Mine is stationed here but when he was in A school in Pensacola we visited him about a month or two later. At first they are more strict then they get more privileges but your sailor will know. You can stay on base at the Navy Gateway and you will be really close to where the sailors stay.
hi my boyfriend just got to ms today he graduated yesterday and wanted us to come to ms in case he had any free time. do they have any at all the first week they arrive?
Hello my sailor arrives tomorrow in MS, and we thought he would be at the same airport as me and his family but he isn't. Therefore how can I get his cell phone and cilivian clothes to him?
Hi our son arrived at meridian Mississippi tonight for his first duty. I would like to no if anyone knows how it is down there and if they have a navy lodge there and when will we get to visit him? I'm nervous excited but also happy for my sailor his job is MA.
My son was there Oct - Dec of last year for YN A school, so his experience would have been a little different ( A school rules are much stricter). But about the base - it is very rural. My son said think of a small, sleepy southern town in the woods. If he is into nightlife it won't be much fun, but my son really liked it. The main drawback is that the town is some distance away, so a car would be very helpful. Also the town of Meridian is not very large. Sailors sometimes take weekend trips to New Orleans for recreation, but that was not allowed during A school. There is not a Navy Lodge on base, but there is a Navy Gateway Inn. My DIL stayed there twice & said it was nice & also reasonable. I think the rooms were about $70 and the suites with a kitchenette were a little more. Good news is no add'l motel tax since it is military. If you fly you would probably find it much cheaper to fly into Jackson (about 90 min away) & rent a car. There is only 1 flight a day to Meridian via Dallas & it is quite expensive. You should get to visit him almost right away since he is not in school. Beware the summers are hot there. Hope you have a great time.
My son will attend Basic Training in early November with PIR that last Friday in December. Then A School for SH immediately following. I understand that they will have some liberty after completion of A School. I've heard anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks that they will come home before heading to their first duty station. Anyone know for sure how much time they get? Thank you!
Frequently they do get to take 1 to 2 weeks of leave between A school & reporting to their first duty station. But it is not guaranteed. As with everything it is "needs of the Navy". In other words, if he is needed ASAP at his new command he will be required to go straight there. For example - if he is assigned to a ship that is leaving on deployment. But almost all of my son's class were able to go home first. There is even a program where they can work during the day at their recruiter's office for 5 days of their leave & it won't count as leave. It's a great program.
BigMosMom - it's really dependent on where they will be stationed. My son received 3 weeks after A school (Logistics) in Meridian but his first duty station is in Japan. They get less leave if they will be stationed state-side and as garden gal said, there is a possibility of no leave at all if needs of the Navy require him to be at his next duty station ASAP.
You really can't plan ahead and count on a specific time since even once they graduate A school - some leave right away and some (like my son) spend time on hold before receiving leave.
btw - liberty = time off locally (weekends/afterhours) and leave = vacation time
My son was one the handful that EVENTUALLY came home for 15 days from A school, but it was about 30 days after "garden gals" sailor came home. (Our sailors got to know each other).Trying to get a Security clearance approved during holiday stand down was a huge factor. Enjoy 'em while you got 'em
right on-enjoy your time if you do get some. My son will be coming home next Wednesday for 10 days then we are driving to Norfolk VA together where he will be stationed.
Good day all!!! My husband is attending A school in Meridian, MS at the moment! His PIR was June 30, 2017! I hope everyone is in great spirits and health!!! XOXOXOOXOXOOXOX
My son flew out of O'Hare to Jackson, MS then they took a bus to Meridian. That was late Oct 2015. I think there is a direct flight to Meridian now - that one is out of O'Hare also. We were so lucky - he got to O'hare & we met up with him at about 3 am on Saturday & his flight didn't leave until 7:30 pm Sat night - so we spent a long but enjoyable day with him at the airport. But he was so tired and they are technically not supposed to sleep in public in uniform. We searched out some secluded seats kind of behind some pillars so he could nap a little. :)
My son flew out of O'Hare into Jackson, MS then a bus ride to Meridian and that was last May 2016. We also got to spend all day with him at O'Hare as he had a 7:30pm flight. I know things can change based on flight schedules etc! We were very grateful for the extra 15 hours waiting in the airport :-)
Can anyone tell me what it is like in Meridian? Any recommendations to stay, eat... if and when I can visit him? He's in boot camp now PIR scheduled 9/8. I know they have phase 1 liberty-no car, no regular clothes...
