So MANY Navy questions (From Navy Girlfriend)
My boyfriend left for RTC, I received my last call from him last night telling me he arrived. We've been together a little over 2 years so going from living together every single day to now a whole new lifestyle has been more than overwhelming. I'm a big worrier especially of the future so to say I'm anxious is an understatement.
However he is my best friend and I am going to be strong and supportive no matter what. I want to be with him for the rest of my life, and he wants the same. I am preparing to be apart more than together over the next four years at least while he serves his 4 years active contract (not sure if he will re-enlist since its so early in). I just have absolutely no one to talk to about this, no one I know can relate at all. So if any one can answer some off the bat general questions I'd be more than grateful...
Are RTC graduations always on Fridays? And if so do they occur 9 weeks from the day the recruit arrives at boot camp? I know he will eventually be able to write to me and tell me the date I just wanted to get an idea.
After graduation, how long until they ship to A School if they are going to Pensacola, FL? And once they get there does school begin right away? We were told by his recruiter that he will be able to come home for Christmas, he will have I guess like 6 days banked up for leave. I know airfare will be out of pocket but I am guessing maybe he will be eligible for a military discount?
We are more than likely going to get married and quickly, certainly going to try to do so before his first assignment after A school. We didn't before boot camp so we could keep all of his ship dates etc for camp the same and not push back shipping out any further.
Anyone with shot gun wedding experience in the Navy I'd greatly appreciate any and all advice. Could we get married while he is attending A school? Or does it have to be after graduation. If it could be during A school we'd go to like the district court during Christmas break. The marriage topic is my biggest concern. We want to get it done so we can live together as much as possible over the next years. I know he will be on assignments where we will be apart for awhile but we want to live with together legally especially during his contract.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice !
lemonelephant
PIR is usually on Friday. The exception is when a Federal holiday moves it to Wednesday or Thursday, but that will not be the case for your SR who should have PIR on either 10/11/2013 or 10/18/2013 depending on when his division forms. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.
Your new Sailor will most likely fly out the day after PIR. See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend, There are groups for many of the ratings with "A" School in Pensacola; what will his rating (job/specialty) be?
Yes, he will be able to go home for part of the Christmas stand down at his "A" School if he is still in "A" School. It may or may not be for Christmas Day; that depends on the days he is able to get leave. They usually take 10 days and it is about the only time that Sailors are able to go into the hole on Leave. Yes, he will pay for his tickets for his Leave. Have him check the prices without the military discount and then ask about the military discount to get the best deal.
Those within Girlfriends, Fiances,and Wives of Sailors and within the groups for his "A" School can help with how getting married works. Since you didn't marry before BC, it will be best to get married during "A" School. They usually talk with the Sailors about when the best time for that will be sometime during INDOC so that you will be on his orders. He will most likely have to get a chit approved for him to get married in "A" School (or any time).
Join the group, DEP-Leavin for bootcamp in August, to connect with others with loved ones who left yesterday and may have PIR together.
You may want to join, or at least check out, Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and PIR Reference Information. Once you know your SR’s PIR date and/or division number, watch in Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and/or at http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/groups-listed-by-pir-date and join the group for that once it has been created. There will be a lot of great information and support for you in those groups. Be sure to check out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) and Discussions within the groups. Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) will let you know what is happening, but you will also want to check out the other Pages in all of the groups.
(Group names within this reply are clickable links. To join a group, click on the group name and after the group page opens, click on "+ Join..." in the upper right.)
Aug 15, 2013