Now Your Sailor is at Dam Neck

[Mary (Chris' mom)]

With the N4M website growing in popularity and new billets being added to the IS program we have seen a substantial increase in the number of new members to the IS group. Welcome all of you. We have found ourselves over the past few months answering some of the same questions many times. It is wonderful that families are so involved with and supportive of their sailors, and want to know so much about what they face as they go from Seaman Recruit (SR) at boot camp, to SA (Seaman Apprentice) at Dam Neck, to IS as they exit school.
I hope in this discussion area questions about A school, C school, the Dam Neck Annex, and the Virginia Beach area can be addressed. Let me remind everyone that in the Navy there are basic rules of thumb. First, hurry up and wait...they ask you to hurry so you can sit around and wait. Second, nothing is etched in stone...base commanders change, instructors change, equipment and technology change, rules change, and orders change; that's what the Navy and our National Security need at that given time. Third, please understand that we all have come to this website for support, comfort, friendship and answers; we can not answer things we do not know or that should not be put on the internet.

Please remember that these things are subject to change:

At the time of this posting, when your sailor leaves boot camp if you can meet them at the airport, they will be allowed to bring a cell phone, a laptop, and a small personal music device (iPod or similar). You do not have to face the "kid in a box" again. Although your sailor will have a lot more freedom at Dam Neck, the first several days are busy (actually all their days are) with getting processed into the school, going to medicals to hand them their medical records, finding their way around, and in the meantime being active sailors. They will be put on a duty section where the sailor must remain at the barracks except to go to the school building, get something to eat, or if scheduled for an appointment. I have been told that duty is every fourth day now. If they are on duty, they will be assigned duties to perform, if their duty section leader assesses them and feels that they are not performing up to standard their duties may be reassigned. They may also have to stand watches.
Also, if you were not able to attend PIR or spend time with your sailor after graduation, be aware there is a strict rule that while they are out in uniform they cannot be walking and on the cell phone at the same time. Since they march in formation to and from the barracks and school that cuts into time as well. They will do PT (Physical Training) several times a week, either before getting ready for school or in the afternoons after classes. They must keep their rooms in ship shape because they do get inspected. They do their own laundry and do general cleaning around the outside of the barracks. Do not expect them to answer the phone every time you call just because they are on hold, waiting to class up. They are still kept busy.

Dam Neck is a small base just south of the main Virginia Beach. It has it's own beach as well. The MWR (Morale, Wellness, and Recreation) building has a bank of computers where your sailor can send emails or go online. They also have a projection TV, a room with gaming consoles, a small theater (there is a larger IMAX theater at Oceana, NAS), a coin operated laundry room, pool tables, lounging area, and a very helpful staff. There is a small NEX store (a larger NEX mall at Oceana), and a Chapel which has 2 or 3 services on Sundays, maybe Saturdays as well. There are I believe, 3 softball fields, a track, a walking/running path, tennis courts, and I think I remember some outdoor basketball courts. For those of legal age there is an enlisted club as well I think. A sailor is considered "legal age" on base if he/she is of legal age in his/her home state, is the way I understood it.

Phasing up: The first week at Dam Neck your sailor basically has no liberties. Once they arrive at Dam Neck though they can call, text, email the address to you and you can ship clothing, any small electronics they did not take with them, and some food stuffs. Your sailor will be told to send any parcels certified. I can tell you as other moms can too that what they mean is ship it insured. Certified is for documents and letters. If you send it USPS-insured, it will get sent to the NEX for pick up. If it is not insured, only the minimum postage paid on it, the parcel will be sent to the school building and security will have to have your sailor name off all the items that are in the parcel. Believe me Chris and I had to go through that and if there is food stuff in an uninsured parcel, they give the sailor a big frown. :( They do not like food at the school.

POVs (Personally Owned Vehicles) :
When Chris phased up to being allowed his car on base we checked with Fleet and Family Services at Oceana and they gave us the hours of operation for the Pass and ID office at Oceana. To bring the vehicle on base (or even one visiting on base) a pass must be issued for the vehicle. If it is during the weekend and you are simply visiting, those passes can be issued at the gate but ONLY if the Pass and ID office is closed. Otherwise ALL vehicles must go to the Pass and ID Office. A couple of moms have posted more current information about vehicle registration below. (Sorry I'm having trouble making my Admin tools work properly, or I would paste the links here)

After approximately 6 weeks at Dam Neck your sailor will be phased up to full liberties where he/she can leave when their liberty begins on Friday and remain off base until Sunday night. All liberties are considered a privilege that can be recalled at anytime the Navy decides they need your sailor more. Also if they are scheduled for duty over the weekend they will either have to swap with someone in advance or they will have to remain at barracks during that 24 hours. Plan visits accordingly.

Visits: You may go to Dam Neck and visit your sailor. There are many places available in the Virginia Beach area. They vary in prices, availability, services, etc just like anywhere else. I stayed at the Navy Lodge right there on the Annex and found it very nice. The room was clean, there was a small kitchenette, and more than enough towels. There was also a small play area for younger kids, charcoal grills out back and picnic tables. It was just about a slow five minute drive over to the barracks so Chris was able to leave the room just before midnight and be checked in, in time. He came back over early the next morning. If you are out and about on the base (the MWR, riding around, the NEX, etc) your escort (sailor) must remain with you. Except for traveling directly to and from the Navy Lodge they should be in the car with you also.

