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Comment by BoiseMom on January 12, 2017 at 7:12pm

Okay, thanks. I'll be sure to tell my son not to get his hopes up about the WiFi being good. I'm worried about the boredom part, but I will do my best at sounding upbeat when I talk to him. It doesn't help that it's winter time.

Comment by NavyMom2014 on January 12, 2017 at 6:50pm

The wifi on base at GL, in my sons words, sucks.  We had a 40GB plan on our phones and there were a couple of months he used 30 of those GBs all by himself because everything he did he was using data.  He did have his playstation 4 that he used, but I don't think they did much playing online.

Comment by NavyMom2014 on January 12, 2017 at 6:48pm

Yes, they do get paid and yes, they have stuff to do.  They will have duty days and they clean their ships.  There were a couple of times while my son was on hold they called everyone back from liberty because the snow storms were so bad. Being on hold in GL I think gives them a lot of time to think, especially in the winter and if it their first time really out on their own.  My son shipped out 4 months after graduating from high school.  He is our 2nd oldest, but our first to leave home.  Even though he had been away from home before, but this was the first time we all knew he wasn't coming back for a while.  They do get bored and discouraged and there are days they feel like school is never going to start. They do get homesick.  As a mom, it is very hard to hear that in your child's voice but of all things I have learned is that no matter how much I miss him and would love nothing more for him to come home so I can get one of his hugs, I have to stay upbeat and encouraging.  I do my best to keep it together, but I always break down when we get off the phone.  We are here....always

Comment by FirsttimeNavymom on January 12, 2017 at 6:14pm

Yes.  So if they want to go get a tattoo even, they will need to get special permission..."chit".  

Comment by BoiseMom on January 12, 2017 at 6:11pm

So a chit is kind of like permission?

Comment by FirsttimeNavymom on January 12, 2017 at 5:02pm

That I do not know.  I do know that if they want it in their rooms, they have to get themselves, it's not provided for them, in their rooms that is.  Yes they can have gaming systems, laptops, stuff like that.  My son while there purchased an Xbox One but he can't play online with this friends because they don't have any wifi in their room.  I think they can have a TV but they need to get a chit for it.  A chit is a special request for like a TV, Keurig, etc. 

Comment by BoiseMom on January 12, 2017 at 4:23pm

Thanks FirsttimeNavymom. It's good that they get some liberty and I'm glad they go out as a group. I have one more question... I heard there is WiFi at A school in Great Lakes. Do you know if it's any good (speed, bandwidth)? Can they have an X Box, or is that not a good idea?

Comment by FirsttimeNavymom on January 12, 2017 at 3:30pm

Yes BoiseMom, holds at GL are pretty much a given.  Some longer than others, some not that long.  But they have do down time but they also have stuff to do.  They clean their ship (barracks), have PFA, watch duty, etc.  They also have chanceas to volunteer to for work parties, and other events that may be going on.  They do keep them busy but they do also have down time too.  They will and do get bored, at least that's what my son says but they also get liberty where they can go off of base with 2 buddies and usually go to the mall or downtown Chicago, to eat, Six Flags is also close.  And yes they are paid.  From bootcamp on, they will receive a paycheck on the 1st and 15th of each month.  Ask anything that's what we're here for :)

Comment by BoiseMom on January 12, 2017 at 3:05pm

Thank you FIBroomie and FirsttimeNavymom. This is great information and I can't thank you enough for sharing what you've experienced. It seems that the "hold" is pretty much a given. Are they given something to do during that time so they don't get too bored? Are they paid for that time?

Comment by FirsttimeNavymom on January 12, 2017 at 11:37am

Hi BoiseMom!  And welcome aboard!  I'm somewhat of a newbie myself but learning the ropes...slowly.  My son PIR was 9/2/16.  He is currently at GL and was on hold from 9/2/16 until 1/4/16.  He is also GM but just started his ATT school.  That is 9 week course crammed in about a 4 week course.  Then he will start his A school.  So basically he was on hold for a 4 months of course there may be a slight hold i think between ATT & A school, I guess depending on classes, not quite sure on that though.  There are a couple of his buddies that also had the same PIR as him and doing GM as well that are still on hold, waiting to "class up".  I'm not sure if it goes alphabetically or not his last name starts with a C.  Hang in there it'll happen.  He's going to get frustrated and so will you but it will pass I promise just keep the encouragement coming.  If it's one thing I've learned and still learning is patience lol.  We're all here for you, this is a great place to be.  A lot of emotions, highs lows but so worth it.  

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