CTN

Patti A (CTN mom); momoffour (ship11 div 119); and clockard.. All of you are fantastic with the straight forward answers and providing the information us newbees ask.. along with the encouraging words..it means a lot...

Also your joking around with each other, puts a smile on face :o)

Thank You

I'll have to look up the milage to Jacksonville where my older son lives.. bet it is over 300 miles though.. Oh well the phone and hearing his voice is better than what I'm getting now.. My older son is getting pestered all the time..

I had to laugh this morning when he called (my oldest that is).. called me really early.. a lot earlier than is his normal.. in which he doesn't call every day.. anyway I asked if everything was alright because of the hour.. he replied "just thought I'd call & get a jump on your call, which I know will come." of course I said me.. naaaaaaaaa I wouldn't do that and we both laughed.

Yes he does.. there is 11 years difference in age between them, but now that they are older they are buddies, which makes it nice..

I don't think it matters the radius anyway.. I'm pretty sure from when I lived in Panama City.. that it is farther than the guesstimated radius..

Wow.. Is he deployed yet.. I might have missed it before if you told me..

Patti A Good to know.. He packed everything he wanted in a box before BC, but you should see the box.. :o)..

Umh... I must've missed something.. What does CTN is number one for a rating mean?

Giraffe - Welcome to the group.  What Patti means is out of all the ratings (jobs) in the Navy, CTN is #1.  Which if totally correct.  CTN's have so much more opportunities than the regular Navy.  However, the rating will show a slow down in advancement opportunity for this cycle coming up, but because so many sailors put in for the recent early out, the advancement opportunity will go back up quite a bit. 

Like clockard said, he can put in an "Out-of-Bounds" chit and come home for the weekend.  My nephew is going to CTT "A" school and flies home about every 3 weeks.  The only time after boot camp that a sailor normally can go home is if they are in the Thanksgiving or Christmas PIR group.  My son was in the Christmas PIR goup... God know how that happen... 

momoffour - I would love to discuss why CTN's are #1 compared to Nukes. 

Both rating presently are getting way too many people in them.  It's because of our sucky economy.  It use to be they couldn't get enough Nuke, now they seem to have just a little bit too many. Just like CTN's.  Both Nukes and CTN's have the pride thing going on. Those that like it, like it. Those that don't, don't.

Just to give you some of my thoughts...

I'm a retired Navy guy. I went to my basic electronics class on the Nuke "A" school base in Orlando. My room mates were both Nukes. Yea, they were a weird breed, with the calculators hooked to their belts and constant studying.

But then I went to my ship. While most of us "normal" sailors (I was a CTM) were on liberty, drinking and chasing women, the Nukes were still on the ship doing their qualification and other stuff that Nukes do. In most of the ports,  I was receiving maximum liberty, and could go on tours, while the Nuke stayed behind.  Nukes were always the last ones to leave the ship, and the 1st ones that had to return because of their job. 
For me, I joined the Navy to see the world (and to chase women), and I did. I had the best time ever. For the Nukes, these guys never saw much pleasure in their liberty time because they were putting in 14 hour days. However, these guys have great pride in their job!
If you like extremely hard work, little appreciation, long hours, and little liberty, then people go Nuke. But if you want to see the world, go on tours while in-port in different countries, and to go drinking and have a wild time, then go any rating except Nuke.
This is just my opinion, but I'm sure most of the Nuke would agree.  Clockard, your thoughts?

Can anyone tell me if the bleep sound I'm hearing in the background is chat room? I don't follow it, but was wondering..

Also, I just found out my sons Div in BC was pushed and what it meant.. sounds brutal. Did any of your sailors have this

clockard.. I thought that was what it was.. I tried a chat room a couple times, but it moved way to fast for me.. but then again there were a lot of people chatting.. It got confusing.. so I had to give it up LOL..  I'll have to remember the double click for future reference..

momoffour.. does that mean my future CTN will have to wait for classes to start?

Thank you clockard and Craig I'm not offended at all, was just wondering because it had been a few days..

