STG (Sonar)

Bev, My son finished up at Point Loma in about Oct of '08. He got his wish and stayed in San Diego with the USS Benfold. He is on his first deployment now. It won't be long before I do a Tiger Cruise with the ship from Pearl Harbor to San Diego. My husband will meet us in San Diego for the homecoming. It sounds like they pull out all of the stops for returning ships and I can't wait to witness it. Especially the "manning the rails." He really does like STG. He likes all of the technical stuff. But even more, he is on the VBSS team and loves it. That's where the excitement is.
I hope you get that time to visit with your daughter soon. While my son was in A school, C school, and OPS, there were several times we got to take a long weekend and go visit. After A school, time seems to free up some.
Let us know when you get to go see her!

Yes, a Tiger Cruise is for family members to sail the last few days of a deployment on the ship with their sailor. I have never done this before, but can't wait! VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) is a team of sailors who are part of "anti-piracy, anti-proliferation, and anti-smuggling operations." (My son's words.) I am waiting to get permission to post an article he wrote about VBSS on the VBSS page on this site. I'll let you know when I get permission and then post it. It is pretty interesting and the sailors seem to love it and the excitement.

Bev, If I'm not too late, the zoo and Balboa are must sees in San Diego. If you have time, we took a day trip up to Temeculah and did some wine tasting. It was a lot of fun!

Marlo, what a cutie!

Glad I found this group! My son PIR'd on April 9 and is in San Diego waiting for classes to start. He is very excited to get going and is taking this time to get acquainted with the base and bases nearby. Still waiting for an official address but do have a general delivery address so he can get a few things shipped to him. He is not sure how long the hold period will be. I am going to tell him the "real" meaning of STG..I am sure he'll get a kick out of it!

Same to you Jake's mom. I think our sons know each other. Mine said he knew of at least one coming to STG school after GL. He is enjoying the weather and will have his "electronics" by tomorrow so is excited to be more connected to friends and family. Here's to hoping the hold period won't be too long! He is eager for classes to start.

My son got a general delivery address that we had to use to send him his things. Said he won't have a regular address for a little while until one opens up.

Hi there everyone! I figured I would introduce myself seeing as I am new to this group. I'm Megan and I am a girlfriend to one of our courageous US Seaman! I just witnessed his PIR this past week (5/21) at Great Lakes, IL. Now he is located at Point Loma for STG a-school. He loves it there already, but unfortunately will be on hold for two months before classing up. I hope to fly out to see him, but it will be quite the trip from Massachusetts.

Any chance of him getting leave while on hold?

Hello, my hubby just graduated Boot Camp and has orders to leave for A-school this Thursday. Then he starts school on the 20th. I have no idea what its gonna be like for him or when he'll get leave and what not. If anybody has anyinformation it would be great to know. Because his school is only 9 weeks we won't be moving with him, we will be staying in Tucson, which is alot closer then having him in Illinios. :)

Hi there Clandy26! I'm also pretty new to this whole Navy life, but my fiance is over at a-school right now in San Diego. Is that where your husband is headed? If so, maybe I can help you out with a bit of information. =)

SailorMoesFiancee: Yes my hubby is going straight from boot camp to San Diego. Any information is great! Its like a whole new stage and it sounds to be quite different then boot camp.

Clandy26, it sounds like your husband is also a 4yo STG too. That is what my fiance is enlisted with also. Alright so here is what I have come across so far. My sailor had PIR on May 21st and came across a two month hold right away. He will not be classing up until July 28th. So be ready to experience a hold once he gets there. From what I have been told, the hold is due to waiting for enough STG sailors to PIR so a class can actually get filled.

Point Loma (as stated by Deb M) is very relaxed compared to some other A-schools. Your hubby will be allowed to have his cell phone and laptop right away. Just beware that the internet can be very slow on base and many cell phones will not function well in the barracks. Shortly after he arrives there, he will begin "indoc" classes where he will learn all about the base, rules, and the process of phasing up. According to my sailor, phasing up is quite quick and easy. All you must do is pass a couple inspections, go through some mandatory classes, and do a couple volunteer services.

