CTN

clockard and Craig.. thank you for the info.. To answer some of your questions.

My son has 10 days left of BC.. On the insurance the beneficiaries are correct, but they 1st messed up my last name (don't know how that happened because we have the same last name) and when he took it to have them correct it for some reason they then put his older brothers address as mine.. I'm in PA his brother is in FL.. I have no idea what happened.. he decided after the 2nd time he would wait for A school..

I didn't realize in BC they all are E1.. thanks for the info..

As far as college credits.. he earned some while he was in high school, in calculus and computer auto cad something.. and after graduating  went to FL for more college. He still was in high school in 2007, but the rest of his college credits (well over 15) was after that.. According to him & what I saw of his contract he is to be an E3 after completion of BC and his student loans would be paid for up to a certain amount.. However, when he got to BC he was told only part of his student loans would be paid.. and he knows he is getting E1 pay.. (i understand the E1 part now).. but not the rest..

Thank you again for all the help and info that I will pass on to my son once he is in A school..

oh they only have part of his college transcripts included and none or his college transcript from high school.. He had to provide all to the recruiters here in PA twice.. including a copy of his contract..while he waited for BC.. lol

Just checking in.  My sailor is doing well in A school and if all goes well will be hopefully graduating from A school 8/30.  It could be pushed back due to hurricanes.  We are planning a family vacation around his graduation so hopefully he will have a set date sometime in late July.

 

He said the weather was beautiful over the weekend and went to the movies and out for dinner off base.  He loves getting off base and has been to the mall, beach, movie theater, beach and several restaurants.  He has also had a fellow shipmate who is stationed at NAS take the bus over and stay the day at Corry.

 

My son has never seen a cockroach before and he said they have them randomly in his room along with ants.  It is quite funny to hear his stories of how he killed or caught the last one.  

Man, this month will be really rough for my son.  He needs to get a waiver to reenlist by 17 June to get the old reenlistment bonus (SRB).  If the waiver doesn't get approved, then he won't be reenlisting,  This really screws up his orders since he will only serve until his EAOS because if he doesn't, he will loose Zone "A" SRB forever. 

What does all this crap mean to regular civilians like you guys?  It means he looses about $30K.  This changes his whole game plan if it doesn't get approved.   I knew the new SRB levels would be bad, but not as bad as what happened.  Dang it, I hope he gets the waiver. 

 

clockard - Some sailors do get the stripes in BC, but most don't.  You son had the education stuff on his side.  My son didn't.  My son only had 15 college credit. GL usually will pass the sailor on to there next duty station so they (the Navy) will incur the cost of the promotion.  It's a money thing.   

clockard & Susan - What I'm thinking is both of your sons fall within a special case.  Susan your son falls within the 030701 (page 151) category for having JROTC, and clockard your son falls within the 030702 (page 152) category for having college. 

I know both my son and my nephew both didn't get stripes. They didn't have the various things needed (JRTOC, Sea Cadet, Civil Air Partrol, College, Scouting, Sea Scouts, Young Marines, Vocational School, Military Academy, or DEP referrals) for advancement.  All they had was being in the ATF field which gave them E2.  Once they got to P-cola, the informed them about 3 weeks later to put on E2.  All pay was back dated to the day they got to GL (just like everyone who is advanced upon completion of BC).

(Note:  If you hover near the bottom middle of the page you will see the page #'s)

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/Directives/1130_8H/change%208...

 

Giraffe - Since your son is about to enter Battle Stations, you may want to look at the slide show I made.  It might give you a better understanding of what they are about to do... 

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ctratemoms/forum/topics/boot-camp-...

My son graduating JCAC and receiving his certificate from the CO. It was a long 6 months of school but finally the reward. He's home now on leave and reports to Ft. Meade in early June.

He's really enjoying the time off after the long hours and days of school. He says he won't mind the busy work he's likely to be doing at Meade until his clearance is finalized. His brain needs a rest...LOL

What a great picture!! Love it !!!

That is a real cool picture.  I bet he can't wait until he gets to Ft. Meade.  Ft. Meade is an awesome place.  It has so much to do. 

