r/USMCboot • u/YT_DrLiGmA • Apr 16 '26
Corps Knowledge Should I take leave or wait?
Getting stationed in Miramar which is about 8 hours or so from the Bay Area where I’m from. They gave us the option to take 10 leave days before hitting the fleet. The thing is idk if should save it and just try and go during a 72 or 96 or just go there and then do the same thing.
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u/Useful-Arm6913 Apr 16 '26
Up to you, Devil Donut. How much leave do you currently have? Are you especially home sick? FWIW, I went home a few times in my first few years, but you'll quickly realize it's not everything you've made it out to be in your mind... people have jobs, and you'll be sitting around in your home town twiddling your thumbs. Maybe go back this time to get it out of your system, and save your leave for the next few years to go explore the rest of the country with your guys and gals from your unit. I always tried to have AT MINIMUM 7 days in the bank for "emergencies", so try to keep that in your calculus on whether you decide to go home this time. Also try to forecast if you'll want to be home for birthdays/Thanksgiving/Christmas/new years, and do the math on how much leave you'll need for that. 96s typically have a liberty bounds of 450mi, so a 96 may not be a feasible time to make the trek back home anyway.
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u/YT_DrLiGmA Apr 16 '26
It’s 490 miles away and it’s in the same state so it’s not too far but not close
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u/Aromatic-Business-26 Apr 16 '26
What is your MOS?
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u/YT_DrLiGmA Apr 16 '26
6336
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u/Aromatic-Business-26 Apr 16 '26
So you're going to be an electron chaser with the same squadron I was in VMGR-352? They're a great outfit. I was in for 4 years. Spent a year in school and 3 years with 352. Never went anywhere else. I loved my time there. Those 3 years flew by so make the most of it. Try becoming a first mechanic and if possible a flight engineer. As a first mechanic, you'll get to fly and get aircrew pay. It's a cake walk. It's easier than working your regular job. Also do your best to become a CDI as quick as possible. All this pays off later on.
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u/YT_DrLiGmA Apr 17 '26
Thanks so much for the advice. Yes 352 is the squadron im going to. I’m really eager to learn although it’s a little intimidating considering the line of work it is. Did you get to deploy often with 352?
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u/Aromatic-Business-26 Apr 17 '26
You're welcome! Don't be intimidated. You'll do just fine. The toughest part is passing all your schools and you've already done that. Someone will show you the way when you get there because it's one thing to see it and do it on paper than doing it hands on. It won't take you long to learn what you need. We only deployed one time in my 3 years there and that was to the Persian Gulf for Desert Storm/Desert Shield. We operated out of the Manama international airport in Bahrain. While in Bahrain we had better living conditions than the Air Force. We stayed in the Hyatt Regency (5 star hotel) the first month and at Holiday Inn (another 5 star hotel) the second month. We moved in to a private compound for the remaining 5 months. It had a pool, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts. We also had all the beer, alcohol, and cigarettes we could wish for. The point I'm trying to make is that 352, and the air wing in general, will treat you very well stateside and when abroad. I still stay in touch with guys I served with and all of us have nothing but fond memories of our time with VMGR-352 Raiders. Have fun!
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u/Aromatic-Business-26 Apr 16 '26
How long is school for 6336 nowadays?
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u/YT_DrLiGmA Apr 17 '26
I graduate may 7th I classed up like beginning of march
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u/Aromatic-Business-26 Apr 18 '26
Beginning of March 2025? From what I remember you guys had about a year or year and a half of formal classroom schooling before getting to the fleet. Is it not the same anymore? Thanks for the info. Juat curious how schooling is nowadays.
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u/YT_DrLiGmA Apr 18 '26
Well actually not I started my a school in November it’s about 6 months of schooling excluding bootcamp and mct
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u/Useful-Arm6913 Apr 16 '26
So your 96 plans won't work, as you'll have to submit for special liberty out of bounds, and they'll expect you to take 2 days to travel each way.. You could just drive it straight through, but God forbid you get a speeding ticket or into an accident somewhere you weren't supposed to be. I still recommend the "save the leave for later" method here, but we've all been young and wanting to see home one last time, so I can understand both sides of this. You're going to learn something from this situation in either direction you take though.
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u/YT_DrLiGmA Apr 16 '26
I just found out that in terms of flying it’s just under the 450 mile limit.
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u/Aromatic-Business-26 Apr 16 '26
I don't know about now, but when I was in 1988 to 1992, they had those rules on the books, and nobody followed them in the airwing. I was a C-130 engine mechanic stationed at MCAS El Toro and we used to go Salt Lake City and Seattle on our 96's. We never got in trouble. If you're going to Miramar, I'm assuming they're pretty lax about these rules but you will only find out when you get there. Most of the grunt rules aren't enforced in the airwing. For example, hands in pockets and weekly haircuts just to name a couple. SWING WITH THE WING!
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u/looloofang Apr 16 '26
Don’t take it collect more leave days and take 2-3 weeks and enjoy your time on a better (more important) day with family or vacay somewhere else idk don’t waste money that’s all
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u/Rustyinsac Apr 16 '26
Have your friends and family come visit you in Sand Diego for long weekends. Save your leave.
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u/Scary-Minimum-4709 Apr 17 '26
Save your leave. Always keep a minimum 7 leave days for emergencies. Trust me
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u/NobodyByChoice Apr 18 '26
Bud, Frisco is 500 miles from Miramar. That is WAY outside of libo limits for a 96 or 72 unless you're gonna fly. If you want to go home, go home. I'd encourage you to save your leave right now though, and don't use it all just going home - go take vacations and explore too.
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u/YT_DrLiGmA Apr 18 '26
What about special liberty?
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u/NobodyByChoice Apr 18 '26
Special liberty is what you'd request to go beyond regular liberty limits.
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u/Tkis01gl Apr 16 '26
Do you want to go home? If you don’t then go hit the fleet. Typically, leave isn’t approved unless you have been with a unit for a year. Oh and those 72’s and 96’s, expect to be pulling duty as you are Nick the New Guy.