Great Lakes A School Q&A

The news is running a story about the flu, so do go get checked and stay on top of your health.  I worry!

Some of the barracks are much newer than others.  I haven't heard anything, but they are always upgrading when the budget allows.  I think they may have torn down the ones I was in, finally!  If so, the area around the chow hall is perfect for new barracks if they decide to build them.

Each school houses separately, so it depends on which school they attend.

Hi to all, Would anyone know what happens if A school attendee is late in returning due to flight delay yesterday? Hours late, that is. ??? Praying for my dear sailor!!!

Godisgoodallthetime, I am not completely sure, but I believe since your sailor has no control over the airlines, he only needs to show that to his superior, and shouldn't get into any trouble. Send Anti M a comment, she is so very knowledgeable, since she has been through this, she is my "expert adviser".

Godisgoodallthetime, As long as he called when he was delayed there shouldn't be a problem. He can ask the airlines for a letter stating his flight was delayed. if he needs to.

I know he is not the only one having issues getting back to base right now, so I am sure all is well.

He might get a little grief just because it’s Great Lakes and they’re a little hard on their students, but he definitely won’t get in any trouble because a flight delay is out of his control, especially if it’s weather related. If he missed a watch, they might give him double watch, but not as a punishment, just to keep it fair for whoever had to pick it up, just depends on his leadership. It happens though, he’s not in any real trouble.

Missing a flight is a different story though. If a sailor oversleeps or hits traffic that prevents him from getting to an airport on time, or something that was in their control basically, they’d be in trouble because they should have been more responsible. That being said, they won’t be separated or thrown in the brig. They’ll get chewed out by several people in leadership, maybe knocked down a liberty phase, and/or slammed with a ton of watches. This is typical punishment in A School for any offense that doesn’t damage themselves, others or property…or the reputation/integrity of the Navy. They won’t hold a whole captains mast for someone missing a flight unless there’s other factors involved (like drugs, alcohol, legal issues, or a sailor not returning for several days compared to just hoping on the next flight). If they’re up for promotion soon, it might impact an evaluator’s judgement that they missed their flight due to lack of responsibility, and they might get a slightly lower score on their evals, which won’t necessarily make/break promotion if they’re otherwise model sailors, but it’s just an extra thing for sailors to keep in mind, you’re always aiming for AT LEAST a must promote, or even better an early promote  :). 

Years ago my boyfriend was in the navy, he came home for his mothers funeral and the small airport here was fogged in.  He could not get back in time.  He had to get a letter from the air port, but now days, and with such a weather event, I doubt that they will have any problem.

Everyone else nailed the weather question!  So, good morning to all!  

Good Morning Ladies hope all is well, feeling a little better with all the meds I am taking. This flu season is no joke, been isolating myself from the others at home wouldn't want them to catch this yuck stuff. About the weather OMG! it is horrible over there, I hope everyone is safe and is doing ok.

Anti M the reason I asked was the barracks (ship) my Son was on I guess they may be getting rid of? so he was moved to a really nice place, looks like an apt. shares with one other Sailor has a small kitchen Bathroom and a full size bed for each. Really Really nice. Thank You for the concern I greatly appreciate it! Hope you Ladies have a Great Day!

Phoenixmom--My son was just moved from his ship to the new one as well.  He was pretty upset about whomever was in the room before him because they left it pretty bad.  But apparently it was a hotel on base at one time???  No idea!!! lol.......but he does like how much more room he has!!!  Personal room!  Seems like a compact apartment almost.  He facetimed me and showed me around............He's funny like that!!!  He said he only has 30 days of schooling left but he plans on being there until April-May????  We will see!!!

Good morning mom of two my Son did send me pics yesterday of the room, he was Happy! I'm just worried because he don't know how to cook. LOL! But it is pretty nice! A window and all, you are right it does look like an apartment. So to be funny I started singing "Moving on up" from the Jefferson's , he just laughed. Doesn't have a clue about that show. He too is in the Last Part of his schooling not sure how long though. Great Day mom of two.

If they don't have their orders, they get to stick around Glakes until they do, or until a seat opens up in their slated C school.  Very common with the FC rating, moreso than others.

