Should my son have a vehicle/motorcycle when he goes to A-school?

[Kelly Jo]

My son is leaving for BC 6/3/09. After that is A-school in Florida. Should he bring or have a vehicle down there? What is the usual and is there parking available, etc? Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much!

[Tamie (mom of Michael)]

I do not know that much about the base in FA, but I do know when he said at A school in GL he didn't have is car. But once he move to is final orders than he came home and took his car with him. Hopefully someone has a answer for you.

[Sandra(Michael's Mom)]

When my son Michael was in A school in Fla. I don't know any of his friends that had a car.
The first 2 - week they can't go off base. Then they are so busy learning and working. My son did go
out on the weekends but close to base. I live in NY so he could not come home and get a car. Don't even know if they can leave untill A school is done.

[Robin (Ali's Mom)]

Kelly...I live in Pcola...and have adopted a little sailor here who was here for A school...first there are two bases here (actually 5) but two that your sailor will be using...one is a walkable base (Correy Station) and the other (NAS Pensacola) is not...they do run a city bus between the two. You see all the sailors sharing cabs in the local area too. They will not be allowed access to their cars in the first few weeks...but as school and privledges progress they are allowed to have cars...they do have to run a chit and get permission all the way up the command. I am not sure that your sailor will be able to register his car and get the appropriate base sticker without first running the chit...In Florida there may be a law that says you have to register the car with the State within a certain number of days of arrival or residency as well. His restrictions may not enable him the opportunity to comply. He will need the appropriate registration and proof of insurance to get is registered on the base too. He can probably do the temporary permit thing for a few weeks. It might be wise to wait on the car until he actually has permission to have it on the base. Hope this helps...Robin

[jeanna c parker]

yea,, my grandson left on June 3rd. for BC and after that will be in A school in Fl. hope we can share, and I am still new on this sight...Thanks....

[Kelly Jo]

Hi Jeanna, did your grandson get sworn in at the White Sox game? We're from WI and drove down to Chicago to see my son sworn in. He said it would be during the 7th inning stretch. We got there about 5 minutes after the game started but when I found him he said they were sworn in at the beginning of the game, so I missed it!!! At least I got to spend the next six innings with him, they left at the 7th inning.
I was very sad and heartbroken when he left but he told me at the game that he is doing okay and is accepting of his decision. That made me feel alittle better but I still miss him extremely. He used to call me during the day to chat and now I just want to be able to pick up that phone and talk with him...
My son's name is Dan and he is in the IT program. What is your grandson's name? I hope we can share info anything will be helpful. It's nice to know there are people feeling the same way when you are.
Take care,
Talk to you soon. (I already got my son's mailing address so now I can start sending the letters, yeah!!!)

[Michelle Chicago Mom]

Kelly Jo,

It was great to meet ya. Well not only were they delayed at Ohara - but my son's group spent 24 hours sitting in Atlanta airport. So he didn't arr in FL until very late last night. but talked to him this morning and he is loving his new place! More space and less people - lol. But seriously - he seems ok but tired.

Not sure how to do the whole add a friend. Do you know how to?

Michelle

[Diane (Ohio)]

my son left 6/3/09 too -- but he flew into Chicago from Columbus, OH. He is also planning on going to Pensacola after Boot. Perhaps they'll all be in the same "ship" at boot?! If so it will be great to have some mom's in the same ship as me!

[Kelly Jo]

Hi Diane, My son's name is Dan. He is on ship 3. He is in the IT program. He was sworn in at the Whitesox game but I missed the beginning and that's when it happened. I'm hoping that someone may have video taped it and I can get a copy. We drove all the way down thinking that he was going to be sworn in during the 7th inning stretch, but we were mistaken. Will you be going to the graduation? I hear it is awesome! Let me know if you find out that they know each other... Take care, Kelly

[Michelle Chicago Mom]

Kelly,

My son left on June 3 too and will do the same A-school.

[Kelly Jo]

Hi Michelle, Do you know what ship his is in? What program is he going in to? Were you at the White sox game for there swearing in? If so did you get any pictures or videos of it? I am trying to find someone who may have been there and maybe has some type of pictures?
I already got his address so have started writing to him. It makes me feel better to do this and hopefully he will enjoy all my ramblings in the letters I have sent him. Take care. It's so nice to know others are going thru this at the same time. Kelly

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Kelly, at many of the A schools students are not allowed to have cars/motorcycles. It depends on how long their school is and there is a motorcycle safety program they must go thru as well. I'll try to find the information for you - which A school will your son be heading to and how long does it last.

[Kelly Jo]

Thank you, he will be going to Pensacola Fl for 14 weeks.