A School for Dads

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Comment by Rich C. on May 9, 2012 at 8:13pm

Well after an amazing PIR 5/4/12..We (our son) are now staying at Great Lakes for A school.... Nick is going for DC he is a Fireman Apprentice... From what we understand he gets a little time off before A school starts, but he is attending some classes now. He is assigned to the USS Essex, anyone else on this ship???

Comment by Pete Freeman on April 30, 2012 at 8:13am

One thing to emphasize to your sailor is to strive to be number one in their class. The order they finish in, determines who gets to meet with the detailer first to pick their first duty station.

My daughter just completed 14 weeks of Hospital Corpsman A school + 6 weeks of Dental Assistant C school. She finished first in her class at C school. When she sat down to discuss duty stations with the detailer, they had openings at Bethseda, Arlington, Japan, San Diego, Great Lakes and... Pearl Harbor. Guess what she chose? Yep, she's off to the land of pineapples and hula skirts.

How your sailor finishes in his/her school could be the difference between Great Lakes (which no sailor wants to go back to) and Hawaii.

So, tell them to work and study hard.

Comment by Gary T. on April 30, 2012 at 7:42am

Todd S, to briefly answer your question. (NO) not all GM's go to a C-School at least initially after A-School. My son chose V.L.S. (vertical launch systems). He was assigned the Pacific and attended C-School in San Diego.

Comment by Todd S on April 29, 2012 at 7:12pm

Thanks, Gary T. I will pass on this info to my son. I did read a bunch of old posts from around 2009, and it seems like there was a big change at  that time in policies and procedures of school. A lot of the sailors had big holds at that time. It would be nice to think that they have ironed out a more efficient flow by now. I believe I read that A.T.T. classes have been merged with A-School now. Is your son a GM? If so, can you answer one question I can't seem to nail down? Do all GM's go to on to C school, or do just some of them go?

Comment by Gary T. on April 29, 2012 at 5:26pm

Todd S, you are right about the words (had the impression). I think all new sailors moving over to the A-School side of the base think they will immediately start A-School (primary course of study for rate). Unfortunately they are not aware of certain requirements. (I.N.D.O.C., A.T.T. <apprentice tech training> which must be completed prior to ever starting actual A-School.The sailors also attend other classes and training while they wait to CLASS UP.During this time they will have learned the most dreaded word in the NAVY. (HOLD)

My son moved over on 13/March/09. He attended I.N.D.O.C., changed barracks (ships), phased up (allowed to wear civilian clothing when off) had several military classes and did busy work while waiting to  start A.T.T.. My son did not start actual A-School until July of 2009. (4 months training and HOLD time). Once in A-School he spent 10 weeks followed by one week of F.A.T.S. (fire arms training Simulator). September through November around Thanks Giving he received his actual hard copy orders to C-School in San Diego. He was on hold again until he started actual C-School on 2 Feb 2010 He did take a two week leave over Christmas returned to Great Lakes to finalize shipping (10 days) and came home for another two weeks prior to driving to California. My son sent one year and two days attached to Great Lakes prior to C-School. During 2009 the NAVY was only operating A.T.T. schools in the day time. They then started evening classes. A.T.T. is also attended by other then GM rate which adds to the back log. Todd please tell your son to hang in there. Time will pass fast enough. Some GM classes moved through faster others slower. Have your son ask other GM students about there time lines.

Comment by Scott Peskin on April 29, 2012 at 4:35pm

Thanks for the info Chriss and Todd.  As always, great info.  With my son just graduating, we know his knowledge may be lacking still.  I'm glad to have the resource of Navy Dads.

Comment by Chris H. on April 29, 2012 at 12:41pm

Scott:  Our daughter is an OS, and waited three weeks at Great Lakes before the class filled up.  Of course, she was busy with busy work, guard duty, etc., during that time.  It depends on when instructors are available, when they've got full classes and the need in the fleet at the time, too.  The "graduation" for an A School really is no big deal, and the Sailors are ready to move on.

Comment by Todd S on April 29, 2012 at 11:58am

Scott - I am not sure how many are needed for a class to start. My guess is that it depends on the job rating. My son is a GM. He had the impression right after PIR that his school would start the following week. The week following PIR, he had INDOC, (orientation) and then was told he was on hold to class up. He is now going in to his second week of hold and says he may get only a one day notice of when his class will start. I have heard there is a small ceremony for A-School graduation, but usually only the local families attend. Most of the sailors get enough liberty to go home for a week or so after A-school.

Comment by jeremy mcelroy on April 29, 2012 at 9:02am

Yes that is how it is nowadays. We are told that we should not wear our uniform while out and about or traveling(anyone with time in doesn't wanna do that anyways lol). Also you are supposed not use your military ID for indentification when possible.

Does it help avoid the probably .1% chance that someone would wanna target you anyways, ehhhhh who knows

Comment by Chris H. on April 29, 2012 at 8:29am

Jack, it has been that way for quite a while.  Our daughter after Boot Camp was told which uniform to wear while traveling, and by the time she returned from her first deployment, they were instructed NOT to be in uniform.  The military ID should be shown only at airline ticket counters, etc. 

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