Great Lakes A School Q&A

While xboxes have “built in WiFi” they still need an isp, such as xfinity, to get online like anything else. My husband said some of the newer barracks have a WiFi network of their own, but most do not. Didn’t your son get moved to new barracks? Perhaps that is why it worked out for him with the Xbox. Anyway, an alternative to paying a whole internet bill every month is to split it with roommates. I think you can get hotspots at cell service providers as well, but they usually don’t come with a ton of GB…might be better to switch to unlimited depending on your carrier. 

so just to clarify regarding the wifi, he will only be in GL for a month or so, I looked at xfinity and all i saw was plans that required a one year commitment. he may be moving around a bit for school so I guess that poses a problem but there must be something he can do, not sure if using a phone hotspot is going to be all that effective. we will for sure do the unlimited but just looking for other options. thanks

My husband and I didn’t have any penalty for breaking our contract with xfinity. The first time, we were still in the service area because we just moved down the street to housing, so we were just able to transfer it, and the second time we moved out of state not in a service area, it still hadn’t been a year, we just returned the stuff no problem. There should be a clause protecting service members that have to PCS, but things can change, so maybe your sailor can call and ask about it. 

ok thanks. i was trying to set him up with a nice laptop for his birthday so maybe i will just go for it and see what happens.  thanks  

Also, just thinking for future reference, most phone carriers will allow service members to suspend service for no charge and hold their phone number if they deploy or are stationed over seas. Not relevant, but it’s good to know I think :)

Thanks. All info and tips help me/us. 

I think that Comcast has a "plan" for those on base. My son picked up Comcast when his roommate moved on, he did not have a penalty when he left.

ok gonna add that to the list of possibilities.  

where are the rules/ restrictions for sailors in phase 1 ? thanks

https://m.facebook.com/notes/training-support-center-tsc-great-lake...

From their Facebook page

Smoothsailing,  I have not seen a list of rules for phase 1, I can only tell you what my sailors rules where.  He had to wear his uniform.  He had to be with another sailor.  He had to fill out a chit so that he could come with us.  Different "ships" had different distances they could travel.  I know that you are thinking about Thanksgiving.  I do not think that they can stay over night.  They will have a curfew.  Your sailor will get filled in when he gets to his new ship.  

Actually I was thinking about the weekends before thanksgiving!!  We live near enough that I’d like to take alex to Gurnee Mall the weekend after PIR if we don’t get there. 

Thanks ladies. If I am reading correctly I can take alex off base to Gurnee the weekend after PIR if he is not working. 

Smoothsailing, you should be able to as long as he fills out a chit.  He will need  at least one buddy sailor coming along.  

Yeah, as long as he’s in uniform and back by 10 (always be early in case there is a line to sign in). Usually immediate family can sign out sailors, but some ships can be really really strict, so brace for the possibility of having 2 other sailors with you as well. He won’t have time to apply by the first weekend after PIR, but special liberty is an option as well. Sailors can submit chits for things like having overnight liberty during phase 1, having a family member that’s not immediate like a grandparent sign them out, etc.. They’re approved on a case-by-case basis, and having a good standing in school and good military bearing goes a long way in getting approved. 

thank you!

Are sailors allowed to receive care packages while at A School in GL? Or do the same BC "letters only" rules apply? 

HelloNavy

in the forum discussion on this page there is one that is titled care packages that had helpful info. I just read it and am glad I did because I was going to do something different than suggested. 

HelloNavy, you can send packages to A School at Great Lakes.

Bandmom & Stbl - Thank you!

Bandmom, You can send packages to your Sailor at A School. Do take note, there may be things they cannot have in the BEQ.

Ask your Sailor if there is anything not allowed where s/he is housed.

Is there a way I can figure out my sons address at GL? He is aboard USS North Carolina. What are all the address “pieces” I need?

Unless something has changed the address for mailing is the same for all, but you do need the BEQ (ship or barracks) building number. You can get the building or BEQ number if you have the name, but with no room number mail will probably be returned.

Hi, can I Amazon socks/uwear direct to A school?  It would be cheaper & faster than shipping to me only to mail back out to GL.   

Thanks. 

Anne Marie last night my son ordered himself some items via amazon. I’m thinking it’s going to work just fine however I don’t know where he will pick up his package and I am sure it will be subject to open and inspection. 

Smoothsailing they have a Post office on base somewhere, so they will get a Notice that they have a Pick up. also if you do not have the address or BEQ # they have it posted on a Bulliten Board where your Loved One can take a Picture and send to you thru Phone. That is what my Son had done.

Ok thank you! My son just gave me his address so I guess they'll figure out how to inspect large packages at the front desk, not sure. Socks/uwear are nothing exciting, they probably see that sort of thing all the time. 

Smoothsailing

i will friend request you and give you the info that I have. You will need BEQ.  

phoenix, to clarify, amazon packages are to be picked up at the postoffice on base? so he will get a notice of some sort that it is there for him to pick up?

Yes, that is correct. When I sent packages or civilian clothing My son would be notified he had packages to be picked up. sometimes they may have to wait until the weekend if they didnt have duty to make time to pick up their packages.

