Great Lakes A School Q&A

Pat,  his cell is from sprint... if you get a hotspot, do you also have to pay monthly on that separate from the phone or is it a 1 x purchase?

My son will be attending A-School in the Great Lakes. I would like to know if you can send them packages like boxes from home with goodies they like and/or miss from home? and how often like weekly monthly?

You can send packages.  Some of the barracks (ships) do not allow food to be kept, so you;ll need to find that out after he checks in.  You could send treats, but he and his friends would need to eat them up right away.

My son has been at ATT and then A school in GL since Jan. 6.  I have sent him his x-box, clothes, packaged food stuff, and goodies. I sent him some St. Patrick's day items - just remember they open his boxes and go through them before giving them to the kids so don't send anything that will embarass him!! He has a small refrigerator and microwave in his room that he shares with 4 other guys.  My son has a 32" TV, he has wifi that he splits with one of the roommates. He has his fishing poles and oatmeal to cook in the microwave. But all this is after Phase 3.  They are pretty much restricted until he phases up - he will know and let you know. He has to have a liberty buddy when they leave base. My son has a season's pass to Six Flags and a bunch of them will share a taxi to go there or to Gurnee Mill.  He has taken the train many times to Chicago and to a friends house in Kanosha, WI.  I have been up there 3 times to see him and take him for the weekend.  The base has lots of things for them - bowling, a movie theater that shows first run movies for $3.00, the USO has a great place, they have 2 gyms, a huge athletic field, a marina.  It's not that bad!!

The older barracks don't have the fridge and microwaves.  They often start out in those, so be sure to ask him!

Can anyone tell me how I can purchase a NEX gift card for my sailor at A School GL since I am not an authorized patron?

Try this link for the NEX cards:

https://shop.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx

That's helpful Anti. Can I assume all Navy bases have an NEX on base? 

Yes, pretty much.  Some are much bigger than others though!

My son sailor has been in A school for a couple of weeks now.  His grandmother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer.  I would like my son be able to see his gma before it is too late- but I understand that may not be possible.  Does anyone know how things work if a sailor has a passing loved one?

red cross military 877 272 7337 give name address branchother ssn  have suggested he tell his command so they are aware of the situation. but that would depend on you telling him yourself. Does he already know her condition?

Will  you and yours in my Prayers

Thank you for the help.  He is aware of the situation.

My son's grandfather died when he was at BC.  He had been with his grandfather the month before he went to GL, and deep down knew that he probably wouldn't see him again.  We had the discussion before he went if he wanted to know - he did.  Our experience with the Red Cross was wonderful.  They had to confirm the death, and then got it to Navy command.  He was called to the quarterdeck, and told by an officer and a chaplain.  He was allowed to call home at that time, but wasn't allowed to leave.  I think that you should certainly call the Red Cross and ask them the procedure specific to your Mom and son.  If he leaves during A school, it first of all, may not be allowed.  It may also set him behind.  Odds might not be good, be truly I don't know.  Either way, it is a difficult situation for all concerned, and you have my prayers.

His gma is on his father's side.  I understand that it may not be possible or a good idea for him to leave A school.  I am just concerned about how he handles it away from family support.  He has lost his father and his gpa within the last 10 years.  It has been rough on him.

To be perfectly honest, I cannot imagine telling your son any of this after the fact.  I think that seems almost cruel.  Is your sailors Grandma strong enough to Skype on a computer with a camera or use Facetime on an iPhone?  That would be an opportunity for them to have conversations seeing each other.  If you don't have the capability, or your sailor doesn't, I am sure you could find plenty of people who could help. 

Are they allowed to have a car while at A school?

Hi Lisa, from what I understand, no, they can't have cars at A school.  They really wouldn't need them anyway.  There is a Metra station right next to the BC base that goes right to downtown Chicago, and there are plenty of taxis for them to share to take them pretty much anywhere else they want to go.  There was a discussion here a while back, and it sounded like if they did have a car, they would have to park it off base, and it wasn't recommended due to safety issues.

My son and friends use the Metra they have gone to Chicago many times. Taken a taxi to go to the Mall.

Hey ladies, So I know that when it comes to moving the families while the sailors are in school their school has to be 6 months or more for them to move us. My husbands next school (C school) IS at least 6 months, but I am due to give birth around the time he has to leave. By the time I am able to fly out with the baby he might only have 5 or less months left of school, would the Navy still move us??? He is an FC if that makes any difference..... 

