From what I understand, the military will just provide me with my commercial plane ticket to take me to Navy Basic Training in Chicago rather than me booking it. When do they give you this ticket? I want to put my frequent flyer number on it so I can get benefits and stuff. If it's on Alaska Airlines I'm an MVP so I can get upgraded to first class if I put the number there early enough. It'd be nice to have one last little touch of luxury before I embark on the hell of boot camp.

At the time they give you your shipping orders, no upgrade, and since this is on the government's dime you may not be able to claim the miles. Customarily you will leave MEPS and get at the airport with just enough time to clear security and get to your gate and board straight on. My experience is that the MEPS people have the timing on this down to an exact science.

Hey JACK!

You make me laugh!!!!

You can not SCAM the United States Government nor the United States Military with your wants and desires to "profit" on them.

HA. Your Navy recruiter will hand you a military travel voucher that the military buys your seat on an airplane for a deeply discounted price. When? WHEN he/she HANDS it TO YOU!

Next you will fly in the back of the plane along with any other new "boot recruits" to Chicago's O'Hare Airport. When you get there there will be a navy bus somewhere that will you direct to North Chicago to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center.

Once you get on the bus, keep your mouth shut. Don't go sitting where you want to. Sit as you are directed to sit. You will sit in the next open seat next to the person already sitting there before the next open seat is taken. If you don't like the person next to you - too bad. There is no prejudice in the Navy. That guy might just save your life from drowning someday.

Keep your mouth shut and don't carry on while on the bus. If you do, you will find yourself in a world of "hurt" when the Navy drill people meet the bus. You are going to be singled out as the "class clown" and your life will be miserable for your entire 13 weeks at boot camp.

You are no longer an MVP. Your frequent flyer miles mean nothing. Your attitude by the question indicates that you are a person who want to "play the angles." Don't do it. BE WARNED by Me.

Keep your mouth shut,
Keep your ears open,
Do everything they tell you,
Without hesitation -
Without question.

That is how you participate and graduate.

Listen to me now or cry to me later that you wished you had taken my words seriously.

Anchors Aweigh,

Larry Smith
Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.)
First Sergeant

They will hand it to you at MEPS. If you want to upgrade, then do it at the airport.

The hell of boot camp? You been watching too many movies.

You go to MEPS the day before your ship date. The next day they will give u a ticket.

You will get your ticket on the day that you ship at MEPS. You might be able to get it upgraded, it depends on whether you have time to do so. You would be responsible for any additional cost. I fly on orders a couple of times and my ticket was upgraded to 1st class twice by nice agents who had room in first class. They did it for no charge but this was pre 911 and before the air lines started putting charges on everything. Another way to get additional leg room is to request a seat near the emergency exits as well. However, smart fliers usually get to the ticket agent quickly and these seats are snatched up. Good luck.

At the time that I went in, the ticket was given the day that you shipped. I guess that has changed for some locations.

Ask your recruiter It's been awhile since I was in but they gave me the ticket with my name good on any day normally you can do it at the airport at Customer service. And you will have plenty of luxury in basic, it's called sleep any that you can get. If you have orders SOMETIMES they will upgrade you if there is no room if you have your papers with you..