Hi everyone, do I understand correctly that all LS's go to A school in Meridian? I thought the recruiter said Meridian or someplace in TX but from what I am gathering everything is in Meridian now. Just curious.
Prayingmom73- They do not have an official graduation after A school. Because the sailors can finish at different speeds, it just doesn't make sense for them to try to set up graduations
How long after completion of PS A school does it take to move on to a permanent duty station? Is there a holding company that sailors usually get stuck in for a few days or weeks?
Your son can request them; you will each receive one, but anyone over 16 will need to present a picture id. (Maybe that's over 15 years of age - can't remember). At O'Hare, there is a USO hospitality room for MILITARY members, but there are some really nice people who work there and can help you with questions. The ticket counter where you get the passes is down one level from the USO room, and to the right as you leave the elevator/stairwell. As you enter the terminal facing the gate, the counter is to your left. I think it was roped with all blue. Anyway, you still have to do the typical security measures (remove shoes/pocket items to tray, bags, etc. also; then, walk through the detector. The people in the USO room said our things would be safe alongside our son's bags, so we left them there to make that all easier. We had coffee with him at Starbucks, then after a bit, we could tell he was ready to say goodbye. It was great.
AO1toPS1, the closer your sailor gets to completion of A School, the more likely he/she will know the next assignment. If there is a wait involved, he'll stay put there in Meridian as he waits, and do simple duties like maintenance. There is an acronym (of course!) for that temporary assignment, but I don't remember it (of course!). Best wishes!
My daughter arrived in Meridian, MS last week and is a new student. She started her classes yesterday. I am really proud of her. She did great at bootcamp and she has adjusted well to Meridian. After 2 days of classes, she is discouraged and has expressed concern that she won't be able to get through her school program. I think it would help her if she could speak with the ombudsman. Does anyone know who she can speak to or how she can contact the Ombudsman in Meridian? Thanks. .
My Sailor (Son) is in Mississippi A school... Whew ... so fill me in ladies... whats it like for them in Mississippi? I would love to go visit him in about 3 weeks.. Will that be enough time for him to get settled into his routine at school? Can he leave for the weekend?
Amber: So i assume they have to earn the green dot? Does your Sailor live close to home? If not then i am guessing they can fly home? Boy i thought after BC i wouldn't have to ask so many questions.. but i guess with every new step he takes in the Navy i will still have many Questions. Thanks Amber
Paige, if you go to MM, please let us know what its like. I am hoping to make a trip there while my son is there for school and I would love to know what its like. I'm from CA and haven't ever been out that way. Even though I know he should be home for a couple weeks after A school I know that 2 weeks he will probably spend most of the time with this friends so I hope to make a trip to see him there that way I don't have to share him...lol
Amber, thank you for the info!! Alison, Yes i hear ya on the sharing part.. My son will go to Groton CT for sub school after A school then I think he will have liberty for 2 weeks.. His GF live in IL, they met in college. But anyways she will come to our hometown on his 2 week leave.. So I am like you.. I think i Need to go see him while he is in Mississippi. Is your son in A school now? if Not when is his PIR date?
Amber, Its been nice talking with him on the phone. Yesterday was his first full day in Mississippi, I called him in the mid morning to talk with him he told me he had a free day that day.. so we talk for a few min and he said he better get off he wanted to get his stuff moved in and put away.. I laughed so hard .. all he had was a backpack on his back when he arrived.. lol He call later and i said so how did the move in go? lol he said he went to the nex and bought new underwear .(hates whitey tighties) and did laundry .. so that was his big move in. Cell service was is not that good there and he did learn he is not aloud to be on the phone while they are walking ... Hung up on me very fast.. called back to let me know another sailor inform him of the big NO NO haha..
Its just great to know He can call and check in now!!
Glad his big "move in" went well....lol. That is funny. My son doesn't ship out till December so he won't be at A school till Feb so I got lots of time to learn all about this stuff...