He hasn't received any orders as of yet, he just recently finished both Technical schooling now starting the A school part of it, is that correct? has a few weeks of that, he isn't sure as to when he will begin, I know they are moving out of one of the BEQ stated it was an old building and they may be tearing it down, not sure of how it works.

My old barracks still shows as standing on Google maps.  Corner or Evans and Paul Jones streets, by the chow hall.  I am surprised they're still in use.  Not sure if the link will work or not.  Used to show the building numbers, but I can't get that to come up now.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Ib0AxSnroU_DA3oHzS0QeTwn3...

We were in Great Lakes for graduation on Friday 1/5 and left our sailor there for A school. It was very hard but I am absolutely thrilled with all the positive I see in my son. Graduation was wonderful...we are so proud! His class of A school does not begin til mid- January. He was thrilled with his dorm/apartment too!

Ocean Blue Congrats on your New Sailor and welcome to the site. Your Sailor is going to enjoy A school there. they do have phases that they go thru there here is the link.

Navy Class A School Student Policies and Restrictions - The Balance

once he gets into the 2nd phase he may be asking you to send some of his clothing and I'm sure he will be buying them himself.

Nice link on liberty.  I use the RTC FB link, same information, different format.

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

Good Morning Ladies, hope all is well this Wednesday Morning. Thanks Anti M, how are you doing with all the snow? I just have to say You are one Heck of a Lady and I appreciate you!

Good Morning,

I got the same tour of the new "apartment" he was actually running from room to room. lol. He also got a driving chit so he can now go get food to put in their kitchen. He's lost 15 lbs since he got back to GL, when he was home we did our best to put that back on. I felt like I was living in the kitchen. With the new kitchen our Sailor is pretty happy in GL.

My Sailor got orders for Virginia but a Sailor with the same rate and graduating a few days prior to mine got the same orders then got orders to Japan. So we are sitting a waiting. Although I can't help but start researching the DC/Virgina, WV and NC for a trip back to see him later this year (hoping he doesn't go to Japan but I understand it's a possibility). 

Hi SusanL, when My Son came home for the Holidays OMG, he put on some weight, I told him it was all that eating out, I guess some weekends him and some buddies go to the movies and are eating out quite a bit. He did tell me that a lot of them got orders to Virginia, it is the biggest base and very Nice. some to Spain, and japan and very few to Hawaii. He hasn't gotten his orders as of yet, he did mention starting school today. He also mentioned that things were hectic getting things set up in a new ship. I sent pics of cleaning items to get for Bathroom and kitchen, He wasn't very good at cleaning his room, so I told him now that he tells me he is a grown man,he better clean like one LOL!, so it is only out of respect that he help clean the bathroom ect. So who knows how well that will go. Knowing my son he will get stuff to put in microwave or oven he wasn't much of learning to cook, and I wouldn't trust him in my kitchen. So I have to check in a few to see how things are going.

Phoenixmom, I am well, thanks!  Where I live we desperately need snow.  We have some, but our snowpack is well below normal.  What falls in the mountains is our summer irrigation/lawn water, what falls in the valley refreshes aquifers.  The ski resorts are suffering, and the potential for catastrophic fires from drought is very high.  

I am laughing a little when the barracks/ship rooms get called apartments or dorms.  The Air Force calls theirs dorms, and apartment is a real stretch.  It just sounds funny to an old salt.  Nice that they have a place to cook, all we had was an illegal mini fridge and a microwave down in the lounge.  

Norfolk/VA is indeed a huge base.  Dad was stationed there when I was little, and my husband before I met him.  Not my cup of tea.  I was mostly in Japan, which I loved.  Yokosuka is a huge base there, and there is also Sasebo, Iwakuni, Okinawa, and tiny Misawa.  It is not terribly unusual to have "soft" orders changed, so until they have official orders, think of it a a maybe yes, that's the location.

And cleaning ... because they have frequent inspections, they do learn to clean!  Cleaning is huge in the Navy, everyone does it to begin with.

It is great to hear how different every Sailors experience is, Thank you all for sharing, I figured it would be different for some, but you just don't know until it is mentioned. And I figured there would be some who just don't respect others. That has to be hard to deal with, My son mentioned a few things that upset him and almost lost it, I'm just thankful he caught himself. I would think that at this point you would of matured to a point but I guess some never do, or like to test the waters. So Thanks for sharing, I didn't want to seem like I was the only one who's Sailor was getting fed up with the idiotic behavior.

