My son is also in Pensacola for Aviation Technition, perhaps the same as Aviation Mechanics?. He just classed up on Thursday, May 2. He's been stationed in Pensacola since Feb. 9th. So far, he is enjoying his time there.
Joleen I'm not sure. Mine will be working on actual mechanical parts of planes and stuff. I think yours will be more on the electrical side of fixing stuff. But they could end up working on the same squadron maybe! I would imagine a plane needs both electrical AND mechanical repairs right?
Need some information regarding the Division T-shirts from back in our "Boot Camp" days!
The website to order the Division t-shirts has been down for a while, looks like it's finally back up and running. Does anyone know/remember how to go about ordering the Division t-shirts?! My Son graduated on April 19th and we never had to opportunity to purchase one. I'd like to get one for our entire family.
Any information would be greatly appreciated! - Nancy
Hi Everyone! My son graduated boot camp on May 17, and is now in Pensacola for his A school. Looking forward to connecting with others on here who have sailors in Pensacola....:)
Hello, my fiancé is currently in boot camp and he graduates next Friday (may 31st) he's heard rumors of having to wait to class up once at Pensacola and has asked me to look into it i was hoping maybe someone here could help. He's an aviation structural mechanic. I'm not sure if that really even makes a difference. Thank you in advance.
Tisha find out if he is an AD-that stands for aviation machinist mate. If it is then mine got there April 22 and has been on hold. Still no news on classing up. :(
Tisha, my son is AM also. He got to base April 13 and classed up May 6. He was told before leaving boot camp that would be the date and it was. Hope it holds true for your fiancé!
My son graduated 5/17, ship 3, div 194, he is now in Pensacola waiting for school to start---I don't know all the terms, but I know he will be fueling planes on aircraft carrier---how long will he be in A school, he hasn't started any classes yet?
Debbie, my son graduated on 4/26. He is going to A school in Pensacola to fuel planes and work on carrier too. He is starting class next week. He waited for about 3 weeks and went to fire fighting training, the last few days he has been in a pre-class of some sort and he starts "real class" (whatever that means) next week and he says he will be done on 6/21. There's lots of waiting and limited information. We are now waiting to learn when he will know where he goes after school. Hope this helps!!
My son is supposed to go to Pensacola for AIT right after Pir (July 19th). He is in Aviation Ordnance. Any suggestions are highly welcomed. I am new to all of this!!
Is it unusual for those who graduated boot camp at the same time and attending the same school to class up at different times? What would cause one to class up and one to still be waiting?
Hello to all the mothers, my son graduated May 31st and he was sent to A school the next day, but it is a waiting list he is starting school June 16th and he told me that some of the kids are been there since December, everything is about what kind of job your sailor is going to performed so the only thing I think to do at this point is take one day at a time with your sailors, the good thing after PIR and when they're at A school you can communicate more often with them so be patient!!Good luck to everybody!!
Momlovesryan saw your question. My son waited 3 weeks and he cleaned everything and everywhere during that time and stood watch! The navy keeps them busy doing stuff like cleaning and painting and generally anything that needs doing!. Plus they have pt.
Pat (MP) - I don't know, yet. He's still in BC. All I know is that he is supposed to go to A School at Pensacola for AO. I thought it always started right away. I was also figuring the weeks I thought he would be home after A School. He's supposed to be there for 6 weeks. So, I guess I can't really figure out anything ahead of time, huh?
My son has been at Cory Station sice the begginning of January, he waited a few weeks to class up. He hated waiting and all the cleaning for busy work. He will be finished with school in just another week and a half :) now we are still waiting for orders and hoping he doesnt get placed on hold there and end up with busy work again. Try not to expect to much information and try to get used to it. They do things as they want and when they want, sometimes you get notice and sometimes not!
What is A School like? What is a day like? Weekends? How much liberty? Going off base? And, if you are supposed to go for 6 weeks - is there a graduation from there? Where do you go after that ..and/or for continuing training after that?
MomLovesRyan - It depends upon what A school your sailor attends. Try to find a group on N4M that has his program. My son went to A school for Rescue Swimmers.
