Great Lakes A School Q&A

Thanks for info he is now at medical  getting tested i hope its ok and he stays but hes not sure yet he says its a sleep problem

well my son didnt want to upset me he lied to protect me but i knew something was wrong 2 months ago on the base a female sailor kiddingly knocked his hat off so he grabbed her by her belt they moved his ship away from her now 2 weeks ago he went to the board and then to the captains mask dont know what that is but now they moved him and gave him proposed seperation papers and stopped school yeaterday till he hears in 1 to 2 weeks now why would this happen if he didnt hit her she just was scared but he was kidding

Captain's Mast is non-judicial punishment.  There is a range of punishments, and the CO decides after listening to each side, plus witnesses and character witnesses.  Separation is one possibility.  

He wouldn't have had to hit her for it to be assault.  Depends if she felt threatened, or how others saw it, and other factors, such as how he's doing in school and if he has had any other incident of any kind.  Keeping your hands to yourself is big in the Navy.  

what happens after that he now is moved and he is  with administrative seperation processing notification procedure on bottom it says if seperation is approved it will result in discharge does that mean he is seperating or they are still deciding and what can he do i am devastated and so is he

I know they have rules i just feel that he should be punished not sent home he didnt hit her or anything i feel its like they are giving up on him after all he went thru so far i am devastated he really loved the navy

Are there any public beach areas to Lake Michigan near the base - like within 30 minutes or so? We live in Michigan and love going to LM on this side and would love to do the same when we come to visit in IL.

but he didnt hit her was kidding around

He touched her, and that is enough.  This isn't high school anymore.  The Navy doesn't fool around with guys who don't get it.  Also, you only know his side of the story.  None of us were there.

DARmom, there is a nice little park and beach right on base.  PIcnics tables and so on.

http://www.mwrgl.com/recreation/marina/marina.htm

DARmom - there is a state beach about 20 minutes(10 miles) north of the base that we went to when my son had his PIR.  He is at GL now for ATT and ET A School.  It is Illinois Beach State Park.  It was very nice.

Chillmil Prayers of Strength and Healing  to your Mom and Son .

Chillmill, my prayers are with you and your family during this tough time. Be strong.

Hope she heals fast Chillmill.  And Debbie, no cars allowed at A school at GL.  They can have their cars there but must pay to store them off base.  I do not know how long her Sailors school is for, but for the few that do have cars at GL, they barely get to use them

The places to park them offbase are pretty shady.  Car is safer at home.

Debbie - I have to agree with everyone else. No cars allowed on base. My husband tried to put a chit in for himself because it's only a 4 hr drive home. It pretty much instantly got denied. I think my husband said the only students allowed to have a car are ET's because their schooling is so long. 

When I go to visit him I am allowed to drive on base because I got our car registered but I wouldn't be allowed to leave it there over night. We even thought about leaving a car for him in the visitors parking area but it says NO OVER NIGHT PARKING. and right above that sign is a camera!! 

Debbie, My son is an ET and was in GL for 9 months, so he could have had his car if he wanted it. I ask him if he wanted his car and he said no. They didn't have much time during the week to do things, and on the weekends there was always a group wanting to go somewhere.

If they were staying close to base they shared a taxi (always available), it was inexpensive when there were several of them. Most of the taxi services have a flat rate and don't charge per passenger from the base, so they'd split the cost. If they wanted to go into the city the train was the only way to travel for them. 

There were a couple of friends who had their car, but hey were married and lived ashore, and the one friend who had his car actually had his brother come and take it back home. He found he didn't need it, didn't use it and didn't like where he had to "store" it.

Ellen, Anti M, and everyone else - I really wish my husband could be hearing what you guys are saying!!! He wanted me to bring a car for him to have on base.. Even filled a chit out. The chit got denied. Now he has the idea of leaving a car in a parking garage off base so that he can still use it.. Ugh! I don't want to leave one of our cars up there. He wont be able to check on the car regularly and stuff like that. I dont feel that its safe to leave a car up there... but I am reluctantly going to do it. He wanted HIS car to be left up there (our new 2012 Chevy Cruze) and I told him NO. If he wanted a car it was going to have to be our 2004 Cavalier that has 160,000+ miles on it. 

