Parents of A School Sailors in Pensacola

Let's chat about our "A" School sailors.
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  • Becky

    Does anyone know if NAS PNS flooded last night? Son's car is there, but he is in SERE and doesn't know about the floods in Pensacola. Any info will be helpful. Thanks.

  • Diana(PO3/IT3)

    Becky....I don't know how flooded it got but my daughter showed me a pic of several of them swimming (literally) in a flooded field near her barracks. Later that afternoon (yesterday), there were still big puddles on many paths and roads but it looked manageable.  Where is your son's car? I can text or call her today and find out. She's at Corry though, not the main NAS.

  • Becky

    Son't car is on NAS near Barrack C. Is there some way I can call the base to find out. I hate for you to go to any trouble, but the pictures on the news didn't look so good.

  • Diana(PO3/IT3)

    Becky, news photos sometimes look worse than the situation really is. I'm sure you could call NAS and they would direct you. I looked for a number but couldn't find one. But here is the email address for the public affairs office.....it's a start:

    Email Public Affairs Office: nasp_pao_webpage@navy.mil

  • Paula

    Becky, I asked my sailor about the flooding. He assured me no cars floated away on Pensacola NAS this weekend. He said there was floating cars in town, but not on base.

  • Becky

    Paula, thank you so much for this information. My son will be picking up his car with a very short time to get to JAX and I just wanted to warn him if there had been flooding. You have really helped!

  • Paula

    I could use some ideas, ladies....my sailor is in limbo at Pensacola for a medical deficiency (which really surprised all of us because he is very athletic and fit).  He's feeling kind of down and discouraged and I want to do something to cheer him up, but don't know what. He can't have food in the barracks, he doesn't have a vehicle so his ability to go someplace is limited and they don't really have anyplace to keep "stuff" so I don't want to send him things that would accumulate. 

  • NancyS

    My son just arrived at Pensacola yesterday.  PIR was 7/13.  Any other newbies in this group?  He called tonight so hopefully we will be able to hear from him more frequently.

  • Sailor12

    My sons PIR is 8/24..will they fly out of Midway or Ohare..I got a late flight out of Ovate for Saturday but I want to spend sometime with him at the airport. R we able to wait with them?
  • NancyS

    My son flew to Pensacola out of Midway on 7/13.  The civilian who gave them their tickets told them they could not have anyone meet them at the airport, but our son called at 5 am (using his phone card) and said he was free until 5:30 pm.  His flight left at 7:00.  He had to stay within 10 miles of the airport.  So we hightailed it over to the airport, picked him up and spent the whole day with him.  We also handed off to him his computer and phone and he has been able to call every night.  

  • Sailor12

    Thanks NancyS that helps me out, at least I kind of have an idea of what might happen, just hoping he will fly out of Ohare instead...but at least I can give him his cell phone...that makes me feel better..
  • NancyS

    Does anyone know of a good photographer to take pictures for a wedding in Pensacola?

  • NancyS

    This group is not very active Nrainygrl.  My son has been at the base since July 14 and he just started his school.  He is currently just taking some basic classes right now.

  • midagirl

    Hello. My son arrives at Pensacola today, and I was just wondering if anyone knows if he will get any liberty while he is there? We were thinking about flying out to see him, but not sure if that would even be possible. 

  • proudmom

    midagirl yes after the first couple of weeks they will start getting liberty. We have went to see our son and he was able to stay with us in our hotel for the whole weekend. there is also another group on here that has more activity http://www.navyformoms.com/group/sailorsinpensicolaflforaschool?xg_...
  • trishblues

    Hi all. My son arrived at A school Oct 7, CTT glad to find this site. Is the amount of time they wait to "class up" different for each job?

  • Vallie62

    My son's PIR was 12/21/12...he will be going to A school in Pensacola...he was able to stay with us until tomorrow.  He will be headed to the base tomorrow, any inside information would be greatly appreciated.

