Sailors at Corry Station holding or in school

I went on Google Maps to "see" Corry Station as soon as I learned where he was going. It's a pretty small place, as Navy bases go. Much smaller than the NAS. The old airstrips are used as roads and parking lots. There are also a lot of fast-food places just across the road from Corry, though they aren't allowed to go there without a buddy. I figure for the first few weeks at least Chris should be pretty happy with the amenities they have, from the giant NEX to the pool and recreation center.

There is also a decent Wikipedia entry on Corry Station, with a list of the recreation available to sailors at Corry.

deanneCA-Ship 07-Div 104 ~ He will find a nice base too! There is a lot of activity at Corry Station. Once they are settled in (they make many walking trips to the NEX - because they can - lol ), they find their niche; whether it be working out, movies, going to the mall, video games, chess, card games, racketball, cleaning, laundry - you name it! He will also have his jobs/duties, until he classes up. If you do not hear from him as much as you think you should the first couple of weeks, they form their Corry Station family. They have been through a lot - maybe not together - but they have had common/like experiences. Tell him to make sure he gets to Firehouse Subs when he is allowed off base : ) ~ kk

Firehouse subs is a favorite of my son's. He may go broke!

I expect my son to come home soon : ) ~ kk

Clearly Chris did not manage to pick up his phone today. Maybe tomorrow. I can't imagine why he isn't calling from the pay phone every 2 minutes to ask where his package is. He called every day Monday through Friday. The only thing that could keep him from calling is *gasp* Dungeons & Dragons. If he discovered the D&D group we may never hear from him again, LOL.

"Class up" means a large group is ready to start training together, the first day of class together. Sometimes there aren't enough

IT is different, it is a self-paced, computer-based course, not unlike a college correspondence course. As I understand it they "class up" every week, whichever students have finished Indoc and have their clearance start that week. They also graduate as they finish the program.

CT students have a more traditional classroom experience, and have to wait until there are enough students ready to start school to "class up." some are unlucky and arrive just after a group has classed up and has to wait (weeks to months) while others arrive just in time to fill the last spot in a class.

Chris has his phone now. He called me once and I couldn't talk (at work), I told him I would call back when I was free. He's not answering my calls or texts, and I know his phone is on because it is ringing four times, not going to message right away.

I don't even know if he's still in indoc or if he has started classes. All I want is a little bit of simple information (a basic daily schedule so I know when to call, and when not to)! He's going to be an IT, I want him to give me some Information using his Technology!

CT's can't have their phones on them in the building at all. It is a security issue.

deanneCA-Ship 07-Div 104 ~ Yes, if they have classed up - they have started classes, or will in a very very short time ~ lol. i.e notified for sure! They do not always get much notice of their start date. My son expected a several month wait. He returned to Corry Station from his holiday, and started classes within a week. In addition, prior to classing up they have their badging process (security clearances). So others may be starting a class, but others are in a hold period waiting for their badging. ~ : ) kk

cell phones ~ juni & Susan R - Your guys said it! Those cells phones are stowed away in their rooms, etc. Not on duty - not in the building - and you better not be caught with it to your ear walking on base. No walking & talking - right? We patiently wait for any calls or text messages. Also, we do not bug him with calls or text messages during the week. : ) ~ kk

Chris called, he said he had turned off the ringer for chow hall and forgot to turn it back on. I was calling/texting him after class but he didn't look at his phone.

He said he is in CORE now and is out of class at 4 pm each day, so he has time off from 4 until muster at 8:30.

Is CORE the same as indoc, or is it a separate class? I started to ask today but got distracted.

When Chris called the first time from his cell phone the first words out of his mouth were "Did you ship the iPod with it turned on!?" The battery was dead and he wanted to know why. All he had to do was charge it, and I told him so. It was almost funny, he was so upset!

Last night I almost laughed at Chris. He was complaining that one of his room mates is "messy." LOL, him complaining about messy? Who is this sailor and what did they do with my son. who couldn't figure out how to pick up a floor?

