Nuke School Charleston

do they get time off during A school? or can they take leave after PIR 1/4/13? his brother will be graduating high school in june 2013 and wondering if he will be able to attend. how does leave work? with the long nuke A schooling?

Once A school starts, there is no time off, or leave, granted until it's over (except if there is a death in the family).  What rate will he be?  The MM's have a 14 week A school while the ET's and EM's have a 24 week A school.  If he's in the longer A school, it could be possible that things will line up for him to be done in June and then get leave.  They usually are allowed to take leave right after A school, but sometimes they don't get it right away, but a few weeks later.  Just depends.  My son didn't make it to his sister's graduation this year.  Just how it is now.

tht is so sweet of you Kellyd.

Thanks a whole bunch Kelly!

Kelly it is so VERY nice and sweet of you to to the goody bags.  What all do you put in them?

My son will be heading there after his PIR on 12-28!

Kellyd - that's so sweet of you.  My son has PIR next Friday (12/21)!!!  Then he will be heading to Goose Creek - he arrives on 12/28. It's nice to know that Navy Moms (& Dads) all look out for one another - and help make our kids feel loved! 

My son will arrive at Goose Creek also.  Looking forward to meet you all.  We will be staying for a night or two.

BC is an eye-opening experience. NNPTC is INTENSE! Keep the letters of encouragement and packages from home coming when your Sailor is in Goose Creek!

My son is grad RTC 12-21-12. Then he flies to A school there 21st late nite/22 early am---He is supposed to check in and then he can come home Richmond VA until approx 30th at 2pm I'm told.  My name is Jeanette and I just want to know if he gets to "A" school early Sat am will he be able to bring his belongings from bootcamp to home--can he get a cab or shuttle to amtrak station or bus station---I will be flying back from PIR Dec 21st a few hours after grad. He cannot come back with me because he needs to fly to SC 1st.  How long will it take just to check in and leave?? I'm trying to check on the different train and bus sched. from charleston to richmond..thanks for your help---Jeanette----aka  Calebzmom

ok- I'm also seeing that some SR are going straight home on flight with parents THEN checking into "A" school after their leave is over like on the 30th of dec.

I'm so confused--I coulda swore he told me he had to go to SC 1st then come home then go back---by the 30th

Calebzmom - it is my understanding that they don't know what flight they will be one out of Chicago and into Charleston so it would be very difficult to say when he can get on a train or bus to come home.  they usually take them to the airport very early in the morning and sometimes they end up sitting around there all day before they get on a flight.  Makes it very difficult to plan.  Once they get to Goose Creek, they will check in and get their room assignment and he should be able to leave his sea bag/belongings there.  The school is on a 2 weeks stand down starting then, so there won't be many people around. A school won't actually start until a week or two after the stand down.  They have a week of indoctrination, which is like an orientation of sorts, where they get rules, instructions, etc.  Just make sure he gets back on time or he will have some serious consequences. 

As far as whether he goes there first, or comes home first, I don't know about that.  Only he knows what his orders say.

Calebzmom - my son also has PIR on 12/21.  We are staying in Chicago until Sun 12/23 (and he is staying in the hotel with us). Then he is flying back home with us to California.  He was granted 10 days leave (but elected to only take 9) so he has to be back to SC by 12/29 @1600.  Unfortunately I couldn't get a flight that would get him back in time on 12/29 so he actually flies out on 12/28 so he's not late.  We had to email all the itinerary to him at BC ahead of time so it could be approved.

Hi all, my son is in boot camp now and graduates 2/8/13 we were told they cant spend the night off be ase after boot camp, and that he will be shipped out that sunday after graduation(friday).Doesnt the gov fly them to sc?