Hi MomLovesRyan ~ My son just graduated this past Monday as an AT (Aviation Electronics Technician).
A-school was only a couple of weeks for him where they learned the very basics of their job. Then there was a bit of a wait to start "strand" (still not sure why it's called that) and that was the 6 weeks of classes to really learn the job.
During classes, wake-up was 5 a.m. for an hour of PT (physical training), then breakfast, then classes till 2:30 or so. Some days, PT was suspended, which my son loved - nothing like sleeping in (till all of 6 a.m. but hey . . . )
Then, depending on muster and jobs assigned, after class they might do work assignments, study, get extra help if they need, volunteer to tutor other students. Once muster is done, they have time to themselves, can leave base, etc. Most weekends are all liberty except once a month when they have duty weekend. Then, they have to stay on base in uniform, attend muster repeatedly throughout the day, and get job assignments and watches, or not, depending on what needs doing.
At the end, there's a graduation ceremony but nothing like PIR. A speech or two, commend the students, offer special recognition, take a photo, congrats. My son didn't mention anyone's family attending but it didn't sound like enough of a ceremony that a special trip to attend was necessary.
Normally (if there is a normal) they know their orders by the time they graduate, but since everything else has been backlogged, this was too. He still doesn't know where he's headed and no indication of when orders will come through.
The exception is that the top four students in each class get to pick their orders so they know right away where they're going, but there is often a delay in shipping out. Could be immediate departure, could be a week or more. Depends when they need them at their new post.
They do get leave to come home between shipping out and reporting to their new duty station. My son said 10 days if they're staying domestically, 14 days if international. There's also an option to volunteer at a local recruiting station while on leave and while that doesn't necessarily extend the leave, the days don't come out of their accrued leave time.
As aster alumni said, look for a group with your sailor's rate to get specific info.
Elicia ~SoCal Ohana - (S14/D141) - contact the redcross - when my son came home for his great grandfathers funeral (he was a Navy sailor too) so my son actually participated in the military service- he handed the flag to his grandmother which was a tear jerker!! Good Luck.
Well, I now know how it works in contacting the red cross for emergency leave. My husband's niece that is getting married next month had to contact them for her fiance to be able to come home. His stepdad that raised him passed away this morning. He was at home with hospice. She had to provide them the number for hospice so the red cross could verify she was telling the truth. He is coming home in the morning thru Wednesday. We are having her wedding shower tomorrow.
kawilde, enjoy the time with your son. The Navy Lodge there has waterfront views and comfortable rooms. There is a lot to do nearby, the museum and lighthouse both on base. Lots of good places to eat.
MomLovesRyan - are you planning to go to Pensacola soon? My son was there for A school, he is now in San Diego. I can offer suggestions, if you wish. :)
Hi kawilde and MomLovesRyan~ How excited are you to see your Sailor?!!? I agree with aster alumni that the Navy Lodge is a great place to stay - serene, beautiful views, steps from the beach, VERY reasonable rates, VERY helpful staff, comfy rooms with small kitchenettes or larger rooms with a two-burner cooktop so you can do some home-cooking for your son! A shaded hammock grove, barbecues/tables. I've stayed twice and have nothing but good to say about it.
My big advice is to CALL to book the room rather than book onlne so you get the leisure classification (as opposed to change-of-duty-station status, which means active military only and is the only way to book online). Rates are the same, just classified differently. And you'll need your Sailor to sponsor you by either showing his ID with you at check-in or going in advance of your visit to show ID. When you book, they'll ask you his name, rate and pay grade to verify you're all legit.
If a number of people are going, a tiny bit further down the road is Oak Grove Park, which boasts 1 and 2-bedroom cottages thisclosetothebeach and an RV Park. Again, VERY reasonable rates. Search online for the info.
