Hi Everyone.....was wondering if maybe someone could answer a question for me. My son is at Great Lakes now. He goes to Pensacola right after PIR. I understand we will have very little time with our SR's so I was wondering if once they get to Pensacola if they are given liberty.
I know someone else that graduated in December and was given liberty to come home before starting school in VA.
Also, once they get to Pensacola, is there anything they will need....things I can start accumulating now?
From my recent experience..... my son flew out to Pensacola early morning the day after PIR. He was on hold in Fl, for 2 months. It wasn't until Christmas that he was given time to come home for a week. He schooled up right after he got back in January.I don't think they usually get much time off between grad and A school, if any.
Things they need. Hmmmm
My son is in aircrew, and didn't want or need anything until after he went through NACCS and moved to the other side of base for A school. All he asked for then was some civies and his video games and DVD's. LOL
Texasmom..... My son PIR'd 1/17/14 and just classed up last Thursday. He also is an AT. I do not know his hours, he just gave me a short call this afternoon. He has been w/o a phone until today, he got his box that I sent him with a new phone. I would love to get to know you and other moms. :)
It's been a long time since I've been here, but I've read several posts on classing-up times, so thought I'd give my 2 cents worth.
My son is AM PIR was 11/22 He finally classed up on 3/14, so almost 4 months waiting. He believes graduation is around 5/12. We know nothing about orders yet, but they did ask him for his first 3 choices of duty stations.
Here is my question, and I've tried to piece together an answer, but would appreciate any extra info someone might have:
My son's first 2 choices are located in Japan, and we live in Japan. We thought maybe he would be able to take some of his leave (he hasn't taken any yet) between A school and duty station (I know this is not a given). He said that if he took leave and came to see us that he would be responsible for the ticket to Japan and the navy would only pay from our house to the base. What I have read here is that he could had them pay for the ticket to our house, and we can just pay to get him to base…?
I don't know if he would do it anyway, we'll see. But we leave Japan in June, so it would be sad to not be able to see him during that short overlap, meaning we'd have to go another year before we could see him again :(
Pat, thank you for your information. We weren't looking for a long leave (he wants to see us at Christmas, when we have the whole family together), just a chance to see him. I believe that his 'home' is listed as his grandparents' place, as he lived with them before joining the navy. It gets really complicated filling out forms if you have to list your home at an overseas address!
It would be nice to have him come for his brother's graduation, but we'll see how it all goes. It is nice to get some in-put, though, and realize that it may not be completely crazy!
Thank you all for the information and encouragement over the past months. You have given a great deal of insight to a worried mom..We have now moved on from Pcola!
Are all Sailors considered AO's at A school? My son stated he would be aviation electronics with flying options. Maybe this falls within the larger AO umbrella? Any help with lingo and ways to not look so duh is appreciated.
Just dropping by to say farewell. My son has graduated from A School (as an AM) and is headed, as a newly married man, to his C school assignment and PDS (same location). Best wishes to all -- he greatly enjoyed his time in Pensacola, and I hope your sailors do too!
mamag ship 13 div 265: Pensacola A school is not "another boot camp". In the beginning he may have some restrictions, but he can earn privileges. The instructors are not in their face. They will still be learning and have tasks and physical goals to meet, but he should do fine. My son was there for about 6 months and really enjoyed it. The only tough part is if they don't have a vehicle. Once they get privileges to leave base (or even to get around base) it can be a pain. Best of luck to your sailor!
Managing4 my sailor arrived sat he said it was much more laid back no yelling, they had to muster & got a tour of the base.He & some other sailors went to the movies on base last night, he went & bought supplies at the NEX & went to the gym today.Indoctrination is this week starting tomorrow.
Hello all, I have a son going to A school in Chicago, however I also have a son(Marine) at school in Pensacola for aircrew for the last six months(thanks to falling off top rack first night and broken wrist) and he daily wishes he had joined the navy. They will very much enjoy this school if they follow the rules, nothing like bootcamp or the marines there, my son states that the navy gets to do averything lol, movie theater, cars eventually, bowlling and the beach on base takes about 20 minutes to walk to. My marine wanted me to tell them they are about to go to an absolutely beautiful place and that as long as they act like grown men and women they are treated as such. Good luck to you all and I sincerely hope you all get to visit them. The beaches of Destin and surrounding areas are breathtaking, and we life in SW Florida...
