Moms of "A" school Sailors

Tina...she will call you once she get there and let you know when and what to send....the go through different levels of privledges called phases...Phase one is basics phone laptop and early curfews.. Phase two is some civilian clothes and latter curfews on lIberty. Phase 3 I think is they can have LIberty all weekend with out checking back in( not completely sure on that one all the details) Hope that helps some

Wendy, there do not need laptops for school. Most of the sailors that have them at the school are using them for their own personal communications or pleasure use. There are some wi-fi areas on that side of the base and often some of the sailors are using cable service in their rooms and sharing the costs with their roommates. We did not have to mail either his cell phone or laptop. When he returned to base on Sunday after his PIR liberty, he asked if he could have these items and they said he could bring them in at that time. So we saved on the shipping and more importantly worrying about - did he receive them.

I think the guidelines for PIR weekend is - they can be up to 50 miles away from the base. So if you live close to GL - perhaps your son can come home but you won't know until after PIR if he has to report back each night or not.

A school does not start immediately. Your son will go thru indoc that lasts about a week and then into SCC (basic seamanship classes) that last a couple of weeks. Our son was on hold between these two classes and they give them jobs to do everyday. Landscaping, painting, cleaning,etc.

Our son had to report from PIR on Sunday evening and Monday am he went right into Indoc. They also have duty every 4th day while in GL for school.

Our son did receive liberty on the weekends during SCC in GL. I believe he had to be with a buddy at all times though.

There are alot of Corpsman families on this site - have you checked out the group for Corpsmen?

Hey - check out Catherine's new blog...
When my son/daughter first spoke about joining the service.

I think there will be some great stories there, please add yours!

Ellen, it sounds like everything is going GREAT for Jim!!! Our son will be at GL for school for nine months, I suspect whereever he heads for C school will be great as well! Hoping that he is out of there before the snow storms begin again!

Ellen, eight of those weeks were bootcamp but the other seven months is A school. Advanced Electronics. Former Michigander here so I understand what you are saying about that snow! That's why we live in the South now!!!

Carol, congrats on the cerom. guard duty - what an honor!

Joni...there is a group called Pensicola (it is spelled wrong on the title) aka Pensacola....it has a lot of info...you might want to join that group too...I belong to both so I don't miss anything that I can pass along tomy Sailor!!LOL

I have not heard any complaints from sailors regarding their A school housing...perhaps they are so delighted to lose 60-70 roommates and that it feels like a country club!

Regarding internal views of rooms: On the Pensacola base website you can tour their dorm rooms. Here is the web site
http://www.naspensacola.navy.mil/images/NATTC%20PICS%20-%202.pdf this only represents the dorms in Pensacola but perhaps if you go to your sailors base's web site they may have some pictures of some of the dorms. I was also able to read the phases that Pensacola Sailors have duirng their schools: here is the web site for Pensacola's hand book http://www.naspensacola.navy.mil/files/nattcnavystudenthandbook.pdf. Again this is for Pensacola and I am not sure that all bases have the same format for Phases.

Like Julie..my son is no longer in A school, he finishes his C school this week and should be home for 10 days this thurs then to fleet. I guess it is now time to move to the next season of the Navy. I pray for God speed and success to all of your Sailors.

They do get charged for leave. Although their classes may not be in session, they will find other duties for them to do until class begins again.

Hey Navy Dad "Mark" - my son finished "A" school back in April , 2008. I started this group and therefore, if I leave - everyone has to leave. So, saying that, if I have to stay, everyone has to stay!!!

I have a question... my son is still in bc till 9/26 then going to A school in VA. Can he have a cell phone, laptop or other personal items like that when he gets there? Can someone explain phases please?

We ALL survived another weekend without our A school students at our homes. Seemed strange not to be feeding a flock of friends.

Why would they go to another barrack? Are all A schools run the same way? I cant wait for my son to have his cell phone. I'm sure his cell company is concerned because his constant texting has stopped;) Thanks for the info Chris...I thought BC was confusing

Hi Cheryl!! How long will your son be in Monterey?? You should definitely visit him there...it's so beautiful!

they pay for tickets to the next duty station,if they take leave along the way, they pay the difference in cost.

Annette, you may want to look for the group called STG - they are our Sonar Techs and many of them are in school in SanDiego and can share some info with you.

Hi everyone,
My Sailor is in Gulfport Mississippi and hoped classes would start today. He had PIR August 29th and seems to be very happy with the new base so far. He's going to be a Seabee after A school completion and seems to think he'll go to Hawaii for a couple of weeks to prepare for deport to Iraq. Anyone heard that's the plan for active Seabees?
Anita

Debbie, there are alot of Seabee moms on the site. Look in groups for Seabees - you will get a lot of good info from them.

Stasi--Bravo Zuloo

We just received our PIR DVD on Friday and he graduated 8/15. Has anyone received the yearbook?

Here is a message from a distant cousin of mine whose son is in the Army. I told her I knew of some moms who would help out!! I hope we can get him cards from all over - REPRESENT the US NAVY!!!!

Good Morning,

Just a quick note to give you Scott's address. I guess you have heard a helicopter went down this week. It was from Scott's unit, 7 of his unit were killed. We have not talked to Scott, but Cody has. Cody said Scott was down, but well. Please keep these men and women in your prayers. Scott would love to receive mail. His birthday is October 6.

Thanks for letting him know you are thinking about him.