They made him wait for 4 or 5 months before going to boot camp because of the slots available in A school, according to MEPS and the recruiters. So he got a part time job until then.. What I didn't understand (sort of) was he signed the papers and was sworn in, but they made him sign a waiver if he got hurt or sick the medical was on him, but they had him go to different naval training meetings etc.. It was annoying the inconveniences they put on me (my son didn't have a car) for meetings and such.. No matter how many times he told them.. I had to leave work early etc.. They finally got it at the end and would pick him up if it was durning the week.. of course nothing was done on the weekends when I was available :o)

He may need a little bit of a break after BC, but hopefully not long.. Guess this is another we'll have to wait and see

Hi Giraffe! We can all understand your questions and fustrations because we've all been there. That's what I love about N4M. It seems like someone can usually share their experiences with you so you get some sort of idea of what to expect. It's such a change for us too. We go from talking to them daily since the day they were born, helping them make decisions and looking out for their best interests to having it where everything is out of our hands. It can be a difficult transition. My son was 23 when he left for BC and had been living on his own since he graduated from High School so it has made it somewhat easier for me in many ways.

My son waited 6 months from getting a rate at MEPS to leave for bootcamp. Once bootcamp was over and he was sent to Pensacola a few days later, he started school within 3 weeks.

I'm a new Navy Mom for the most part but I love sharing what I do know. :-)

Thank you Annieship 03 div 084 anything helps.. the not knowing is the hardest.. I just received a call from him though.. sounds good and more upbeat than the letters portray. Course he tells me more in the letters than he probably could on the phone.

clockard.. that is wild.. I collect giraffes.. have all sorts.. even found a Christmas inflateable (said I'd never own an inflateable)..so cute he sits on a cushion that says Merry Christmas reading twas the night before Christmas and has a Santa hat on.. Oh it is 6 ft tall.. LOL..

And yes you drove right passed me.. the town I live in intersects with 376 and 80.. we are practically neighbors :o)

I have a question.. what will my son be aloud to bring to A school in Pensacola?..

He received his orders and it has Pensacola, but June 11th.. his PIR is 6/3.. they told him i think he said they are temporary.. what does that mean?

Okay two questions

Someone was talking about they can be given a black bag with no logo's on it at the airport.. that can contain cell phone, boxers, gym clothes, and perhaps a lap top.. (which we don't have).. is this correct?

Okay 3 questions

Hey everyone! I am sorry for not answering your question , I have had the crud and could barely make it to work and then back home to bed! Since my sailor was not grad and go, we left before he flew to Florida so I had to send everything (including his cell phone) to him once he got down there.As far as classing up, that is anyone's guess, but I think it does them some good to do mindless jobs for awhile to get adjusted before starting class.

     I remember those BC letters, some of them were so depressing and then I would get a phone call or letter that sounded better, especially toward the end. I saved them all and plan on giving them back to him some day. He will get a kick out of reading them!

My son graduated high school and went to FL in Jax for some college.. His older brother lives there.. Because some financial difficulties of my older son he moved back here to PA.. he went to BC 7 days before his 21st B-day.. a milestone we all missed..

I got a phone call from him at around 1700 and he said just to bring the duffle bag that was sent home with his stuff in it.. lol

Maybe he said tentative orders.. not really sure.. when you are trying to cram weeks of not talking into 1/2 hour.. The letters are special, but hearing his voice was stupendous..

Another question.. found out with talking to him today the recruiters only sent one page of his college transcripts (they had lost all his paperwork twice previously).. and my son supplied copies a total of 3 times.. he was supposed to start BC at E-2 rating and promote to an E-3 upon completion of BC, but because of there mess up not all his credit hours were recorded and he is at an E-1 rating now.. How and when can he get this corrected?? Do any of you know??

Or will it ever be corrected??

While at BC he had to fill out life insurance papers.. with this he had to go back to them twice because of mess ups they made.. It still isn't right.. he said he should be able to correct it at A school.. Is this right.. can he do that?

Sorry for all the questions.. but nowhere else to turn at this point..

Giraffe - So I don't forget, I'll answer your questions in order....

1. That is a strange coincidence, I too bought an inflatable blonde for Christmas. Mine doesn't sit, but she does lay down alot... Mine is 5'9"....j/k.. Had to add a funny to this post just to keep my sanity....

