AECF - FCs and ETs

Love the picture Mary!  Thanks for sharing.

So many good things happening here.  Love reading all about it. Will get there some day.  My Sailor finishes up A school tomorrow.  Not sure when he actually graduates with the holiday coming up. Has anyone on here ever requested TSC on FB to take pictures of graduation?  I don't see many pictures of FC's on there.   

Your son should know when the ceremony will be, and there will be individual pics posted of each graduate. I actually saw my son's twice in a week because his "ship" at A school was named after the USS Cole and they had a special ceremony to remember the attack on the real Cole, and pics of the ceremony were posted.  Keep checking the TSC site!

@ Mary, Proud Mom....

It has recently come to my attention that I have a list of where I would like my son to be posted and my son has a list of where he would like to be posted and that they don't always coincide.  However, since he is still in boot camp he has time to rectify this situation so that my vacationing requirements are met.

Or not.

I suspect not.  :-)

.

You know the saying "don't get mad....  Get even"?  Well, how about "don't get jealous....  Get packing"?  It could work.  What's he gonna do?  Turn his dear, sweet mother away?

Maddie,

TSC = Training School Command, Wish they existed on facebook while our son was in GL but we did get even and showed up at his graduation after not seeing him for eight months.  Graduation from A school can be as simple as a handshake and here's your certificate or if they are guests in the room --- the sailors get to hear a speech or two!!  

Jacqueline - you are funny.

We did look at meeting the ship in Tahiiti, they are actually doing a Tiger cruise from there to Hawaii but my hubby (former sailor) had NO interest in sleeping on a ship again so we forced ourselves to make reservations for 10 days in Hawaii  :-0

Hello to all. Sorry I have been absent for so long. I'm in school and my son happy in SD C school. I've been so busy I haven't gone on here. Now I have a question. Paul graduated from C Oct 27th. He is still waiting for orders. Of the 12 in his class just him and a female sailor haven't been given orders. He's an ET-4 and now that he's anxious I'M anxious. Has anyone had this happen to their sailor? I knew not to plan anything for the holidays figuring I wouldn't see him but he said if his orders haven't come in by Dec he would have stand down. Then if his orders come through while he's home [ we live on the east coast] then he'd have to fly back immediately to SD. I feel like I'm back to the early days of the "wait and don't plan." Any ideas from you moms that have been there done this?

My daughter graduated A school October 28th and is currently on hold in GL.  She is working in the PR office and takes pictures of the A school graduations for the TSC facebook page.  It is keeping her very busy but she loves it.  We did go to the graduation and they gave certificates to all the family members.  One family had over 20 people there all the way from Arizona.

Lori, curious if those that received orders were fleet returnees or new C school students??  I would not read too much into it, they can sit and wait for days and bamm in comes those orders.  Chances are if he does get orders before the holidays, he may get a chance to take leave before reporting to the ship and IF in port, ships also have holiday standdown leave in two cycles so if he still has leave available, he might be able to take leave. 

P.S.  Wait and don't plan will be part of the lifestyle as long as he is Navy :-)

@ R'sproudmom....

Just noticed your question.  They do try to get all the graduation pics.  If you are at graduation they actually stop to make sure you get your picture along with the TSC facebook pic. 

Maddie... if you haven't already found it, here is the link to facebook "Training Support Center"

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Training-Support-Center-TSC-Great-...

Mary, they are all new ET's. It seemed the orders that came in first [ before school was over] were undesirable ones. Then they trickled in after that. I of course tried to apply reason to it and that didn't work [ like all the FL orders, all the SD orders]. Apparently there is no money [ so he says] for over seas orders but who knows. It just makes me wonder why they would hold off on giving the last two sailors their orders so late in the year now. All of his class mates will be leaving after Thanksgiving and he doesn't even know where he's going. Can't be a punishment as he did very well. Placed towards the top of his class. 

Thanks GoldnG8r.

He did say that his graduation should be a week from Friday.  I will be checking it out all day long. 

Need help to understand. I know this particular question is usually not your area of concern.  Most of the groups I'm in deal with the beginning of the sailor making process.  We've come up against a situation that we can't find an answer to.  I was hoping someone here could help us. The form letter that I got from my SR last Fri says he in div 908.  This boy does not sing, dance, or play a musical instrument.  I've never seen him play air guitar with any intensity.  What is he doing in a performance division.  Then someone heard from somewhere that they are probably in a staff division.  Ohhh, of course, a staff division, I should have thought of that.  What the sam hill is a staff division?!?!?!

We are having a lovely time in our little ship02 div908 discussion group.  We are fresh and inocent with wonder that we now have our own little discussion group.  Just think how thrilling it will be when we actually figure out what the heck our children have gotten themselves into. 

Anybody, help, please.  What's a Staff Division?

Jacqueline....just in case you don't get an answer here, you might want to ask your question on the RTC facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand

or directly on the bootcamp website:

http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/

Hang in there!

Maddie...yup, I'm grandma!  sorry for the delay in replying. I won't be on the forum much during the next few days. Our sailor is home for Thanksgiving!!!!!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Day everyone....