My son's PIR 1/11  - got a letter today - stating he will leave Sat on a bus to airport 3am - for flight to GC... no time on the flight ... yet.   Looks like our visit will be at the airport. 

ok plans changed...My SR called Sat. nite and said he put into FIT because his running was about 1 minute off. He gets 2 more tries this week but even after he gets to do BS he will not be able to graduate 12-21--He will have to go straight to "A" school and not participate in the PIR at all.  IF his running time takes until next week and he leaves 12-28 and goes to SC for Nuke school. he will not be able to have the 8 -10 days he was going to have when 12-21 was still in play..I know they had to be at SC by Dec 30th regardless so I am wanting to know if they hold your "seat" til Dec 30th if you don't get there til then??? This is breaking my heart but his running has got to get better- has a mentor, treadmill, etc etc and I miss him so much -Pleas advise--thanks Jeanette---aka Calebzmom

BTW I've called his recruiter 3 times and texted and left voice mails and Nothing----crickets------I called the Public affairs office at GL today and got some answers. but not all---Hello---where is my son's recruiter?????

Calebzmom - Hi there...stumbled across this ans your Profile page. I am going to answer here (sorry to "intrude" Nuke Mom group), but I want you to go to your PIR GROUP and post there...the/we veteran moms have knowledge of this and can help you through it. diannep is especially good at it.

Here is the direct link back to the Main Wall of your PIR group:

PIR 12/21/2012 TG 6 - 11 Divisions (031-038, 803 & 904 -905)

Your Recruiter cannot really help you with this. PAO can only give you so much, like "he is in FIT and not scheduled to graduate until he passes his run and completes BST-21". Since he is "not on track" he is not scheduled to PIR on time. That is what they are required to tell you and that is what he is required to tell you. That is where he is at until he passes that run and does BST-21.

However...

It may be possible for your son to pass his run and complete BST-21 and still make his scheduled PIR.

The factor involved is...

He has to pass his run...the last time before his PIR this Friday would be Wednesday. IF you do not get a phone call from him saying that he passed his run by noon Great Lakes time...please call PAO again and find out his status.

 If he passes and they plan to put him through BST-21 with the Divisions going through Wednesday night (I believe there are divisions going through that night, if not then Thursday-those that do BST-21 on a Thursday before their PIR on Friday, usually do not march in onto the Drill deck - too tired- but sit in the stands...but they have graduated on time) it is possible that there would be no time for a call...but RTC makes every effort for them to call and let family know...stuff happens and the most important thing is to try and keep him "on track".

Now,

IF he doesn't pass on Wednesday (today), then he will continue to take it every other day until he does. Usually they get 10 - 12 tries...but each case is different. Then yes, as soon as he passes it, he will go through BST-21 with the next available Division, pass that (he will participate in the Ball cap ceremony, all that pass BST-21 do) and become a Sailor. He will not have a PIR but go on to his A school as soon as possible. I do not know how that will work with the Holiday leave period...that will have to be a bridge for you to cross IF it happens that way.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to comment on my profile page or private mesage me. We are already Friends on this site so you can send me a PM.

I will check back on here today (I know I am up late!)

You also had questions about how Leave works for those not attending A school at Great Lakes. RTC has posted that info on their FB page and I have reposted it onto the PIR GROUP...when you go over there you will see it.

Here is an excerpt from it:

(from RTC FB comment on 12/21 Leave period)

Those recruits graduating and attending A-school OUTSIDE the Great Lakes area will go on leave from here no earlier than 1600 on Friday, 21 December.In coordination with the Great Lakes "Mass Exodus," MWR will bus these recruits to the Midway and O'Hare airports only.

No parents are allowed to ride on the buses which are provided to Active Duty military only. However, parents are authorized to pick up their Sailor and take them home or transport them to the airport.

The leave period for all recruits will end on 30 December. Itineraries for each recruit will need to be emailed to an address that your recruit will provide for you.

Hope that helps you (and anyone else on this group).

Sorry to "barge" in but it seemed the best way to reach Calebzmom :-)

Well my new Sailor is on the plane heading to Charleston!  We had a great time at PIR (12/21) and it was nice having him home for Christmas, but boy the time went by fast.  So excited for this next step in his Navy journey - I hope to be able to meet many of you nuke moms as time goes on.......