2. Yes, his orders will be temporary. TEMporary DUty (TEMDU) orders are orders that involve detachment from one station and assignment to another station or stations for TEMDU pending further assignment to a new permanent duty station or for return to the old permanent duty station. Members on TEMDU are not attached to any permanent duty station.

Here is what normal orders from boot camp look like.  Notice the arrows.

3.  Per the backpack:  Here is what the offical Navy rule says:

Civilian bags (e.g., computer bags/briefcases, gym bags, garment bags, etc., this does not include women’s handbags/purses) may be worn with the working and service uniforms as prescribed in the manner below:

(a) Backpacks may be worn over either the left shoulder or both shoulders while wearing service working uniforms.  Authorized colors of backpacks include black, navy blue, and when available the matching NWU pattern (Blue/Grey/Black).  The matching NWU pattern backpack is only authorized for wear with the NWU.  No personal ornamentation shall be attached on or to the backpack.

(b) Computer bag and brief case: may be worn across the left shoulder of service and working uniforms to facilitate saluting.  When wearing a bag, the strap must be worn across the left shoulder (fore and aft) with the bag hanging on the same side of the body.  The case or bag will not be worn with the strap and bag on the opposite sides of the body (diagonally).

(c) All bags/brief cases worn with the uniform must conceal its contents and be either solid black or navy blue in color.  There shall be no personal ornamentation attached on or to the bag/brief case.

(d) While in dress uniform, civilian bags will be hand carried only.

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregul...

Beautiful Links.... I love beautiful links...  Don't you clockard?  ~ha

Thanks Craig.. that was TOO Funny!.. and the info was good also.. TEMDU reads like the directions you get at Christmas time trying to put something together.. lol..

clockard Thank you for all the help.. I have added both links to my favorites.. and again thanks for the laugh with your comment to Craig about the inflatable.. I'm still chuckling

I would like to know about the insurance and college credits though...

Man, what a busy day yesterday was...  Spent all day at my sisters fixing different things and was so tired when I got home that I went to sleep early...

I did miss the insurance and college thing.  I was thinking to much about the inflatable!  ~ha

Per the Insurance thing.  I totally agree with clockard.  Ya need to give us a little bit more info so we can help you solve or provide informaiton about what you should do.   For some reason I can't recall where you son is even at in the pipeline.  Is he at boot camp, or is he at Corry?    I can't tell from you statement of "While at BC he had to fill out life insurance papers..". 

Per the college, what was written in his contract? They use to give benefits for college back in 2007, but that all went away when our nations economy wacked out.  Now you need to have completed you AA or BA to gain anything.  From your statement of "... and went to FL in Jax for some college and went to FL in Jax for some college" tells me he doesn't have them.  Back in 2007, they actually gave you $3000 if you had 15 college credits.  So I had my son take some courses to meet the 15 credit and to gain the $3K.  But those days are now long gone. 

Remember, everyone in boot camp is a E1.  Once they complete boot camp then you put on the additional stripes (E2 or E3), but he won't be giving them until he reaches his "A" school.  So don't expect to see him wearing them at PIR (if you sailor is still in boot camp).  If he's at "A" school, one day someone will say "How come your not wearing your E-2 or E-3 stripe".  Then all of a sudden he will be at the uniform shop getting them sewn on.  Being a CTN, he will be an E-2, and he will get all the back pay from the time he started boot camp.  But again remember, all recruits in boot camp are all E-1's.  They don't want any of them to think they out rack each other.  

clockard - Speaking of rank/rate.  I wonder how Tony is doing in boot camp.  He's there now.  I bet he will surprise alot of people when he puts on E-5 stripe.... Woo-hoo...   Man, he was the only person that I ever got that for.  He will go far....

clockard and Craig.. thank you for the info.. To answer some of your questions.

My son has 10 days left of BC.. On the insurance the beneficiaries are correct, but they 1st messed up my last name (don't know how that happened because we have the same last name) and when he took it to have them correct it for some reason they then put his older brothers address as mine.. I'm in PA his brother is in FL.. I have no idea what happened.. he decided after the 2nd time he would wait for A school..