Seeing as the hold is so long right now, what my sailor did was put in a temporary phase 3 chit and out of bounds chit (because they must stay within I believe 250-350 miles of base) to come visit me. I live out on the east coast in Massachusetts. He actually just put in another couple of chits to be able to come out for 4th of July long weekend. We are keeping our fingers crossed right now that it gets approved.

Any questions you can think of right now? =) I'll try my best to help!

SailorMoesFiancee: I was kinda expecting a wait but it turns out in his orders say he starts on June20th and graduates like August 23 or something like that. I guess we will see! He left today for San Diego and said he'd call when he knows more information. How quickly was it that he was phased up? I was really wanting to go out there for the 4th because they usually getthe day after off too so more days with him would be great! My kids haven't seen him since he left for bootcamp and they are REALLY missing him. Again we shall see! Thank you for all the information though. That does help. I really just don't know what exactly to expect with this and with us being so close, I wish I could just move out there but I dunno.

Deb M: you say civilian clothes is a must. What does that mean?

Bev: Congrats to your sailor! How was graduation?

Murphy, thank you for the information! I hope he doesn't have a wait but I don't know as of now.

Deb: I'm sure do prefer civilian clothes. I'm wondering if my hubby's clothes are even gonna fit him. LOL He built up alot of muscle including up-d a waist size! I really hope it's a long weekend and would be nice if he got overnight.

So my hubby has come across some issues and looks like hes gonna be there for awhile, over 6 mths. Does anybody know if the Navy will pay for us to move out there? I really would hate to have to not be with him for 6 mths.

From what I have heard, the Navy generally won't move families out for a-school (so the sailor can focus and generally a-school isn't long enough to be worth moving out the family). He'll have to check with his authority figures to get the right answers.

Long hold time I take it? =/ My sailor just found out yesterday that after being there a month, he classes up June 21st (a month earlier than we were told). Things may change, you never know with the military.

lol thats when my hubby was supposed to start He came across some issues thanks to some people who were doing his paperwork for security clearance. He has to resubmit it all and wait, then he can start classes. Whenever they start. I just don't know what to do. My kids really are missing him, as well as me but 6 mths is alot more then 9wks.

Welcome to the group, teachertoo! My fiance is currently in San Diego for a-school also. It's a great base. Your son is going to love it! I went to visit the July 4th weekend and had an amazing time there. They are much more relaxed at the Point Loma base than many others. Any questions or anything, just let me know =) I'm here to help as much as I can.

Hello. My son just graduated from boot camp on 7/31. We thought he was going to San Diego after graduation, but his final orders have him at Great Lakes for 90 days, then San Diego. He doesn't know anything beyond that. He is enlisted for 6yrs. SO, anyone have any insight into what we should expect? Also, will he likely get any leave between schools?

Deb M : Thanks for the info. I actually got a phone call from him yest. He said that he was on hold right now, waiting to "class up." Hopefully he can start ATT after the 14th. He sounded good and had gotten alot more information once he moved from the boot camp area to the school. He spent some time talking to other sailors and had gained a better understanding of what to expect. I think it was strange for him to have all this down time after the hustle and bustle of boot camp.

Hi is the correct spot for kids going to school there? My daughter arrives 9/11 for Sonar Tech A school?

Yes ma'am, rlouie. My husband is there right now on hold waiting to class up for OPS. He just graduated from A School at Point Loma

My son is in boot camp right now and will be an STG. He thinks he is grad and go. How long does it take to class up? Pamela you said your son is at GL for 90 days that puts him there after my son's PIR. If that is so, why is my SR grad and go? Any info would be appreciated. I, selfishly, would like to spend liberty time with him after bc if he is just going to hang around San Diego for a while before classing up.

Thanks for the infp, Deb. He is 4 yr.

Hi so she may not start school right away??

I'm new to this what is OPS and class up??

