Power School Graduation

[janice]

Hello Navy Moms:)

I have a son preparing to graduate power school in September and would appreciate any information regarding graduation.  I am making the trek from Kansas with my husband and 6 of my children; we are all excited to see our sailor and of course the ocean! 

How long does the ceremony last?

Will it be difficult to connect with our son post graduation?

Should we designate a meeting place following the ceremony?

Is there a place for family members not on the guest list to wait on the base and watch the ceremony via live feed?

Anyone familiar with the Charleston  area this ones for you:  What travel conditions i.e." rush hour"... should we expect traveling from Edisto Beach in the a.m. 

and Where is a great seafood restaurant that is budget/family friendly?

And any other advice or suggestions for a  mom with small children?

Thank you,

Janice

[gretamae3 (nuke mom)]

I also will be at graduation Sept 4th. No there isn't a live feed. There is 2 beaches isle of palms is the nicer of the 2. It's approx 15 mins away. I am not sure how long it lasts. Your son will be in his section. You will be able to go straight to him after graduation. Charleston is breathtaking. I love going into it. I suggest staying anywhere in Ashley phosphate. I feel safe in that area.

[janice]

Thanks for responding, I have stumbled on some "old" discussions regarding power school graduation from several years ago so I am beginning to feel slightly acquainted with the process but it was a while ago so I am certain that changes have occurred.  I am new to the sight and I am comforted knowing that others have the same questions and things seem to consistently go well for our kids.

Janice, Nick"s mom

[Cybermama Ship 09, Div 160]

We went to our son's in May.  I do not recommend staying on Edisto Island the day of the graduation because it's a fairly long drive.  We were at the first graduation after the military was put on high alert and it took us 1 hour 30 minutes to drive what is normally a 10 minute drive.  The problem was at the gate checking each car and ID-ing everyone.  They may have gotten better at this since then but I would not want to spend additional time driving up from Edisto.

There is usually some high ranking Naval brass at Power School graduation and that was true at our son's.  The ceremony was about 1 1/2 hours.  Before the ceremony, the sailors are all with their unit and you may take their pictures.  The ceremony is outdoors and that sun can be brutal; keep that in mind.  There are plenty of seats but the earlier you arrive, the better seat you can get.

After the ceremony, the sailors are off for the weekend.  We went to a building which allowed visitors and waited for ours there.  We took our son and his buddy (now his roommate) out to lunch and then they just wanted to chill.  We took ours out to dinner that night; his friend just wanted to chill.  The next day, we all went to downtown Charleston and visited Ft. Sumter, which was cool.  Again, we walked around downtown and went to dinner.  On Sunday, we got our son again and walked across the Revenal Bridge, grabbed a couple of beers from a store below the bridge and just chilled.  We found a great barbecue place for dinner.  On Monday, he and his roommate began their new duties on grad hold.

Let your sailor have a say in what you do.  He/she may have been around Charleston a lot or a little.  Sightseeing can be fun but not everyone like that.  We enjoy museums, zoos, aquariums, and historic monuments.  Charleston has all of that.  Do remember that these folks have been through some fairly intense studying and if you get the "I just want to chill", let them chill.  You may invite them to chill at your hotel pool or somewhere else you like but respect the sailor's wishes.  After all, t is all about them.

[janice]

Thank you for taking the time to share so much information. I especially appreciate the advice about the drive time and long lines. I am happy to share that because of the comments shared by all you wonderful mothers I was lucky enough to get a room at the Villa for Thursday night and so affordable... I can not believe it! One less worry. Thank you again!
Janice

[Beglish]

Hi - do you have an address or contact info for the Villa? Thanks!

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

The Villas - 843.794.2120

http://www.jbcharleston.com/villas

[proudmom]

The ceremony is outside. It tends to "mist" there a lot. We did not have an umbrella and that was fine, Ashley Phosphate is nice. I have rented a condo nearby when the family came and it worked out well. Google vacation rentals, Charleston and see what comes up. It was much less expensive than hotel rooms, and you have your own kitchen for meals.

[Navymom1]

My son is also graduating Sept. 4, I can't believe how close it is!  Before I know it I'll be leaving to make that 10 hour drive!  We are staying at the Villas again.  For A School there was a huge snowstorm coming so we left as soon as we could and we still hit it in Maryland and it was a nightmare.  Hopefully the weather will be better.  I'm also hoping to see Charleston this time around!  Then he's off to Ballston Spa, NY.  I thought I saw mentioned that there are things you can get regarding the graduation?  Challenge coin, etc.  I might be mistaken.