Thank you MamaMiri for all your help!! Glad I have an "idea" now. One thing about the military I have learned so far, you can never plan anything!! LOL.

No problem! Yep you just have to roll with things. ;) Good luck!

Is all SECF schooling in Groton? My husband thought it was, but now he seems unsure if he'll still be in Groton for A-school following BESS. He currently has approximately 3 weeks left of basic right now.

Yes. All SECF rates (FT, ST, ETnav, ETradio) are in Groton for A School. There is an old, outdated handout on the training pipeline for SECF rates that is still being given out (or at least it was almost a year and a half ago when we started) but it is no longer accurate.

Generally orders during BESS come through about week 4 or 5 although it can vary.

Yes, and you will be able to join him after BESS (or once he gets his new orders, if you really need to) and all of schooling together through the end of A school takes approx. 10 months to a year depending on holds and such.

Well, we are fine and well living here in MI with his parents (as we have been for the past couple years...waited 3 years for our house 4 hours away to sell. Didn't get ANY offers. Finally gave up and told the bank to just take it. lol)

But he's already talking about us moving out there with him during a-school. He just got bummed recently thinking that he may not be in CT for it. Gave him the good news in the letter I sent out today. :) That should perk him up. haha!

Anyone know what the moving process works? I know theres a lot of information "somewhere" just dont know where to start looking. My husbands schooling is in Groton and im all the way in California! He got the "ok" I can move with him but doesnt know when.. or if we pay for the whole move upfront and they reimburse us? I also heard they wont pay to "ship" my car but they will pay for mileage and cost of living....is that true? I guess Ill know more once hes out of boot ( in 2 weeks) but just trying to plan something out!

Usually you can't move to Groton until after BESS.  He has to receive orders for his next school, which will be about 2 weeks before he graduates BESS.  They will pay for your move but only when you are on the orders.  I was able to move up there a week before BESS graduation.

Oh ok! Did the navy reimburse you or how did they budget your move and figure out the cost?

Yes, we paid for the move up front and then they reimbursed us, and we actually made $1500 on our move.  They base it on mileage and how many nights you stay in a hotel.

Oh I see! How did you guys decide to move? rent uhaul and DIY or hire a professional? Did they pay to ship your car or did you tow it? Haha, sorry for all the questions!

We hired a moving company and I drove my husband's up, then my mom came to get my daughter and I so that I could drive my car up and pick up our dog. LOL, the questions are fine, I had soooo many questions while my husband was in bootcamp too.

You drove up twice?! Where did you start from LOL....hope it wasnt too far! Would you reccomend the moving company you used?

Oh really, wow. I wasnt aware that the Navy can move me? What do they do? What would you suggest I do about my car? Will they pay to ship it or do I have to drive it from Cali all the way to CT? $4000 wow! So glad they reimbursed you!

The Navy will move you, in fact they will come in a pack, pick up your stuff and move it and even store it at the other end if you are not ready for it.  I know this because just last month they moved my grandson's wife and baby to where he is in New Hampshire from Arizona.  They picked up their things (it worked out perfect because he was home on leave when the movers came) then it took about 2 weeks to get there.  So his wife and baby flew from AZ to NH and they even reimbursed him the cost of her flight.  He had just finished A school in Groton and got his orders for the USS Miami which is dry docked in NH.

As far as the car they will not pay for that you will have to pay yourself.  My grandson had his car shipped from AZ to CT and it was about $725 it all went very smooth and was delivered on time.  This carrier was the cheapest we found and they offered a military discount.  If you want more information just let me know.

Oh wow, thanks for the info Nana Donna! Do you remember what (car) shipper company you used?! I have a 10 month old baby and I REALLY dont want to drive cross country. Thanks!

KL - I know my granddaughter has a 14 month old and there was no way she was going to drive.  They shipped the car and then she & the baby flew out there and the Navy even reimbursed my grandson for the air fare.  The name of the car mover is Rock Bottom Transport.  I will PM you a link and more info.  If you mention my grandson he will get something for the referral.

Ill check them out! If i go with them, what is his name? Ill make sure to mention him!

KL  here is a link Rock Bottom Transport You need to give them his order # which is

Order# 7246-TX  

Very nice and easy to work with

Nana Donna, My son is graduating from A school this month.  I'm looking for suggestions for something to get him for graduation.  Did you get him something or do you know of something that he got that was useful.  I did get the LLBean sleeping bag for Christmas and some of the mother's talked about Leatherman Tools, but my son is an ET-Com/Radioman and doesn't need those tools.  

