AECF - FCs and ETs

Hello

My daughter also just arrived at C School SD.  I too am hoping to get out there to visit, maybe over the Christmas holiday.  Any advice is welcome, figure it'll will take a few months for newly arrived Sailors to get into a routine and get to know the area.

San Diego is amazing.  So much to do and see, so many choices of places to visit.  Be sure your sailor knows about the MWR discounts, and the many places they can go for free.  

Good morning, TGIF! I hope you all have a nice weekend.

Hi all, Chrissy's knee is hurting her again.

sorry to hear that Vicky

My son is on his first deployment, could I have some ideas what to send him. He asked for snacks and treats, and are there any guide lines. Thanks in advance

geokat5, double baggie anything that may leak, melt,...it takes awhile to get there, so be conscious of things getting stale as well.  I also learned form a Navy site that you have to use all 9 digits on zip codes or it will be returned.  Whatever you send, he will love it!

Don't send toiletries in the same package as food items.  The scents get into the food.  

Use flat rate boxes, do not insure them.  So not send anything valuable.

Send things which will hold up, some packages can take weeks to catch up to the ship.  There are several ways to pack cookies so they won't be crumbs. although they will still eat the crumbs!  Think pringles cans for holding snacks.  Chocolate and other soft things get melty, save those for winter months.  Powdered drink and electrolyte packs are desirable, send along a reusable water bottle too.  Gum, nuts, jerky, slim jims, hard candies, dried fruit or raisins or fruit leather, granola bars, power bars, but not the kind with a melty coating.  My guys liked tuna packets, ramen noodles in the cups or the kind in the square boxes, heat n eat things, and even ravioli in the pop top cans (which are a little heavy).  Peanut butter and pickles come in individual plastic cups now, those can be good.  Put everyting into ziplock bags, in case the package gets damaged, the things inside will be fine.  

Magazines are good, I sent my nephew off the wall ones such as Smithsonian, Archaeology and Popular Science.  He said everyone sent fitness/truck/hunting/sports magazines, so a change was good.  

Socks.

geokat5,

3 things i included in every box sent to my girls, chap stick, pocket size waterless cleaner and the little envelopes of drink mix to add to water.  also, if he has any favorite condiments, snacks, etc.  this is a good site to buy travel sizes.  you can order any amount.  i sent 1 daughter a bunch of packets of texas pete because she put it on EVERYTHING!

http://www.minimus.biz/

My daughter liked snacks from Nutsonline: http://www.nuts.com/

okay seasoned moms.  question for you.  How long does a Sailor stay at Indoc?  I have read that it could be days or months until A school actually starts classes.  Thanks much.  What about mail?  to Indoc in GL?

Thank you for your answers.  In speaking with my daughter yesterday, she indicated that there are more FC's than there is demand currently - she went on to say that she thought she would be at GL for about 18 months.  She also mentioned something about "long haul" FC.  I know what that means for me - as in "long haul truck driving" but I haven't heard in before applied to the Navy - anyone have any thoughts on this?  Thanks Much and have a good day!!

Only thing I can think of is the C schools for FC are quite long.

All I can think of is that the total training for FCs is quite long.  It was two years before my daughter got on a ship. That is why she had to sign up for six years, orginally.

Good Morning All:  does anyone know how long is ATT?  Is it based on the specific time as in it lasts 4 weeks?  or is it based on how quickly the student learns the material?

@Vanmom2013: My Husband is finishing ATT this week, and he is an FC.  ATT for him was 10 weeks. 

Thank you for the information.  Right now she is still in Indoc - will she physically move to a different mailing address once ATT starts or will she keep her current location?

Vanmom2013, Your SR will most likely move ships after ATT.

FCs are currently in night school from late afternoon/early evening until approx 11pm, and are the vampires on base, not the day walkers (what my son and his buddies called each other while in school). :)

They do try to house the  ATT, and A School students together by rating to not disturb each other. I understand MidRats is was the best meal of the day/night. :) 

She will keep the same location she is at right now through ATT, but once she is done, she will comp and move to another ship for A school.  