Love,
Gxxx and Pxxxx

Drop me a line and I will PM you his address.
Just wondering if we could send him a card - be sure and sign it a US Navy MOM!!!
Thanks, Brenda Sue

Our son had PIR on 8/22 also. We received the DVD yesterday. I was disappointed that they didn't mention the "lost sailors" on the DVD!!! All that was edited. It was fun watching it again.

That's whats so great for many of us--the job may have chosen our sailors. Best wishes to you Penny & Kathy

Wow, Navy Dad Mark, that sounds great. Our whole family wears glasses, so we appreciate the line of work your sailor has chosen. And yes, I too never thought the Navy would be the way our sailor chose to finish school. It is great!

Alan is in Pensacola and classed up at about the same time as his shipmates who stayed behind at GL for A school. Maybe it's different depending on rate. I've been sending him care packages every week - cookies, brownies, CDs, etc. He shares, the other guys seem to enjoy it and are always asking him when he'll get another box. He told me some of the people just arriving are waiting longer because instructors are in the fleet.

My son has a wireless sprint card. Costs about $59/month.

Can't hurt to check Wal-Mart. You can probably order it online also at sprint.com. If he already has a cell phone check with his carrier to see if they have them, Verizon and AT&T do.

Hi there :) Well I now have a sailor. PIR was awesome and seeing my son was the best. 9 weeks is an awful long time! Now he is in Virginia Beach and loving it. His A school doesn't start for another week so he has some down time. He already has his cell and calls and texts us all day...it's great! I sent off a package today with his laptop, GPS, Ipod and other "incidentals". He said his roommate is really cool and he thinks they're going to be good friends. Life is good:)

Lou - classed up means they start the actual classes for their rate. He may have a wait. The first think they'll do is indoctrination. He may get bored while waiting to class up, but waiting seems to be typical.

My son arrived in San Diego yesterday, he is so happy to be out of boot camp. His job is SGT, not sure when he will class up. Anyone else with SGT in San Diego? I would love any info you have.

HI Carol, SGT is Surface Sonar Tech. Tim had a direct flight to San Diego from Chicago, but they probably went to the airport together. Although some recruits flew out of Midway instead of O'Hare.

Hi ladies, my son is in VA for school. He said they should be starting on Monday. He took his cell with him so we've been talking to him daily, several times a day, since PIR. He likes his roommate and already received the package we sent. We mailed out his laptop, GPS, Ipod, shirts, socks, picture frames and other assorted things on Monday evening and he received it on Wed morning! From CA to VA in less than 48 hours...amazing. He is very happy to have his modern conveniences!

Carol - I would say the Navy did that for Tim too, taught him how to better manage his emotions, I noticed that while we were at PIR. I'm sure your son will get his stuff in the mail soon!! Tim said he day goes from 5:30am until 3pm, then he's pretty much free. Lights out are at 9:45pm.
Sylvia ~ wow, I hope my sons stuff gets from Nebraska to California as fast as yours did!!!
Debbie ~ I'm sure by next week they will be pros and know exactly what they should be doing at A school. Just like in boot camp, the first two weeks are the toughest.

Carole ~ my son said they gave him the paperwork to send him before they left Great Lakes on Wednesday. I know mine wants to vote for the first time!

Eileen - he'll soon become very popular if he's getting goodies from home. I was mailing them to my son every week and his buddies started asking when his next package was coming! They sure look forward to it.

The wireless card is a usb that just plugs in. To activate it he just follows the prompts on the screen. It's satellite. No PCIMCA card needed.

Robin ~ it depends on which phase of liberty they are in. Phase Three is when they can have overnight liberty. Just check with him next time you talk.

Nan, I think you are referring to the "service flags" they have a star on them for each family member that you have in the service.

Cathy, they will always be our babies!!! I know leaving him in GL was hard, but you are going to love A school!! Most of the time they can call every night, it's really wonderful!! He will love it too. Hang in there, Mom!!

Welcome, Heart!!!! How is your sailor doing in A school? Mine PIR'd on 9/26 and just started A school in San Diego.

My son listed WA, VA and Japan. Those were the choices they listed for him and he got his first choice. Lucky! He had hoped for San Diego since we live in CA but it wasn't on the list they gave him.

100 miles is their limit, for further they have to request a CHIT. And I believe it's phase 3 liberty when they get overnight. Phase one is off base in uniform. Phase two is off base out of uniform. Phase three is overnight out of uniform.

Culver City is not close to Port Hueneme, though. I grew up in Westchester, just up the hill from Culver City. We lived a block away from Loyola Marymount College. It's so cool to see you all talking about ballona creek, Marina del Rey, Venice. Ahhh the good old days. My sister lives in Playa del Rey and my parents are still in Westchester (have been since 1944). Chris A and Carole I know exactly the area you are talking about.

Ohhhhhhhhh ok LOL I was thinking Oxnard and Culver City are not that close.

Hi Moms, Many of you may know of our adopt a sailor program that we host each month adopting sailors in various rates and countries. For the holiday season we would love to get your help.

We are going to adopt our first US Navy ship, the USS Rodney M. Davis has about 250 sailors that will be deployed for the holidays and we would love to show them our holiday spirit and load them up with cards, letters, drawings, etc. showing our support and holiday wishes.

If you would like to know more, please stop by Molly's Adopt A Sailor group for details or shoot us a message. Thank you.

Does anyone have a sailor in "A" school in Mississippi? That's where my son is at.