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Comment by Rock on August 12, 2013 at 8:54am

Thanks, gabrielsmomma. My son is really looking forward to The Navy and "getting away from the cornfields". I'm glad he's going to a nice place.

Comment by gabrielsmomma on August 12, 2013 at 8:18am

Hi BirdsOfAFeather!  My Sailor Son did his A & C school @ Dam Neck.  I recall him commenting that he found out from others (quickly & easily) who had arrived there earlier than he had what places to avoid & what places were Navy friendly.  He also never went anywhere without a buddy, whether this was mandatory or not during school, I don't recall...just the smart thing to do...  Pretty much the normal things we've taught our children about being smart & safe will do the trick!  Good luck.  My Sailor Son LOVED his time at Dam Neck...  I'm sure your Sailor will too!  :p

Comment by Rock on August 11, 2013 at 11:15pm

Thanks for the comments everyone. VA Beach does sound nice and I really like the idea of hanging in small groups or having a liberty buddy. Makes me feel better.

Comment by BarbRags on August 11, 2013 at 8:04pm

Anna, sorry it took so long to get back.  He didn't request a second C school.  They just put him in it.  His ship hasn't been commissioned yet and won't until the spring.  He's gotten over the initial disappointment of being ready to come home and then not being allowed.  He's been at Damn Neck since 3/22 started A school right away, C school started right after and so did the second one.  Now he's saying he'll be home November 15.  I no long count on that.  LOL  

We have been down to visit once.  The beach is really nice there, but the base is very depressing looking.  They have condemned buildings and their living quarters aren't the best.  The area around it is very nice. It does seem as if they go out in groups or at least with another person.

Comment by marblette( Ship 13 Div 250) on August 11, 2013 at 6:39pm

My son is in A school now in VA and his PIR was 7/3/13.  He does use the buddy system but I am not sure if they have to or just wanted to.  He loves it there and the beach is beautiful from what he has shown me on Skype.  If there is anything you need to know about there I would be glad to try to find out for you.  <NMH>>>  We all have to stick together just to get thru all of this.  This is the first time I have gone thru this but these sites are a wonderful way to deal with feelings and thoughts.  I don't know what I would do without all of these wonderful people (families) to help me out. 

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on August 11, 2013 at 6:29pm

I don't remember at school if they must use the buddy system or not. Once they are out in the fleet and have liberty at a foreign port they are required to have at least one "Liberty Buddy". This ensures that if anything happens, there is another to report it and eye witness the event. I know my son and some of his buddies from A school and C school always went out to eat together, to the mall in small packs, and I believe that even if he was just driving up a couple of miles to Oceana he generally took someone with him. If they take a shuttle or taxi they try to share the ride to save on fare too. All in all if they don't look for trouble, trouble won't find them.

Comment by philipmom on August 11, 2013 at 6:12pm

Hi Birdsofafeather. The VA beach area is a real resort town in the summer.  It is a very family friendly place with a lovely boardwalk, shops, and hotels.  It has been a while since we have been there (we live about 5 hrs away and head to SC Beaches due to traffic) but we have many friends who do vacation there. There would probably be some areas in Norfolk I would avoid, maybe some areas near Hampton Rds...But VA Beach and Sandbridge are great.  There is a lot to do for visiting families and fun things for the young men and women at IS school to do when on Liberty. Our son his hoping they allow beach fishing on the private beach at Dam Neck : )

Comment by Rock on August 11, 2013 at 4:59pm

Hi philipmom. I've been on Internet looking at pictures of VA Beach and it looks really nice. Is it a safe place as far as gang violence and stuff like that? Just worry about if he's off base looking around. I know that wont be for a while yet but we are from a town of 2,000 people and never had to worry about things like that.

Comment by philipmom on August 11, 2013 at 1:10pm

Hello!  I am Philip's mom and he too is headed to Dam Neck after PIR 9/6/13. We are from VA and somewhat familiar with the VA Beach area...so If anyone has questions about that area I will help I can.  Birdsofafeather- My son mentioned that they do not get to pick their C school until after A school. Maybe that information is wrong?  I wonder how all that works. My son is in the reserves.  I have only met one other reserve mom and her son is going to Dam Neck as well.

Comment by SouthernCalimom Ship 13 Div 333 on August 4, 2013 at 1:37pm

My son will be reserves and head back to his senior year of college once done with A school in Nov. . Did not know ther were full time IS openings but finishing his last year at UCLA is more important right now. He must know what he's doing after that. Hes quiet about his plans. I know if he's eying on potentially becoming an officer which is his goal , he needs that degree as starters.

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