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Comment by NavyMum on August 7, 2018 at 2:52pm

My son just signed up for CSS.  We heard the school was 9 weeks, so is part of that at GL?  

Comment by Rachel on July 28, 2018 at 11:51am

We spent the weekend with our son after PIR. Picked him up at the front gate by 7 and dropped him off by 8. Someone has to go inside with them to check them back in, so make sure you have your ID. Luckily his stay in GL was only a week. Within 2 weeks of arriving he was able to wear civie clothing and go visit the mall. Make sure they have an iron. On base was $35 to $60 according to our son. Thankfully one fella was graduating the week our son arrived so he didn't have to buy one and he left it there for the next one. Always share a taxi because they are expensive for just a short trip. 

Comment by therevbev on July 27, 2018 at 2:17pm

Hi.. No, after PIR your sailor will have only a few minutes to talk to you. Then they must go back to their barracks, get all their gear and are bussed over to the Great Lakes Naval Station (about ½ mile away). There is a park by the front gates and you will have to wait there until about 3 PM before they will have gotten their new rooms, and information.  Then they walk to the gate, use their ID to get you onto the base to "sign them out" until whatever they've been told (usually 7 or 8 PM). This is when you can give them their cellphones and laptops etc.. 

Now the good thing is that usually, they have liberty Sat. and Sun as well, so if you can stay, you get to spend quite a bit of time with them. They will be told the exact times, but you will still have to meet them at the gate, go back in to sign them out and then can finally leave - within 50 miles if I remember right (downtown Chicago is within the limit).

Comment by BoogiesMom on July 27, 2018 at 1:13pm

Hi therevbev,

I am seconding Michaela's question:  I believe I read somewhere on this site that New Sailors with a CS rating move after PIR across the street to the A School side?  Is this correct?  And if so, I am assuming that they can have their cell phones once they have moved into the new Barracks at RTC, right?

Comment by therevbev on July 27, 2018 at 11:23am

Hi, JJOO. USUALLY, and I mean that considering this is the military, the sailors have the weekends free, but still haven't been in long enough to earn much in the way of liberty privileges yet. If I remember correctly, it took a few weeks to earn the right to wear "civies" in public, and the ability to leave the base without a "buddy". Only your sailor will have the schedule or will be able to tell you WHEN he can freely leave Fort Lee. I know that doesn't help with plans, but the military can advance or delay liberty privileges for any reason.

Comment by therevbev on July 27, 2018 at 11:17am

Hi Michaela & BoogiesMom! Welcome. Since it's been awhile I am reposting the relative schedule of what you can expect....(This was true thru last year, hope nothing major has changed.)

The CS all stay at GL for at least 2 and sometimes 4 weeks, or more,  until the class is ready in VA. The first week is indoc classes (a Navy necessity) followed by a lot of cleaning and standing watch. That's just the way of it. As to PIR weekend, you can plan it as it fits your schedule (they have liberty throughout the whole weekend.. must stay at base each night, but you can sign them out Fri. afternoon, Sat & Sun.) since he'll be in Great Lakes, IL for several more weeks.

School is about 5 weeks in Fort Lee, Petersburg, VA. It's there that they will be assigned their first duty station just before the schooling is finished. There is a nice graduation ceremony (about 45 min) with about 1/3rd of the sailors having family present. USUALLY they will finally be permitted leave before reporting to their duty station or ship (my son went immediately to Guam after 10 days to catch a carrier that was already deployed). 

This is the "normal" schedule... at least it is the average timing. The thing to always remember is that it is the military and THAT means nothing is ever written in stone. Not dates, not leave, it's always up in the air! As my Marine parents group says..."Semper Gumby" (always flexible).

Comment by Michaela on July 27, 2018 at 11:04am

Do the sailors stay in a hold division at RTC while going through indoc and waiting for class to pick up at fort lee? Or do they cross the street and go over to the A school side for indoc and hold?

Comment by BoogiesMom on July 27, 2018 at 10:31am

Hey All!

New Navy Mom here.  My SR is set to Graduate from BC on 8/10/18, and after a couple of weeks stay at RTC, he will be going to A School in Fort Lee, VA. 

Anyone have any advice for the new upcoming changes?  He said he has a few friends in BC who will be going with him to VA as CS's, as well, so I'm hoping to revive this thread with some current CS Mommas!  :)

Comment by JJOO on July 7, 2018 at 7:18pm

Since I live in NC will I be able to visit him at A school at Fort Lee

Comment by Rachel on July 6, 2018 at 12:09am

Congrats misstizzy514 and JJOO!! I know you are excited and very proud of your children. Our son has graduated CS school and the time went by way faster than boot camp. Probably because we were able to talk every day. They do keep them busy though.  He will be headed out tomorrow and we have so enjoyed him being home but can tell he is bored and is excited to get started on his career. Good luck to both of you and if I can help with anything feel free to ask.

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