Deb - Thank you

when did he start there my daughter will arrive in a few days

Hello everyone, glad to find a group of STG family. teachertoo - my son is also currently in A school at Pt loma and is loving San Diego, he is a 6yo, has been out there since mid july, just started school 2 weeks ago. I haven't been out to visit yet so would love to hear all about it, recommendations on hotels etc will be welcome.

Thanks DonnaFnavymom and Deb M for the hotel info, My son finishes A school mid Oct, he will then decide whether to try and take leave then or maybe wait until the Xmas break. He doesn't know when C school will start, so I will be waiting to see what he decides or rather what the Navy decides lol. Thanks for the heads up about not waiting until the end . teachertoo, can't wait to see what reservation your son makes for you, and Happy Birthday, I can't think of a better gift to give yourself.

I am now checking on flights to SD, wish I lived closer, I am in Florida! I haven't seen my son since PIR weekend in April, sure do miss him, but I am so glad he really loves it out there (he did not like GL at all) he had to stay there for ATT class. DonnaFnavymom thanks for the info that OPS is 6 weeks, I wasn't sure about that one. Does anyone know how long C school is?

DebM, thank you so much for the info especially about the leave time. I was thinking just the opposite that since everyone asks for leave during the holidays that they would probably encourage leave after A school. I would much rather he be home for the holidays. Since his Birthday is in October I am going to try and go out to visit him then, if I can afford it. Do you know when the holiday stand down starts?

Debm, thanks also for the C school info good to know he will be there at least 6 months into next year so makes planning easier.

Thank you all for the info, even though it's a little early at least having a general idea of the dates is very helpful, also being a new sailor mom and not knowing how any of this works makes it comforting to know that you all are there to give support, answers and advice, again Thanks.

teachertoo, welcome back and Happy Birthday, so glad to hear about your trip! I am hoping to go out there in October, lol about the A/C I am from FL so same heat here. Is the Admiral Kidd on Pt Loma base? How did you get around and where all did you go? Thanks for sharing.

Thanks teachertoo, wow you did a lot in such a short time. Bev, at the Admiral Kidd did the room have 2 beds? I read somewhere else that the rooms only had 1 bed. My daughter may make the trip with me and would need 2 beds (she's a bed hog lol)

Hi all, question - when my son gets leave to come home from San Diego, is there a military discount they can get on their airline tickets? And do they make the arrangements themselves or is there a place on base to make them. Since we live in south Florida, it's an expensive trip and being a newbie I have no idea how all this works or what services they have at their disposal. Thanks for your help.

Thanks Bev and teachertoo for the info, I too would rather spend money going out, unless of course my son would like to get completely away for a weekend, he just today finally got phase 3 so he has not been away at all since he left in Feb!! except for the few hours he spent in our hotel room the weekend of PIR! (he loved taking a private shower lol) I am sure he will really enjoy a weekend off base.

Thanks betsy, I only hope they give them plenty of notice when their holiday leave will be, I hear the dates don't get set until early in November.

Thank you all for the info on flights.

LA'sMom, my son is currently in A school at Pt Loma, I haven't heard anything about a tragedy, what happened?

OMG that is so horrible, my heart and prayers go out to their families and friends. I hope the base is providing grief counseling, if not try and talk to your kids about seeking it out, for some strange reason it seems that because they are military they think they should "tough it out". I will definitely talk to my son about the highways out there and to be extra cautious. Thank you for letting me know Sue. I hope you are able to talk with your daughter, is there any way you can get out to see her maybe?

Hello all,
I am a recent Navy wife and have a lot of questions. As most of you know the Navy isn't too forthcoming with the answers they provide lol.

My husband left for bootcamp September 1st. Hes doing well, and should graduate on time. After that I am to understand that he has ATT for 6 weeks, and after that A and C school for about a year and a half. My first question is will there be time between ATT and A school to move to San Diego? I don't feel comfortable handling the whole thing myself and trying to get 2 pets out there, etc, so I'm hoping he can come home for a week or so to help get us moved.

He said that an RDC told him that Great Lakes might close down from November 20th- January 1st if you're doing schooling there, and that he might get to come home. What is the likelihood of this?

