UH-1
From MarineGouge
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[edit] The Boot
So the first thing you'll do is check-in. The most recent check in is "the boot." So whomever checks in last is "the boot" until the next group checks in, usually 2 or 3 weeks later. At the AOM's the boot wears a stupid helmet, gets up to tell a joke and everyone makes fun of you.
[edit] Check In Process
From the time you check-in you are given "two" weeks to get through all the pre-flight stuff and get ready to fly. I say "two" because its usually about 12 days, not quite 14, but hey, whos counting. Don't make the mistake of trying to get ALL my check-in process complete before moving on to the courseware. Mix it up so your head doesn't start on fire.
Check in seems to be an ever evolving process. The best thing to do is find the RACs that just checked in the class prior to you and ask them for the low down.
Check in is in your Alphas. You're inside so the cover doesn't matter; wear the piss cover so you don't look like a moron. Find the HMLAT-303 building (you hopefully showed up a few days early and scouted out the place), get someone to let you in the turnstile, head up to the second deck and get your orders stamped at the ODO desk. Head to S-1 (they may send you to IPAC before they'll talk to you) then the Adj to make your appointment to meet the CO. After you've made your appointment, change into something comfortable - a flight suit! Make sure you have the proper flight suit (meaning tan in the summer). If you never got a tan flight suit in Pensacola, bring your desert camies (with wings) to change into. Once you're changed, you can start the rest of the checkin process. Don't wait to check into Ops (S-3). Supposedly you're 2 week clock doesn't start until you check in with them but they know when you get here and the best way to start out on the wrong foot is ignore Ops. Do it the first day if at all possible.
The check in sheet from S-1 currently is lacking. Obviously make sure you hit everything on the list they give you but this should help with those things you need to do that for some reason didn't make the list.
HMLA/T-303 Un-official check in sheet (Not yet available)
[edit] Courseware
The first thing you'll want to get checked off of the check in sheet is the sim building. This way you can get a login for the computer so you can start the courseware. The courseware is pretty in depth and very useful. It provides a lot of amplification on NATOPS and gives a good bit of detail. A lot of people suggest the backward approach. Meaning start with the stuff that you don't need to know now and work into the FAM stuff. I highly recommend it. I did all the weapons courseware first, then went through the systems at the end. That way is was the freshest on my mind. Additionally, you don't have to do the clicking, only the tests - and you just have to PASS the tests, howEVER many times it takes. Keep that in mind. If you're busting through the slides and not reading anything, just skip to the test. If you're bothering to read them, it might be worth it. The weapons courseware will take a while, and the Comm package takes forever. But I recommend getting it ALL done so when you have flights come up you won't be caught with your pants down. Which is just uncomfortable for everyone.
[edit] The Gouge
As soon as you arrive grab a Huey RAC (Replacement Air Crew - or student) and get the pass down gouge from him (bring a thumbdrive, but dont use them on the NMCI computers).\ Best advice is to find a RAC that checked in a few weeks before you and pick their brain.
[edit] First Few Weeks
A lot of this time will be spent trying to figure out what the F is happening around you. You'll be thrown into the fire as ODO and they take it seriously! You'll get a couple shots with someone training you, then you'll be executing the flight schedule on you're own. You'll screw up, they'll yell at you and in a week no one will care nor remember. Don't sweat it. SDO is the 24 hour duty and is pretty much the same as it was during HT's, but now you're armed and may run into more serious situations.
Eventually, you'll find out what your ground job will be. Ops and DOSS(basically NATOPS) are high intensity, S-2(intel)and legal are pretty relaxed, S-4(supply) and S-6 (comm/telecomm) are kinda inbetween, S-5(logistics) has periods of insanity and periods of calm. No matter where you are, don't count on getting a ton of stuff done at the squadron unless you punch out and go to a quiet spot or talk amongst the RACs in your office. Don't sweat the ground job. Your main priority is to fly.
Expect to Fly everyday once your initial two weeks are up. You will hit the ground running when you check in and it will keep going until you finish. As of summer '07 it takes most students less than 12 weeks to get through the rag. But don't worry, the learning doesn't stop when you finish at 303, there is much more to do once you reach your fleet squadron.
Stay under the radar, cover your ass, and you'll stay off the "shit list."
[edit] Things To Get Ahead
Before leaving Pensacola it'd be a good idea to complete a couple Marinenet courses that you'll waste time with when you get here ( Global War on Error (G.W.O.E.) modules 1-5, SERE 100, Information Awareness Version 8, and Personal Identifiable Information courses are all required for the check in. (Current as of 7/27/10)
Find someone to teach you preflight, get in the Sim to learn your checklists once you get the courseware done. Learn some systems, probably in the order you'll be briefing them. As for EPs, they expect you to know the memory items at all times and have a thorough understanding of the Notes, Cautions and Warnings. Normally, you'll want to UNDERSTAND the procedures to non-memory items. For example, why am I turning this off, why am I doing xyz? Oh yah, and courseware.
Talk to someone about how to set up your kneeboard/blue brains, and about setting up the Camp Pen Special (local area map). If you're super motivated/ahead, you can have someone take you over to the sim and fly you through course rules after you've looked at them. It'll take 15 minutes and they'll be in your brain forever. They're written for Marines by Marines. As opposed to the ones in Pensacola, which were written for Marines by Martians.
Most of the good gouge is obtained from the guys in front of you and from the shared drive. Once you get an NMCI account you'll have access to the shared drive which includes all the pubs, a lot of info for individual flights and kneeboard cards.
Lastly, and MOST importantly, ENJOY YOUR TIME OFF, there won't be anymore of it and the work is hard regardless of whether or not you know it in advance. Just kick back and enjoy the couple weeks P-Cola gave you to get here. Drink some beer, have a barbeque and call your folks.