Does anyone know what the rules for leave or stand down are for christmas at GL A-school? The schedule?

The official dates aren't released until much later, so that makes booking flights difficult. It usually is a two week span of time, most student sailors take ten days or so. NEVER second guess the dates and book flights early, also, don't expect them to be out of Great Lakes before noon.  No early morning flights, they all have to check out.  There are MWR shuttles available for a small fee.

No overseas travel, do not book cruises. Mexico is still off limits.

The training command sits them all down and shows them how to do their leave requests.  If they have not earned enough time, they can borrow forward.  They earn 2.5 days each month, beginning day one at boot camp.  They must pay for their own travel.  Some of the barracks shut down, the few who stay behind all move into one or two buildings.

Ok, now I'm a little more confused. In order for them to come home for xmas, they must use up their leave time? If they choose to not use leave time for xmas, they just stay in the barracks and do... whatever? 

If she uses her leave for xmas, then a month later when A-school is up, there wouldn't be any leave left and she would just report to her next station, right?

Does the 'no overseas travel' apply to her throughout her 5 year enlistment or just while in school?

Hi, So now that my Son is a couple weeks into A school at Great Lakes I was wondering how much more room do they actually have? He says it is a lot like a dorm room. I am confused, I thought they kept downsizing. So care packages are okay? Do we still have to be careful about food items?

Thank you

Hi momofc.r-They definitely have more room.  My daughter has told me she has her own dresser, desk, and small closet.  Care packages are ok, and I haven't heard about any restrictions on food items.  There is a microwave in the group room that they share.  She was thrilled at the amount of space she had, but I think anything is an improvement over the rack at BC!

Some of the barracks do have food restrictions, so you must ask your individual sailor.  It changes constantly.

@bchis ... yes, they must use leave to come home for the holiday.  If they are graduating from A school soon after, then unless they had a LOT of leave on the books, they'd simply go straight to their new command (or C school).  Great Lakes prefers they take the holiday leave as the staff would like some time off too.  They would have busy work, and watches, but lots of liberty.   Liberty is limited to a 300 mile radius, and cannot be for more than 72 hours.  That;s why they must take leave, so they can travel and stay away for more than three days.

No overseas travel varies, unless they're doing port calls while deployed or actually stationed overseas. To leave the US on leave, a sailor must get permission.  There are travel restrictions, Mexico is one example.  It isn't off limits for students, it is off limits for all sailors.

Anti M  appreciate the info on Leave .

Just trying to get some information to make a decision. My husband is in basic right now and will be in a school for ic until almost march depending on any holds he experiences. His schooling is just short of being long enough to live with us. If my son and I chose to move up there, how often would we see him? Would he get to take liberty on weekends and sleep at our house once he's in phase 2? Any information would be greatly appreciated....

Phase three is when they can spend weekend overnights off base if they don't have permission to live off base.  However, if he can get permission to live ashore, he can spend the night beginning phase two.  

NAVYWIFE 22  Hi my son is at Great Lakes IC join the group IC Sailors . Everyone is sooo helpful. .

Abby- So, you made the decision to move up there then... I've heard mixed advice on doing so. Is your husband IC also? 

My son sent me his address but only included his 5 digit zip code. I need the full zip code to get letters to him right?

I haven't included the 4 digits and my packages got to our sailor just fine.

My FC who PIR'd Oct 5, 2013, has just been sent to his C school in Dahlgren, VA.

He has been in GL since boot, finishing his FC/ET classes there (as FC) at the top grade in his class and being presented Distinguished Military Graduate certificate at his A school graduation service. He has been on hold at GL waiting for his C school and said he went from being 'somebody' in class at GL to being a 'janitor' while on hold :))) He is BQ'd at Navy Inn on base in Dahlgren and is being treated 'like an officer!" there.  LOVING VIRGINIA after being so lonely and down at GL for the last few months. His family is 16 generation Virginians.

He is happy again...Thank GOD! he has a great future with our NAVY!

His next assignment after C school is expected to be to Norfolk.

