For one, you're spouse needs a sponsor. Normally they are assigned to them and will get in contact with you're spouse. If not, call the Family Reediness Center at the base you will be going to and they should be able to get you a sponsor.
You or your spouse can go to the Family Reediness Center at the base you are currently at and get a packet of stuff about the base you will be stationed at. 30 days prior to arriving at you're first duty station you can also stop by the housing office you're currently at and give them a copy of your orders and they'll fax it to your next base for you. That will put your name in for on base housing. It is recommended to do this whether you are planning on living on base or not. You can always turn it down when you get there and live off base. Better to be safe than sorry.
If you are planning to live off base there are tons of websites for you to find homes for sale and/or rent and apartments. Here are a few:
Realtor.com - It has every home/condo/townhome for sale or rent in MLS (Realtor database)
Apartment Guide
Rent.com - $100 Rewards gift card for mentioning their name.
My New Place*
Military by Owner
Zip Realty - Homes for sale in MLS
For Rent*
AHRN
* Has iPhone/iTouch App
Showing posts with label Tech School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tech School. Show all posts
We got our orders to our first duty station.. what now?
02 November 2009
09 August 2009
Where is my Airman's Tech School?
It completely depends on his job. Here is a link where you can look up your Airman's job & school.
How long is my Airman's Tech School?
Again, it all depends on his job. Here is another link to look up his job and find out.
What are these phases that everyone talks about?
There are 3 phases in Tech School. As soon as your Airman gets to his school he will be in phase 1. It takes two weeks with passing all inspections and evaluations to phase up to phase 2 and so on to phase 3. There are restrictions with every phase. As your Airman moves up the more freedom they will have. Here are the differences between the phases:
These charts were found on airforce.com and can be found here.
Can I move to be with my H/BF/FI?
This is where it gets tricky. If you are a GF or a FI more than likely no unless you have the money to be able to move down there and live, but your BF or FI can NOT live off base with you. Remember if you are not a spouse you do not get BAH (not even BAH without dependents) and the gov't will not pay you to move. Now if you're a spouse and your H/W school is longer than 20 you can be put on their orders and move down. There is arguments about whether the gov't will actually move you or not. So that is something you'd have to have your Airman find out. Just because their school is longer than 20 weeks doesn't mean he is automatically allowed to live off base with you though. Once your Airman is in their 3rd phase they can request approval to live off base. Some bases are more strict than others. When your Airman first gets to their tech school see if they can ask their MTL (Military Training Leader) for the packet to live off base. Some bases require the Airman gain approval before moving you (the spouse) down to live with them. Other bases require the spouse to have a household set up before the Airman can even request approval. Make sure your Airman finds out BEFORE you move. If you don't do things the way the Air Force wants you to you WILL be denied approval.
What are these "base lock-downs" I keep hearing about?
Base lock-down is where the General (Person in charge of the base) puts all tech schoolers either A.) Locked down to the base or B.) Locked down to their dorms (Of course they are allowed out for a certain amount of time for food). If it's just locked down to the base then the spouse is allowed on and there are various things to do (ie. bowling, movies, swimming, golf, paint balling, parks, grilling etc..). The Commander (Person in charge of one particular squadron) can also put only their squadron on lock-down. They are also known to "day one phase one" everyone for the weekend or certain amount of days. Which is basically like lock down, but they are required to be in uniform.
Can my H/BF/FI have their computer?
YES! There are many areas around base that offer free wifi. If they are going to be there for a long time I believe they can get internet service wired to their room as well. Usually being in the Military they will waive the set up and cancellation fees.
Are we getting the BAH rate for where I am or where my Airman is?
It will be whatever your Airman put down as his "home of record" which is where the spouse would be.
What is RAP Duty?
RAP stands for Recruiter Assistance Program. It lets you go back home and help the recruiter that helped you. Usually Airmen take leave between Tech School and their first duty station. This is the time where they can do their RAP duty. It is applied for in Tech School and is given approval based on their actions in school. RAP is 12 days and then you can take 3 more days leave to spend time with family (if your first duty station is OCONUS then the number of days are different). If you do not do the RAP then you are eligible to take 10 days leave between school and your first duty station.
