Parents of A School Sailors in Pensacola

tersatbi----when is PIR for your sailor?

Hello, My son is in A school for ABF. He said his classes won't start until next month. He has been there since 11-9. I pray that he comes home for Christmas.

So he just got there this weekend, Monday was a holiday....did he have INDOC yet?.....he should know soon when he has leave for the  holiday stand down...

This is what was another group about the holiday stand down from lemeonelephant): "your then Sailor will check in at his "A" School and fill out a chit and will be able to take about 10 days of leave sometime over the holiday stand-down period. All of the "A" Schools observe a holiday stand-down around Christmas and the New Year.  For most "A" Schools it will be at the close of business on the 12/20/2013 through 01/05/2014. That is the only time that Sailors are able to take Leave before the end of "A" School or training and one of the only times that a command will allow Sailors to go into the hole on leave days."

"Sailors earn 2.5 days of leave for each month of service beginning with the day they are sworn in at MEPS on the way to the RTC. They usually are not allowed to take more Leave than they have accrued, but they can usually take up to 10 days of Leave over the holiday stand-down, which may result in them "going in the hole" (taking more days than they have on the books). Sailors who do that may not have earned back enough days to take Leave again at the end of "A" School depending on how long the "A" School is. All Sailors who are already in "A" School before the holiday stand-down will be offered an opportunity to put in a chit to take Leave for part of the holiday stand-down."

My husband graduates from A School in February (not sure about the date), he is ATO. Anyone got some info on the graduation process for the family? I know PIR is a big deal and family attends, but is it the same for their A school graduation?

Kurts' mom - have you gotten any answers from anyone in this group yet from your message that was sent to us? 

Galvanfoxtrot - A School grad is not a huge production. I have heard it goes quickly but those that have attended wouldn't have missed it. When mine gets to that point I plan on attending if at all possible. 

After leave my son has 4 or 5 days left of A school in January then he will head to Whidbey Island.  Thank you for all of the insight to Pensacola.

Hi All, new here, my daughter has been in Pensacola since November 11th, just found this group.

Tracy, My son didn't get to come home for Christmas because it was very expensive. But Boise is a small airport so everything is expensive here. He already started classes and will graduate on 1-31-14. Lord willing he might be able to come home for a visit after that depending on his orders. My son is an ABF.

Hello everyone, my son just flew today to Pensacola, from chicago, he's soooo exited about it. and ready to start his new adventure.  Now he did say he had to stand by for two weeks... So what will he be doing meanwhile?

My grandson has moved on from P'cola A school. Checked into JAX NAS

I've enjoyed reading the postings, even though I've only posted a few times in my several months of membership.  It seems like it's time to move on from this group. May all your Sailors and Airman be safe and well.

'Fair winds and following seas' to all

My son graduated a week before Christmas.  He wasn't able to make plans to come home for Christmas because he didn't get his orders until a few days before graduation.  He said the graduation was short. He is still in Pensacola until March.  He will start C School soon.  In March he leaves for Hawaii and will be there for the next three years.  He hopes he may be able to come home on leave in February before heading to Hawaii.  He is a CTR.

Hey Pensacola A School Moms!  My sailor's PIR was on 1/17/14 and he left the next day for Aviation Avionics Electronics Technician (AT) training in Pensacola.   I would like to meet other Navy Moms who have had a sailor or who has a sailor going through the same training so I know what to expect. Please friend me or reply here/  Appreciate anything you can provide!

TexasMom - my son is Aviation Electrician (AE), I think virtually is the same? Anyway, he PIR on 10/25 and just classed up (started class) on 1/8.  From what I hear it is about a 4 month training program (depending on holds in between).  Hope that helps and congrats!

Mine left Pensacola for JAX NAS 1st week January. He's an AE and will be doing 'C' school in June. He's learning about p3 and P8 planes. Learn a lot from this group, lingo, training schedules,getting around in Pensacola and why he doesn't keep in touch as much as I hoped.;-) .

As he now has moved on, so will I. Fair Winds and Following seas to y'all.

My son has graduated from A School in December and C School yesterday in Pensacola and is now home for 2 precious weeks before he leaves for Hawaii in March.  It's been fun and informative reading your comments.  Good luck to all you and your Sailors!

Hi Navy Moms!  My sailor started A School for AT Avionic.  His class hours are from 1500 - 2300.  Does anyone else have a sailor doing that?

Hi TexasMom!  My son just started his basic electronic class yesterday and told me those will be his class hours as well.  He said that class is a month long then he will have a week break and then he will start class for this actual job (which he said is 100 days). His rating is ATI.  Oh and we're from San Antonio as well. His PIR was 1/31/14 so it looks like your son has been there a couple weeks longer than mine.

Hi Navy Moms! I just wanted to pop in and wish all new Moms' sailors good luck. My time here is coming to an end as my son will be graduating tomorrow and will be heading on to his new duty station in VA. I wish you all the best and Godspeed to your sons and daughters! Thank you to all who have helped me along the way. 

My son is IT, A school classed up a week ago Tuesday (2/11), and has class 0600-1530.  Staying for C school afterwards.  Anyone else have son/daughter with same?  

Hello, anyone have a sailor in aircrew candidate school that began Feb 24? Been waiting since Dec 3,2013 so wondering how long this part should be??

My son is leaving for boot on 9-9 then going to Pensacola as AC, anyone else have a child go thru this A school? Just wondering if he will stay in FL after A school.