I'm wondering about how much personal space sailors will have in A School. I know space was pretty limited in boot camp, will they have more room for personal items at A School?
The way my son has explained and shown us on video-chat, they are in dorm style rooms shared by 3 people. He has a bed, desk, and closet. Not sure what other personal items for display they are allowed other than pictures though. We have just sent what he asks for.
HeatherS: Thanks for the info. I wondered if they were going to have enough room for some civilian clothes when the time comes. Sounds like it should be fine.
BigMosMom - typically, yes, they fly out the Saturday of PIR weekend - my son flew from O'Hare - the bus took him there at in the wee hours of the morning from GL and we met him there around 6am, got gate passes, and went through security, and waited with him until his flight.
But sometimes they'll end up on hold at GL waiting to fly out for whatever reason - administrative hold or waiting for a class to form up. Unfortunately that's not usually known until the last minute.
What we planned was to arrive in GL Thursday for the Meet and Great and stay through Sunday in case he flew out on Sunday instead of Saturday (which does happen occasionally but I think more likely for Penascola than Meridian) but we ended up spending the rest of Saturday in Chicago exploring once his flight took off and then leaving after that - we were driving so that was easier.
I'm trying to find out information about Graduation. I have the date, I just need to know a schedule...what time does it start? how long does it last?, etc. I'm trying to determine travel arrangements as we may have to drive from New Orleans to catch a flight which is 3 hours away. Want to be sure to allow sufficient time to make flights. Thanks!
Soccer11 - when my son graduated A school - he was given one date and then they ended up actually graduating a day earlier - in their classroom in their NWU (camo). We hadn't planned on attending and in retrospect, were glad of that since it was a pretty short ceremony from what he said and a last minute change. The base did post pictures on FB which was nice.
My son's graduation date was also changed at the last minute. He advised us not to come because it would be very short. And it turned out to be less than 20 minutes long. He had a friend record on his phone when he walked up to graduate & then sent that to us. We saved our money to visit him after he had been at his first duty station a few months.
Hi. My son will eventually be going to school in Meridian, MS. I also attended my school there as a Marine in 1992. Excited for his future! Very proud mama.
I'm going to pick up my son from A School once he graduates, so I will attend the graduation ceremony, I realize it is very short, but I will be there anyway,
howdy from a proud tx navy momma! my daughter is going to graduate in several days and is going to go to Meridian MS afterwards. Can anyone DM and tell me what their graduation weekend looked like? any comments DMs are greatly appreciated:)
I was wondering if the sailors have time on weekends for family to visit off base and do they usually get time to come home before their first duty station?
Weekend liberty depends what phase they are in. Phase one they can't leave the base, phase 2 they can leave for the day but must return for the evenings, and phase 3 they can be gone overnight. It will also depend if they have any duties or watch over the weekend. They usually get 1-2 weeks of liberty after A school completion before going to their orders
This may have been asked before, but does anyone know if the sailors get leave after grad from A school, can they ride home with family? I was thinking of driving down for graduation and just bringing him home to save him the expense of a flight, but didn’t know if it was allowed. It’s been 5 years since my oldest was in A school, but I was thinking it was allowed.
hello i had a question regarding christmas gifts. Am i able to send him presents? I want to send him clothes or shoes but i dont know if he will even be able to wear it or if he can receive gifts. If he is allowed christmas presents, i know nothing big can be sent but, what would be a good present to send him?
Marilyn
Hi My SR will be coming to Meridian,MS torwards the end of March. When will I be able to visit my SR?
Feb 7, 2016
MarNavyMom
Mine is stationed here but when he was in A school in Pensacola we visited him about a month or two later. At first they are more strict then they get more privileges but your sailor will know. You can stay on base at the Navy Gateway and you will be really close to where the sailors stay.
