Melanie,

Well his graduation is one you won't soon forget... outrunning a hurricane with Coasties. Isn't it funny that you flew, they drove and you only just barely beat them home. Ahhhh, airlines, wonderful experience. LOL Enjoy your time with our newest AST3. Congrats to David again. How soon will you be going to Sitka for a visit? I recommend at least one trip!

Macie

Yes, we have read that book and just gave it to David to read So glad your daughter decided to put her name on the list. You never know until you try and trying is better than not trying at all!  Good luck to her. Luckily getting into A school takes time and allows for the physical training she should be focused on.  Running and swimming especially. Building strength and endurance is a must. Your part is to support and inspire

We just heard David's playground while in Elizabeth City the "Outer Banks" was really hit hard. Such a shame. On the bright side David's sponsor and new chief called today and are looking forward to his arrival. We have heard nothing but positive thoughts on the station and community.  We will definitely be visiting.

AST Abram Heller (r) from the heroic Alaskan Ranger rescue with my son Erich at the CG ball a couple weeks ago at Barbers Point.

Very nice!

question about the flight physical,

is it possible to take the flight physical at boot? before i go to boot i figure i will be in some of the best physical condition of my life (able to hit some-most of the airman requirements). i would like to take the flight physical then, before i go on the wait list and get out of shape on a cutter for 1-2 years, and after the wait try and pass the flight physical

also, how often would an AST be up for a promotion? after A school i would assume that the AST3 would be a E4, what is the average time spent at E4 before promotion to E5-E6 and so on. would the AST3 have to wait untill another AST of a higher rank were to get a promotion? would he have to wait for the billets to open up?

As for the flight physical in boot... that might not be something you actually want. The flight physical is far more in depth. I have heard of people saying they got the flight physical in boot, could not pass it and they were discharged from the CG because of it. While they were in boot camp. If the flight physical is taken and not passed while you are in the fleet then simply you cannot be aircrew qualified. You remain in the CG and become something other than an airedale. So be careful what you wish for. If you feel you will be able to hit SOME of the requirements, do not request it during boot. It is also very difficult to schedule during boot so it is rearely ever done. It can be done, it can come with serious consequences if you don't pass.

If you want AST you will just STAY in shape. You will figure out a way to maintain a healthy life style and the ability to perform the physical requirements. Again, just be careful what you wish for, you might not like what you get. Just a thought...

That is a great picture! My husband really enjoyed the book and admires AST Heller.

Posted By Old Guard2 on 11 Sep 2011 04:47 PM
As for the flight physical in boot... that might not be something you actually want. The flight physical is far more in depth. I have heard of people saying they got the flight physical in boot, could not pass it and they were discharged from the CG because of it. While they were in boot camp. If the flight physical is taken and not passed while you are in the fleet then simply you cannot be aircrew qualified. You remain in the CG and become something other than an airedale. So be careful what you wish for. If you feel you will be able to hit SOME of the requirements, do not request it during boot. It is also very difficult to schedule during boot so it is rearely ever done. It can be done, it can come with serious consequences if you don't pass.

If you want AST you will just STAY in shape. You will figure out a way to maintain a healthy life style and the ability to perform the physical requirements. Again, just be careful what you wish for, you might not like what you get. Just a thought...

i'm not so sure this is true. If they discover something that would be generally disqualifying for the USCG during the more "in-depth" physical then yes they could discharge you for a medical condition that is disqualifying for military service. If you fail a depth perception test in they are not going to throw you out of the USCG, you just cant fly.

Where did you get this information? Why would they toss you out if you cant fly but would otherwise make a great BM?

They no longer give flight physicals as an option in CG BC. Just talked to my recruiter and a recent graduate.

Don't forget east coast, WedNov09  9pm WEATHER CHANNEL. 
My son maybe on.
Look for the AST with the mustache.

First episode is titled "Welcome to Kodiak, Alaska" Can't wait to see what I remember. Watching it will drive Scott nuts as I pause and say "See this... that's where...., See that... We had... " I intend to make him bananas! Won't be the first time, doubt it will be the last. LOL

AST moustache... got it!

