@DivontesMom. My daughter is in A school in Ft. Lee and she said she will be graduating Jan 9. She's my 2nd sailor too. My son is in Norfolk, VA with USS Truman.
My son called today, he had to go to medical & have 2 IVs, he wasn't feeling well Monday & was SIQ yesterday. Today he was dehydrated. He hasn't eaten in 3 days. Luckily he's feeling better now, but one of his friends just informed him that he'll be getting set back as he missed 2 days. He has the roommate from hell, who coincidentally also just got set back today. Glad A School is only 5 weeks! @ Malen my older son is also in Norfolk! :-)
That is a horrible tragedy. His family is in my thoughts.I can't imagine, they were supposed to be attending his PIR tomorrow, instead they are planning his funeral. My heart is broken for them.
Omg, this is the first I had heard of the loss at GL, prayers of strength to his parents. I was happy today to here my daughter receives her Pin tomorrow, her ship deployed from Norfolk the week before Thansgiving. She was at Fort Lee a year and a half ago, now she is on her second deployment. She also lost a shipmate that graduated with her from Fort Lee, very sad to hear that
To DivontesMom and/or others with submarine knowledge: My son goes to Fort Lee for CS A School January 3. At graduation, he mentioned that he is interested in being on a submarine. I've heard the application process is really tough to get submarine duty - any info on what a CS would have to do to accomplish that? Is application for CS on a sub as demanding as applying for, say, the nuclear "technician" or "engineer" or whatever jobs on a sub?
Hi InquiringMind. My Sailor will actually be a CSS - Culinary Specialist Sub. He didn't have to do anything extra for that. At MEPS he was told that was one of his options. So he signed up for CSS from the 1st appointment at MEPS. He was guaranteed that rate with no 2ndary choices. That usually means there is a need for Sailors in that rate. So, no I don't think it is as demanding as nuclear technician or engineering. Those rates require much more schooling that than CSS. He has to go to Sub aka B.E.S.S. school in Groton after A School. I've heard that's about 5 weeks. He started A School in Fort Lee last Monday, but got pushed back a week due to being sick, hopefully started again today.
Thanks, DivontesMom! I've heard various things about working on subs, such as all submariners are "cross-trained" to do multiple jobs, and that there are "background investigations" done on everybody who works on subs because of the top secret nature of the work. Also that it is hard to get details about sub-related things due to security concerns. I don't want to pester my son about it right now because he's just starting out, plus it would be better if he figures it out for himself without "Mommy" intervening. But still, Mommy wants to know (plus, I think it would be uber cool if he was a submariner)! Hope your son gets better soon and back on track with A School!!
I've heard that too. But we didn't get calls like some other parents do. I have heard they all do get cross trained on each other's jobs. When they learn all jobs they earn their dolphins. But I think that just means they understand what everyone does. (not 100% sure that's right) because obviously not just anyone is going to be able to step in & do a job that someone else took a year or more to train for like the nukes. Thanks, he's definitely feeling better. Had to have 2 IVs on Wednesday. Said he felt much better after that. He wasn't going to find out until this morning whether he could start again today. So hopefully no news is good news right now.
Well I sure hope the Navy is taking good care of your son and the rest of our sons and daughters. I'm absolutely sick about the young man who passed away at Great Lakes and his poor family. What a terrible tragedy. My own son is there right now, he just did PIR the day before Thanksgiving, and he sounds pretty shaken up by it too.
I am doing a happy dance since I just got a ship-to-shore call from the "CS of the Month" on the USS Carl Vinson!!! He really needed that kind of recognition as he's been feeling overused and overlooked. We could not be prouder of his hard work during this long and dangerous deployment.
That's awesome therevbev! InquiringMind, yes, they took good care of him! I am so devastated about him! I am sure all of the SRs that were there were pretty shaken up. And scary for parents whose children are there or about to go. With my son just finishing 2 weeks prior, it really hit home for me. I feel so terribly for his family & loved ones.