School: The school hours and days may vary by holidays, mandatory medicals, Instructor's meetings and things of that nature. Most of the time school begins at 8:00am and runs til lunch break, they march back then to barracks or the galley, have their meal and then march back for the after noon session. On some Fridays they may be excused around lunch time, and those not on duty can usually begin their liberty if they have earned it.
Both A school and C school are very competitive and demand a lot of study time. If a sailor fails a unit they can sometimes retake the test but they will be put on mando (mandatory study time), or they may be put on hold and have to be dropped from that class and wait until another class makes it to that unit. It is not unusual for students to go back to the schoolhouse after evening meal and study until, 9:00, 10:00 or even later at night.
A school is 13 weeks long. it is a general over view of Intelligence specialties and whatever else they learn. (Who knows?) C School is job specific. Near the end of a school a sailor has the opportunity to make his/her "dream assignment" known. The Navy will then release a pool of job openings by the specialty and/or location of the job. The highest ranking student in the class (highest grade average) is allowed to choose first. The second highest gets to choose second and so on. These are only preliminary choices that may be changed later. That happened to my son. He picked DC and the instructors began talking to him about the area and 3 weeks into C school his orders were changed to go overseas. Again, nothing is etched in stone.
Depending on the specialty that the sailor trains in during C school determines the number of weeks that his/her C school will last. One specialty school lasts about 6 weeks, another I believe, lasts about 15 weeks, and then Strike and a couple of other more classified areas train for I think about 8-12 weeks. Those, I am not as sure about since my son starts shutting up on some of it and there is not so much info out there on those couple of specialties. Everything in IS is a "need to know basis" and that's stuff I don't need to know. There is more info on all this in Ellen's discussion about the IS rating in general.

When a sailor completes A school there is a very brief and very informal graduation for them. I understand that when C school is completed the "ceremony" lasts a little longer but still informal. I understand that family may attend. I will post more about this after I attend my son's graduation soon.

The one thing I can tell you is that I asked a few moms whose kids were already out in the field and they have all said that their sailors like what they do. It is a field that is vital to our security and gives them a wonderful background for other jobs after coming out of military service. Please tell your sailors thank you for their service and congratulations, they've earned it.

It sounds as though there are a lot of negatives here but it not really so bad and there is free time. It’s just better to be aware that they are still in the Navy and are basically on the job 24/7. Will post more later about the VB area.

[SRMCmom]

Thanks so much for the info. We are only 4 hours from our Seaman now and can't wait to visit. He arrived on Saturday morning and had liberty Saturday and Sunday. I know this was probably a treat, but do they get liberty every weekend? I know he will not be able to come home for a while, so I will definitely be sending packages. Are there any items that are forbidden?

[Mary (Chris' mom)]

SRMCmom,

Anything that "shakes, rattles or rolls" I've had some problems with. Security always seems to have issues with Skittles when I send them. (To school or to an overseas base...ha ha) For domestic, it is a bit easier but I do always and have, used the military flat rate box, I send priority mail, use the customs forms and write the name clearly. Yes, do get it insured. Otherwise, be sure that no weapons of ANY type are shipped. He/she may want to ask in advance if sending like a cheese pack for the holidays, with a cheese knife. Most of that stuff they can get at the NEX mall over at Oceania. He was lucky to get liberty that early, maybe because he did not have all weekend at GL?? Communication will be better now though so it will be good soon.!!

 

[haseebmd]

I have a question. Do single sailors get BAH while in Dam Neck? Do they have to live in the barracks or can they live off base? Thank you. 

[SRMCmom]

Hi haseebmd,,

My son is currently at Dam Neck and they do get a little stipend in their paychecks. They are required to live on base as long as they are in A and C school. They live in "barracks", but they are more like hotel rooms with three to four per room (with a real bed) depending on the number in their class. Men and women are separated by floors. Hope this helps.

[haseebmd]

Thank you SRMCmom for the info!!  My LO is in OCS graduates april 13th then off to Dam Neck for Intel School. is your son also in Intel? Any idea where he will be stationed yet? 

[SRMCmom]

Yes, he is Intel and will graduate A school soon. Then...on to C school for a while, depending on which specialty he chooses. Don't know about a billet yet, but will probably find out after C school. Good luck to your Sailor!

[Jeanne]

The above information was written almost 3 years ago. Is it still fairly current information or has a lot changed? My son will be going to Dam Neck in a couple of weeks and I was looking for information. Thanks!

[Laura]

Hi Jeanne - Even though the information is three years old, it still applies.  The saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same", applies here!

My son finished "C" school about a month ago and is out in the fleet floatin' on a boat.

[Jeanne]

Thanks Laura! Is it typical for them to go to sea once they finish 'C' school? Just trying to get an idea of where my son will be after 'C' school.

[Laura]

Your son could literally be anywhere in the World!  The "C" school classes are very small, around 10-15 sailors, reserve and active duty.

Reserve sailors are usually assigned to their reserve duty station.

Not all active duty IS are assigned to ships.  Some go to DC others may be stationed at Naval Stations and not be on a ship.

IS can be assigned to several types of ships but never on a submarine.

You son will put in a "wish list" for either job or location but it is all based on the needs of the Navy.  No matter where he goes it will be an exciting time for him!

[JM-ISmomx2]

Question about housing at Dam Neck. My daughter who is Imagery IS is cross rating to OPintel IS and is returning for training at Dam Neck. She is also a single mom and will need to bring her child with her for the 5 weeks training. She already has childcare lined up but what is expected of her as far as housing for her and her daughter. Any one have an idea?

[Laura]

Have your daughter check with the school immediately.  As far as I know, students are not authorized to live anywhere but their designated buildings.  And only sailors are allowed into the buildings.

Housing is not typically authorized for such a short peruiod of time.  Usually anything over 9 months qualifies.

I would have her check her orders as well.