Sailors attending A School in Meridian, Mississippi

Gee, I wonder where Sharon and hubby will be spending their NEXT vacation????
Hmmmm....maybe in JAPAN? Congrats, Sharon! Enjoy his visit home!

Thanks Emma.

Sharon,Wow! Japan! How long will he be there? Is he thrilled or was he hoping for stateside?

Sharon, are you in CA? I'm in so CA.

he just told me that there about 5 places to choose from for his dream sheet; WA, FL, VA, Hawaii and Japan. I'm not sure yet which order he is putting them in. He is originally from VA so maybe that will be his #1 choice - he said he wants to make the decision with me to better our chances of getting what we really hope for but like you say - it just depends on where he is needed.

okmom: I don't think so. I know many post not to spend money to send fast if the arrival date will fall on a weekend. I know the post office is closed on weekends ... just not sure about the other buildings that "house" the packages depending on how big they are. They usually have to make their mail pickups on their lunch break if they are classed up.

He finished his class in Meridian! YAH! Now, onto graduation next week...and orders soon!

HOORAY Diannep! Is he hoping for any place in particular?

Maussie64: Not sure! He was hoping for Florida (where he is from) but was told that pretty much no one is stationed in their home state. So he will let the "cards fall where they may." Praying for the next step. He said he is loving the Navy so far. He and Sharon's son were in the same group in Meridian. And of course, her son is going to JAPAN. Quite an opportunity.

Congrats, Tina! Great job, Stan! Now...on to Norfolk after visiting home!

Hi all,

Got the call from our son the he's officially a sailor. What a great moment for all that have gotten through. He will be heading to Meridian after PIR 4-9-2010, but classes don't start until 4-19 and he has to workout with the Marines. Didn't have time to ask him alot of questions, but after I hung up I had many. So if anyone has answers for me I'd appreciate it. Is it routine for the Navy to do PFT in A school with the Marines? Is the A school in Meridian shared with Marines as well?
Thank you tjs mom

Congratulations Denbarb! Way to go TJ!
What is his rate?

DenBarb: My son is in Meridian, graduates from there on Wed. He has mentioned the Marines being there and said a group of the sailors train with them. Beyond that, not sure...but there is a connection between the Navy and the Marines! Good luck to TJ! You will love being able to stay in closer contact with him while he is there. There are still restrictions, and they are kept pretty busy, but they have free time and time to call, especially if they have a cell phone. Many have laptops too...service is spotty there, but I understand they can get it outside and near the Liberty Center.

Maussie he is an E-3

Diannep thank you for the information, we are looking forward to having communication back. Have a great weekend everyone!!

denbarb, Their rate is actually their job. E3 is his rank. :))
Did he make E3 in BC?

Maussie thank you for enlightening me I had no clue:) His rate is AZ Aviation maintenance administration. He went in as an E3 he has his AS degree, needs only 2 more semesters for his BA. I'm so grateful for this site, without all the support from N4Ms I'd totally be in the dark. While my son was in BC, his mom received a Navy education too...on lingo:))

No problem. I've learned a lot of abbreviations on this site. Where would we be without it?

hismomdee- Thank you. Tonight when my daughter calls I'll let her know she has to meet us at the gate when we arrive. We live in Anna,Texas if your famillar with north Texas it's about 30 miles north of Plano, TX.

Navygf123-My daughter went to the CBQ (Navy Lodge)and filled out a chit for us to come and visit her. At that time she made the reservations.
The Navy Logde is on the base.
okmom2000-I am driving so I will have my car with me.
I'm sorry I'm just now getting back to you I haven't had time to get on the site.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend.
God Bless
Sia
PS: We made it to Meridian and the Navy Lodge is a great place to stay.

Hi All! My bf just graduated from BC on Friday and headed straight to Meredian for LS A-school. Can anyone please explain to me the phases there? Thank u :)

Hi, Kae. Welcome! Congrats to your new sailor! My son graduates this week at Meridian. From what he has said, they arrive under "red dot" restriction, I believe. They earn their way up to "yellow dot" restriction. Your bf will be made aware of this in Meridian during this first week of processing. He can call you from the Liberty Center (phone card) if he doesn't have his cell with him (you can mail it). He should be able to tell you more about the restrictions! They can also LOSE their "yellow dot" privilege if they "mess up," Mine lost his for being late to class one day. So tell your bf to behave! :-)

Good Morning to All, I didn't get to see my son at Easter but he was able to Call and Text! Hi, Kae, yes they are pretty strict, don't want any goofing around there, my son is supposed to graduate on 4/13/10 from AZ, but still no signs of orders!!!! Happy Monday to all!!