Hi divontesMom. My son gust finished a school in for lee. Graduated on the 9th. We were there. Did you go. I have pics. Who is your sailor. And where is she stationed
Hi Yasminie5. My son who is at Ft Lee graduates soon. He was supposed to graduate a week earlier, but ended up sick in the hospital so got pushed back. They got orders yesterday, but his are just for his next school
Got a call today from my deployed CS daughter. Again she mentioned the negative treatment that the CS crew get from so many of the other crew on the ship. She says a lot of it comes from the fact that they don't stand watch?, but they work long hard hours and as far as I am concerned are VERY under appreciated!! I wish the Navy did more to encourage a better attitude toward the CS's, although my daughter said she HAS heard the chiefs address the situation to the other sailors, but it pretty much falls on deaf ears!
My husband was in the Marines & he told both of my boys - your 2 best friends in the Navy will be the cook & the supply person. Don't piss them off or they'll make your life miserable. I'm sorry your Sailor is experiencing issues & it stinks that the CS's are being treated that way. Without the CS's they can't survive.
That is awesome!! I think every ship should tap their talents like the Carl Vincent did to make these updates! So cool their hard work is being rewarded, that video really gives a clear picture to deployment thanks so much for sharing!
Brandonsmom1 - if they are attending CS school in Fort Lee they stay at GL for at least 2 weeks to Indoc since Fort Lee is an army base. If there is a class starting after indoc they leave right after that if not they wait to class up the program is about 6 weeks long
We lived in Wisconsin while our CS was awaiting his trip to Va. (3 weeks). We traveled down on a Saturday and one overnight weekend. While he couldn't stay overnight with us, we could pick him up on base and sign him out for the day. He still had to be in uniform (hadn't earned enough liberty to wear "civies" on liberty) and return time depended. But, yes, they get the weekends unless called to stand watch.
Brandonsmom1 I think they still don't get a lot of "free time" while they wait to head to Fort Lee, but he could probably put in a chit for Liberty and see if it gets approved
Since we were living in PA at the time, we could drive down to see the "ceremony". They did a very nice graduation (about an hour long), we were greeted personally and had a chance to take pics with the students etc. We went down, since he was getting 10 days leave before heading for a carrier in the Pacific, to pick him up. We then had to drive him back at the end of leave (his flight out was from Richmond). It was nice, but we wouldn't have done it if we had had to fly or drive more than a day.
I can't remember if I introduced myself. My son started BC on Tuesday and after that he plans to go to CS A-school in Fort Lee, VA. I'm glad I found this site.
We went to the ceremony at Fort Lee, it was very nice and they showed a video of some of the activities they participated in. Then we waited a bit while my daughter packed up all her stuff and we drove her to Norfolk, she had to report to the ship, then had a couple hours to spend with us before she had to be back on the ship. It was a long drive from Michigan for a couple hours, but very worth it to us!
Welcome Olga! That stop following is just if you don't want to get notifications when someone comments on this thread. My son just graduated A School in Fort Lee.
No problem with anybody's comments. That is why I'm here. For back and forth comments. Thank you for explaining this piece to me. It's wonderful to know about your son. Is he happy with the training? Is it what he expected? Anything you want to tell me, I'll be happy to hear. I'm going to rest now. I'm in Michigan and it is 10:49 pm. I have a workday ahead, but we'll continue this now that I've joined. I'll keep on tomorrow and the day after and so on... Good night DivontesMom!
My son had taken 2 years of culinary school here in a vocational program thru school & he said the training was NOT what he expected at all! He did seem happy with it & he's off to submarine school now as he chose to be a CSS (2nd s for sub). He still seems happy with his decision.
I like that pic therevbev! My son had post it on his fb wall. Now he is complaining he hasn't sunlight in 2 days. He got inspections coming and will be aweigh next month. The real work is coming!!
Mama_Cevans , Since my son joined the aircraft carrier in Sept., he's only been topside 2 or 3 times other than liberty ports. I guess that is common for the CS. The deployment is only 1/2 over.... we are getting tired of this!
