Sailors attending A School in Meridian, Mississippi

We've passed Basic, now its attending A school in Meridian, Mississippi. Let's talk and get to know one another.
Load Previous Comments
  • battlebuddy

    It's good to know that there are others that are SH's too... SR Mom@ how long has yours been at BC? Have you gotten your first call yet? Boot Camp was extremely hard for me. Let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to get an answer for you :) No news is always good news...and I got tired of hearing that...but it is really true!

  • yeomom

    Hi, this is yeomom, aka Sue.  I just joined navy4moms.  I have a sailor that graduated from GL on 2/11/11.  He is now in Meridian for yeoman school.  Does anyone else have a future yeoman there?  I look forward to tallking to you.

  • SR Mom Ship 11 Div 124

    Thanks battlebuddy for responding.  My SR has been in GL since Feb 8.  I got his box and form letter.  Kind of wondering how I will get his laptop and cell phone to him since I know he is not a grad n go.
  • mdubtxmom(Ship 09 Div 069)

    SR Mom I would suggest US Postal Service Priority Mail flat rate boxes.  We sen ours FEDEX and it was VERY expensive.  The priority mail takes a little longer to get there but it is much less expensive.  Good luck to you with your SR.  Our Sailor was PIR 2/11/11.  Most of the moms here know what you are going through.  Your SR is going to like A school much better and you will too because you can talk to them much more frequently and the base at Meridian will feel Club Med compared to the Goulag that is Boot Camp!

  • mdubtxmom(Ship 09 Div 069)

    Yeomom, from what I understand the YN and PS rate are similar except YN deals more with Officers and PS deals with enlisted.  My son told me that he had heard there was some talk of combining YN and PS into one rate.  Of course they hear all kinds of things that never pan out but it does make sense especially if they do alot of the same things. 
  • yeomom

    I'm planning on driving down from Chicago to Meridian for my son's graduation.  I tried mapquesting the address he gave me, but it didn't give me the road I needed.  Is it classified info?  Is anyone able to give me driving directions to the base, or do I have to get that from my sailor?
  • yeomom

    This website is great!  Thank you for the info, SubWife.  The 1155 Rosenbaum address was successful for me.  The other one put me in Sweden!  The mapquest directions seem pretty clear--as long as I don't miss the roads called Beaver Pond, Campground and Rabblt!  Am I correct in assuming that the main gate is on Rosenbaum?  I'll be sure to find out more details from my son.  Thanks again! 
  • yeomom

    Hi!  I need some info on the hotel that's right on the base.  I heard it was called the CBQ.  Is anyone able to tell me how far in advance I would need to book a room there?  I'm thinking that my son will graduate anywhere between the end of March and 1 or 2 weeks into April.  I'm about due for a phone call from him, but I'm not sure he'll know about this right now.  How much time is there on average between the time our sailors know their graduation date and the actual ceremony?  If he tried to book a room as soon as he found out his graduation date, would getting a room be a problem?  Do you think that with the Blue Angels there it will make things harder?  If there's a phone number for the hotel, that would definitely be helpful.  Thanks for any help or advice.  Sorry about all the questions.  I have a 12 1/2 hour drive ahead of me, not counting the stops.  I'm the type that needs every detail planned out way ahead of time.  I really don't want to miss any part of this.  Even though it's not going to be the same as Great Lakes, it's important to me.  I don't know when I'll see him again after he ships out, especially if he ends up going halfway around the world.             
  • SubWife2010

    on base in MS is the navy Gateway Your son will need to make arrangements as far as I know. He will have no problem doing that there is plenty of time to get this done.  But he had to make a Chit out and get signed off on. then make the room arrangements. For us I just went to the hotel and there were always rooms available even when major things were going on. HE will be able to find out more info when he gets there. the normal time it takes them to get done with class is 7-10 weeks since it is self paced could be more or less. My hub only took 7 weeks but since it was over a holiday(thanksgiving) and gradutaions are normally wed and friday I believe he had to wait a week to graduate. he was there Oct 15-Dec 3. Some of my info might be a little off I am trying to remember.
  • SubWife2010

    http://dodlodging.net/NAS_MERIDIAN.HTM here is the website for the Navy Gateway on Base. You can always call and ask questions.
  • yeomom

    Thank you SubWife.  You've been so helpful.  I think I'm good to go.  I've got my directions to the base, and I have lodging information.  I'm not as frantic as I was earlier.  Now all I need to know is when my son's graduation date will be! 
  • SubWife2010

