Great Lakes A School Q&A

Wiffer peanut you are welcome glad I could be of Help!

My daughter is home from OS school for 2 weeks - so EXCITED!!!!!!!!!

Then she leaves for her duty station and most likely we won't be able to see her for about a year.

TxxMom,  So Happy for you!  Where will she be stationed?  Our son hasn't been officially home since Christmas.  He got to come home for 3 days over Labor day.  He was supposed to get leave starting now, but because they sent him to another A school, that won't happen.  He gets deployed as soon as he is done with school.  Hopefully we will get to see him next fall.  Enjoy your daughter.

Good evening Moms.  Our son has weekend liberty this month and we are flying out to Great Lakes to see him.  Does anyone have advise to share of places to go, things to do and hotels to stay?  For his PIR weekend in May, we flew out and we rented a car and stayed at Courtyard by Marriott in Waukegan- the location was perfect because we did alot of shopping that weekend.  This time he'll be staying 3 overnights with us, so I'm thinking we should look for a bigger room. Is a day trip to Chicago by train something to consider doing?  Has anyone been to the Volo Car Museum?  Are we able to walk around the whole base with him? We did the mall last time we were there. Thanks, I appreciate anything anyone would like to share. I'm just looking forward to being together!

NJ32718 we stayed at the Residence INN and they have a very nice 2 bedroom suite kitchen living room everything is stocked as far as Utensils, pots pans, dishes, very nice and friendly people. but I have a listing of all hotels if needed.

There are also hotels in Vernon Hills, Gurnee, and Waukegan.   the Hotel Indigo-Vernon Hills .  Here are other places that people have mentioned (listed in the order I found them and I added the links for your convenience; I do not recommend or endorse any particular one): Ramada Inn Waukegan (some like the place and others do NOT), Hampton Inn in Libertyville, Residence Inn Waukegan, Red Carpet Inn in North Chicago, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham at Wadsworth Waukegan,  La Quinta Inn & Suites in Gurnee... That should give you some places to try. 

The discussion, Recommended Places to Stay, within PIR Reference Information may give you some ideas. Check http://www.tripadvisor.com/ to see what others have said about any hotel you are considering.  

Hello NJ32718,  My son also had weekend Liberty while he was at Great Lakes.  We did take the train into Chicago, to see the Symphony.  The train station is right next to the base, and we did a lot of walking in Chicago.  Since you don't have to have him back at any certain time, I think that would be the thing to do.  I would start googling and see what is going on that weekend.  Between Chicago and Milwaukee there is usually something going on.  (Milwaukee is only about 30 minutes north).  Kenosha, and Racine may be having something as well.  When our son had Liberty he was just happy to sit around the hotel and relax.  Feel him out, see what he would like to do.  Most of all, enjoy your time together.

Here's some links:

http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/where-to-go-in-chicago

http://www.gogreat.com/events/weekly/

I was absolutely crazy about the museums in Chicago but then, I always loved museums.  The Field Museum may be one of the most interesting for a sailor.  He gets in free, and even though basic admission is pricey for everyone else, it is well worth it.

https://www.fieldmuseum.org/

Thank you all for the great responses!  I truly appreciate the input and advice, thanks again!

We did The Field Museum also. It was pretty great. We also did the Bean and Willis Tower and the zoo. It was so great to fit in so many things.

I always liked staying at Candlewood Suites before I moved out there, and my family like it as well. Make sure to get a room that specifies non smoking if the smoke smell would bother you as they do have a couple smoking rooms still, but you don’t notice at all in the non smoking rooms. 

You can walk around a majority of the base with him. There’s not much to do/see unless they have a big event like 4th of July going on or something. You can eat in the galley if you wish for pretty cheap, otherwise there’s a couple food places like McDonald’s. They don’t usually like people on the beach in the winter, obviously you can’t go down into the shooting range, you most likely won’t be allowed up to his barracks room, you can only be on the quarterdeck (lobby), and he can’t go in the area with the officers club or housing, but there’s nothing exciting over there anyway. It’s a beautiful base and worth seeing, but you don’t have to plan out too much time for it because it’s small and uneventful. 

we stayed in gurnee  for PIR last week at the la quinta because it was pet friendly- although a little older, the staff was super accommodating and the room was clean-  the location was great- close to places to eat- the mall- starbucks (yeah!)- 

as for Chicago-  make sure you get some deep dish pizza- (lou malnatis or giordinos are the 2 faves)  the art museum is 2nd to none-  and the museum of science and industry is also great- a quick way to see city highlights- the architectural tour-  and if he has overnight liberty- do the hancock tower at night-

While a lot of sailors might balk at the idea, a family dinner in the chow hall for Thanksgiving is a unique experience.  They do try to put on a good meal, and usually families are welcome for a small fee for holiday dinners.  

If all goes well my daughter will graduate BC on 11/2 and then onto Great Lakes A school.  How does thanksgiving work?  We are from NJ and wondering if there is time we can spend with her.

Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, so she should have it off.  Friday is not, but they tend to go to a relaxed liberty schedule.  She won't know her duty rotation until she checks into A school.  She may have duty that day, and would not be able to leave base, but you could go visit her if she is not on watch, and maybe have dinner in the chow hall.  If she does not have duty, she can spend the day with you.  I'd guess she would be in phase two by then, and could wear civilian clothes, but could not spend the night off base.  She probably would need a liberty buddy unless she submits a chit asking for you to be her buddies.  She cannot travel home unless she takes leave,  and that is unlikely.  With holiday stand down the next month, she needs to save her leave for Christmas.

Just thinking ahead- when can a sailor have a vehicle in A school? 

Thank you very much!  One last question.  What is the Saturday following thanksgiving rules?

For thanksgiving, if you’re close family like spouse/parents/grandparents, your sailor can probably get approved for a special liberty chit to spend the whole long weekend with you assuming he/she does not have duty. They could also get special liberty chit for just one night or something if they do have duty one day over the long weekend, they’ll just have to be back when liberty expires/not leave until liberty drops  on their duty day. I hope that makes sense, but it’s worth having your sailor check with their nmti about special liberty for thanksgiving weekend. 

As for vehicles, it varies. There were times during my husband’s 10 months in Great Lakes where students were not allowed vehicles at all (excluding live ashore students) and times they were allowed with a driving chit. Your sailor should check on getting a driving chit if he/she wants a vehicle, but they need to keep in mind that it changes how they can travel. The navy doesn’t just ship vehicles for you, there’s specific criteria, like going overseas is a big one, to qualify. Therefore, they’d most likely be expected to drive to their next duty station or find another way on their own dime to get the vehicle to their next duty station. It also gets to be a lot to manage with car registrations, inspections, insurance, etc., none of which is included in the relocation allowances and you have to make time to do yourself, when you’re moving around a lot for training. There are ways around all of it, but there’s no easy way. I would recommend to your sailor to hold off on getting their vehicle until they’re at their first permanent duty station for 2-3 years, and even then, they should consider if they really need it or if they just want it. 

Saturday following thanksgiving is the same rules as any other weekend. Liberty will drop and expire according to their schedule (nights/days), and as long as they don’t have duty, they can leave base with the number of buddies according to their liberty phase. Some ships allow family members or sailors not assigned to Great Lakes to check out their sailors. 

Right now the current policy at Great Lakes is student sailors cannot have cars on base unless they are married. As they gain their liberty privileges, they can get a driving chit, but must store/park the car off base. Not really worth it.

My son took his car to Great Lakes for A School.  Parked it down the road across from the train station.  He paid $30.00 a month to park his car, he thought it was worth it to have the freedom of driving.

Bandmom- thank you for the tip. 

hooyahsuzy, he was allowed to have his car.  He just could not park it on base. 

Without a driving chit and the driving for life course, it is a violation of liberty privlages to drive. That being said, it is possible, especially with limited parking at Great Lakes, that they allowed sailors at one time to get the chit and take the course but did not have space for them to park on base. So I think while Bandmom’s son was able to do this, I would still advise your sailors to check with their nmti. They cannot just have a personally owned vehicle (POV) and drive without proper paperwork while in A School… not without the risk of getting caught and being phased down/losing liberty privlages anyway. 

Yes.  They are in the barracks, with one or two roommates.  They can have small personal items, but must keep them in their locker, which is something like a locked wardrobe or closet.  Most rooms have a private bathroom and a small kitchenlike area.  (not the really old rooms, but most of those are being phased out).  Think of a bare bones college dorm room which cannot be decorated and must be kept very tidy and clean.

As long as none of the photos reference drugs, pornography, violence, excessive or underage alcohol consumption, or intolerance of race, gender, political views, religion, sexual orientation, etc.in any way,  photos and small albums are acceptable throughout their career, including bootcamp, A and C School, and deployments. The biggest concern is just space. They have tiny albums at the dollar store, or it’s fairly easy to make your own small one thanks to sites like Pinterest. 

Postagram is a great way to send photos to sailors. It comes the size of a postcard, but the photo and message pop out as a small square that’s easy to tuck away. 

Shutterfly makes nice photobooks.  

Good Morning Ladies, How are you doing? Allison I seen you Posting wanted to stop By and say Hello, How are things going? Hoping all is well with you and Hubby! Good Morning to you Mrs. Anti M, Glad to see you back and answering these Great Questions. Hope you Ladies have a Great Day!

What can I expect over thanksgiving weekend for SR who will be in Phase 1 of A school in GL.  Would it be the same restrictions/privledges as those that graduate the Wednesday before thanksgiving? I understand he could have an assigned duty but outside of that..... 

Liberty will be in uniform, and he has to have liberty buddies.  If he puts in a chit, that can be family.  There's a curfew of 2200, and the miles limit is 300.  Not quite as strict as PIR weekend, but almost.

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

Will he still be an SR?  He might be an SA or SN after bootcamp.