Hi Guys!! My son said he thinks he will be done with his A school by the end of the month.. He is ready to go to Groton Ct. He told me to wait to come visit when he is in sub school. Said really not much around Meridian and its very hot. He also said he most likely only get to spend one day with me. I really wanted to go to Mississippi and hell its hot here in SE Ohio.. and we live in a very small town with nothing to do.. so i think Mississippi would be like home away from home..lol
Does any one know when we are able to see our sons and daughters after they get to A school? I live in gulfport ms and I would like to see him as soon as I can!
Hi everyone our son has been in 10 years. I joined this group because as a mom ( also a navy Brat and sister ) I understand how you feel. I live in the meridian area. My dad retired for the Navy here and we stayed. I will be glad to help in any way. Answer any questions. I often see these young men and women in town still in uniform and in pairs or groups. I usually stop and tell them thanks and talk to them a little while. So let Know if I can help. Our son has a cpl of navy buddies stationed at the base here that we take to eat and visit with. Anything to make these heros feel At home. Go Navy.
@sgknavymom thanks so much for your kindness. I am hoping to make a trip out there for a weekend while my son is in school so I might reach outnformadvice on where to stay. I figured I better come there to see him before he gets his break after schooling is over because I am sure during that time he will want to hang out with his friends.
Hope This Encourages all of you.... Our son has been in 10 years...He loves the Navy...He is presently on a ship somewhere off the coast os Yemen...Yes we worry and pray....But knowing he loves what he does is a lot of comfort......In his 10 years he has been around the entire globe.....spent a year in Afghanstan (with a Army unit)......He has made the best of each station ....My advise to young sailors is to think hard about thier choices of stations.....and make the most of thier time serving our country.....
Sgknavymom, sounds like good advice. I have been trying to pass that advice to my son and tell him he joined to Navy in part to see the world so take advantge of it while he is young and single. I hope he is happy with his choices like your son has been...blessings to all!
my son pir date is nov 2 and then he will be going to a school in meridian i live in gulfport his whole family is in gulfport thats a couple hrs from his a school, my question is i hear they fly the day after pir and go to A school i would like to know if they are allowed to have family come up and see them as soon as they get in a school? what are the rules about when he can leave for a week end to see family if a family member picks him up and all can anyone tell me how all this goes liberty time cause i miss him lol he would get there on a week end can we see him to say hi or not yett? and when? thanks
thanks i miss him hes the baby of my kids im so proud of him the family cant wait to congrat him on being in the navy so im hoping we can see him right away lol
Navy, I read a post somewhere that explained the phases of A school and what each phase allowed the sailors to do. It was a good post, you might use the search box and find the post. I think phase 3 allowed them to leave overnight. Congrats on the upcoming Pir
Congrats Gabby, if you go back a few pages there was a really good post describing the base and the activities there. What school is your bf attending?
My son will be LS as well. I'll get to learn from you so share his experiences here. I heard its a self paced program that usually lasts about 40 days.
My son will be attending A school in Meridian MS after his PIR date of 11/30. Can we visit him right away or do we have to wait for him to receive a green dot? Can you explain the green dot to me?
Hello Nise615! My son is in Meridian and graduated last wednesday. He leaves tomorrow to go to Groton for sub school. Green dot is phase 3 liberty, my son said he should get it after a week of being there. Phases tend to go pretty fast and is nothing like boot camp. They have a lot of freedom in A school. You should be able to visit right away but if you wait till he is in phase 3 he can go off base. Also in phase 3 they can stay overnight off base only on the weekends but he will need to get a chit and turn it in before thursday according to my son. Hope this info helps you!
Good morning everyone. My son is in LS school. He graduated boot camp on 11-2-12. I am really excited to belong to another group. He likes in there and said they finally have a bit of freedom and independence I guess he will be in indoc until after Veteran's Day and then school begins. When do they get orders so I will know where he gets his duty station?