Helen, does Matt do this as a FC, ET or something else.  

I have a question for you ladies.  Thinking about getting R a red lense flashlight for Christmas.  I had read on here that Gerber brand was nice and have found quite a few ranging from twenty to four hundred dollars.  Is it something they have to have  and is it required on ships?  Is it best to invest and get a more expensive one?  Anyone? 

Where do they go after A school ?

R'sproudmom...We bought C the Gerber Recon M II Flashlight.  It was $118.89 on OpticsPlanet.com

but now it doesn't look like they have that one in stock.

Don't know if you'd be interested in this one, but here is the description:

Gerber Recon M II Flashlight is a tough military flashlight built by Gerber to provide an efficient hand held LED light with an integrated color changing lens system that allows for a quick tactical change of filtered lenses. This tactical
flashlight features a rugged lightweight aircraft grade aluminum flashlight
body with Type III hard anodized black coating. The Gerber Recon II Military
Flashlight sports aggressive knurling on body, head and tail cap for a solid
grip and ease of use while wearing gloves. This tactical LED light is water
resistant for use in all conditions. This Gerber Flashlight is an ideal
military light and tactical signal light.

@ jellysmom... A schools are in Great Lakes.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Awesome photo Helen -  Love those action shots!

I am not familiar with the Gerber flashlights but I would say if they are required on the ship, the ship will supply them. Sounds like a nice gift for those that appreciate a good flashlight.

Jellysmom - after A school, they will be assigned a C school.  C school length and location is determined at the end of A school.  C schools are not located in Great Lakes, so your sailor will be moving to a new location.  Some of those C school locations are in in San Diego, Norfolk, DamNeck, VA, Dahlgren, VA to name a few.  ETs and FCs go to separate C schools.

NavyBluMom, happy for your family today as you enjoy having your sailor in the house.

We are hoping for a call from the South Pacific  :-)

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful not only for our sailors but this site and my new friends

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

Helen, you are right. We are so blessed with such wonderful ladies in this group and on NFMs.

Jelly'smom, that is big question, LoL. They will go to (C)school after (A)school. Where they go depends on their rate and what system they are working on. They will either go to (C)school on  the West Coast or the East Coast.

My son is an FC and he is going to C school in Dam Neck, VA

nancy,

what ship is your son on?

Nancy - how awesome for you and your sailor!  Helen, I think one of those calls should have been mine!!!  LOL

Gotta love those sailor phone calls from afar, especially after so many months of not hearing their voice.  First time I got one after four weeks of not hearing Nick's voice, I sobbed and he kept saying...mom, what's wrong?!  Sometimes they just don't understand they we ALWAYs are moms!

We did not get our phone call yesterday but we did get to chat for almost 30 minutes via facebook so we are smiling and we were able to schedule a phone date for next week.

USS Battan is definitely breaking some records for this deployment, hate it for the sailors and their families.  Makes a six month deployment seem like a walk in the park...well maybe not a walk!

NavyBluMom -- Japan?!!!  Love it!  He will love it!  You will hate the distance but between Skype, email, facebook, etc.  you will ALMOST forget he is that far away!  Did you share what ship he is going to?  Nick was born there but has been to Yokosuka twice in the past year or so and I think if he could get orders tomorrow for JN - he would.  When does he report to the ship?  I know you must be saying...wow.

Hope everyone is enjoying their "black Friday"   I have to be in California on Tuesday for annual convention so I'm off to the hair salon - need a serious haircut and (stuff).  Have a great day all!

Nice NavyBluMom ...for him and they do celebrate Christmas in Japan but New Years is really special there.  

My hubby and I moved to Japan on December 23rd, my folks were crushed that we left before Christmas but we were young, in love and so anxious to get to Japan.  We tried to find a few decorations for our house but everything was sold out both at the base and on the "economy"  we finally found one wooden raindeer who still graces our Christmas tree each year.

So happy to hear from son last night - he joined other sailors at their home for a wonderful home cooked meal.

my Daughter is in ship 02 Div909 I'm just wondering if anybody knows how long she will be at her A school for some reason she is thinking a year and a half for AECF. I didn't think the A school was that long.

Jellysmom, my son is an FC. He was at Great Lakes from June 15th 2010 when he arrived at Boot Camp to September 9th, 2011. This time includes hold times and ATT plus (A)school. My son Graduated from (A)school, May 6th 2011. He was on-hold until he left in September. While he was on-hold at Great Lakes, he got a job as a SNUFI. (student not under formal instruction)  

I really recommend that your daughter apply for a Job while she is on-hold after Graduating from (A)school. This makes the time on-hold go by faster.

Vickimed, wow, how time flies. How does your son like being at Sea?

BR549. How is your son?

I think it is safe to say that if your son or daughter is an FC. You can expect them to be on hold for 3 months after (A)school.

Hello,

My son is going to bootcamp in a week. He is a AECF rating. I know his A school will be at Great Lakes. When will he decide or know if he is ET or FC? From reading the posts it looks like his C school will be determined by whether he is ET or FC. Sorry if this has been answered but I didn't see it anywhere.