I was surprised when my daughter told me how little time the CS's have in fresh air and sun! I would have thought a ship as big as an aircraft carrier would have enough CS's to afford a little top side per day! Can't BEGIN to imagine what a CS on a sub gets to look forward to. My daughter is on a destroyer, has approximately 400 sailors, and about 10 are CS's. Busy busy busy!!
Depends on the sub. My son was told the tridents only surface 7x a year. He's requesting to be on a fast attack as they are smaller, so have to surface more frequently. Not sure how often they surface. But I've seen pictures on FB with them all crowding around to get some fresh air and sunshine. it can't be easy for any of them, but I think they adapt after a while.
Very interesting!! I have been on a tour of a sub in San Fransisco and can't imagine being that cooped up for any lengthy period. Definately thankful for the sailors that take on these tasks
I went on a tour of a sub in Buffalo. Our younger Sailor was supposed to go with us, but then he got shipped off to BC early. I'm glad he didn't go! The sub was TINY! Granted, we only got to see the 1st level so it's probably smaller than the others. That sub was retired in the 50's & I was told that all modern subs are larger than that one. I hope so. I don't know how they do it. But they do go to Sub school to learn how to cope on a sub. I just hope my son loves it.
Congrats jessies'mom! My son graduated a few weeks ago & is on hold for sub school. :-) He was excited to have several people from BC with him. I'm sure your daughter will be several in BC who will also be going to Fort Lee.
Malen (navy mom of two sailors)
@DivontesMom. My daughter is in A school in Ft. Lee and she said she will be graduating Jan 9. She's my 2nd sailor too. My son is in Norfolk, VA with USS Truman.
Dec 3, 2014
HuskyMom
My son called today, he had to go to medical & have 2 IVs, he wasn't feeling well Monday & was SIQ yesterday. Today he was dehydrated. He hasn't eaten in 3 days. Luckily he's feeling better now, but one of his friends just informed him that he'll be getting set back as he missed 2 days. He has the roommate from hell, who coincidentally also just got set back today. Glad A School is only 5 weeks! @ Malen my older son is also in Norfolk! :-)
Dec 3, 2014
Yasminie5
Hello Moms --- such a heartbreak about Sailor Andrew Adams that died at booth camp yesterday in GL. prayers go out to the family.
Dec 4, 2014
Yasminie5
just wondering if there is a private group of cs moms in fort lee
out there
Dec 4, 2014
MAMA_C
I just learnt of this tragedy on my son's fb! Very very sad!
Dec 4, 2014
HuskyMom
That is a horrible tragedy. His family is in my thoughts.I can't imagine, they were supposed to be attending his PIR tomorrow, instead they are planning his funeral. My heart is broken for them.
Dec 4, 2014
Michiganbelle
Dec 5, 2014
InquiringMind
To DivontesMom and/or others with submarine knowledge: My son goes to Fort Lee for CS A School January 3. At graduation, he mentioned that he is interested in being on a submarine. I've heard the application process is really tough to get submarine duty - any info on what a CS would have to do to accomplish that? Is application for CS on a sub as demanding as applying for, say, the nuclear "technician" or "engineer" or whatever jobs on a sub?
Dec 8, 2014
HuskyMom
Hi InquiringMind. My Sailor will actually be a CSS - Culinary Specialist Sub. He didn't have to do anything extra for that. At MEPS he was told that was one of his options. So he signed up for CSS from the 1st appointment at MEPS. He was guaranteed that rate with no 2ndary choices. That usually means there is a need for Sailors in that rate. So, no I don't think it is as demanding as nuclear technician or engineering. Those rates require much more schooling that than CSS. He has to go to Sub aka B.E.S.S. school in Groton after A School. I've heard that's about 5 weeks. He started A School in Fort Lee last Monday, but got pushed back a week due to being sick, hopefully started again today.
