CS (Culinary Specialist) Moms

I think that's the big goal of CS - to be able to say you served this or that VIP. By the way, did you know that even though each POTUS chooses their chef, ALL the cooks are Navy?

Our sailor graduated from Ft Lee last year. He was held at GL for several weeks as were others. Then went to Ft Lee where Sailors on a Army base were not particularly happy with them. Apparently the class befor them trashed some stuff. He requested duty first West coast, (preferring Alaska) and then foreign. He got the USS Abe Lincoln that is in dry dock till 2006. At first they said he would have to do sea duty somewhere, but now, they are having him work helping on the repairs. He does love the NAVY life now. He is Norfolk and has finally gotten the NAVY  help that he lacked in A school, as to chain of command. His options, Where to go for what. Ft Lee lacked in that. He was intimidated by the size of the carrier. But now is adjusted and wants to make it a career.

My sailor (PIR 7/3) finally was told he will be sent to Ft Lee in VA the beginning of Aug... about a month at Great Lakes. He seems ok with it, but any CS coming out of RTC the rest of this month MAY have a shorter stay at GL than usual.

Therevbev..my son just went through PIR 7/11...he has to stay at GL for awhile also.  Hoping he will have a short stay so he can get on to Ft. Lee.  Momma Bear

I realized I forgot the 1. USS Abe Lincoln in Norfolk till possibly 2016. They have yet after a year to decide whether to send the sailors to sea on another vessel to get their sea time. First was told yes, then no. He has learned to roll with what ever they say. But he loves the NAvy, just not doing any cooking. LAst year he was cooking burgers for civilians and crew coming on to work on the vessel in a cube right off of it night shift. He is now working on the inside rebuilding even though he is a cs. Says he wants to go to retirement. Took him awhile to adjust to the large base and environment. He was antsy about the wait at GL for a month after graduation. They kept changing when he was to go to Ft Lee. Close to end of FT Lee they were told it could be a few weeks waiting there. Then day of graduation it was pack up and leave.

The wait drove my son nuts, he just wanted to get to WV so he could start school.

My son also waited in Great Lakes for a month before going to A school at Fort Lee.  It drove him crazy too.  He wondered if he was cut out for the Navy.  But once he got to A school it was better.  He just found out he's been assigned to the USS Gonzalez in Norfolk.  That ship is in dry dock as well.  It's actually a good transition for our son, I think--not going out to sea right away.  He's less than 8 hours away from us so we can go see him on long weekends.  Hopoefully he's coming home for a week and is planning on driving his car back to Norfolk.  Does anyone know if sailors are allowed to have cars if they are assigned to a dry dock ship? 

He 's right around the corner from me!!!!

Do you live in Norfolk? 

I live in VA Bch not to far at all about 20 min.

How many moms in this group have sons/daughters in the Bush?

My son is on the Bush. He is apart of Strike Force Two and does service for those who fall under that group. He overall likes being were he is at. Nice to connect with some who has a CS sailor. Are you apart of the mom's Bush site?

I'm fairly new to this website so I don't know if I am or not. :)

I follow the Bush group, and that's how I keep myself informed of some things.

I am new to this too.  What is the Bush site?  How do I get on it if I want to?

I have a PIR set to graduate 9.22.14, he says he has three A schools, the first one is only nine days long.  Any input on this? 

Anandajoy- all sailors heading to CS school (Ft Lee, VA) spend at LEAST one week at Great Lakes Naval Base for "naval indoctrination". These are classes on more details on how things are done "in the fleet" which most get at school, but since Ft Lee is an Army base, there's no room to do it there. While the indoc classes are 1 week, the time at GLNB depends on when they are ready to start a new class at Ft. Lee. My Rich (PIR 7/3) is only leaving for Ft Lee this coming weekend, he hopes. The schooling at Ft Lee is, I think, 66 teaching days long... actual length depends on holidays, hold days etc... I know of no other schooling for CS beyond this.

mimiburl- The other sites referred to are for specific ships (or bases) once your sailor has a permanent duty station. No need to worry about that until after school.

Happy, Happy, happy! After a month of waiting at Great Lakes, Rich is on his way to Ft Lee with about 25 others! Hope to hear from him later today!!!

Are they granted Liberty more often while at GL if they are delayed longer that a week?  My son is still in BC his PIR is 8/29/14 which Friday before Labor Day.

MOM MasterofMotivation S14 D269 They do have more liberty after PIR. While they are at Great Lakes they do have assignments and classes but otherwise they have a lot more free time than in boot camp. They actually get spoiled a little because when they get to school in VA its a bit more structured :).

You'll also get to talk to them much more cause they will be allowed to have their cell phones with them. Speaking of cells, if you make it to PIR you'll want to take their cell phones/chargers with you. Otherwise they can get mail so you can just send it.