Hi Amos and others,  My son graduated Nov. 1 from BC and flew straight to Pensacola where he was on hold in for 2 months. He started NACCS after the holidays and graduated at the end of Jan. (about 3 weeks of classes and PT). They get their AC rating at this time.  He is AWV. After that, he moved to the other side of the base and then after INDOC, he schooled up for his A school.  3 weeks of ATT (basic electricity) and then on to more advanced courses which is another 8 weeks.  He's there now, and graduates on May 5th.  He said he doesn't know where he goes next.  Could be SERE school, Jacksonville, Whitbey Island in Seattle????  Only time will tell I guess.  :-)

Hi Everyone.....was wondering if maybe someone could answer a question for me.  My son is at Great Lakes now.  He goes to Pensacola right after PIR.  I understand we will have very little time with our SR's so I was wondering if once they get to Pensacola if they are given liberty. 

I know someone else that graduated in December and was given liberty to come home before starting school in VA. 

Also, once they get to Pensacola, is there anything they will need....things I can start accumulating now?

Thanks!!!!!

Hi Pammy,

From my recent experience..... my son flew out to Pensacola early morning the day after PIR.  He was on hold in Fl, for 2 months.  It wasn't until Christmas that he was given time to come home for a week.  He schooled up right after he got back in January.I don't think they usually get much time off between grad and A school, if any.

Things they need.  Hmmmm

My son is in aircrew, and didn't want or need anything until after he went through NACCS and moved to the other side of base for A school.  All he asked for then was some civies and his video games and DVD's.  LOL

Texasmom..... My son PIR'd 1/17/14 and just classed up last Thursday. He also is an AT. I do not know his hours, he just gave me a short call this afternoon. He has been w/o a phone until today, he got his box that I sent him with a new phone. I would love to get to know you and other moms. :)

It's been a long time since I've been here, but I've read several posts on classing-up times, so thought I'd give my 2 cents worth.  

My son is AM  PIR was 11/22  He finally classed up on 3/14, so almost 4 months waiting.  He believes graduation is around 5/12.  We know nothing about orders yet, but they did ask him for his first 3 choices of duty stations.

Here is my question, and I've tried to piece together an answer, but would appreciate any extra info someone might have:

My son's first 2 choices are  located in Japan, and we live in Japan.  We thought maybe he would be able to take some of his leave (he hasn't taken any yet) between A school and duty station (I know this is not a given).  He said that if he took leave and came to see us that he would be responsible for the ticket to Japan and the navy would only pay from our house to the base. What I have read here is that he could had them pay for the ticket to our house, and we can just pay to get him to base…?

I don't know if he would do it anyway, we'll see.  But we leave Japan in June, so it would be sad to not be able to see him during that short overlap, meaning we'd have to go another year before we could see him again :(

Thanks for your input!

Pat, thank you for your information.  We weren't looking for a long leave (he wants to see us at Christmas, when we have the whole family together), just a chance to see him.  I believe that his 'home' is listed as his grandparents' place, as he lived with them before joining the navy.  It gets really complicated filling out forms if you have to list your home at an overseas address!

It would be nice to have him come for his brother's graduation, but we'll see how it all goes.  It is nice to get some in-put, though, and realize that it may not be completely crazy!

Any news on the fall out and discharges from the near grads of NACCS?

Thanks, everyone for your info, encouragement and support.  My son has moved on, having finished A school this week, so I will move on, too.

Thank you all for the information and encouragement over the past months. You have given a great deal of insight to a worried mom..We have now moved on from Pcola!

My sailor is excited about A school.  He loves the place.  Very happy!  

Are all Sailors considered AO's at A school?  My son stated he would be aviation electronics with flying options.  Maybe this falls within the larger AO umbrella?  Any help with lingo and ways to not look so duh is appreciated.

My son will PIR Aug 28th..ABH

Just dropping by to say farewell.  My son has graduated from A School (as an AM) and is headed, as a newly married man, to his C school assignment and PDS (same location).  Best wishes to all -- he greatly enjoyed his time in Pensacola, and I hope your sailors do too!

My son arrived last week and made AROC after two days. His voice is so hoarse when he calls me, I can barely understand him...lol lol #heshappy

mamag ship 13 div 265: Pensacola A school is not "another boot camp".  In the beginning he may have some restrictions, but he can earn privileges. The instructors are not in their face. They will still be learning and have tasks and physical goals to meet, but he should do fine. My son was there for about 6 months and really enjoyed it. The only tough part is if they don't have a vehicle. Once they get privileges to leave base (or even to get around base) it can be a pain. Best of luck to your sailor!

Hello all, I have a son going to A school in Chicago, however I also have a son(Marine) at school in Pensacola for aircrew for the last six months(thanks to falling off top rack first night and broken wrist) and he daily wishes he had joined the navy. They will very much enjoy this school if they follow the rules, nothing like bootcamp or the marines there, my son states that the navy gets to do averything lol, movie theater, cars eventually, bowlling and the beach on base takes about 20 minutes to walk to. My marine wanted me to tell them  they are about to go to an absolutely beautiful place and that as long as they act like grown men and women they are treated as such. Good luck to you all and I sincerely hope you all get to visit them. The beaches of Destin and surrounding areas are breathtaking, and we life in SW Florida...

ANYONE FROM THE FT.LAUDERDALE AREA DRIVING UP TO NAS PENSACOLA IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO SEE THEIR SAILOR? I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE BUT DONT WANT TO ALONE. LET ME KNOW