Well my sailor is not having a good time in ft lee she says it sucks worse than BC and there whole class got in trouble because of two that couldn't shut up:( I don't know what to tell her she said she just wants to come home this is not a good feeling not being able to do anything for her
Hi everyone. My son finally got news last weekend that he will be leaving for VA this Saturday. He is excited to get started with school but the worst part is its his 21st birthday. He will be spending it traveling to fort Dix. Not quite what he had in mind.
I was reading everyone's comments. It does appear that CS do not get a lot of respect. I told my sailor that there is no such thing as a small job in the navy. Sounds like some people really wanted this. There are really some great opportunities in the Navy for great cooks.
He selected this career path because he wanted to get in the navy as soon as possible. He didn't feel like waiting 6-12 months for his next selection. I am very proud f him and honestly he has a great sense of humor and likes to be entertaining so hopefully this will work to his advantage Mags thanks for the info on your son and moving in less than the 2 years as he was told. I know he will do well and my family has been so supportive I am blessed. I hope things go well in fort Dix.
I did have a question for the group are they definitely allowed a leave when school is done? He seems to think it is 2 weeks. I know nothing is ever concrete but was wondering what others have experienced.
Happy 4th of July everyone. It certainly has a new meaning this year.
I've heard two weeks also but we won't get to see our daughter we will be in Alaska kinda bummed but can't change trip at least she will come home to see her brother and sister and friends
My daughter is on the USS George Washington. Here's how she spent her 4th of July. It took 19 hours because it's so hot on the ship the icing kept melting off the cake! You never know what a CS will be doing from day to day!
I agree cake looks good! i didnt know she wod be i. virgina intil a few days ago. shewas telling me she woyld be in chicago still. thank god someone told me a few daya ago.
MY son was in the aft galley on the USS Enterprise's last ride and then was moved to the forward galley... then the Cheif petty officers Mess for the last month of the delpoyment..... he loved working in all the differant galleys... he is attached to a Flight Squadron in NAS Oceana, (in Virginia Beach) and works in the galley on base. But if the squadron goes somewhere they take their CS's with them.... even to a new ship. or training somewhere.
My son is still on hold in GL and should be in Ft. Lee in a few weeks. He told me he'd heard that they were a bit more restrictive there right now as well. I told him he survived boot camp so he can do these few weeks too - restrictive or not :).
Has anyone actually been to this base? I shop at an Air Force base commissary and they are usually pretty nice. I'm hoping this is as well. I'd like to visit while he's there but I'm not sure the timing will work out. Anyone here have any hotel suggestions or places to visit that have been there?
My Daughter went to Fort Lee for A school and finished up in April. The hotels are near by and I stayed at Fairfield Inn in Hopewell that cost me $122 for the night. It was nice not 5 star nice but clean and comfy. The base is on the same road and easy to get to. I did not need a pass to get on base just my license, registration and proof of insurance. The guard at the gate told me where to go. They have to have liberty buddies but I did not think that the rules they had to adhere to were unreasonable. The building they stay in is newer and she liked it. She was there about five weeks then was assigned to the USS Cole based in Norfolk VA. I can not tell you about the commissary as I only was there twice once to visit and once for her graduation) but she was able to get what she needed and get her rate patch on her dress uniforms there. She was able to come home for about two weeks when she finished before reporting to her duty station.
Victoria's dad. Thanks for the info. My sailor just arrived there Saturday. Counting down to graduation and time home
How soon do they get their assignments for post graduation? My sailor really wants to go on a ship that has some upcoming travels
Cheryl the cake is just beautiful. So much work!
I heard about army giving navy and air force hard time too. But honestly it is only 5 weeks. With so much comp between the branches I wonder if it would be any different if they were on a navy base. My sailor said he is there to learn and move on. I mentioned the same thing as another mom here. Be tough and move on. I do hope things go well. I know he had to phase up again so that is probably hard
Question for vets. When they leave A-school do they have to pay for their own plane tickets?
They get their postings 1 to 2 weeks before graduation if I remember correctly. My daughter never said anything about the Army folds but the Air Force CS's stay in the upper floors of the building they are in and are in some of their classes. She said there was rivalry but nothing major.
mam4real-when the leave for their duty stations....the plane ticket is paid for to the duty station...if i remember my son.. he left Fort Lee and was flown to his duty station Norfolk VA, he then bought a ticket home to Dallas
Greetings all! My son is currently holding in GL. He got orders to leave this Saturday the 13th for A- school in VA. He graduated 6/21 so about 3 weeks have passed. Overall he seems to be enjoying his experience so far.