Can my Airman have his car?
Starting phase 2 is when they are allowed to use POV's (privately owned vehicles) after duty hours. Many students have their car in tech school.
Can I now send my Airman packages?
YES! Before I moved with my H I sent him a care package. It was pointless stuff, but it's fun to put it together. I put a lot of snacks in there because the DFAC (Dining Facility/Chow hall) is only open for a certain time.
Do we have to pay for my Airman to eat at the DFAC?
Technically they are paying for it. BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) which is $323.87 a month for enlisted members is automatically taken out of their paycheck. When they are at the DFAC they get the food they want and go to the cash registers then the people scan their Mil ID card. Once you get to your first duty station BAS will start showing up in your checks and you will have to pay with cash if you eat at the DFAC. Most DFACs allow spouses to eat their too if accompanied by their sponsor.
When will we get our orders?
It depends how long the Airman's tech school is and it depends on the base. We got our orders 4 months before we move.
Can we Drive H/BF/FI to his Tech School?
Nope. They are technically not free until they get on the plane (or bus) to their new station.
It completely depends on his job. Here is a link where you can look up your Airman's job & school.
How long is my Airman's Tech School?
Again, it all depends on his job. Here is another link to look up his job and find out.
What are these phases that everyone talks about?
There are 3 phases in Tech School. As soon as your Airman gets to his school he will be in phase 1. It takes two weeks with passing all inspections and evaluations to phase up to phase 2 and so on to phase 3. There are restrictions with every phase. As your Airman moves up the more freedom they will have. Here are the differences between the phases:
Phase 1
Duration: Arrival - Day 14
| Physical Readiness Training: | 3 times per week |
| Open Ranks: | 1 time per week (minimum) |
| Room Personalization: | Minimal/None |
| Room Inspection: | 1 time per week (minimum) |
| Civilian Attire: | After duty hours in dorm only |
| Off-Base Privileges: | None* |
| Weekend Travel: | None* |
| Marching: | At all times |
| Personal Motor Vehicle Use/Ride: | None* |
| Curfew: | 2200 – 7 days per week |
| Alcohol Use: | Will not possess, purchase or consume anytime |
| Reside Off-Base with Spouse: | No |
| Personal Electronic Devices: | During non-duty hours in dorm only |
| Lodging / Hotels (Visit / Stay): | None* |
| Tobacco Products: | Will not possess, purchase or consume anytime |
Phase 2
Duration: Day 15 - Day 35
| Physical Readiness Training: | 3 times per week |
| Open Ranks: | 1 time per phase (minimum) |
| Room Personalization: | Yes |
| Room Inspection: | 1 time per phase (minimum) |
| Civilian Attire: | After duty hours on base only |
| Off-Base Privileges: | After duty hours in blues |
| Weekend Travel: | Group CC-defined local area |
| Marching: | During duty hours (in uniform) |
| Personal Motor Vehicle Use/Ride: | After duty hours |
| Curfew: | 2200 – Evenings prior to duty days 2400 – Evenings prior to non-duty days |
| Alcohol Use: | On-base only (not allowed during duty week or 12 hours prior to duty) |
| Reside Off-Base with Spouse: | No |
| Personal Electronic Devices: | After duty hours |
| Lodging / Hotels (Visit / Stay): | None* |
| Tobacco Products: | Will not possess, purchase or consume anytime |
Phase 3
Duration: Days 36+
| Physical Readiness Training: | 3 times per week |
| Open Ranks: | Group CC discretion |
| Room Personalization: | Yes |
| Room Inspection: | Group CC discretion |
| Civilian Attire: | After duty hours |
| Off-Base Privileges: | After duty hours |
| Weekend Travel: | Group CC discretion (must have AETC Form 29B and map on file) |
| Marching: | Group CC discretion |
| Personal Motor Vehicle Use/Ride: | Group CC discretion |
| Curfew: | 2200 – Evenings prior to duty days |
| Alcohol Use: | Not allowed 12 hours prior to duty |
| Reside Off-Base with Spouse: | Sq/Det CC approval |
| Personal Electronic Devices: | After duty hours |
| Lodging / Hotels (Visit / Stay): | With Asst Flight Chief approval |
| Tobacco Products: | On-base in designated area, not during duty hours, not in uniform |
These charts were found on airforce.com and can be found here.