Feb 7, 2016
beautzer
I am trying to figure out where to order graduation pictures and cd - does anyone know the link? Thank yoiu
Feb 8, 2016
18gf
Mar 19, 2016
Navymomof2
Mar 19, 2016
JayJ
Mar 19, 2016
Barbie Doll
Mar 23, 2016
garden gal
My son was there Oct - Dec of last year for YN A school, so his experience would have been a little different ( A school rules are much stricter). But about the base - it is very rural. My son said think of a small, sleepy southern town in the woods. If he is into nightlife it won't be much fun, but my son really liked it. The main drawback is that the town is some distance away, so a car would be very helpful. Also the town of Meridian is not very large. Sailors sometimes take weekend trips to New Orleans for recreation, but that was not allowed during A school. There is not a Navy Lodge on base, but there is a Navy Gateway Inn. My DIL stayed there twice & said it was nice & also reasonable. I think the rooms were about $70 and the suites with a kitchenette were a little more. Good news is no add'l motel tax since it is military. If you fly you would probably find it much cheaper to fly into Jackson (about 90 min away) & rent a car. There is only 1 flight a day to Meridian via Dallas & it is quite expensive. You should get to visit him almost right away since he is not in school. Beware the summers are hot there. Hope you have a great time.
Mar 24, 2016
Barbie Doll
Mar 28, 2016
Momma TS
Dec 4, 2016
NCNavymom
Dec 4, 2016
NCNavymom
Dec 4, 2016
BigMosMom
My son will attend Basic Training in early November with PIR that last Friday in December. Then A School for SH immediately following. I understand that they will have some liberty after completion of A School. I've heard anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks that they will come home before heading to their first duty station. Anyone know for sure how much time they get? Thank you!
May 25, 2017
garden gal
Frequently they do get to take 1 to 2 weeks of leave between A school & reporting to their first duty station. But it is not guaranteed. As with everything it is "needs of the Navy". In other words, if he is needed ASAP at his new command he will be required to go straight there. For example - if he is assigned to a ship that is leaving on deployment. But almost all of my son's class were able to go home first. There is even a program where they can work during the day at their recruiter's office for 5 days of their leave & it won't count as leave. It's a great program.
May 25, 2017
NavyMum
BigMosMom - it's really dependent on where they will be stationed. My son received 3 weeks after A school (Logistics) in Meridian but his first duty station is in Japan. They get less leave if they will be stationed state-side and as garden gal said, there is a possibility of no leave at all if needs of the Navy require him to be at his next duty station ASAP.
You really can't plan ahead and count on a specific time since even once they graduate A school - some leave right away and some (like my son) spend time on hold before receiving leave.
btw - liberty = time off locally (weekends/afterhours) and leave = vacation time
May 26, 2017
TexasBird(Robin)
May 26, 2017
Navymom414
right on-enjoy your time if you do get some. My son will be coming home next Wednesday for 10 days then we are driving to Norfolk VA together where he will be stationed.
May 26, 2017
Christina
May 27, 2017
acb2
My son will go to A school in Meridian. Are they able to have their own car down there?
Jun 17, 2017
Jaxlm17
Jun 23, 2017
Jaxlm17
I have his Addresse already not sure about the Name part.
Thanks
Jun 23, 2017
EmpressB
Good day all!!! My husband is attending A school in Meridian, MS at the moment! His PIR was June 30, 2017! I hope everyone is in great spirits and health!!! XOXOXOOXOXOOXOX
Jul 10, 2017
Christina
My son is sitting in GL ..... Wish they would hurry up
Jul 22, 2017
acb2
Jul 30, 2017
garden gal
My son flew out of O'Hare to Jackson, MS then they took a bus to Meridian. That was late Oct 2015. I think there is a direct flight to Meridian now - that one is out of O'Hare also. We were so lucky - he got to O'hare & we met up with him at about 3 am on Saturday & his flight didn't leave until 7:30 pm Sat night - so we spent a long but enjoyable day with him at the airport. But he was so tired and they are technically not supposed to sleep in public in uniform. We searched out some secluded seats kind of behind some pillars so he could nap a little. :)
Jul 30, 2017
cmm1974tx
Jul 30, 2017
acb2
Thank you ladies, I wonder if my recruit will have the same experience as yours. So thankful for this group and all of you!!
Jul 31, 2017
acb2
Can anyone tell me what it is like in Meridian? Any recommendations to stay, eat... if and when I can visit him? He's in boot camp now PIR scheduled 9/8. I know they have phase 1 liberty-no car, no regular clothes...
Jul 31, 2017
Christina
My son is supposed to be in Mississippi still in GL 10 weeks and counting !
Aug 4, 2017
Beccadj68
I'm wondering about how much personal space sailors will have in A School. I know space was pretty limited in boot camp, will they have more room for personal items at A School?
Aug 9, 2017
HeatherS
Aug 9, 2017
Beccadj68
HeatherS: Thanks for the info. I wondered if they were going to have enough room for some civilian clothes when the time comes. Sounds like it should be fine.