Hello GodFavorMe(TreMom) - my son has been in Meridian for a month now. He is on the airmen side of the base and is housed with Marines. He was a bit fearful at first, but now really likes living and training with them. InDoc was 5 days where he got to know the layout of the base, base rules and regs, uniforms in order, housing in order. It is not at all like boot camp - he said he and his friends would ask people about bed times, free times, etc, and they would laugh and say "this is not boot camp". They are limited and do have to be in quarters by 9:45pm, but if they do not have duty, they can go to base movie, bowling, tv and computer time. They can also have a few civilian outfits, and their phones. Biggest plus right now is it is still warm in Mississippi!!! Last weekend his wife was able to visit for the weekend, and he was allowed to leave base from Fri at 5pm until Sunday at 9PM. Best of luck to your sailor and I hope they also enjoy their time at Meridian
Lita, I see you're from Texas. I hope your son can adjust to the weather in Great Lakes rapidly. Chicago in winter is a whole 'nother world! Luckily all the work out facilities are indoors.
marmee4, what is your son in training for. David was also on the airmans side with the marines. He is an AZ.
Alison(LS A school)
Hi everyone, do I understand correctly that all LS's go to A school in Meridian? I thought the recruiter said Meridian or someplace in TX but from what I am gathering everything is in Meridian now. Just curious.
Jun 19, 2012
Luvn_my_Navy_son(ship 11/div184)
He will fly out of O'Hare
Jun 20, 2012
Luvn_my_Navy_son(ship 11/div184)
Prayingmom73- They do not have an official graduation after A school. Because the sailors can finish at different speeds, it just doesn't make sense for them to try to set up graduations
Jun 20, 2012
AO1toPS1
How long after completion of PS A school does it take to move on to a permanent duty station? Is there a holding company that sailors usually get stuck in for a few days or weeks?
Jun 22, 2012
Paige
The day after graduation my son will be flying out to Mississippi, I hear they give you a pass to get through security. Do they only issue One Pass?
Jun 23, 2012
larisa64e Ship 11 Div 168
Your son can request them; you will each receive one, but anyone over 16 will need to present a picture id. (Maybe that's over 15 years of age - can't remember). At O'Hare, there is a USO hospitality room for MILITARY members, but there are some really nice people who work there and can help you with questions. The ticket counter where you get the passes is down one level from the USO room, and to the right as you leave the elevator/stairwell. As you enter the terminal facing the gate, the counter is to your left. I think it was roped with all blue. Anyway, you still have to do the typical security measures (remove shoes/pocket items to tray, bags, etc. also; then, walk through the detector. The people in the USO room said our things would be safe alongside our son's bags, so we left them there to make that all easier. We had coffee with him at Starbucks, then after a bit, we could tell he was ready to say goodbye. It was great.
Jun 24, 2012
larisa64e Ship 11 Div 168
Thank, gonavymom, for answering that question awhile back. :)
Jun 24, 2012
larisa64e Ship 11 Div 168
AO1toPS1, the closer your sailor gets to completion of A School, the more likely he/she will know the next assignment. If there is a wait involved, he'll stay put there in Meridian as he waits, and do simple duties like maintenance. There is an acronym (of course!) for that temporary assignment, but I don't remember it (of course!). Best wishes!
Jun 27, 2012
Red Robin
My daughter arrived in Meridian, MS last week and is a new student. She started her classes yesterday. I am really proud of her. She did great at bootcamp and she has adjusted well to Meridian. After 2 days of classes, she is discouraged and has expressed concern that she won't be able to get through her school program. I think it would help her if she could speak with the ombudsman. Does anyone know who she can speak to or how she can contact the Ombudsman in Meridian? Thanks. .
Jul 3, 2012
Paige
larisa64e Ship 11 Div 168 , Thank you for the Information on the Airport passes.
Jul 4, 2012
Paige
My Sailor (Son) is in Mississippi A school... Whew ... so fill me in ladies... whats it like for them in Mississippi? I would love to go visit him in about 3 weeks.. Will that be enough time for him to get settled into his routine at school? Can he leave for the weekend?
