Travel and Amount of Leave After A School

[Michelle]

Happy Monday everyone! I have questions that pertain to travel after A School and the amount of leave  our Sailor may be granted. 

We received a call from our SR on Saturday (he's in week 5) and he said that his Chief spoke to him to let him know that with his rate it's likely he'll be stationed overseas after A school. My first question is... if he's being stationed overseas, how much leave time will he have between A school and the time he reports? Does he get more leave if he's going to be overseas vs. staying state side? And my other question is... does anyone know what the average cost to the sailor would be to change his flight so that he can come home during this time?

He'll be in Meridian, MS for school, and when he said overseas my mind immediately thought Japan. Boy, I hope they don't send him to Japan. :(

Thanks everyone!

[NavyMum]

What is his rating?

My DS was LS and also in Meridian for A-school. And yes, his first duty station is overseas - he's been in Okinawa for a little over 2 years now (3-yr tour).

Leave-wise. He graduated A school and was on admin. hold in Meridian for about 2 weeks while they finished up all the necessary paperwork etc...for going overseas. He was then able to come home for about 3 weeks (20 days I think) which included a couple of days working with the local recruiter (which didn't count against his leave, I believe) before flying to SeaTac and then across to Japan.

Good of the Navy and all that - there are no guarantees but yes, usually stateside is about 10 days leave and overseas is a bit more after A-school. But of course, sometimes they are required to report directly to their first duty station without leave first. Makes it hard to plan but that's the Navy for you.

No idea what the change cost for flights was - if I'm remembering correctly, he had to pay the difference between the cost of the original flights and the cost of the new ones but I don't remember what that ended up being. Provided your SR doesn't go crazy spending money in A school - he should be fine paying for the flights - after all, he's been paid all through Basic plus he'll be paid in A School and he shouldn't have too many expenses (since housing and food are covered - in the sense that they pay him for housing and food and then take it back for the barracks and galley, lol)

Don't stress about Japan - DS has really liked it there. He's used his leave to travel - he's been to Hiroshima, Tokyo, Osaka, Legoland and also to Singapore and Malayasia. He's hoping to make it to Australia before he PCS's in the spring. Means we haven't seen him since he went over there but he's having awesome experiences.

[Michelle]

Thank you so much for the quick reply. You provided so much valuable information and I can see that I have so much to learn yet, lol.

Our son is also LS, so if it's Japan where he ends up it may just be your Sailor that shows him the ropes. 

I can't imagine 3 years without seeing my son. You're a very strong Momma!

Can you tell me what PCS means please?

[NavyMum]

You're welcome - there's a Japan Mums group here also so if he does end going to Japan - be sure to join - they are a very helpful and supportive group.

PCS - permanent change of station - when they move from one duty station to the next.

It IS hard not seeing him but we knew that was possible going in - DH is an Army veteran and he was in Germany and I was stateside when DS was born. It's easier today with email and FB messages etc...even phone calls are cheaper. We're waiting to hear where he'll be headed next - maybe it'll be a bit closer (unlikely to be further at least).

[Anti M]

Usually if they are going overseas, they get at least two weeks.  If he hasn't earned that much yet, they may let him just have a negative leave balance.  He doesn't get any free days, but he will get a few travel days.

When he gets his orders, he should contact the base travel office SATO (NOT travel agency) to let them know he wants to go home "en route".  They will charge him the military contract rate and it will come out of his base pay.  I don't recall it being much.  DO NOT purchase civilian tickets.  Let the Navy arrange it all. He just needs to let the right people know, and his school can help with that.

While he only needs his orders and ID to travel, he really should have a civilian passport for leisure travel and emergencies.  You should have them too, in case you ever need to travel to him.  We have seen it happen, a mom needed to get to Yokosuka because her son was in the hospital, and she had no passport.  

And what is wrong with Japan?  It is a marvelous country, very safe, amazing food and culture, and is a once in a lifetime experience.  I was stationed there twice, and then twice on my husband's orders as a dependent.  I understand you don't want your child far away, but you should want your sailor to have the very best opportunities and experiences!

[Michelle]

Thank you for the information Anti M. Being able to share with him how to set up his travel will be wonderful, and may cut down on some of the stress he may feel as a new Sailor.

We both have our passports so that's not going to be a problem. We've had them for some time though so I'll keep an eye on the renewal date. 

And my issue isn't with Japan, I'm sorry if that was implied. It's just that I know I'll miss him like crazy and Japan is so incredibly far away. Since he's the last one leaving the nest I'm just experiencing growing pains of my own. 

My Father was stationed in Port Glasgow in 64' and met and married my Mother while serving, so I do know that Navy life can bring many rewards. :)