Great Lakes A School Q&A

Oh geez.  I was one walking onto base in Japan and got waved forward because I had the green ID card.  The Marines were checking the expiration dates on all dependent ID cards, so the woman who had been two steps ahead of me got held back for a moment.  we both got the to crosswalk at the same time and she made a nasty remark about how she didn't like being treated like a second class citizen to her friends, but it was for me to hear.  I whipped around and said in my best carrying voice, "You look young and healthy, enlist!"

Most spouse are just fine, but there's a few who are sooo precious.

That FB is funny, but pretty mean.  

well my son was told he needs to take class for att school all over he wants to go undesignated cause his rate is not what he thought and they told him he has no choice even though the chief told him his asvab scores did not qualify him for IC maybe he was off a point he did do his test 3 times maybe one of three was enough to qualify him his first asvab he failed his second he scored high and such a difference they made him go to meps for the 3rd one so im guessing one of them qualified him i think he has problems with testing  he went to career counselor and they told him no to undesignated

He signed a contract, he has to honor that contract.  He has to at least  try to get through the training, if he fails A school, then he will be offered other options, not before.  Sorry to hear he is struggling.

How do I address a care package for my Sailor?  He gave me the address for where he is (A school in GL) But I'm wondering if there is a certain way to address his name.  I asked him and he just said, "put my name at the top, it doesn't matter" He is in ATT classes right now in A school... Thanks! 

Title (such as SN or FN), Last name, first name

for example:

SN Jones, Davy

If he has a super common name, you can also add the last four of his SSN behind his name.

my son is one week into a school in gl hull tech is there a group for the hull tech or a certain ship?

Hi, I haven't been on here since my son got out of bootcamp so it's nice to be back!  I am heading to G/L in the morning to spend the weekend with my son for his birthday.  Can someone PLEASE tell me how to get a pass to drive on base/school?  Is there a form I download?  Is it even possible?  Thanks to anyone who can guide me in the right direction asap!  My prayers are with all our children and loved ones that are so proudly serving our country!

At GL A school it is VERY easy.  Drive to the gate with your Sailor in the car and request from the attendant to get a day pass.  You have to give your ID, Sailors ID, registration and insurance...no big deal

I should have added the Visitors center was already closed when we got there

They are supposed to submit the special request chit before marriage while in A school.  Mostly a way of informing their chain of command, a way for the Nay to screen for fraudulent marriages, and a way for them to get the information they need about having a dependent.  They may be directed to take a class or go to pre-marital counseling.  Some schools come down on them hard of they skip the chit.

Can anyone tell me how long A school is for an Engineman rating please?

I am late responding but Anti M is correct, my SR was able to visit during the PIR weekend.  His ship ended up being the closest one to the Gateway, he was able to walk over on Saturday morning.    The Gateway was very nice.  We had the suite that had a nice recliner-my SR enjoyed this.  We did take him off base to check out the scenery-that was weird for him-but he enjoyed it.

Anti M thank you for answering, that was my understanding of what to do. I know I shouldn't get irritated but it is frustrating when people steer others wrong. There were a few people who were adamant that its not of the Navy's business and they can not tell you what to do. I said it was a sign of respect and why not stay on the good side of your chain of command.

Once they get to the fleet, it becomes none of the Navy's business, although if a sailor doesn't support his dependents, the Navy will step in.  However, while in training, the sailor does sign a page 13 disciplinary sheet stating they will follow the rules as given.  They includes not getting married that weekend, and I am fairly sure it covers during A school too.  I haven't seen it in person, so I'm hedging a bit.  Rules have changed since I was there.  Used to be true, sailors could do what they pleased as long as they kept their noses clean on duty.  That's loooong gone because, well, young people can do damn dumb things!

Thanks.  I was pretty sure that was when the chit was signed, but wasn't 100% on the timing.

Hello Everyone :)
My husband is getting ready to graduate on 5-3 and I was referred to this group.
May I start my journey on here with a question? My husband will have about 2 weeks from PIR until his classes start. What happens in that 2 weeks? Does he stay on RTC side or TSC side?

He will be on the TSC side, on hold.  He will be earning his liberty privileges, standing watch, cleaning.  They keep them busy.

Thats terrific! I was thinking he wouldnt earn liberty privileges til his actual A school started.

Next question, Because of Phases in A school of earning liberty privileges i think he will still be in phase 1 during Memorial Day weekend. Could I still go visit him but stay on base the whole weekend? What about Memorial Day specifically since it is a holiday?

When i said stay on base i guess i should have been more clear. I meant hang out on base with him and then go back to my hotel to sleep.

As long as i can see him and spend time with him that is all that matters. 

I guess I had Navy Lodge in mind for my visits but what do you guys think about Navy Lodge vs Gateway Inn? Distance wise from TSC, quality of rooms, price, cleaniness, etc, etc... what would you guys prefer and why?