Can I move to be with my H/BF/FI?
This is where it gets tricky. If you are a GF or a FI more than likely no unless you have the money to be able to move down there and live, but your BF or FI can NOT live off base with you. Remember if you are not a spouse you do not get BAH (not even BAH without dependents) and the gov't will not pay you to move. Now if you're a spouse and your H/W school is longer than 20 you can be put on their orders and move down. There is arguments about whether the gov't will actually move you or not. So that is something you'd have to have your Airman find out. Just because their school is longer than 20 weeks doesn't mean he is automatically allowed to live off base with you though. Once your Airman is in their 3rd phase they can request approval to live off base. Some bases are more strict than others. When your Airman first gets to their tech school see if they can ask their MTL (Military Training Leader) for the packet to live off base. Some bases require the Airman gain approval before moving you (the spouse) down to live with them. Other bases require the spouse to have a household set up before the Airman can even request approval. Make sure your Airman finds out BEFORE you move. If you don't do things the way the Air Force wants you to you WILL be denied approval.
What are these "base lock-downs" I keep hearing about?
Base lock-down is where the General (Person in charge of the base) puts all tech schoolers either A.) Locked down to the base or B.) Locked down to their dorms (Of course they are allowed out for a certain amount of time for food). If it's just locked down to the base then the spouse is allowed on and there are various things to do (ie. bowling, movies, swimming, golf, paint balling, parks, grilling etc..). The Commander (Person in charge of one particular squadron) can also put only their squadron on lock-down. They are also known to "day one phase one" everyone for the weekend or certain amount of days. Which is basically like lock down, but they are required to be in uniform.
Can my H/BF/FI have their computer?
YES! There are many areas around base that offer free wifi. If they are going to be there for a long time I believe they can get internet service wired to their room as well. Usually being in the Military they will waive the set up and cancellation fees.
Are we getting the BAH rate for where I am or where my Airman is?
It will be whatever your Airman put down as his "home of record" which is where the spouse would be.
What is RAP Duty?
RAP stands for Recruiter Assistance Program. It lets you go back home and help the recruiter that helped you. Usually Airmen take leave between Tech School and their first duty station. This is the time where they can do their RAP duty. It is applied for in Tech School and is given approval based on their actions in school. RAP is 12 days and then you can take 3 more days leave to spend time with family (if your first duty station is OCONUS then the number of days are different). If you do not do the RAP then you are eligible to take 10 days leave between school and your first duty station.
Can my Airman have his car?
Starting phase 2 is when they are allowed to use POV's (privately owned vehicles) after duty hours. Many students have their car in tech school.
Can I now send my Airman packages?
YES! Before I moved with my H I sent him a care package. It was pointless stuff, but it's fun to put it together. I put a lot of snacks in there because the DFAC (Dining Facility/Chow hall) is only open for a certain time.
Do we have to pay for my Airman to eat at the DFAC?
Technically they are paying for it. BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) which is $323.87 a month for enlisted members is automatically taken out of their paycheck. When they are at the DFAC they get the food they want and go to the cash registers then the people scan their Mil ID card. Once you get to your first duty station BAS will start showing up in your checks and you will have to pay with cash if you eat at the DFAC. Most DFACs allow spouses to eat their too if accompanied by their sponsor.
When will we get our orders?
It depends how long the Airman's tech school is and it depends on the base. We got our orders 4 months before we move.
Can we Drive H/BF/FI to his Tech School?
Nope. They are technically not free until they get on the plane (or bus) to their new station.
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