ANYONE FROM THE FT.LAUDERDALE AREA DRIVING UP TO NAS PENSACOLA IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO SEE THEIR SAILOR? I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE BUT DONT WANT TO ALONE. LET ME KNOW
Hi everyone I'm a proud mom of a sailor son who will be graduating on Friday and then going to Pensacola for school. I'm so excited to see him I know I won't be sleeping much these next few days but it is all worth it. I had a rough day today serious melt down I can only imagine what Friday will be like.
Yellowtorpedo:' It is thrilling! The music, flags, and then the big doors roll up and they begin marching in!!!!! Excitement as you look for your Sailor! Enjoy the proud moment!
Can anyone tell me if I can take my cell phone into graduation to take pictures, my son said cameras and videos were allowed. I hope I can take my cell because I don't have a camera or video.
yellowtorpedo, yes you can take your cell phone to use for pictures!! Enjoy!! It is thrilling to watch the graduation!! Congratulations to you and your Sailor!
1bodyprof I'm so excited I can't wait to see my sailor son. I know I won't be able to sleep tonight. It sounds like it is going to be absolutely awesome.
Ok, so it has been a few months since I've been on here. My son went through PIR in April. Yellowtorpedo, are you going to Sarge's Meet n Greet tonight?? I highly recommend it if they still have it! You are going to have an absolute ball the next few days. PIR was one of the most special times for our whole family. You are going to be so proud of your son.
I had the most amazing /awesome weekend with my new sailor. I was so tired but I kept up with him, I thought he would have wanted to just chill but he just wanted to go and go. I am so proud of him I can't say it enough. Today is his first full day in Pensacola I'm sure he is just chilling today he said he had liberty today also. I'm not as stressed now that he is in A school because I will be able to more contact with him then when he was in BC. Congrats to all the sailors and their families. Hooya!!!!
Ok A school parents... I'm trying to visit my son at school in Pensacola. Where should we stay? 4 adults. I checked Navy Lodge and Gateway Inn - no availability. I don't know/can't tell what other hotels are good, reasonably priced and close to NATTC. Thanks!
We are also going to visit my daughter in A school, you may want to check out condos. We are renting a 3 bedroom condo, for relatively the same price as a hotel. However, we will not be in pensacola but the gulf shores area, which is about 50 minutes from pensacola
For those of you that have loved ones in Pensacola, what would you suggest as a good gift(s) for PIR graduation and a birthday a week after he gets there? I've read about coins, rings, watches, gift cards to the NEX... I was going to bring his phone and laptop to give to him at the airport. Suggestions from those of you that have been thru it and know what is acceptable? Thanks for your input!!!
Not sure if you already went down but we stayed at Homewood suites. They gave a free shuttle to the airport and great hotel. My girls just stayed at Hilton on Pensacola beach. Beautiful and if you do the pay ahead, not a bad price and right on the beach!
MY sailor has adjusted to A school so far, so good! Hes excelling in his classes. I hear that he will be graduating this spring. I have so many questions; Can family attend graduation? Is graduation like PIR? What happens after A school graduation? Will my sailor receive his orders prior to graduation? Does my sailor get leave? If so, for how long - typically? If my sailor has leave, will my sailor be able to come home immediately after graduation? Or is there a waiting period?
pammy10268
Hi Everyone.....was wondering if maybe someone could answer a question for me. My son is at Great Lakes now. He goes to Pensacola right after PIR. I understand we will have very little time with our SR's so I was wondering if once they get to Pensacola if they are given liberty.
I know someone else that graduated in December and was given liberty to come home before starting school in VA.
Also, once they get to Pensacola, is there anything they will need....things I can start accumulating now?
Thanks!!!!!
Mar 31, 2014
Todd
Hi Pammy,
From my recent experience..... my son flew out to Pensacola early morning the day after PIR. He was on hold in Fl, for 2 months. It wasn't until Christmas that he was given time to come home for a week. He schooled up right after he got back in January.I don't think they usually get much time off between grad and A school, if any.
Things they need. Hmmmm
My son is in aircrew, and didn't want or need anything until after he went through NACCS and moved to the other side of base for A school. All he asked for then was some civies and his video games and DVD's. LOL
Mar 31, 2014
pammy10268
Mar 31, 2014
momof1navyguy
Texasmom..... My son PIR'd 1/17/14 and just classed up last Thursday. He also is an AT. I do not know his hours, he just gave me a short call this afternoon. He has been w/o a phone until today, he got his box that I sent him with a new phone. I would love to get to know you and other moms. :)
Mar 31, 2014
Barb
It's been a long time since I've been here, but I've read several posts on classing-up times, so thought I'd give my 2 cents worth.
