Great Lakes A School Q&A

Thank you Angie for the info.  She can use her Navy issued bag and take a little each time back onto base since we will be there 3 days.  I can mail her the rest if any.

Hi Lisa4495.  Holds and delays at A School are very common.  Most likely, they have to wait for other sailors to finish up at BC and fill the class.  He can work on phasing up while he is on hold, and they do have things for them to do while they are waiting.  Yes, he probably will get to know Chicago well (my daughter did) but this isn't a bad thing.  I think it helped her get used to military life.  Don't worry too much about him saying "no room in the fleet at this time", we heard that too.  They will find room.  I was worried as well when I heard this stuff, and had the same concerns.  Sometimes that military calendar just doesn't move as fast as ours!

Hi Lisa4495.  They have limited liberty while they are at school, and there is a mileage cap.  As he phases up, which he can do pretty quickly, he gets more freedom.  Have him look into this, they have no problem telling them what his limits are.  Do you live close enough to visit him?   We all know first hand about worrying and questions.  That's why we're here!  I'm happy to help any way I can, please don't hesitate to ask.

I would like to give my daughter a pair of earrings for pir can she have small post earrings  in a school? thanks

Hi gglove.  Yes, she can now wear small ball earrings.  She can have silver, which she can wear pretty regularly, or small pearls that she can wear with her dress uniforrms.  The earrings have to be post, and just the ball only, nothing else, And no gold, as those are reserved for officers. You can google Navy uniform jewelry, they tell you the millimeter maximum. Congratulations on your new sailor!

thank you for your knowledge have a great day!

so she cant wear anything with a small stone

Hi gglove.  From what I understand, no.  Just the small ball.  They're still free to wear whatever they want when they're in civilian clothes, but just the silver or pearl balls while in uniform.

My daughter just graduated this past Friday. She has been told (I don't know by whom) that she will be on hold at least 3 months before starting A School, is this information correct? That sounds totally absurd to me considering that they are shipping new recruits in every week.

My grandson is on hold for class also.  He is enjoying his days, they are organized enough to keep them busy but with enough personal time also.  Life is usually a "hurry up and wait" situation so it is just one more preparation for them! lol  Maybe they are just learning to be patient, that lesson never hurts.  He was waiting on the time he could get into the Navy and this is better than just sitting around or trying to hold down a temp job. They are sailors whatever they are doing!! 

My son is also a MM.  His PIR date was 10/11 and he just classed up 2 weeks ago.  I think he is more patient about everything than I am which is what makes him a good sailor.  Once his class started my worries have now changed to where he will be stationed and deployment.  One step at a time I guess.

My Bro's PIR was 8/30/13 and he is just about to finish MM school on Thursday.  So yes the holds could be correct.  Especially since not matter the rating they all have to do the BECC class and that is what takes the longest for waiting.  Waiting for space to open.

My sailor reports (not sure if accurate) that the BECC is 31 days of training and the MM is only 11 days.  He said there may be a short wait between.  1-2 weeks.

Anti M posted this for me regarding what is BECC?

Here is the BECC description from the TSC FB site:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/training-support-center-tsc-great-la...

I think the BECC was about 9-11 weeks then MM is only 12 days.

Thank you for the info everyone.  This is all new to me.  I am used to boot camp now A school is an entirely new animal!  Um, actually, the Navy is a brand new experience and nothing like anything I have experienced before.  I appreciate your information!

Lisa4495 - My daughter mentioned something about checking with her cell phone provider and mobile wiifi.  She said several had mobile wiifi in her A school.  She also is paying $20/mo for her wiifi and it is really slow.  We can Skype but it lags behind and hangs up a lot.

I think it depends on the ship and the length of time they will be at GL. My sailor and his room mates were allowed to get internet installed in their room however they will be there quite a while. Longer than the 6 months most providers around here require a contract for.

I'm wondering if anyone here can tell me the very BEST way to ship a box to my sailor in A School?

Hi MomOf4.  I've sent my boxes through USPS, priority flat rate shipping box.  They have four sizes, and the boxes are free.  The largest is about $15 to ship up to 70 lbs.  I've sent packages from CA and it gets there in 2-3 days.

A word on shipping via UPS or FEDEX ...the package goes to the same mailroom as USPS ones, and your sailor has to go get it. This varies ba bit, but they don't deliver directly to the rooms.  If it is big, there may be lugging in winter involved, lol.

Thanks everyone for the shipping information.  This is all so new to me and the military really does not work like the civilian world! So, I would need to let her know that I am sending something and when so that she will be expecting it? I assume they don't notify her that she has a package.

Another question, I sent her a small pkg with her hair straightner, make up etc. for PIR and she has never received it.  Should she look at the post office on the A school side now in case it was sent over there after she graduated?

Let her know when a package is coming, but they do give them a notice.  As for the PIR package...she should ask her mail PO at A school if he can see if it was forwarded, but don't hold your breath.  It may be in limbo.  Possibly forever.  

Wonderful.  If they are going to let the females have a small pkg sent to them while in bootcamp for PIR why don't they take better care to make sure they get them?  OMG, it makes me so mad that I spent all that money and now its just floating around somewhere in limbo. Ugh!

I am very leary of sending anything to her now, even if she is on the other side of the street.

Momof4 - we mailed early Jan. my bro (PIR was 8/30/13) something (a congratulations card actually) and it took 3 weeks to get to him.  So know stuff gets there for A school but takes a while.

I guess it would not be a good idea to send her favorite cookies she has requested, they will be hockey pucks before she gets them!  I guess there is a 3 month hold on mail just like her classes. Can you tell I'm frustrated? lol