Do they have pay phones at GC?

I don't know if they have pay phones but they can have their cell phones.

There is one pay phone on base. its by the subway and the mini-nex

Sent my first "care package" to my son - 17lbs and it cost $30 UPS ground.  I swear it didn't seem like there was much in the box but it sure adds up!  I finally told him he better just figure out what he needs and buy it at the nex!  Still have clothes to send him once he phases up but hopefully it won't be too much stuff..... He said they are still waiting to hear when classes start - should know more on Monday.  I told him to enjoy this time off while he has it because soon he will be very busy! Happy New Year All!

hello all!!!

B'snukemom---when i send my son things, i use the flat rate boxes at the post office.   just an idea!!  

Thanks tina41 - I will give that a try!

hello all!!

welcome newbies!!!

charleston is a wonderful place to visit.   my son has been there for over a year now and we have been down to visit four times!!  we love it!!

I just sent 2 boxes Fedex to my son from Washington State...OMG....THAT was expensive!  Each box was 100.00 plus I added insurance to it and then tax...all said and done was 240.00!!!!!  FedEx was the cheapest out of regular postal and UPS.

My son says it may be a few weeks before they all get to start class. They take 28 at a time.  Some will start this week and so on and so on.  

Hi Ingrid, I am also from Washington State...living in the Woodinville area.  Where are you from?

My son Brent arrived in Charleston 1/5 and had a day of freedom. Which I think he enjoyed. He volunteered for subs and stated they would probably start class next Monday. Just waiting for a permanent address to ship a few things.

Penny I live in Graham.  I wasn't able to go to the luncheon the WA/OR group had last month.  I would love to get together with some ladies.  I could meet half way some where.

Our son is in the Nuke school in Charleston and when we took him to the airport in Denver after his 1st visit, we found out that families of military personnel can get gate passes! We had no clue until the last minute when we were hugging him at the security gate. You can bet when he left after Christmas, we were all lined up with him at the check in counter for our passes! Call your local airport when you're taking your sailors/soldiers to the airport! It was awesome to be allowed to go to the gate with him! The 1st time, we were already home before his flight left!

Hubby got to talk to our son yesterday - he said his name was called for the next class (A school) starting on Monday so it looks like things might be moving along!  Said he has been "sweeping bridges" this week - LOL.  The package I sent him arrived yesterday but he said it might be a couple of days before they let him pick it up :( not sure why?  He also said they told them in one of their meetings that they have to beware of alligators around there - is this true??? I guess it's a good thing that I know he will NEVER go in a swamp - LOL. He doesn't like murky water!!

My son just sent me a text - he was able to pick up the package we sent him!

I spoke to my son last night and he said that he is in the next class as well. But none of the other canidates that he flew down with. But I know he is ready to get started.

Welcome everyone!! My son just took his first final and did very well. He loves it there and we have gone up to visit once so far.. hope to again in Feb or March!!

Hey Sean's stpmom - I sent you a private message.  Crazy - snakes and gators! Not for me.  Son also said today that they were told to watch our for "brown recluses".  No thanks!  As if they don't have enough to worry about with school LOL.

We're from California...anyone else?

Penny I sent you a PM.  Add me and we can meet up some time.  Where in Graham do they live.  I am 277th and Webster Rd.  It is so cold right now, I have my heat up to 74 and the house is still cold.  BBRRRRRRRRRR!!

FS division 79 headed your way ...PIR 2/1. Hello everyone!

Does anyone have the contact information/phone # for the Foster Creek Villas?

Spoke with my son yesterday - he starts classes for "A" school tomorrow and he said his graduation date is scheduled for 4/19/13 (class 1316-B).  Hubby was wanting to visit Charleston in the spring so the timing is perfect.  My question is this:  Is it safe to assume that the 4/19 grad date will hold or could that somehow change?  I want to "start" looking into flights, etc since we are in California.

Anybody have a Sailor in Class 1309T?