And a few more questions: Does the Navy handle pets when you move too?

I'm sure I will have more, but if someone could help a confused, frustrated, and desperate Navy wife out that'd be great! :)

Hi aheathe2, welcome, my son's PIR was 4/16th it took about a week or 2 to class up for ATT,( which is done at your own pace but should only take about 6 weeks). At that time he did not have any leave time. My son finished the class and was on a plane to San Diego the Next Morning!. He arrived SD 7-16 and didn't begin A school until end of August. I believe he could have asked for a 10 day leave while waiting to class up in A school, but he didn't (He was enjoying SD so much lol). I understand that there is a holiday stand down but that the dates have not yet been released, I am not sure if they are different at each base or not. I too am new Navy Mom I am hoping he will be coming home for the Holidays, he is putting in his request as soon as the holiday dates are posted, (I hear that may be 1st of November). Is your husband 6yo STG?

Hello all, Has anyone stayed at the Ramada that is right outside the Pt Loma base? If so any review would be welcome. Thank you.

Thanks so much sailormom-Cathie! Its nice to finally get an answer to questions- his recruiter knows nothing. Hopefully if he puts in for leave he can help me move. Yes, my husband is indeed a 6 year STG, assuming he makes it through boot, ATT, and A+C school lol.

If he puts in a request to come home will they typically honor that, even if hes still in ATT? I'm hoping since an RDC told him that he might be able to, then thats a good sign.

Hi aheathe, your welcome, and in my experience recruiters know nothing, at least my son's didn't. ATT being self paced also doesn't have an exact completion date and in my son's case took a while due to days unable to go to class because for example 1 day the building didn't have power, another couple days they had to practice being a human flag for some occasion, another was holiday closing etc, but they will make sure it gets completed before too long. He was told at the beginning of class that once he completed the class and handed in his last paper that they would hand him his ticket out at the same time, and they pretty much did! You may luck out because of the Holiday stand down, I am not sure if they just let everyone go home regardless of leave time accrued or not, but otherwise you get leave based on time in (just like a civilian job). None of my son's BC class got leave until after ATT and they were at their A school bases. But again due to the holidays it could be different for your husband. The only guarantee you get in the Navy is that there are no guarantees. Even his PIR date could change (I wasn't sure my son would graduate until the day before his PIR date,he didn't do Battle Stations until the day before he was scheduled to graduate! and if they don't pass that they don't graduate, until you get the call saying "I am a Sailor" you don't know for sure. They make it very hard to make any plans, nothing is typical, circumstances can change, hold times before classing up can be different for every class and so forth. Hopes this helps, It has been hard not being able to plan things in advance, but God Bless them it is harder on our Sailors going through it. This site has been such a blessing for me everyone is so willing to help even if you just need cheering up. Stay strong.

Does anyone know if the Navy move your pets to San Diego or do you have to pay out of pocket to move them? I know theres a service that flies them to where they need to be, but I don't know if the Navy covers that when they're moving you. Also how would a spouse get to San Diego if the Navy was moving all of our stuff? Fly?

The recruiters don't know many of the answers to your questions because each base is a little different. My fiance has been in SD since the beginning of August. He classed up pretty quickly and was able to get leave to come home on a long weekend. He will have to start over on liberty phases and cannot leave base until he's the appropriate phase. Also, the Navy will not pay for your to move during his A school because it isn't long enough. If he gets a long enough C school they may move you then. I have three pets and will be driving for 3 days once he is in C school so I understand the pains that come along with that. hope that helps.

Well I'm not sure who told him such, maybe a recruiter, but they said since his A+C schools are in the same place, and hes going to be there for over a year total, that I would get to move to San Diego with him before A School. I found a pet courrier service on the internet that flies your pets for you. I didn't know what they would do for people with pets since if he was alone he'd have to find some way to get them San Diego you know?


I hope we can live together after boot and ATT is done, otherwise I don't know what I'll do. I'm so tired of this whole thing already and its only been 27 days.