My son is AM PIR was 11/22 He finally classed up on 3/14, so almost 4 months waiting. He believes graduation is around 5/12. We know nothing about orders yet, but they did ask him for his first 3 choices of duty stations.
Here is my question, and I've tried to piece together an answer, but would appreciate any extra info someone might have:
My son's first 2 choices are located in Japan, and we live in Japan. We thought maybe he would be able to take some of his leave (he hasn't taken any yet) between A school and duty station (I know this is not a given). He said that if he took leave and came to see us that he would be responsible for the ticket to Japan and the navy would only pay from our house to the base. What I have read here is that he could had them pay for the ticket to our house, and we can just pay to get him to base…?
I don't know if he would do it anyway, we'll see. But we leave Japan in June, so it would be sad to not be able to see him during that short overlap, meaning we'd have to go another year before we could see him again :(
Thanks for your input!
Apr 10, 2014
Barb
Pat, thank you for your information. We weren't looking for a long leave (he wants to see us at Christmas, when we have the whole family together), just a chance to see him. I believe that his 'home' is listed as his grandparents' place, as he lived with them before joining the navy. It gets really complicated filling out forms if you have to list your home at an overseas address!
It would be nice to have him come for his brother's graduation, but we'll see how it all goes. It is nice to get some in-put, though, and realize that it may not be completely crazy!
Apr 13, 2014
Tuttismimi Ship 11 Div 154
Apr 23, 2014
Karina Ship 14 Div 062
Any news on the fall out and discharges from the near grads of NACCS?
May 1, 2014
Barb
Thanks, everyone for your info, encouragement and support. My son has moved on, having finished A school this week, so I will move on, too.
May 15, 2014
Saltyocean
Thank you all for the information and encouragement over the past months. You have given a great deal of insight to a worried mom..We have now moved on from Pcola!
May 18, 2014
Normac
My sailor is excited about A school. He loves the place. Very happy!
Jun 30, 2014
Normac
Are all Sailors considered AO's at A school? My son stated he would be aviation electronics with flying options. Maybe this falls within the larger AO umbrella? Any help with lingo and ways to not look so duh is appreciated.
Jun 30, 2014
2timeNavyMomSh13Div265
My son will PIR Aug 28th..ABH
Jul 17, 2014
namelessmom
Just dropping by to say farewell. My son has graduated from A School (as an AM) and is headed, as a newly married man, to his C school assignment and PDS (same location). Best wishes to all -- he greatly enjoyed his time in Pensacola, and I hope your sailors do too!
Jul 31, 2014
Debra (Zo's Mom)
My son arrived last week and made AROC after two days. His voice is so hoarse when he calls me, I can barely understand him...lol lol #heshappy
Aug 2, 2014
Paula
mamag ship 13 div 265: Pensacola A school is not "another boot camp". In the beginning he may have some restrictions, but he can earn privileges. The instructors are not in their face. They will still be learning and have tasks and physical goals to meet, but he should do fine. My son was there for about 6 months and really enjoyed it. The only tough part is if they don't have a vehicle. Once they get privileges to leave base (or even to get around base) it can be a pain. Best of luck to your sailor!
Aug 30, 2014
proudnavywife&mom
Sep 1, 2014
proudnavywife&mom
Sep 1, 2014
TylorsMom
Hello all, I have a son going to A school in Chicago, however I also have a son(Marine) at school in Pensacola for aircrew for the last six months(thanks to falling off top rack first night and broken wrist) and he daily wishes he had joined the navy. They will very much enjoy this school if they follow the rules, nothing like bootcamp or the marines there, my son states that the navy gets to do averything lol, movie theater, cars eventually, bowlling and the beach on base takes about 20 minutes to walk to. My marine wanted me to tell them they are about to go to an absolutely beautiful place and that as long as they act like grown men and women they are treated as such. Good luck to you all and I sincerely hope you all get to visit them. The beaches of Destin and surrounding areas are breathtaking, and we life in SW Florida...
