GROTON, CT. SUBSCHOOL & "A" SCHOOL MOMS

My son is currently at RTC and his PIR is scheduled for 3/4/16 - then he is headed for Groton for A School.  Can anyone give me any information on what to expect for A School, like how much contact will I be able to have with him, what type of personal items can he have, how long is A School, is there a graduation, etc.  Thank You!!

I agree with mom2smrefk... my son is also in A school in Groton, CT. and he calls, texts whenever he wants/ can.  His PIR was 01/08/16 and he left for Groton, the day after and has been there since, waiting to start school.  He will finally start, next Monday.  I asked what he does all day and his reply was "shovel sidewalks".  I just mailed him a box of clothes/ personal items (shoes, cologne, hats, contacts) that he asked for and he has already bought himself a new TV and Xbox that he has hooked up in his room.  He also sends me pictures of him and his friends playing pool so there must be one in a rec room of some sort.  I also got videos from him this last week of a bunch of them building a gigantic igloo out of the snow. haha

Thanks everyone for the info on A School.  Honestly I have no idea what his rate will be.  I don't even know what a lot of those acronyms stand for - it's like learning a whole new language :-)!!!

New Navy mom here! Son graduated RTC last Friday! Is now in Groton as SECF. My understanding is what his rank is in 47 days will determine if he stays in Groton or moves somewhere else.

NCMom, welcome! What you are talking about is not rank, but rating. It is easy to confuse the terms. Enlisted sailors have rates (e.g. Seaman), not ranks. They train for a rating.
SECF is an umbrella term for a set of 4 submarine Electronics and Computers Field ratings. Somewhere along the line your sailor will be assigned one of these ratings: ETv, ETr, FT, or STS. He may have a choice, but it is ultimately needs of the Navy. Your sailor will go to BESS for 7 weeks, then I think all SECF do ATT (basic tech) and TCNO (basic computers). Both of those are just a few weeks  After that they split off to separate "A" schools for about 6 months. The ET A school may be down in King's Bay, GA.
 

Navymom9828, thanks. I was just looking at the rating sheet, which mentioned Kings Bay.

I have a question, my son is graduating boot camp on 2-5 and will be headed to Groton CT for his A school. his last letter to me has me freaked out. He is freaking out about being on a sub and isnt sure this is what he wants to do. can he change his mind.  I am heartbroken that he sounded so upset in his last letter.

Navymom9828, thanks for the feedback.  im praying that he was just having a bad day and is better now.  The letter was dated 1-21 so hopefully hes ok now.  I guess I will just have to wait until I see him at PIR

I have to strongly disagree with Navymom9828. About the only time I would ever suggest contacting someone in the command about something a sailor said would be if they talked about hurting themselves or someone else, or possibly if it involved a security issue. You can't fix their problems for them, and you are undermining them if you try. Believe me, I know how hard it is to let go. Each of my sons went through some sort of personal crisis as young adults. In the case of my middle son, he was 10 time zones away, and all I could do was to have his back if he needed it and help pay for his ticket home. I think that doubled my gray hairs.

The Navy has ways of determining what rate would be best for your son and whether or not he is suited for subs or surface. He may have been having a bad day, they all do at one time or another. You are on a roller coaster ride and it is tough no denying that. Give it some time, it will all work out!

I was NOT going to contact anyone.  He can do that himself. I have to let him grow up, its just so emotional for me and as his mom to not fix it for him.  He is my middle son and it breaks my heart to see him that sad.  His other letter was awesome. he had passed his test and scored a perfect 5 on his inspection. It was just such a random letter and he sounded very stressed in it. Thanks for all the help ladies.  this is such a new experience for me.

