Hello all,
            My name is Brian and for the past week I have been combing through this site and compiling information for when I begin working out to achieve my goal of gaining 15-20 lbs of muscle within 10 months.  I would like to put on some weight before I come back to the states and see my family (in the air force, in Korea).  I have collected a lot of useful information from this site but I still have some questions that are left unanswered.  Could anyone please enlighten me on the below questions, any help is much appreciated.
 
1)       I am curious about working out to gain mass and what is the right amount of days per week.  I have seen both 3 and 4 day splits for programs and as a beginner, I am interested in the choice that will lead to me packing on more mass.
2)       Due to being in the military, I am forced to do PT during the week.  Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 0700 I have to run 3 miles.  How will this affect my goals of gaining mass overall?  And should I work out on these days or my non-pt days?
3)       I have read a lot about nutrition and I have ordered some supplements to help me achieve my goals.  I am now in the process of creating a daily schedule of eating and taking supplements to follow.  Could anyone please give me some information on when they use their supplements along with when they eat.  P.S. I will be using whey protein (100% whey), N0-Xplode, Animal Pak and Stak, and a box of MRP’s for meals on the run.
4)       I have also seen that people eat a lot of tuna for the good source of protein,  I like tuna as well but due to me being forced to eat at the chow hall, I am under their mercy as to how it is prepared.  I eat tuna sandwiches for lunch and dinner but they are mixed with mayonnaise.  Is this still a healthy choice of protein even though it is bathed in the fatty condiment?
 

1- There's debate on this no doubts.  But I've found that 4-5 days, no more then 60 minutes, one/two body parts per session is ideal.  Variables methods for intensity like supersets, rest periods, training to failure... etc.

2- Well running 3 miles is going to burn calories no doubts there.  And if you are trying to gain mass it's hard.  So ideally you want to train on the days you don't have PT.  But if you can't then try and get some good post-nutrition supplementation after the runs.  I would doubt you will pack on the ideal amount of mass.  In fact if you do, you'll find running will be very difficult as you start to get heavier.

At the same time, this might help keep you a bit leaner during a bulk phase.

3- There's a supplement guide link in the Supplement forum.  It should help you decide when to take what.  Most important out of what you listed, protein shake - post workout.

4- Eating at the chow hall you are just at the mercy of what you are given.  You can supplement to make meals better but it's very difficult.  You can watch your intake to reduce the fats.  But tuna is an excellent source.  As you point out is laiden with mayo.  The best you can do is limit the intake and watch your calories.

Comments:

Make sure you know how many calories a day you need in order to gain mass and be sure and track or figure out what you are eating and how close to that you are getting.  By doing this,  you'll be able to see how the food choices in the chow hall affect your overall goals.  Maybe on a bulk, the mayo in the tuna is not that important considering you are running 9 miles a week.

You will have to figure out how many calories a day you need and then take it from there depending on what you actually eat and if you can find out any nutritonal value at all.  Which I'm not so sure in a military institution you will be able to do at all.