Did anyone move to Groton while Sailor in A-school? And if so were you able to be assisted in doing so by the Navy? Was your Sailor able to live with you? My husband will leave for bc December 3 then head to Groton after. We have 3 children, and I want to move that way as we reside in Louisiana and school is for 10 months.
My son arrived at Bess 9/4. Said He is doing indoc and qualifications. What exactly are qualifications? He was transferred as an MM from Nuke school and will now be an MM Aux. He was also assigned a fast attack sub before he arrived does anyone know if there is an opportunity to change ? I know he was originally hoping for a boomer. I truly think he will be happy where ever he ends up. Just wonder though if they will be asked again.
Thanks for the information. Is it that way every time they go somewhere new they have to re earn privileges? He already had his blue card. He was at his 1 year mark 10/7. Thanks, L
Oceanslayer, yes they do have to start all over with privileges when they transfer to Groton. It won't take long though. He also has to go through all the same briefings again that he did in Charleston. As far as changing subs, I doubt he can change since he already has orders
I recently found out that even though my son had been in for 1 year and had his blue card. When at Bess you start all over again. He started Bess on 10/4/15 and he already has a yellow card.
proudnavymum95. I don't think there are any formal invitations for Bess graduation.It is a much smaller graduation with no limits for how many people attend. It is not very formal. If you want them to stop so you can get pictures just speak up. It is very short. You may or may not be able to bring cell phones in. Your sailor will be able to come get you at the gate and escort you where ever you need to go. After graduation we were able to go to the lower base and tour a sub. Not sure if they can do that anymore. Has to do with the security threat at the time. Hope some of this helps.
Submarine homeports, if I recall correctly... Atlantic: Groton/New London CT, Norfolk VA, Kings Bay GA Pacific: San Diego CA, Bangor/Kitsap WA, Pearl Harbor HI, Guam. Did I miss any? The boomers (SSBN and SSGN) are all home-ported in GA and WA.
I'm really confused. My SR just told me that he will be going to Groton,CT to become a FT. I'm trying to find information,but online it said that his duty time would be 46 months his first deployment? He told me they would be on 6 months and back 6 months. I'm so confused.
Thanks So Much For You Response! I'm trying to figure out all of this stuff. We are planning on getting married while he is on leave in December. I can't move with him until after my spring semester of college. With him being in school that long will I be able to move up there in June? He starts his schools at the end of November. Also,how soon will he find out where his duty station will be? Will he not find out until after all of his schooling?
I'm sorry I'm asking so many questions! Please forgive me! Does the five years include his schooling(basic,BESS,ATT,Etc) or does it start after schooling?
Hannah- If you are including your last name in your username I would like to recommend that you remove/change it to protect the identity of yourself and your Sailor.
Happy to see you are getting all your questions answered you are certainly in the right spot! Best of luck!
I've heard a lot of people saying that unless they have so many weeks of schooling you can't. So I was concerned that since I can't join him in November that I wouldn't be able to at all.
Thank you all for the responses. It has helped a lot. We are so excited to start this journey in our lives. It is crazy that they have so much schooling! Does anyone know how hard it is for him to get a "chit" for us to get married while he is on leave over the holidays in December? I have heard a lot of different things.
You have much more access to your sailor after Boot Camp! My son is graduating BESS this Friday (and we're going to see him too- hooyah!). Throughout BESS we have had daily texts and many FaceTime conversations with him....mostly in the evening and on weekends. There have been some weeks when he has class in the evenings and he's in class all day, but still. . . there's time for connection.
We have found the lodging situation is more like that of a college dorm. He'll go from 80 roommates to one. He'll still have rules and discipline, but more freedoms. It's really nice after the rigor of Boot Camp.
Has anyone attended BESS Graduation? And know how do we get on base? How many are allowed to attend from each family?Any info would be greatly appreciated..Thanks! :)
My son arrived last week as well. He has been very busy doing watch qualifications. He said that some people were in costume today. I saw a number of Halloween events on the MWR facebook page.