I hate to keep being the 'bad guy' and always telling him no. But if I dont tell him no then we will run ourselves into the ground!!!!! I hate always feeling like the bad/mean person. :(

Thankfully my husband only has 5 or 6 weeks left. Maybe I should up our Car Insurance to full coverage incase it gets stollen!! LOL. 

GOSH!! Thanks for letting me vent! 

Cupcake^BabyCakes - my sailor has his phone with him at Great Lakes. He said he can have it on him at all times, but can't use it at certain times. I found the best time to communicate with him is at night around 8 or 9 Great Lakes time. I will send him a message during the day either text or FB and he answers when he can. They are very busy these first couple of weeks with indoc and trying to Phase up so they have a little more freedom.

How long has he been "silent"?  He may have had watch. Someone else may have broken the rules and they ALL lost the privilege.   

Likely he just couldn't for some small reason, and yes, the signal in the barracks can suck.   You have a new "normal" now, and there will be times when he thinks he can communicate, but just can't.  Just breathe!  

I have heard of instances when they aren't allowed to use their cell phones right away, like a week during indoc, so maybe he got a call out the first day while he was away from the barracks, but now cannot text or call for a few days.  Maybe he said he'd text, not knowing he would not be able to.  

My sailor  is in A school @ GL although she has phased up and has priviliges. FYI service is not the greatest on the ships. I'm sure your sailor is okay.I agree with Anti M breathe.Between indoc, watches, muster, inspections ..... I'm always pleased and surprised when she does call.

Cupcake how great is that Skype we have not done that yet.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL

I thought we didnt get all the tolls either so i paid some extra on line too I dont rem exactly but didnt they ask for your lic.# on line when paying?   Our PIR was 5/31  and Im assuming all is fine.                 

Happy Independence Day

Hello, we have an SR that will be graduating 8/9 and then going to GSM A school right after in Great Lakes. His Dad and I are preparing our drive to GL and setting out things to take to him. We know that he must check in after PIR and cannot have anything till he gets settled in his new barracks at A school. Is there anyone that can answer these questions? (keep in mind I am new to all this and completely ignorant to the rules and regulations, I don't want to bring him something then him get in trouble for it)

1. Can he have any type of civilian clothing, If so, what kind?

2. Can we bring him his favorite toiletries: razor, soap, shampoo etc.?

3. What kind of cell phone plan: prepaid month to month, or contract with military suspension (reason for asking is he has his verizon Iphone and wants to keep it and be on his own plan)?

4. How much room will he have in his area? (I know it is limited, but he wants his acoustic guitar and I won't ship it after we leave)

5. Is there wifi in the barracks?

6. Other than laptop and cell phone, any other useful suggestions that sailors can have and keep?

Thank You.

He will have a large locker in a room with two or three other guys.  He pretty much needs to be able to carry everything he owns by himself in case he changes rooms/barracks.   

No civilian clothes for the first two weeks.  I think he can have them, just not wear them.  He has probably changed shape in boot camp anyway.

Toiletries are fine.

Either phone plan would be fine.  He may want to wait to commit to a cell phone contract in case he gets overseas orders, our phones are not international, no matter what the companies try to tell us.

He will have room for his guitar.  Lots of guys have them.  He will need to keep it locked up, can't leave it out.

Wifi is only if they pay comcast to install it.  His room mates may already have it, and let him buy in.  There are free places on base, but not in the room.  If he has a laptop, it too must be kept locked up when not in use.  

Most useful thing is to NOT acquire too many belongings during A school.  A lot of students get orders to the fleet then must unload things like coffeemakers (if allowed, not all barracks do)  and their electronics such as TVs, and bedding which will not be allowed on a naval vessel (that varies a lot too).  

Angie and MAG, a BIG thank you!

5)No wifi in the barracks, but there are wifi spots on the base

So keeping his current phone that can be tethered as a hotspot would be ideal?

4) there is some room, but he will have to carry it if he moves barracks and he will also have to lock it up all the time.

I guess I can let him decide on what he wants. He could always bring it back home? If he has some leave after A school before final orders?

Hi NavyMom2005,

I can't answer all of your questions, but I may be able to help with a couple. My daughter has been at GL A School for 3 weeks.

They can wear civilian clothing when they are on liberty once they phase up, in my daughter's case, it was about a week after she got there.  I'm pretty sure there are no real limitations, it just has to be appropriate.

You can bring him his favorite toiletries and razor.