    Your welcome:)
  • gabmpk(07/108)

    My husband's PIR is March 18, and he is a Saturday departure to Meridian for PS A-school. Will I have any trouble getting on base to give him his phone and computer? I only live 2 hours away, and I have my car decals. Also since his a-school is self paced 3-5 weeks does anybody know how is liberty will work? I keep hearing people talking about phases, but is the school even long enough for phases?
  • mdubtxmom(Ship 09 Div 069)

    They ususally have Phase 3 Liberty (off base with approval) with in 2-3 weeks.
    They have to finish indoc, PFA, inspection and watch traiing first.
  • gabmpk(07/108)

    Thanks !!
    What about on base liberty ? All I am worried about is bringing his phone and computer! I am so nervous ! And does anybody recommend any hotels close to base but off base?
  • mdubtxmom(Ship 09 Div 069)

    We overnighted his cell phone and laptop to him.  That was expensive.  Looking back I would have used priorty mail.  Takes longer to get there but a lot less expensive.  He can't leave base until he has Green Dot (Phase 3) Liberty.  Not sure if you could take his phone to him and have him meet you at the gate to pick it up. The base is about 10 miles out of town, smack dab in the middle of nowhere.  A good hotel will be in the town of Meridian.  We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites.  Very nice place with free breakfast and located right across the street from the mall.

     

  • mdubtxmom(Ship 09 Div 069)

    another thought --Are you going to PIR?  If he is a Saturday departure you can go to the airport and take him his laptop and cell phone.  Most of the time the Saturday departures leave very early for the airport but they have to wait several hours for the flight. 

     

  • debotur

    Hi :)! My bf graduates the 25th of this month and I'm really excited! He's going to meridian for Aschool as a yeoman and I'm just wondering what I should expect. When will he find out where he is assigned? What do u think I should send to him in Aschool as far as personal items? Also how often or when can his family drive up tomississippi to visit him? They live in south florida so they want to just drive there
  • mdubtxmom(Ship 09 Div 069)

    The base is pretty relaxed (especially compared to GL). As soon as they finish endoc, pass a PFA; PI, Room Inspection and learn how to stand the different watches then he should get green dot liberty. Probably don't want to visit until then because he cannot go off base until then. As far as personal items--He will want his cell phone, computer, ipod and civilian clothing. My son also wanted me to bring him his fishing gear because they can fish on base. They can also bowl and play golf! It is oh so much better than boot camp.
  • debotur

    Got the I'm a sailor call today! My bf will be on his way to meridian, mississippi next Saturday! I'm so proud of him and look forward to anoher great experience!
  • mdubtxmom(Ship 09 Div 069)

    Congrats debotur. My son is still in Meridian for who knows how long. He will finish A school on Friday but his orders to Japan (along with everyone elses) are on hold until further notice from SecNav.
  • debotur

    So they stay in A school til further notice? Even if they finished?
  • debotur

    Oh wow that's something I didn't expect :/. do they still get paid while their travel orders are put on hold? I'm sure they do since they have things to pay there
  • diannep

    Yes, debotur.  Their pay continues....thank goodness!  Hoping that he doesn't have to wait until Oct to be released!  That would be a LONG time !
  • debotur

    Yeah its way to long :( im hoping he gets stationed somewhere in california preferable san diego but with californias crappy economy I wonder if his chances at being stationed there are slim:(
  • mdubtxmom(Ship 09 Div 069)

    Well in my son's case the hold is not due to a funding problem but due to the fact that they are not sending any Sailors to Japan because of the disaster.  On a positive note my son finished A School.  He is an honor grad so he will get a pay bump.  At least he will be earning more while he is waiting.  He also has a recommendation to advance to E4 as soon as he can get to his command and serve 4 to 10 months there.
  • yeomom

    When I go to my sailor's graduation from A school, will I be able to drive into the base without any problems?  I'm remembering Great Lakes and the gate pass we had to download. 

  • SubWife2010

    Hello just wanted to let every one know My husband and I made it to WA last week and so far we love it here! We are ready for this adventure:) and Excited about it.
  • Soh@ppy&proud!ship 7 DIV 170

    my son doesnt graduated until may6th afterwards he told me he would be going to a school in Miss. does that mean he will be grad and go??trying to figure out how many days to reserve a hotel
  • Soh@ppy&proud!ship 7 DIV 170

    thank you for replying:)
  • cheryllynn-proud mom of a sailor

    We were not sure when my son was leaving for A school to Meridian either so we planned to stay the whole weekend and fly out Monday.  I wanted to be with him as much as possible.  Figured that if he left during the weekend my hubby and I would have some fun on our own but as it worked out Jonny didn't leave until Tuesday and we got to see him the whole weekend.....YAY!!!

