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.

[RNnavymom]

Are there different rules as to what we can send them now that they are at Goose Creek? BC was so strict and I don’t want to get him in trouble. Also is it worth it for them to have their car while at nuke school? I can drive it down to him but wander how much it would get used next 18 months or so.  

[momterp]

Many sailors like to have some casual clothes for when they have reached the phase when they can wear them off base, as well as their personal computers/laptops. My son bought a laptop during A school since he didn’t want to have his larger desktop system shipped to him. They live in a fairly small dorm room so they don’t have a lot of space for gear. My son also had us deliver his car to him when he phased up—initially they can’t drive it until they earn the privilege so it would probably be worth waiting until he phases up. Once they start Prototype they live off base so a car is almost a necessity.  Some people have sent sheets and pillows if their sailor is particular about that sort of thing but my son didn’t care. I hope that helps!

[Chipmunk]

RNnavymom - I agree with momterp - wait until your son is phased up and able to have his car privileges before taking it to him. My son did not have car prior to BC, so he bought a bike and rode it around a lot, but we took his sister's car to him a couple of months before he started Prototype, so he could get use to driving around the Charleston area and be ready for Prototype. 

As far as mailing things to your sailor at NNPTC, there aren't any restrictions, but I will share this with you from what my sailor told me - all envelopes are still picked up by a mail petty officer designated for their class and letters may or may not be opened in class and thus in front of others. There have been some comments on this group about letters, especially ones with money in them not being delivered. I think my son said to have your sailor tell his SLPO, or higher up if there seemed to be an issue with that, but I just transfer money to my son's account. 

As for packages, they get a mail slip and they have a few days to come pick up their packages. With the A school schedule and the mail room is only open until noon on Saturday, I think, I tried to send my son's packages so that they would arrive on Thur, with time for processing and then my son could pick them up on Friday. Priority Mail boxes worked great and I had less trouble with things getting delivered at NNPTC than at his apartment during Prototype. 

[JayDee659]

RNnavymom, my daughter had a list of things she wanted (her bicycle being one).  They do have very small rooms, but keep in mind, everything they acquire during A & Power schools will need to be moved out for Prototype.  My daughter was quiet happy to have her car there, it made a big difference.  While they can walk many places, it's the freedom to really get out on a free day that helps them keep their sanity.  

[RNnavymom]

Are there different rules as to what we can send them now that they are at Goose Creek? BC was so strict and I don’t want to get him in trouble. Also is it worth it for them to have their car while at nuke school? I can drive it down to him but wander how much it would get used next 18 months or so.  

[sunflower]

My Nuke left the Sunday after PIR. We got to O'Hare very early in the morning and spent several hours with him before his morning flight. Another group of Nukes left a few hours later. He classed up immediately, so no break for him. It seems to vary a bit since a different rating isn't classing up until this coming week. They should have 10 days leave after A School.

[Chipmunk]

Hi sunflower, Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope your sailor is transitioning well to GC, classes and the climate.

Yes, different ratings can class up differently from the same PIR group, as it depends on how many sailors from each rating are needed to fill a class. Sometimes two sailors from the same TG at PIR, who are the same rating, can actually class up at different times once they reach GC. 

And my son was one of those exceptions to the "should have 10 days leave after A school" . Due to the timing of their graduation they had their A school leave combined with their Christmas stand down and then were only given a 3 day liberty after graduation. Interestingly, I have some friends whose sons were in one of the A school classes behind mine, they were allowed to take their two weeks of the Christmas stand and still hade their 10 day leave time after A school. I have to remind myself of what my husband always told the kids "life is not fair." and in the Navy, sometimes that means leave time as well!