Need some info regarding hotels/motels in the Groton area. We are trying to plan a trip up to see our son who is due to graduate BESS on 11/13. We live near Cincinnati, OH so it's going to be a long trek. If anyone has tips, advice, suggestions on the best and cost efficient place to stay I would so appreciate it. Our sailor is a bit lonely. We haven't seen him since we said our see you laters at the airport back on 9/5.
They have a Navy Lodge in Groton, right near the base! We have not been but we stayed in the one in Great lakes for PIR and it was very nice, very clean and prices are not outrageous! Here is a link to the website:
Navymom9828-- Thanks for the tips on the interstates/roads and the length of the schooling!! I get busy and forget to check this site ( hard to believe, eh?) but with our second son almost half way through his Senior year of high school ( and also going into the Navy next summer) the passing of my MIL this Sunday and my crazy work as a paraprofessional-- I sometimes meet myself coming and going!!. I appreciate all of the tips I have read on this site and especially this group. I feel so disconnected BUT I am sure that is a normal feeling.
We are in the planning stages for a trip to Groton , leaving Thanksgiving morning as soon as hubby come in from his last midnight shift and will drive all day til we reach Groton.
We live between Dayton and Cincinnati , OH. About 12 minutes from Interstate 75.
I would really like to know more about how the holiday leave will work. I'm stressed out about booking his flights last minute because he doesn't go to Groton till the 21st
fayegirrl4, I'm so glad you're going to CT! I made the trip from Columbus, OH for my guy's b-day in July. The southern part of PA was beautiful. I used my AAA membership for info in planning. I would like to know how you proceed; and I can share what I know, if you'd like.
lakeranne, yes I would LOVE any helpful tips you have since you travelled to CT from Columbus. We are about 1 1/2 miles southwest from Cbus, in Middletown, OH. So I'm guessing we will take I-70 out of Ohio into PA. We will leave Thanksgiving morning once the husband gets home from his midnight shift. We are all EXCITED to see our sailor along w all of the sights along the way.
fayegirrl4, I will tell you that I actually flew out to Hartford, CT, got the rental car and drove to Groton. The highways are very hilly and very woodsy, so beware of wildlife. I booked my stay at a Best Western, and since my Sailor had time away from base, he stayed with me and got a good discount on our room with his ID. The hotel was near the Univ. of Conn. campus; it was clean, and had the free breakfast. That location was not far from the base either. You might want to investigate hotels along I-95 in CT or RI. I took Greyhound busses back to Cols, and the trip took 15 hours including 4 stops. Interstate freeway in PA was a toll road, in good condition through the mountains. It had service plazas for good food and gas. If I had driven to CT, interstate highway allowed a route to avoid NYC, I will double check this (I don't have my maps with me now), but the route will put you from upstate NY into CT. I can get back with you in the next couple of days! Later, Anne
My son just arrived in Groton on Saturday. Since we weren't able to meet him at the airport before he flew out and weren't able to give him his cell phone and a couple other items, I am going to send him a FedEx box. I have his address. Any suggestions about the best way to do this? Do I request a signature or just have them leave the box? How will my sailor know the package arrived?
I have sent my son about 5-6 packages via usps, and I put tracking on it,so I will know that it arrived at the base. Your sailor will get a note in his mailbox that he has a package for pick-up & he has to show his ID to get it. I have never had a problem with him receiving anything we sent Hope that helps! :)
kerbear2709
Did anyone move to Groton while Sailor in A-school? And if so were you able to be assisted in doing so by the Navy? Was your Sailor able to live with you? My husband will leave for bc December 3 then head to Groton after. We have 3 children, and I want to move that way as we reside in Louisiana and school is for 10 months.
Sep 28, 2015
Oceanslayer
My son arrived at Bess 9/4. Said He is doing indoc and qualifications. What exactly are qualifications? He was transferred as an MM from Nuke school and will now be an MM Aux. He was also assigned a fast attack sub before he arrived does anyone know if there is an opportunity to change ? I know he was originally hoping for a boomer. I truly think he will be happy where ever he ends up. Just wonder though if they will be asked again.
