Comment

Comment by PNM #2 (Proud NaVy Mom-2nd SR) on May 15, 2011 at 7:25pm

Jasmine (via Sonia):  Thank you for all of the information.  I realize that I am not the first parent that has been through this and I realize that I won't be the last.  I'm glad that they will have some down time once they get to Groton.  I didn't understand about everything being closed.  I figured if the government was all off on Monday, that meant NEX was closed, the base where they were going was closed and I was wondering who would process them in, get them situated, etc.  I haven't heard anything for sure but know that the plan is to ship them out sometime Friday.  Whoever they can't arrange transportation for will be able to stay at RTC until Saturday, thus having another day with their family.  We just didn't know what to do and made plans to go home Saturday evening just in case he doesn't fly out til Saturday.  It's kinda hard trying to plan for the unknown and I'm like JanH; I like to make plans and know what's coming up.  I guess this is something I will have to get used to!!!!  Thank you for sharing your experience with us.  I feel better knowing that they will have something to do that weekend.

Comment by PNM #2 (Proud NaVy Mom-2nd SR) on May 15, 2011 at 7:19pm

Comment by Sonia 02/928 on May 15, 2011 at 6:50pm

Hi, My name is Jasmine and I am Sonias daughter.  My husband is in the Navy, and he graduated in 2006.  When I went to his graduation, we were under the impression he had the weekend in GL, thats what we were told.  When we got there, he told us they changed him to grad and go, which of course sucked. He was getting on a plane a few hours after graduation to head to Missippi. All I can say about what happens when they get where they are going is that someone is waiting for them at the airport...they know the new recruits are coming and will be there waiting for them.  Also, because its a holiday/weekend...depending on when they get there, they will either check in/indoc or not.  My husband got there too late,and what they did with them was assign their rooms and let them get settled in, and then on monday (or tuesday for you guys) they had to go and do their check in/indoc...During that weekend they will have plenty of things to do, they wont just be sitting around twidling their thumbs waiting for tuesday...pretty much everything on base that is recreational will be available to them...so it will be just fine.  It will give them time to get themselves set up in their rooms, go to the nex and get any odd and ends they need...probably even get a cell phone if they dont have one...make lots of phone calls home to catch you all up on whats going on...use the computers...lots of emails...no more waiting weeks to hear anything...and now you can contact them!  Its not that GL doesnt want you to spend time with your sailors...BUT, they dont have the room to house all of them.  They have enough room for recruits and those that have aschool at GL.  They cant grant them weekend liberty unless they are checked into a-school/their command.  And depending on what a-school they go to, they have to earn liberty through phasing up.  Just take it from me...enjoy every minute and just plan a trip to see him/her when they are able to have time off from a-school. Have fun and good luck!

Comment by janh on May 15, 2011 at 5:50pm

I've had all the same questions and concerns running thru my brain too. Since they move 500+ sailors thru there a week, I guess they know what they are doing. Hang in there Proud Mama-I haven't heard any details yet either and it's driving me crazy. I'm a planner and it's hard to plan til we know more.

Comment by PNM #2 (Proud NaVy Mom-2nd SR) on May 15, 2011 at 4:57pm

Something tells me that once my body hits Illinois my mind will not be able to turn off to sleep!  I know that my time with him will be very limited and I'll stay up all night thinking of things to talk about, ask, etc.  I want to know all about the boot camp experience.  I can always get sleep another time.  He's been doing with a lot less sleep than me the past few weeks so a couple or 3 nights won't kill me.

 

I'm wondering how they can do INDOC when everything will be shut up tight until Tuesday morning.  Surely someone will be at the airport to pick them up and get them settled in at Groton.  Or do they have to provide their own transportation to base?   I guess they can get their rooms/bunks decided when they get there on Friday but then what do they do for the next 3 days???  I just can't understand the rush to get them out of GL. 

 

What really concerns me is getting to the airport.  Don't know when he's leaving or which one he's leaving from.  I have to go to get him the black back pack (the ex isn't going).  I won't have a car and will depend on the Metra.  I've been trying and trying to decipher the schedules, lines, etc. and it doesn't seem like they travel that early in the morning.  I know I can't afford a taxi so therein lies my other dilemma.  Hopefully I can find out something between now and the 24th.

 

Thanks for all of your advice, help, and your big, big shoulder to lean on.  It is very much appreciated!

Comment by diannep on May 15, 2011 at 4:47pm

ProudNavyMom:  What you do on the "sleep" issue after PIR so you can meet at the airport is:  After you drop off your sailor at RTC on PIR night, you head back to the hotel and get a few hours sleep before heading to the airport.  They usually bus the first group out around 2 a.m.  And they have to be back at RTC at either 8 or 9 pm on PIR day...so you could at least get 4-5 hours before heading to the airport.  That would help since you may be waiting with them for a while.  My son's plane got delayed...twice...once, they were actually pulling away from the gate when they had to return.  I didn't know about waiting with them at the airport then (a huge newbie who didn't get my info straight!) and as it was, he didn't leave Chicago until close to noon.  We could have spent some nice time with him had I done my homework on NavyForMoms beforehand!

Comment by diannep on May 15, 2011 at 4:43pm

ProudNavyMom:  You are correct...once arriving on A School bases, the sailors have to be "phased up" to get certain levels of liberty.  They spend their first days in INDOC which is done any time they go to a new base (it is like orientation for them).

Julie:  Yes, PIR 5/26's Captains Cup is this Saturday.

Comment by PNM #2 (Proud NaVy Mom-2nd SR) on May 15, 2011 at 12:53pm

He's SECF.  I'm hoping that all of the flights are full on Friday and they have to leave on Saturday.  There are a few of them going to Groton so they probably all can't get seats on  a Friday flight.  I'm hoping and praying...

Comment by janh on May 15, 2011 at 9:27am

Hi proudnavymom-my son will be off to Groton as well. We are staying in GL til Sunday with our fingers crossed that orders will change and we'll get more time with our sailor. If not, we'll go to the airport and see him off to his next adventure and check out Chicago. I think our sons will fly out together. What rating is your SR?

Comment by PNM #2 (Proud NaVy Mom-2nd SR) on May 15, 2011 at 8:59am

Unfortunately that's not feasible.  He's going to Groton, CT.  I have to get back home to MS to go back to work.  He would be at school anyway; even though they're closed I'm sure they won't just let him walk off the school grounds for the rest of the weekend.  The only sailors who get to check into school and spend more time with their families are the GL sailors.  I believe the rest of them go to their schools and check in with the schools being closed til Tuesday.  Doesn't make much sense to me but then again I'm not the Navy.  Much as I hate it I might as well get used to it.  This may be the first thing that upsets me but it definitely won't be the last thing that I will be upset about.  When he actually gets on a sub I will never hear from him nor know where he is.  Guess it's best to get used to it now...

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