CS (Culinary Specialist) Moms

Yes Barbara, the Navy training for institutional cooking is a very important part of the basics. Some Chefs lack that training and only know fine dining - for instance - if they go to Culinary School. Then they don't know how to handle volume, etc.
BTW, at our Waco get together I am bringing lots of diverse magazines per request by moms whose kids overseas fight over the magazines. I also have some culinary magazines I would bring if any of you live in Texas, please let me know if you are coming and I'll put your name on them.

proudmomof5,
When does your son graduate A school? My son is also in A school and is suppose to graduate 11/6. I also have 5 kids. My middle one is the one at A school now. My oldest son leaves for boot camp on 12/14.

Sue Schaefer,
Talk about a very small world. My son who is to graduate A school 11/6, his dad is in Washington state. And I am in Ohio. Looks like the opposite for your son. LOL. We would much rather be in Washington state otherwise known as GODS COUNTRY. My hubby retired from the Navy Dec 08. We moved to Ohio were he went to work Jan 09 and just got laid off 9/09. We are to move to Texas for him to start work there 11/09.

We are in Piketon for another month. Then to texas.

We are moving to Greenville Texas. It is about 40 miles NE of Dallas. Hubby not happy about it. Cause he won't be able to bow hunt there.

We would love to be back in Gods Country. But have to go where the work is.

I know it all is. My hubby was raised in Texas. But he loves the mountains and loves to hunt.

My son is also going to Yokosuka, Japan after A school. He graduates 11/6.

Rozy124,
Are you going to go up for A school graduation?

proudmomof5,

I just got a text from my son and he will also be on the GW.

I have no idea. But my son graduates on 11/6. You know this is weird cause I have 5 kids. 4 boys 1 girl. My oldest son goes to boot camp 12/14. The other night I was talking on the phone with my son and he had me on speaker phone and his roommate was asking my son how to spell mayonnaise. And I started spouted out that I know. So I spelled it for him: MAYO, KRAFT, HELLMAN'S, DUKES. (LOL)

My son decided to go to Washington for his leave. So it might be the only time I get to see him for awhile.

My son also graduated today. I decided at the last minute to drive up from Ohio.

I did not get to GL till 7:00pm. Missed graduation but for a good reason. Me & my oldest son who goes to BC 12/14 were over at the VA helping to set up for the Veterans parade today. He gets volunteer hours towards the Navy Volunteer Medal.

Hello Ladies, my son finally after being a DEPPER for 11 months, made it basic traing this week. His PIR will be early Jan. and then off to A school. How long is A school? I know once he gets there, I will have so many more questions.
My younger sonis i n Great Lakes now, but in corpsman A school. He will be there until the end of Feb.

From sculptor to sailor.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50418

I come here from time to time to share stories and links. Has anyone heard from Cindy? She was in the same PIR group as me back in April 08. Anyhow, ya'll have a great month!

I have been an inactive member here for a long time. My son just had his PIR on 1-8-10, and moved over to the Main side yesterday. He thinks A school starts on Wednesday, Jan. 20. I was able to talk to him briefly tonight, but he was busy with his CS friends, and didn't have time to talk to me. I've been replaced! Oh, he did allow his brother in Corpsman A school to join them! lol

Thanks Karen. I have yet to meet a N4M, who wasn't helpful! I love all the help and advice I have gotten over the past year!
He's excited about A school. His nickname in BC was "Cooky"

Does CS A school have phases? I know Corpsman A school does as my other son is now phase two there. My CS son is still waiting to class up. From what I can figure out is that they might finish about the same time.

CSmom, Thanks! I talked to Richard tonight and he is excited. He was waiting for liberty when I talked to him. He was going on and on about how the USS England is so much nicer that the corpsman barracks! He didn't say when he would class up, but last week he thought it would be this coming Wed.

Congrats CSMom! I talked to Richard this morning. I asked about if he knew where he would go after A school, and he told me that since he hasn't classed up yet, he hasn't been told yet. I guess I'm just too anxious! lol I always want to know what they are doing, but sometimes get ahead of the game!

Thanks! My other son has already been told where he will go after A school. He will be going to Camp LeJune sometime in March for FMTB and then to New Orleans.
I thought that since they are both in GL, they would hang out, but I am glad that Richard has made CS friends. I think it makes him more motivated.

Savannah, my son had his PIR on the 8th as well. He thinks A school starts on Wed.
Karen, all I hear is about his trips to Gurney Mall! lol!! He seems to be really excited about A school starting. He likes his room mates and spends some time, but not all of it, with his brother also in A school in GL.
I asked him if he knew what he was going to do after A school and he said, well he used his new sailor language, but basically said it was too soon. I knew it was too soon, but I just couldn't resist!

Barb, it sounds like Boot Camp all over again with the lack of communication! Thanks for the heads up. My son will class up this week. I don't look forward to the not being able to talk to him again!

I just talked to Richard. he won't class up until Feb. 1. He also said that someone in the barracks messed up the log, and no one can leave base. He can't even go the part of base he wanted to go to meet his brother! They both sounded bummed out. Such is life in the Navy! At least I can still talk to him!

Savannah, Richard loves the mall! I think he goes there when ever he can! I think that might be the main reason he is bummed about leaving base liberty being taken away!!