Oct 8, 2015
Oceanslayer
Thanks for the information. Is it that way every time they go somewhere new they have to re earn privileges? He already had his blue card. He was at his 1 year mark 10/7. Thanks, L
Oct 9, 2015
VKat
Oct 9, 2015
TJ Proudnavymom
Oceanslayer my sailor got his yellow card a day or so after being there. I'm guessing yours did as well.
Oct 9, 2015
sportykr
Son just finished Nuke school in GC and is assigned to USS Pittsburgh in Groton. Can anyone advise which apartments are decent?
Oct 10, 2015
proudnavymum95
My son will be graduating BESS on Oct 30th,Does anyone know if we will receive an invitation or how we get on to the base..Just wondering Thanks! :)
Oct 11, 2015
Oceanslayer
I recently found out that even though my son had been in for 1 year and had his blue card. When at Bess you start all over again. He started Bess on 10/4/15 and he already has a yellow card.
Oct 11, 2015
proudnavymum95
Thank You So Much Navymom9828,a lot of family members will be attending,so I thought I'd ask.. :)
Oct 11, 2015
CO_Proud Parent
proudnavymum95. I don't think there are any formal invitations for Bess graduation.It is a much smaller graduation with no limits for how many people attend. It is not very formal. If you want them to stop so you can get pictures just speak up. It is very short. You may or may not be able to bring cell phones in. Your sailor will be able to come get you at the gate and escort you where ever you need to go. After graduation we were able to go to the lower base and tour a sub. Not sure if they can do that anymore. Has to do with the security threat at the time. Hope some of this helps.
Oct 11, 2015
proudnavymum95
Oct 11, 2015
HannahLashai
Oct 12, 2015
WearsLargeHats
Submarine homeports, if I recall correctly...
Atlantic: Groton/New London CT, Norfolk VA, Kings Bay GA
Pacific: San Diego CA, Bangor/Kitsap WA, Pearl Harbor HI, Guam.
Did I miss any?
The boomers (SSBN and SSGN) are all home-ported in GA and WA.
Oct 13, 2015
HannahLashai
Oct 19, 2015
HannahLashai
Oct 19, 2015
HannahLashai
Oct 19, 2015
HannahLashai
Oct 19, 2015
HannahLashai
Oct 19, 2015
Kevsmom93
Hannah- If you are including your last name in your username I would like to recommend that you remove/change it to protect the identity of yourself and your Sailor.
Happy to see you are getting all your questions answered you are certainly in the right spot! Best of luck!
Oct 19, 2015
HannahLashai
Oct 19, 2015
HannahLashai
Oct 19, 2015
HannahLashai
Oct 20, 2015
HannahLashai
Oct 25, 2015
DianaLynn
You have much more access to your sailor after Boot Camp! My son is graduating BESS this Friday (and we're going to see him too- hooyah!). Throughout BESS we have had daily texts and many FaceTime conversations with him....mostly in the evening and on weekends. There have been some weeks when he has class in the evenings and he's in class all day, but still. . . there's time for connection.
We have found the lodging situation is more like that of a college dorm. He'll go from 80 roommates to one. He'll still have rules and discipline, but more freedoms. It's really nice after the rigor of Boot Camp.
Oct 26, 2015
proudnavymum95
Oct 26, 2015
EagleScoutnNavyMom
Do Thanksgiving holiday leave start on Tuesday or Wednesday and what time?
Oct 26, 2015
proudnavymum95
Has anyone attended BESS Graduation? And know how do we get on base? How many are allowed to attend from each family?Any info would be greatly appreciated..Thanks! :)
Oct 28, 2015
proudnavymum95
Thank You Navymom9828! That is alot more info than I had,I appreciate it!
