Great Lakes A School Q&A

Hello all, my son's PIR is 8/14 and will be AECF at GL, he is asking us to bring certain items with us when we come that weekend. I have searched everywhere for what is allowed and not allowed as far as personal items and electronics (phone, tv, video games and laptops) and am not able to find any current information. Can anyone help out?  THANKS!! :)

That info tends not to be online because it varies/changes so much.  His phone and laptop certainly.  TV and a gaming system... he will be sharing a room with two or three others, it is going to get crowded.  He has to put everything in his locker unless the barracks approves a chit to leave it out.  Warning: theft in the barracks is always a problem.  Also, if he has to change rooms or barracks, he has to lug that all around.  And what is he going to do when he heads to C school/the fleet?  

Not sure how much stuff he wants to be loaded down with.  His choice, and I am painting the worst case scenarios.  My advice tends to be on the "travel light" side.  

Does anyone know why there are classes held at night during A school?

Night classes are so they can get more students through training.  One set during the day, another in the evening.  Why let the buildings sit unused?  The entire Navy often runs in shifts, it isn't always a day job, best to get used to it early on.

@Rhonda ... last two years I tried to predict the stand down, I was completely off.  But because it usually ends on a Monday, maybe the 21st of December?  

Anti M Thank you for the reply about night classes. Makes sense.

I'd like to get feedback on hotels in GL area. I already know about Navy Lodge, it's just not available when we need. Thank you much

Springhill Suites in Waukegan. Very nice hotel, reasonable rates (make sure to ask for the Navy discount on PIR weekend), great staff and a good, free breakfast.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chiwg-springhill-suites-chica...

My son graduates boot camp in September and will be staying in GL for A school. Will we get to spend the day with him on Friday (after graduation) and Saturday?  Just trying to plan the trip, traveling from Texas and want to make the most of it.

Hi Crysta_2015, yes my son is at GL for school and he got the weekend off.  They will have Friday, after they get checked out and checked in to school they will release them. Also Saturday and Sunday they are released around 7:00a till I think 9 or 10p.  Each night they have to return to A school.  Hope this helps.

Crysta_2015 - you will get Friday after  he transfers to A school, Saturday and Sunday. My son just had PIR July 31st, Liberty for him was 0600 (took us about an hour to get him signed out) and he had to be back in barracks by 2200 so we dropped him about 2045 - 2100. You have to sign him out and back in every time!

Crysta_2015 We also made the trip from Texas for PIR and my son was at GL. we drove so we stayed at the Navy Lodge from Thursday-Monday. Spent the whole weekend with him.

I was wondering if they are allowed to have a George Foreman grill in their room? Or something similar to cook on. I know my son would love it.

No, cooking devices are usually forbidden.  In A school I don't think they can even have coffeemakers.

Thanks Anti M, I was hoping, my sailor usually misses chow hall.

does anybody know how long it takes for them to receive a package?  I sent it USPS priority and it takes usually 2-3 days, but once it gets there, do they take a little more time to go through their packages?  thanks for any answers...

MissingMyKing, It usually arrives there when USPS says. My sailor told me their name gets put on a list as to who has mail. It just depends on when they go pick it up. I always text him with a picture of the tracking number and tell him when it should be there. It took my son a few days before he picked his up.

Thank you!  I'll let him know.  This is the first time I've sent him a package.  Was always just letters to BC.  I appreciate the info!

Chris YES!

Good morning! My son just graduated BC on August 14th and now at GL. Just wanted to drop in and say HI!

lovemyson, Hello! hope all is well with you and your son.

So I have a question. My son is still in bootcamp, will graduate a month from today. I am planning on attending PIR.

He will go to A School in Great lakes and be there about 22 weeks once it actually starts. So I am already thinking about Thanksgiving.

I am just in the thinking stages, about possibly spending the week up in the area, and renting a house/condo and be able to cook a meal for the day. He may be able to phase up by then and stay overnight. I was thinking we could also adopt other sailors.

Does this sound like something we will be able to do, or am I headed down the wrong road.  I don't think he will be able to get "leave" until the Christmas holidays.

Let me know any ideas.

If that is possible...please adopt my sailor MoMom15 lol...  He loves to eat!  He's been in GL A school since 7/24.

MoMom, your plan is entirely possible.  If he has earned phase three, then he can be out overnight.

The Friday after Thanksgiving is often not a full day off, and some of the sailors will have duty, but it is usually a "relaxed" day.  Impossible to say what they may want from the students that day, maybe a muster, maybe not.  But they most assuredly will not be in class.  

MoMom15, That sounds like an awesome idea! He could bring his friends that are there with him. My son's PIR was 7/10. Although I talk, text and Skype with him often. I really miss him and want to go visit. Just a matter of talking my husband into it. Any crying or pouting on my part won't make him give in to me. We made so many weekend trips to Chicago already this year for his PIR and friends that live in the area not sure how I can convince him. I'm not giving up on trying.

Heading out Labor Day weekend to see my son.  Hes still in Phase 2, but he doesnt have to be back until midnight so that gives us plenty of time.  He is going to ask for overnite... lets see what happens.   I will keep you posted.

yes Chris-what's happening on the USS Essex? My son is there

Congrats Anne!  how long has your son been in Navy?  What is he going to do in Hawaii?  exciting!

From experience, field day on a weekend or holiday means they failed a barracks inspection, or there is a big inspection coming up.  It usually is half a day if they bust butt.  Yeah, someone messed up and the group gets punished.  It is the way the Navy gets the junior sailors to develop leadership skills, bringing along the slackers and those who just can't get their act together.  It still sucks.

(field day is not a fun day of sports, it is cleaning)

that's good!  as long as he's happy and sounds like he is.  my son is in GL for AECD ET.  just had PIR 7/24.  he likes it so far!  good luck to your son!

Yes, waiting is best.  Ships do not allow personal sheets... it is a laundry thing.  All the sheets are laundered centrally, personal bedding disrupts the system.  A fan would not be allowed, and he'd have no place to put it. If  he has a blanket or throw, he cannot leave it out on his rack, so it wouId take up valuable storage space.