CTN

Oh thank you.  Yes it is  a tough program.  She has already called in tears and I couldnt understand a word until I got her to settle down.  She felt like she was the only one who wasn't getting it.  This was last week so this week seems much better. She has a good attitude and is staying after class as much as she can so she can learn this.  I'm so proud of her..its just so hard being so far away.  We live in Calif.   I wish the best for your son. 

Hi everybody! My son suggested this site as a way to get to know what he'll be going through, right now he's still in DEP as a CTN but because of his work schedule and mine, we don't get to communicate all that often and when we do it's typically about other things. So far I understand that when he ships out, boot camp will be about 8 weeks, most likely ship out directly to A-school which will be about 6 months. From there I'm kinda hazy on details, so I'm gonna see if you guys can answer a couple questions. First, how many segments are in A-school? I'm assuming it's broken up into different segments since everyone starts at P-cola and ends up at Corry...and the second question is since he's not a fleet returnee, will he automatically go to C-school? Or BDNA? Or are they the same thing?

Thanks for any info y'all can give me

CTNDepper - Welcome to the group.  Your son is correct, this is the place you need to be.  Per your question about Corry housing.  You said it in a weird way, so I need to ask, is he married or single?  

Has your son joined a Deppers Forum yet?  If not, I'd love to pump him up with information before he leaves.  Have him come on over to NavyDEP.com and I will make his life in boot camp very easy.  

CTNDepper, I wasn't stationed at Corry as a student, but knew a few while I was stationed at NAS Pensacola (about 3 miles down the road) and then cross-rated into the CTN rate.  I lived in familiy housing on Corry.

As a student he is able to have those very much needed things (Xbox, computer, etc...).  I probably wouldn't worry about the TV though.  The rooms are like college dorms with two to a room.

And as for orders, it depends on where the students end up as far as ranking at the end of class that determines how "close" to their dream sheets they get.  Those at the very top will more than likely go where they desire - if the Navy has billets to fill there - then work down the class ranking from there.  Of course, not always the case, and how far down the list the orders get matched up with wishes depends on current manning levels.

CTNdepper - The rooms are small, they have 3 sailor sharing one room so you can't have a bunch of stuff.  

Here is a set of pictures of the rooms at Corry:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ctratemoms/forum/topics/what-would...

Here's a slide show I made of Corry....

click on the photo to stop them...

lisab - We are a great bunch of people here, but I think you should probably be in the CTI group.  We don't have CTN's in Monterrey. 

Here is the link to the CTI group:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/cti

Found it. I think you have until the end of RTC to pass it. My son was in Scouts and it's comparable to the Swimming merit badge requirements, which helped him pass the first time.

http://www1.villanova.edu/content/villanova/artsci/nrotc/incoming_s...

ekauwe - I am actually confused by your question.  Maybe your recruiters are confused too.. 

I think your asking if you can do the swim instead of the run in boot camp.  No, you can't.  You must do the run.  In boot camp you must Satisfactory Medium to pass.  In the fleet you can get as low as Probationary.

When you finally get to the fleet, the Navy we have two types of swim test for the PFA.  The 500 yard, or the 450 meter.  The command doesn't have to let you do the swim, but will usually allow it as long as there is a pool available either on base or in the civilian world.  

Here is the Navy PFA manual:  Look at page 8 also at starting at page A-1.

Navy PFA rule book

Remember that the PFA rule book is the most changed document in the Navy.  It changes like twice a year.  Always new rules and requirements.  So you need to look at the lastest rule change here:

NAVADMIN 203/11

Lastly, I love helping deppers understand the Navy.  Have you joined NavyDEP.com?  It's a good website, (but I hear the admin guy is a real dick).    Oops, thats me....

ekauwe - Most people that ask your type of question are the ones that suck at running.  They need another way to pass the PFA other than running.  So a sailor could do the treadmill, Elliptical, Stationary Bike, Swim, or the run for the PFA.

Doing anything other than the run is up to the CO's discretion.  ie  Participation in an alternative cardio-respiratory event is not an entitlement.

So, I wouldn't worry about it.  You'll do great!

momoffour - What he should do is use NFCU's automatic bill pay.  Anytime a bill comes it, it automatically pays it.  He does nothing.  I use mine all the time.  When credit card bills come it, the they get paid....  For other bills, ie electric, phone, garbage I have them automatically debited from my account.  That why, if they don't get paid, then it's their own fault.  

Per the car, they have storage lots on the base for deployments.  But there is alot of mice and rats.  So, it is recommended to just let a "trusted" friend take care of the car when he's gone.  That why, both people get win....

Does anyone know what comes after JCAC?  

USNproudMom,

  My son graduated in May. He took 10 days leave and then reported to Ft, Meade. He had a temp job on the Honor Guard while his clearance was finalized. He started his real CTN job about the second week of October. He has a lot of on the job training. They have to get to certain levels in training in certain time frames. It depends on where you are and what "group" you are in as to how hard it is. My son was excelling and working very hard to get to the next "level' so he got moved to a more advanced area. Now they expect more from him in less time but he's learning quickly. He's also taking certification classes too. I'm not sure if this is how it is at all the stations but I'm sure it's similar. One thing about Ft. Meade is he was told it has the most opportunities to learn all there is to know about CTN. That is why he wanted to go there.