Oct 28, 2015
Submom2016
Oct 29, 2015
Erica
Oct 31, 2015
Submom2016
Oct 31, 2015
Erica
Oct 31, 2015
Submom2016
Oct 31, 2015
Submom2016
Oct 31, 2015
WearsLargeHats
My son arrived last week as well. He has been very busy doing watch qualifications. He said that some people were in costume today. I saw a number of Halloween events on the MWR facebook page.
Oct 31, 2015
fayegirrl4*
Nov 2, 2015
Amy L.
They have a Navy Lodge in Groton, right near the base! We have not been but we stayed in the one in Great lakes for PIR and it was very nice, very clean and prices are not outrageous! Here is a link to the website:
https://www.navy-lodge.com/lodge_page.html?p_lodge_number=13
Nov 2, 2015
TJ Proudnavymom
We drove to Groton from the Albuquerque area about 2 weeks ago :P It was a loooong drive but worth it to bring the sailor his car.
We stayed at the Navy Lodge and will stay there again when we visit, if it's available.
Nov 2, 2015
fayegirrl4*
Navymom9828-- Thanks for the tips on the interstates/roads and the length of the schooling!! I get busy and forget to check this site ( hard to believe, eh?) but with our second son almost half way through his Senior year of high school ( and also going into the Navy next summer) the passing of my MIL this Sunday and my crazy work as a paraprofessional-- I sometimes meet myself coming and going!!. I appreciate all of the tips I have read on this site and especially this group. I feel so disconnected BUT I am sure that is a normal feeling.
Nov 4, 2015
fayegirrl4*
Thanks for the tip, marybeth!
We are in the planning stages for a trip to Groton , leaving Thanksgiving morning as soon as hubby come in from his last midnight shift and will drive all day til we reach Groton.
We live between Dayton and Cincinnati , OH. About 12 minutes from Interstate 75.
Nov 4, 2015
fayegirrl4*
my mom has already checked the Navy Lodge and it's booked that weekend. Sigh...
Nov 4, 2015
Elizabeth
Nov 8, 2015
HannahLashai
Nov 8, 2015
HannahLashai
Nov 8, 2015
HannahLashai
Nov 8, 2015
lakeranne
fayegirrl4, I'm so glad you're going to CT! I made the trip from Columbus, OH for my guy's b-day in July. The southern part of PA was beautiful. I used my AAA membership for info in planning. I would like to know how you proceed; and I can share what I know, if you'd like.
Nov 9, 2015
fayegirrl4*
Nov 14, 2015
lakeranne
fayegirrl4, I will tell you that I actually flew out to Hartford, CT, got the rental car and drove to Groton. The highways are very hilly and very woodsy, so beware of wildlife. I booked my stay at a Best Western, and since my Sailor had time away from base, he stayed with me and got a good discount on our room with his ID. The hotel was near the Univ. of Conn. campus; it was clean, and had the free breakfast. That location was not far from the base either. You might want to investigate hotels along I-95 in CT or RI. I took Greyhound busses back to Cols, and the trip took 15 hours including 4 stops. Interstate freeway in PA was a toll road, in good condition through the mountains. It had service plazas for good food and gas. If I had driven to CT, interstate highway allowed a route to avoid NYC, I will double check this (I don't have my maps with me now), but the route will put you from upstate NY into CT. I can get back with you in the next couple of days! Later, Anne
Nov 16, 2015
Anchor's Aweigh Mom
My son just arrived in Groton on Saturday. Since we weren't able to meet him at the airport before he flew out and weren't able to give him his cell phone and a couple other items, I am going to send him a FedEx box. I have his address. Any suggestions about the best way to do this? Do I request a signature or just have them leave the box? How will my sailor know the package arrived?
Nov 17, 2015
proudnavymum95
Hi Anchor's Aweigh
I have sent my son about 5-6 packages via usps, and I put tracking on it,so I will know that it arrived at the base. Your sailor will get a note in his mailbox that he has a package for pick-up & he has to show his ID to get it. I have never had a problem with him receiving anything we sent Hope that helps! :)
Nov 17, 2015