Grad & Go AKA.."Saturday Departures" info..

[janlee]

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.

[janlee]

bump

[janlee]

Hi jan---if he is a G&G and just heading across the lot to GL Aschool...then YES, you can take his things for him. If he is a Saturday departure (flying out to Aschool on saturday after PIR), then you are able to take him his things..BUT you will only be able to give them to him at the airport (if you are hanging with him there till his flight arrives). Anything other than these two things...then NO, he will need his items to be shipped to him after he gets situated and is able to call you and give you an address to mail them to. If you are shipping his items to him, he is able to have some 'lounging' clothes at first (sweats, shorts, underwear, socks, tees, maybe like one pair of jeans, etc..) Aschool runs a 'liberty card' system. For the first few weeks, he will be given a 'white' liberty card. This means he is allowed to leave the base, but has to be in uniform everywhere he goes (just like BC PIR weekend). After several weeks of that, he will be issued a 'yellow' liberty card, this means he will be able to leave the base, but can be in civilian clothes. With both of these cards(white and yellow) he still has a curfew every night to be back at the base. After a few more weeks, he will be given a 'blue' liberty card and this card allows him to leave the base, in civilian clothes, without a curfew. So in other words..he wont need any civilian clothes for a couple of weeks. But if he wants them shipped to him right away, you can still do that. This way he will have them as soon as he is handed his yellow liberty card...:)

[CDanielleR]

Hi Janlee I have a question. My boyfriend's A school is in GL. I know he will have to move right after PIR and will get liberty later on that day. My question is will he get liberty all day on Saturday and Sunday?

[janlee]

Yes...you will (should) get to see him the whole weekend. He will still have a curfew everynight and need to be back at the base on time. He may also have to stand watch one time over the weekend (he will know for sure)...

[CDanielleR]

Thanks so much Janlee!

[annamichael]

When do they know all the specifics of their flight? I want to go with him Saturday and wait, but I'm so scared that he's not going to know at PIR and I'll be lost in Chicago. (Ok, kind of dramatic, but you get it..).

[janlee]

annamichael---its not dramatic at all...lol I panic just thinking of driving into OUR city...let alone a strange one. Your SR will know the details soon. They usually give them that info as PIR nears..which i noticed is only 12 days!!! WOW! That went fast..( not for you im sure..lol). Have him write everything down for you, so you know which airport, times, etc...with any luck...his flight will be delayed and you get extra time with him..haha! I wont hold my breath...but i will keep my fingers crossed...:))

Remember, you are allowed to take some of his things with him (phone, laptop, ipod, etc..) in a black backpack to give him at the airport...it gets SO much easier when they have their phones...