Jul 22, 2012
Paige
Amber: So i assume they have to earn the green dot? Does your Sailor live close to home? If not then i am guessing they can fly home? Boy i thought after BC i wouldn't have to ask so many questions.. but i guess with every new step he takes in the Navy i will still have many Questions. Thanks Amber
Jul 22, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Paige, if you go to MM, please let us know what its like. I am hoping to make a trip there while my son is there for school and I would love to know what its like. I'm from CA and haven't ever been out that way. Even though I know he should be home for a couple weeks after A school I know that 2 weeks he will probably spend most of the time with this friends so I hope to make a trip to see him there that way I don't have to share him...lol
Jul 22, 2012
Paige
Amber, thank you for the info!! Alison, Yes i hear ya on the sharing part.. My son will go to Groton CT for sub school after A school then I think he will have liberty for 2 weeks.. His GF live in IL, they met in college. But anyways she will come to our hometown on his 2 week leave.. So I am like you.. I think i Need to go see him while he is in Mississippi. Is your son in A school now? if Not when is his PIR date?
Jul 23, 2012
Paige
Amber, Its been nice talking with him on the phone. Yesterday was his first full day in Mississippi, I called him in the mid morning to talk with him he told me he had a free day that day.. so we talk for a few min and he said he better get off he wanted to get his stuff moved in and put away.. I laughed so hard .. all he had was a backpack on his back when he arrived.. lol He call later and i said so how did the move in go? lol he said he went to the nex and bought new underwear .(hates whitey tighties) and did laundry .. so that was his big move in. Cell service was is not that good there and he did learn he is not aloud to be on the phone while they are walking ... Hung up on me very fast.. called back to let me know another sailor inform him of the big NO NO haha..
Its just great to know He can call and check in now!!
Jul 23, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Glad his big "move in" went well....lol. That is funny. My son doesn't ship out till December so he won't be at A school till Feb so I got lots of time to learn all about this stuff...
Jul 25, 2012
Paige
Alison Hope your son will be home for christmas.
Jul 26, 2012
Paige
Hi Guys!! My son said he thinks he will be done with his A school by the end of the month.. He is ready to go to Groton Ct. He told me to wait to come visit when he is in sub school. Said really not much around Meridian and its very hot. He also said he most likely only get to spend one day with me. I really wanted to go to Mississippi and hell its hot here in SE Ohio.. and we live in a very small town with nothing to do.. so i think Mississippi would be like home away from home..lol
Hope you and your Sailors are all doing well!!
Aug 11, 2012
proudmama
My daughter graduated on 08/10/2012 and now is attending A school in Meridian Mississipi does anyone know if there is a facebook page?
Aug 16, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Sep 19, 2012
NavyTown ship 12 DIV 361
Does any one know when we are able to see our sons and daughters after they get to A school? I live in gulfport ms and I would like to see him as soon as I can!
Sep 23, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Sep 29, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
@SeeShell, have you been able to talk to him since he's been there?
Oct 3, 2012
Sgknavymom
Oct 3, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Oct 4, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Oct 4, 2012
Sgknavymom
Hope This Encourages all of you....
Our son has been in 10 years...He loves the Navy...He is presently on a ship somewhere off the coast os Yemen...Yes we worry and pray....But knowing he loves what he does is a lot of comfort......In his 10 years he has been around the entire globe.....spent a year in Afghanstan (with a Army unit)......He has made the best of each station ....My advise to young sailors is to think hard about thier choices of stations.....and make the most of thier time serving our country.....
Oct 5, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Sgknavymom, sounds like good advice. I have been trying to pass that advice to my son and tell him he joined to Navy in part to see the world so take advantge of it while he is young and single. I hope he is happy with his choices like your son has been...blessings to all!
Oct 5, 2012
marmee4 (alumni mom)
so excited to find this page. My son just got to Meridian on Sat (10/06/12). We talked on SUnday, but don't know much about this phase and A school.
