from PIR to A school

[arubafalls]

Hello - could someone help me and tell me if I am supposed to bring civilian clothes for my son to graduation or send them on to GC?  Will he get the address at PIR?  Just trying to plan how much to bring for him to GL in October.  Thanks.

[CO-TwinSalorsMom]

Send them to him at GC. He can't ware them till he phases up anyway. I sent my son a boxful in the box he sent his home from BC in. LOL he told me he and his buddies had PTSD from seeing that box. You might want to try it for a laugh.

[arubafalls]

Thanks for the advice.  That's funny.  I think I will reuse that box and send it on to GC!!!

[Binker & Bro: 2X Nuke Mom]

If I remember correctly, they weren't in civies until a few weeks into GC. They cannot wear them off base and I don't think they can even go off base for the first three weeks or so. Mine wanted his contacts and his cell phone. They cant add any suitcases to their duffle. You cant give them anything until the airport. I don't think they care about civies. They care about electronics. The electronics store (cant remember which one) right off base has the highest sales in the country--computer geeks who have been denied electronics with paychecks they haven't been able to touch in 12 weeks suddenly let loose on an unsuspecting world. They buy everything. They don't have much space for extras anyway. If you want to get him something that he will appreciate and can stuff into something easy, get him a solid black case that he can carry a computer in and put a nice set of comfy soft extra long single sheets in it. The sheets they are issued are rough and unpleasant. They can carry a plain black briefcase or backpack in uniform-PLAIN. Use it to pack a few treats and a shirt and pair of jeans and shoes. They really cant have much but those sheets are one of the things they love most.

hugs and get ready for a ride from monster land. Nuke is not fun.

De 

[arubafalls]

Thanks for the reply.  I am sure the electronics are more important! I will get a set of sheets for him for sure.  What will be the most challenging for nuke?  He is excited to start the academics. I have heard the physical part is much harder than at boot camp. How soon will we be able to visit him in GC?  I am hoping we can go down for Thanksgiving since his younger brothers (5, 7, and 8) will not be going to PIR.  Thanks again, I have a million questions and I am so anxious to talk to him.  I am hoping for a call or letter soon since it has been over 2 weeks.

[Binker & Bro: 2X Nuke Mom]

Don't plan on any phone calls. Bink got 2 short calls the entire time. The drill instructors use them as carrots and then never give them to them. It is planned that way. I think he got one at about 5 weeks and then one the day after Battle Stations when they were officially sailors. Academically, Nuke is designed to weed them out. They are all incredibly intelligent or they wouldn't be nukes. But not all of them have what it takes to be nuke. The pressure is incredible. They will actually not call much. Cell reception in the barracks is horrible and they have to go outside to make calls. The school pipeline is usually really backed up so they spend a lot of time waiting to class up. A-school is heavy duty math and science. They wash a lot out during this school. They have mandatory school hours and then have mandatory study hours after school. Write him letters everyday. Have his brothers write letters. Have them write an extra letter to stick in for one of his buddies that don't get letters. They will really be grateful. Nuke school is just one witch of an experience. But that's why they give them the money they do. It's the hardest school in the military.

[coventrymom]

What size sheets?

[IlNukeMom]

Don't bring his clothes to PIR. You can bring something for him to lounge in, if you are hanging out in your hotel room, but that's about it. Your son will be able to give you his address after he gets to A school. He'll also be able to use his cell phone in the evenings. He won't be as cut off as he has been, so you will be able to talk more.

[arubafalls]

That is nice to know he can talk or text in the evenings.  thx

[RV_Mom and Dad]

We are planning on bringing our son's car to GC on our way from MI to FL after his BC graduation. We'll pack whatever he wants to take in the car (primarily clothes, toiletries, laundry supplies, maybe his computer if we don't give it to him at the airport after PIR), and he can get it whenever he is able.

My question is, with his graduation in January, we're not going to linger in MI and I was thinking we would target getting to Goose Creek on the weekend of his first week there (about 1 week after he arrives). Will he be able to meet up with us and get his car parked somewhere on base until he is able to use it? I know he's going to be restricted in what he can do, but will he able to see us at all?

Also, is it going to be a problem if the car is registered and insured in our names? He is on our insurance policy, but he doesn't have his own policy in his name (too expensive for an 18-year old!). I think I had seen a comment somewhere that this is OK, but I'm hearing conflicting opinions.

Looking to all of you who are experienced in this area!! Thanks

[Binker & Bro: 2X Nuke Mom]

Truth is you have very little time with them after PIR. You get Friday afternoon. They have to be back on base that evening. And Nukes ship out first thing in the morning usually. Most are Grad and Go. They head to the airport at around 4 in the morning. I spent the day with Alex at the airport because he didn't leave until late. Now this was 6 years ago so things are foggy. We may have actually had Saturday with him, but I don't think so. I think it was only that afternoon. I don't remember taking him back to base except the one time. I don't think they can go off base the first weekend. I know they cant drive for a certain number of weeks, but they can have their cars. Insurance and registration is not a problem. He may want to look into insurance with USAA. They only take military clients and their insurance is the best around. No one can touch it. Once he has it, you can get it. Believe me. Other companies have tried to sell me theirs for years and no one can come near the rates, service and quality they provide. I don't think they can really do anything at GC until they are out of INDOC. That usually takes about 2 weeks.

[Sierrascrapper (ETN2)]

I don't know a lot about the car issue.  But I can tell you that you son will be able to leave base in his uniform the first couple of weekends but has to be back on base by a certain time each day.  My son arrived in GC at the end of August and he managed to go out and buy his first tablet at Best Buy the day after he arrived in GC.  There is a discussion in our group that talks about how much liberty they get for each Phase.  Phase 1 only lasts about 2 weeks or so as long as your Sailor is passing inspections and PT stuff.  They will make them take a test at the end of two weeks and then they can phase up.  So that might give you an indication of what to expect.  

[SoCal_Sailor_Dad]

I didn't see anyone post this, but the address is out there. If you want to send them a package that will arrive right after they do, this is the address:

FN LAST, FIRST M.  (for MM &EM) or
SN LAST, FIRST M.  (for ET)

CLASS: INDOC
101 NNPTC CIRCLE
GOOSE CREEK, SC 29445-6324

("INDOC" will be replaced by their class number once they are classed up.)