Grad and Go

[Navy_Proud]

From information I read on the navy.com message board, I just emailed RTC and found out that my son's division (147) is Grad and Go. His PIR is Apr 27. Does this mean it's set in stone? Is there any chance this will change? I had assumed it was an individual thing, not for the entire division. I am so disappointed but for sure we'll enjoy every minute we do have with him.

Also, do they make this decision based on behavior or testing? Or is it simply a scheduling/logistical thing?

If your sailor was a Grad and Go, what did you do?

Thanks.

ps I'm a new member and this is my first post :smile:

[eltzy]

There are many variables to grad and go. It depends on what your sailor is sched to do. If ther A school is at GL. Then this can be to your advantage, as they have to process across the street, and usually get to spend the rest of the weekend, including nights away from the base. If they are a NUC, that could suck as they really will be grad and go. Usually the next morning, EARLY. Don't fret, you will be ok. Enjoy the PIR. " NUC'S, just do a little dance". Remember, You CAN GO DOWN to the terminal. Any questions?? Just ask.

[Kristie]

Welcome Angie....glad that you are here....you will find that with the Navy nothing is set in stone.....lolol.....when Brandon graduated there was a guy who at first would be leaving after graduation.....then it changed to leaving later.....and then at the last minute he left after graduation....so anything is possible....

My daughter who graduates the same day as you son.....wooohooo.....it does depend on where their school is....Jennifer has her A school in Pensacola, FL and I thought she would be leaving right after graduation like they did when Brandon graduated but she told me in her letter that they said that she would not be leaving till May 2....so that would give us the weekend with her...Lord willing....

Let us know if we can do anything for you......again....welcome!

[Scott Hays]

My son Zach is a grad and go as well. He PIR's on April 6. He was really sad about it thinking, for some reason, that we wouldn't come. With his one phone call home, we reassured him that we would be there, and you could just hear his spirits lift.
We're kind of hoping that the first part of his schooling is at GL so we can have that time with him, either that, or his plane doesn't leave until the next day. We'll take any time we can with him.

I did read on another board somewhere that the mom's son's division was scheduled as a grad-n-go, but about the day before PIR, they changed their orders. I don't know how often that happens, but there is always a small chance.

Scott

[Navy_Proud]

So does Grad and Go simply mean that his A School is somewhere other than GL? We know he'll be going to Gulfport, MS to train as a Builder in the Seabees. Or does it mean that they generally leave within hours of graduation? We have plans to stay the whole weekend at this point so if there's a chance we'll get more time with him, then we'll be all set.

Thanks for answering my question so promptly! I'm glad I found this board.

Angie

[Mommadukes]

Wow, my son is graduating on 4/27 also.....he called the other day and said he is grad and go but didnt' know if he had the weekend or not...he's going to Missouri for school (seabee also/equipment operator) ...

The funny part about this, is we will be there together and probably never see each other...or will we???

[TexDad]

My son is graduating April 13 and he told me he is not grad and go. He is going to Pensacola for Naval Aircrew training first and then rescue swimmer training. He said he leaves on April 18. Now, that was as of couple of weeks ago.

[navymom84]

Angie, My son John is a Seabee. He is a builder. He was also a Grad n Go. We had around 2 -21/2 hours with our son before he had to leave. We just made the best of the time we had. He had so much to tell us. And of course it was wonderful seeing him. His home base is Gulf Port, Ms. He likes it there. He is deployed in Africa for 6 months.
Once they get to A-School things change for the good. They earn more freedom. John got to have a cell phone and his car. Time off base. Kinda like college but you have rules you must follow.
Hope this helps

Vickie

[Navy_Proud]

Mommadukes, I think I've seen your username on another message board. Is your son is Division 147 with my son? We may indeed meet somewhere that day.

I got the graduation packet and it says that he will be leaving soon after PIR but we can meet up with him again at the airport and that's what will bet me through. I had just asked him in my last letter, what he'd like to eat when he left the base, a steak, a homecooked meal, etc. I guess if there's time we could eat at the airport. The airports I've been in have some really good restaurants.

Well, anyway, I've finally wrapped my mind around the fact that we won't have the weekend with him but I'm soooo looking forward to putting my arms around him and squeezing him tight! I'm sure he'll love that :kiss:

Thanks again everyone!!

[Navy_Proud]

Silly me.....I just saw the division and ship number of Mommadukes' son under her name! So, they are in the same division! I wonder if they know each other.

[Mommadukes]

Angie,

You said you got a letter about his graduation? I didn't get anything yet, he did tell me that he was graduating that day, but I'm not sure if I should start making arrangements yet...

I know that sometimes grad and go means they won't be coming home, but you may have the weekend with him....I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of us!!

Dawn

[KYmom]

:biggrin: o.k. Angie & Dawn your two are the first around here to talk about BC graduation. Your gonna have to start a thread under the PIR :smile: section for a great get together that weekend and hopefully if there is anyone else going also they will speak up and join you guys. LOL
I'm excited for you all. We haven't had anyone use the PIR section yet, so you all will get the honor of being the first, unless someone else beats you to it. LOL

:laugh:

[Navy_Proud]

Dawn, I got the "brochure" for Division 147's PIR from my son on Saturday. It had the parking pass with it as well. He had filled in the four people (mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law) who are on his suggested guest list. But we are taking three kids as well. It does state in the brochure that the division is Grad and Go.

We have reservations at the Navy Lodge. I had already made them last week. I figured, it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and get them taken care of, we can always change it later. They don't charge your card untill you show up or are a no-show.

[Kristie]

Even if your Sailor is grad n go you will still get to spend some time with them....If they are leaving the same day that they graduate you can meet them at the airport and go through security and sit at the gate with them till they leave......that is what we will probably be doing with Jennifer.....even tho she has said that she does not leave till May 2....the Navy has a habit of changing their minds at the last minute so we are prepared for anything....we were able to have Brandon the entire weekend but his A school was at GL and we are praying that we get the same with Jennifer.

[Mommadukes]

Angie,

I just got my brochure and I had the same thing. grad and go, which really stinks when you think of families traveling far and not having the time they want with them, but hey I'll go to the airport...I did it in Harrisburg.

I'm going to call the Navy Lodge this week to make the reservation and I'm not sure about the flight though....I"ll have to check that out.

I'm coming with my husband and my son (my daughter can't get out of school) but I wouldn't miss it for the world!

I'm sure we will see you there, we'll have to let each other know what we're wearing...lol

Maybe we should start something in the PIR Section.....

Keep me posted!

Dawn

[Navy_Proud]

Hey Dawn, Kristie put a new post in the PIR section about a meeting. Check it out.

[Mommadukes]

Angie,

I looked at the post on the PIR section; I would love to meet everyone, it would be really nice!

I just made my reservation at the Navy Lodge, so I'm in but now I have to decide how to get there..

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that we get more than 2 1/2 hours with them...

And I just wrote Matt and told him that I met parents from his division; I only hope they get along as well as we have...that would be funny actually!!! I know there are so many guys there they may not even know each other...

Dawn