I can only imagine he would be the lowest rank there is

I asked this following question to the admin of my PIR group, maybe the wrong spot, ......

once out of boot camp do the A schools start immediately? My SR has a 3 week A school in GL however it will be thrown off by Veterans Day and thanksgiving. I’m wondering if they ever have to wait for others or just how does a holiday affect the progression of a class. 

Just want to add that I am 10 years prior service myself and I understand anything can change but I am just wondering what is the norm. 

Hi, my son's A school is on hold. The mom version I have come to understand is that the Navy needed x job filled, his assigned job fit the prerequisites but he did not qualify for the specifics of x job when tested. They have to find orders to fit his assigned job w no ETA of that happening. My son was not alone in this situation. Somewhat disappointing but out of his control. He could be home for Xmas though. Good luck to all the new sailors tomorrow on their 1st day of school!

Totally depends on the school, the time of year, how many sailors need to go through the same a school, what c school openings there are after graduation, etc. Your sailor may start within a week, or they may be stuck waiting for months for classes to fill up or another class to finish before they have an instructor available to start a new one. There is significantly less recruits going through basic during the winter than the summer, which impacts how many new students are arriving for their schools. They may have over or underestimated the number of sailors that would accept a contract and complete bootcamp. There’s just a lot of factors, so there’s really no way to say what his/her actual time in GL will be. Your sailor can get a rough estimate looking at students who have arrived just before them, but things change all the time. 

Thank you Anne Marie and Allison. Definitely makes sense, my SR will hate this!! Military will teach him to be patient for sure. 

3 weeks?  Is he PACT?  If so, he technically has seamanship training, not A school.  The wait for that is usually quite short as several ratings and all seaman PACT take it.  Maybe a week or two.  The longest wait might come after, waiting for orders.  Still, it is October, the start of the new fiscal year, orders and sailors should be moving quite soon.  

If he does well in boot camp, he can easily be awarded SA/E-2.  They promote a fair amount of them that one grade up.

Hi he is TCU until the Navy finds him new orders for his specific job. 

What is TCU? I’m thinking of THU, which is sailors held back after graduating bootcamp for one reason or another. Is it like that? 

Haha yes THU, long weekend! His orders were changed so he stays in GL until the Navy finds new orders. 

Is the a list of things that you are not allowed to have at A school? I understand space is limited. Or is there a list of things commonly wanted after BCgraduation. 

Yeah, there's always a THU around at almost every base.  It almost universally sucks.

There's not really a list of what they can and cannot have.  Each barracks will have slightly different rules, so waiting is best.  They usually want their own underwear and sleep pants. A laptop and their phone.  They have to carry everything you send, so keep it light if their school is short.  They can't have things out, so take it easy on things like blankets and appliances.  They will need some laundry supplies, but again, if they're going to be flying soon, keep it in very small amounts.  They're not in college dorms.  (even though the Air Force calls them dorms, the Navy knows better)

For laundry supplies, even though they’re more expensive, the pods are way easier. They’re going to be hauling their laundry to the laundry rooms, and rather than carrying a jug, you can just throw a single pod or two depending on how many loads they have into the bag and carry it down like that. Don’t worry about fabric softener or anything like that. It’s not going to help in the old junk washing machines lol. For a short a School, try purchasing dryer sheets online or from a hotel laundry room. The packs tend to be way smaller. Dryer sheets are a must with pt gear! 

Some Febreeze spray is good too, but something as close to unscented as you can get.  Don't laugh, but the pet scent neutralizer is great on ships.

is there WIFI at GL?  I am used to there being WIFI everywhere i go and rarely need to use my cell data. My son is on my plan so i have a feeling im going to be needing a lot more such as an unlimited plan.  

Yes the base does. My son just added it recently. I believe it is $50 a month for unlimited. He also switched to his own unlimited phone plan through Verizon since the military is offered a discount. If using Verizon, you the primary account holder have to request on their site and then he has to complete the process on his end within 10 days. Not much of a discount, but something is better than nothing. Hope that helps :)

I just had my daughter switch to unlimited on Verizon. Then if other want to use her unlimited hotspot she will just charge so much for access. 

They can pay to have internet in their rooms through xfinity. There’s usually WiFi in the lounge, McDonald’s, and I think there might be WiFi in the uso

Hi Alison, When my Son was in A school in GL they have like a thrift store and he bought a tv, x box came with some games and Internet. didnt pay to much for it at all. He had to get permission to have it out which he did. Just a thought or reminder. When my Son was done with A school and getting Stationed he had to report straight to Duty Station and he couldnt take to much what could fit in his Sea Bags. so He handed the TV down to the next person and asked for it to be handed down when they got ready to leave.

Giving or selling your extra things to others in the barracks is very common in A school.  I knew I was going to a shore command, so I arranged a packout from my C school barracks room.  Just a few big boxes, stuff like bedding and my appliances I was allowed to have, and my nextra clothes and off season uniforms.

This translates into selling your appliances and car for overseas commands.