The Navy Lodge is very close to base, just a hop, skip and a left turn at the white picket fence. It actually sits on base in the family housing, but is not behind a gate. I stayed there a year ago and would stay there again.

If it were me I would probably stay at the Navy Lodge instead of the Gateway. Like Sphinx said, your sailor will not be able to go into the Gateway Inn and Suites at all since he is in A School (classes not started or started).

Your sailor may be phased up Memorial Day weekend if he graduates on May 3rd.

Memorial Day is a holiday for him, but he might have duty.  You could still visit with him, unless he has a watch.  He won't know that until he checks in.  I know it used to be simple to request it off if visitors were coming in, so if he has duty, he'll need to ask .... I don't know how much that policy has changed, or how much it varies.

Thanks you guys! I am only a few hours away from GL so I am trying to plan as many trips up there as I can... and that he is allowed ;)

I can always make reservations and then adjust them according to his schedule. It makes me hopeful that we will be able to spend some time together during Memorial Day weekend. 

Since I have a Military ID does he need to meet me at the gate to let me in or how does that work? 

Hello Ladies, 

I wanted to ask if anyone knows a good OBGYN and pediatrician in the area? Me and my daughter will be moving to Waukegan in less then 3 weeks and I want to get everything set up. I am 5 months pregnant so I need to find an OBGYN as soon as possible. Thanks :) 

Hello, my son just graduated on May 10th...starting school today!  So I'm a new Sailor MOM!

Hi!  My son graduated May 10th and staying in Great Lakes for A School.

Chele & Maria....congrats on your new sailors!  My son is halfway thru BC & will attend A school in great Lakes as well.  What will your sons be going to school for?

Hello, my son graduated on 5/10 and is staying in GL for A school for MM.

Hello everyone! It's nice to see all these fresh faces! My husband graduated on 5/3 and just started his classes this week. He is going for HT.

Hopefully he will be phasing up soon! :) 

Hey! I was just wondering for the families of sailors who have already graduated and remained in Great Lakes for A school... how much time did you get with your sailor throughout that weekend??? My husband graduates the 28th of June and I have to get started on my flight search :) 

We didn't get too much time on Friday because they have to check into A school that day. I would say from 3:30pm-9:00pm. They like to get back to base early even though they dont have to check in til 10pm. That hour gives them time to get settled in and stuff like that. 

Saturday & Sunday I was able to be with my sailor from 6:30am-9pm. Since I have a Military ID and my Gate Pass from PIR the guards let me on the A school base but most other families ended up being directed to the visitors center, which is right by the gate to get onto base. 

So... what I'm saying is that if you're not allowed on base it might be closer to 7am when you get to see your sailor because they have to walk almost 1 mile from their Ship to the Gates. 

Emanuela after PIR we had about 45 minutes with him, then he had to go and move from RTC to the actual Naval Base where A school is, it is just down the road but a different gate. He called us to come back and get him around 2 and he had to be back at 10pm. Saturday and Sunday his leave started at 7am and he had to be back at 10pm. They need time to walk back to the barracks so we left around 9. We were allowed to drive on base because my dad has a military ID but I think otherwise you have to wait for them at the visitors center to pick them up.

If you save your PIR driving pass, even if you take the shuttle to PIR, they let you use that plus your ID to drive your sailor to his barracks to sign in or out, then drive back to the gate and he only has to walk back from there in the evening or initially to the gate to meet you in the morning. It is a time saver. and yes you get all weekend minus the overnight. I waited till Monday to fly home to get every minute in possible.

Thank you so much!!!! It always helps to get other peoples experiences :) Cant wait!!!  

Hello all from So Cal! My sons PIR was 5/10-Div 185 and his A school is at Great Lakes. He moved over there Friday and likes it much better! We had a great time for the Mother's Day weekend and learned so much about the area, which is great for return visits. Enterprise had great customer service and car rentals for 3 days @ $9.99 a day (saved so much on taxi fare!), Hotwire really had the beast hotel deals (Extended Stay for $35.00 night with a kitchen for cooking!), and Flash Cab had the cheapest rates (less than $60 to Chicago and Milwaukee).

@Melissa,

My son will be staying in Great Lakes for A school for HT as well following bootcamp.  Can you tell me how long A school is for HT?

Thanks!

I think the average is about 14 weeks. It could be shorter or longer by a couple of weeks. Just depends on how long it takes for a class to form and how soon they will ship out for their official duty orders.

I originally thought 14 weeks because that is what this link says. http://www.navycs.com/navy-jobs/hull-maintenance-technician.html

But now my husband is saying it might be a little shorter. I dont have an official graduation date yet for my husband but how he is talking about it only being 12 weeks of classes + 1 week of INDOC's = 13 weeks total for him (so far!)

Hope this helps!