McJane, your son will find out whether or not he will be an ET or FC during the last half of boot camp. When my son was in boot camp June 2010, he was told during week 4-5. Things might have changed since my son was in boot.

BR549, congratulation to your Sailor. What is Bravo School? I am glad he is finished with (C)school and going to his ship soon.

My son is still in (C)school in Dam Neck VA. He seems to be very happy there. Last week he tripped in the dark and broke his little toe. (of all the things to happen, LoL)  He can't run for 6 weeks so he has been doing a lot of swimming for his PT.  His (C)school will end sometime in May or June. 

I am so happy your son will be coming home for Christmas before heading to his ship

. My son will be coming home for Christmas too. I know that this will be the last Christmas together for awhile. I bet he will be in the middle of his deployment next Christmas.

Thank you everyone for answering my questions it was very helpful.

@Sandy Sailors Son - Thank you. I have a zillion questions but it seems sooner or later most are answered on here.

gmansmom, you are correct. There is only one (A)school for ETs and FCs and that is Great Lakes.

C schools are: San Diego, Duhlgren VA, Dam Neck VA and Norfolk.  Of course I am sure there are more (C)schools that I have not mentioned.

Just plan on your son being in Great Lakes for awhile. Once your son is out of boot camp you will be able to talk to him more. He can share the cost of Comcast Cable with his room mates. Signing up with Skype is a great idea. It is Free and you can make calls on your computer for free. Technology is great:)

McJane and Jellysmom, feel free to ask as many questions as needed. There are lots of really wonderful and helpful families on here. No question should be thought of as stupid.

Thank you and I will ask as questions come up. We are looking forward for this next phase of his life to begin. I am going to miss him but I know this is what he wants to do and I am very proud of his decision to serve.

Do you get to pick where you want to go for your C school ?

From what my son has told me. It all depends on the Navy's needs. Not so much what your grades are anymore. I am not saying that a Sailor should be happy with bad grades because that is not a good attitude. A Sailor should strive for the best. No one in my son's (A)school class got the orders they wanted. Everyone ended up getting the exact same orders. My son got to go to (C)school with all of his (A)school class mates. Along with his boot camp shipmate.

Almost everyone of my son fellow classmates requested the East Coast. That wish was granted.  Funny how things work out.

My son told me that in his (C)school. The students with the top grades will get to pick their orders first. Their instructors said that when the time comes. They can work it out amongst themselves as to who is going to get what. 

Hi everyone...checking in while our sailor is visiting with other friends and relatives. It's been sooooo good to have him back home after that long year at GL.

So...I might be repeating some things that have already been said, but I see you all have been chatting about C school stuff.

I agree with Sandy that top grades are not always the only deciding factor in whether our kids get to go to the C school location of their choice. In addition to the Navy's needs, it also depends on what system/s they will be studying. Different C school locations train in different systems.

The other thing that "can" impact hold times, is what month they graduate A school. The fiscal year ends September, so their is hardly any budget left, and holds can be longer at that time until funds are replenished.

I can only speak from our ET's experience. He'll be going to San Diego  C school Dec. - March for one system or subject, then to another C school in Norfolk for another few months for another system. Then off to the fleet. He expects and is looking forward to attending more C schools. I remember Anti M saying that as an ET she went to quite a few C schools.

He too, got super grades, and only missed graduating with honors by some crazy fraction of a point. Good grades still matter, so continue to encourage your sons and daughters to do their best.

All our kids accomplish sooo much in such a short period of time...they amaze me. I'm so proud of them all !

Thanks for all the extra info! We live in california & am trying to figure wout when I will see my son again after PIR 1/13/12. I guess after "A" school I can only hope one of his "C" schools is in SD. Just a few hours from us. Will keep watching this discussion group as BC rolls along. :)

Remind them top grades can potentially earn them a little extra liberty. Maybe.  

Hi gmans mom - my ET's PIR was this past January - he ended up on hold prior to ATT school and again prior to A school...he won't graduate from A school until late January or early February 2012. He did get 4 days off for Memorial Day and Labor Day - But with the length of travel to California and cost...wasn't worth coming back for two days of actual time here. We went to Chicago and visited him over Labor day and he was able to stay with us at the Navy Lodge (Great place to stay  for PIR BTW) all four days and saw us during off hours other days. He is coming home for Christmas 12/16 through 1/2 - this is his first real chance to come back to California. Everyone is a little different and hold times vary a lot. We are hoping for a San Diego C School...but most of his friends have ended up in Virginia. We still have our fingers crossed though.

Hi McJane - I saw you were mentioning when you would know about ET or FC. My son found out about three weeks before boot camp ended. There was no choosing involved...at least with his group. He got ET and really wanted FC, other friends we made in that group had their kids get FC when they wanted ET. It seemed more of a case of pulling the names out of the hat rather than anyone choosing. Did seem to be far more ET's then FC's...at least in his group.

Thanks for the info. I am sure he will be happy with which ever one he gets. I am the one that is more anxious.