Great Lakes A School Q&A

Sorry Anti M, mixed up my letters, his rate is EN. 

Can the sailors stay at the navy lodge?, I know they can't stay at the hotel on the base. Thanks

Yes, they can stay at the Navy Lodge, no problem.

Question....Sorry for my ignorance but I'm not sure if A school is also called NSW prep school but I was wondering if anyone knows what it will like for them there besides what the website SEAL + SWCC states regarding what they physically and mentally are required to do.  I'm wanting specifics....like if they are given free time during the day? What they can have in their rooms (computers, tv, books, etc.) Are their weekends available?  Also, I know that following BC they go directly to this school for 6-8 weeks before they go to Coronado but once that's over, do they get to come home for a week or so before going straight to BUDS?  Thanks for any response.

A school is the school which teaches the rating, so no, not the same thing.  Not everyone goes to A school.  Yours would be in pre-BUDS at Great Lakes. 

They will follow the Great Lakes liberty phases, they have to earn their weekends off.  They will have daytime weekend liberty, with a buddy, right away, but civilian clothes and overnight privileges come later.

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

They can have private items in their rooms, but only what they can transport easily and items must be put away daily.  A laptop is fine, a desktop computer is not.  Some of the guys have gaming systems, but he will be there such a short time, I would not recommend it.

I;m not sure when they get to take leave, but probably between preBUDS and BUDS.

What does "Class Up" mean? Thanks!

my sailor is also on hold don't know for how long it is frustrating to see them have to wait

My sailor has been on hold for a month and has been told it could be as long as three months before she can class up to start BECC.  It is very frustrating for all of us!

No, they can still work on their liberty phases.  

My sailor graduated BC at the end of NOVEMBER!  He STILL has not classed up!  He's been freezing his butt off in GL and volunteering at the USO for over 3 months.  He did hear that "maybe" another week or so...  We'll see. 

Hurry up and wait!  :-)

Eileen

I was on hold for ET A school 30 years ago.  It is part of the pipeline.

Those 700 do not all stay at Great Lakes.  We have A schools in VA, FL, TX, CA, MS, and elsewhere, while some just go to the fleet.  ATT and BECC are for multiple ratings, so they may have to wait for the classes ahead or of them to graduate before they can start that part, then they wait for A school some more while the ones behind them graduate  The stand down certainly created a delay, there were two weeks this month which had no PIR.  If something happens to an instructor or one of the school buildings (blown furnace, pipes etc) there's a delay.  The weather certainly has closed the schools a few times lately.  

There may be gaps because some of the SRs didn't make it through boot camp, or have issues with medical or their security clearances.

There's a thousand reasons.  Yep, hurry up and wait.

Hello Everyone! So my husband is graduating in of march. Will be attending A-school in Great Lakes for either ET or FC and I am assuming he will be there close to year if not more then a year. I want to move up there beginning of may. I have called a few places in the area about prices and availability. The ones I have liked the most that are in our price range are.

The Preserve at Osprey Lake & Fox Crest apartments

If anyone has information or advice on these places or any other places you suggest for me. Please let me know. Thanks! 

Proudmom what is your son's ranking?  My son is MM and has been holding since Jan 10 also. 

Are we still allowed to send letters and cards once they are in A school? and does anyone know the address and or procedure of doing so??

Amani we also have orders in Virginia beach, I will hopefully be joining my sailor in late april or may when he finishes a school in april. When will your sailor finish Aschool??

Thanks Forever proud. he got himself a phone so he can call me which is great!

SorinMom...  My son is an EM.  He just classed up and started A school on 3/7.  That was 3 months and 2 weeks of waiting.  He has vowed that is if HE has anything to say about it, he'll never set foot in Chicago, again...lol  (Assuming he ever gets OUT of Chicago!  :-)

Eileen

Does anyone know when the QM A School will get their orders? My son graduates A School on April 11th and he has not heard anything about orders yet.

This is for anyone who ordered a copy of the Keel from Divisions 069 and 070. The Cruise Book section of the Keel was not correct. The group photos for 069 and 070 were of integrated divisions. As you all know, our divisions were all male. I have contacted the NEX and they are speaking to the publisher to figure out a solution. I will give you an update when I hear back from them. Please pass this on to others you know that might not still be checking this site.

Son-in-law just started GM school (I think on Monday). Does anyone know how long it is?

My son just started Monday too.  He is a GSM rate.  I believe they go 6 weeks for basic engineering,  He will continue for 2 more weeks after that for his GSM strand.   He thought it would take about 9 weeks depending on holds. 

That 32 days for BECC are Monday - Friday so total calendar time is about 6 weeks.  Right?

does anyone know about ET or FC rates and classes at GL? it sounds like they are/can be long (et is 121 days, fc is like a 2-step with 49 days to apprentice then??)

doesanyone know?

thanks!

Yes, after the initial hold time, it ATT (advanced technical training), about 4 weeks (rating card says 9 weeks).  Then it is on hold again.   A school is 31 or 42 weeks according to the COOL card.

https://www.cool.navy.mil/enlisted/rating_info_cards/aecf.pdf

Schooling for ET is quite long. With  holds, ATT, and A school my son has been there since early August and is due to graduate A school in April. They just gave him choices for his next stage a week or so ago. 

C school I believe. From what he said it's refining the general ET to a specific area. Mine said it looks like they are sending him to Everett WA which is good for us as we have family near there. 

My son leaves Great Lakes for Norfolk and is assigned to the Theodore Roosevelt nuclear carrier as an MM.  I am sad to have him leave the midwest since I live in MN and know he is now going to live the life he wants...but as a mom I am both proud and scared.  I suppose I will now leave this group and look for one for his ship! 

armymomnavyson - I love your name - I was in the Army too.  I have been reading that the USS Theodore Roosevelt is going to be moved from Norfolk to San Diego next year so my son will get to experience both coasts and so will we.  That is exciting.  Thanks for your congrats and support.  My best to your son and your family!

HI Nicksmom

I also found out this week that my SR is staying in Great Lakes for A School. Not sure why??