Great Lakes A School Q&A

My daughter just graduated from bc 9/14.  She will be attending GL for A-school.  We only live 1 hr away so we were able to check her in and out Saturday and Sunday using the PIR Gate pass.  Can we also use this pass the next few weekends to check her out if she isn't working.

MamaB - No, it is only for PIR weekend.  You can have her walk to the front gate and you can walk back with her to her ship, but for her to leave base, she has to have a liberty buddy (two of them for phase 1).  Basically, Sailors have to stick together and keep each other out of trouble and safe.  She can put in a chit (a special request) for you to be her liberty buddy.  I have been my husband's liberty buddy since he got there.  I guess they figure a wife will keep him in line.  lol. 

Now, if you want to take a few Sailors home with you, you could have her invite a couple people to be her buddies and that would be all ok, they could all go with you.  There is a mileage limit, and it can vary by ship.  My husband's was 50 miles for Phase 1 and Phase 2 and now he's Phase 3, it's 300.  Of course, we live 59 miles away from base, so he had to get a chit to come home.  For the most part, the CPO in his ship seems pretty reasonable.  As long as you're "squared away" and doing well in class and not causing trouble, reasonable requests seem to get approved. 

So, we can no longer drive in to check her out like we did last weekend.  Fortunately, we live just under 50 miles so she was able to come home last Sat and Sun.  We would like to do the same thing the next few weekends she's there is she isn't working. 

She would have to put in a request for you to be her liberty buddy and you'd have to sign her out on the liberty log at her ship.  In order to drive on base you would need a gate pass, the PIR one is only good for PIR weekend.  I can't remember if the date is printed on it or the part you fill in.  She can come with you to get a gate pass at the Visitor's Center.  Really, it's up to her to get a chit or some liberty buddies to come with.  Isn't it great to be able to talk to them on the phone now?! 

MamaB - everyone's situation seems to be different, but I will tell you my experience.  I live an hour from GL, too.  My son arrived at GL on 6/23 as phase 1.  For him to leave for daytime liberty he needs either a parent or 2 liberty buddies.  We have had no trouble signing him out for daytime liberty. For phase 2, they need 1 liberty buddy or a parent.  My son just a week ago, got a chit to have one overnight liberty.  I signed him out and signed him back in.  No need for a liberty buddy. They have duty every 4 days.  So if he has duty, he is not allowed to leave his ship for the 24 hours.  So I am looking forward to the 28th because his duty days are Thursday and Monday, so he put in a chit to get 2 nights liberty.  I hope it gets approved.  Plan ahead, it can take several days to get approval. 

To get on base, it is different everytime I go up there.  If the visitor office is open, my son accompanies us to get a base pass for the day (need DL, insurance and registration).  Then we drive on with our sailor in the front seat.  We have to show them the id's for everyone in the car.  I have been on a Friday where they told me I had to walk on base to sign him out of his ship.  We have gone there when the visitor office is closed and the gate people filled out the gate pass for us.  It is hard to make plans because they can phase down at the last minute because they didn't pass their room inspection.  Very frustrating for mom when I have him so close and soon he will be leaving for SD.  I would have loved him to phase 3 because he would of had weekend liberty a couple times.  Oh well, I am happy for every minute I get with him.

Also, call him and tell him to start walking to the gate when you just get off the I-294.  It can take them 20 minutes to walk to the gate and I hate waiting for him :) when I am dying to see him.

Doreen

Ok Ladies, you are all making me very Jealous! My son's PIR was 7/20, and we were there, but we live in MA, so can't really see him on the weekends :(  You are all very fortunate!  I just keep counting down the days till Christmas when he gets to come home!

I know things can change, but I am just so grateful for the time I am getting now and yes, even texting and talking on the phone is just wonderful.   It's looking like already she won't be able to come home this weekend as she didn't get her chit filled out in time.  Would we be able to go down there to visit with her on base?

Also, as of yesterday, my daughter was still in indoc (I'm assuming that's kinda like P-days for bootcamp).  How long will it be before A-school starts? 

MamaB - I would just have her ask someone what she is allowed to do this weekend.  Is she able to leave during the day with you and come back that evening?  Is she allowed to bring you on base?  I guess the only way to know for sure is to have her ask someone.  There is a nice restaurant on base called Samuel Adams that had pretty good food.  I have also gone with my son to The Pier and had a quick lunch.  I was shocked we were allowed on base, so it has been pretty cool to actually go with him to his ship.  Also, for 4th of July everyone was allowed on base, they just kept civilians contained to the festival field.  Since we had a sailor with us, we were able to walk around. It was a really great day to spend with him.  My son had indoc in Charleston, so I am not sure how long it is here, but probably around a week or so.  Then my son had something called ATT and then he started gunner's mate A school.  I am happy with as long as it takes.  LOL  Normally, you don't want to be on hold, but I would love it if he was on hold for weeks after A school before he leaves for C school. 

