ryanficken
06-09-11, 08:07 PM
'Rah Motivators,
Got a few questions for any Marines with knowledge on the Fleet Assistance Program, also known as FAP. So here's my situation:
I'm aboard Camp Lejeune, I'll be headed back to the ol' Staniland by the end of this year and returning in the middle of next year. My EAS date will be 10-12 months later, which is quite a large gap, however IF we do deploy again, I won't make the following deployment without extending (and I won't be). So that leaves me with a few options: 1) I FAP out to wherever. 2) I PCA or PCS. 3) I stay in the unit for their next work-up, remain on RBE and EAS when I EAS. Option 3 is the dumbest in my opinion for the individual and the unit. It's a waste of training, the taxpayer's money, the unit's time and resources, and the Marine's time, but it happens... more than it should. Anyways, enough of my typical Terminal Lance b*tching and moaning, here are my questions:
1) Do you have a choice when it comes to if you'll FAP out, where you'll FAP out to and what you'll be doing? I've asked around a little and from what I've gathered by asking some of the Marines I work with, you may or may not be selected to FAP, and may or may not be given a few options on where to go, such as Stone Bay, Twentynine Palms (as a coyote), somewhere in Division/Regiment, etc.
2) What are some of the best places to get get FAP'ed to? So far, I've heard the rifle range (Stone Bay) and Twentynine Palms are pretty nice places to work. Note that I don't mean to sound unmotivated, but when I return, the countdown to EAS will be on. I have my reasons for not staying in.
3) How job/rank/certification-specific are certain FAPs? I'm an 0351, plain and simple. My cutting score closed out in December, and before then it was mid-to-high 1700s. I have a few certs here and there, HMWVV/MRAP/MAT-V license, a clearance (I won't be too specific), a chaser cert, etc. But what are the FAPs I can and cannot do?
4) How likely/unlikely is it to go to another coast for a FAP? Here's the thing, I'm from Las Vegas. After SOI, I was sent to the east coasts. 'Twas my very first lesson in 'needs of the Marine Corps'. So, if at all possible, it'd be awesome if I could spend my final few months in the Marines just a few hours' drive from my home.
Sorry this is a bit of a longer post, but if anyone has any answers, hints, knowledge, anything really... all responses are very appreciated and definitely... absorbed, for lack of a better word. Just trying to plan for my future!! Thanks for reading and have a good one!
Got a few questions for any Marines with knowledge on the Fleet Assistance Program, also known as FAP. So here's my situation:
I'm aboard Camp Lejeune, I'll be headed back to the ol' Staniland by the end of this year and returning in the middle of next year. My EAS date will be 10-12 months later, which is quite a large gap, however IF we do deploy again, I won't make the following deployment without extending (and I won't be). So that leaves me with a few options: 1) I FAP out to wherever. 2) I PCA or PCS. 3) I stay in the unit for their next work-up, remain on RBE and EAS when I EAS. Option 3 is the dumbest in my opinion for the individual and the unit. It's a waste of training, the taxpayer's money, the unit's time and resources, and the Marine's time, but it happens... more than it should. Anyways, enough of my typical Terminal Lance b*tching and moaning, here are my questions:
1) Do you have a choice when it comes to if you'll FAP out, where you'll FAP out to and what you'll be doing? I've asked around a little and from what I've gathered by asking some of the Marines I work with, you may or may not be selected to FAP, and may or may not be given a few options on where to go, such as Stone Bay, Twentynine Palms (as a coyote), somewhere in Division/Regiment, etc.
2) What are some of the best places to get get FAP'ed to? So far, I've heard the rifle range (Stone Bay) and Twentynine Palms are pretty nice places to work. Note that I don't mean to sound unmotivated, but when I return, the countdown to EAS will be on. I have my reasons for not staying in.
3) How job/rank/certification-specific are certain FAPs? I'm an 0351, plain and simple. My cutting score closed out in December, and before then it was mid-to-high 1700s. I have a few certs here and there, HMWVV/MRAP/MAT-V license, a clearance (I won't be too specific), a chaser cert, etc. But what are the FAPs I can and cannot do?
4) How likely/unlikely is it to go to another coast for a FAP? Here's the thing, I'm from Las Vegas. After SOI, I was sent to the east coasts. 'Twas my very first lesson in 'needs of the Marine Corps'. So, if at all possible, it'd be awesome if I could spend my final few months in the Marines just a few hours' drive from my home.
Sorry this is a bit of a longer post, but if anyone has any answers, hints, knowledge, anything really... all responses are very appreciated and definitely... absorbed, for lack of a better word. Just trying to plan for my future!! Thanks for reading and have a good one!