Im sure he will have a tracking number also so he can track his order when it comes. so I wouldnt worry to much, I do have to say My Son Loved A school at GL. once they  phase up they get to go out on the town as long there is 3 of them together. they share the ride wether it be taxi or uber. sometimes they would order food get an uber to pick it up and come back to their Barracks. Alot of shopping at the mall and movies. For those that turned in their form to get adopted for thanksgiving I have a pic on my page of that day. They are in their big black coats. It was a blessing to know that he would be eating a nice Turkey dinner (which was his Favorite holiday) but for those that stayed behind they have a lot of festivities for them. the Chicago bears were there signing autographs, they had a really nice dinner for them, some watched football so do not worry Moms they will have a Nice time with many festivities. there is a site called the USO and it give info as to what goes on. let me find the site and I will post for you all and continue checking the face book site for GL much info.

You can also google great lakes A school it will give you what each buliding is for like schooling for certain rates, give you a directory of the base. so all info you need can be searched.

Thank you Phoenix. 

An 'A' school question and he hasn't even left for BC but we want to talk to him now about what we bring to PIR.

When they are in A school, what opportunities do they have to wear civilian clothes ?  Sitting in their room?  Ever?  He wants four shirts, two long sleeve, two short.

My hubby wants to get the boy a special sports jersey and Idk when he will be able to wear it and where he will keep it when he get on a ship eventually.  Do they keep a room in a land base when they ship out to sea for a TV or things he cant take on a ship?  I dont want to burden him with even a small pile of clothes.  

When they get to A school, they earn their privileges and liberty phases.  Civilian clothes can be worn once they get to phase two, which is a couple weeks to 30 days after they arrive.  They have a locking wardrobe, like a large closet.  Once they get to a ship, they do have room for a few outfits, and will want them for when the ship is in port.  There is no storage option offered while they are deployed.  Usually things like TVs are sold to another sailor, and they just get new ones when they're back on shore duty. Some guys get cars, and store their things in there.  It is best not to have a lot of expensive new stuff right away.

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

Yes correct Anti M, I didn't send muvh civilian clothes a few sweaters and 2 pair jeans. He bought what he needed.  Once he earned his way he did get a tv for his x box and for permission to have it out.so everything needs to be earned or asked for permission. Thank You Anti M. And another thing once A school comes to an end And they get Stationed much will be either left or rid off. And maybe given to the next to continue to do the same. As what my Son did with his dishes, tv.

My son is asking that I send his xbox to him but I am reading they have to earn privileges.  Is this something he should know of find out before I mail it?   He just got through PIR last weekend and only been there a couple days.   On another note he called last night about the christmas break saying they were filling out papers we had to look up flights but he said can't book them yet.   At what point do they allow you to book it as every day it gets closer to christmas the price goes up.   Thanks.

Myjazzy your Son I'm sure has been briefed as Mrs. Anti M mentioned they have phases they need to go thru before they can have things like that. He needs to look into it and when he finds out he can let you know.

No booking flights until the leave requests are approved.  That's the papers he filled out.  Takes a couple weeks to get them all signed.  Yes, the flights get more expensive, but there's not much to be done.  No early morning flights, they have to check out, hundreds of them, and get to the airport.  

He can have his xbox, that's not covered in the liberty phases.  He can keep it in his locker.  

Holiday stand down happens in 2 phases, so not everyone is gone all at once for the whole time, which is why they have to wait until all the requests are approved…it’s not like everyone will leave the exact same day and come back the same day for the standdown. It’s a pain, but one solution is depending on the airline, to buy a ticket for an approximate date he anticipates leaving and then reschedule the flight when you have an exact date. You’ll probably still have to pay the difference in airfare, but at least it will break up the expense a bit. Some airlines also have military discounts if your sailor books over the phone and requests it. It is best to book evening flights…after 5pm or so. They suggest afternoon to the sailors, but it can also take a couple hours to get to either airport from Great Lakes, and for ohare, the security can get really backed up. 

As for the Xbox, he can have it at any phase like AntiM said,  but if he wants to leave it out rather than taking up space in his closet then he would need a chit. A chit is basically just a slip of paper that serves as proof of exceptions to rules/responsibilities. While there is no rules about owning consoles/TVs (at Great Lakes anyway), there are rules about where items are stowed when not in use, and those personal items are to be locked in their closet. There’s not a ton of room in these closets though, especially with all their gear in it, and it’s a pain to set up/take down every use, so most sailors that have consoles and TVs request a chit to leave it on their desk when not in use. It’s not something he has to earn like wearing civilian clothes or drinking (if of age), but it is something he has to ask for, fill out, and have approved if he doesn’t want to deal with putting it away/setting it up every time. While we lived in Great Lakes, these chits always seemed to be approved. 

Oddly, a military discount is not always the cheapest option.  How many each airline offers per flight really varies too.

Yes! And they can change rapidly, so if you find a good deal with the military discount, take it because the price can go up or the ticket be gone entirely in an hour, especially this time of year. 

Also, on the flip side of rapid changes, don’t be afraid to call often and check prices, they can drop too. 

Hey everyone ! My Husband is currently in Swcc Training

If anyone has any questions feel free to reach out !!

Thank you for all of the information.

My son has been talking to a travel agent on base. air pro I believe it’s called. Anyone have any experience with this? Good idea or a rip off?? Thanks for any advice. 

If it’s on base, it’s probably decent…they try to make sure they’re offering good resources to sailors on base. I personally prefer to use apps/websites to find deals when traveling, and I call airlines when I book things just for my husband to compare the military discount. It might be a bit overboard for a trip home though, as I think travel agents charge fees on top of the trip cost. If he’s traveling somewhere else though, like a vacation, it’s probably worth getting the extra help with their busy schedules.