Last minute questions for OBLC.....

airforcecapt · Oct 27, 2008

Hi,
I have a few questions before I leave....
1. Did anyone wear their ACU's on the plane to San Antonio? I think I remember someone (Athena possibly) saying it might help with baggage charges? Yikes, baggage charges will be horrendous!!!!! (Does United charge by weight?)
2. Did you bring your own sleeping bag or bed linen? I recently went to "Weapons training" in Yakima, and there were no sheets. I did get issued a TA-50, but I rather like my sleeping bag :) I don't mind bring my own linen.....I just need a head's up.
thank you
cindy

For awhile, we were not allowed to fly in uniform due to safety reasons, OPSEC. So, I would call your recruiter and see what he/she says. However, show them your orders and they will sometimes not charge you. Also, you can bill the military later. Often if the airlines know you are military, you have priority to go on the plane first.

The other I don't have an answer. I went to training with the Army last Jan at Ft Dix and we had the army wool blankets...I went to the PX and bought a blanket and sheets.

Good luck!!!!

olderthandirt2 · Oct 29, 2008

Thank you so much AFC,

I will take your advice. My recruiter is way out of the picture, I commissioned 6 months ago (and he is another state).

I could ask my CSH unit, but I forgot!! So, I will wear civilian gear in transit and save the receipts..... (and bring my sleeping bag / linen!) :)

thanks again,

cindy

moosicle · Oct 29, 2008

Hello,

I cannot help you with ACU's but I am at OBLC right now.

You will have a shared room with light daily maid service with weekly bed linen changes. You could bring some linens if you get cold. We were issued a sleeping bag for the field.

sassysoldier · Oct 29, 2008

I know I have flown frequently the last few months and saw a few soldiers in their ACU's. Of course I don't think they were going to OBLC but they were traveling somewhere and those flight attendants gave them all kinds of preferential treatment. They even made an annoucement "were so glad to have our wonderful men and women in uniform flying with us....." :bowingpur

olderthandirt2 · Oct 29, 2008

THANK YOU Moosicle and SassySailor,

Both of your postings have been really helpful......Hummm,now I am wondering if I might want to wear those ACU's !!!!! :) :)

Good luck Moosicle with the rest of your training, maybe I will see you there !!

cindy

athena55, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

Hello Everyone:

As for wearing your ACUs on your flight to OBLC: Yes you can. You are traveling CONUS plus you have your travel/OBLC orders with you. The Army is very keen on putting a face to today's Army especially since GWOT. Wearing the ACU did not help with any type of airline charge. I usually fly which ever airline the Army places me on (smile) and so far I have been extremely lucky that I wasn't charged extra for my two duffel bags (plus I had my large Ruck and my Class A garment bag which I brought on and stowed on board) when I PCS'ed to Fort Bliss. IF you DO GET CHARGED extra for your second and/or third bag/luggage, make sure you get a hand receipt and put that on your voucher, your DD 1351-2.

As for getting "preferential treatment" while flying and wearing your Army ACU's or Class A's, that is a big NO-NO (like, changing your seat from general class to First class) BUT if the flight attendant offers me a free $2 coke or an extra package of cookies, I will accept that. You'll get the "ethics" speech while at OBC

You will be issued a TA-50 while in-processing at OBC. I just used the sleeping bag and whatever I decided to sleep in. Other Officers slept in their AFPT uniforms....

Have a great time. Enjoy your time at OBC!

athena

futrarmyCRNA · Dec 2, 2008

You should have a room with bed and linen while in class at Sam and a cot and sleeping bag while at Bullis. I would purchase a soft "poncho liner" (to use as a blanket if needed) and travel type pillow to assist while in the field. You can wear your uniform if on official travel orders. I drove down there so I did not fly but have travelled many times with the reserves these past few years.