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Comment by Lisa (MMNuke Mom) on November 30, 2010 at 6:15pm

Aww, thanks Aaronsgirl! After catching up on posts, I realized something else we have in common - we're both from OH!

Comment by Emily-aaronsgirl11 on November 30, 2010 at 6:11pm

Lisa- You've got it! The 18 month time the recruiters give includes hold times. Aka: T-Track and Grad Hold. That's also a round about time... It can be over or under. :)
And don't be afraid to ask questions if you're confused. There's lots of us who were in your position not too long ago. :)

Comment by Lisa (MMNuke Mom) on November 30, 2010 at 6:10pm

Oh, Penny - we went to PIR too (same PIR as Kat), but not into Milwaukee like Kat did. We flew into O'Hare from Austin - it was cheaper than Milwaukee (and closer than Midway), and flight times were shorter for us. Rented a car for about $22 a day (if you do this, do NOT get the pre-paid toll offer - total waste). It took us about 30-40 minutes (rush hour, even) to get to Waukegan, and we were fine then.

Comment by Lisa (MMNuke Mom) on November 30, 2010 at 6:04pm

Marybeth - thanks for the info on the different schools. I've been trying not to ask (just research, like pollyanna), but have still been a bit confused. I remember the recruiter saying it as basically A, B, & C school, each one about six months. Wow, that seems SO long ago now, but it's only been a year!

When we were at PIR, my son announced that he has decided to go sub instead of ship. Now, not sure how this affects training, but he had it figured out at 62 weeks (a little over a year and 2 months, not 18), and then wants to do the 2wk class in Groton for the emergency welding. Now, I know he got the math brains in the family, but not sure where the difference is. Maybe the recruiter built in for hold time??

Comment by Emily-aaronsgirl11 on November 30, 2010 at 5:51pm

Looks like everyone covered the questions for me. :)
The discussion that Pollyanna pointed out is a great one! Thanks to Casey! :)
You won't know how long his A school is until you know his rate: EM, ET, or MM. MM is 3 months while the other two are 6.

Marybeth- Alan was wondering the same thing on his first patrol. The second was much better. Now he's getting ready (or already gone, who knows!!) on his third patrol. The last Facebook status always breaks my heart.. It's his subtle way of letting everyone know that he'll be away for awhile. The last one simply read "Gone." It's so secretive, it's spooky!!

Comment by Kat (MM Nuke) on November 30, 2010 at 5:30pm

Penny - yes, we went to PIR. We flew into Milwaukee from Phoenix. That was a very easy way to go. If you fly in, I highly recommend it. Only about a 35 or 40 minute drive and NO traffic to speak of.
My son's PIr was Nov. 5 and he didn't leave Great Lakes until the following Wednesday. So we had all weekend with him. His division, and his brother division were called PUSH divisions, which means for some reason they pushed them through faster than normal, by a week I think. But, then after PIR they kept them back to take care of some other business, like procedural stuff about traveling, etc. it was kind of nice for the guys because they actually got to see each other after PIR and bond a little more, once things were a little less stressful. But I know that other divisions that had the same PIR date left on Saturday or Sunday and some of those are actually in my son's class now. So they staggered them.

Comment by Connie foaling-lady (Groton) on November 30, 2010 at 5:20pm

johnsmom Penny, here's what helped me "get thru" boot camp ... I put a calendar on the fridge and crossed off each day, with graduation date circled. Also, carry your cell phone EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME, even in the bathroom (I'm not kidding, I got a call from my son while I was in the shower). Put the home/landline phone on call forwarding to your cell phone if you go out of the house, even to the mailbox, I did not have this service before, got it when my son went to BC, cost $2 extra a month (Verizon), and got to the point where I could punch in the * command boop boop boop in like 2 seconds, turning it on and off as needed. I got a total of 3 calls from my son at Great Lakes, all totally unexpected and out of the blue. So be ready! And know that we're here for you!

Comment by bobbysproudmom on November 30, 2010 at 5:11pm

My son was issued the BCGs but was not wearing them for his formal pic or in any of the yearbook pics

Comment by Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke on November 30, 2010 at 4:46pm

Aaronsgirl - thanks so much for the advice. Sounds like you are doing everything you can do to keep Aaron motivated and on track - within your power, that is. My son met a great gal just one month before he shipped out and now there are two that are surely missing him. I can only speak from a mom's standpoint but I know it will get easier, for now, however, I tend to find myself crying quite often. I got his box yesterday and so far today hasn't been that bad. Only once so far in getting teary eyed !! I know I'll feel better when I can either hear his voice or see a letter from him to know how things are going. Wish I could bake cookies and send to BC but heard that's reason for a good razzing and not a good idea (according to the recruiter).

How long was the A school? Sounds like A school first, then T-track for 2 months and then Power School - do you know how long that will be for? My son is hoping to go sub which means he will have to go to Groton, CT for a few weeks to be tested for sub mentality. Also he was told that he may be one year in SC and then 6 months up in Goose Creek, NY - is that the plan for Aaron as well?

Sorry so many questions ... this is all so new right about now. Before he left for BC it was all just a pipe dream, not that it is real ... well, it's NOW REAL !!! lol

Comment by Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke on November 30, 2010 at 4:15pm

Elizabeth - sounds like you have one sharp and tough cookie there in a son. I have heard that A school and C school are both tough and it takes a lot of studying to get through with really great grades. BUT, at the end of the schooling and when you re-enlist, the better the grades the higher the monetary bonus. Don't know if that is how it works, but that's what we heard. Was your son a pretty smart son in school? My son ASVAB'ed at 99%, is pretty smart but hates cleaning his room, making his bed, doing housework, you know...all the stuff that takes energy aside from computer and TV !!! lol

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