CS (Culinary Specialist) Moms

The heart and soul of the Navy-the cook! Let's swap stories and exchange info about our loved ones being a CS in the Navy!
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  • cuanmi

    Hello Navy Mom's!  

    My daughter will graduate CS school mid-October.  Still waiting for additional information, hoping someone here can assist.  She has leave after, does that mean she can go home with us after graduation?  We are planning on driving, trying to figure out how long to take off work.  If we fly, does she need to book her own flight?  Can it be scheduled on the same flight.  Sorry, have lots of questions and I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row.  I'm a planner, I travel frequently for work so I want to get my schedule right as soon as I can. :) 

    Any CS graduation help, Do's/Don'ts or tips you can spare would be greatly appreciated! 

  • Tigerfan

    Cuanmi- my Sailor graduated from A school on the 25 of August, but was on hold after. He wasn't allowed to take his leave until the 6th of September. They set up his flight home, but he had to pay for his own flight.
  • cuanmi

    Thank you Tigerfan !  That makes sense!

  • Lori H

    Cuanmi, I think it depends on their orders which they tend to receive the last week. My son graduated August 18, we drove there because it was just a couple of hours and stayed in the hotel on base and within 15 minutes of the ceremony ending, we were on the road to come home. Other Sailors were flying home. It depends on where their home is located and where their orders are and like Tigerfan said, her sailor was on hold while mine wasn't. Your daughter won't be able to give you her orders yet but if you know her graduation date, then I'd book the hotel on base. I called them because online said no rooms were available and the hotel is huge. The best part was we hung out with him the evening before, grabbed a bite to eat at the PX and sat outside for awhile and met other Sailors. It was a nice time.
  • cuanmi

    Thank you Lori H !  That is helpful information.  Do you happen to have the information on the base hotel or link?  

  • cuanmi

    I believe I found the site, if someone can confirm

    http://www.lee.army.mil/graduation/grad.events.aspx

  • Lori H

    Yes, that is the site that lists graduation dates and the building they are in. FYI: Wiley Hall is not on the map if that's where your sailor graduates from but if you are driving around the base the evening before, it's easy enough to find. The people at the front desk can help you.

    If the number is on there, I'd call for reservations, but that's just me. And like I said, the website said none were available but when I called, they had plenty. You'll need a visitors pass to travel on base and you'll need security clearances through them. Your sailor can send you the information via email and you can do it online if you want. However, the visitor's center is directly on your right when you pull into Ft Lee's main gate. They are only open at certain times so make sure you arrive by then. It's a simple process and then you drive up, they check you and your ID and see you have the pass and have been cleared, and you can go in. Hope that helps!
  • Lori H

    **of course I'm posting as if you are staying at the hotel on base, but even if you don't, you'll still need clearances to get in the gate. The base is very large and can be confusing with the map they give you, so if you arrive that morning, definitely get there early.
  • therevbev

    bellagirl - yes, the start of this rate can be hard since it is usually long hours and hot work. After 1 full year in the kitchens, my son is now on the supply side of the job (supplying all the messes on the carrier) and is enjoying that better, but expects to return to the kitchens for his 3rd deployment early next year.

  • CAB

    Hi everyone. My sailor will soon be joining school in Virginia. Anyone else?
  • Rachel

    Anyone new out there?

  • misstizzy514

    Hi! I'm new. My bonus daughter (former stepdaughter) left 5/15 and is scheduled to graduate 7/6. Unfortunately the only information I get is if I ask her mother; so I went here in an attempt to get as much info as I can :)

    She is going to be a CS....no idea what her next step is after her initial graduation....but I am super ridiculously proud of her

  • JJOO

    I'm new as well my son left on 6/5 he is also a CS

  • Rachel

    Congrats misstizzy514 and JJOO!! I know you are excited and very proud of your children. Our son has graduated CS school and the time went by way faster than boot camp. Probably because we were able to talk every day. They do keep them busy though.  He will be headed out tomorrow and we have so enjoyed him being home but can tell he is bored and is excited to get started on his career. Good luck to both of you and if I can help with anything feel free to ask.

  • JJOO

    Since I live in NC will I be able to visit him at A school at Fort Lee

  • BoogiesMom

    Hey All!

    New Navy Mom here.  My SR is set to Graduate from BC on 8/10/18, and after a couple of weeks stay at RTC, he will be going to A School in Fort Lee, VA. 

    Anyone have any advice for the new upcoming changes?  He said he has a few friends in BC who will be going with him to VA as CS's, as well, so I'm hoping to revive this thread with some current CS Mommas!  :)

  • Michaela

    Do the sailors stay in a hold division at RTC while going through indoc and waiting for class to pick up at fort lee? Or do they cross the street and go over to the A school side for indoc and hold?

  • therevbev

    Hi Michaela & BoogiesMom! Welcome. Since it's been awhile I am reposting the relative schedule of what you can expect....(This was true thru last year, hope nothing major has changed.)