Oops didn't mean to make that order code so big Yikes.  Sorry  LOL

ProudMama - I did get my grandson a leatherman and he was very very excited about it.  The instructor told him it was one of things they should have (I didn't know that at the time)  I have heard that they would be handy for anyone on a sub. 

Thanks Nana Donna, it does sound like it would be a good idea to have one.  

Our son will be graduating from "A" school in Groton next week.  We got a call from the Navy today saying they needed to talk to him because they needed some more paperwork from him.  When I asked what paperwork, the guy said page 1 from his enlistment.  Does anyone know what page 1 is?  

ProudMama I would call his recruiter, they should have a copy of it. 

Thanks Nana Donna.

I have to brag!!!!  My submariner made E-6, First Class Petty Officer!!!!!!!!!  On his 2nd try.  I am so proud of him for his accomplishments in the US Navy!

Congratulations Rhonda, we are in CT right now, my son just graduated from his A School and will be stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii also.  Have you visited your son in Hawaii?  

Yes, ProudMama, we visited my son the first week of 2010 and are hoping to go back next year.  It is really nice but I did not get to do or see all that I wanted to!  Good reason to go back!!!

Received great news today our son Daniel has been promoted to PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS...WOOHOO...and he will be coming home next month can't wait :-)

Congratulations to your son, Rhonda! As I have posted before, this is a MUST brag zone! And as others have recently said, it is fantastic that they are recognized and rewarded for all the hard work required to earn such an impressive promotion: )  And ProudMama, congratulations to your son, too. My son graduated in April and I loved being there for that. (Glad  the paperwork snafu was resolved.) Hope he gets to come home before reporting.  I was really happy to get my kid home for awhile, but he ended up leaving Groton 3 days BEFORE we left the east coast!(We are Washingtonians:) The best to him and you, too and what a year it's been for all of us!

Rhonda8881 so happy for you on your son promotion to PO1st class great news :)

Where did you stay when you were there? My son is ET COM and will be on the USS Greeneville.  How about your son?

Sorry, that question was for Rhonda.  

Congratulations to your son Gloria.

missin'mybrowneyedboy, thank you and yes he will be able to be home until June 11th. 

ProudMama, my son is on the Olympia but will be transferring to shore duty some time next year.

We stayed at the Navy Lodge on Ford Island.  It was nice, had a small kitchenette and was convenient.  Your sailor must be with you to check in the first time though.  You might look into the Hale Koa also, as it is a Navy discounted hotel also.  It is not far from the beach or shopping. 

Congrats to your son Gloria!

Thank you for the information Rhonda.  I'm anxious to visit there, maybe next year too.  

Happy Memorial Day to all of you and stay safe.  

To our Veterans, it is because of you that we are able to be so proud of our Sailors.....Thank you!

Gloria P. I am so sorry for not congratulating your son on his promotion until now. I don't know how I missed that great picture of his patch: ) And, yeah on him getting to come home next month, too. So much to celebrate in your house!

thanks ladys....yes we are so proud of him...and the best to you all

Happy Father's Day to any dads who belong to this group!

Missing my son who is underway!  Praying for him and all the crew on the sub!  God bless our sailors.

Ah, timsmom, I am preparing myself for that exact same feeling and am asking for prayers, too. Of course, I don't know anything specific about when my submariner will be out on his first underway(actually, it will be as a rider because his boat is in dry dock) but I have already given him his August birthday presents just incase there's no communication then: (   And, yes, God bless your son, his crew, and all that have commited to serve and protect: )

Great news our son re-enlisted for another 4 years...we are so happy and proud of him :)

Gloria, Wow, does he look sharp, or rather I should say "expert", in those crisp dress whites and rows of ribbons and beautiful shiny dolphins! Congratulations to him and thanks to him also for volunteering to continue to protect us. Definitely a pleased and proud moment for you.

Thanks missinmybrowneyedboy yes we are very proud of him. Well Hello Jack A.S it has been a long time since I've seen you on. Thanks I try to help when I can. And congrats on your nephew. Thank him for me. Best wishes. Gloria :)

Gloria, congrats to you son!  He looks very handsome in his dress whites.

I received a phone call from my sailor today.  He is on deployment so haven't talked to him in a while.  He received his 3rd NAM this week.  Very proud of him and the man he has grown to be.  The Navy has done wonders for him.

Praying for the safety of all of our sailors.

hello my name is amber and my husband will be going to school. does anyone know how soon he will be shipped out after boot camp?