Just checking... are there any moms here from the group of new sailors who would be just getting settled in? I am just emotionally raw from letting go of my baby one more time. Ask me tomorrow and I'll probably be fine, but for today it's a little tough. I know my son has his cell phone, but I'm doing my best to just let him be a man and focus on his new environment.
For the seasoned moms, what has been your experience with all this? Is it usually pretty easy after the rough ride through boot camp?
Kim - so let's see... I live local to Great Lakes and my son goes to Groton. You live closer to Groton and your son is still here in the midwest. Crazy! So far, my son has been adjusting well in Groton. We skyped so he could show me the stuff in his room that he wanted me to send to him. That was pretty cool. I didn't have any problem letting go of my daughter. I don't think it was that she went to college locally. I think it's because she is so much more inclined to call me. I guess I'll just have to be happy when he isn't calling me... because that means he's happy and excited about his new life and focusing on that. I think the difference between sending them out to the navy vs on to college is that at least for college you know they'll be back for the holidays and most likely a couple of summers before they are entirely gone. With the navy... poof! they are gone! I am so proud though.
My son has certainly kept busy his first week at Groton. Finishing his packet for all the security clearances for his rate. Plus doing watch mostly 0000-0200 each night. Sleep, watch, sleep each night. Looking forward to a real conversation tomorrow.
Hi my son just arrived at A school, does anyone have any tips or advice on shipping items to your sailor. He wants his TV, xbox ect trying to figure out if this is fesible
Give it a couple of weeks, and stay flexible. Now that your son is there, he will have to go through an indoc period then, when they get enough people, he will be assigned to a BESS class. He will have a class number, and can get some idea of a graduation date. We didn't go to the BESS graduation, so I don't recall the details. We did go to the SECF graduation and were able to make reservations a month or so in advance.
Mr Mom: Schooling will last aprox. 41 wks. or 9 mo.
BESS aprox. 10 sailors per class & aprox. 6 weeks. They have to get checked into the base. Then they are given an address. First they must familiar themselves with the base or qual's to do. This is the best time for your sailor to get their passport. If they have a roommate share internet with roommate until transferred, cheaper. Do not take cell phone to class it can get wet. Techno is the hardest class many fail and this will put sailor back, grades matter.
My son turns 21 on Friday, someone had posted earlier that there is a bakery that delivers on base, does anyone know who that is? I can't find the post
Question about traveling to Groton with a dog (lab). Weather forecast is looking good - in the 60s. I'll be driving from Chicago and staying at dog friendly motels. Once I get into Groton, what do I need to know? Will my son have to meet me off base?
PNM, the most likely plan would be to have your son meet you in the parking lot of the Submarine Force Museum , which is right by the main gate. If the weather is nice, there is a small park there with the sail of one of the old "41 for freedom" SSBNs that makes a good meeting place and photo spot. Do visit the museum while you are there!
Hi. I'm new to this group and wondering if my son will depart from GL after his PIR date 12/1 immediately for sub school or if he will have to wait around due to Christmas and New Year's? I know it's kinda far out to ask that, but we live in CA currently and these trips for PIR and then POSSIBLY sub school and A school graduation are going to require some crack planning and budgeting.
Anyone who wants to weigh in, please help?
BlueClover, Hi. My son graduated from boot camp June 2, was in Groton by June 3. We had about 6 hours to visit. BESS, ATT, and TCNO graduation are small scale affairs, only local folks go. Once your son gets his blue liberty card he can figure out which weekends he'll be off duty -- you can plan to visit then. That's what we are doing. As per Christmas I don't know. Get used to the Navy not giving much notice!
Thanks, ArchyMom. This info will help us to stay patient and wait to hear about his time off in the future. From your experience, it sounds like my son will be in Groton by 12/2. Wow.
I know it's hard to wait. It'll be easier once he's out of boot camp. Then he'll have his cell phone back, can communicate regularly. Keep in mind he will have BESS plus watch, plus duty (especially while he gets his white and yellow cards complete) so will have little idle time. Yes, be patient. Maybe plan to go to A school graduation.