Chris officially made Phase II today, civilian clothes and off-base privileges. He asked me to ship his clothes, but to go through them first to make sure all of the shirts have some kind of big commercial or school/Navy/etc logo on them. Apparently "plain" shirts of any color are "gang colors" in the Corry neighborhood. so they aren't allowed to wear plain shirts. Jeez! They are also required to go out in groups of three. Two isn't enough of a buddy system, apparently.

I also found out my in-laws, who live 6 hours away from him in Georgia, will be visiting him next weekend. He's bored and lonely, so they're going to take him to a few fun places in the area. Any suggestions for the Pensacola area?

I hadn't heard about the gang thing and we live near Corry.

The Naval Air museum is lots of fun. Some people like Lambert's out in Foley Alabama. I like having lunch at Hemingway's on Pensacola Beach so I can sit and look at the water. Flounder's is also a favorite in that area.

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http://www.flounderschowderhouse.com/
http://www.ernesthemingwaycollection.com/Products-Services/Hospital...

Ok, so most of my ideas of fun involves food!

So when should we expect to have to send his clothes when he arrives at Corry?

Almost 5 years.

It took Chris less than two weeks to get to Phase II, so if you send his stuff as soon as he arrives at A school ( use slow, cheap shipping). The box will probably arrive just before he earns them.

Chris said he was *allowed* to have civvies in his locker, he just wasn't allowed to wear them yet.

There are worse areas of Pensacola than around Corry! Usually the areas around any military installation aren't great.

I think the students should be instructed to make sure they wear light colored or reflective clothing when walking around the area! I think that is more of a danger! I see students walking down 98 at night in dark clothes all the time!

I love the Naval Air Museum! We went twice during my visit.

Corry Station - It always amazes me how people think they can let their guard down when they are on military bases or college campuses. Think about it...wrong doers are attracted to places with lots of activity, valuables, etc. Military bases and college campuses are like malls to people with ill intent. I felt safe at Corry Station and NAS. There are areas around Corry Station that are supposed to attract the military - bars, etc. They know or learn very quickly - not the best choices. Corry Station has great facilities and NAS has such an expansive area to run - and the beach! Sure there are some shady areas - but not unlike most universities - where you must be aware of your surroundings. I use to live in South Florida and saw areas not unlike those around Corry and NAS. I did not have issues with the area at all. : ) ~ kk

Military bases are old and the areas immediatly around them are usualy run down. I have to say where we are now, Groton is pretty safe its downright boring but every base has areas that are "black listed" so to speak.. Sailors depending on rank can get into serious trouble for going there. Usualy night clubs, strip clubs and bars...The biggest thing was going to Tijuanna when stationed in SanDiego my husband myself and our friends were guilty of that in our younger (stupid) days.

I believe Katrina may have eliminated some things around Corry Station. The buildings did not look old to me.

Corry is hyper-alert about safety off-base right now because of the sailor who was killed a few months ago. Chris said that during CORE/indoc they talked about what happened to her (she went jogging in the wrong neighborhood - only about a few blocks from base - and shot for her mistake) to the point of annoyance. A lot of Corry rules got changed after that happened, trying to keep it from happening again.

The buildings outside of Corry are old. Katrina didn't really knock anything down but hurricane Ivan the year before did a number on the city! There are tons of old, run down, and now abandoned buildings all up Navy Blvd.

The homeless like to camp out in the old Nationwide Insurance building. That is next to the Taco Bell where we frequently get stopped after leaving the drive thru by people asking us for money. I've been stopped and asked for money several times in the Wal-Mart parking lot. There are a few abandoned used car lots and pawn shops. The old BK finally was torn down a few weeks ago and is the new Hardees. They are also building a new gas station right where the homeless used to have their camp/bonfires right at the intersection of Navy and 98.

I looked up the current status of the case. At this time there are no suspects or leads, the police seem to think that it was a case of mistaken identity, that a local gang saw her wearing what they thought were "rival gang colors" in their territory, and killed her for "trespassing."

There was a shooting at the McDonald's right across from the gate a while ago but they knew who was involved in that. Also the Sonic and the Shrimp basket were robbed. It is no wonder those buildings stay abandoned!

