Great Lakes A School Q&A

Getting used to all the lingo...I should have said liberty has been secured. :)  Here is link to Sarge's FB page -

https://www.facebook.com/taxisarge?pnref=story 

DsMom.....LOL..no I didn't see the pics?  Where are they?  Dedication for sure.  I love how our boys can always seem to make something positive out of every situation. :)

DsMom...thanks for sharing these pics!  I am from Arizona so as you can imagine I wouldn't be caught dead in that weather.  I don't know how my son does it.

Sailors will have a good time, no matter what.  But I think I much preferred our "typhoon parties" on Diego Garcia.

does anyone know if you are living on base at San Diego if they are allowed to have a car on base?

thanks ProudMom93

I am guessing I am to send my son's w2 to him at A school?  He said he was told to have them sent there and someone on base will help...just want to be sure before I send it off to him.

Yes, there are tax preparers to help the sailors on every base.

I have not heard of the 21 age requirement.  It may be new.

Last I  knew,  the sailor has to submit a chit for anyone else to be a liberty buddy.  I looked at what TSC has posted, and they do not specify.  He should check with his specific COC and see what they currently require,  policies if anyone messed up recently.

Hello everyone!  I just spoke with my sailor and she was informed this evening that she had to have an overseas screening done.  No big deal, however, she's a reservist and is due to complete A school the end of March.  She didn't receive any orders or further information as to why she has to have this screening done.  Would anyone here be able to provide some insight on this type of situation and explain why she would have to go through this?  Any information that is provided is greatly appreciated!

Sounds like someone made a mistake, doesn't understand how reservists work.  They are deployable in some instances, so maybe that is the root of the error.

Navy inoculated me against bubonic plague because the HM misread my chart.  

But reservists?  That's a bit new and odd.  If you find out more, please share, I'd love to know why!

In my case, long ago, I had orders to Diego Garcia.  Plague was not required for there, but I ended up with the shot anyway. Made me pretty sick, but I had a ton of shots in that one week.  Overloaded my system!  

Side note: bubonic plague is still around in the US, rodents out west can carry it. Mostly squirrels.  Big outbreak in Madagascar late last year.  Maybe that is why now?

I can't remember answer to this, but can I stay at the Gateway Inn on base in Great Lakes?  I'm picking up sailor Friday am to come home for a week and need a place to stay Thursday night.

You need a military ID to stay at the Gateway.

The gateway inn on base, I  THINK is the one they sailors can not go into Navy Lodge at Gateway.  Some Sailors did some damage to a room. big stink about 6 months ago.

Thought I read somewhere that the Sailors need a "chit" to be at the Navy Lodge.  I've read so much on these forums, I can't remember what's what.  LOL

If the Sailor is in going to Great Lakes A School they would need a chit to stay at the Navy Lodge or Gateway (any Navy Base Hotel). There are so many great civilian hotels in the area. I stayed at the Courtyard Marriot which was excellent and convenient

Still Gateway requires a military ID to stay, while the Lodge accepts reservations under the new sailor's name, yes?

Wow.  Thanks for the update.  Still seems inconvenient.

My son will be staying at A school in Great Lakes after PIR. Any idea how long he will there. He is Seaman PACT.

PACT training is about four weeks.  Technically it is not A school.

http://navyformoms.com/group/bootcampmoms/page/professional-apprent...

Paige, A school is specific training for the Sailor's specific rate.  Intense classroom and hands on training.  The length of time a Sailor is in A school depends on their rate (job).  My Sailor was in A school at GL and we only live an hour from there.  We were able to pick him up and take him home about 2 weekends per month. He was on watch for the other 2 weekends.  He was on hold for 3 months before starting A school so he was there for approximately 6 months. 

Hi new to A school at GL my Sailors at BM any info on how long his schooling is there

Training is 6 weeks, maybe a week or so more if they need to wait to class up.

This has probably been answered somewhere already but I don't remember where…

I'm giving my SR my old laptop. I know I can't bring it to RTC/PIR, but if he's staying in GL after PIR can I bring it to him at TSC on Saturday or Sunday? (Look at me, learning all the acronyms!) Or will I need to mail it to him later once he's more settled?

I have similar questions as sailormaid.  My SR is staying in GL.  Can I bring his civilian clothing and personal items to give him at the end of the weekend?

Thanks hmarie3!  Just wondering what kind of things everyone will be taking to their SR's?

Kimberly723, it's not a huge thing. If you are close enough you can go. We went to our daughter's because we are an hour away. Our son didn't let us know when his class ended. All they do is shake the sailors hand and give them a certificate saying they passed the class.

Taylorb98 I stayed at the courtyard Marriott - it was perfect and they were so nice, clean,  closed to everything and reasonable  because my son was also going to A school in GL

Do not stay at the Ramonda I stayed there 2 weeks ago they are working on it but still has a long way to go Also make sure you use Surges Taxi when you are there they know the area and can drive farther on Base then most of the service in the area. Most of the other hotels in that area all look from the out side to be in great shape. Enjoy PIR it was so great.

taylorb98.  If I am not mistaken there are two Navy Lodges.  One that sailors are not able to access (maybe its on base?) and then the other one is outside.  I I have never heard that sailors were not able to come to the one that is off base...In fact they encourage you to decorate your hotel door for your sailor etc.  The prices are very reasonable.

We've stayed at 5 different hotels in the time my son has been there.  Navy Lodge for PIR (which was great), Ramada (wouldn't recommend) and a few ok ones.  The best one, by far, was the LaQuinta Inn and Suites in Bannockburn which is about 10-15 minutes from the base.  The rooms were very large, clean and comfortable beds.  We received the military discount. Friday night was $70 and Saturday night was $75.  Good breakfast with a waffle bar and large continental assortment.

We stayed at the Springhill Suites in Waukegan http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chiwg-springhill-suites-chica...

Military discount is available for PIR weekend, make sure you ask for it. I think it was around $79 a night. Rooms were very nice, comfortable bed, and a really nice free breakfast in the morning. They also have a lounge area with a small bar and the prices were not bad! Walking distance to Sarge's meet and greet (which I recommend attending) and 10-15 minutes to the base. The rooms also have a comfortable sitting area with a couch, chair and coffee table (so you don't all have to sit on the bed to catch up), plus a mini fridge, coffee maker and microwave. Walmart is right across the street too. If your son is indeed staying in GL for A school he will definitely want to hit up a Walmart, lol. It is also only 15 minutes to the Gurnee Mall which has a massive variety of stores and many excellent restaurants.

I just got home yesterday from my sailor's PIR - he is at TSC now for A school.

We stayed at the Navy Lodge and were very comfortable. sailors are allowed to visit (we signed mine every day) they are not allowed to rent the room or stay overnight

If you have ANY questions send an email to RTC and they are very prompt in responding -

we  would recommend it to anyone going. when we go back we have a reservation at Gateway Inn which is on base (I didn't know about that one ahead of time)

Gateway on base can be problematic for A school sailors, as it is off limits to them most of the time, and you need military ID to book a room and have base access.

From the liberty phase guidelines:

 2) Students are prohibited from entering Bldg 30 (Boorda Hall), Bldg 62 (Navy Gateway Inns and Suites), the 400 complex (with the exception of BEQ 439) and on-base housing (which includes the Navy Lodge) and Forest City Housing unless you are listed as a resident. During recruit graduation weekend from Recruit Training Command, if recruits attaching to to TSC-GL have family staying in the Navy Lodge or Gateway Inns and Suites, they will be required to route a special request chit to the OIC to be able to enter and meet the family at their room.