  • teazure

    After I graduate RTC (I leave for training in two weeks), I'll be headed to Meridian MS for A-School as a Ship Serviceman. I heard it's very boring. Anyone's son/daughter have a better experience?
  • cheryllynn-proud mom of a sailor

    No, sorry.  You can have your computer and cell phone though.  My son had a psp with him...and after inspection you can have leave...although Meridian, the town, is rather small. 

  • maussie64

    And if the weather is bad, such as heavy rainy, then they may cancel liberty. My daughter got that a lot. She was there from late April to June.
  • mdubtxmom(Ship 09 Div 069)

    All of those with orders on hold to Japan.  Check this out.

    http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/3AE83C6B-13BA-4A5C-A845-5DA04E...

    Looks like our guys are headed to Japan after all.

  • yeomom

    I just thought of something that I don't remember reading or hearing about--do our sailors need passports, and does the Navy help with getting them?  My son got assigned to the USS Nimitz, which has ports of call on the Asian coast. 

    Also, does anyone know approximately when the next time we get to see our sailors will be, once they set sail? My son is signed up for 4 years.  

    I'm going to his graduation at Meridian on the 13th.  Can't wait to see him.  Is anyone else planning to be there on that date? 

    I finally found the answer (I hope) to an earlier question of mine.  To get into the base, your sailor has to meet you at the front gate and you have to have your drivers license, proof of auto insurance and your car registration.

     

  • mdubtxmom(Ship 09 Div 069)

    No sailors do not need passports if they are traveling on military orders. And you are correct about the entry to the base. 
  • kimcon55

    My son will be heading to Meridian this weekend to learn to be a logistics specialist.  I am wondering, when will he get liberty for the weekend?  Does Meridian have a facebook page?  We live about 8 hours due north of Meridian, would it be feasible to visit him on the weekends.  Lastly, can he have his car there?  Thank you!

     

  • Luvn_my_Navy_son(ship 11/div184)

    My son will have his PIR on May 26th then head straight to MS. Is there anything I should be prepared to send him right away?
  • diannep

    kim:  He will "phase up" and eventually will be able to have weekends if he is there long enough.  He has a radius that he can't go out of, but you could go down to visit him.  He will have to let you know when he is phased up to have weekend liberty.  Not sure about the cars...mine had sold his before bc, and bought another one once stationed.  But your son will be advised of all of this during INDOC when he arrives in Meridian.  So he can let you know...because you will now have CONTACT with him again!!  HOOYAH!
  • diannep

    LuvnmyNavyson:  I mailed my son his cell once he gave me the address in Meridian.  I wasn't able to meet him at the airport to give it to him in Chicago.  Cells and laptops are usually what they want pretty quickly.  Eventually they can wear civilian clothes so you eventually can mail some of those (but they have to "phase up" to wear them).

    Your son will be able to tell you when these things happen after INDOC once he arrives.

  • Luvn_my_Navy_son(ship 11/div184)

    Thanks Diane :)
  • debotur

    My boyfriend received his orders already :)! He is vp40 whidbey island, washington state , I don't know if I said it right haha
  • bailey 03/155

    Any one else have a sailor in the reserves?
  • Luvn_my_Navy_son(ship 11/div184)

    My son is in the reserves.
  • bailey 03/155

    I havent heard of many others. Just wanted to know if A school was much different for our guys!
  • Luvn_my_Navy_son(ship 11/div184)

    I've wondered the same thing. I have no clue what the differences may be. My son was trying for active, but told there was no availabilities at the time. So not sure how much being in the reserves will mean for him.
  • bailey 03/155

    Hm thats surprising. Mine is looking forward to college this fall so he's hoping nothing will interfere. Im wondering how often the reserves actually get deployed?
  • teazure

    Your sons are active duty while at A-School until they graduate. Just like bootcamp, they do the same things as everyone else in their NEC.
  • candy-oh!

    Hey, yall, my son just settled into A school in Meridian. He is a Yeoman. He says it's very pretty and there is a lot for him to do. I do believe he is very relieved to be there and out of boot camp!!