Thank You so much diannep and nancynavymom! Congrats on your Sailors. Please do let us know when they get their orders... :)

I had a wonderful visit with my daughter. The Navy Lodge is awesome. While we were there she had liberty from 4PM Friday until 10PM; Saturday 7AM-10PM;and Sunday 6AM-10PM. We had to leave at 6:30PM Sunday in order to make it to work today. I hated leaving her there however I know she is doing great.We were able to go to Easter service there on base and meet some really wonderful young men and women.
I hope you all had a fantastic Easter.
God Bless
Sia

I have been cut off since Thurs. I got to Meridian Friday afternoon and left last night. We had a great time and I would recommend anyone stay at the Navy Lodge! The base is awesome and everyone is so nice. I loved being able to see everything that my son talks about.
Kae-the phases are red dot, curfew at 10 every night; yellow dot can wear civilian clothes after 530 and curfew at midnight on Fri and Sat; green dot can spend the night somewhre else Fri and Sat....that is the way I understand it

What airport do u all fly into and how far is the drive to the base from the airport? Did u all rent a car? Im from Los Angeles. So even if they are still red dots, we can visit them as long as we stay in the base? Sorry for my 747588585 questions ;(

Kae-I drove so I didn't have to worry about a car. I think the best/closest airport is Jackson. There are plenty of places that you can spend time with him on base. He should be able to go off base too, you will have to go to the quarterdeck with him and sign out as his "liberty buddy" he will know what all that means

Kae-If it is his duty day then he is limited to where he can go on the base because they have to stay close in case they are needed. My son had duty the last day but we just stayed around with him

Kae - hey I remember talking to you during boot camp! My bf is in Meridian - he arrived there about a week ago. He has started doing some duties and started his classes (earlier than scheduled) today. So far it has been great! So much more contact than in boot camp. He has been borrowing phones to contact me here and there and there are computers they can use in the library (I think) and we talk through myspace.

I sent him a package through UPS that he should receive tomorrow with some snacks, clothes and his cell phone. He is coming home for about 2 weeks after he finishes school and gets his orders - and then we are getting married. Yeah - I'm having fun trying to plan all of this with a moving target (the date). But worth it!

Hi sschick02 !!! I remember you too.. our bf's graduated a week apart :) well now they're both our fiancee's. lol. He finally proposed after 6 years of being together. It was amazing! anyway, he was a grad n go and had to leave right away after PIR. It was all a big tease :( So that's why I'm planning this visit once he gets settled and knows all the rules and stuff.. hopefully I can go 3rd week of April.

p.s. Has anyone gotten married in Meridian here? my fiancee's PO told him a lot of people do it to get their families included in their orders and that's what we want to do too. Any inputs?

LadyHamilton thank u soooo much! I called them and was able to inquire. You guys are awesome! My fiancee is loving the freedom in A-school so far although he did admit it was another culture shock for him but glad he's out of RTC. LOL

Congrats Kae on the engagement!

Kae - there is an airport in Meridian. It is small, but several Delta flight coming thru Atlanta fly in to it. To all you other moms - I live on the Gulf Coast and my husband and I were camping in Meridian this weekend. Saturday started out nasty and rainy, so we went to the mall. There were lots of sailors there - obviously straight from boot camp because still in the uniform wearing stage.

Gulf Coast Mom: Yes, the Meridian mall. My son has spent many hours hanging out there while in A School. I don't think there is much else to do in Meridian He didn't want me to mail civilian clothes to him because he didn't want to have to try and get them packed and home when here on leave. He doesn't seem to mind being in uniform all of the time...and I know I loved seeing all of the Navy unforms in Great Lakes when at the Gurnee Mall. Made my heart feel good! I knew that behind each of those uniforms was a man/woman who worked hard to earn that uniform! YAH!

YES diannep!!
My son likes his uniform!!
Is like you say; they worked hard for all uniforms and steps....

Hi Chris in MI! Is CA one of your daughter's choices when she filled out her dream sheet?

Chris, where in CA?

Awww Port Hueneme is an hour away from me. It would be the most wonderful thing ever if my fiance gets stationed there.

But then I heard its almost impossible to get stationed st your home state :(

LAX for the bigger airport and Oxnard for smaller airport.

I'm sorry, what rate is LS?

Oh and also Burbank and Van Nuys for smaller airports. Oxnard is the closest :)

Okay. Thank you. I am still learning here.

He just got there on Saturday, graduated BC on Friday. Hasnt even started classes yet just Indoc. He's also LS.

Yeah I really dont mind the other states just not Japan :( but watch, just our luck he'll get Japan! i'll keep u posted. Im actually going there end of this month to do a court wedding. Hopefully everything works out ok.

Thank u and good luck to ur daughter as well!

Chris,my son is going to Lemoore Ca...where your daughter will be in Ca?
My son told me that he and other sailor took some of the girls to the mall to buy suitcases...They finished their studies,but no leaving dates,yet.
Nice day all!!

Bhappy (Sharon) - Is Japan one of your son's top 3 choices? i just wanna know how well the Navy grants their dream sheet.

BHappy I wish I could be near!
My son wanted Japan or Fl;he said that when he got to the office,Japan's choice was gone,there was one position.
He is happy because like I said before,when he talked on the phone with Lemoore base,the man who talked to him,was nice and gave him all the info he was looking for.They told him that his position is available for him,thanks to God.
You all, have a nice day!!

Son just got verbals for USS Roosevelt out of Norfolk. He is happy. Still waiting at Meridian though.

diannep, does that mean he will be at sea or are they all attached to a ship?