It’s so fun to hear of everyone starting to get orders, taking their next steps, this is part of why I stick around, it’s just so exciting :). Congrats to those of your sons/daughters who got orders so far and those who are classing up for A School! 

Norfolk has become a really good place for families with a parent on deployment, lots of resources for kids these days. My husband is from a couple hours from there, and we’re not particularly fond of the area itself…but it’s definitely on our list if he does continue to plan on being career military, after we have kids, since this is something he’s worried about, the idea of the separated family, and they have great programs to help kids understand and support them. 

If anyone’s sailor gets Fort Gordon for C School, feel free to reach out to me! Husband just finished up there in July. 

I went to Fort Gordon for C school, ages ago.  So strange to be on an Army base.  We went horseback riding when we could, do they still have the stables?

Carey, chances are pretty good that any hotel room he is assigned will be suite style, with a mini kitchenette.  Maybe not, but I'd bet on it.  If not, he'll be getting BAS and COLA, which will help a great deal.

I have had terrible roommates too, but also some who became good friends.  I did move into an apartment in Japan as soon as possible as an E-5, the roomie drove me out.  Too much bad behavior to even begin to describe it all.  She was mean, petty, and rude.  

Allison, I am so thankful you do stick around.  Your information is fresh, and your insights are on point.  Thank you!

Good Morning Ladies, hope all is well. Thanks Anti M for sharing about the roommate situation. spoke to my Son and him and his roommate seem to get along which is good, It was problems he was having while in his other ship, but I Guess some never grow up or think someone owes them something who knows why some are the way they are. Just thankful he didn't lash out or do something to get himself into trouble.

Hi Allison hope all is well with you, and thank you for your knowledge.

AntiM they do still have the stables! We never went up overselves, but we heard great things…I wanted to, but my husband’s schedule didn’t leave much  room for it, and I’ve also had a lot of bad luck with horses, so I know it sounds silly, but I was afraid to go without my husband lol. 

Hello everyone, my son will be graduating from boot camp next week and attending A school at Great Lakes. I was wondering what type of things could we take to him that we would be able to use while in school, such as clothes, pictures, gaming systems etc...?

ssmyheart ... they will not be able to wear their civilian clothes for a couple weeks, so go easy on those.  They usually cannot leave pictures out in their rooms, I assume you mean framed photos?   They must have permission to have their big gaming systems out, and theft can be a problem, but they're allowed to have them.  This is a barracks, not a dorm, so the rules are a little tighter on what they can leave out of their lockers.

Good Morning All, Happy Friday!

Spoke to my Son Last night and he received his orders, And it couldn't be any Better San Diego! Whoo Hoo! 6 hrs away from me. couldn't be more happy! He is ok with it, said not many getting orders there. Anti M any knowledge of that base? we did take a tour of base awhile ago seemed pretty nice

I've lived in San Diego three times, each associated with the Navy.  Way back when I was in kindergarten in the 60s on Coronado Island, in the 80s when I was going to an advanced theory school, and in the 90s as a dependent wife.  Beautiful area, expensive.

There are several bases, there, I would assume he'll be going to 32nd Street Base, yes?  Will he be assigned to a ship or a shore command?  That makes a difference.  If he is an E-4, he'll be in the barracks.  If he gets into Pacific Beacon, it is super-nice.  

My son is in Great Lakes for A School for IC.  He called me the other day and said when he got back from school his roommate was gone.....all his stuff....everything!!  He had told me that his roommate wasn't doing the greatest in school, didn't study, didn't help clean, would go to the bar a lot (he was old enough), etc.  My son said he tried to help him be a better sailor and student many times, but it didn't help.  My son is excited to maybe get a roommate who wants to be there and to study with.  But I'm wondering......where did he go???

Anti M I'm not sure he is a E-3 going for EMFN I believe that is correct. Going to a place that is more expensive do their pay stay the same? So I will ask if he is a shore command or ship. Now what does that mean from the two?

