STG (Sonar)

Hi Astrosmom

I am new also-  son just got there last week- waiting to class up.

Hi to the Newbies..  My daughter has been in SD for about a year.  She finished C school a few weeks ago and is in some other class now..not sure what it is though.  She tells me and I forget! lol.   Some of her friends have joined the fleet but she is pregnant so it will be a while before she goes now.  Mixed emotions.  She's coming home at the end of Sept for a visit...can't wait to see her.  We lived in NC when she last got home so her visit to Texas will be a first for her.   Planning lots of fun stuff to do....

 

Have a great time with your daughter when she visits.  It is hot there in Texas!!

How was A school?   Did you ever visit?  Was there a graduation?

A school has a little ceremony but it's nothing like PIR and from what she tells me, not worth an expensive trip....mostly just passing out the certificates, etc.   Same with C school.   We have not been able to visit there yet but I will be going there in March after the baby is born.     We're in North Texas and it's finally cooling off here.  Been in the 80's and nights are so amazingly heavenly.  Cool breezes, starry skies,  my little piece of heaven.   Still very dry though.

 

Thanks for the welcome.

 

How many weeks is A school? Is it always the same (as far as time?) My son gets there in two weeks and I would like to plan a visit while he's in A school (have a daughter in LA, so it would be a combo trip :)

 

After A school, what is next? C school? do they all follow that pattern? Sorry for all the questions, just feel so uninformed!

A School, I think is about 9 wk. long.  It means Apprentice School.  There is no B School, lol.  I'm not sure what C school means but I call it "continuing" school as it continues the basic information they got in A school.  She is now in a course learning to maintain the equipment but she said they are phasing out the one she's learning now and going to a newer system.  So, by the time she has her baby and gets back to duty, she'll probably have to go back to learn the new one!   After C school most go on to OPS in which they get hands on instead of just book learnin'.   STGs have no choice in which system they get.  They are assigned as needed.  

 

Not sure if I have the right group or not.  My SR is going for sonar technician - submarine.  Or is there another group specific to STS?

My 2 cents worth... My son has been in SD for 10 months and just started maint. class. He will come home during stand down in December. Hasn't been home for almost a year, will love having him here. SD has been great. His friends and the beach and well... just about everything in SD is great. Because he hasn't used any of his leave time he has about 30 days banked. Look into that because they frown on not having any banked. So choose wisely whenever your sailor comes home. My son will take about 18 days in December and bank the rest. He said something about a short 4 week class after the maint. class. Should start in January. Have your sailor work hard and sturdy hard. Extra "points" if you grad top of the class. My son kept coming in 2nd. Dang. After that 4 week class he will be on holds until he is assigned a ship sometime next year. If you travel to SD to see your sailor stay close to the base. And try to plan it over a long weekend. Again so no leave time is taken. Hope this helps.

Thanks, all! 

So it sounds like he will be in San Diego for more than his 9 week A school? 

 

In A school, can they have their cell phone, computer, regular clothes? I'm hoping to bring the phone and computer to the airport when he flies from Great Lakes, but clothing sounds like it's not right away?

 

Also, how is it in A school? If you visit, will they have free time to see you without having to use leave time?

 

Phoebe - what is 'stand down'?

 

Welcome Suems2! Same ship and division as my SR! 

Astrosmom...Yes, they can have all that stuff in A School.But they don't have a ton of room for "stuff" in their rooms.   Classes, at least for my sailor, were in a classroom and only a classroom.  Much of what they learn is classified and nothing leaves the classroom that isn't in their heads.   Once classes are over, he should be free to see you.   I think the system is still in effect for curfew and such.  The better they do, the more privileges they get.  But ask someone else too.... I could be wrong.   They can wear civies off duty and my daughter said they don't really like them to wear uniforms out and about.  They aren't supposed to stop and do shopping,etc. in uniform. Go change first, then do your stuff.   It might be a safety thing.  Sorry I'm so iffy on this stuff....my memory isn't what it used to be.   haha.