Son graduated JCAC today! We're excited for him, though sad because we couldn't make it today to the ceremony. He's official!

Congratulations Chimelle to you and your son. It's quite an accomplishment to get through that tough course. 

Hi all,

Here's a picture of us with our son at the finish of the JFK 50 mile Ultramarathon. He finished in 11hrs and 45 minutes. A good time for him since he only half trains for it. This year he ran to raise money for Operation Second Chance. It's a wonderful charity based near Baltimore that supports wounded soldiers and their families while they are in military hospitals and after they are discharged. I've become a volunteer also, helping get family sponsors for holiday gifts and finding businesses willing to take a donation jar. If any of you are interested in helping or donating let me know. The organization is growing and getting more and more requests from families for help. Check them out on facebook or on their website www.operationsecondchance.org.

What a great pic of your Sailor! He is a handsome guy! I cannot even imagine be able to run that far and for that length of time. I know you are very proud! I got to chat with my son tonight and he has decided not to take much leave at Christmas because he wants to keep it to take after he returns from deployment. He was able to give me an exact date he will be leaving so it has become much too real. Is it possible to skype with them?

There is a set graduation date but if they get rolled to another class it changes. They also have tests right up to the week of graduation which could change their class or date. My son said there weren't usually failures or rolls in the last month  but the class has changed since he graduated last May so not sure if that holds true. My husband and I flew into Panama City on Southwest because they let you change your flight for no extra charge. You do have to pay if the new flight costs more but only the difference in cost. It's about a 2 hour drive to Pensacola but it's a pretty drive along the coast.

Actually I found out it is not voluntary really for his job, they all take turns. He is looking forward to it and me not so much lol! I know now it is not a IA (after finding out what that is lol) Good new is after the six months, it would be a long while before he leaves again. One of my other kids left today to live 2700 miles away! Wishing I could make them little again!

Hi! My son arrived at Corry on 12/17 after his PIR.  I joined your group but didn't see anything recent so I've just been sitting tight! If I have any questions or comments I'll post them - thanks!

Hi, Karen.  My son PIR'd on 12/16, went down to Pensacola 12/17 and then flew back home from 12/22 to 12/31.  He used what leave time he had and went "into the hole" for the remaining days.  Once A School starts, I really don't expect him home until he finishes unless he can get a cheap ticket for a long weekend, etc.  He also is bored!

Yes,  my son estimated maybe late summer before he's finished, so I really don't expect to see him until then.  (And even if he could come home, he had to spend so much for his airfare over the holidays I don't think he would do it for a weekend!)  But he's been away at college, etc., so he's used to being away from home.

Robin - he hasn't started A School yet, he's waiting.  I think they wait to start it until there are enough sailors for the class, so they may be waiting for your daughter!. If I hear anything from my son about when he thinks it will start I will let you know.

Robin - the way it works is that he gets "liberty" from the time the PIR is finished until she needs to be back at her billet (sic?); my son wanted to make triple sure he wasn't late so he went back early about 7:30 p.m.  We just hung around and went and had an early dinner.  Then all the sailors (those who are not staying at Great Lakes for ASchool) are taken via bus at 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. to whichever airport their flight is taking off from and they sit around the USO until their plane leaves (mine left from Midway at 6:20 p.m. Saturday). I had to head home, so he and some of his friends went into Chicago for part of the day.  So no you won't get the weekend unless there's a flight issue and then you would have to pick him up at GL drop him off in the evening.  Also, I stayed at the Ramada but I wish I had known because the Navy Lodge is right by the base and is much cheaper (and it's nice).

My son's PIR date is 01/27/2012 and he should be heading down to Florida.  I have not heard on when his schooling will officially start. I'm not even sure if he even had his flight info after graduation..

Yes, it just depends on where their A School is and how the flights are.  Since my son PIR'd so close to Christmas, the sailors whose A School was at Great Lakes got the whole weekend with family.  But if they're flying out expect them to go the next day barring unforeseen circumstances.

CariD - he'll have his flight information by PIR (but since you probably won't talk to him before that you won't know until that day).  I'm not sure when school starts - if I hear from my son I'll post but it sounds like they may be waiting for the sailors who are graduating this month (at least).

Debbie G- Thanks for the info. I have only had one call and that was a month ago. I guess when I get to Great Lakes, I'll know more... It definitely does sound like all our kid will be in school together...

Yeah, I never got any calls either lol!  Seriously, no news is good news.

Did they change how they leave from BC? It use to be that it was according to thier division number. I think it was the highest number (I think) that was grad and go (I felt sorry for their parents) and the rest got the weekend to hang out with the family (had to be back in the evening). Once I found out, I was able to look at the division numbers and know that he was not a grad and go. On another note, is there any CTN moms who have gone through a deployment? I am just wondering how often you heard from them and how you survived LOL! If they are on a ship and deployed there are the ships groups but not for people like us LOL. I have eight or nine weeks till he leaves and it hit me that I probably will only get emails and not hear his voice or see his face for six months ( I know that not a huge amount of time but....it will be hard). 

Susan R - what is IA?