The purpose of this group is to allow family of new sailors assigned to school at Training Support Center Great Lakes a chance to voice questions to a Student Division Commander
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
We checked out The Preserve apartments before I moved up here and they're pretty nice. It's about a 20-25 minute drive to base so we ultimately went with base housing.
Okey thanks. Now my husband will be in a school and I have been told that the navy may not move me because it's not a duty station. If they don't move me and I move myself will I still have the option of base housing? Is there somewhere I can look at the base housing in that area?
Thanks do you know how soon I am able to start making arrangements? Will I need to wait until he graduates to be able to talk to property office about moving and applying for base housing? When will I get his orders for a school? Sorry for all the questions.
No need to be sorry, that's what this website is for :) The arrangements have to be made on his end and although I've heard it may vary based on his ship (barracks) he gets assigned to after boot camp, generally they have to wait until they are phase 2 to apply for live ashore and talk to housing about getting you up here. I've seen a link a few times in this forum for how the phasing works, but I know now it takes about a month to get to phase 2. Once my husband hit phase 2, he was able to get a house set up right away since there isn't a waiting list here. He was also able to set up the move of our stuff, but it took right at a month for our things to get packed up and sent here.
You will prob have to wait at least till he graduates bootcamp but my husband graduated Jan 17th and still has not recieved live ashore. There is a lot that has to be done before they recieve live ashore along with them keeping up with school if they are not on hold. Once he is out of bootcamp keep asking him about base housing and he will find out about it.
My husband graduated on Jan 24th and is on hold for BECC for MM. He has not classed up yet, but was told he would be doing so within a week or two. Maybe sooner.
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??
Taylorsierra once they get to A school there is a lot more freedom. He'll have liberty to write, phone, email, Skype etc. He won't have an address for you until he gets there, but it will be handled pretty much the same way as in boot camp, but I think they have to go to their base post office to pick up packages. I had to send my son his TV and Playstation - which I shipped by UPS and it got delivered to the post office to wait for him to walk over and get it.
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! :-)
My son is an MM and finally classed up yesterday! He PIR'd 1/17. It was a long hold. He is in night school and had to move to a different ship. We are from Chicago and got used to him coming home on the weekend. The clock has started ticking again! Can't wait to hear where he goes next
Armymomnavyson my kid is in the exact ame situation as yours - just one week ahead. MM, PIR 1/10, classed up last week, night school, different ship. Though we are from Georgia and it has now been longer since I saw him at graduation than it was while he was in boot camp. He was asked right away what his top three choices for duty station are. From what I understand they will have their assignment before leaving A school.
I may be wrong but I am in the same boat too. But my understanding is that the school they started last week is just basic engineering school. Then they will have strand? School. Then they might be put back on hold awaiting the school for the actual rate. My son is MR rate. He had PIR 1/10/14. The school he is in now is 31 school days and then the strand school is 31 days. Then they still have schooling after that. As for getting to list the top 3 places, that is only if they graduate top 10 percent in there class after all schooling is complete. At least that is what my son said. I am going to see my son for his birthday first weekend in April. Hope to get more answers then. My son too is a little tired of the snow and cold. We are from Texas.
Lisa that is my understanding as well. This phase of school is called BECC, it will last 31 class days, then there will be another hold for Strand. But Strand only lasts like 11 days? Good info regarding the duty station choices. I'll make sure my son knows that.
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.
Thanks forever proud and lisa4495! Glad to know we are all in the same boat! I didn't know about the top 10 percent but I kind off told my son early on that the better he does the more opportunities he could have. Unfortunately they couldnt find time while he was on hold to get his wisdom teeth out. Now he goes April 1 and since he will miss
Abs and a test he will be held again. Ahhh Navy life :)
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.
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??)
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.
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!
Congrats to your son mariecb! My son has just started his A school. He is also an MM. He will be held back a few days because he is getting his wisdom teeth out next week. We are from the Chicago area and have enjoyed having him home most weekends so I know what you mean! I'm hoping for Norfolk since it's closest :) my best to you and your son!!
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!
rsadie
Sorry Anti M, mixed up my letters, his rate is EN.
Feb 12, 2014
RAINE13
Can the sailors stay at the navy lodge?, I know they can't stay at the hotel on the base. Thanks
Feb 13, 2014
Anti M
Yes, they can stay at the Navy Lodge, no problem.
Feb 13, 2014
deb13
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.
Feb 15, 2014
Anti M
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.
Feb 16, 2014
Lisa
What does "Class Up" mean? Thanks!
Feb 24, 2014
kiley91
Feb 24, 2014
gglove
my sailor is also on hold don't know for how long it is frustrating to see them have to wait
Feb 25, 2014
MomOf4
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!
Feb 25, 2014
a.foertsch
Feb 25, 2014
Anti M
No, they can still work on their liberty phases.
Feb 25, 2014
mom2mjnc
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
Feb 26, 2014
Anti M
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.
Feb 26, 2014
a.foertsch
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!
Feb 27, 2014
Abby
Feb 27, 2014
a.foertsch
Feb 27, 2014
Abby
http://www.fcnavygreatlakes.com
There's the link for base housing.
Feb 27, 2014
Chelle15187
Feb 27, 2014
a.foertsch
Feb 28, 2014
Abby
Feb 28, 2014
Chelle15187
Feb 28, 2014
Forever proud
Proudmom what is your son's ranking? My son is MM and has been holding since Jan 10 also.
Mar 14, 2014
kiley91
Mar 14, 2014
Amani_2013
Mar 15, 2014
taylorsierra93
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??
Mar 15, 2014
taylorsierra93
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??
Mar 15, 2014
Forever proud
Mar 15, 2014
taylorsierra93
Thanks Forever proud. he got himself a phone so he can call me which is great!
Mar 17, 2014
mom2mjnc
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
Mar 18, 2014
Navymom111413
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.
Mar 18, 2014
armymomnavyson
Mar 18, 2014
armymomnavyson
Mar 18, 2014
Forever proud
Mar 18, 2014
Lisa4495
Mar 18, 2014
Forever proud
Mar 18, 2014
Lloyd
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.
Mar 19, 2014
armymomnavyson
Abs and a test he will be held again. Ahhh Navy life :)
Mar 19, 2014
Bonnief920
Son-in-law just started GM school (I think on Monday). Does anyone know how long it is?
Mar 21, 2014
Hbomb063
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.
Mar 21, 2014
kiley91
Mar 21, 2014
Hbomb063
That 32 days for BECC are Monday - Friday so total calendar time is about 6 weeks. Right?
Mar 21, 2014
canalzone6
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!
Mar 22, 2014
Anti M
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
Mar 22, 2014
CHC
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.
Mar 22, 2014
a.foertsch
Mar 22, 2014
CHC
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.
Mar 24, 2014
mariecb
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!
Mar 25, 2014
armymomnavyson
Mar 26, 2014
mariecb
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!
Mar 27, 2014
Marilyn SHIP 13 DIV 151 PIR 4/25
HI Nicksmom
I also found out this week that my SR is staying in Great Lakes for A School. Not sure why??
Mar 29, 2014