As aster alumni said, the lighthouse (they offer ghost tours!) and the Naval Aviation Museum are literally steps away (the museum is fabulous!! And I think it's Wednesday afternoons that some Blue Angel Pilots are there to chat and take photos with). There's historic Fort Barrancas really close by (they offer tours too)
If you're a boater, there are rentals available at the marina a little bit further down the road; down the road the other way is Mustin Beach - a pool/clubhouse/playground open to all; stand-alone Starbucks; the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month they screen outdoor movies, complete with fresh-popped pop corn. The MWR center has a small food court and a big room with pool tables and arcade games, and I think a bar. Check out the MWR page for activities and info: http://naspensacola-mwr.com/
As for time available to spend together, it depends if it's a duty weekend or not, how phased-up they are determines whether they can leave base, etc.
Hi, I'm new to this group and am hoping someone can enlighten me on some things that have been on my mind lately. My son is leaving for RTC this Thursday, but I'm wondering about after graduation. When he arrives in Pensacola, I assume he will live on base but where? In a dorm type setting, an apartment or what? Do I need to start packing things for him to set up household? If so, when would I get all that and his tv and stereo etc. to him?
samsmysailor. Don't do anything. They don't need anything except maybe their laptop. You will take his phone and ipad, etc to the airport after graduation and that is all they need for awhile. There isn't any room for anything else. After you get his address, he will want some clothes and shoes to go out in. Oh and a swimsuit. Mine had to have his boots....100 degree heat and he wants his boots. Until they get into their dorm, there isn't much room for much.
they have to enter phase 2 to get to wear their civilian clothes. Depending on your sailor's rating, that determines where they go in Pensacola. It is a huge base. My son was on the NACCS side and had more restrictions as far as dress and what can be in his room. He is anxious to move over to the other side after NACCS for his A school. My son didn't take a thing to RTC so he didn't even send home a box. He threw out or donated the clothes and shoes he was wearing. After PIR we met him at the airport and gave him his phone, laptop, iPod, and camera. At P'cola they locked up everything except the phone until phase 2, which was about 3 weeks after arrival.
My son recently arrived in Pensacola, PIR 6/28, I am very confused in general. How long will he be on hold? How do they class up? Do they still move to the next phase if they are not in school? Greatly appreciate any input. Are there other groups on N4M.
Hi all! I have to say thanks for all of the information that has been shared here. It was really helpful! (My membership here just got approved today and my mom and I had so many questions.) My brother is waiting to start his AE training. His PIR was 7/3/13 and he arrived in Pensacola on 7/4. Sounds like it might be a month or two of waiting to class up.
Hi Wayne'smom 09/245! Yes they continue with phasing up even if they haven't classed up. My son is phase 3 but still is waiting to class up. I really don't understand the Navy's protocol if there is one for classing up. I really think it depends on what their ratings are and what openings they have for each rating. My son has been there since the 1st of June but others in his PIR group have classed up so....? I do know that when he got there they told him it could be about 2 months but he is considered a 'wet' candidate (rescue swimmer) and the 'dry' ones seem to class up much sooner.
Thank you abb1206 and mindshaper87 for the helpful info! I was wondering about giving those things to him at the airport as well after PIR and you answered that for me too!
My son is dry and said the wets class up wait is longer. He also said it depends if you are active, reserve, or FTS as far as when you class up. He arrived on June 1 and was told a month of hold. It was actually 3 weeks. He is supposed to finish NACCS this week and then move to the other side of the base for A school. He is anticipating a hold to start that as well. Hurry up and Wait is the motto!
Joleen
My son is also in Pensacola for Aviation Technition, perhaps the same as Aviation Mechanics?. He just classed up on Thursday, May 2. He's been stationed in Pensacola since Feb. 9th. So far, he is enjoying his time there.
May 10, 2013
Winski
May 10, 2013
nestevenspointwi
Need some information regarding the Division T-shirts from back in our "Boot Camp" days!
The website to order the Division t-shirts has been down for a while, looks like it's finally back up and running. Does anyone know/remember how to go about ordering the Division t-shirts?! My Son graduated on April 19th and we never had to opportunity to purchase one. I'd like to get one for our entire family.