OK This may be a crazy question, but I have to ask it anyway.  My son will be in GL for A school and asked me to please bring his socks and underwear when we come to PIR.  Didn't ask for anything else.  I've seen mention of having to wait for a time period before they get civilian clothes, but can they have their own underwear?  Didn't know how stuff got washed in A school.  If it is all still lumped together then do things have to be a certain color?  Thanks to whoever can answer this for me.

He will be thrilled :)   One of those small things we take for granted!

Yes - my son could wear civies within the 1st 2 weeks so you can also bring 2-3 pants & shirts - plus any comfy workout clothes like short pants, etc.  It will be cold their soon so perhaps a hoodie (but he might buy a Navy hoodie at the NEX).   If he wears contact lenses, you can bring those.   You'll get a chuckle, but my son couldn't wait to wear his own underwear again too :o)   On PIR weekend we bought him pod laundry soap, shampoo, deoderant, toothpaste ... (all the toiletries).    Have fun on his PIR!

Thanks for the info.  So how did they carry stuff in?  Garbage bag, laundry basket, just in a pile? 

We didn't know he could have his stuff so soon until PIR weekend so we had to ship it (pricey).  If you can, bring it to him at PIR.  Any method he can carry in the stuff works.  Not sure if your sailor will have room or want to store a suitcase in the barracks though.  If you are driving, you will have the room in your vehicle to bring it there and the empty home. 

Keep in mind, your sailor will be moving around to various bases perhaps and aboard ships. My son has been shipping clothes back and forth depending on his location and the weather. I can't believe they are allowed as much luggage as they take, but it can't be easy. I recall watching the documentary "Carrier" and seeing all the sailors getting off the ship with suitcases and dufflebags and backpacks. Whatever happened to traveling light?

This is a shout out to any Colorado families.  We have planned a meet & greet breakfast or lunch on 10/13 in Castle Rock. If you would like to attend, get details and RSVP on the COLORADO MOMS group at http://www.navyformoms.com/group/coloradomoms?commentId=1971797%3AC... 

Does anyone have a sailor going into AECF FC? I'm wondering if they have started their ATT? 

what do you wear to A school graduation?TIA

My son told me no one comes to A School graduation so we didn't make plans to attend.  He is actually graduating this week.  ;o(  Now I am envious.

Hardly anyone goes to A school graduation.  It really is low key and informal, and short.  Nothing like PIR.  More like handing out the certificates to a small group.  Do wear something nice enough for pictures.

I live here with hubby and didn't plan on going but he wants me there. He graduates 10\5 for FC. Being pregnant my outfit choices are limited so I just wanted to make sure I can scramble something up. 

I noted, in my son's A School graduation, there were some parents there and they received a certificate as well. I would have liked to have attended.

My son is supposed to graduate GM on 10/26.  We live near the base and plan to attend (if my son wants us there). Does anyone know if there is a limit on the number that can attend.  We are taking our girls out of school that day because we will be heading up to Milwaukee afterwards for a college open house.  I assume they are held in the morning?

You are allowed four. Your son should have listed the four on the form letter you received or about to receive.

Amber, I am planning on attending also.  I will have my sailor talk to yours and maybe we can ride or walk together.

My son graduated from A School, but does anyone know the next step? He knows where he'll be going, but I suppose it's a process. When does he come home? Will it be before he is to report to his fleet???? Are the travel arrangements taken care of? I just have a ton of questions and I feel left out of the loop. Help!

hi, can anyone give me more info about guests staying overnight on base (if this is even possible?) thanks! :)

meagan - thanks! yes it does help!

if someone in the military books a room at the hotel on base, can non-military people (friends and/or family) also stay at the room or is only that military person allowed to stay there?

Are you talking about the Gateway on base and not the lodge?  Because the military member can't stay at the Gateway if they are an A school student.  Civilian guests can stay at the Navy Lodge though.  

T-Dee... he may know where he's going, but he needs hard copy orders in hand before he's moved.  The travel offic eon base (SATO) arranges all the travel.  The orders let him know how many travel days he has, plus if he's authorized to take leave.  The Navy still arranged that travel home, although he has to pay for it.  You shouldn't be booking those tickets for him, let the Navy do it.  As for the timing, he may bot even know yet.  It is right before the fiscal year begins, so funding gets hung up, which is a lot of hurry up and wait when orders are concerned.