Aug 9, 2017
BigMosMom
So do they fly out the next day after PIR? Anyone know for sure? I am trying to get my vacation time approved at work and to make flight arrangements.
Aug 18, 2017
NavyMum
BigMosMom - typically, yes, they fly out the Saturday of PIR weekend - my son flew from O'Hare - the bus took him there at in the wee hours of the morning from GL and we met him there around 6am, got gate passes, and went through security, and waited with him until his flight.
But sometimes they'll end up on hold at GL waiting to fly out for whatever reason - administrative hold or waiting for a class to form up. Unfortunately that's not usually known until the last minute.
What we planned was to arrive in GL Thursday for the Meet and Great and stay through Sunday in case he flew out on Sunday instead of Saturday (which does happen occasionally but I think more likely for Penascola than Meridian) but we ended up spending the rest of Saturday in Chicago exploring once his flight took off and then leaving after that - we were driving so that was easier.
Aug 18, 2017
Christina
is there any moms on here from Flint mi with a son thats a LS
Sep 8, 2017
Soccer11
I'm trying to find out information about Graduation. I have the date, I just need to know a schedule...what time does it start? how long does it last?, etc. I'm trying to determine travel arrangements as we may have to drive from New Orleans to catch a flight which is 3 hours away. Want to be sure to allow sufficient time to make flights. Thanks!
Sep 18, 2017
NavyMum
Soccer11 - when my son graduated A school - he was given one date and then they ended up actually graduating a day earlier - in their classroom in their NWU (camo). We hadn't planned on attending and in retrospect, were glad of that since it was a pretty short ceremony from what he said and a last minute change. The base did post pictures on FB which was nice.
Sep 18, 2017
garden gal
My son's graduation date was also changed at the last minute. He advised us not to come because it would be very short. And it turned out to be less than 20 minutes long. He had a friend record on his phone when he walked up to graduate & then sent that to us. We saved our money to visit him after he had been at his first duty station a few months.
Sep 20, 2017
sherrifm
Hi. My son will eventually be going to school in Meridian, MS. I also attended my school there as a Marine in 1992. Excited for his future! Very proud mama.
Mar 21, 2018
ProudMom
I'm going to pick up my son from A School once he graduates, so I will attend the graduation ceremony, I realize it is very short, but I will be there anyway,
May 10, 2018
Elisabeth
My son is set to graduate June 1, 2018 and head to Meridian for A school
May 14, 2018
ProudMom
A little over two weeks, and I will get to visit my Sailor in Meridian, I am so excited to see him!!! Anyone else going soon?
May 16, 2018
Elisabeth
My son will be leaving Great Lakes after PIR this weekend and heading to Meridian on Saturday! Anyone else have a child heading there same day?
Jun 5, 2018
txnavymom0917
howdy from a proud tx navy momma! my daughter is going to graduate in several days and is going to go to Meridian MS afterwards. Can anyone DM and tell me what their graduation weekend looked like? any comments DMs are greatly appreciated:)
Jun 17, 2018
Snoop35
I was wondering if the sailors have time on weekends for family to visit off base and do they usually get time to come home before their first duty station?
Jun 30, 2018
Elisabeth
Weekend liberty depends what phase they are in. Phase one they can't leave the base, phase 2 they can leave for the day but must return for the evenings, and phase 3 they can be gone overnight. It will also depend if they have any duties or watch over the weekend. They usually get 1-2 weeks of liberty after A school completion before going to their orders
Jul 1, 2018
TLC72
This may have been asked before, but does anyone know if the sailors get leave after grad from A school, can they ride home with family? I was thinking of driving down for graduation and just bringing him home to save him the expense of a flight, but didn’t know if it was allowed. It’s been 5 years since my oldest was in A school, but I was thinking it was allowed.
Sep 2, 2018
NavyGfJackie
hello i had a question regarding christmas gifts. Am i able to send him presents? I want to send him clothes or shoes but i dont know if he will even be able to wear it or if he can receive gifts. If he is allowed christmas presents, i know nothing big can be sent but, what would be a good present to send him?
Dec 3, 2018
Hazelgrace9
Jan 12, 2019
SolRunner
Can anyone provide information regarding graduation from A school? My son is expected to graduate on the 2nd of May. Thanks!
Apr 17, 2019