Any information would be greatly appreciated! - Nancy
May 16, 2013
CherylAnn Ship 13 Div. 187
Hi Everyone! My son graduated boot camp on May 17, and is now in Pensacola for his A school. Looking forward to connecting with others on here who have sailors in Pensacola....:)
May 19, 2013
Tisha
May 21, 2013
Rows girl
May 21, 2013
Tisha
May 21, 2013
Winski
May 21, 2013
Tisha
May 21, 2013
SoCal Ohana
My daughter PIR'ed 4/5/13 and has been waiting for school to start for AD. Anyone have any info on when that could be? She is at NAS
May 23, 2013
SoCal Ohana
JUST found out that my daughter classes up 5/29!!!!!!!!!!! Wooohooo!
May 23, 2013
Debbie
May 23, 2013
Tisha
May 23, 2013
Tisha
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/abf.htm
May 23, 2013
Monty's Mom
May 24, 2013
Ilvmysailor
CONGRATULATIONS to all the Sailors graduated this last weekend!!Including my son !!
Jun 3, 2013
MomLovesRyan Ship 09 Div 266
My son is supposed to go to Pensacola for AIT right after Pir (July 19th). He is in Aviation Ordnance. Any suggestions are highly welcomed. I am new to all of this!!
Jun 3, 2013
CherylAnn Ship 13 Div. 187
Is it unusual for those who graduated boot camp at the same time and attending the same school to class up at different times? What would cause one to class up and one to still be waiting?
Jun 4, 2013
MomLovesRyan Ship 09 Div 266
If they have to wait to start A School, where do they wait and what do they do?
Jun 4, 2013
Ilvmysailor
Hello to all the mothers, my son graduated May 31st and he was sent to A school the next day, but it is a waiting list he is starting school June 16th and he told me that some of the kids are been there since December, everything is about what kind of job your sailor is going to performed so the only thing I think to do at this point is take one day at a time with your sailors, the good thing after PIR and when they're at A school you can communicate more often with them so be patient!!Good luck to everybody!!
Jun 5, 2013
MomLovesRyan Ship 09 Div 266
Di- So what what do these sailors do in the meantime while waiting for A School to start? And, where do they stay?
Jun 5, 2013
Winski
Jun 5, 2013
MomLovesRyan Ship 09 Div 266
Pat (MP) - I don't know, yet. He's still in BC. All I know is that he is supposed to go to A School at Pensacola for AO. I thought it always started right away. I was also figuring the weeks I thought he would be home after A School. He's supposed to be there for 6 weeks. So, I guess I can't really figure out anything ahead of time, huh?
Jun 5, 2013
Ilvmysailor
Yes, they keep the sailors busy even if they are not starting school right away it's plenty to do, my son told me he is always busy
Jun 5, 2013
Angie (ship02 Div905 PIR 12/21)
My son has been at Cory Station sice the begginning of January, he waited a few weeks to class up. He hated waiting and all the cleaning for busy work. He will be finished with school in just another week and a half :) now we are still waiting for orders and hoping he doesnt get placed on hold there and end up with busy work again. Try not to expect to much information and try to get used to it. They do things as they want and when they want, sometimes you get notice and sometimes not!
Jun 6, 2013
Skeeter4A5 ( Ship 02 Div 936 )
Jun 13, 2013
Ilvmysailor
Congratulations to all the future Sailors and to the proud Mothers!!! :)
Jun 13, 2013
Winski
Jun 14, 2013
MomLovesRyan Ship 09 Div 266
What is A School like? What is a day like? Weekends? How much liberty? Going off base? And, if you are supposed to go for 6 weeks - is there a graduation from there? Where do you go after that ..and/or for continuing training after that?
Jun 18, 2013
SoCal Ohana
Is there anyone here who knows what the procedure is for separation if your Sailor is recommended to be sent home for whatever reason?
Jun 19, 2013
aster
MomLovesRyan - It depends upon what A school your sailor attends. Try to find a group on N4M that has his program. My son went to A school for Rescue Swimmers.
Jun 19, 2013
martiheg
Hi MomLovesRyan ~ My son just graduated this past Monday as an AT (Aviation Electronics Technician).