That incident in November happened about a mile and a half from the front gate. They haven't released many details.

There is a lot that has gone on in the area that I think should have made them stress safety a long time ago!

juni ~ I remember when that hit the news. It was not long before my son PIR'd. We discussed it when I went to visit last month. The intersection of Navy Blvd. and the street that proceeds from the front gates of Corry (sorry can't recall the name), has several panhandlers. We had a woman with a child come up to the car window to panhandle. There are many areas of abandon businesses along 98. These are a distance from the gates.

So Ivan took away all but one of the phone boots at Corry? - lol

I have used the following online shopping sources to send things to my son; amazon.com (free shipping), Kohls.com (sales and free or $.99 shipping), and JCPenny.com (sales & free shipping). He enjoyed receiving a nice new pillow, cozy blanket, books, vitamins, candy, etc. Each package was a surprise! : ) ~ kk

MamaBear...Can you imagine what it was like before when the cops didn't stop the panhandlers! There was an entire camp in the woods! I once saw about 10 people around a fire. I see two types of panhandlers. The ones lately in the parking lots don't look homeless. Then of course are the ones who look like they've been on the streets for a long time.

The street out the front gate of Corry is Chief's Way. This is along Navy Blvd. and New Warrington. This area has most of the abandoned buildings.

I live along highway 98 out the back gate of Corry and there aren't many abandoned buildings along this part. There is much more open space and trees in this area.

Oh, and there was that officer involved shooting in Boomerz which is just outside the front gate where that hotel is.

juni ~ It happens (panhandlers) everywhere. I used to go to a specific gas station near my employment (then a major university and teaching hospital) but stopped because the police would not stop the scary panhandlers that would approach you while you were pumping your gas. I had some weird experiences there! About a month after I stopped frequenting the station, a panhandler scared an elderly woman. She stepped on the gas to leave quickly, not realizing her car was in reverse. She drove right through the station/store front window and people were injured. So not just around military bases.

I didn't say panhandling was just around military bases. I've lived in many states. It is more prevalent in warmer climates. This particular area has had many issues with this. It was all over the news and involved law enforcement when the ban was put in place.

Kathie, I don't think it would be a problem. Chris says there is pizza delivery on base. Why not cookie delivery?

juni ~ Oh - I know. : ) ~ kk

I just had a request for a fresh batch of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies when I pick him up at the airport : ) ~ kk

Chris told me he is scheduled to "badge-up" tomorrow, which means he has completed the clearance screening and gets his security badge. Then as soon as they "class up" for IT (which happens weekly?) he starts school. Hooray!

Chris hasn't left base yet (he refuses to go unless he has his civvies), so no problems with foot poisoning yet.

Ah, if it happened on base and several guys got sick the Navy will probably do something about it. The Navy takes a dim view on anyone who takes their sailors out of service, even if only for a day or two.

About three years ago that Subway had issues with food being out of temperature but that all was fixed.

Gastroenteritis has been going around so it could have been that too.

Oh, Chris *can* leave base now, he just won't. Apparently leaving base in uniform is the end of the world. He wants his civvies yesterday.

And now he will be stuck on base another weekend, because his grandparents won't be visiting until next weekend. They were going to be there this weekend, but his grandfather is a bit "under the weather" with this head cold that's going around.

Are there any good fresh seafood places in Pensacola? Chris is missing the good stuff. We go down to the docks and buy it right off the boat. Somehow I doubt a fresh tuna will stay good in the mail, LOL.

Joe Pattis.
http://www.joepattis.com/

Chris "classes-up" tomorrow! Woo-hoo! Hooray for a school that gets them through the system quickly.

This is just from my own experience at a different A-school, a long time ago, but I doubt it has changed much.

There is an A-school graduation, but it's a measly thing, lasts about five minutes, no real ceremony, and usually is held in a small room with no seating. It's mostly just the commander and chiefs telling the new grads they did well, recognizing the outstanding students, and sometimes announcing any special orders. The only thing "special" about it is that we got to wear our working whites (not even our dress whites) instead of our dungarees.

I think the best comparison would be the swearing-in ceremony at MEPS.

