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Grad and Go.. AKA..."Saturday Departures"
There seems to be some confusion as to what is “grad and go” and what is a "Saturday departure"..Apparently, the Navy has done away with the term "Grad and Go' and has changed it to "Saturday Departures".
This means that even if your SR uses the term G&G, it means they will be flying out to Aschool the Saturday after PIR, and you will still be able to visit with them on Friday (after graduation).
And you will be able to go to the airport on Saturday (if they are on a commercial flight) to sit with them until there plane arrives.
The term G&G is also used to describe the Sailors who will be staying in GL's for Aschool.
There are three types of GnG sailors:
1) Those who will attend a Great Lakes A school:
They will transfer to the A school side of base immediately after PIR and will begin their liberty weekend later in the afternoon. These sailors get time with their families, but the reason they are called G&G's is because (literally) they have graduated and moved to Aschool. It just so happens that Aschool is right across the street from the base, so they are still able to spend time with you.
2) Those who will be put on a bus to the airport immediately after PIR to catch a flight to their new A school:
The Navy keeps saying that they don't, that they quit that about 18 months ago, but several N4M parents in the last few months have reported that their sailors were GnG on Friday, and were put on the plane immediately after PIR. This is where the term G&G was coined, but the Navy said they do not practice this anymore, so hence, they want us to use the term "Saturday departures", but just in case...we inform you anyway...
3) Those who will get Friday liberty, and will take the bus to the airport early Saturday to catch a flight:
If they will be taking a civilian flight, you can meet them at the airport to get a few more hours together, and to give them their cell phones, laptop computers and other items. If they are on a charter flight, you will not get to visit them. Charter flight sailors take the bus straight to their plane, on the tarmac. They do not spend any time inside the airport terminal.
SOOO...to sum it all up...if your SR says he/she is a G&G, it could mean that:
1.They are moving across the parking lot to GL's Aschool.
2. That they will be flying out on Saturday.
EITHER way, you should get to spend time with them.
Your SR is the best source of info as to where they will be going.
Sailors may fly out of any of three airports: Chicago O'Hare, Chicago Midway, or Milwaukee.
Views: 61
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by mysailorson on
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Janlee, My son is in the last division that is graduating 4/1/11 (Div 120). When he called last Sat. he said they have been told that they are grad and go. He said they changed his orders to 3 weeks in GL and than 9 weeks in San Diego. He thinks he has to report on Sat. I know that nothing is sure until it happens but it sounds like RDC's may be messing with them. I guess we will wait and see.
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Permalink Reply by janlee on
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It is possible that what your son has told you is true. NOTHING is written in stone.... The info we pass along on here is the norm, but there are always exceptions....im not sure of your sons rate (job) but it may require for him to be there as soon as possible. Sometimes these sailors are rushed thru because they are needed right away to go thru training and immediately to their duties, and sometimes they are put on hold until there is an opening...so your SR will be able to tell you what his orders are..
I just watched an episode of "Top Shot" (anyone else..lol), and the one contestant is in the Navy. He carried his duffel bag with him everywhere he goes because he said "nothing is ever for sure in the Navy, so i need to be ready to go at any given moment"...lol...i thought..'so true'...:))
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Permalink Reply by quiltblue on
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I bet the snow has messed up the classes everywhere. I have read on some of the A school group pages that sometimes, the new Sailors will get to their schools and then do watch, or jobs until the next set of classes start. One guy I believe actually had to wait four weeks before classes started. Some are delayed waiting for the married sailors to return with their families, or some of the married sailors have to get through Phase I of school before going to get their families. Lots of stories, everyone has something different. I am thankful that my soon to be Sailor is not married or have a girl friend at this point. I can't imagine the anguish of that, it's hard being Mom!
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Permalink Reply by Clay'sGirl (Ship 11 Div 115) on
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During A-school their families (spouses) cant live with them. Not until they are where they're going to be stationed. I've heard of delays also though.
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Permalink Reply by Overtheedge(S11/D120) on
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My sons orders have also changed from liberty to grad & go with Friday liberty, leaving Sat morning. He is also on the same ship as mysailorson(ship11div120). I have heard from ex Navy sailor that this may be a scare tactic. That were also told they were getting a demotion....who knows? I guess we will have to wait till the last min before we know. He also told me to say nothing to the SR about the possibility. Let them think it is what it is, so they work harder. I'm not saying a word.
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Yes, im not saying that their orders have not changed...its quite possible, but i will add that the RDC;s do use certain 'tactics' to rally the division to work better as a team. Thats their main focus...TEAMWORK!!
I think every division was told at one time or another that they were the worst division EVER, or that they may be held back a week or two. But it is wise not to relay that to the SR's, as it will undermine what the RDC's are trying to accomplish. It has to be a tough job for them, to take normal, everyday kids, and transform them into Navy ready men, in just 8 weeks...(its still tough on us moms to hear about it though..)
The best source of info, will be from your SR as the weeks go by, and anything is possible.
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Hey guys also to let you know on the RTC fb page according to the moderator they havent shipped out anyone on a Friday in over a year and a half and he seemed confident they had discontinued the practice of doing so. However they do semi regularly use Chartered flights. Just a fyi.. At least we should get Friday with our Sailors!!!
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Thanks claysgirl..i have re-worded the info in this discussion to help clarify this. Its so confusing, so i hope it makes a little more sense now...lol
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Permalink Reply by diannep on
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Excellent info, JanLee. I hope that RTC (and RDCs) and N4Ms are "on the same page" with this soon!
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Ditto!! :)
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