    The CS all stay at GL for at least 2 and sometimes 4 weeks, or more,  until the class is ready in VA. The first week is indoc classes (a Navy necessity) followed by a lot of cleaning and standing watch. That's just the way of it. As to PIR weekend, you can plan it as it fits your schedule (they have liberty throughout the whole weekend.. must stay at base each night, but you can sign them out Fri. afternoon, Sat & Sun.) since he'll be in Great Lakes, IL for several more weeks.

    School is about 5 weeks in Fort Lee, Petersburg, VA. It's there that they will be assigned their first duty station just before the schooling is finished. There is a nice graduation ceremony (about 45 min) with about 1/3rd of the sailors having family present. USUALLY they will finally be permitted leave before reporting to their duty station or ship (my son went immediately to Guam after 10 days to catch a carrier that was already deployed). 

    This is the "normal" schedule... at least it is the average timing. The thing to always remember is that it is the military and THAT means nothing is ever written in stone. Not dates, not leave, it's always up in the air! As my Marine parents group says..."Semper Gumby" (always flexible).

  • therevbev

    Hi, JJOO. USUALLY, and I mean that considering this is the military, the sailors have the weekends free, but still haven't been in long enough to earn much in the way of liberty privileges yet. If I remember correctly, it took a few weeks to earn the right to wear "civies" in public, and the ability to leave the base without a "buddy". Only your sailor will have the schedule or will be able to tell you WHEN he can freely leave Fort Lee. I know that doesn't help with plans, but the military can advance or delay liberty privileges for any reason.

  • BoogiesMom

    Hi therevbev,

    I am seconding Michaela's question:  I believe I read somewhere on this site that New Sailors with a CS rating move after PIR across the street to the A School side?  Is this correct?  And if so, I am assuming that they can have their cell phones once they have moved into the new Barracks at RTC, right?

  • therevbev

    Hi.. No, after PIR your sailor will have only a few minutes to talk to you. Then they must go back to their barracks, get all their gear and are bussed over to the Great Lakes Naval Station (about ½ mile away). There is a park by the front gates and you will have to wait there until about 3 PM before they will have gotten their new rooms, and information.  Then they walk to the gate, use their ID to get you onto the base to "sign them out" until whatever they've been told (usually 7 or 8 PM). This is when you can give them their cellphones and laptops etc.. 

    Now the good thing is that usually, they have liberty Sat. and Sun as well, so if you can stay, you get to spend quite a bit of time with them. They will be told the exact times, but you will still have to meet them at the gate, go back in to sign them out and then can finally leave - within 50 miles if I remember right (downtown Chicago is within the limit).

  • Rachel

    We spent the weekend with our son after PIR. Picked him up at the front gate by 7 and dropped him off by 8. Someone has to go inside with them to check them back in, so make sure you have your ID. Luckily his stay in GL was only a week. Within 2 weeks of arriving he was able to wear civie clothing and go visit the mall. Make sure they have an iron. On base was $35 to $60 according to our son. Thankfully one fella was graduating the week our son arrived so he didn't have to buy one and he left it there for the next one. Always share a taxi because they are expensive for just a short trip. 

  • NavyMum

    My son just signed up for CSS.  We heard the school was 9 weeks, so is part of that at GL?  

  • therevbev

    NavyMum1 - look down to my post on July 27. He will spend time at GL until school is open in VA. Once school starts it's about 5 weeks. The time at GL (other than the first week which is Navy Indoc. classes) is just waiting - 2, 3 or 4 weeks usually.

  • NavyMum

    Hello CS Moms!  My son is at Ft Lee for A school and will then go to Groton for Sub school following.  Does anyone know if he will leave Friday, the day of graduation or on Saturday?  

  • therevbev

    Hi, NavyMum! Welcome to the world of Navy CS! Do you know if your son will have earned leave by the end of A school? Most of the CS take a week or so of leave if they haven't yet before the next school or permanent duty station. It will depend on when the schooling is scheduled to start in Groton. He'll be your best source of news.

  • therevbev

    Welcome, Karilyn1962! I'm not a new CS mom (my son finishes his 5 years active duty next week - then on to reserves. The delay at Great Lakes means 2 things... you will have the whole graduation weekend with your sailor since they don't fly out and you will begin to learn the "waiting on the Navy" skill immediately. The wait is anywhere from 1-4 weeks at Great Lakes base usually. Welcome aboard.

  • Deanna

    Hello all! I’m new to all this. My daughter arrived at boot camp two weeks ago. Upon making it through bc she’ll be going to A school for CS. Any advice out there for a newbie?

  • therevbev

    Hi Mom of a future sailor! Welcome to world of CS. The best advice is to just hold on.... the roller coaster can cause whiplash at times! There are a lot of people who will help with questions. IF you are on Facebook, there is a page there (Navy For Moms) and lots of specific pages once your daughter is assigned a duty station.

    My son has finished 5 years on a carrier and is now reserve, so I've seen it all. ASK lots of questions; here, on FB, to your sailor! We've seen it all and can help. Thank your sailor for all of us.

