Great Lakes A School Q&A

https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/

boys - mine are the same. I have no idea what's going on so thankfully I have you all...

A school for GM how long is it? My son sad they will finish in April. Online it says 27 weeks.  

A little curious anyone else’s Sailor never been on a boat before? Cruise ship doesn’t count.  

We’ve only toured the USS Iowa and the uss midway. Uss midway we got to tour a big portion of it, but that’s the only experience my sailor has had. 

LOL, a boat in the Navy is a submarine.  

I hadn't been on a ship, but I was raised in Navy housing so I knew about bases and ID cards, and I had flown on military cargo planes as a teenager. Just having a Masterchief father prepared me mentally, the Navy had rubbed off on me a little.

The Midway was the main carrier when I was in Yokosuka.  We hated it when she was in port.  Everything got crowded and my husband's job got significantly more annoying.  

I made flight arrangements for my sailor to come home for Christmas - a 8:30 am flight out of O'Hare on 12/21.  Now my son is telling me they cannot leave until after 10am because they are taking them all to the airport together.  Can anyone advise?

Amanda I made arrangements for the same day but my sailor told me in advance that the flight had to be between 930 am and noon. I’m sure the airline will allow you to switch flights if it was booked under military 

The advice is generally nothing before noon, because each school is a little different, and  they ALL need to check out, including a room check. Then they have to get to the airport.  No, they are not taken in a group, although there are shuttles they can buy seats on.  

what are all the options you can think of? does he have access to a debit card tied to an account you can put money into? where are his paychecks going? can you mail him a visa gift card? does he need an item you can buy him on amazon? i think there is going to be a solution but im thinking your question is too general for an answer. 

Most sailors have an account at navy federal which I believe there is one located on base. 

i think you answered you own question. the navy will give him everything he needs. actually this sting he is feeling is the best natural consequence  

Smoothsailing you are so right on!  Sailormom 18, I think my sailor is doing the same thing. She wants a Mac book but has very little saved up. I’m sure she is eating on base more than at the galley. It’s time for her to learn the hard way!

Having been a sailor at Great Lakes myself once, please, do not send him money.  He has access to food and shelter.  Make him learn the hard way or he'll get himself into trouble down the road.  I never quite did, but I always had someone in the shop who needed counseling about finances.  It is an eternal problem for young sailors.  Freedom and no one to tell them to reel it in.  Let him learn.

I once spent nealy $5K on a stereo system in Japan... 

Oh, look, free one on one financial counseling at Great Lakes:

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma/installations/ns_great_lake...

Solid advice Anti M. Good to hear from someone that went through it. I lived in a tent and often ate MRE’s during one of my deployments. We got very creative with them- little tobasco sauce can wake up any entree. 

Anti M, that is such great advice our sailor graduated in July and has been spending money like it's nothing.:( He comes from a family of seven so he has seen hard times and us his parents struggle. I have had to learn how to not say anything and let him learn. Even if it hurts his pockets. 

I'm chuckling because payday is Friday.  They will all be fine.

Good Morning,

Does anyone have the address of the USS England?

Sailor_lover I know they have to put in a chit for leave and have it signed, and I believe it depends on how much time they will have as well. Keeping fingers crossed he will be home for Holidays!

The training commands do have holiday stand down and the new sailors are encouraged to take leave.  After boot camp, he will have only earned five leave days, but may borrow a few more. However, if his A school is short, he might not get to take leave after school if he borrows too many days.  If his school is long, no worries.  Travel is out of pocket and will be expensive.  Do not jump the gun on plane tickets, as the cheap ones are long gone, and he will not know if he gets approval until very close to time to travel.

Just received news that my sailor has classed up for ATT, been waiting since October 26th.  He is very happy!

My son had a PIR date of 1/25/19, but called me a few hours ago upset because his PIR is now pushed back to 2/8/19. He has to repeat a test... He gave me a new Ship & Division for his mail.  Does this mean he has to start all over with a new group?  He's been there since 11/28/18. He really didn't have time to tell me what will happen next; not sure he knows.  I'm confused...

LSU, he is still in boot camp?  You're welcome here, but this is the A school group.  Do be sure you join the boot camp moms group for the best information.

He doesn't have to go back to square one, but he will be repeating some of the training, and yes, in a new group.  He just didn't get everything down 100%, so now he has the opportunity to get it correct.  Happens a lot, although it is a disappointment, it is not a failure.

LSU. Hope your son calls you on Christmas Day so you can get some better clarification. These things are hard. I hope you are able to stay busy with family and friends in the mean time. 

MAJOR CHANGE 2/8/19 ** NEW POLICY

On 2/8/19 the Navy instituted a change to better assist the families on Graduation weekend. This change is currently in the test phase and can be revoked anytime if sailors abuse the program. Traditionally, sailors needed to be signed out/in on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Friday, February 8th, 2019 sailors were GRANTED WEEKEND LIBERTY WITH THEIR FAMILIES until Sunday evening if a responsible adult signed them out. There was no need to return the sailor on Friday night or sign them OUT/IN ON Saturday and Sunday. Again, THIS IS A TEST and if the Navy decides to re-institute the old policy, please follow the directions below. Please ensure that your sailor is returned on time and allow enough time for the long lines at Gate 1.

This is a Great Privilege! Hoping No One messes it up for another, You know the saying all it takes is one to spoil it for the others. For those that will have this experience during your PIR, please enjoy! this is a Awesome thing they are doing and Please follow the directions/Policy you can find this info survivalguide020819.pdf, 1.6 MB. It can be printed, it has airport info and parking and Hotels near airport just in case you want to check out and be closer to meet up with Loved One. A Must Read!