My son graduated boot camp Friday morning 9:00am, 4 August, left Great Lakes on bus to O'Hare airport 3:30am (03:30) 5 August, was on a plane to Providence RI (Groton) 10:00 pm (22:00) 5 August (22 sailors on same flight) After PIR on Friday, the sailors not staying at Great Lakes are on buses leaving the base at 12:30am (midnight), 3:30am or 5:50am for the airports. Most go to O'Hare. There is a slight possibility of going to Midway Chicago (MDW) or Milwaukee (MKE) airports. These two are not likely used due to Groton's location and flight schedules (direct, but not charter). Closest airports to Groton / New London are Providence (PVD) and Bradley in Hartford, CT (BDL). Yes if you do the math he was at ORD for 18+ hours. You can get a gate pass to wait with him at the airports. You can give him any electronics only at the airport. Kudos to the USO volunteers at O'Hare. They did a fabulous job receiving the multiple bus loads of kids, providing info to them and us, and feeding them. Once arriving in Groton, he was able to call freely on his cell phone. Internet is not free, but he can access it in a shared group area for limited amount of time per month. He waited for awhile before starting BESS and graduated 13Oct. Once his BESS class formed, his graduation date did not change. We did attend BESS graduation which was much more low key than boot camp PIR.
IL Matt’s Mom, Thanks so much for sharing. Hubby and I will have to figure out the gate pass thing so that we can wait with our son at the airport. 18+ hours is quite a wait and I’m happy to know USO volunteers were there to assist. I’m hoping the weather will be good during early December.
My son arrived at Groton Sunday and is settling in nicely. He called me last night and said he was put on "hold" because something is missing in his file from boot camp. He is to continue with schooling, and got his security clearance. He said he was not the only sailor in this situation. Is this common? Should we be worried?
My son is graduating in December from STS school. Hoping they get to choose their first port / duty station soon so he can put in his paperwork for leave over christmas.
He told us that coming up there for A School Graduation is not worth it ... does anyone else have any opinions on parents attending A school graduation. He said it's going to be like BESS Graduation and it is quick simple and not worth us coming up for it. I just feel bad not being there for it.
JennBnavymom, no need to be concerned, the Navy will get all straightened out. NavyFamily: the whole graduation from each class thing is very low key. Wait until your son knows when he'll have a weekend free from duty and go visit. That's what we just did. It was a much more quality visit.
The base does have a 2 week stand down at Christmas, but while we were visiting we heard that leave will be divided into 2 groups with only maybe one week each. And last minute planning as the NAVY doesn't finalize anything ahead of time... So leave home is possible, but might be tight. Esp for airline tickets. Be patient. Leave home will be a certainty at the end of A school before deployment.
He is graduating STS A school dec 14th or 19th ... it is currently a moving target. That is the only reason we are thinking and hoping he will be able to come home for the holidays before heading to his first assignment.
Yes ... with the NAVY it is always a hurry up and wait & you will know when they are ready. :-)
NavyFamily we are in the same boat! my boy is due to graduate 12/19 as well. He was told it will be up to GA to determine if he can take liberty over Christmas.
Ah! My son is in SECF/FT, won't graduate until April... BESS, ATT, and TCNO all behind him, starts A school for FT in a week. It's been a long drawn out affair.
I’m really working on my acronyms! My son is in A school for Submarine Missile Technician his orders say he’s at Groton until Dec 19th. So much learning I still have to do!
All the acronyms ... I don't know many of them either. My son does not have any additional orders yet as his class has not "picked" their first station yet.
We went up for "A" school graduation. It was very nice, pretty low key. It probably isn't worth a trip across the country just for that. I have a sister up that way, so we brought our grandson (our sailor's nephew) and made a vacation out of it. There was some sort of snafu in getting his orders, so it took a couple weeks longer than expected, but he had them before graduation. It is likely your son can get leave between detaching from the sub school and reporting to his new command. More likely if he has OCONUS orders. He can probably arrange to travel home, but will have to pay any extra travel expenses incurred. Our son came home to NC and then flew out of Charleston SC, and was able to ship his car to Hawaii from there. All of that is needs of the Navy, of course. Sometimes they will be advised that they should get there sooner.
My grandson is in SECF/ST and should be graduating A school in January or early February. I keep asking if he ha graduation date but he says no. Is that usual and when or how do they find out?
HSMom, I have been informed that my SR who is in boot camp right now will likely leave for Groton on Saturday morning on 12/2. We are flying our for PIR on a Wednesday and then leaving the following Sunday after PIR just on the off chance he can stay longer with us.
