Guys are not getting HOM base (TDY, by seniority, at the various bases) as their assigned base, unless they specifically ask for it. Yes, there is a good chance if you are young (low on the seniority list for your class) you will get OAK, however, everyone is getting assigned a base, but you WILL end up somewhere other than your base (most likely) right after training, as you haven't been able to put in a bid yet and will be auto-reserve somewhere in the system. At least one guy in my class has bid for HOM, the idea being that he wants to see all the bases and decide where he wants to end up. He's single and doesn't mind not paying rent, getting a hotel and a rental car and living out of a suitcase. A month of TDY seems to be running around $500 or so, in terms of per diem. Also, if you choose to make other arrangements for lodging, you can take the 50% payout for hotel, which in Vegas was around 1100 dollars.