'A' School and Holidays

[NavyMom/Wife * Bretton's Mom*]

Hi,
My son will PIR on Sept 26, then leaves for Pensacola on the 30th. I'm wondering about the Holidays. Do they have to stay during holidays, or are they allowesd to come home? I'm trying to prepare myself if he can't come home :(

Michele

[Nan (Anthony's Mom)]

I beleive A schools close down for 2 weeks during the holidays--that is what I've heard and I hope it's true for my son!!!

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

A schools are basically closed but unless your son/daughter takes leave during that time they will not be able to come home unless you live within their liberty area.

[Carol F.]

I have read here on N4M that you don't get anything special for holidays while they are attending "A" school. That they will get a special meal on the holiday but still have schooling before and after the holiday.
So..............................
Like Thanksgiving and Christmas. What do they really get???
I have also read that that the sailors have to stay within 300 miles for the liberty area. Does this depend upon where they are stationed for "A" school too? Each "A" school have their own rules?

[Robin]

Hello Ladies,
I do know that they have 2 weeks off at Christmas time.. NOT going to post when tho.. I already know and don't want to ruin it in case that some of your sons/daughters are going to make a surprise visit home. Mine already tried that with my Hubby but seeing as tho our banking accounts are tied in together, I was bound to find out where the "missing" money went, so..... hope you all get surprises or get a call saying they are coming home!! Oh and my son will be coming home to NH and that isn't within the 300 mile range. Don't know if you need special permission or not but he has his plane tickets. I would ask if they do need permission from their officers and find out that way. I am also guessing that they need to have their privilages current to be able to travel also?

[Carol F.]

Your son is in "A" school then, Robin???
So we can expect vacation time for them being in "A" school?

I do want to know because if my son isn't coming home, I was going to where he is going to school in CA then. I like surprises but I would prefer knowing and planning it all out.

Carol

[NavyMom/Wife * Bretton's Mom*]

Hi, My husband is in the Navy..
For them to have the time off, they need to put in a " leave Chit " and request which time they would like off. The way it's always been is they submit a leave chit for the time that is before Christmas or after Christmas. There are 2 leave periods.
Hope this makes sense. :)

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

They often get to take leave after completing their A schools. They "earn" 2.5 leave days per month, with the holidays coming up and the schools are usually on stand down during the holidays - many sailors may decide not to take leave after A school as they want to save it for the holidays.

[Dianne]

Robin, is your son in Pensecola? That would be so awesome if they get to come home for Christmas! When did you son start A school? It's really cool that he wanted to surprise you!!

[Robin]

Diane,
No my son is in GL for his "A" school and he just started about 2-1/2-3 weeks ago.. rough time getting thru ATT school but that is over and tougher times coming in this course for him I'm sure. I would have loved the surprise.. but I keep good track of money so there was no way around these two doing anything secretly...LOL Oh well, I'm happy reguardless!!!!!!!

[Dianne]

Yeah, there is no way mine could get away with it either! I hope Pensecola has some time off at Christmas too! At least the toughest (boot camp) is over for your son, mine is almost done! PIR 9/16 if all goes as planned!

[Sherri]

MIchele,
My son was PIR 9/12/08. His A school is in Groton, CT. I am wondering the same thing you are. He first said he would probably not be home for Thanksgiving but home the first part of November. Now he says he may not be home until Christmas....so who knows? We moms will just have to wait and hope for the best!!!! Good luck!!!!
Sherri

[Marilyn]

My Son Jonathan is in Penscola, Fl in school for CTT, and he said they have 2 weeks for the holiday. I told to get all of the correct information. By the way he was here ( New Jersey) for the weekend he took a flight back this morning. It's more the 300 Miles