middlemom, he was most likely just venting some anxiety. That is pretty normal. Stay calm, be supportive, and encouraging. Bootcamp is a deliberately stressful time. What the Navy does is train young men and women to work together to do things they would not have necessarily believed they can do. You will be amazed at the transformation. Trust that he and the Navy will work it out. When he gets to BESS, he will be with a bunch of other guys in the same boat (pun intended). It is different environment and he will learn much more about what it is like to be a submariner.
What parents can help with is the perspective that he is enlisted only for a time. Even if he struggles with the job, even if he fails, and honest and honorable effort will be recognized. Even if he winds up not liking it much, he can endure the trials of his service and honorably leave at the end of that. He will be rewarded not only with veterans benefits and respect, but with a strength of character that is all too uncommon these days. And who knows, he may, as many do, find things to like about it, or look back and remember fondly that there were a lot of crappy things, but he got to do really cool stuff, go interesting places, and made lifelong friends.

I mailed out my last letter to him today and wrote a lot of encouragement to him.  and Yes we are going to his PIR

WearsLargeHats - thanks so much. Im looking forward to seeing him. I have so much faith in him that he can do this.  He just needs to believe it.  thanks again all of you for the advice.  I love this site.  everyone helps.  some day I will be on the helping end not the one that needs help..

middlemom - the emotional rollercoaster heading into PIR does not end until you see your child.  The week of PIR people start posting all kinds of things--notes about when their son or daughter called to say they're a sailor and how excited and proud they are as parents.  The day I thought my son would call was happy and awful at the same time.  The phone rang while I was in the shower.  I turned off the water and ran halfway across the house, dripping, wrapped in my towel, only to answer a solicitor call.  I didn't know if I should laugh or cry.  But when I got the call, it was so worth it.  And when you see your child walk in with his division, the tears start all over again, and they're wonderful.  All of those emotions are normal.  That's part of it being a new experience. Remember that your sailor is in God's hands. And no matter how much you love him, God loves him more than you do.

Very well said Anchor's Aweigh! There's nothing like seeing your sailor come through that door!!!! Spending time in prayer for yourself and him really becomes a blessing. When you cannot talk to your son and are fearful, you can pour all your feelings out to God, he loves both of you more than we can ever imagine!

Hey ladies! My son just started BMS this week.  I think it's three weeks.  After that, he has A School, Machinist's Mate Auxiliary.  Anyone know how long it takes? I thought it was 7 weeks?

Also, there's a little confusion about C School.  The rating card indicates that C School follows, but no one has talked to him about it, and I don't see it in his contract.  Anyone know how this works?

well we made it to graduation.  he is a sailor.. so happy and proud of him.. He is now at Groton CT ready to start school. 

middlemom- Congratulations! Let the adventure begin :-D

Does anyone have any idea how long A school is for Sonar Tech? We are trying to get an idea of when our son might get a break after A school...if he even gets one to come home. He leaves for Groton on March 12th. PIR is the 11th. And then after A school....what comes next? 

Thank you Ladies. It really is all confusing. But, from what I can understand you are saying. It takes approx. 4 months to complete it all... A school consists of BESS, ATT and then Techno. But he will get a few breaks in between these different classes if he chooses? So, could he possibly come home for a few days after BESS, which is 8 weeks?

What does BESS and and ATT stand for? Did your child get a break after BESS? 

Hello everyone, it's been awhile since I've been in here!   Just wanted to try and help out with all this "timing" and from what I have experienced there is no definite timing on when a certain sailor will start with any course and there is definitely no way of telling when they will complete.  So many factors come into play when the get to Groton.  You just have to sit back and let it happen.  My son's been there since August, he is still waiting on the full security clearance which he has nothing on a record to hold him back, just paperwork.  He has done the ATT already.  His friend was there for 3 months before starting any of the classes.  

My Son is doing the IT school in Groton. He said he just passed the 801 and 802 test. I don't know what it means but he said it is really good. I know he has a lot more schooling but I was wondering if you get a upgrade if you pass these test?

My son arrived at Groton CT on February 6th and hasnt started any classes yet.  I am so confused on all of this too.  I have no idea when I will get to see him.