Thank you Anti, I know it's "hurry up and wait" when it comes to the military. No matter how hard I try to just let it be it's hard. My heart aches and I so miss him. He sounds great though and is excited, so that makes me feel better. Thank you again!

Hi all, my son graduated on July 6th 2012.  We recieved the Keel book last week but to our surprise it was for the wrong PIR week.  So i contacted the photo lab and found out that this happened to quite a few families.  So, if you have had any problems please contact the photo lab at: 1-847-578-6205.  They will want the name of your sailor and div. number. 

hi all, another question..!
my sailor asked me to look up/ask to see if anyone knows any info about if anything can be done when roommates are too loud after TAPS.
he tells me every night after they "announce to turn off lights and to maintain silence"his roommates are still up until 1 or 2 am playing music and/or playing guitar. does anyone know what can be done about this (if anything can be done at all)?

trriciaaa...I asked my son who is in A school your question and this was his response:

•  NMTIs are the Petty Officers/Chiefs in charge of the barracks. If they can't get their roommates to be respectful by asking them, the next best thing, tho it can be hard to do because nobody wants to seem like an asshole, is to talk to them and have them talk to their roommates.

• "Navy/Military Training Instructors"

Griff'sma - thanks for asking your son and tell him thanks for the answer! yep - that's what he's afraid of.. of being "that asshole" and/or being outcasted by the other three roommates but i will def relay this answer to him. 

My son's PIR was 7/20 - he will be graduating soon and heading out of GL.  We attended Sarge's meet & greet and found it very valuable.  Sarge gave us his phone # to give our son if he ever needed taxi service in the area.  We are so glad we did.  Our son has used Sarge's service several times. He's less expensive than other taxi's.   My son's girlfriend visited last weekend - her first time traveling alone - she said he was so nice and she felt safe - like a protective grandfather.   If your sailor is still in GL, Sarge is there and can assist.  Glad to know he has taken good care of our kid!!

How about sending your son some earplugs. A $2 fix. You're welcome.

Hey there - just curious if anyone has heard from their sailor in the barracks under review today?  The entire floor had to appear before the Captains Court.  If they get sentenced, the entire floor goes to the restricted barracks (like they are back in BC with no cell phone, computer, or school).  Bummer!  I am thinking positive but haven't heard from him. 

That's right ... Mast.  I couldn't remember what it was.  

He was not part of what went on - there were sailors who were not even in the bldg at the time and they are included in the punishment - don't matter, the whole floor gets the sentence.  It happend in August.  There were sailors who had graduated that week and have been held back to get the sentence.  He also mentioned the loss of pay and discharging.  We are hoping they only penalize those who did the deed but it's the Navy.    Stress!  He has wanted the military since he was about 10.  Bites to pay a price for anothers deed.

that is awful..what happened or are we not allowed to discuss it?

oh man that really sucks! =(

Well, from what he told me - it was something like what they do to football players as they enter the field.  Someone was leaving A School and they Hooyah'd them down the hall as they left the bldg.  He "thinks" someone slapped a rear as they passed but he's not sure ... no contact and no tollerance.  That's all he knows of it.  There could be more, but i am not privy to it and it and it's sad if that is all it is. Plus it happened in the 1st 3 weeks of his A school.  This has been looming for nearly 2 months

Hooray!  Just heard from my son.  Sad to say, yes - a few of the sailors got the hard core 45-day restrictions. The rest got a mark on their record for not reporting it (they didn't know it was wrong sending off a sailor with a hooyah), but no demotion or restrictions because they have kept their nose clean and done well in school.  If they had had any other incidents (drinking, bad grades, or misconduct) they would have been sentenced. 

It is basically considered hazing and how I described it below is exactly what happened.  A slapping of the rear got them all in trouble.    So my advice to you ... tell your sailor to keep their nose clean on and off base!  Everything you do gets observed by someone and they keep track.

a question about winter/christmas stand down for A-school... If, say for example, half the sailors leave to go home, does the other half that is still staying at school get twice the # of duties and watches to make up for the ones who went home?

Thanks NicksWife :o)  for more detail. I am just happy my son only received the slap on the wrist and mark on record.  I feel for the other sailors who are under restriction.  Good lesson for everyone else out there!  

My son comes home this week!  A-school is over for him and he's off to SD.  I may drop off here in a few weeks.  Glad to have known all of you and I will miss the conversation!