AECF - FCs and ETs

Hi all, I heard from Chrissy. Lori, she said when she has duty on Homecoming, she can't leave the ship but her Uncle could come on board. Maybe your son could get you on his ship? And she has the day after off.    

I had a great weekend with my grandson Aidan. My new profile pic is of me and him on Sunday. He is almost 5 years old and very smart.  

Helen, you'll have to forgive me, dad made us play "name that thing" on roadtrips (also know as cross-country moves with the Navy).  Plus we have a huge bird refuge just north of us, we're on a major migratory path; I see pelicans here in Utah all the time around the Great Salt Lake.

Yeah, we took guests to Seaworld twice while we were stationed there, MWR ticket is $65 now.  The Zoo has gotten expensive too, but sailors in uniform get in free.  Since we lived there, I got annual passes.   Best bet if there is an "attraction" to see, check the MWR site for tickets, they're usually a bit cheaper.   La Jolla is marvelous, but there's no place to park. I like Point Loma and Old Town.  

BR549, awesome picture. Thanks for sharing.  I found one of R doing push-ups on the TSC page.  Made my day.  Actually made my week. 

BR549- that is a cool pic. I look on the Vinson FB page every time they put up new photos just hoping to see one of my son. I did when they had their first Morale Day and that made it more real to me that he was actually ON a ship. 

Vickyrun- I just got a call from my son and other than the sound delay I could hear him fine. I forgot to ask him about whether we will get to see him at all on the day of Homecoming. I would be so bummed if I have to wait a whole day later. Was Chrissy's Uncle allowed on board because he's military? Love the pic of your grandson- so cute!

BR549- that is funny! So you made quite a name for yourself! I haven't commented on the Vinson FB as we were kind of warned on the ships site that we could be traced back through comments and our real names and all our info found out and it might put our sailor in jeopardy. So that scared me from saying anything. Is your ship's site moms friendly?

Thanks everyone. No Lori, Chrissy's Uncle is not miltary. He lives in Virginia, and I am not able to go to Virgina, so I asked him to go in my place. But I don't know if he will. I have not haerd back from him yet.

 This is my sailor on the CIWS...No wonder they refer to it as R2D2. He posted, "oh yeah for got to say got 100% on the practical and finish in 5 min, the next fastest group in class took 35 min and the first group took over an hour. so we got to play with the gun for a bit."

Deb...just checking in before bed...and saw your sailor's totally awesome photo!!!

How cool is that! You must be smiling from ear to ear!

Here is my pic; Chrissy's ESWS pinning ceremony;

Vicyrun- what a great pic of your daughter! She looks very happy.

Deb- the R2D2! Congrats to your son!

My son emailed me to say he got through the 200 question advancement test yesterday. Won't hear how he did for several months. Also the ship had "secured" the washers as they had run low on water. Can you imagine being surrounded by water but being "low" on it! Once they open the washers back up there is going to be a mad rush of over 5,000 sailors trying to get in. My son said he was down to 2 days of clothes! 

Thank you. She is happy. She has wanted that pin for along time, since she was in GL.

Vickyrun...congrats to Chrissy....what a great smile!

Here's the latest...our sailor graduated C school in San Diego on March 6. Was told he would be flying to Norfolk on March 7 for post grad class in Norfolk, Va that starts on March 18.  Guess what? He's still in San Diego.  But hey...he's having fun "sweeping" leaves with a big push broom!  yes, a broom, not a rake! I told him that would make a great pic..."sailor sweeps leaves." LOL.

Thanks everyone for the comments on Logan with R2D2.

Congratulations to Chrissy! She is one beautiful strong woman.

Poor Logan posted last night that his day had begun at 1130 (night classes) and didn't end until after 2400 because his roommate had bed bugs & he had to clean all his stuff too!  Totally creeped me out.

ProudGMBarb - sweeping leaves? doesnt seem too efficient to me but then it is CA & the Navy...bawhahaha

Deb....bed bugs....yes creepy. Poor guys. Well, they did say they would have lots of experiences in the Navy!

navyblumom, does he want to be an officer?   It is pretty much yes or no, and definitely not for the money.  