Navymom9828 - that is what he said he has been doing..qualifications. He is going for Sonar Tech.  not sure if that is what is rate would be.  I am so confused with all of this.

Thanks for the info Navymom9828.. and yes that is correct my son was having doubts during his time at bootcamp.  He is doing much better now.  He still is a little nervous about being on a sub, but he said that he is going to do his best.  He has changed so much.  Its such a blessing to see how much he has grown up.

Tamela - my son had PIR 2-2-16 and we got to spend the day with him after PIR up until 7:00pm and then we meet him at the airport at 1:00am and stayed with him until 4:00am. 

My son was assured a spot as machinist's mate auxiliary but was recently re-rated to torpedoman.  He's okay with it, but I don't understand this process...he graduated at the top of his class in B.E.S.S. and was #2 in BMS.  I'm sure this happens all the time, but I need some education.  If anyone can help?

Anchor's Aweigh Mom, "torpedoman" is an old term that is still in casual use, but the rating is actually MM-Weapons, or MMW. A change from Auxiliary to Weapons is more of a change in specialization than a re-rating. The Navy probably just needs more MMWs at the moment, or maybe they had more space in that A-school, or possibly they felt this fast-running sailor would do particularly well in that area. 
You son's contract likely is for MM Submarine, with the specialty to be determined during training.

Does anyone know about how long after PIR my son will ship to A school in Groton?

Usually within a day or two.

My son had to report back at 2100 the day of PIR and was at the airport the next moring at 0630 with all others leaving from that airport that day although he didn't leave until late afternoon. 

Dani, it depends on what rating he signed up for, as there are various ratings have different training pipelines. Generally it will be BESS + 2-3 schools. Too, they can be put on hold between schools, or delayed for clearances. I don't think it can really be less than 6 months, and can be a year or more. My son got there in October and should be done with the STS A-school in June, and he has been going through the process about as quickly as possible.

Ratings aren't secret. Their dress uniforms have a rating patch anyway. Unless he is SECF. SECF specialties will be decided after he gets to Groton.
I think they Navy only pays to move spouses if they are expected to be in place for at least 6 months. That might be distinct from eligibility for accompanied housing, I don't know. I think it is pretty much up to the command. As hard as it might be, you might want to wait until he goes to his first command rather than relocate for just a few months. 
I am sure he will be briefed on this, probably while at RTC, at least in BESS indoc.

What is SECF?

Sonar is one of the SECF (Submarine Electronic and Computer Field) ratings. He will get to state a preference for the 4 specialties, the Navy assigns what they need. The training times are similar. Figure on at least 8 months.

In addition to bootcamp. When I talk to my son tomorrow,  I might ask if they have sailors in his class who are living with spouses.

My son said some of the students had their wives with them, but he thought they were mostly fleet returnees (sailors converting from other ratings). We didn't discuss it at length.

It may all seem confusing,  but you and he will have plenty of support. Once he gets to Groton, it will be much clearer, and y'all can come up with a plan.

Im frustrated right now.  I want to attend my son's BESS but the flights are so expensive.  Is it ok if I don't go or will I regret it.  

Hello

I am planning a trip from California to Groton to see my son. He is in A school going into C school for IT. I need some suggestions on where to near the sub base? I am flying into providence airport

 Thanks

We have stayed at Marriott Residence Inn Mystic and Hampton Inn Mystic. Not to far from base both were very nice. I looked directly at their website and was able to get good prices. When I called since our son was staying with us. We checked in under him and were able to get the military rate. The other time we used AAA discount. Mystic is beautiful and we able to go to the Seaport museum. In Groton we to the Sub museum right next to the base. They do have a Navy Lodge there but it was not available for the dates we needed. Hope this helps.

so excited.. I booked my trip to go see my sailor graduate from BESS in April. tickets bought, booked a room at Navy Lodge and got my rental car.  

Hey Ladies... Can anyone tell me about how long it takes a care package to get to Groton...and what is the cost to ship? Do you recommend using the flat rate box...even if it is not that heavy??