hoekan01

To add a couple of pointers...try your best to be in San Antonio before your home goods arrive. More things than normal tend to get "lost" or broken when things end up in storage for awhile. If you're there when things get loaded into the truck and are there when they are removed from that truck to your home, it saves the extra jostle of unloading into a warehouse (with who knows how many other peoples' things) and being reloaded at time of delivery (not to mention, you're not at the warehouse to supervise). In terms of field uniforms, it can save a lot of money to see if anyone is selling an old uniform. Look on Facebook, join (or have your spouse join) a wives page or 2 for Fort Sam, and just ask if anyone is selling a used uniform. In your first 3 years, you're only going to be in the field for less than 20 days total. No need to buy a brand new uniform for that

As a spouse of a current phase 2 student, I can tell you that a USAGPAN student's success is very much reliant on their family support. Most student that don't make it through the program because of something going on at home, not because of poor academic performance. It is very long hours and the program comes first. It's a lot of sacrifice for families. Just be sure that your spouse has realistic expectations of what the next 3 years will look like and you should be good. I'm more than happy to answer any questions!

Your info is correct. They can accept up to 4 each year. I just read the rest of the posts and it's too bad they don't have the funding this year.

My husband is currently in Phase 2 of the program and loving it. I can tell you that you will have time to meet height/weight requirements once you get in. You'll have to pass the requirements for MEPS, but then you'll have through the end of BOLC to pass the PT test and height/weight.

DCC is Direct Commission course. It's done before BOLC, but after you're accepted and commissioned and have orders (you'll get orders to go to DCC and then BOLC). MEPS is after you apply. You'll submit your application and your recruiter should get you scheduled for MEPS. Just a heads up, the degrees No longer come from NEU. The contract went to Baylor this year, so you'll be applying to Baylor University and USAGPAN. You should be able to get a timeline (or order of events for the application process, if you will) from your recruiter when you meet with them.

You will have to meet height/weight at MEPS. You do not have to pass the pushups, sit-ups, run (APFT) until DCC. If you dont pass the first tome, you will likely have another opportunity, but you will likely also have Required PT sessions that others don't.

There is a break between phase 1 and phase 2, but we aren't sure how long it is. Students from FY16 have said they were given 1 week of permissive TDY in June to go find housing and then they had a short break after phase 1 to move and get settled before reporting to the OR. I've heard first duty stations are usually med centers where you'd have help/resources available, since you're on your own for the first time, but I don't think that's a guarantee. It all depends on the army's needs when it's time for you to PCS. You stay there for 3 years, as it's just a regular duty station assignment.

I don't know what the process is for applicants who are waitlisted. As far as we know, they did not have a waitlist for FY17.

If you want to rent a house, I'd recommend using a realtor or AHRN.com. Realtors will help you find a rental and it's totally free for you. They usually just ask that you refer them to others.

We do it on O1E pay. I'm not working this year and we have 2 small children. It is pricey. I don't think we'd do it again, just because there is bigger out there (and things more suited for families) for less than what we pay. They did just start a military discount, but I have no idea what it is. But, we do love being so close to base and feeling safe all the time. and I love that my husband is home in less than 10 mins, vs the 30+ a lot of people experience. We never run into rush hour traffic because we don't have to take the major highways/interstates to get to post.

We really like the area we're in. There are several other apartment complexes nearby that would also be good options. Legacy Heights is right off Austin Highway. There are a few students who live there this year. Some of those units have attached garages and fenced in back yards. The area outside of the complex isn't wonderful (lots of bus stops with homeless people wandering about and things), but the complex is HUGE, so your wife could probably go for walks within the gate and feel very safe. I feel safe in our surrounding neighborhood when I take my 2 young kids on walks.Also, we go on post a lot and walk the track, so there are options, aside from your neighborhood. I also know families who live off of Woodlake Pkwy (which is just off a big road called Rittiman). It's a gated community less than 10 mins from post. there's a community pool and they pay under BAH.

We currently live in Urban Crest Apartments just a few miles down Harry Wurzbach from the base. They are nice, safe, and close to base and lots of restaurants/shopping. We have a 3 bedroom and pay over BAH. I do know the 1 and 2 bedrooms are less expensive (obviously). We chose to pay more so my husband doesn't have to deal with traffic during commutes. He has classmates that spend 30-60mins one way if traffic is bad. It's so nice for him to only have a 7 minute drive, no matter the time of day.

No one was told a definite number, but they were told there were over 150 applicants for FY2017

FY2017 had 43, with 4 of those being VA students. 4 is the max for VA students. This year's class is the largest is some time, and it's almost twice the size of the last few classes. The program says they can take more than that, but they haven't. Current Enlisted do not have priority.

Also, yes, CCRN is necessary. It always is, if you want a chance at getting in. I do t know what applications look like for FY2018 class, but my husband's class (FY 2017) had over 150 applicants and they took like 39 + 4 VA students.