ProudGMBarb- ahh yes the old "sweep the leaves with a broom" duty! My son was on hold for awhile in SD doing the same thing! But then he got to do other things that he enjoyed after a bit of leaves sweeping. So hopefully yours won't have too much of that. Maybe it's a "rite of passage" after C school?

what is STA21?

Lori and Maddie..... ha!  Sharing the broom...now ain't that special !!!

Wouldn't even give any hold time a second thought...that's the norm...except his little post grad class in Norfolk starts on the 18th.  We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Talk to you all then....it's time for sweet dreams now!

navyblumom, I am very biased toward being enlisted.  I was an ET1, as was my husband.  But more than that, my dad was a Masterchief, one of the very first in his rate. He was in the Navy for 29 years... took a break after WWII and joined again for Korea, stayed in for a good part of Vietnam.    So all my life, what did I hear about officers?  "I'd rather work for a living".

Officers are seen as having more prestige and privileges, and they certainly do pull more pay. They are in charge, but they don't get down and dirty hands on.  They have a lot of paperwork and are ultimately responsible for their troops.  The protocol alone would drive me mad.  Being an officer is seen by many as the ultimate goal of any sailor, but I have never thought so.   And then there's Knife and Fork school... ha!

That said, the very best EMO (Electronic's Department Head) we ever had was a mustang LT who had been an ET just like us.  He had worked on the gear, he knew what we did and what it was like.  (Mustangs are prior enlisted officers).

The Navy is effectively run daily by the chiefs.  You have no idea how disappointed I was choosing to separate after nine years....  if I had made chief, and I would have, my dad would have been beyond thrilled.

So ask your son if he's rather be an Ensign or a chief.  Both require leadership and dedication.  For me, it comes down to that choice.

what is knife & fork school?

Officers must learn impeccable manners.  They actually get trained on which fork to use in social situations, greetings, who sits down first at a dinner party.  There is far more to it that that, including formal military protocol.   

OOps...that would be CIWS.  Spelling it like it sounded on the phone. Close-In Weapons System.  Got a lot to learn and I thank each of you for all of your help and support.

 R's proud mom how long was your sons wait time before he got his orders to San Diego? My son recently graduated from A school he's a FC. My son wants San Diego too but knows it can be Virginia also. I would love SD it would be closer to where we live. Congrats to your son.

Hi Dorina, R graduated A school a few month's ago.  Actually it was the first week of Dec. Some in his graduating class got orders about a month ago. Holds are getting shorter.  He PIR'ed 4/29/11.  A total of 13 1/2 month's in GL. We live in Va.   So for me, it would have been nice for him to come here.  But, Va. wasn't in God's glorious plan for him.  Hopefully your Sailor will get orders quickly too. Hang in there.

R'sproud mom. My son talked with his PLR and they said maybe in May they would get verbals. He's really bored right now. All hes been doing is moving boxes of files to another room. I hope he gets orders in the next couple of months. Praying for San Diego. Thanks for the info. All this is new for me so I just read all the post and it helps. :)

Karla have fun!

Hi all....well....I am still learning!!!

Anti M...wish you could give me a crash course..."Navy 101 for Dummies"

Thought our sailor graduated from C school in San Diego on March 6 and was going to Norfolk for some kind of post grad class. The reason I thought that was because he told us he was graduating with honors and we were all excited! Well, I guess that wasn't the finish of C school. I guess they have different segments/parts or whatever!!! So, he is now in Norfolk for a short, but  I guess the rest of C school!   Supposed to "graduate" from that second week in April. Then will be home for 30 days before meeting up with his ship...USS Germantown.

Always an adventure and always more to learn!

C schools are many and varied, unlike the single A school.  ETs tend to go to more of them throughout their career.  

You should still be glad he graduated with honors!  Nice! 

Anti M...thank you...and oh yes...we sure are happy and proud he graduated with honors in San Diego! I was just pointing out my silly ignorance!!! lol.

Navybluemom...Thank you!  How long has your son been over in Sasebo? What ship?  I, too, have heard that most sailors like it there. He is looking forward to it. Says he wants to pick up "a little Japanese" while he's there. I said...you mean the language, right ?!!!!  He laughed!

Oh yes, it will be a big change from Arizona too!  Can't wait to have him home for that month!  He said he is working on getting his travel plans changed so he can leave from Phoenix instead of going back to Norfolk. It was set up Norfolk to Seattle...but it would be nice if he could go Phoenix to Seattle.