I didn't realize in BC they all are E1.. thanks for the info..

As far as college credits.. he earned some while he was in high school, in calculus and computer auto cad something.. and after graduating  went to FL for more college. He still was in high school in 2007, but the rest of his college credits (well over 15) was after that.. According to him & what I saw of his contract he is to be an E3 after completion of BC and his student loans would be paid for up to a certain amount.. However, when he got to BC he was told only part of his student loans would be paid.. and he knows he is getting E1 pay.. (i understand the E1 part now).. but not the rest..

Thank you again for all the help and info that I will pass on to my son once he is in A school..

Just checking in.  My sailor is doing well in A school and if all goes well will be hopefully graduating from A school 8/30.  It could be pushed back due to hurricanes.  We are planning a family vacation around his graduation so hopefully he will have a set date sometime in late July.

He said the weather was beautiful over the weekend and went to the movies and out for dinner off base.  He loves getting off base and has been to the mall, beach, movie theater, beach and several restaurants.  He has also had a fellow shipmate who is stationed at NAS take the bus over and stay the day at Corry.

My son has never seen a cockroach before and he said they have them randomly in his room along with ants.  It is quite funny to hear his stories of how he killed or caught the last one.  

Man, this month will be really rough for my son.  He needs to get a waiver to reenlist by 17 June to get the old reenlistment bonus (SRB).  If the waiver doesn't get approved, then he won't be reenlisting,  This really screws up his orders since he will only serve until his EAOS because if he doesn't, he will loose Zone "A" SRB forever. 

What does all this crap mean to regular civilians like you guys?  It means he looses about $30K.  This changes his whole game plan if it doesn't get approved.   I knew the new SRB levels would be bad, but not as bad as what happened.  Dang it, I hope he gets the waiver. 

clockard - Some sailors do get the stripes in BC, but most don't.  You son had the education stuff on his side.  My son didn't.  My son only had 15 college credit. GL usually will pass the sailor on to there next duty station so they (the Navy) will incur the cost of the promotion.  It's a money thing.   

clockard & Susan - What I'm thinking is both of your sons fall within a special case.  Susan your son falls within the 030701 (page 151) category for having JROTC, and clockard your son falls within the 030702 (page 152) category for having college. 

I know both my son and my nephew both didn't get stripes. They didn't have the various things needed (JRTOC, Sea Cadet, Civil Air Partrol, College, Scouting, Sea Scouts, Young Marines, Vocational School, Military Academy, or DEP referrals) for advancement.  All they had was being in the ATF field which gave them E2.  Once they got to P-cola, the informed them about 3 weeks later to put on E2.  All pay was back dated to the day they got to GL (just like everyone who is advanced upon completion of BC).

(Note:  If you hover near the bottom middle of the page you will see the page #'s)

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/Directives/1130_8H/change%208...

Giraffe - Since your son is about to enter Battle Stations, you may want to look at the slide show I made.  It might give you a better understanding of what they are about to do... 

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ctratemoms/forum/topics/boot-camp-...

My son graduating JCAC and receiving his certificate from the CO. It was a long 6 months of school but finally the reward. He's home now on leave and reports to Ft. Meade in early June.

He's really enjoying the time off after the long hours and days of school. He says he won't mind the busy work he's likely to be doing at Meade until his clearance is finalized. His brain needs a rest...LOL

That is a real cool picture.  I bet he can't wait until he gets to Ft. Meade.  Ft. Meade is an awesome place.  It has so much to do. 

What I find cool is no one in that picture is wearing the same uniform.  I thought the word "Uniform" meant that every one is suppose to be the same...~ha

hi RunnerMom,

 My son who just graduated CTN was Spec Ops too.  He had about 3 weeks in SD and then about 2 1/2 months in FL waiting to class up. There's a "Drop on Request" group on here too for Sec Op DOR's. It's been nice talking to others who have been down that road.

Good Morning to all.. I'm on pins and needles.. my son will go to BS next week and graduate BC 6/3.. I'm sure all of you remember what it was like.. then off to A school for CTN training...

Just wanted to say have a nice Memorial Day..