The important thing at the end of A school is getting orders to our duty stations. We were far more excited about getting our orders than actually graduating. It was very cool (no pun intended) that one of my classmates got Antarctica.

The orders they receive are usually to the next school (if they get one) or to the command (either ship or shore) where they will be stationed for the next 3-4 years.

Occasionally they get "special" assignments such as Antarctica that is for a year or less, or they are assigned "detached" to a Marine or Army unit for the duration of that unit's stay in Iraq or Afghanistan before moving on to a more traditional Navy assignment.

Okay, a little clarification. Our sailors (ITs and CTs) have about even chances of going to sea or being stationed on shore, with a bit of weight toward shore duty. They are pretty unusual. In some jobs, especially engineering, weapons systems, and aviation, some sailors never get shore duty unless they become an instructor, an RDC or a recruiter.

If they are assigned to shore duty, it's almost like a regular civilian 9-5 job (or swing shift, etc).

If they are assigned to a ship, that means they will be working on that ship for the duration of the assignment, whether it is in port or at sea.

If their newly assigned ship is already at sea for an extended deployment (2 months or more, usually), then they will report to the ship at the ship's next port call, wherever that may be, anywhere in the world. If it happens to be in home port, then new sailors will report there. The ship may have just returned from a long deployment and will be in port for a while, or they may be just getting ready to sail. Until you know the ship's schedule, you have no way of knowing if you will be separated immediately, or if you will have time together.

If the ship is in port, or if they are assigned to a ship in drydock or in new construction, they may be in port for months, or even years. My husband was assigned to a new construction, it didn't even have a skin yet. He spent 18 months assigned to it before they ever went to sea.

Ship schedules can be strange. They may be out to sea two weeks here, six weeks there. There is rarely any rhyme or reason to it. Once every two years most ships go to sea for 6 months for a deployment. My foster SIL is only home about two months out of each year, if you added up the various days and weeks he is in port.

A few types of small ships have a different routine. "Boomer" submarines and the new LCS ships have "blue" and "gold" crews; two crews take turns, one crew takes the ship out for a pre-determined amount of time (three months is common), they return, and switch crews for the next three months. It is the ONLY sea duty that has a predictable schedule for families to count on.

Some support ships are in port 95% of the time. I was on one of those. We went to sea once or twice a year for a week or less, just to make sure we could still do it if we needed to. Every two years we would take a month or two, sail up the coast (stopping at Catalina Island, Vancouver, BC, and on to Alaska, a side trip to Hawaii, then return to San Diego, Rough life, huh? LOL, it was an unusual ship.

CTs on submarines dont stay attached to a boat they usualy are part of a detachment then go out as needed. I do hope my hubby gets sort of a perm shore duty ut he will be reenlisting after this school and his C school whatever C school he picks it will give him an NEC that tells what his bonus will be the larger bonus is for those who go out to sea... I am so used to his shore duty now hes home everyday by 3 sometimes 10 am !! If theres no jobs on the boats he dosnt have much to do... :) Its going to be tough transitioning back to sea duty :(

Colleen.....we have sold cars to other sailors, I dont know what thats about. Theres even what they call a "lemon lot" on bases, its all cars boats trucks motorcycles people want to sell. Not lemons just what they call it. Its on almost every base.

Grippers mom... They told my DH he will need to go to C school as well. it basicaly gives them specific instruction as far as certian rates go.. like if he wants to go on submarines or air craft or carriers or certian overseas billiets. This will give him an NEC which some count towards college credits as well. Its a very good thing to have my husband has a few actualy.

That I haver no clue about.. We just recently signed the title to our Lincoln over to someone who came up from FL to buy it. I really dont know how you guys would work that out. It was in our name. I guess I would sign the title when you get there have him fill everything in to whoever he wants to sell it to.

I know I've said it before but since it has been asked again, he needs to talk to the relocation office and then TMO/PPO. They are in charge of moving household goods. They will look at his orders and tell him what he needs to do.

No, the Navy doesn't give you a place to stay until your HHG's get there. You have to pack and plan accordingly.

Again, once he talks to relocation, they can tell him what he entitled to.