  • destinee

    Hello everyone my SR is PIR 02-01-13 I would like to know how much liberty they had after they graduated so I can book my flight..should we stay till Sunday or leave that Saturday can someone let me know from there experience
  • Sonya

    Congrats to my new sailor!!.He graduated on Friday 12/28...made to Pensacola, Florida on yesterday..
    Will someone please tell me what to expect and how is it there?
  • jomama

    My son has been in A school since October- they have more free time and can go off base. They are allowed a lap top and a phone so you can communicate with them more- however they are very very busy with physical training, school and studying so we actually hear from our sailor less than in boot camp! He was allowed liberty and is now home with us for 6 days- I am one happy Navy Mom!

  • Angie (ship02 Div905 PIR 12/21)

    Hi everyone, my son arrived in Pensacola on the 30th for CTT school. Hasn't started yet, i guess they are a little backed up. Said he may not start for a month or so :(

  • Kat Ship4, Div806

    I have a question, My son will PIR 2/8/13.  He will be in Pensacola for AIRR (Aviation Rescue Swimmer).  We plan to go visit on 3/29-4/7/13 for spring break.  We are planning to stay at the Blue Angel Campground which is just off base.  I have heard that they are not allowed any liberties off base for a while after they arrive.  Can anyone who is "seasoned" tell me if this is true?  If it is our plans may change and we may pay the extra to stay on base at the other campground.  I would just like to know as it is double the cost for the place to stay.

  • Angie (ship02 Div905 PIR 12/21)

    Kat, when they first arrive its phase 1, they wear uniforms all the time and don't have liberty, phase 2 i believe they have liberty with a 10pm curfew, phase 3 they can leave overnight on weekends. I believe you phase up every couple of weeks, its also based on their conduct, like anything else it can be taken away or suspended. Hope that helps :) and if anyone has better info please jump in.

  • Kat Ship4, Div806

    Thanks Angie, would no liberty in phase one mean no visitors as they have no free time at all like bootcamp basically?

     

  • SoCal Ohana

    My daughter will be beginning boot camp in Feb then going to A School in April for Aviation Machinist Mate - can anyone tell me how long A School is? I know it will vary, but a range?
    Thanks!

  • SoCal Ohana

    For those who have been through this before do they get to choose what type of aircraft they want to work on or is it chosen for them? Where do most AD sailors get stationed?

    Thanks! :)

  • JDShip12 DIV086

    Hi All,

        My SR is scheduled for PIR on 02/01/13 ( Ship 12 DIV 086) and will be heading to A school in Pensacola for IT. Can anyone give me some tips about what we can expect when he gets there? Will they let him call so that we know he made it there?

  • Austinsmom (Ship 12 Div 079)

    My oldest finished A schoolin Pensacola for CT and he was able to call any time.  Or course when he wasn't in class, etc...

     

  • Austinsmom (Ship 12 Div 079)

    We will be at PIR Friday also.  My youngest is in Ship 12 Div 079.

     

  • JDShip12 DIV086

    See you there Austinsmom. Thanks for the info. Did you already get your I'm a Sailor call? We are still waiting and praying and watching the phone...

  • Austinsmom (Ship 12 Div 079)

    Yes, got our call yesterday around 3:45 GL time. That seems to be the magic time for these calls.  Hope yours comes through today!  Thougts and prayers are with you.

  • debramod

    good morning!  My son arrived in Pensacola for AO A school yesterday and I have some questions. when will I hear from him? can I send a care package and if so any suggestions on what to send?

  • Paula

    debramod- my son was in A school at the main base in Pensacola. For the first few weeks he wasn't able to leave base, but everything they need is there. They can't have food in their rooms, so if you want to send a care package- make it stuff like letters, magazines, gift cards to Subway & Starbucks (they have places on base). There are amazing beaches there and a world class aviation museum too. If you have the opportunity to visit him while there- there are two excellent inns on base that he can get you a room at for a reasonable amount. Once he can leave base, there is a Checkers and IHOP right outside the base. There is taxi service to the mall and so forth, but lots of times there are others with vehicles willing to drive. If he likes baseball, there is a AAA team in town (Wahoos). The Navy also has a cool recreation area for the sailors with mini golf, disc golf, sailing and so forth. There is a golf course on base, but my son said it's mostly for officers. If he's going to be at Corey, there is a bowling alley. Good luck to him.
  • SouthCarolinaProud

