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Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on January 22, 2009 at 11:57am

Wow! I feel so lucky that my Chris is also at Virginia. Here all along I just thought it was the RDCs at bc being jerks about getting letters to and from my son. It sounds as though GL may need a new post master. Good luck to everyone trying to get stuff to their SNs and SAs.

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on January 22, 2009 at 12:04am

Thanks Lisa! They did not inform me of that. I will if I ship any more of his running shoes. Now that he has the laptop I think the only other thing of real value he will want is his car. Do you think they would mail it so cheap? lol Oh well, it's a few more weeks before he can phase up to that anyway so I'll be ready for a weekend jaunt by then. I'll take it to him (yeah good excuse to go see him). I hope he will have some time to get his pass and anything else he needs to keep it on base. Thanks for all the help.

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on January 21, 2009 at 10:51pm

I have read where anything sent USPS certified (docs, mail) or USPS insured (packages), do not have to go through a security screening like UPS or FEDEX. I sent my son's laptop, cds, and clothes, last Thursday morning and he got them yesterday (Tuesday) since the mail did not run Monday. He said everything was fine and unopened. It's my understanding that (at least where Chris is) when UPS or FEDEX drops a package at the gate it may become "suspicious" and have to go to security first. USPS on the other hand is government so it goes on through most of the time. Chris does have to pick up packages at his NEX. I don't know if that is how it is on all bases. The one thing I did not like was that I could not track the package from the website. But he got it .
If you call the post office 1-800 number you can order the military flat-rate boxes. They will deliver a pack of them to your door complete with labels, customs forms, tape and plastic sleeves for the forms. You pay $7.65 to ship each box no matter the weight, even overseas. You can go to the PO and get them too but why if they will bring the whole thing to you? I got 8 boxes and they give you an ID number so you can call and reorder anytime. I did find that his laptop case would not quite fit but just about anything else will. If my dog does not leave me alone she may find herself getting shipped! lol

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on January 21, 2009 at 5:39pm

Yeah Judy, Chris' addy is IS "A" school but the street name he gave me is the one that his class building is on. I don't remember seeing barracks over there but I could well be wrong since it was the first of Nov. when we were there. He got his laptop and other stuff yesterday so I guess he knew what he was talking about.
He is so happy now that he has his cell phone and laptop, I don't hear from him now. He will have to call before too long though because he wants me to bring his car up soon after he is allowed. I'm going to wait until his 3rd or 4th week of classes anyway. I want to know that he has those study habits formed before he gets too much freedom. That's the really bad part about all the waiting around to start classes. They teach the recruits time management at bc then let them waste days upon days waiting.
I suppose they and we will muddle through it all. I'll also ask my Chris if he knows any of the MAs. C-ya!

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on January 21, 2009 at 3:32pm

Hi Dawn! I wish my Chris could meet up with yours so your Chris could tell him what to expect. H.S.Truman is a carrier? You can tell I'm still new at this stuff with the ships. LOL Sorry but for all I know about the ships it could be a sub too. (only a liieettle difference, right?) I know I've seen where several others have been attached to the Truman so I figure it's gotta be big like a carrier.
At what part of school do they get their ship assignment? Does your son think IS will be everything he had hoped it would be? What will be his specific rate? (If that's the term I'm looking for). There's so much about IS that I want to know and so much that I can't know! UGH!! How long did it take Christopher to get all his clearances or has he gotten them all? It seems like the NAVY would want them to have all their clearances before starting "C" school although I've read that it can take a very long time to get them. Does someone let them know when they have clearance or do they let them know when they fail the checks? Or do they just train and do the job and assume it's all good?
I know, questions, questions, questions! Oh well it's good to have an "experienced" mom here.
Thanks for any answers you may have. I'll be happy to relay any info to my Chris if your Chris has any advice for him! Have a great day.

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on January 21, 2009 at 3:01pm

Judy (Chris' Mom) Hi! I did not realize they had an MA school at Dam Neck! Yes the Annex is small but it seems pretty intimidating when you drive through. Christopher and I went up there last fall so he could get a feel for the place before he starts school. We only saw a few things. We went to the MWR and they gave us some good tips and suggestions. Then we drove by the building where his classes will be held. There were barracks across from the MWR building and they pointed out the bowling alley, we went inside and saw their theater the computer/game room, the big screen TV, the laundry area, and got a directory of phone numbers (that Chris has misplaced) for places like PAO, MWR, renting cottages there at the base, etc. Chris was supposed to send another home but as of yet he has not. I will likely have to go get it myself. :)
Chris has not said anything about meeting anyone else named Chris so far but that does not mean much since most of them only know each other by last names. I do remember his roommate is from the west coast and has been there a week longer than Chris. They would not be in the same barracks according to my son. I asked and he said he is pretty sure that everyone in his barracks is IS, although some are returning from the fleet.
Chances are though that they've run into each other somewhere. As you said it is small. Oceania is very big but the runways take up a huge amount of ground. If you go up to see your Chris be sure to take earplugs!!
We drove out to the main beach a few miles North and got on the take-off side of Oceania. I had my windows up and still had to shut off my cell phone because about every 20-40 seconds all you could hear was a horrific thunder. Chris says he has gotten used to it now. If he is working, he doesn't even look up anymore.
Well Judy, I'm glad you're on here. Have a good day!

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on January 21, 2009 at 12:45pm

Hi! My son PIR'd 01/09/09. He got to Dam Neck last week (01/11 09) and is waiting to start IS classes. Does anyone else have a son or daughter at or on the way to Dam Neck/Virginia Beach for "A" school? He has made it out to the mall and I believe he made it to the NEX at Oceania but that's about the extent of his jaunts so far.

Boone'sMom (Lori) if you will add me as a friend, I will send you a copy of the pics we took at the meet and greet. I hope Daniel's doing well.

Comment by Dianne on January 8, 2009 at 8:47pm

Great information, as always, Hoppi!!

Comment by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on January 8, 2009 at 10:27am

Barbara - your son is correct, the Sailor pays for personal leave but not when they have orders for a new command. Think of it like taking a vacation from work - we have to pay for that cost but if it is a business trip, my boss pays for it.

Taking leave with orders, will cost the sailor some $$ but minimal compared to just paying a ticket for leave. They pay the difference in the cost of the ticket - in some cases it's been $35 but it depends on when/where they are traveling.

Comment by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on January 8, 2009 at 10:23am

Alicia, well said! As our sons and daughters hit a new milestone in the Navy we are excited and tend to want to rush to the next one but at some point that generally means...a big grey ship! So I'm trying to treasure the school days and know the rest of it will come before ...I am ready!!!

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