What I find cool is no one in that picture is wearing the same uniform.  I thought the word "Uniform" meant that every one is suppose to be the same...~ha

The uniform thing was funny. Because there were Army, Marines, Air Force and Navy in his class they had  everything. An Air Force General who was at Corry for a symposium or something spoke at the graduation. He's the guy smiling in the back left side of the photo. There was a small choral group who sang all the armed forces songs and each group stood at attention during their song. The Marines stood during their song and during "Anchors Away". It was great. Although it doesn't show in this pic there were mostly Navy dress whites being worn. I'm really glad I got to be there.

prov2324....Great Picture and thanks for sharing.

Fantastic picture prov2324mom.. Cudo's to your son for a job well done.. Thank you for sharing

Thank you Craig for the slide show .. very informative and worth the look see

What a wonderful picture prov2324mom. You must be so proud. My son is about 3 months into the program so I know, for me and him, that will be a wonderful day!! Those students work soooo hard!!

My son just left the Spec Ops field he was in, and yesterday signed to do CTN school.  So, I have no idea at this point when he will head to Florida, or when the school starts.  I have beenr reading over this, but it seems most of your kids are well into the CTN training.  I will probably follow along quietly until I figure out what is going on.

Thanks.  I am pretty much researching it and looking at it all - WOW.  They have taken on a pretty amazing road!  The only thing we really don't know is when the next class starts... Guess it is typical navy time - hurry up and wait :)

hi RunnerMom,

 My son who just graduated CTN was Spec Ops too.  He had about 3 weeks in SD and then about 2 1/2 months in FL waiting to class up. There's a "Drop on Request" group on here too for Sec Op DOR's. It's been nice talking to others who have been down that road.

 

Good Morning to all.. I'm on pins and needles.. my son will go to BS next week and graduate BC 6/3.. I'm sure all of you remember what it was like.. then off to A school for CTN training...

Just wanted to say have a nice Memorial Day..

Thanks clockard.. Yes I will go to his PIR.. My older son is flying up from FL on 6/1.. then we are driving to GL for his PIR.. I live in PA but only an hour from lake Erie.. and the weather has been lousy.. I have advised my eldest though.. I layer this time of year.. but refuse to turn back on my furnace.. lol

So we are practically neighbors.. Most of it will be inside won't it.. At least until the torrential downpours stop..

Another question if I may.. hope someone has the answer.. and I apologize in advance for being a pain in the butt..

Can I bring the towel I bought for my SR to sit on with me to PIR, for him to sit on in the shuttle ride back to the hotel?

Hi Giraffe. I took a blanket that rolled up in a bag in with me. We got there very early. There are metal bleachers to sit on. Since we were so early we sat at the very back with a wall behind us to rest our backs on. We were so glad for the blanket and the wall!! You're there a long time. It's only been since February but I think we got on base around 6:00 and the ceremony was about 1 1/2 hrs. Can't remember if it started at 8 or 9. It must have been 9 because I think we left around 10:30. It took us about 1/2 an hour to get through the line at the welcome center. Have fun. That week of battlestations and PIR were so exciting!! If you go to the group "DEP-Leavin for Bootcamp in December" you'll see a comment I made on Page 2 about waiting for my "I'm a sailor call". I don't want to repeat the whole thing here but you might get a kick out of my phone delimma that day and understand exactly where I was emotionally because that's where you are this week!

Oh...btw the blanket was to sit on not cover up. It was Feb. and freezing butt outside but it was nice and warm in the building. I felt sorry for our Sailors lining up outside to come in. They were bundled up when they marched in!!

Thank you clockard and Annie Ship for the info..

I plan on carrying the towel in a plastic grocery type bag.. lol hope it doesn't embarrass him to much.. lol..

I did go to the "DEP-Leavin for Bootcamp in December" and read what you wrote.. I have had the same problem with my phone when it rings.. my fingers won't work quite fast enough..

Here is to a Fantastic Memorial Day.. a friend sent the following to me and it is very appropriate and that I believe in to the depths of my soul.. I am now and always have been so very PROUD of all our military.. past, present and future..