Mam4real....My son is doing great so far. He was assigned to the US Nitze a couple of months ago. The first time they were underway to do workups, he was asked to prepare the main dish...Bar-b-q ribs. Wound up getting a perfect rating from the officers and crew!! I'm hoping he keeps doing so well.
Hellô to the CS moms. I was wandering if any of you vet moms know what is typical for CS A School . Based on general info most going to A school out of state travel on the saturday after PIR. Although reading the discussions on this it seems that my SR may stay at GL until a class is developed. Any info would be appreciated. My son graduates 8/30/13
My son was on hold in GL for 3 weeks while waiting for a class to form. Then, when he got to VA he was on hold for another 2 weeks. UGH! Very frustrating. He is not in BESS and scheduled to graduate in 2 weeks. :)))
Thanks for the info. I was hoping he would ship out right away then be in VA the next week. This would give me an excuse to go to the Richmond Nascar race . Do they attend any schooling in GL after PIR or are they simply waiting for a class to form up?
Hi Tatesmom - sounds like you sailor is doing really well. I always share these stories w/ my sailor.
My son spent 3 wks in GL and wen to Ft Lee after. He is just completed his 2nd week and phased up. I cant wait until graduation 8/9 when he can come home for a visit.
Also looking foward to hearing about his next assignment. He seems to be doing well in Ft Lee. I think the PT is more strict there. He mentioned running 3 miles. He did like GL better though, especially the beach there.
DTARMY thanks for info about FB, will have to check that out.
Nicks mom my daughter had watch and other duties and they have some kind of class to go to but mostly she had fun she liked it they even had a couple of cook outs:)
Nick's Mom (Ship 13 Division 281 My son is still on hold in GL. They have an indoctrination class for about a week. After that they just have watches and other duties mainly around the barracks to keep them busy. As Lisaz said, it doesn't sound like there is much stress while they wait :).
Hi Lisaz --- MY son is a CS for a squadron that is attached to the GW. He is now in the wardroom cooking on the GW. He says he works 16 hour shifts, but he loves it!
Cool thanks Patty for the update I hope she likes it she also said yesterday that she is hearing that she will have 20 days for leave I hope so cause we will be in Alaska we are leaving on the 1st and she comes home the next day if she gets 20 days we will get to spend a couple of days with her before she goes
Our daughter's PIR is 8/30. Anyway of knowing if a group recently went to Fort Lee...or how long the queue is for going? Just trying to figure out how many weeks (if any) our future sailor will be at Great Lakes.
My son Graduated on Friday, August 2nd, and is staying in great lakes. not sure if I should send him any mail he was requesting some things when we were down there. i know this is a waiting game, but not sure if I should wait till I get a better address in Fort Lee. any ideas?
Graduation is inside so that was nice. I saw a lot of different dress options. Just a heads up you will be sitting in bleachers so I would just be careful with heels. It's a fabulous event and the sailors are in their dress whites. I wore a dress and my husband had khakis and a button down. Hope that helps. Just don't forget the tissues.
I was wondering if someone here could answer a quick question for me...My son is at boot camp and his PIR is 10/04/13, I was under the impression Culinary Specialists go to A school in Fort Lee, VA, however, when I spoke to him for the first time the other day, he informed me he was staying in GL? Do CS stay in GL for a while before going to A school?
Jappyjship
My son will be a CS and he says he will have one week of school at GL . I believe it may be indoctrination and then he ships out to Fort Lee for A school. I believe this is the same for all CS sailors. The on hold time nay vary at GL or Fort Lee
Lisazship2DIV928
Jul 2, 2013
Lisazship2DIV928
Jul 3, 2013
mam4real
I was reading everyone's comments. It does appear that CS do not get a lot of respect. I told my sailor that there is no such thing as a small job in the navy. Sounds like some people really wanted this. There are really some great opportunities in the Navy for great cooks.
He selected this career path because he wanted to get in the navy as soon as possible. He didn't feel like waiting 6-12 months for his next selection. I am very proud f him and honestly he has a great sense of humor and likes to be entertaining so hopefully this will work to his advantage Mags thanks for the info on your son and moving in less than the 2 years as he was told. I know he will do well and my family has been so supportive I am blessed. I hope things go well in fort Dix.
I did have a question for the group are they definitely allowed a leave when school is done? He seems to think it is 2 weeks. I know nothing is ever concrete but was wondering what others have experienced.
