can change the title for me.

Thank you to those who are reading and following. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

A little more on the 3 students I personally work out. My Section Leader wanted to send them to F.E.P. It's the program students go to that can't pass the PT test or weight and tape. I think of it as fat camp. I personally asked out Chief if I could work with them to keep them from fep, and also to help our class get everyone to pass the PFA, without anyone needing any outside help.

I have received a few emails from some individuals inquiring about the program and the Navy so far, and I hope that I will be able to help any others with any questions or concerns.

[imthehoopa]

I have become known fairly well down here already, being prior service, I showed up in my Dress Whites with a stack of 10 ribbons, wearing E-3 on my shoulder, with a Service strip on my wrist. Most people know my face, or ask if I'm THAT guy.

Haha. I remember walking down the p-way seeing your dress blues on a hanger in the back of the class. You're in the classroom I just graduated out of.

[Jechtm]

Any clues on how I could arrange my marriage after A School and prior to power school?

Thanks in advance =O

[heywaitfourme]

I'd suggest either getting married before you come or waiting. When they say you spend more time away from home than you will at home, they are correct. I'm currently 4th in my class, on very low hours, and I still put 18-20 hours ADDITIONAL in each week. Most days I leave at 0445 and get home around 2100. It's difficult to work a family life into the schedule. I'm not saying it's impossible, but you must make 100% certain your wife/fiance understands that she comes SECOND to the school. I'm thankful that my wife was my girlfriend while I served a few years over in the Middle East with the Army prior to this. I may see her for 2 hours a day, but we make the best of it.

Now, If your set on marriage, I'd recommend doing it before you even leave for basic. If you are going to get married regardless, might as well take advantage of the incentives from the get go. But, MAKE SURE she's going to remain faithful. I've seen MANY marriages end because they've been away from each other for the short 2 month time frame.

If you are going to wait until you finish A school, that's fine as well. It will test your relationship to see if it can and will hold up, and how the two of you deal with the extra stresses. You will have generally two weeks minimun wait for your class up to Power school. I have almost 2.5 months wait.

The easiest way to go about the marriage....COURTHOUSE. My wife and I did a courthouse type marriage and once I'm completely finished with the pipeline will take a few days off and have an actual ceremony and second honeymoon. We were married on the beach in North Carolina with just family and it's very affordable, and was very very nice, but my wife and I don't really follow the 'unwritten rules of life'...we generally do whatever we want to!

Best of luck to you and if you have any other questions, please ask.

[Jechtm]

Thanks for your reply, I figured with the sec. clearance it might be awhile before I start Pow.School.

[heywaitfourme]

It's not the security clearance, it's waiting for an entire class to fill up. I have my security clearance, in fact I have a clearance much greater than needed for the program, had it before I even went to the recruiters office. We are the first feeder group into the new Power school class. It basically means we are the first class to graduate thats waiting for the Power school class to fill up. A school classes are between three rates with class sizes from 21-30 students. Power school classes are anywhere from 250-400 students and it's MM's, EM's, ET's all in one class; hence the WAIT for the class to fill up.

I will say this. I DO NOT regret, nor do I wish I had not gotten married, but the pipeline would be much MUCH easier being single, and I imagine I'd be number one in the class instead of number 4. I don't put as many hours in the classroom as I'd like because I have to keep the wife happy. I'm doing the best I can in both aspects, but it would be much MUCH easier if I were single.

[Jechtm]

Point, taken. I hope your wifey don't browse these forums =)

[heywaitfourme]

Just an update.

Currently still kickin tail in class, passing every inspection and still class leader. I've gotten my class to look GOOD every day, for fear of inspections, the noise is almost nonexistent, and everyone gets along...FINALLY. We take our PFA for rank next week and it's looking as though EVERYONE is going to pass, just the same as it looks like everyone will graduate.

I've been putting in extra hours to help those I can, study what I don't know and learning before hand what I'll be learning the next day.

Wife is happy, and neither of us can wait till Christmas vacation so we can see both of our parents...and the break will be welcome.

[Neutron_Herder]

That's great!  It takes a while for a class to pull together, but it does happen.

I'm confused though...  When you say "everyone will graduate" does that mean that everyone that started will finish?  So no one failed out?

[LivinginParadise]

Well if you like seafood, I highly recommend Hyman's Seafood downtown.  Perhaps some of the best seafood around.  There are some other great places in North Charleston.  Have fun and enjoy your time there.  I always loved being in Charleston, except during the summer when the "no-see-ums" came out in droves, damn things weren't even deterred by Off Deep Woods.

Hymans is greasy and overrated. Quintessentialy southern. I liked to go for the atmosphere but the wait for food was kind of excessive. I found the best food was usually out at the local dives on the isle of palms and folly beach.  Make sure you check out Jim'N'Nicks on king street. get the open faced brisket sandwhich with mashed taters. You won't be disappointed.

[heywaitfourme]

Just a friendly update...

I finally graduated A school. I'm currently on T-track until mid march when I am supposed to class up. I graduated 5th in my class, and was awarded the Personal Excellence award.

Overall, A school was not very difficult for me. I'm sure I could have finished higher in the class if I would have put forth more hours, but I found a good balance of extra hours and home life both my wife and I could live with. Yet another reason I was very happy with graduating 5th in my class. I was able to balance work and home very well, but others were not as successful.

I was able to maintain my position as Class Leader with EXCELLENT evals, and I also reached my personal goal of having every student who graduated, (lost four), walk across as MM3's. I personally worked with 3 of the students one on one so that they could pass their PFA's. I was congratulated on this feat by many of my peers and fellow classmates alike.

All in all, I found this to be a great, humbling to say the least, learning experience. It has allowed me to start a wonderful network already, and I found that the Senior Enlisted in the Navy are far more eager to pass down valuable experience and information than I experienced in the Army.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them, or email me at heywaitfourme@yahoo.com.

To any new guys/girls down here, feel free to hit me up for some helpful words, or just to get together to B.S. and help relieve the stress.

[Gamecock]

Just a friendly update...

I finally graduated A school. I'm currently on T-track until mid march when I am supposed to class up. I graduated 5th in my class, and was awarded the Personal Excellence award.

Overall, A school was not very difficult for me. I'm sure I could have finished higher in the class if I would have put forth more hours, but I found a good balance of extra hours and home life both my wife and I could live with. Yet another reason I was very happy with graduating 5th in my class. I was able to balance work and home very well, but others were not as successful.

I was able to maintain my position as Class Leader with EXCELLENT evals, and I also reached my personal goal of having every student who graduated, (lost four), walk across as MM3's. I personally worked with 3 of the students one on one so that they could pass their PFA's. I was congratulated on this feat by many of my peers and fellow classmates alike.

All in all, I found this to be a great, humbling to say the least, learning experience. It has allowed me to start a wonderful network already, and I found that the Senior Enlisted in the Navy are far more eager to pass down valuable experience and information than I experienced in the Army.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them, or email me at heywaitfourme@yahoo.com.

To any new guys/girls down here, feel free to hit me up for some helpful words, or just to get together to B.S. and help relieve the stress.

BZ!!

Keep up the good work.

Cheers,
GC

[JustinHEMI05]

What a terrific update! Thanks for sharing and congratulations!!!

Justin

[heywaitfourme]

Thanks guys. I still read this forum almost daily. There's such a wealth of Information here, it's pretty amazing what you can learn from just this forum.

Also, to those guys who are here already-we should get together for lunch someday. I gotta pack a sack everyday, but I'm not opposed to good ole' galley food, if you guys are up for it.