    @debramod. My daughter has been down in Pensacola for 3 weeks now. Her 3 e week she was able to leave base and in a couple of weeks she will phase up to phase 3 where she can leave base on the weekends without a buddy and doesn't have to report back till Sunday nite. She was able to have food in her room they have a microwave and mini fridge in her room. I don't know if different barracks are different from each other. When she leaves off base now they don't have to be back till midnight. Plenty of things to do on base (NAS).
  • SouthCarolinaProud

    @Lulu. Classing up means waiting for the actual class to start up. They are behind right now or u could say backed up and it's taking longer to class up or begin class. My daughter is a AO and she heard that there was 200 sailors ahead of her waiting to begin class. Different rates might start sooner or later. Your sailor will know as soon as they get down there. Plus I heard that C- school that some have to go to after A school are much smaller than A school and they can't handle as many sailors at a time so school gets slower because of that too. I am learning about everything too. Don't feel bad. My daughter's PIR was Jan 18. 2013. And I am still learning it all. But they will love Pensacola. :)))). Hope that helps.
  • martiheg

    Hi lulu ~ I SO understand all about being impatient for info!

    My son has been at PCola since mid-November and, because of a glut of recruits with his rate (Avionics Technician) he still hasn't classed-up, meaning begun his A-School classes. Based on some friends who arrived a month before him who just classed-up, he's expecting to start in the next few weeks.

    In the meantime, when they're on duty they have to report for muster (roll-call) a few times a day, where watch duty or any other jobs that need to be done are assigned. Here and there they can also take watch classes, where the various watch duty requirements are explained/taught. They can also apply for Performance Team (rifle, flag, etc).

    Once a week they have room inspections. They can have food in their rooms, and do have mini-fridges and microwaves (and large Tupperware containers for the huge amount of take-out food they order in, lol). Many many local food joints make regular deliveries to the base. 

    My son ended up on the paint crew, and they work every day till around 2:30 - 3:00, then wait for liberty to be called, where they'll have the rest of the day to themselves.

    There are 3 phases of liberty: Phase 1 is they remain in uniform when off-duty, cannot leave base for liberty and must report back by 10 pm. After a few weeks, they phase-up to Phase 2, where they can leave base for liberty in uniform but must return by 12 midnight. Phase 3 is when they can wear their civilian clothes (civvies) on liberty, leave base and not have to return back till Sunday night (as SouthCarolinaProud/ship12/div062 also posted).

    Depending on their rotation, about once a month they have duty weekend, meaning they work all weekend, and then have the remaining weekends of the month as liberty. 

    There is a MWR Center (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) which is a place to use computers, play video games and billiards, get some fast-food, hang out. There is also a movie theater on base and a good-sized Navy Exchange and food court (with Starbucks). There's also a larger Navy Mall about 10 minutes away at Corry Station.

    In my son's barracks, they have lounges with couches, TVs, etc that they can use to hang, play video games, etc.

    If you decide to visit your recruit, there are some very reasonable options on base. A couple of weeks ago I stayed at the Navy Lodge and it was fabulous! The view from the balcony was beautiful - through some trees was the sparkling Gulf. Very serene. (Though be prepared to be an early riser ~ except for Sunday, those Navy jets take off at 7:08 am!!)  There is also an RV park and  1 and 2-bedroom cottages to rent (again, very reasonably priced) both right on the beach.You can Google or Facebook Navy Lodge for their info, and for the RV park/cottages, search for Oak Grove Park.

    Hope this gives you some info to go on! Good luck to your SR, hope they do well on Battlestations (what a tears-of-pride-inducing phone call THAT was!) and enjoy PIR!!!!

  • Christi/Zach's mom

    Good morning all - My SR graduates 3-15. I am new to this forum and have a couple of questions.  I attended a dinner for moms last week in my area and was told that the schools are behind. They also said that he would be stuck in GL waiting for an openning in Pensacola.  After reading the comments here, it sounds like he will go on to Pensacola and wait there for his classes to start (Aviation Ordinance)? 