There are so many stages of the training BC to C school plus all the holds in between ( Hurry up and wait) New Moms, Don't worry so much about how long each stage is, just think of it as 2 years of college.

I am assuming that my daughter will text or call me if / when she starts ATT school.  Friends and Fam want to send small items.  Read where some of the sailors have started ATT this week but want to make sure I send stuff to correct address .   Ugh I know she is busy and tired but I won't send anythng until I know for sure.

Honor, Courage, Commitment. Our sailors are strong , smart, well-trained, and will come home safe. Don't Fear, Light a blue candle and pray, Mary.

"Courage is being sacred to death --- but saddling up anyway" John Wayne 

I understand, Mary. I will keep you and your son, his ship and all our sailors in that area  in my prayers.

Hi Mary, Navy Hugss to you. Hoping our brave sailors come home soon.

I am glad that you had a good time, MartiB_TX

My daughter will finish A school for ET in November.  She is working on getting a BEQ right now - do they apply for bachelor housing this far before going to C school - I don't think she even knows where she will be going yet.  She currently lives ashore with her family.  Would she have to do this if she is unhappy with her current roommates when she has duty?

I'm not sure what you mean with your question.  I assume her family isn't moving for her C school, so that means she will reside in the barracks (BEQ).  No way possible for her to "apply" for such a room until she gets orders, and then usually you just report in and get assigned a room in the BEQ.  Roommates are a gamble, some are simply awful.  Basically, you suck it up if they are.  Honestly, a roommate swap may or may not be simple.  I've been places where they allow room changes, at others, I had to request to talk to the CO (unusual circumstances).  Getting permission to live ashore would only happen if her family followed her to the new school.  Students rarely are given permission to rent offbase if not accompanied.  

There are a very few ET C schools which are not located at big training commands, and she might be placed in something like Gateway Suites on base... but she can't arrange even that without orders. 

Thanks for the explanation!  I was very confused.   Yeah, sometimes the chain of command at the BEQ can be slow as molasses when it comes to signing chits.  I've had more than one get lost on someone's desk.  The're supposed to be done in a certain amount of time, but people being human and fallible, can mess up.  It is very frustrating.

I hope she gets it resolved.

Oh Mary.  Hugs.  I hope they find them all.

Mary - I have goosebumps. Any news?

So far, three found alive and "stable".  Still searching for the other two.  

When the news reports slowed down, I knew the Navy was talking to the families before releasing information. So sad.

Sad news, the names were released today: May they Rest in Peace.

Fallen Navy Pilots were Family Men

My heart aches for these families and all their loved ones.  

Do be careful with the speculation here online.  Even rumor and guesses are OPSEC violations, and should be limited to private discussions.  

Wasn't talking about defining the act, talking about your speculation ... that definitely falls into OPSEC.  

" I am thinking by december now given the time it takes to sail back to San Diego. Lets hope its November,"

Just don't speculate.  Might seem like nothing to you, but little dabs of nothing add up.  I used to have a TS clearance, the Navy pounded this into my head and heart.  

A refresher:

✓ Donʼt speculate about future operations.

✓ Donʼt spread rumors about past, current or future operations or movements.

✓ Donʼt discuss deployment or homecoming dates (including Tiger or Family Day Cruises)

✓ DO assume the enemy is always trying to collect information.

I want to add I truly appreciate your effort to be positive and helpful, and hope you understand my passion for safety and security.  Thank you.

Thanks for the reminder, Anti M., "Loose lips sink ships"

Hopefully this is some awesome news we got today....Sailor should be headed to C school in either San Diego or Norfolk (I think he said)...I was so excited to hear this thinking he was headed off for 3 years sooner.....wooohoooo   Now to learn about C schools...:)  help???  and thanks  What a whirlwind this all is