Sep 1, 2014
proudnavywife&mom
Sep 7, 2014
proudnavywife&mom
Sep 7, 2014
proudnavywife&mom
Sep 7, 2014
Ariel thompson
ANYONE FROM THE FT.LAUDERDALE AREA DRIVING UP TO NAS PENSACOLA IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO SEE THEIR SAILOR? I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE BUT DONT WANT TO ALONE. LET ME KNOW
Sep 9, 2014
yellowtorpedo
Oct 1, 2014
1Bodyprof
Oct 2, 2014
yellowtorpedo
Oct 2, 2014
towermom
yellowtorpedo, yes you can take your cell phone to use for pictures!! Enjoy!! It is thrilling to watch the graduation!! Congratulations to you and your Sailor!
Oct 2, 2014
yellowtorpedo
Oct 2, 2014
yellowtorpedo
Oct 2, 2014
Spencer'smom
Ok, so it has been a few months since I've been on here. My son went through PIR in April. Yellowtorpedo, are you going to Sarge's Meet n Greet tonight?? I highly recommend it if they still have it! You are going to have an absolute ball the next few days. PIR was one of the most special times for our whole family. You are going to be so proud of your son.
Oct 2, 2014
yellowtorpedo
Oct 5, 2014
MattsMom
Hello Glasses. Where do you find this information about the menu? I'm so bad trying to find my way around this site - still!
Oct 13, 2014
MattsMom
No Glasses - I can't find any information.
Oct 13, 2014
Tara
Question for anyone out there...my son has his PIR on Nov. 14th, then heads to Pensacola for A school. Do they get any time off for Thanksgiving?
Oct 13, 2014
MattsMom
Ok A school parents... I'm trying to visit my son at school in Pensacola. Where should we stay? 4 adults. I checked Navy Lodge and Gateway Inn - no availability. I don't know/can't tell what other hotels are good, reasonably priced and close to NATTC. Thanks!
Oct 16, 2014
cttmom
MattsMom-
We are also going to visit my daughter in A school, you may want to check out condos. We are renting a 3 bedroom condo, for relatively the same price as a hotel. However, we will not be in pensacola but the gulf shores area, which is about 50 minutes from pensacola
Oct 17, 2014
MattsMom
Great idea! I will check it out. Thank you! I hope you have a fantastic visit with your daughter :)
Oct 17, 2014
cttmom
MattsMom-
You're very welcome, also look at the orange beach area,,,that is a little closer to pensacola. Enjoy your visit with your son :)
Oct 17, 2014
cttmom
Tara-
I'm sure they will, however I don't know how much time, some I'm sure some will have watch over the holiday.
Oct 17, 2014
Tara
For those of you that have loved ones in Pensacola, what would you suggest as a good gift(s) for PIR graduation and a birthday a week after he gets there? I've read about coins, rings, watches, gift cards to the NEX... I was going to bring his phone and laptop to give to him at the airport. Suggestions from those of you that have been thru it and know what is acceptable? Thanks for your input!!!
Oct 24, 2014
1Bodyprof
Oct 26, 2014
Tuttismimi Ship 11 Div 154
Oct 28, 2014
Trista
Ok moms need some help here...my son is looking to travel after xmas...but the flights are SO expensive...any insight on discounted military tickets?
Nov 17, 2014
BeffMommy1996
Following Trista's post...not sure if our Sailor is getting leave for Christmas or New Years.
Nov 19, 2014
Trista
Has anyone had a car shipped to Pensacola? I am looking to do this for my sailor and trying to figure out if there are any suggestions...
Nov 25, 2014
bluera12
When will the Sailors get an address so we can start sending carepackages. My son arrived 11/22/14.
Nov 26, 2014
anasazigypsy
Nov 26, 2014
1BlessedNavyMom
Dec 9, 2014
Navymom904
Hello 1BlessedNavyMom,
My sailor arrived 12-06 as well. Looking forward to getting to know everyone as well! (PIR was amazing, it flew by too fast!)
Navymom904
Dec 10, 2014
Navymom904
MY sailor has adjusted to A school so far, so good! Hes excelling in his classes. I hear that he will be graduating this spring. I have so many questions; Can family attend graduation? Is graduation like PIR? What happens after A school graduation? Will my sailor receive his orders prior to graduation? Does my sailor get leave? If so, for how long - typically? If my sailor has leave, will my sailor be able to come home immediately after graduation? Or is there a waiting period?
I look forward to your reply!
Have a great Monday! HOOYAH!
Thank you!
Jan 26, 2015