I agree with Michelle about the sailors being a little spoiled after PIR. They have a lot more liberty.   My son was shocked at the difference.  He is graduating CS school this Friday and has been assigned to USS Gonzalez in Norfolk.  He never complained about A school in VA though.  We still text or talk on the phone every day and his room was really nice. 

My sailor found out about two weeks before A school was over.  So it's closer to the end than to the middle. 

How long is A school for CS?  I've heard three different things.  My son leaves for Fort Lee Saturday, Aug. 16.

5 weeks. My son left GL on Saturday June 14. Started A school on Monday, June 16 and he finish it on July 18. On July 19 he came home for 10 days! :-)

VC: Thanks for the information.

My son went to Ft Lee. I think your recruiter has old info.

after pir they will be told that they will have a 9 day hold on them NO they will stay in gl for about 3 weeks. Then go to A school in fort lee. Va. They will be there for about another 52 days. I am going through with it rig now with my husband. he is in A school CS in ft. lee and thank god he graduates this friday.

Lovely_ sailorswife,.... they will be told where they are going 2 weeks before they graduate. they will not get their orders in hand until the week they graduate.

We are going to San Diego grrr just the thought of having to drive cross cntry...

For those that have been to a graduation what is it like? how long is it? Is it anything PIR?Just want to know what I am loking forward to this friday. thnx

Phancy23 if your son is a CS he will def be going to fort lee for A school. He may have to stay at GL on hold before going, depending on how much room they have in school. My son was on hold for a month, then went to fort lee and was on hold there for about a week before starting school.

Phancy23.... they will clean and do duty shifts. they will have leave after a certain time. now being they are in  ft lee they will be doing pt with the army m,w, and fri they have to be up at 4 am those day and tues n thurs. they have to be up at 5 am. my husband is graduating from there this week. i was there 2 weeks ago its a nice size base.

Phancey23.. also they consider the first 3 weeks while they are on hold so to say the start of A school and once they get to ft. lee they will only have 52 more days left of A school.

Be AWARE! My son arrived at Fort Lee on Aug. 2nd and will GRADUATE on Sept. 5th! THAT IS NOT 52 days. Not sure why it may now be different or why his group is going thru so fast, but don't make too many plans ahead of time!!

No - no way to know early. In fact, the sailors aren't really told anything until about 1 week before they leave. The average time at GL is 3-4 weeks. The time at Ft Lee seems to be 4-6 weeks. (4 being the most recent few). Leave is anyone's guess. Still trying to nail my sailor's leave down and he finishes school in 2 weeks.

Graduation/leave time information is last minute. I think we didn't know FOR SURE a graduation date until the week of and even then you don't know when they will be released and able to leave the base. So to be on the safe side plan any flights for the evening and get your wallets prepared to book a flight a week or less out from the departure date. If I recall correctly, we got a one way flight from A school to our hometown - on our dime -  and he was able to work with their Navy travel person to have his flight to his duty station changed to leave from our hometown to the duty station since he wanted to take some leave before heading to the west coast. Its been several months so its a little fuzzy. Just know that its going to be a little messy and more costly than if you are able to plan better HOWEVER all that drama will fade to the background once you get to see them :). Good luck ladies!

At lease we can drive down to Ft Lee for his grad. Just hope he remembers to arrange his flight to the west coast from our home airport! It's all new to him since we've moved and he'll actually be taking leave at his grandmothers.

WOW! What a day! So glad my Sailor finally called to say that the teachers just locked the doors and said "Keep Cooking!". God is good ALL the Time!

My son is a Sailor now and PIR is this Friday, however he told me that his Liberty is only a few hours after PIR he reports back for an 1 to 4 hours and we can wait for him.  Then A school begins there at GL for 6 days.  He will tell more when we see at PIR.

Dear MOM MasterofMotivation S14 D269, Congratulations to the New Sailor and to you! Good luck to your son. After PIR my son only had a few minutes. He have to go back to move to the different location on the base. I was waiting for him for about 4 hours. After he moved I met him and he was with us together until 8:30 pm. They have to be back on base at 9:30-10pm. Since it was a Memorial weekend I was so lucky to have him on Saturday, Sunday and few hours on Monday before my flight. You will have a wonderful time together J All the best

Thank you VC for this info.  This will help us a lot!!! So we can prepare.

Of course, you are very welcome.

After PIR when you while you will wait for your son, you can go to the NEX (Navy Exchange Service Command) you will see it there. If you son didn’t order the DVD of the PIR you can order it there. My son ordered his pictures package but not DVD. I was lucky and I order it. You can also buy a picture of his division from the PIR. All the best