GUNNERS MATE (GM) TRAINING AT GREAT LAKES

[Vee, Michael's Proud Grandmother]

The purpose of this forum is designed to inform those parents of sailors who aspire to the rate of GM. It is intended to aide parents with what to expect once their sailor graduates boot camp (BC)..also known as PIR, and moves to the A-School side of the base. Questions will be answered by the family of sailors who are training to be GMs. If we don't have the answers, we will get them for you.

Please introduce yourself if your sailor is in the GM rate and provide background on your sailor so that we can get to know you. If you have specific questions about these ratings, and you ask them here, Will and Hoppi will be able to answer your questions. This will help all of us because the answers won't disappear pages down in the general forum.

I want to give Gary T. credit for this great idea; he just hired me as his secretary to put it together. So, jump in and we hope this will be helpful to all of you.

[Vee, Michael's Proud Grandmother]

WoooooHoooooo to Brett!

[Jamie Trammel]

Bill: do you know anything about the Riverines? My son Nick got his assignment and that is what he will be doing AFTER another stint in boot camp with the Marines at Camp LeJune!!! I am not at all pleased. The Navy told him he would be making three times the $$$ (yes because he is really risking his life in combat) and I think, like the recuriter did, swayed him in that direction. I need direction because I am a nervous mess.

[Karen C.]

Hello Everyone, I am Karen C. and I am a very very proud Navy Mom!!! :-D... My son, Corey, joined the Navy a month after High School (2008) and was enrolled into the DEP program up until Feb. 2, 2009, at which time he was sent to boot camp. Corey gaduated from Boot Camp on March 27, 2009...Woohoo! What an exciting time in both our lives!! My son was not a "grad-n-go" like some of the other recruites. On April 1st, 2009 he crossed over to the school side of Great Lakes. Within a couple of days I had recieved a call from him with his new address. It was not until then did I send him his phone and a few other items that he had requested.

Corey completed INDOC on April 7th, 2009. On April 15th, 2009 he had completed his phase 2. He was pretty pumped to be able to now wear civilan clothing again and to be able to have a little more freedom. Gary T. had once told me "It is probably the second most important thing that can happen to a young sailor, P.I.R. & Phase 2"... And he was right!.... By April 22nd, 2009 Corey was classing up to SCC school. So from completion of INDOC to SCC classes there was a "hold' time of about 2 weeks. He then competed SCC classes on May 8th, 2009.... about 12 days....The same day he had completed SCC school he moved from the Franklin to the Wisconsin.... Two days later on May 11th, 2009 he classed up again to A.T.T. school. By June 17th he completed his A.T.T. classes.....a total of about 28 days. He was also taking a Navy History class once a week during this 28 day time frame..... He then attended the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Training classes for 4 days, June 22, 2009 thru June 25th, 2009. Corey is currently on "hold" for A-School. I am praying that he will be able to attend in one of the instructor based learning classes just like Bill Sicks young sailor, Brett.

Remember to Pray and stay strong for your young man or young woman and give them lots and lots of Love and Support!!! And also remember that there can NEVER be a question to big or to silly that we can't answer together....and if You ever need an ear for listening or a shoulder for crying....WE, your family are here for you!!! :-D Karen C.

[Vee, Michael's Proud Grandmother]

Karen C - B/Z to you. Great information in your post......Thanks so much for being a part of our GM forum.

[Denise Ben's Mom/USS Normandy]

Hello Everyone... my name is Denise and my son Ben is at Great Lakes on hold for A-School for the GM rate. His PIR was June 12th, 2009 and he has already been on two different ships since then. Ya'll put me to shame by knowing the names of your loved ones ships... I just don't know =0). Ben told me that he is going to start SCC School pretty soon, I know that he has completed some of the other schools that ya'll have mentioned too, and that he has joined staff on his ship and is very excited about this assignment. Not sure what that means except he says he no longer sleeps much. He is playing football and started a soccer team for his ship. He said something about starting his A-School in September. Again he uses all these alphabetical letters and throws out these dates and I'm like OKAY Sounds great. I do know that he gets to wear his civilian clothing cuz I just sent a box to him of his favorite jeans and sneakers and hurley cap. He says that he will be putting in to come home for Labor Day Holiday after the July 4th holiday. He is VERY happy and it brings immense joy each time he calls. Hope everyone has a Happy 4th of July! denise =0)

[Vee, Michael's Proud Grandmother]

Hi Denise, thanks so much for your post about Ben. It sounds like his schooling is moving right along. If he is wearing civies, then he has completed INDOC and Phase II. SCC is next, then ATT school. Will you ask him what ship he is on because my Michael loves to play football and is a great soccer player and maybe they could hook up. Please let me know. Michael is on the USS Porter. Good for Ben joining the ship's staff. That is great.
I am glad he is happy because that makes you happy, too! And, before you know it Labor Day will be here and he will hopefully be home on leave for a few days. You enjoy your weekend, too! (((HUGS))) Vee

[Mary D]

Anyone else have someone on the ship Franklin? That is where my son, David is. It would be fun to connect with other parents especially if our kids know each other.

[Joanie Tyler's Mom(133 Bees)]

Do they have to buy own food while in GM school in Great Lakes?

[Vee, Michael's Proud Grandmother]

Hi Joanie and welcome to the GM group. We'd love to have you post a comment here to help us get acquainted with you and your son, Tyler. Re: the food at GL, my understanding from my grandson is that a "food" allowance is taken from their monthly pay for them to eat in the galley on base. If they choose, they can spend their own money and eat at the fast food restaurants there, also. However, the food allowance comes out of their pay regardless whether they use it or not. Will and/or Hoppi please correct me if I am wrong on this. I know a lot of the young ones seem to like the fast food places....I think my Michael is beginning to eat at the galley now. Hope this helps and ask away. Glad to have you with us and if I can help in any way, don't hesitate to ask. Have a great weekend! Vee

[Vee, Michael's Proud Grandmother]

Hi again, Joanie....Just talked with Michael...they do get a food allowance and are issued a "galley card." He thinks if they do not consistently use their card (like for a month of longer), they will get a refund back. I would want Hoppi and/or Will to verify this for me, tho.

[Joanie Tyler's Mom(133 Bees)]

Tyler is in Boot Camp now and will graduate 8-7-09. He will be in Gunner's Mate School in Great Lakes. Don't know if he will start immediately or will be put on hold.

[Vee, Michael's Proud Grandmother]

Hi Joanie,
From past experience, Tyler will most likely be placed on hold after INDOC and SCC. Michael joined in Nov. 08 and will complete A School around mid-September at which time he will get his orders, so that is a total of 10 months from BC to completing A School. I do think the hold times may be getting shorter. So, just hang on for the ride and stay with us for the latest information. Have a great day!