My nephew is currently at Groton. I wasn't able to attend PIR and would really love to visit him. He says he has a graduation coming up on Dec. 8. Can I go to see him over the weekend? He seems to think so. Does anyone know where I can find out any information? I'm clueless and he wasn't informative. Thanks!
From reading a few past posts, here's what has been the case with my son. We attended PIR in August. We spent graduation day and some of the next day with son before he went off to Groton. It took 2 weeks for enough sailors to class up for BESS. After that he attended a short school for tools (because of his rating). Now he's in A school.
I think family would need some kind of a guest pass your sailor requests in advance to visit the base. We recently visited son but didn't go on the base, just picked up and dropped off at the gate.
I'd like to just comment that if your sailor has been at Groton long enough, he/she can figure out when there will be a weekend with liberty -- then go visit! That's what we did in October. Our son was able to spend Friday evening, and all day Saturday and all day Sunday with us. With a passport (proving ID and citizenship) we were even allowed on base to attend church and a quick drive-through tour of base. It was great. Highly recommend a visit when it's NOT graduation, much more fun.
@BoosT
If he has earned his yellow liberty card, you can pick him up and take him for the day to spend time with. If he has blue liberty card, he can stay with you overnight with prior approval. We spent a weekend in Groton in September with our son (who had only yellow liberty then) and took him back to base each evening. We even shopped with him on base at NEX and also saw a movie with him on base. You are allowed on base with proper id as long as your sailor is with you coming through the gate. They also have Bowling alley on base.You just aren't allowed in the barracks.
My son graduates in the Jan/Feb time frame also, every time I ask him when graduation is, he says he forgot to ask again. So I'm not sure they're far enough along to know for sure - although you would think they have those all planned out!
Boot camp tends to lead parents to think that Navy life is similarly restrictive, but that isn't the case. Assuming he is single, he will be sharing a room that is like a college dorm room. He can have pretty much what one would have in a dorm room. Space is limited. (Now there is a fact of life for submariners!) Leaving Chicago, he won't want to carry a lot of extra stuff. You can give him his phone and perhaps small, light entertainment devices, but for everything else it is better to wait until he gets there and tells you what he needs.
Sound advice! Wait to hear what your sailor really needs. Keep in mind that when A school is over and it's time to ship out, he Will likely have to jettison some belongings or put them in storage or send them home.
ProudNavyMom
Just checking... are there any moms here from the group of new sailors who would be just getting settled in? I am just emotionally raw from letting go of my baby one more time. Ask me tomorrow and I'll probably be fine, but for today it's a little tough. I know my son has his cell phone, but I'm doing my best to just let him be a man and focus on his new environment.
For the seasoned moms, what has been your experience with all this? Is it usually pretty easy after the rough ride through boot camp?
Aug 6, 2017
ProudNavyMom
Kim - so let's see... I live local to Great Lakes and my son goes to Groton. You live closer to Groton and your son is still here in the midwest. Crazy! So far, my son has been adjusting well in Groton. We skyped so he could show me the stuff in his room that he wanted me to send to him. That was pretty cool. I didn't have any problem letting go of my daughter. I don't think it was that she went to college locally. I think it's because she is so much more inclined to call me. I guess I'll just have to be happy when he isn't calling me... because that means he's happy and excited about his new life and focusing on that. I think the difference between sending them out to the navy vs on to college is that at least for college you know they'll be back for the holidays and most likely a couple of summers before they are entirely gone. With the navy... poof! they are gone! I am so proud though.
Aug 10, 2017
RhondaA
Aug 11, 2017
Dee
Aug 18, 2017
ProudNavyMom
Congratulations Dee, How exciting! My son has been in Groton for just two weeks and starts school this week.
Aug 19, 2017
Tankgirl17
Hi my son just arrived at A school, does anyone have any tips or advice on shipping items to your sailor. He wants his TV, xbox ect trying to figure out if this is fesible
Sep 3, 2017
WearsLargeHats
Welcome, Mr. Mom!
Give it a couple of weeks, and stay flexible. Now that your son is there, he will have to go through an indoc period then, when they get enough people, he will be assigned to a BESS class. He will have a class number, and can get some idea of a graduation date. We didn't go to the BESS graduation, so I don't recall the details. We did go to the SECF graduation and were able to make reservations a month or so in advance.