Hi BuoyLou, he has been in a lot of pain, cant talk and eat. I just feel so Horrible about it all. They had remove more of the right side Tongue due to Cancer and the Dr. is feeling like they removed it all. we will find out Monday. I'm hoping so BuoyLou because I know that he will not go thru this again. And I cant blame him at all. This whole experience has taken a whole turn around for me and my Family. we are remaining strong but he has lost so much weight and I feel like I'm losing a battle and I keep reassuring him it will get better as he will also. So I am trying to remain very hopeful for him and I cant wait to see him feel better, I told him as soon as he is ready to eat I will take him wherever he wants and he can eat all he wants. He is a avid seafood person, so I know Lobster and crab, clams is up his alley. Thanks for asking BuoyLou and thank You for the prayers.

When we went to see the doctor we knew this was part of the procedure, but we didn't know the extent to it. He is remaining hopeful but then again he said if it still remains then he is just going to have to deal with it because he will not go thru this again or have any more procedures done. He has been radiated to the fullest the first time and chemo is out of the question as is surgeries. he said he has lived his life and has given himself totally to his family and if it his time to go then he will have to deal with it. So I have to respect that if those are his wishes.

Here are the liberty phases as TSC has them on FB:

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

Essentially, they can leave the base in phase one, but must be in uniform and have a curfew/  Phase two, they can wear civilian clothes. Phase three, they can stay off base overnight on weekends.

Bouylou, things can change by individual schools/barracks.  Uniform on liberty in phase two is odd, indeed.  Even weekends?  Could be a temporary thing, if one messes up, they all get punished.  

I hope everyone is having a great week. I had a question, what is the minimum students required for training classes?

Brandybill I think it all depends, they have Training at Great Lakes for many trades/rates so not all classes will be the same for all. My Son was a EM and he had no more than10-12 Sailors in his class for Engineer Rate. But I'm sure someone with more detail and info may be able to answer a lot better.

Good Morning Ladies, on this site. I was here once and you will learn a lot from these Ladies. If I remember correctly My son had to take ATT and BECC classes and pass in order to begin A school which is at the end of these courses. Mrs. Anti M is great at explaining she and others guided me .

For anyone who has a Loved One that will be a EM (Electricians Mate) this site will give you the courses they will take and for how long.

[PDF]

EM – Electrician's Mate - Navy COOL - Navy.mil

The ATT and BECC are classes which combine sailors going into a number of ratings, so those tend to fill very quickly.  As for individual classes at the different A schools, I do not have an answer.  That changes so much year to year, even month to month, that no one can give you a concrete number.  So much can happen.  They could lose an instructor, or someone dropping out of DEP or being separated at boot camp could change the numbers.  This is very much a hurry up and wait situation, with no good answers about how, when, and why.  

I have confirmed they have changed the liberty phases at Great Lakes, but I cannot get anything in writing.  Apparently they do go straight into phase two, but must wear their uniforms until they get the paperwork/signatures done in the first two weeks to qualify for civilian clothes.  

Happy Friday all!

Thank you Anti M for all the information, I understand now why my sailor asked me to send civilian clothes. 

I appreciate the link phoenixmom. 

Hello Ladies,

My son is finishing up A-school in GL.  He's in Borda Hall.  Often (more than 3X a week) his "ship" is "not allowed" to go to the mess hall for food.  He's spending an inordinate amount of money on food since he says he's, "always hungry."  Since the navy makes him pay for room and board, shouldn't he be able to access food 3X a day?

Please advise!

That is really odd, I have never heard of them having to pay room and board. My Son was switched from his BEQ to dorm looking apt. on base and he never had to pay anything. Then from there he was Stationed. I would like to hear more on that or how it is answered.

Technically they do get a food and housing allowance in their pay and then it is deducted from the same check for said food and housing.  If they look at their LES statement they will see it.  It's in & out (and not the hamburger In N Out lol!).  

jtr75 -not sure why your son is not allowed to access the galley for food.  He should ask his command - or ask another shipmate.

Similar situation, last week on Friday I think, dinner was not available. Information was given to them during lunch.

That's very strange, if your sailor cannot get a direct answer, I would direct questions to the TSC PAO.  Usually if a hot meal is not offered, they have the mid-rats option (bagged lunch, box meal).  Every sailor gets BAS, but it is subtracted if they have access to government meals.  Were they on some kind of lockdown, or did they have liberty suspended?  

The housing allowance is routed differently, but that is BAH.   You are either in a BEQ (barracks), living on your ship (like the actual vessel, not a barracks), or are drawing BAH to pay for an apartment.  Overseas it is OHA.  

Or was there a storm?  In very bad situations, they lock down the base, nd the cooks cannot get to the galley.

Having been a student at Great Lakes, I take galley complaints with a grain of salt.  My roommate was always hungry, but she would not get up early enough for chow before marching to school, would not march over for lunch, and preferred to watch TV than hit the chow hall when it was open for supper.  It is true that if you cannot eat fast, meal times are quite short.  And what they serve is not always what you want, but the choices tend to be very diverse.  hard to do special diets there.

Here's the new and very comprehensive TSC student handbook:

https://www.public.navy.mil/netc/centers/tscgl/documents/1616.1C.pdf

Civilian clothes guidelines:

https://www.public.navy.mil/netc/centers/tscgl/documents/1020.2A.pdf

They cannot wear t-shirts with the flag on them, or flag printed items.  You have to read between the lines to catch that.

Happy Thursday everyone,

Anti-M like always all the information you have given has been extremely beneficial. I have been sending a lot of items to my sailor, particularly civilian clothes, I would not want any troubles for receiving an inappropriate item.

The food issue has not been a concern lately, besides my sailor been always hungry even after eating, which was typical experience at home.