Dec 8, 2014
InquiringMind
Thanks, DivontesMom! I've heard various things about working on subs, such as all submariners are "cross-trained" to do multiple jobs, and that there are "background investigations" done on everybody who works on subs because of the top secret nature of the work. Also that it is hard to get details about sub-related things due to security concerns. I don't want to pester my son about it right now because he's just starting out, plus it would be better if he figures it out for himself without "Mommy" intervening. But still, Mommy wants to know (plus, I think it would be uber cool if he was a submariner)! Hope your son gets better soon and back on track with A School!!
Dec 8, 2014
HuskyMom
I've heard that too. But we didn't get calls like some other parents do. I have heard they all do get cross trained on each other's jobs. When they learn all jobs they earn their dolphins. But I think that just means they understand what everyone does. (not 100% sure that's right) because obviously not just anyone is going to be able to step in & do a job that someone else took a year or more to train for like the nukes. Thanks, he's definitely feeling better. Had to have 2 IVs on Wednesday. Said he felt much better after that. He wasn't going to find out until this morning whether he could start again today. So hopefully no news is good news right now.
Dec 8, 2014
InquiringMind
Well I sure hope the Navy is taking good care of your son and the rest of our sons and daughters. I'm absolutely sick about the young man who passed away at Great Lakes and his poor family. What a terrible tragedy. My own son is there right now, he just did PIR the day before Thanksgiving, and he sounds pretty shaken up by it too.
Dec 9, 2014
therevbev
I am doing a happy dance since I just got a ship-to-shore call from the "CS of the Month" on the USS Carl Vinson!!! He really needed that kind of recognition as he's been feeling overused and overlooked. We could not be prouder of his hard work during this long and dangerous deployment.
Dec 9, 2014
HuskyMom
That's awesome therevbev! InquiringMind, yes, they took good care of him! I am so devastated about him! I am sure all of the SRs that were there were pretty shaken up. And scary for parents whose children are there or about to go. With my son just finishing 2 weeks prior, it really hit home for me. I feel so terribly for his family & loved ones.
Dec 9, 2014
Labornurse
http://teespring.com/ddg59
Dec 21, 2014
Yasminie5
Jan 10, 2015
HuskyMom
Hi Yasminie5. My son who is at Ft Lee graduates soon. He was supposed to graduate a week earlier, but ended up sick in the hospital so got pushed back. They got orders yesterday, but his are just for his next school
Jan 10, 2015
HuskyMom
BTW Yasminie5 - My older Sailor is stationed in Norfolk.
Jan 10, 2015
Yasminie5
Jan 11, 2015
Yasminie5
Jan 11, 2015
Yasminie5
Jan 11, 2015
HuskyMom
Thank you, he was sick & ended up dehydrated. He went to the hospital, was put on an IV and now feels much better & is doing really well in A School.
Jan 11, 2015
Michiganbelle
Jan 12, 2015
HuskyMom
My husband was in the Marines & he told both of my boys - your 2 best friends in the Navy will be the cook & the supply person. Don't piss them off or they'll make your life miserable. I'm sorry your Sailor is experiencing issues & it stinks that the CS's are being treated that way. Without the CS's they can't survive.
Jan 12, 2015
Michiganbelle
Jan 13, 2015
therevbev
Just got a chance to see 10 seconds of my son serving in the galley of the Carl Vinson during the inspection for the Ney award. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIu46NWRcHk
Here's hoping the Vinson wins!
Jan 20, 2015
HuskyMom
That's awesome! I love their news updates!
Jan 20, 2015
Michiganbelle
Jan 20, 2015
MAMA_C
I hope they win!
Jan 22, 2015
Jappj
Brandonsmom1 - if they are attending CS school in Fort Lee they stay at GL for at least 2 weeks to Indoc since Fort Lee is an army base. If there is a class starting after indoc they leave right after that if not they wait to class up the program is about 6 weeks long
Jan 23, 2015
therevbev
We lived in Wisconsin while our CS was awaiting his trip to Va. (3 weeks). We traveled down on a Saturday and one overnight weekend. While he couldn't stay overnight with us, we could pick him up on base and sign him out for the day. He still had to be in uniform (hadn't earned enough liberty to wear "civies" on liberty) and return time depended. But, yes, they get the weekends unless called to stand watch.