Sep 19, 2017
Confetti
Mr Mom: Schooling will last aprox. 41 wks. or 9 mo.
BESS aprox. 10 sailors per class & aprox. 6 weeks. They have to get checked into the base. Then they are given an address. First they must familiar themselves with the base or qual's to do. This is the best time for your sailor to get their passport. If they have a roommate share internet with roommate until transferred, cheaper. Do not take cell phone to class it can get wet. Techno is the hardest class many fail and this will put sailor back, grades matter.
Sep 29, 2017
kkh1
My son turns 21 on Friday, someone had posted earlier that there is a bakery that delivers on base, does anyone know who that is? I can't find the post
Oct 2, 2017
NavyFamily
KrissyCakes CT on Facebook
She is AMAZING!!!!
Oct 2, 2017
RhondaA
Oct 3, 2017
ProudNavyMom
Question about traveling to Groton with a dog (lab). Weather forecast is looking good - in the 60s. I'll be driving from Chicago and staying at dog friendly motels. Once I get into Groton, what do I need to know? Will my son have to meet me off base?
Oct 4, 2017
WearsLargeHats
PNM, the most likely plan would be to have your son meet you in the parking lot of the Submarine Force Museum , which is right by the main gate. If the weather is nice, there is a small park there with the sail of one of the old "41 for freedom" SSBNs that makes a good meeting place and photo spot. Do visit the museum while you are there!
Oct 4, 2017
ArchyMom
Son is nearing the end of TCNO, then A-school FT. Anyone else here?
Oct 13, 2017
BlueClover
Anyone who wants to weigh in, please help?
Oct 18, 2017
ArchyMom
Oct 18, 2017
BlueClover
Oct 19, 2017
ArchyMom
Oct 19, 2017
IL Matt's Mom
My son graduated boot camp Friday morning 9:00am, 4 August, left Great Lakes on bus to O'Hare airport 3:30am (03:30) 5 August, was on a plane to Providence RI (Groton) 10:00 pm (22:00) 5 August (22 sailors on same flight) After PIR on Friday, the sailors not staying at Great Lakes are on buses leaving the base at 12:30am (midnight), 3:30am or 5:50am for the airports. Most go to O'Hare. There is a slight possibility of going to Midway Chicago (MDW) or Milwaukee (MKE) airports. These two are not likely used due to Groton's location and flight schedules (direct, but not charter). Closest airports to Groton / New London are Providence (PVD) and Bradley in Hartford, CT (BDL). Yes if you do the math he was at ORD for 18+ hours. You can get a gate pass to wait with him at the airports. You can give him any electronics only at the airport. Kudos to the USO volunteers at O'Hare. They did a fabulous job receiving the multiple bus loads of kids, providing info to them and us, and feeding them. Once arriving in Groton, he was able to call freely on his cell phone. Internet is not free, but he can access it in a shared group area for limited amount of time per month. He waited for awhile before starting BESS and graduated 13Oct. Once his BESS class formed, his graduation date did not change. We did attend BESS graduation which was much more low key than boot camp PIR.
Oct 23, 2017
BlueClover
Oct 24, 2017
JennBNavyMom
Hello to everyone!
My son arrived at Groton Sunday and is settling in nicely. He called me last night and said he was put on "hold" because something is missing in his file from boot camp. He is to continue with schooling, and got his security clearance. He said he was not the only sailor in this situation. Is this common? Should we be worried?
Oct 25, 2017
NavyFamily
My son is graduating in December from STS school. Hoping they get to choose their first port / duty station soon so he can put in his paperwork for leave over christmas.
He told us that coming up there for A School Graduation is not worth it ... does anyone else have any opinions on parents attending A school graduation. He said it's going to be like BESS Graduation and it is quick simple and not worth us coming up for it. I just feel bad not being there for it.
Oct 25, 2017
ArchyMom
Oct 25, 2017
JennBNavyMom
Oct 25, 2017
NavyFamily
Thanks ArchyMom!!!
I am hoping he will be able to come home for leave after graduation especially considering that they will be very close to christmas holiday routine.
Oct 25, 2017
ArchyMom
Oct 25, 2017
NavyFamily
ArchyMom ...