Donnac I'm sure that happens quite a bit with others but that is really sad to have wasted so much time investing into the Military and not succeeding or trying to anyways. Glad to see your son is doing well and hoping he gets a good roomie.

So Anti M would I find out first where he will be going, and what site would I go on for navy for moms?

@Donnac ... the Navy invested into training that roommate, so they will do their best to get their money out of him, so chances are he was moved to the barracks for the PACT seaman program.  If he really messed up, he was placed in the THU for separation.  When the Navy decides to change things, they move swiftly!

Phoenix, his orders will say which command he is going to at whatever base he is going to.  32nd St. has all the ships of the Pacific Fleet, and over a hundred shore commands.  Because he is a new EM, he should be going to a ship.  If he is an E-3, he is an EMFN already.  A shore command is one which is well, on shore.  No deploying, it is more like a day job with some duty thrown in.  Unlikely for a first timer, but not impossible.  

His base pay will not increase, and he will be given housing on the ship or in a barracks.  He might receive COLA, which is a cost of living adjustment.  I would need to check to see if junior single sailors get that or not.  There's BAS for food, but if he's assigned to a ship, he's supposed to eat in the galley.  Otherwise, food is out of pocket.  I actually know more answers for the married sailors!

From a quick google search, I don't find San Diego on the COLA index.  I thought it would be!

http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Fact_Sheet_CCOLA.pdf

Thank You so much, you are amazing and I know I can come to you. I appreciate your help and Knowledge. I will make sure to find out the info.

I love San Diego, I just cannot live there long term.  I am a Californian by birth and inclination, but the pace of the place drives me crazy.  

I'm right there with you, I can visit but I couldn't do the freeways everyday and very fast paced.

Anti M thank you for the information, it helps a lot. 

Does the sailors get leave time during A school

ssmyheart, for A School, they can take leave during holiday stand down, after graduation before they report to their new command, and maternity/paternity leave if they have a baby, although they’ll usually be “held back” in that case since they’ll miss training.. It’s highly unlikely they’ll get any other leave unless there’s an emergency with their  immediate family. They do get liberty though, which is like free time by comparison. They have to stay closer to base, it’s 300 or 350mi I believe, phase 1 and 2 have to report back every night, phase 1 stays in uniform. Phase 1 needs 2 buddies, 2 and 3 need 1 buddy. There’s 3 phases at Great Lakes (and a white card after graduation if you’re on hold). I can go into more detail if you want, or Anti M has a really good blog post on it! 

 http://navyformoms.ning.com/profiles/blogs/leave-vs-liberty

Here are the phases as on TSC Great Lakes Facebook notes:

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

Donnac, he may have just moved rooms and not told your son, perhaps he’s just not very good at communicating. If he “failed out” of school, then he would most likely go undesignated for a couple years. They say they’ll find you a new rate, but this tends to be kind of a black hole for most, since a lot lose their passion while undesignated and just get out when their contract is up. Anyway, that’s something that could have caused him to move. If he left the Navy for some reason, this is very hard to do after basic training, so it’s probably pretty serious and they’ve had him move. He won’t be in trouble necessarily, but they may want to be keeping a closer eye on him because, again, there’s few reasons that they’ll allow someone to voluntarily leave the Navy, so that’s a possibility. Either way, without causing serious alarm and getting in big trouble, a sailor can’t just up and leave, so he is somewhere around there right now. Even separation, whether voluntary or involuntary, can take weeks, months, sometimes even a year or so, unless it’s really urgent, and it’s usually not, so he’s probably still around somewhere, unless this happened awhile ago.

Good on your son for trying to help him, that was very kind and exactly what the Navy wants. I hope he gets a good roommate :). 

Anti M, I am trying to find the site where I can purchase more of the Division tee shirts from PIR. Do you happen to know what it is? Thank you in advance.

Not Anti M, but here is the link for the division t-shirts.

Division T-Shirts

Thanks Ellen.  I put it in my links folder.

Got it ellen0502, thank you bunches.

Good Morning Ladies hope all is well, wishing you all a great week. I would like to share todays Daily Bread verse.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Good morning!  

I'm packing for a birthday trip, so while I am not worried for my next few tomorrows, I certainly am preparing for them!