I'm not sure about the phone plan.  We just left my daughter on our plan, it was unlimited, and it only cost us $20 more per month with AT and T.

In her room, she has her own dresser, desk, and small closet.  I might wait until he sees his space to see if he has room for the guitar.  There are four sailors per room.

Yes, wifi in the barracks.  My daughter has hulu and netflix, and she can watch it on her laptop in her room, and her cell signal seems to be very good.  Be sure he has ear buds.

I do know that moms of young men said they are anxious to get out of their "tighty whities" and in to their boxers.  If thats what he wore at home, he will probably want them too. Keep in mind that there is a huge mall about 5 miles away.  The weekend after PIR, my daughter went there with some new friends and picked up all kinds of things.  He will need things like laundry detergent and coat hangers.  My daughter also bought some flip flops to wear from the shower back to her room.  There is a NEX on base too, so they really have unlimited access to whatever they want or need.

She has loved A School so far, and has taken the Metra into Chicago two or three times.  She's happy, and is making lots of new friends.  The base is just beautiful, large red brick buildings and perfectly manicured green grass.  It was so much easier for me once I had seen where she will be staying.  I'm sure your son will be just as happy. And the freedom to call and text them...it's priceless.  I hope I helped answer some of your questions.  Congratulations to you and your soon to be sailor! 

You Lady's are GREAT! SO much useful information! Janai'sMom. It may be possible our SR will not have the same amenities, I have heard his A school is in the Old barracks?

(GSM) Our SR does not like shopping, even less for clothing, so I will bring to him what he had(or buy for him when we are up there if nothing fits).

We will just leave him on our plan for now with his current phone. I know he wants to be independent on his finances but single plans are SO expensive and he is only 18 and oblivious to the contract ramifications therein. We will guide him per all your suggestions.

Will they need a Microsoft Office program on their laptops for A school? Or is the laptop just for personal use?

Angie Thanks for the advice.

It's time to "cut the cord" as my husband says... I just don't want to throw him in with the sharks without at least teaching him how to swim!

I can only pass on what I know and let him decide.

They do go to finance classes, and are told about contracts.  That doesn't mean they're smart about all that new money.  I wasn't!

I lived on one of the old barracks almost 30 years ago.  Not a lot of privacy in the showers, unless there's been a remodel.   

I would think taking the bus would be cheapest. 

I doubt you will get a military discount since you don't have a military card, but it never hurts to ask. I've gotten it when having work done on my son's truck. 

If your fiance isn't driving the car, I doubt they'll let him put the rental in his name. Also, you typically have to be over 25 to rent a car. 

Military discounts can be offered as a courtesy if the company sees fit.  Many national chains do not, unless there is an ID card holder of some sort.  

You will have to let us know how it goes, so we have fresh answers!

Angie, I believe you can stay at the Navy Lodge even if your Sailor is not staying with you, but they do have to sponsor you just like PIR weekend. Perhaps the one in Great Lakes is different than the Navy Lodge in San Diego?

My son is in A school at Great Lakes - he has been up there since PIR 12/28/12.  My question is he has a birthday and graduates in Aug.  Can I ship him an Edible Arrangement to his barracks? Or a cake? 

They don't allow direct deliveries to the barracks.  Even if they did, it would be delivered to the quarterdeck, and who knows how long it would sit before he got the notice something had arrived for him.  

You could try this company:

http://www.bakemeawish.com/?siteID=Izl2yVCK278-h7le242slwVB6s31qcq2eA

. We brought boxers a couple of T shirts jeans shorts.shoes. Phone and charger. I let him pick what he wanted to take back or what he could take back I brought a small back sling he got from the recrutier to put his stuff in.   You can always mail actually sent him pics of his shirts and he told me what send. 

We went to the NEX to buy a few toiletries detergent white underwear. 

PRAYERS TO THE NEW PIR S

BE BRAVE BE STRONG

did you check out the photos Training Support Center Facebook page 07/17 PIR you may see your loved one !!!

Hi ladies, I just joined this group... i've gotten up to page 5 out of almost 1400 pages.... 

my son will be in A-school there in GL for 8 weeks... is there a list anywhere as to what they are allowed to have from home? (my toosh is numb from trying to find stuff out) his pir is 8/16..

thanks

lauri

Thanks Pat1930a, is it true they will not have wifi in their rooms?