Suems2... I think the STS sailors train in CT.   San Diego I beleive is for STG.   But you're welcome to hang here anyway.  lol

astrosmom, They will have to earn free time and going off base in civies. Everything is earned privileges. Don't get into trouble!! Mind the drinking. They will come down on you really hard if you are drunk and disorderly. True no books out of the classroom. Can't study at the beach, park, dorm, etc. So really need a study group/friends that will work hard together. Stand down is in December when everyone wants to go home for the holidays. So they just shut down the bases and leave a skeleton crew. Also, if your son is 4 year he will have a shorter time in school than the 6 year. My son signed after "A" school for 6 year. So now he will be in SD for 12 plus months training. And will not get to chose where he will be stationed. I can't remember if we visited before of after "A" school. Talk to your sailor. If he wants you there go, if not wait until a better time. Don't stress him out. The classes are hard.

thanks for the info PNM and Phoebe :)

Hi everyone, my fiance graduated boot camp yesterday (woo hoo!!) And his contract is 6 year STG. He has ATT still in GL then moves to SD for A-School. With a 6 year contract he will get his orders for his permanent duty station during C-School right? I live in Fl and we are trying to figure out the best time to get married.

My sailor went to SD as a 4 year. After "A" he was approved for 6. He arrived in SD on December 22nd 2010 and still does not know where he will be. Maint. class started 2 or 3 weeks ago and a 4 week class in January is all he has left. Good Luck abuon18! Phoebe

Thanks Phoebe!

Thanks Deb, just checking to make sure that he gets his orders in C school not A school because we want to be married before he gets them & he is currently scheduled to graduate A school in February so we are trying to figure out if we need to be married by then or not. I will be moving out to San Diego just not sure when so we would like to be able to wait until I live there.

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this discussion as well.  My fiance is Advanced Electronics STG. I too was wondering about orders and getting married.  I think I got most of my answers. I was wondering though, you all talked about stand down in December. Does everyone get that? Do they have to use leave time? around when does that occur?  sorry for all the questions.  It may be crazy, but I think I'm going to try and plan this wedding for December if he has holiday leave. Take advantage of the time. Thanks!!

drjh...My son arrived December 23, 2010 and chose not take leave. So he was with the small group that didn't go home, stayed on base. Spent Christmas with buddies. If you go home it comes off your leave time. Stand down is about two weeks. Check with your base for exact dates.

Thank you Phoebe!

Thanks everyone for all your helpful info, I'm so glad I found this website!! My son will be arriving this weekend. He's so excited to be coming back to California and we are too!! Sounds like he has a lot of studying ahead of him!

Oggi's seems to be the local hang out after class.  All studying has to be completed in the classroom according to my sailor. Since the books have sensitive information, they can not be removed for cramming back in the rooms. 

I've heard of something called harp? duty...where they can work at the local recruiter's office and not be charged with leave.  Is that possible at Christmas during stand down?

d o... from what I've heard, harp duty is only available after they complete A school and before they start C school. I could absolutely be mistaken since there is so much misinformation that gets circulated but that's what someone told me when I asked about it.

d o, My son was going to come home for 10 days last May and use 5 days harp. The deal was he had go to his old high school and rct. Most schools are closed during "holiday break". So you really need to look into this.

Phoebe... that info is correct. 

Oggi's is a great place to go if you visit SD. They have good pizza., and sushi.

 

Oh Darn... we were expecting a visit home from my daughter on Sept. 30th.  However, on Monday, they graduate their last class and her command will change almost immediately.  They don't want to approve leave that she will use after she changes to another command.   She'll still get to come, just a change of dates most likely.   : (

 

I hope the delay isn't too long.  Did she get an assignment she's happy with?

Thanks, D.O.  She doesn't know what her new assignment will be until next week.  It will be shore duty since she's expecting but she is certain she will stay in San Diego.

Has anyone visited while their sailor was in school?  We would be coming from a distance and I am worried about the amount of time he can spend with us.  I would include a weekend.  Any suggestions?