He is graduating STS A school dec 14th or 19th ... it is currently a moving target. That is the only reason we are thinking and hoping he will be able to come home for the holidays before heading to his first assignment.
Yes ... with the NAVY it is always a hurry up and wait & you will know when they are ready. :-)
Oct 25, 2017
JennBNavyMom
Oct 25, 2017
NavyFamily
JennBNavyMom ... I wonder if our sailors are in the same class.
Up to GA?
My son said they are hoping to pick today ... big day if they do!!
Is your son STS?
Oct 25, 2017
ArchyMom
Oct 25, 2017
NavyFamily
ArchyMom
April will be here before you know it! I hope your son is able to get some leave for christmas.
Thanks so much for you info!!!
Oct 25, 2017
JennBNavyMom
Oct 25, 2017
NavyFamily
JennBNavyMom
All the acronyms ... I don't know many of them either. My son does not have any additional orders yet as his class has not "picked" their first station yet.
where is your son going after A School?
Oct 25, 2017
JennBNavyMom
Oct 25, 2017
WearsLargeHats
We went up for "A" school graduation. It was very nice, pretty low key. It probably isn't worth a trip across the country just for that. I have a sister up that way, so we brought our grandson (our sailor's nephew) and made a vacation out of it.
There was some sort of snafu in getting his orders, so it took a couple weeks longer than expected, but he had them before graduation. It is likely your son can get leave between detaching from the sub school and reporting to his new command. More likely if he has OCONUS orders. He can probably arrange to travel home, but will have to pay any extra travel expenses incurred. Our son came home to NC and then flew out of Charleston SC, and was able to ship his car to Hawaii from there.
All of that is needs of the Navy, of course. Sometimes they will be advised that they should get there sooner.
Oct 25, 2017
The Real Mimi
My grandson is in SECF/ST and should be graduating A school in January or early February. I keep asking if he ha graduation date but he says no. Is that usual and when or how do they find out?
Oct 26, 2017
ArchyMom
Oct 27, 2017
WearsLargeHats
They all go through Sub School (BESS) first. The length of "A" school depends on rating specialty.
Nov 4, 2017
BlueClover
Nov 6, 2017
BoosTT
Nov 12, 2017
Shimmers
Hi,
From reading a few past posts, here's what has been the case with my son. We attended PIR in August. We spent graduation day and some of the next day with son before he went off to Groton. It took 2 weeks for enough sailors to class up for BESS. After that he attended a short school for tools (because of his rating). Now he's in A school.
I think family would need some kind of a guest pass your sailor requests in advance to visit the base. We recently visited son but didn't go on the base, just picked up and dropped off at the gate.
Nov 13, 2017
ArchyMom
Nov 13, 2017
Sailor mom soon
If he has earned his yellow liberty card, you can pick him up and take him for the day to spend time with. If he has blue liberty card, he can stay with you overnight with prior approval. We spent a weekend in Groton in September with our son (who had only yellow liberty then) and took him back to base each evening. We even shopped with him on base at NEX and also saw a movie with him on base. You are allowed on base with proper id as long as your sailor is with you coming through the gate. They also have Bowling alley on base.You just aren't allowed in the barracks.
Nov 13, 2017
kkh1
My son graduates in the Jan/Feb time frame also, every time I ask him when graduation is, he says he forgot to ask again. So I'm not sure they're far enough along to know for sure - although you would think they have those all planned out!
Nov 17, 2017
Proud Mom
My son is leaving to be leaving to Groton, Ct., next weekend, does anyone know what he can take with him or what I should send with him?
Jan 12, 2018
RhondaA
@proud mom. Is is going to Groton for sub school? And from where?
Jan 13, 2018
Proud Mom
Yes to Groton from Chicago
Jan 13, 2018
Proud Mom
Not sure what airport yet
Jan 13, 2018
WearsLargeHats
Boot camp tends to lead parents to think that Navy life is similarly restrictive, but that isn't the case. Assuming he is single, he will be sharing a room that is like a college dorm room. He can have pretty much what one would have in a dorm room. Space is limited. (Now there is a fact of life for submariners!)
Leaving Chicago, he won't want to carry a lot of extra stuff. You can give him his phone and perhaps small, light entertainment devices, but for everything else it is better to wait until he gets there and tells you what he needs.
Jan 13, 2018
ArchyMom
Jan 13, 2018