I've talked with Erich in Hawaii last nite and he said that he's in a segment where he's in the pool and doing flutter kicks.
Probably could be anyone.
He has two SARs already in Hawaii. One, a stranded jetskier and the other someone had to be taken off a large freighter.
CG pilots are the best when it comes to placing ASTs on the bridge of a moving ship, and then getting everyone back into the HELO. Like threading a needle.
I'll be watching tonite.

I saw one where they were lowering the AST and they were worried because of the roll. Sure enough the poor AST slammed into the side of a container, no fault at all to the pilot. The AST got out of his harness, shook it off & took care of the patient they were picking up! Gotta give 'em all a lot of credit! Not an easy job at all! None of them are easy but jumping out of a perfectly good helo or trying not to end up in the sodium lights... yikes. Makes my heart skip a beat when I watch that stuff.

I know its been exhaused in this post, but I would like to hear from a successful AST, how is the best way to train? Is it good to work towards the PT in test requirements and then just build endurance with flutter kicks and some of the other swimming? I am a strong swimmer, but never really swam for a team, so the distances are a bit of a challenge. Any advice on preparation would be great. Thanks!!

I don't think we have any actual AST's on the forums. We do however have a couple of AST parents that are willing to share their sons experiences. They check in on a fairly regular schedule, so just check back. As far as what I can tell... stay in the best possible shape you can be in when you enter the Airman program. Do not allow yourself to get complacent after boot camp. Constant physical fitness will help you. Also, if the facilities are available, swim, swim, swim... until you develop webbing and quack like a duck don't stop.

Good luck! AST is probably the most pysically demanding rate.

Does anyone know how long the flight physical takes to get approved once it is taken?

Our son's took about 4 months! That was in 2010.

Our son David graduated in August from A school and is stationed in Sitka, Alaska. He loves it!
Make sure you can not only do the required amount of chin ups, sit ups, pull ups, etc., but also do them in the required time frame. Once you have achieved that work on endurance. Run, Run, Run. In the pool, it is not about how fast you can swim, but more about confidence and strength.
Good luck.

Hey Melanie
I'm  glad everything worked out for David and you. Sitka is a great place to be. I suppose he met AST Nathan Newberg already. I agree with the PT, run, run, run, and a desire not to to quit.
Joe

I understand how physically demanding it is going to be. I am starting a log book to keep track of what I am doing. I am running 4 days one week and 2 days the next and swimming 2 days and four days.

Posted By CH AVALANCHE 07 on 28 Nov 2011 02:51 PM
I understand how physically demanding it is going to be. I am starting a log book to keep track of what I am doing. I am running 4 days one week and 2 days the next and swimming 2 days and four days.

Hey man, 

Because of my schedule...I am allowed to swim 2 days one week and four days the next. Then the other days I am doing body weight workouts and weight workouts. I give myself one day off a week in order to keep my sanity.

What is the schedule like at A school. Most A schools are 0730 to 1530. I figured the first few weeks would not be like that, but I was just wondering.

AST Update --

My son-in-law showed up in E city on the first to begin his AST training and if all goes well (God willing) he will graduate sometime in late April or early May. We are keeping him in our prayers, if you remember him we would appreciate it.

My son is working hard in Corpus Christi, TX as an AST, he recently took the service wide exam and wrote the number 1 test score out of 48 E4 test takers. He said he is currently #3 on the list so he may make E5 (God willing) shortly. Not sure how the whole promotion business goes but we are praying he gets his next rank.

Happy New Year
Richard

Great news & best of luck to both of them! What a great way to start the new year.

Congrats proud - I've seen you son on the local news. I live about 60 miles from CC.

Hey Richard.
Great news, another (to be) AST in the family, (God willing).

Did you get my Christmas Card?
 
Erich is settled in on the north shore of Oahu.
Pretty soon you can call me grandpa.
Kimmy, his wife will be delivering their first baby next week, (God willing).
He bought a nice 4bedrm house.
He has a 45min commute to the base.
We are going out there on Feb 8th for 2wks.
Happy New Year to all
 
Joe

Joe,

All amazing news! Congratulations!! Have a wonderful trip.