Jan 23, 2015
Michiganbelle
Jan 24, 2015
therevbev
Jan 28, 2015
therevbev
Since we were living in PA at the time, we could drive down to see the "ceremony". They did a very nice graduation (about an hour long), we were greeted personally and had a chance to take pics with the students etc. We went down, since he was getting 10 days leave before heading for a carrier in the Pacific, to pick him up. We then had to drive him back at the end of leave (his flight out was from Richmond). It was nice, but we wouldn't have done it if we had had to fly or drive more than a day.
Jan 28, 2015
Jappj
Brandons Mom, there is a ceremony after CS A school it is usually on a Friday. Depending on their orders they usually get leave after the ceremony
Jan 28, 2015
olga
Hi,
I can't remember if I introduced myself. My son started BC on Tuesday and after that he plans to go to CS A-school in Fort Lee, VA. I'm glad I found this site.
Jan 28, 2015
Michiganbelle
Jan 28, 2015
olga
I'm not sure if my comment has posted.
Jan 28, 2015
olga
OK. I see it worked. What is this stop following thing about? First time I see this in posts... Can anyone explain?
Jan 28, 2015
HuskyMom
Welcome Olga! That stop following is just if you don't want to get notifications when someone comments on this thread. My son just graduated A School in Fort Lee.
Jan 28, 2015
olga
No problem with anybody's comments. That is why I'm here. For back and forth comments. Thank you for explaining this piece to me. It's wonderful to know about your son. Is he happy with the training? Is it what he expected? Anything you want to tell me, I'll be happy to hear. I'm going to rest now. I'm in Michigan and it is 10:49 pm. I have a workday ahead, but we'll continue this now that I've joined. I'll keep on tomorrow and the day after and so on... Good night DivontesMom!
Jan 28, 2015
HuskyMom
Hi Olga,
My son had taken 2 years of culinary school here in a vocational program thru school & he said the training was NOT what he expected at all! He did seem happy with it & he's off to submarine school now as he chose to be a CSS (2nd s for sub). He still seems happy with his decision.
Jan 29, 2015
MAMA_C
I like that pic therevbev! My son had post it on his fb wall. Now he is complaining he hasn't sunlight in 2 days. He got inspections coming and will be aweigh next month. The real work is coming!!
Jan 29, 2015
therevbev
Mama_Cevans , Since my son joined the aircraft carrier in Sept., he's only been topside 2 or 3 times other than liberty ports. I guess that is common for the CS. The deployment is only 1/2 over.... we are getting tired of this!
Jan 29, 2015
Michiganbelle
Jan 30, 2015
HuskyMom
Depends on the sub. My son was told the tridents only surface 7x a year. He's requesting to be on a fast attack as they are smaller, so have to surface more frequently. Not sure how often they surface. But I've seen pictures on FB with them all crowding around to get some fresh air and sunshine. it can't be easy for any of them, but I think they adapt after a while.
Jan 30, 2015
Michiganbelle
Jan 30, 2015
HuskyMom
I went on a tour of a sub in Buffalo. Our younger Sailor was supposed to go with us, but then he got shipped off to BC early. I'm glad he didn't go! The sub was TINY! Granted, we only got to see the 1st level so it's probably smaller than the others. That sub was retired in the 50's & I was told that all modern subs are larger than that one. I hope so. I don't know how they do it. But they do go to Sub school to learn how to cope on a sub. I just hope my son loves it.
Jan 31, 2015
jessies'mom
Hey Everyone,
DivontesMom my daughter just started bootcamp last Thursday and is attending A school in Fort Lee also.
Feb 4, 2015
HuskyMom
Congrats jessies'mom! My son graduated a few weeks ago & is on hold for sub school. :-) He was excited to have several people from BC with him. I'm sure your daughter will be several in BC who will also be going to Fort Lee.
Feb 4, 2015