Hope you like it as much as I do.......

The American flag does not fly because the wind moves past it...the American flag flies from the last breath of each military member who has died protecting it. American soldiers don't fight because they hate what's in front of them...they fight because they love what's behind them." ♥ Re-Post this if you Support your Troops!! God Bless America

Just thought I'd drop in real quick to let all know my son is officially a Sailor as of today.. heading to his 6/3 PIR tomorrow.. He is flying to Pensacola 6/5 and is suppose to start school a week later according to the orders he received.. Anyway will talk with all of you later.. He is on his way to become a CTN

Thank you again clockard.. I will be sure to let him know that the A school start date is probably generic .. if I remember with all the excitement.. and also even though they will keep him doing busy work, it will give him a little bit of a break from BC to transition to school.. Thanks again..

Well, just got news that my son's graduation got pushed back to Sept instead of August.  He failed a test and the retake so they moved him to the class behind him to relearn the lesson which he failed.  He said he likes this instructor better.  I told him again, this is not High School and he needs to really buckle down and study hard to accomplish this.  I was wondering why he seemed so "blah" when I talked to him last Sunday.  It is so hard when there is distance between us, I can't just give him a hug and say it will be okay.  What does ARB mean?

Just found out ARB stands for Academic Review Board and they decide the best action to take for the student/sailor.

Runnermom....My son arrived in Pensacola 2/15 and classed up approx a month later.  I have heard that some wait even longer.

 

Thanks, everyone for the comments.  He is leaving SD for FL middle of this month, and then who knows?  But at least he has a path and is headed down it.  Better than not knowing what he would be doing...  I am just along for the ride :)

clockard..I found out that my son asked to be bumped back so he could learn the lesson well.  His new instructor is much better and he is happier now that he is understanding the lesson.

My son requested to be rolled back too. He said the new instructor seemed better for him. I hope it helps to study everything a second time. Wishing the best for your son himmiemom.

Hi everyone!

I'm not the mom of a sailor, but a wife to one. I figure you all will be able to help out with questions and such anyway! My husband has been in the USN since 2006, but is cross-rating from AT to CTN. We are heading to P'Cola for school in a month so we're pretty excited!

Beachy -  Welcome aboard....  Just fire the questions away, we will help you as much as we can. 

Annie.....When was your son's previous grad date?  Wonder if our son's know each other.

Hi himmiemom. I never really did hear his exact grad date. Sounds like they may have been close to the same. They probably do know each other.

Hey Craig.. Love the Life Saver...

My son made it to P'cola and is the process of phasing up.. said it would take a month from what he is being told.. was kinda nervous after talking to a few guys about CTN, but finally got to talk to a (mentor ?) and said a weight was lifted off his shoulders.. I'm glad for that.. It is good to hear from him more frequently.

Thanks for the info and I'm sure I'll be talking with all soon

Talked to my son Sunday and Corry Station has been without internet for over a week.  No Skype for two weeks and I am  feeling a little weepy.  Internet came back up today according to my email from him.

 

He is loving his "new" class and instructor and is confident he will "get it" this time around. 

Hello all.. seems I only have time on the weekend to talk or ask questions because of my work schedule. 

As I noted last weekend my son arrived in P'cola 6/6 the way it worked out and begins CTN school Monday 6/20.. He wants this so much, but only 2 from all who were sent to A school in Pensacola are CTN.. he has talked to others and told how many flunk out of A school.. only one guy was positive and advised as long as he puts his nose to the grind and studies he will do fine.. he also advised my son not to burn himself out on studying also, because that could cause problems as well.

I just told him to get into the school  see what is expected and take it from there.. He was very good in statistics and all phases of computers.. He helped with the main frame in the middle & high school here

Is this about right?? I hope I gave him the correct advice, since I'm a novice on computers..

