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Comment by Vee, Michael's Proud Grandmother on July 23, 2009 at 4:47pm

Hello everyone! Wow, where did the day go today? I think the heat is getting to me here in California.

Lots of really good information on here today...Will, B/Z for all your help!!!! I wish Michael could have a session with you.

Mary Proud Mom - Anti M pretty much answered your question about the "ship" aka barracks. Michael is in a room with 4 other sailors; they each have their own bunks, desks and share a bathroom inside their living quarters (not down the hall). They have a fridge and a microwave. I don't think this is the same for all the ships.

Melanie, I leave for my trip driving to SoCal early Monday morning...but am thinking I may go on Sunday instead so I can see some family down there on Monday.

Everyone, have a great rest of the day.

Comment by Anti M on July 23, 2009 at 11:35am

Mary, yes, ET is the same as electronics technician. Yes, we get tired of "ET phone home" jokes.

Comment by DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor on July 23, 2009 at 11:14am

Kay, Victoria signed up with a specific rate. She was originally scheduled to go to Pensacola immediately for A school; however, that was changed. She is now doing her basic electronics course in GL. She had to wait a couple weeks to start school. As I understand it, the holds in Pensacola for ATs and AEs are long. I thnk your son lucked out with timing. That's great for him.

Comment by DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor on July 23, 2009 at 10:37am

Will, I certainly would not discourage a student from taking the CLEP in an area but I know that the University of Florida was not accepting as many CLEP credits as they once did. I do strongly recommend picking up general education courses. These fill up quickly at the universities and are great to have out of the way. In addition it sometimes help the student figure out what they want to do when they grow up. Picking up a foreign language is always good.

Kay, I agree with what you say about having the young people stand on their own two feet. I remember when we took Victoria off to college for her freshman year. She wanted to hang back and let us ask the questions. We refused to do it. We also left her at her dorm right after moving in. There were freshman activities planned and we knew that if we stayed she would hang out with us and not do them. It was hard and I worried but I also knew we had to do it.

Comment by Anti M on July 23, 2009 at 9:50am

Mary, the "ship" or barracks is more like a college dorm than boot camp. She'll have a room she shares with a couple other sailors and a head down the hall.

I don't know how many roommates these days ... the rules have changed since I was there. I only had one, but I was a platoon leader. They don't even call them platoons anymore, I think they went to divisions. Makes more sense! That's how long ago I was in Glakes.

I had a tiny fridge, but I don't think they allow that now. There was a microwave in the lounge, again, I have no clue if this is still available.

Tell her to keep her stuff securely locked up, there's theft.

Comment by DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor on July 22, 2009 at 6:52pm

Barb, sometimes misery loves company! I do believe that sometimes it does make it easier when you realize that what is happening to you is happening to everyone, everywhere. I have read that the hold times at Pensacola are long as well. When Victoria finishes up at GL she will be sent to Pensacola ... to wait. It seems like they are in a hurry up and wait mode.

Comment by DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor on July 22, 2009 at 3:44pm

Bill, I do understand your frustration and that of your son. Alas, some of these problems are not unique to the Navy or the military in general. Budget problems have made life difficult in private industry as well.

I have a nephew who is an airline pilot. Right now he is facing the effects of budget problems. Some pilots will be furloughed and others put on reduced hours. This is really hard if you have a family.

Our oldest grandson just found out that his date to start Marine boot camp has been pushed from September 8 to December. He enlisted last December and if he goes over 365 days, he will have to wait 90 days to enlist again. He is so psyched about becoming a Marine and has been working out with his recruiter ever since enlisting. I suspect that this delay is also due to the budget crunch.

I think as family members we have to stay positive for our sailors and encourage them through their frustration. Perhaps encouraging them to participate in volunteer programs will direct them to more productive activities.

Comment by Vee, Michael's Proud Grandmother on July 22, 2009 at 3:27pm

Bill - is that affecting Michael's class, too? He started A school on July 8th with an estimated grad date of mid-September. He, too, will have been at GL 10 months by mid-September. I'll be interested in seeing how your post is answered. Hang in there tough NAVY DAD! I know it is hard on our sailors to go through all this hold time. Gary T. won't want to see this. God bless them all!

Comment by Bill S. on July 22, 2009 at 3:19pm

Hi all, well, I have bad news and more bad news for those in the GM rate. It appears they have had some issues with the computers in the class rooms and because of that the current class has been pushed back 2 weeks. So.... no graduation on July 31st. New date is August 13-14. This means that those poor Sailors waiting to class up are going to be delayed AGAIN!!! Also, those that were to get their orders this week, Brett, now will wait until Aug 21st at the earliest. What the hell is the problem?? These guys are having fits with all the delays and it is affecting moral yet no one seems to care.. Brett will end up being there for almost 10 months, for what he was told by his recruiter, was supposed to be 6 months at the most. How sad. I just hope he doesn't come out of there with a bad taste in his mouth. It would be a terrible way to start his Navy career. We can only hope this situation improves soon.Godspeed to our Sailors. Bill

Comment by Anti M on July 22, 2009 at 9:16am

Michelle, an engineman is an EN.

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