Is it worth spending the money to rent a car the whole time I am at QM BOLC?

I'd recommend bringing your own car. If you don't have one, you can always get a ride with one of your classmates. The tests are pretty easy, but people in my class have failed a test or two before so if you're unsure of any of the material, it would behoove you to study. You'll stay in the hotel right next to ALU. Bring pots and pans if you want to make use of the kitchen in your room. Invest in a personal wifi hotspot and a printer. Internet is spotty in the hotel at times and the hotel computer lab printers may not work when you need them to. Download all of the class slides and handouts from Blackboard onto your computer.

You may want to take that cross country drive and bring your own vehicle if that is an option. I brought my own vehicle with me when I attended OD BOLC and LogCCC. Having your own vehicle gives you more options during the week. Fort Lee was just starting the construction of the new hotel while I attended BOLC, so the housing on base was limited. I ended up living in Petersburg (BOLC) and Chester (CCC). While at BOLC, I car-pooled with three other LTs. Parking is always an issue at ALU. If bringing your vehicle is not an option, I would suggest renting a car for the first week or few weeks until you meet your classmate and can potentially arrange to ride with someone. If the hotel next to ALU is full, you'll probably want to get a furnished apartment off base.

Your days in class will vary. Some days, you will be working late, while other days will be over in the early afternoon (or earlier). Make sure that you have a reliable computer. If you haven't left for Fort Lee already, see if you are able to get other schools scheduled for when you are at Fort Lee. You still may have the opportunity to attend schools after graduation, but it is easier if you're already scheduled.

I’d say renting a car for weekends might be your best bet, especially if your main plan is to drive up to DC to visit family. Keeping a car the whole time could get expensive, and if you’re mostly on base, you probably won’t need it every day.

As for making life easier at QM BOLC, staying organized and on top of the schedule is key. I’ve heard that having a solid routine really helps, especially since things can change depending on the instructors. As for housing and base life, it can be pretty basic, so having a few comforts from home is a good idea.

If you ever need a rental for occasional trips, check out https://realcar.miami/ services. They offer options for when you need a car but don’t want the hassle of full-time rentals, definitely useful if you’re just looking to get out of town on weekends.