AECF - FCs and ETs

Chrissy went to Dahlgren. I agree with Denise, he is going to need a car. Chrissy bought a 2012 Honda.

Chrissy liked C school, she liked the teachers , much better then the ones in A school. She said the housing was better, too. She liked  Virgina beach.

Of course, she is always going to miss the mountains. One friend said there are mountians in VI. I said Not the Sierra Nevada mountains of Califronia. No matter where the Navy sends her California will always be home.

Thanks mommajill!  R's PIR was the same day.  Date for his A school graduation was the week after Thanksgiving. He told me last night that some from his A school class got orders and that he could get his real soon.  I guess the hold time in GL's is getting shorter!!!!

Jay,

Average total time spent in GL counting bootcamp, A school and holds, etc. has been about 1 year. To give you an idea for ATT and A school, the following is taken straight from the AECF contract page:

FC: ATT approx. 9 weeks, A school approx. 12 weeks.

FC A School:  3 semester hours in solid state electronics; 3 semester hours in electromechanical systems; 3 semester hours in digital circuits; 2 semester hours in microwave fundamental; 1 semester in electronics laboratory; 1 semester hour in digital laboratory; 1 semester hour in radar maintenance.

ET: ATT approx. 9 weeks, A school approx 17 weeks.

ET A School: 3 semester hours in basic electronics laboratory; 3 semester hours in AC circuits, 7 semester hours in solid state electronics; 3 semester hours in electronic systems trouble-shooting and maintenance; 2 semester hours in electronic communication

Hope this helps a bit.

Both ET and FC schools are long enough to qualify for a paid move for dependents.  Of course, he has to earn his liberty privileges like all the others, but that gives him time to submit his Live Ashore packet in order to get permission to live offbase with you.  He should get started on it ASAP after he checks into his A school, the Monday after PIR.  He has to get on top of the situation and pursue it.

In the meantime, you should prepare for a move, toss, donate or sell everything you don't need.  Make a file to keep with you at all times of important papers and certified copies of birth certificates and so on.  

R's mom, so our kids probably know each other.  I will pray he gets his orders soon.  I know how waiting can be.  We all do.  Where are you from?  We are in Arizona.

Anti M, I saw your pics when I first signed up for n4m in 2010.  When did your kids go to bc & where are they now?  If you don't mind me asking.

Denise, how much did it cost to visit all those tourist sites?  We want to see them cuz we have never been to that part of the country.  And who knows if we will ever have a chance to go again. So we want to try & see all that we can while we are there, but worried that it will be more than we can afford.

Mommajill, hmmm... two acquired kids, and it has been a few years.  The gal made it to her first command and was given a medical discharge, that's been several years, seven?  She was an MA (and I knew the Navy wasn't going to be good to her).  My ET is on his second enlistment, so six years or so.  He's in Atsugi with his wife.  I didn't actually get to have kids, so I acquired them! Which is why I don't have the dates locked into my head.

My nephew is an EM2 nuke on his first sub, so just over three years.

And both hubby and I were ETs, back in the Dark Ages.  Great Lakes has not changed all that much, except the liberty phases are stricter and a few other details. LOL, like the new uniforms.  The holds are the same.  My dad was Navy too, and some of his experiences are as relevant now as they were in WWII.  It really takes a multi-generational family to see the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Perfect Denise!  Thanks so much!  We love history too.  We want to see all those places you did.  Thanks again!

Anti M, that's funny and so true.  Now I understand why you know so much.  Awesome!  Thank you for your service and for continuing to serve now by helping all of us moms, wives, and girlfriends.  So nice of you! 

I saw the comments about places to visit in Washington and thought I'd mention another. We have lived outside of DC for decades. I live in MD but DC is easy to get to from the metro. Definitely make a day [ or 2] of seeing the Smithsonian. Lots of museums to visit. Plan out what most interests you. There is the Art Gallery, The Natural History, American History, Air and Space to name a few. Of course the Lincoln Memorial, National Cathedral, National Monument all downtown. If you are interested in news there is the Newseum which you do have to pay for but a good visit. Also the Spy Museum is wonderful [ have to pay for that]. Google and plan as there is so many things here to take advantage of. The National Post office. Library of Congress, I could go on and on- and that's just in DC. If you went further out like Denise said there's all the battlefield. Harper's Ferry in West VA is an awesome place to spend the day if you had time. If I can help in anyway please let me know.

Thanks Lori!  I gotta go now ladies,  talk to ya later.

Hey mommajill, we actually live in central Virginia, used to live in Va. Beach area and  have family there. Orders in Va. would be nice for this mom but, it's not about me.  Never been to the west coast and would love a reason to go there.