Oct 8, 2012
NavyTown ship 12 DIV 361
my son pir date is nov 2 and then he will be going to a school in meridian i live in gulfport his whole family is in gulfport thats a couple hrs from his a school, my question is i hear they fly the day after pir and go to A school i would like to know if they are allowed to have family come up and see them as soon as they get in a school? what are the rules about when he can leave for a week end to see family if a family member picks him up and all can anyone tell me how all this goes liberty time cause i miss him lol he would get there on a week end can we see him to say hi or not yett? and when? thanks
Oct 9, 2012
NavyTown ship 12 DIV 361
thanks i miss him hes the baby of my kids im so proud of him the family cant wait to congrat him on being in the navy so im hoping we can see him right away lol
Oct 9, 2012
NavyTown ship 12 DIV 361
i wonder how much time they get after a school to see the family
i hope u get to see your son soon and im glad he likes the place
Oct 9, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Oct 9, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Oct 11, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Thanks proud! I appreicate your information.
Oct 12, 2012
gabby ship14 Div334
Oct 12, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Oct 12, 2012
gabby ship14 Div334
Oct 13, 2012
Alison(LS A school)
Oct 13, 2012
NavyTown ship 12 DIV 361
thank you guys for letting me know! anything helps! im so excited for him cant wait to hear all about what he is doing and all.
Oct 13, 2012
Phillies
Oct 24, 2012
Nise615
My son will be attending A school in Meridian MS after his PIR date of 11/30. Can we visit him right away or do we have to wait for him to receive a green dot? Can you explain the green dot to me?
Nov 6, 2012
navyboy2012
Hello Nise615! My son is in Meridian and graduated last wednesday. He leaves tomorrow to go to Groton for sub school. Green dot is phase 3 liberty, my son said he should get it after a week of being there. Phases tend to go pretty fast and is nothing like boot camp. They have a lot of freedom in A school. You should be able to visit right away but if you wait till he is in phase 3 he can go off base. Also in phase 3 they can stay overnight off base only on the weekends but he will need to get a chit and turn it in before thursday according to my son. Hope this info helps you!
Nov 6, 2012
Sonya
Good morning everyone. My son is in LS school. He graduated boot camp on 11-2-12. I am really excited to belong to another group. He likes in there and said they finally have a bit of freedom and independence I guess he will be in indoc until after Veteran's Day and then school begins. When do they get orders so I will know where he gets his duty station?
Nov 9, 2012
GodFavorMe(TreMom)NORFOLK
can someone tell me what is indoc? And how is ls school in merdian mississippi is it like bootcamp?
Nov 10, 2012
marmee4 (alumni mom)
Hello GodFavorMe(TreMom) - my son has been in Meridian for a month now. He is on the airmen side of the base and is housed with Marines. He was a bit fearful at first, but now really likes living and training with them. InDoc was 5 days where he got to know the layout of the base, base rules and regs, uniforms in order, housing in order. It is not at all like boot camp - he said he and his friends would ask people about bed times, free times, etc, and they would laugh and say "this is not boot camp". They are limited and do have to be in quarters by 9:45pm, but if they do not have duty, they can go to base movie, bowling, tv and computer time. They can also have a few civilian outfits, and their phones. Biggest plus right now is it is still warm in Mississippi!!! Last weekend his wife was able to visit for the weekend, and he was allowed to leave base from Fri at 5pm until Sunday at 9PM. Best of luck to your sailor and I hope they also enjoy their time at Meridian
Nov 10, 2012
Lita (DIV 083 SHIP 13)
Nov 12, 2012
Mrs. David's mom
Lita, I see you're from Texas. I hope your son can adjust to the weather in Great Lakes rapidly. Chicago in winter is a whole 'nother world! Luckily all the work out facilities are indoors.
marmee4, what is your son in training for. David was also on the airmans side with the marines. He is an AZ.
durrichShip03/DIV354, I love your picture!
Nov 12, 2012
marmee4 (alumni mom)
Mrs. David's mom - my son is AZ also
Nov 12, 2012
Lita (DIV 083 SHIP 13)
Nov 12, 2012