Glad you ladies are here! Thanks!

Dorina, our sailor grad A school for FC 10/7/11, got his C school orders 1/4/12, reported to San Diego 3/2/12, if that helps. He volunteered for several working parties during his hold, and also visited an animal rescue place where they played with cats for a couple of hours. His buddy volunteered for the stripping/waxing working party in his ship. Doing stuff helps the time go by more quickly and is more satisfying than playing video games, but each sailor has to make that decision. He loves San Diego, esp. the warm weather, the beach & volleyball, but mostly the freedom of being an "adult" again...he's 26. Hope that helps.

WhiteClay, R is also looking forward to that freedom that goes along with the move to SD.  Wonder if GL's is the only base where they need liberty buddies?  He also has a volunteer job that he loves.  Works in the command gym (think he called it that) eight hours ever day.  He is staying in shape working out with everbody.  Not sure how he got the job but he feels very fortunate to have it.

Well, used to be you didn't need liberty buddies for C school and at your new command.  But I hear differently now for Japan, and it may be based on paygrade.  I do think they have to have liberty cards in SD?  I just plain haven't asked lately.   

Good morning, I got an email from Chrissy, she finally got her birthday package that I sent Feb. 9th, her birthday was last month. Well, better late then never, huh? 

A well traveled package!  

Thanks so much for the info. He's doing different jobs trying to keep busy. Someone asked him the other day if he wanted to do leadership and he said yes. She told him shes leaving and thinks he will do great. I'll keep reading all the info on here and hope it helps me understand everything. Thanks so much everyone.

Vickyrun...so glad she received her b-day package! You've helped us to plan ahead...waaay ahead! lol.

navybluemom....gee thanks! I can feel another grey hair springing up! lol.

He really was talking about learning the language...but seriously... it would be nice if he met someone to share some time with while he is there. He is soooo picky...he knows what he wants in a relationship...and hasn't found it here...so maybe over there! He's a bit too serious, but in a good way. Still, maybe someone there can help him lighten up a bit!

Japanese girls are cute, charming, adorable and very agreeable.   Japanese men are not.  Which is why you rarely see female sailors with a Japanese boyfriend, but lots of male sailors with a Japanese girlfriend.  Leads to a lot of Japanese wives.  

My older brother married a Japanese lady and her parents disowned her for about 14 years.  When it was apparent that the marriage worked, her parents let her back into their life and the children were able to see their grandparents.  My niece is now very close to her grandfather.

My mother's cousin went to Japan during his miltary days and brought home a Japanese bride. She is a wonderful lady.

Navybluemom...yes I would think not being able to read the signs could prove interesting!

Well....now I'm having a bit of fun thinking about all the possibilities that might occur while he's there!

Hi, I am new here.  My son is graduating in two weeks.  He will be going to A-school for FC.  Does anyone know how long A-school usually lasts?  And do they ususally start A-school right away after PIR or is there a delay?

Thank you for the help. 

Wow, 18 months in Great Lakes.  He has only been there two months I guess we have quite a ways to go.  How long was he there before he got to come home for a visit?

before A school they'll go to ATT.  and sometimes there's a wait until ATT and then before A school.  A school lasts about 4 months, depending on holidays, etc. my daughter graduates from A school next week.  then, there's the hold until C school.  don't know how long that is, anywhere from 2 months to 7 months from what i've heard.

trandles...yup, you can figure over a year at GL. After boot camp is Indoc, then ATT, then A School.  We live in AZ, so that was too far for our sailor to come home on liberty during A school. If you live close enough, you might be lucky enough to see him occasionally!  Ours came home for visit after graduating A school, before moving on to C school in San Diego. He is in Norfolk now and should be going out to the fleet May or June...I think! He graduated bootcamp 1/14/11.

Also, length of holds varies and that affects how long they are at GL, A school, etc.

Welcome and all the best to you and your sailor!

Thanks for the info guys.  I sorry I don't know what these things are, but could you explain Indoc and ATT.  What do the Sailors do while they are on hold?  Do they still work at something.  I can't imagine the Navy would have them sitting around doing nothing.

We live in California so we are way to far for weekend liberties too.  I was hoping I might see him for the holidays though.