A-school was only a couple of weeks for him where they learned the very basics of their job. Then there was a bit of a wait to start "strand" (still not sure why it's called that) and that was the 6 weeks of classes to really learn the job.
During classes, wake-up was 5 a.m. for an hour of PT (physical training), then breakfast, then classes till 2:30 or so. Some days, PT was suspended, which my son loved - nothing like sleeping in (till all of 6 a.m. but hey . . . )
Then, depending on muster and jobs assigned, after class they might do work assignments, study, get extra help if they need, volunteer to tutor other students. Once muster is done, they have time to themselves, can leave base, etc. Most weekends are all liberty except once a month when they have duty weekend. Then, they have to stay on base in uniform, attend muster repeatedly throughout the day, and get job assignments and watches, or not, depending on what needs doing.
At the end, there's a graduation ceremony but nothing like PIR. A speech or two, commend the students, offer special recognition, take a photo, congrats. My son didn't mention anyone's family attending but it didn't sound like enough of a ceremony that a special trip to attend was necessary.
Normally (if there is a normal) they know their orders by the time they graduate, but since everything else has been backlogged, this was too. He still doesn't know where he's headed and no indication of when orders will come through.
The exception is that the top four students in each class get to pick their orders so they know right away where they're going, but there is often a delay in shipping out. Could be immediate departure, could be a week or more. Depends when they need them at their new post.
They do get leave to come home between shipping out and reporting to their new duty station. My son said 10 days if they're staying domestically, 14 days if international. There's also an option to volunteer at a local recruiting station while on leave and while that doesn't necessarily extend the leave, the days don't come out of their accrued leave time.
As aster alumni said, look for a group with your sailor's rate to get specific info.
Hope this helps! Good luck to your Sailor!!
Jun 19, 2013
shirleyblack52
does anyone know when they be deployed at atsuga Japan to leave to go on the ship
Jun 19, 2013
towermom
Elicia ~SoCal Ohana - (S14/D141) - contact the redcross - when my son came home for his great grandfathers funeral (he was a Navy sailor too) so my son actually participated in the military service- he handed the flag to his grandmother which was a tear jerker!! Good Luck.
Jun 19, 2013
MomLovesRyan Ship 09 Div 266
Thank you aster alumni PIR7/27/2012 Div817 and martiheg. Good information!
Jun 19, 2013
ChambosMom
Jun 21, 2013
kawilde
II am so excited to be traveling to Pensacola thursday to see my son at A school. I look so forward to hugging him......
Jun 23, 2013
MomLovesRyan Ship 09 Div 266
kawilde - What is that like? How much time do you get to spend with him? Where do you stay? Where do you get to go on base, etc.?
Jun 23, 2013
aster
kawilde, enjoy the time with your son. The Navy Lodge there has waterfront views and comfortable rooms. There is a lot to do nearby, the museum and lighthouse both on base. Lots of good places to eat.
MomLovesRyan - are you planning to go to Pensacola soon? My son was there for A school, he is now in San Diego. I can offer suggestions, if you wish. :)
Jun 24, 2013
martiheg
Hi kawilde and MomLovesRyan~ How excited are you to see your Sailor?!!? I agree with aster alumni that the Navy Lodge is a great place to stay - serene, beautiful views, steps from the beach, VERY reasonable rates, VERY helpful staff, comfy rooms with small kitchenettes or larger rooms with a two-burner cooktop so you can do some home-cooking for your son! A shaded hammock grove, barbecues/tables. I've stayed twice and have nothing but good to say about it.
My big advice is to CALL to book the room rather than book onlne so you get the leisure classification (as opposed to change-of-duty-station status, which means active military only and is the only way to book online). Rates are the same, just classified differently. And you'll need your Sailor to sponsor you by either showing his ID with you at check-in or going in advance of your visit to show ID. When you book, they'll ask you his name, rate and pay grade to verify you're all legit.
If a number of people are going, a tiny bit further down the road is Oak Grove Park, which boasts 1 and 2-bedroom cottages thisclosetothebeach and an RV Park. Again, VERY reasonable rates. Search online for the info.