Happy 4th of July everyone. It certainly has a new meaning this year.
Jul 3, 2013
mam4real
Jul 3, 2013
Lisazship2DIV928
Jul 3, 2013
Diann CS Mom
Jul 3, 2013
Jackie
Jul 6, 2013
Diann CS Mom
Jul 6, 2013
Cheryl
My daughter is on the USS George Washington. Here's how she spent her 4th of July. It took 19 hours because it's so hot on the ship the icing kept melting off the cake! You never know what a CS will be doing from day to day!
Jul 7, 2013
Jackie
Jul 7, 2013
YooperMom
Cheryl the cake looks wonderful & HUGE. Love the look of concentration on her face. :)
Jackie, my daughter went in to bc 7/3 and is a CS too! Glad she'll be in Virginia in the fall and not summer. Humidity is not her friend. :)
Jul 7, 2013
Jackie
Jul 7, 2013
dtarmy06
MY son was in the aft galley on the USS Enterprise's last ride and then was moved to the forward galley... then the Cheif petty officers Mess for the last month of the delpoyment..... he loved working in all the differant galleys... he is attached to a Flight Squadron in NAS Oceana, (in Virginia Beach) and works in the galley on base. But if the squadron goes somewhere they take their CS's with them.... even to a new ship. or training somewhere.
Jul 7, 2013
dtarmy06
Jackie , they will do it all now in the Navy, bake cook, clean,,,,
Jul 7, 2013
Michelle
Good Morning All,
My son is still on hold in GL and should be in Ft. Lee in a few weeks. He told me he'd heard that they were a bit more restrictive there right now as well. I told him he survived boot camp so he can do these few weeks too - restrictive or not :).
Has anyone actually been to this base? I shop at an Air Force base commissary and they are usually pretty nice. I'm hoping this is as well. I'd like to visit while he's there but I'm not sure the timing will work out. Anyone here have any hotel suggestions or places to visit that have been there?
Jul 8, 2013
VictoriasDad
My Daughter went to Fort Lee for A school and finished up in April. The hotels are near by and I stayed at Fairfield Inn in Hopewell that cost me $122 for the night. It was nice not 5 star nice but clean and comfy. The base is on the same road and easy to get to. I did not need a pass to get on base just my license, registration and proof of insurance. The guard at the gate told me where to go. They have to have liberty buddies but I did not think that the rules they had to adhere to were unreasonable. The building they stay in is newer and she liked it. She was there about five weeks then was assigned to the USS Cole based in Norfolk VA. I can not tell you about the commissary as I only was there twice once to visit and once for her graduation) but she was able to get what she needed and get her rate patch on her dress uniforms there. She was able to come home for about two weeks when she finished before reporting to her duty station.
Jul 8, 2013
mam4real
How soon do they get their assignments for post graduation? My sailor really wants to go on a ship that has some upcoming travels
Cheryl the cake is just beautiful. So much work!
I heard about army giving navy and air force hard time too. But honestly it is only 5 weeks. With so much comp between the branches I wonder if it would be any different if they were on a navy base. My sailor said he is there to learn and move on. I mentioned the same thing as another mom here. Be tough and move on. I do hope things go well. I know he had to phase up again so that is probably hard
Question for vets. When they leave A-school do they have to pay for their own plane tickets?
Jul 8, 2013
VictoriasDad
They get their postings 1 to 2 weeks before graduation if I remember correctly. My daughter never said anything about the Army folds but the Air Force CS's stay in the upper floors of the building they are in and are in some of their classes. She said there was rivalry but nothing major.
Jul 8, 2013
dtarmy06
mam4real-when the leave for their duty stations....the plane ticket is paid for to the duty station...if i remember my son.. he left Fort Lee and was flown to his duty station Norfolk VA, he then bought a ticket home to Dallas
Jul 8, 2013
mam4real
Jul 8, 2013
FaithThatConquers
Greetings all! My son is currently holding in GL. He got orders to leave this Saturday the 13th for A- school in VA. He graduated 6/21 so about 3 weeks have passed. Overall he seems to be enjoying his experience so far.
Jul 9, 2013
TatesMom
Mam4real....My son is doing great so far. He was assigned to the US Nitze a couple of months ago. The first time they were underway to do workups, he was asked to prepare the main dish...Bar-b-q ribs. Wound up getting a perfect rating from the officers and crew!! I'm hoping he keeps doing so well.
How's your son doing?