Johanna, I had a son whose PIR was also Oct. 16. He was in Division 364. He is still in A school in GL. I have another son whose PIR was Jan. 8th. He is still waiting to class up for CS A school.
I'm glad to hear that your son is doing so well! I look forward to my son starting A school, and I look forward to him coming home before his first duty. I think my CS son will finish before my HM son, but for now, they are together for a short time.

Ladies, I want to thank everyone for the great information I am getting here. My son will class up on Monday. He had his PIR on Jan. 8th, so I am glad he will finally do something with all his free time. he has made a lot of good friends, and really seems to be ready for the start of A school and his life as a Navy CS!
YIKES, I can't imagine cooking for 4000! I can barley cook for me! I admire all the hard work our kids do!

Johanna,Zac mom
What he is refereing to is whats known as FSA's that is food service attendents which useally consists of non rated personal or depending upon the size of the ship marines as well. My son is a CS on the Hawes this is what he tells me anyway I hope this info. helps you

I am grateful for all the information. My son classes up on Monday, so I'm going to drill him on the information I have received here! lol
I'll be glad when he does class up. He has had a lot of free time! He needs to be busy!

Sandrea219, A school is in Great Lakes. My son is there now. He just classed up on Monday. One day, and to hear him talk, he is the expert! I love his enthusiasm!

sandrea219, my son had his PIR on Jan. 8, but just classed up on Feb. 1. He said that he will graduate on March 4. He text me earlier today and said that he was SIQ (sick in quarters) I hope this gives you a time frame for A school. Other moms may have more detailed info. I'm still a newbie at being a CS mom.

My son called. He is VERY bummed out! He was sick yesterday. Today they had a test. Since he was SIQ, he was unable to take the test. He has now been bumped back a week. I talked to him and told him I understood his being upset. At least it is just one week. I just talked to him again. I think he is better. At least he won't go to the clinic if he doesn't feel good! lol

So true!!!
I think this has taught him a lesson I have been trying to teach for the past 20 years.

He learned to take responsibility for his actions, even if he was sick. I guess he thought if he was sick, it was like missing in high school or at the community college. He now knows that he has to take his studies serious.

Mary, welcome! This site has a wonderful group of moms, wives, gf's and aunts and they have been very helpful, as well.
Richard is still sick, but I don't think he will be going to the clinic again until after A school! lol

He is feeling better. Since he got set back, he is taking this time to get better. He starts over on Monday. He had just started, so he isn't set back too far. I guess his graduation will now be on March 11 instead of March 4.

Hi everyone, My daughter had her PIR on 2/5 and will be going to A school on the 10th or the 11th. She has liberty untl the 10th so I assume that means A school the 11th. Everything is just a blur. All I know is she looked and sounded very good when we saw her this weekend. She hasn't told me where she will be stationed after that, not sure if she knows.

I don't know how long she will need to wait to start school. She does have 3 other girls from her division that are going to CS A School also so hopefully a new class will start soon for them.

CSMom, congrats to your daughter! I still have a few weeks. Richard did tell me that he passed his first test. Since he was SIQ, and set back, I'm not sure when he graduates. It was March 4, but I need to ask. He is getting more excited about his rate daily. All he talks about is where he might be stationed and all the things he will do. I am just so glad he found what he was looking for. He spent two years after high school trying to find something productive.
Johanna, I feel for your son! I had a hard time on a ferry boat in Puerto Rico going to an island and being on the open sea! I hope the sea calms some!

Richard got his orders today. His graduation is set for March 12, and from there he will go to San Diego to the USS Bonhomme Richard LHA-6. It was his second choice. I think he is just excited to know he is getting out of the snow!!!! He is in GL with his brother who is in corpsman A school, and they will also be in San Diego together for about two months while his brother does his FMTB at Camp Pendelton.

Johanna, which amphibious carrier is Zack? Richard will be on the USS Bonhomme Richard LHD-7. From what I have read about it, they carry Marines and their helicopters.
He just called me during his lunch break and told me all about rubbery jello and how it's not suppose to be rubbery. I am glad he is having fun! He also said that he gets his new uniforms next week and they will start going to the kitchen.

Well my girl starts school the 26th. Not sure how long it runs for. She has had INDOC since 2/11 if I am understanding it correctly. I think she is getting restless, wanting to get school started.

I'I think so... it seems like its a pre-paperwork time and then wait until next class starts

From what I understand, INDOC are the days just before class that the sailors have to take to get information as to how to handle their finances and other benefits they have in the Navy. I think it is only a day or two before they Class Up. I asked Richard about his classes and I was told that they have 11 days in class and 11 days in the kitchen. I'm going to have to ask my sons, but I think the time between PIR and INDOC they are "on hold".

Thanks for the info. The days are actual school days not weekends?

Thanks for all the info.

I talked to Richard this weekend. He said that after test 4 he gets his new uniform, I have already told him, I want a picture of him in it.
Do they get a class picture? If so, do they get to wear their chef uniform?

well, he passed test 4, so it is on to the galley! I asked who gets to eat all the food they cook. He wasn't sure. Does anyone know?
For the next two weeks, I feel sorry for who ever it is that he is feeding! lol Richard has not spent a lot of time in front of a stove.