  • Deanna

    therevbev Thank you for the words of encouragement. It sure has been a whirlwind so far!

  • fxydawn

    Hello all!  This is my first post here.  My SR is leaving for boot camp tomorrow.  He's been in DEPS for about a month.  Not really sure if it has hit me yet.  I'm sure it will become more real tomorrow.  Any other CS shipping tomorrow?

  • therevbev

    Welcome fxydawn! If you have any questions just ask. Once you SR letter arrives with his PIR date, be sure to find the page - there you will find all the others going thru boot with you. Hang tough, it will get better!

  • fxydawn

    Hello!  Ship 10 Div 379 PIR 10/11.  Anyone else in this ship/div/PIR?

  • therevbev

    Hi fxydawn! Be sure to look for the PIR date specific forum! That's where you'll find all the parents regardless of their SR's rate.

  • fxydawn

    Yes I'm on there too.  I was just wondering if there were any other CS's with him.  :)

  • Deanna

    Good morning all! My sailor just finished week 2 of A school. I’ve seen pics of what they’ve been cooking and it all looks so good. I’m so proud of her and excited to see what’s next.

  • Dolphinluv

    Hello all my son is boot camp right now at GL (graduating 12/20) and will be going to A school for CS.
  • therevbev

    Hi, Dolphinluv! Welcome to the crazy world of Navy CS.  If you check back thru the posts here you will find lots of info on the timing to expect. Some is older (my son did bootcamp 5 years ago) but a lot is the same. Feel free to ask. Be sure to find your Bootcamp PIR date for info on graduation and the Facebook page (if you use and it is a lot more active). Welcome aboard.

  • Miranda

    My son graduates next week. Will he stay at GL for A school or go to Fort Lee? Sorry if this question was already asked.

  • therevbev

    Hi Miranda! Welcome to the Navy roller coaster! Let me give you the info from the last few years. As far as I've heard, nothing has changed...

    The CS all stay at GL for at least 2 and sometimes 4 weeks, or more,  until the class is ready in VA. The first week is indoc classes (a Navy necessity) followed by a lot of cleaning and standing watch. That's just the way of it. As to PIR weekend, you can plan it as it fits your schedule (they have liberty throughout the whole weekend.. must stay at base each night, but you can sign them out Fri. afternoon, Sat & Sun.) since he'll be in Great Lakes, IL for several more weeks.

    School is about 5 weeks in Fort Lee, Petersburg, VA. It's there that they will be assigned their first duty station just before the schooling is finished. There is a nice graduation ceremony (about 45 min) with about 1/3rd of the sailors having family present. USUALLY they will finally be permitted leave before reporting to their duty station or ship (my son went immediately to Guam after 10 days to catch a carrier that was already deployed). 

    This is the "normal" schedule... at least it is the average timing. The thing to always remember is that it is the military and THAT means nothing is ever written in stone. Not dates, not leave, it's always up in the air! As my Marine parents group says..."Semper Gumby" (always flexible).

  • Miranda

    Thank you for the information.

  • Dolphinluv

    My son graduated on 12/20 finally left for Ft Lee on 02/08 and was told he'll be on hold there till 03/23.
  • VillageMum

    Hi all ~ my "baby" girl is in the DEP and just got switched to CS which is what she's been hoping for.  She now goes to boot camp in October 2020 and then is excited to be heading to Ft Lee for A School.  I'm looking forward to seeing her grow and come into her own, she graduates High School this month.

    Any advice or information welcome :)

  • therevbev

    Welcome VillageMum! Here's hoping all goes well timing wise for your daughter! You can check the post bootcamp timing below (posted in Jan). I still haven't heard of any changes. The Navy was very good to my son and he enjoyed learning CS but loved working supply on the carrier he was assigned to! Congrats to your girl.

  • Joey

    Hello all
  • VillageMum

    Hi therevbev :) thank you for the warm welcome and great info!
    My daughter was signed up for FN but her initial request was for CS so when it became available her recruiter switched her.  She does Culinary at High School and loves it.
    Looking forward to what the future holds.

  • NavyMomofJM

    Hello, my son is a CS and he is currently at his first duty station.  COVID 19 has played havoc with his first duty station. He loved CS school and is excited to do it once everything get back to normal for the world. 

  • therevbev

    Hi, NavyMonofJM! I do hope things go back to normal at all of the ships and dutystations soon! My son found that there is no such thing as "normal" for CS. They get called on to do MANY different jobs!

  • VillageMum

    Hello All ~ my daughter's ship date for RTC was brought forward and she leaves Tuesday.  I hear it's 1 day MEPS, 2 weeks ROM then 6 weeks-ish of RTC.

    Has anyone heard what the wait time is like these days between PIR and being shipped to Fort Lee for A School?  I hear it can be weeks between the two.  Just wondering what the recent (COVID) experience has been.

  • JWMom

    My son graduates today!!!! He will then head to Fort Lee for A School for CS training.  Anyone have a new Sailor stating at Fort Lee?