Sounds like perfect advice Giraffe! School is tough but it sounds like he has some computer experience which will be a big advantage. My son went in with no experience just good ASVAB scores and it's been difficult but he's hanging in there. Burn out from overstudying and stressing definitely causes problems. Good Luck to him and you too! I'll be glad when my son is finished with CTN school but I'm sure there will be something new for me to worry about because I'm a mom and that's what I do! :-) 

Giraffe,

 My son, who graduated 5-13, had NO computer experience past email and web browsing and never had a lot of interest in computers survived JCAC. He was basically right in the middle of his class (of 12) GPA wise. He also never studied much in HS or in Comm. College. Got mostly B's an occasional C and A's in a few things. He was smart but not a genius and not especially dedicated to school. That changed in Pensacola. He studied very hard and spent time with a couple of the really smart ones in class. It really is 6 hard months but is doable if they stay serious and dedicated. There was usually time on the weekends to relax a bit but no serious partying because a lot of study was done then as well.

 My son turned 20 toward the end of JCAC. He grew up a lot during that time. One thing with him is he had been in BUD /s and had dropped due to an injury. BUD /s also matured him and he did not want to go undes for 2 years. Good motivation to work hard.

 Your son will be fine. Tell him to relax when he can but be prepared for a lot of work. Six months will go by faster than he thinks!

How exciting about your son clockard! It must have been fun to share in that with your son and future daughter-in-law.

Thank Annie, prov2324mom, and clockard.. I was kinda worried that I should have said more to him.. but figured it would've been overload.. he is a thinker, planner, and saver.. always has been.. his older brother however is a damn the torpedoes full steam ahead type of character, with loads of charisma.

Congrats clockard to your son and his fiance'

Thanks for the advise Giraffe...I agree with studying way too much.  My son was obsessed with it and didn't give himself a break even on the weekends.  He would get so stressed out that he would do horrible on his tests.  Since he asked to be bumped back a month he has done great.  He aced the test he flunked with the previous instructor and has even made some "marine" study buddies.  He informed me yesterday that his new grad date is 9/28.

Hello all - It's been a while since I commented on this site - I have tried to stay "low key" since my son arrived in FL and classed up.  I am very worried about him so... Here I am - He called last evening and was very upset - said he has to go in front of ARB this morning - 2nd time.  He said he is doing great on the homework and quizzes but seems to freeze on the tests  and has had to take them over but then passes - He said he is 1 point from "passing" and has to go in front of the review board today.  I am so worried for him as CTN is all he has wanted to do for so long and now he thinks he will be dropped - Can anyone tell me what to expect?  He is putting so much stress on himself.  This is all so new to him and I dont know what to say or do to help except keep telling him we will support him no matter what. I read back a few pages that someone asked to be "put back" into the next class is that an option or are there special circumstances?  I am just really worried about the whole situation - I am literally sick to my stomach and can only think about what he is going thru - any insight and or advise would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!!

Hi CMom! I'm sorry for the difficulties your son is having. This has been a rollercoaster ride for my son too! (I'm riding in the back!!) I don't have any advice on what to expect as I don't really know how it works. My son asked to be rolled back to the next class rather than retaking a test because he knew he hadn't understood the material so even if he did pass by some miracle on a retake he would have still been lagging behind the rest of the class. He had failed one test previously and retaken it the next day and passed so he didn't have to see the ARB that time. It sounded to me like he had a choice to retake or go before the ARB and he chose the ARB. Sorry I'm not much help. I'm definitely sending prayers and good energy your way today. It's so difficult to see our kids struggle.

Hello CMom... My son is new to A school so I do not have any tangible advise.. However like Annie Im sending good energy and prayers your sons way and to you as well.. Let us know how it turned out if you don't mind

My son said they are revamping how they instruct.. not so many classroom hours and more study.. if that makes sense to anyone

CMom - What was the outcome?

CMom--- I am so sorry your so is going through such a hard time. I remember that I was almost physically sick on the days I knew he had a test. When my son failed his first test, an instructor  told him that he might as well give up because there was no way he would pass the course and no way he would be able to do what he wanted after completing the course. He did pass and he is doing what he wants. I pray they give your son a chance to roll back a class. As a mom I feel your pain. Let us know how it turns out!