Boot Camp to A-School transition

[Dawn1231]

Can anyone advise how much time their Nuke had from PIR to having to arrive in Goose Creek?  We live near Chicago and we are just wondering how much time he has in between.

If I remember correctly (his dad is former Nuke), between A-School and Power School he gets 1-2 weeks, but not sure about after Boot Camp and after Power School

Thank you.

[Pat L. in IL]

Dawn, My Nuke left for Goose Creek in the afternoon after PIR. We met him at O'Hare and due to some delays from thunderstorms, we got to spend several hours with him.

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

Hi Dawn - yes, the nukes will usually leave on Saturday after PIR.  It could be anytime during the day though and possibly it could be on Sunday - but usually Saturday lol.

[JayDee659]

Dawn, I agree, they usually leave the day after boot camp.  Medical hold and holidays can change this but next day is the norm.  My daughter got a couple weeks after A School while she was t-tracking.  The time after Power School is usually short but can depend on when they can class up.  My daughter was told it could be 6 months but started pretty fast.  Their power school graduation was cancelled because they were evacuating ahead of a hurricane.  She stayed with me a week then started prototype within a week or so after returning to base.  Of course, nothing is ever set in stone with the Navy until they say so.  

[Chipmunk]

Dawn1231 - my sailor flew out very early the Saturday after PIR. Due to several issues, we actually spent more time with him at the airport early Saturday morning, than we did on Friday. His PIR was Aug 25, 2017. He was in GC, for a little over a month INDOC waiting for the next ET class up. This put him starting Oct 5 and so A school crossed over the December stand down time. His class was told they would be able to take the entire stand down time ~ 2 weeks (if they didn't have enough leave time, they borrowed it), otherwise, they stayed at GC and stood watches. They were allowed the 2 weeks at Christmas, because they were told they would not receive the 1 week - 10 days between A - school and T-track or PS. 

Other classes a few weeks or so after him had totally different circumstances and they not only had the two weeks at Christmas, but they also had their 10 days after A school. Instead, My son received a 3-day liberty weekend after A-school, which we visited with him in GC, April 2018 (it was also moved back a week, because of the snowstorm that closed NNPTC down for a week right after the Christmas stand down.)  Then he was on T-track until June when he started Power School. He graduated Oct 2018 and had 10 days to both move into his new apartment and flew home with us for a few days, as I sent him back early, to make sure he was ready to start Prototype. 

Both Thanksgivings he had a 3-4 day weekend, but we live too far away to be practical for a trip home, so he spent with other sailors. This last Christmas, he basically only had about 1 week during Prototype and it was decided that a short driving trip with his roommate's family was better than spending most of his time flying home and back. He just graduated from Prototype this April 19, and is still in GC waiting to detach and transfer to his duty station. There will be some time home, about 1 mo. Any of his leave time has come out of his leave days earned, including most of what he will take with us soon. 

His class times were also affected by two hurricane evacuations. 

The only way that we would have seen our son as much as we have the last two months, has been because we made 4 long trips to GC to be with him. Every situation is different and nothing is set in stone, but they are more likely to have free time or a set schedule while in GC, than they likely will once out on the fleet. 

It is not likely that your sailor will have much time at GL - but may have a long weekend coming up  the end of May, or July 4th, depending on his class schedule. 

[MTBCHCK]

Mine was unique. Nearly 3 month. He graduated in early February and was in Temporary hold until late April before things were cleared up and he shipped. We did get a long weekend with him in the Chicago area, then the hard part waiting. Waiting to see if he would get to stay Navy. He is so happy to be classing up today. Class starts for him on Monday. Perhaps, Dawn1231, your son is classing up with him!

[Dawn1231]

My son ships to GL on 9/17. My best estimate is that he will do PIR on 11/15 or 11/22

[Chipmunk]

Dawn1231 - You might check in the BC Moms group about PIR around Thanksgiving. I don't recall how that works. But either way, unless there is a reason to be held in THU as MTBCHCK son, or my son almost was, and several other Nukes, I have known of - the best guess is that they will most likely fly out the day after PIR or the next day. 

If you check out my discussion on the Nuke Mom's page - 
Nuke A school daily schedule - sailor's perspective 

I think I explain in that how soon, or when they Phase up and are able to have liberty, so that if you want to take a trip to see them, you can. 

[SaratogaMom]

When a sailor goes to A School do they work 5 days a week and have weekends off?

[Chipmunk]

SaragtogaMom - I would also direct you to my discussion on the main Nuke Mom's page - 
Nuke A school daily schedule - sailor's perspective  (sorry, I can never figure out how to get these to copy and paste as a link.)  - To answer your question, for the Nuke's in A school, sort of yes. They have liberty generally beginning about 4 pm / 1600 maybe 1630 on Friday.  But once they start classes, they will be expected or required to be going into the Rickover to study on Sunday. And depending on how many hours of study time in addition to their class time, they may or may not have much time in the evening M-F. Again, I explain that in my discussion. 

[Dawn1231]

The day of PIR are they able to spend the night with us in the hotel or do they have to go back to Great Lakes and stay in the barracks there?

[Chipmunk]

Dawn1231 - I had to chuckle as I just answered this question on the BC Mom's main page. I know there was some chatter about letting sailors spend the night, so I am not going to say No, for sure, but I DO NOT believe that is for sailors that are flying out of GL to their A school. 

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

The sailors that are getting to spend the night with their families after PIR are only those staying in GL for A school.  And this is a new thing they are trying so not sure how long it will last.....(hopefully it does continue).