Jul 9, 2013
pat ship 9 div 329
Hellô to the CS moms. I was wandering if any of you vet moms know what is typical for CS A School . Based on general info most going to A school out of state travel on the saturday after PIR. Although reading the discussions on this it seems that my SR may stay at GL until a class is developed. Any info would be appreciated. My son graduates 8/30/13
Jul 13, 2013
Diann CS Mom
Jul 13, 2013
pat ship 9 div 329
Thanks for the info. GREAT to here
Jul 13, 2013
williti
Pat
My son was on hold in GL for 3 weeks while waiting for a class to form. Then, when he got to VA he was on hold for another 2 weeks. UGH! Very frustrating. He is not in BESS and scheduled to graduate in 2 weeks. :)))
Jul 17, 2013
pat ship 9 div 329
willitti
Thanks for the info. I was hoping he would ship out right away then be in VA the next week. This would give me an excuse to go to the Richmond Nascar race . Do they attend any schooling in GL after PIR or are they simply waiting for a class to form up?
Jul 17, 2013
dtarmy06
no schooling in GL... Just the waiting game...
Jul 17, 2013
pat ship 9 div 329
Jul 17, 2013
dtarmy06
they have a facebook page too! and they post pics all the time!!!
Jul 17, 2013
mam4real
Hi Tatesmom - sounds like you sailor is doing really well. I always share these stories w/ my sailor.
My son spent 3 wks in GL and wen to Ft Lee after. He is just completed his 2nd week and phased up. I cant wait until graduation 8/9 when he can come home for a visit.
Also looking foward to hearing about his next assignment. He seems to be doing well in Ft Lee. I think the PT is more strict there. He mentioned running 3 miles. He did like GL better though, especially the beach there.
DTARMY thanks for info about FB, will have to check that out.
Jul 17, 2013
Lisazship2DIV928
Jul 18, 2013
Diann CS Mom
Jul 18, 2013
Nick's Mom
What do they do while they are waiting in Great Lakes before the go to A school in Fort Lee, VA?
Jul 19, 2013
Lisazship2DIV928
Jul 19, 2013
Michelle
Nick's Mom (Ship 13 Division 281 My son is still on hold in GL. They have an indoctrination class for about a week. After that they just have watches and other duties mainly around the barracks to keep them busy. As Lisaz said, it doesn't sound like there is much stress while they wait :).
Jul 19, 2013
Patty
Hi Lisaz --- MY son is a CS for a squadron that is attached to the GW. He is now in the wardroom cooking on the GW. He says he works 16 hour shifts, but he loves it!
Jul 20, 2013
Lisazship2DIV928
Jul 20, 2013
YooperMom
Our daughter's PIR is 8/30. Anyway of knowing if a group recently went to Fort Lee...or how long the queue is for going? Just trying to figure out how many weeks (if any) our future sailor will be at Great Lakes.
Aug 2, 2013
Nick's Mom
My son Graduated on Friday, August 2nd, and is staying in great lakes. not sure if I should send him any mail he was requesting some things when we were down there. i know this is a waiting game, but not sure if I should wait till I get a better address in Fort Lee. any ideas?
Aug 5, 2013
JGMom
Nick's mom, I would wait and see my son stayed a few weeks before going to FT Lee. They have the NEX on base for anything he might need.
Aug 5, 2013
Jappj
My son left for boot camp on Wed. Aug 7. He has chosen to be a Culinary Specialists I'm hoping this is a good choice for him.
Aug 10, 2013
Jackie
Aug 12, 2013
mam4real
Aug 12, 2013
Jappj
I was wondering if someone here could answer a quick question for me...My son is at boot camp and his PIR is 10/04/13, I was under the impression Culinary Specialists go to A school in Fort Lee, VA, however, when I spoke to him for the first time the other day, he informed me he was staying in GL? Do CS stay in GL for a while before going to A school?
Aug 25, 2013
pat ship 9 div 329
My son will be a CS and he says he will have one week of school at GL . I believe it may be indoctrination and then he ships out to Fort Lee for A school. I believe this is the same for all CS sailors. The on hold time nay vary at GL or Fort Lee
Aug 25, 2013
Jappj
pat ship 9 div 329,
thanks for the information I will check to make sure that is the case. Do happen to know your sons e rating?
Aug 25, 2013
pat ship 9 div 329
Aug 25, 2013
Jappj
Did he start at an E1? Just curious congratulations on your PIR next week!!1 Hope all goes well in BS
Aug 25, 2013
pat ship 9 div 329
My son recieved e2 before bc since he had prior college.
Aug 25, 2013