My daughter finished her Adjunct class...#1 in class.   So tickled.   She's finished for now with any classes.   Would be assigned a ship at this point if she weren't expecting.  For now, she's assigned to work at the base post office! lol.

navymommo, You just never know if your sailor will have the time off or not. If they have classed up they have more free time. Also, they could get duty at the last minute. Better if you wait until they are on "holds", between class. We planned on a four day weekend that he had just at the end of one of his classes. Ended up having a duty the Friday after we arrived on the day we wanted to visit the Wild Animal Park. The duty ended up being "passing of the flag" ceremony for a retiring Petty Officer. See my photo. Ya just never know whats going to happen. We had a great time at the ceremony and talked to some wonderful teachers that my sailor had. Just enjoy what you get...

My sailor is coming home next week!!!!  I just stocked up the pantry.

Phoebe, thanks for the info.  He just started, so we will hold on for a bit to see if he gets phase 3.  Problem is that we need to get air about 7-8 weeks ahead to afford it!

Grateful for any guidance!

navymommo, Don't know if Southwest Airlines is in your area but we waited until we got a great deal from them. So at least we didn't spend a lot on the long weekend. Just ask your sailor what he thinks and the chance he will get some time off over the weekend. He can always ask for leave time but if he is still in class he most likely won't get it. BTW: even with the great deal from SW we paid a little extra because we booked 8 days in advance. Real last minute...

ok  we will hang in there.   Maybe go out over Thanksgiving (not the best airfare).

hello all. My son just arrived yesterday from Great Lakes. It sounds like he's on hold for a week? (waiting for some other students?). He is enjoying himself already...was heading for the beach today...what a difference from bootcamp!

That's great.   The harder they work the more freedoms they get.  My daughter loves it there.

 

Do you guys know if someone can have a job rate of AECF - STG?  My son is at bootcamp and before he left his job rate was STG the latest he saw was that the AECF was added to it and he wasn't sure if that meant his job was changing?  He was so excited about coming to San Diego but thinks he might be staying in GL.

AECF is Advanced Electronics / Computer Field and apparently it is a course of training within several different ratings.   So I imagine he can still be STG and be part of the AECF. Here's a link.... http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/aecf.htm

Apparently it's quite an honor to be in the AECF..very intensified study.  My daughter started as NUKE but was later switched to STG.  She had to return to GL for 2 mo. for a course, then went to San Diego.   So your son might stay there for a bit longer before going to San Diego.    Are you anywhere near Weatherford TX?  

 

Yes I'm not too far. Waxahachie other side of FW from Weatherford. I'm glad to hear that. I'll share the information with him in my next letter.

We're in Weatherford....maybe we'll run into each other one day!

How long has your daughter been in?

My daughter enlisted early in '09 but went immediately on hold to finish high school.  She graduated in summer '09 but didn't leave for boot camp until Feb. '10.  So she's been in about a year and a half, the last year has been in San Diego.

We are from Spring, Tx. My son has been in since Aug. "10. He is deployed right now. Was on holds a lot of last year.

My son started BC this week.  He already has an assigned job: STG.  He is scheduled to graduate early December; he'll stay in GL for 6 weeks (he'll get a break for Christmas).  Sometime in early 2012 he'll head to San Diego for the remainder of his studies.  Supposedly, he will stay in San Diego for several months before getting to deploy anywhere.  I live in Nacogdoches, TX - anyone in this neck of the woods?  I think it would be neat to get together with some other moms/wives who can keep me informed on what to expect.  I love N4M's!!

Wrangler... I live in Spring, tx. My son is depolyed now but was in SanDiego until this past July. SD is a greT place to visit.

Spring isn't that far!  That's a good place to shop.  :)  Nacogdoches has NOTHING as far as shopping.  Yes, I'm looking forward to his getting to San Diego next year.  I'm already planning a summer trip out there!  I'm on kidney dialysis, so I have to plan everything ahead of time in order to get my dialysis in.  But that's not going to stop me!  I travel all the time.  Thanks for your response! I will keep your son in my prayers.  I just think this website is awesome!

Wrangler. Good to hear from you. Every thing you need in Sd is on the transit line. I know you will have a good time. There is a Holiday Inn right across the street from base. Spring is a goid place to shop. The Woodlands is good for shopping too.

Hello, just wondering if anyone here has an SR graduating from boot camp next week??

I have an SR graduating from boot camp 10/14.  Heading to GL tomorrow.  Are you