  • SouthCarolinaProud

    @Christi/Zach's. my daughter's PIR was 1/18/13 and she has been down in Pensacola since the day after PIR and is still waiting to class up. She is a AO also. They told her 2 1/2 months to wait to class up. So good luck. :))))
  • Christi/Zach's mom

    Thanks SouthCarolinaProud.  He is not a cold weather person being raised his whole life in NorthTexas.  I know that he is ready for some warmer weather!

  • Christi/Zach's mom

    Does anyone know what fast food places are on the base? I want to send some gift cards to my sailor who arrived yesterday since he will be there for about 5 months.
  • rams26mom

    Christi/Zac mom-  My son said there was a pizza hut that delivers, taco bell and subway.  Also there is a Hooters and Olive Garden that they also take cabs too. Also a mall with a food court.  Check with your son, he will probably have a microwave in his room.  They are vending machines available but they are expensive.  I sent popcorn, poptarts, and other snacks. Individual drink mix (propel/crystal light/ or mio) are great for their water.   Also included paperplates and plasticwear.  He will not be able to go off base for a few weeks. 

  • Christi/Zach's mom

    Thanks Rams26mom- I figured there had to be places he would have access to in these first few weeks.
  • Chele ship 12 div 048

    I am going to see my son this week and looking for things to do while we are there for the week. We are staying at the Navy Lodge. Also good places to eat.
  • martiheg

    Chele ship 12 div 048, first of all, the Navy Lodge is a fabulous place to stay! (I was there end of January and going back in May). Beautiful setting right off the beach, BBQ and hammock area to relax, small bagged breakfasts-to-go, a small convenience shop for amenities, friendly and attentive staff, spotless. The kitchenettes are handy to have and some of them have a cooktop as well, so cooking homemade for your Sailor is do-able! (No oven for baking though).

    The Lodge is right next to the lighthouse (they have tours) and across the street from the Air Museum (well worth the look!). Though I didn't find this out till the end of my stay, you can also use the beach club right down the road (has a pool). There's historic Fort Barrancas on base and they have tours as well. If you're a boater, you can rent boats down the road from the Lodge.

    Historic downtown PCola is packed with shops and restaurants and makes for a pleasant day of walking; nearby Pensacola Beach will be a lively trip during Spring Break. You son should LOVE the scenery then! The beach itself is pristine fine white sand and gorgeous. Though I didn't go (I was happy to chill and hang with my son), there's a living history restoration village in the area that sounded really interesting. 

    Restaurants my son has raved about are The Fish House (excellent food and sushi set right on the marina with beautiful views. Nice Sunday brunch too); Flounders (in PCola Beach. HUGE appetizers, good food); The Mellow Mushroom (yes, the ambience is what it sounds like. Former Flower Children prepare for flashbacks, lol), Beer World has food and just about every brew you can think of; Nacho Daddies for great Southwestern; Hopjacks pizza kitchen and taproom. 

    Hope that gives you some direction. Have a GREAT stay and enjoy the time with your Sailor!

  • Chele ship 12 div 048

    Martinez that's a great list of information. Thanks so much
  • martiheg

    : D

  • Nurse navymom (ship 14 Div 162)

    My son just finished basic and will be arriving in Pensacola tonight! He will be in aviation machinist.
  • Rows girl

    Hi nurse navy mom. My bf got to pensacola a week ago and he too is an aviation machinist. The hold for classing up is about a month right now.
  • Nurse navymom (ship 14 Div 162)

    Thank you, Rows girl! My son said he sould be c alling me later today to let me know how today went and all.... I don't think he or us were expefting the delay for class start up, so thank you for that heads up!!
  • Winski

    Hello, I am new to this group.  My son is in A school in Pensacola for Aviation Mechanics.  Is that the same as Aviation machinist?  He has been there since April 13 and is supposedly classing up Monday.  He is in the Nimitz barrack (Bravo barracks I think they are also called).  Anyone have a sailor there?