This is my Kyle who barely finished his boot camp 'run' in time for BS with his class. We went for PIr not knowing if he made it or not, but not DARING not to be there, just in case.  He was SO CLOSE, his name was not even of the list when we were in the hand-stamp line and we had to go back out front to another  desk where they found his name and hand-stamped us!  HOOYAH!!

Hi everyone! My son had his PIR on 8/9/13. He is now in A school at GL. He txt me and said he MAY be able to come home on Labor Day weekend. I was like wow...great!  Our conversation went on and then he mentioned he would need someone to sign him out.  Ummm...we live 6 hrs away. I told him that was not happening.  Does anyone know if they still need someone to sign them out? Is this always true while they are in A school? I would love to have him home but its just not realistic to be able to make it happen.    

I would love to know the answer to lindajohio's question too, because my son told me the same thing yesterday.  Didn't even think about having to have someone sign him out.  When we started investigating flights home, I called Southwest Airlines, and they have military discounts.  You must call to make the reservation - it doesn't work online.  The regular $650 roundtrip was going to be $336 with the discount.  That's wonderful!  It's nonrefundable, but can be applied to future travel if you have to cancel.  Hope that will help someone.  This rate applies to active duty military with an ID only.

ladies wish i had a definate for you my understanding is they need to sign out with a buddy. Ill ask around.

My SR will graduate in 10 days and will stay in GL for A-school. She'll be there for the EM rate and it will last 4 months but there will be about a month before a class starts. We are married.

I'm planning on temporarily moving up there while she is in school and just wondered if someone could tell me what to expect. I know that because it's not 6 months or more, the Navy does not assist with the move. Does that mean, that living on base is not an option or does that mean they just won't pay for me to get there? Doesn't matter to me but arranging temporary living would be easier if it was on base, I think.

Assuming that they will not allow us to live on base, I plan on getting a small apartment and just sort of winging it. I've read a lot of different things about liberty but what I gather is that each day (unless she has work to do), she will be given liberty and can leave the base. I think she would need a 'chit' to be allowed to leave with me instead of with 'buddies'. Also, I've read that I would be allowed to see her on base as I would have an ID card and can get into the main areas... Not sure how that works or what a 'main' area is.

I've been told that it's not worth it to do this but I couldn't agree less. I'd spend whatever it cost for 30 minutes a week with her and the only way to do that is to be close and available...

Has anyone else tried this or know anyone that has done this? Any tips, advice, thoughts? :)

How long is phase one of A school? Can they have their personal items in their rooms at A school such as laptops, phones, civilian clothes? My son graduates BC on Oct 11,2013 and is going to A school in GL. Can i bring him some of his personal items when i go up there for his BC graduation?

yes, we brought our son his laptop, phone, guitar & some cloths... they dont have much room to store stuff, but they can have personal items.. bring him stuff & let him chose what he wants to keep.   we took all his socks, undies, a few tshirts & shorts & his sneakers.  if they have to ship out after a-school, he/she may have to ship them home, thats the only thing.   they have ALOT of stuff to carry thats issued.. he kept the small rolling duffle we took his stuff in so that helps.  my son's room is like a dorm. there are 4 bunk beds in there with their desks underneath their beds so room is tight... what you will have to do is after PIR, you will have him for about 30-45 min then they will go back & move their stuff over to a-school & then you can go sign him out for the rest of the night. ours had to be back & signed in by 10pm.  but it's best to be back by 9.  make sure you have your car pass with you since you will need it ALL weekend to sign them in & out to get on the base..  also make sure you go to Sarges meet & greet, it was fun.   PIR hall was FREEZING bring a jacket & booty cushion for the metal bleachers.

Thank you LauriB. I had no idea what to bring him. He has only been in BC 2 weeks so all i have had is one 10 minute conversation with him. I was not able to ask everything i wanted to know in just 10 minutes. Hopefully i will start getting letters from him soon. It is so hard not having any communication from him. Guess i better get use to it.

Just so you know rem they are Busy I didnt get many letter 3 he warned me. they will want there cell phone and charger fav. boxers some comfy clothes. I brouhgt fav. snacks

Laura....a guitar??? Can't imagine that would be easy to lug from base to base.

FWIW, they do sell seat cushions at PIR, which are kind of nice to keep as a memento.

Concernedad,  its what he wanted besides his laptop & phone & we are shipping him some cloths.  i guess if he gets a ship, he can always ship what he doesnt need/cant take home when his a-school is over.