As aster alumni said, the lighthouse (they offer ghost tours!) and the Naval Aviation Museum are literally steps away (the museum is fabulous!! And I think it's Wednesday afternoons that some Blue Angel Pilots are there to chat and take photos with). There's historic Fort Barrancas really close by (they offer tours too)
If you're a boater, there are rentals available at the marina a little bit further down the road; down the road the other way is Mustin Beach - a pool/clubhouse/playground open to all; stand-alone Starbucks; the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month they screen outdoor movies, complete with fresh-popped pop corn. The MWR center has a small food court and a big room with pool tables and arcade games, and I think a bar. Check out the MWR page for activities and info: http://naspensacola-mwr.com/
As for time available to spend together, it depends if it's a duty weekend or not, how phased-up they are determines whether they can leave base, etc.
Have a great (and safe!) trip and enjoy the hugs!
Jun 24, 2013
Ajsmom (ship 13 div 269)
Jul 2, 2013
Ilvmysailor
They go to both airports Ajsmom (ship 13 div 269)
Jul 3, 2013
Rosemary
Hi, I'm new to this group and am hoping someone can enlighten me on some things that have been on my mind lately. My son is leaving for RTC this Thursday, but I'm wondering about after graduation. When he arrives in Pensacola, I assume he will live on base but where? In a dorm type setting, an apartment or what? Do I need to start packing things for him to set up household? If so, when would I get all that and his tv and stereo etc. to him?
Jul 8, 2013
abb1206
samsmysailor. Don't do anything. They don't need anything except maybe their laptop. You will take his phone and ipad, etc to the airport after graduation and that is all they need for awhile. There isn't any room for anything else. After you get his address, he will want some clothes and shoes to go out in. Oh and a swimsuit. Mine had to have his boots....100 degree heat and he wants his boots. Until they get into their dorm, there isn't much room for much.
Jul 8, 2013
mindshaper87
they have to enter phase 2 to get to wear their civilian clothes. Depending on your sailor's rating, that determines where they go in Pensacola. It is a huge base. My son was on the NACCS side and had more restrictions as far as dress and what can be in his room. He is anxious to move over to the other side after NACCS for his A school. My son didn't take a thing to RTC so he didn't even send home a box. He threw out or donated the clothes and shoes he was wearing. After PIR we met him at the airport and gave him his phone, laptop, iPod, and camera. At P'cola they locked up everything except the phone until phase 2, which was about 3 weeks after arrival.
Jul 8, 2013
Wayne'smom 09/245
My son recently arrived in Pensacola, PIR 6/28, I am very confused in general. How long will he be on hold? How do they class up? Do they still move to the next phase if they are not in school? Greatly appreciate any input. Are there other groups on N4M.
Jul 8, 2013
JustApril
Hi all! I have to say thanks for all of the information that has been shared here. It was really helpful! (My membership here just got approved today and my mom and I had so many questions.) My brother is waiting to start his AE training. His PIR was 7/3/13 and he arrived in Pensacola on 7/4. Sounds like it might be a month or two of waiting to class up.
Jul 8, 2013
nancynature
Hi Wayne'smom 09/245! Yes they continue with phasing up even if they haven't classed up. My son is phase 3 but still is waiting to class up. I really don't understand the Navy's protocol if there is one for classing up. I really think it depends on what their ratings are and what openings they have for each rating. My son has been there since the 1st of June but others in his PIR group have classed up so....? I do know that when he got there they told him it could be about 2 months but he is considered a 'wet' candidate (rescue swimmer) and the 'dry' ones seem to class up much sooner.
Jul 9, 2013
Rosemary
Thank you abb1206 and mindshaper87 for the helpful info! I was wondering about giving those things to him at the airport as well after PIR and you answered that for me too!
Jul 9, 2013
mindshaper87
My son is dry and said the wets class up wait is longer. He also said it depends if you are active, reserve, or FTS as far as when you class up. He arrived on June 1 and was told a month of hold. It was actually 3 weeks. He is supposed to finish NACCS this week and then move to the other side of the base for A school. He is anticipating a hold to start that as well. Hurry up and Wait is the motto!
Jul 9, 2013