R'sproudmom, I agree it is never about us Moms. I realised that when I got The Box. My kid has disappeared! She belongs to the Navy now. I have no control, I can't change anything when she is upset with the Navy. I have to use tough love; "That is part of the job" I say.   She has got 3 years + 3 months more to go , then if she still doesn't like it she doesn't have to reenlist.

yeah at what she is all upset about was made public yesterday;

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/16/2645215/us-navy-selects-destr...

Spain!

Son made ET3 yesterday. I was so happy for him and asked nicely for a picture. When I reminded him he sent a picture of the insignia and when I asked where he was, he said behind it.  Sense of humor is good, but he knows I would love pictures.  He sounds so upbeat.

Odi....Congrats to your new ET3 !  Yes, we sure do look forward to pictures, don't we? I keep reminding our guy the same thing. I forgot....where is your son? In C school?  In San Diego? Norfolk? or out in the fleet? sorry...it's hard to keep up!

Vickyrun..is she attached to one of the four selected ships? Looks like this will take place in 2014 and 2015 ? Interesting.

Oooh, Spain.  I do like it there.  But then, I chose to visit, not be sent there far from family.  How much longer will she be on her ship?   

My daughter is in love with a Spanish man and hopes to live in Spain (she spent a year there on study abroad) Hoping my son gets orders for one of these!

Yes, that is her ship; the USS Donald Cook.

It is a small Aegis destroyer,   

Son is headed for C school at Fort Gordon - thanks proudgm

I chose West Coast/Japan and got Diego Garcia, and that was as an ET1!

Sand Diego is a big homeport, so chances aren't bad.  

where do I look on facebook for pics

Anyone looking for the TSC fb page, here it is:

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

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thank you everyone for the information!  It's hard to believe that my daughter has been enlisted now for 10 months!  I want everyone to know this page has been a lifeline for me.  Thank you all for helping me get through these 10 months!!!  She knows she may not get what she put down and I know her life is the Navy now ever since she signed the papers.  Will be checking the TSC facebook page for pictures.

That wish list is a big joke. Our kids don't have  a choice. The Navy shouldn't do that stupid wish list. Our kids need to learn right away that they will go where the Navy needs them. And when the Navy tells them to go. That is part of the job.

But you never know - what if the wish list happens to match the Navy's needs? They are told the Navy's needs come first.

Actually, it is called a dream sheet... and no, out of A school, it makes little difference.  However, they NEED to know how to fill one out when they hit the fleet, because the detailers do take it seriously as possible for the next set of orders.  They cannot always fulfill the requests, which happened to me once, but I have also as good results getting one of my three dream picks.  And the place I didn't want to go was where I met my husband and love of my life.  So we should all dream on ....

anyone know which building the ET/FC A school class is held in?  we are surprising my daughter a day early and want to be waiting outside when she gets done with school on that thursday

Anti M...you've got the right attitude!

Ari'smom...Wait/hold times will always vary some. You could get a general idea from how long others waited, but you just never know!

Our ET sailor graduated A school toward the end of Sept. 2011 and got his C school orders around third week in November 2011.

Was great because he got to come home for Thanksgiving, then reported to C school on Dec. 2. Then he came home again during Christmas Standdown. It was soooo good to see him.

Vickyrun and Anti M. I agree. The Navy will try to give you your "dream sheet wish" but in the end. You will be assigned to where you are needed. 

I believe that things happen for a reason Anti M. Although you didn't get the orders you would have liked. , you got your dream man. LoL

duhhuh... you may want to try and call the school.  We always had to march in formation back to the barracks.   We did not "straggle" (leave individually).   The Navy and surprises don't mix.  I assume you're retired military or you couldn't get on base, yes?

Thank goodness for Anti M !

I forgot about them "marching" to and fro everywhere!

Duhhuh...another thought..you can post a question about what you'd like to do on TSC FB page. They always do a great job in responding very quickly to any questions.

Just wondering...didn't Chief Angie also post on this forum? or was it just on the GL school forum? Haven't seen anything from her on here lately, so I thought I'd ask. Anyone hear from her lately? We could always count on Anti M and Chief Angie to provide clear, accurate, and no beating around the bush answers! Love them both!

She still posts, but now she is retired Navy!

AntiM,

no, not retired military but i do have an id card as i take care of my 3 1/2 year old grandson with middle child is out to sea.

i did post to the TSC page.  maybe we'll just wait outside her ship for her

Helen, sounds so exciting.  We have so much to look forward to. Please keep us posted and that means pictures too.  If possible.

Arismom - son graduated mid January and got orders about a week ago - he was not expecting to hear yet but was thrilled.

Helen - what a life changing thrill!  I searched the facebook page and found A school grad to share with grandparents. Son does not realize the pics make us tear up! Now I will look for advancement pic

Helen - wow!

Helen...I've got goosebumps right along with you! Sooooo exciting!

Love the smiling pic!  Have a wonderful reunion!

They will love the sky diving....our sailor did it before he went to bootcamp! Just him, not us old farts...no way! We were just spectators!