Not Grad and Go, Now what?

[poddoc]

Good morning! Hope everyone is ready for the holidays. I will have my Christmas 1/25/08, that is my husbands PIR. I found out last night that DIV 069 is not grad and go. My husband goes to Goose Lake, SC for Nuke school and I was just wandering what this meant. Mainly I am trying to figure out how many days to take off of work (I was thinking Thur-Sun). I want to be able to bring his cell phone and some other things that I know he will want/need in A school. How have you all done it or how are you all planning on doing it? I really appreciate everyone's input. Coming to this site makes things a little less depressing! Thanks again.

Tosha

[Kristie]

Tosha......I can only tell you how it was for us with Jennifer.....she was not Grad n Go and was set to fly out to Pensacola the Tuesday following graduation...We were able to have her from right after graduation on Friday until 7:00 that night....she wanted to be back early so no one would get in trouble.....and then we picked her up Saturday morning at 8:00 am and then she had to be back that evening.....the same thing on Sunday.....

You will have to wait till he gets to his A school and then ship him his cell phone.....you will not be able to leave it with him.....

I hope this helps....just hang in there....once you reach the "Other Side" it is wonderful.....have a wonderful time with him!

[NavyMomx2]

Hi Tosha - my experiences were pretty much the same as Kristie's. Both of my Sailors were not grad-n-go and were able to spend much of the weekend with us. We had them Friday after graduation until around 8 p.m., then Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and we had our son Casey, half-day Sunday (as our flight left in the afternoon) and our daughter Kylie left early Sunday morning for A school. Their orders (once they get them) will tell you more of when they leave for A school and how much time you might have with them after graduation.

As far as cell phones etc. your husband won't be able to take anything back to the base with him in Great Lakes (other than a pair of sunglasses if bought new and/or a watch). Once at A school, he will have to "phase up" before he can have civilian clothes, cell phones, computers etc. He will let you know when it is okay to send those things. Typically around week two is when they are allowed certain liberties.

I hope this has helped with some of the questions you have and please, ask if you have any others. We are here to help - just ask away.

Beckie
NavyMomX2

[cousinIT]

with him being a nuke, i'm sure that when he gets to a school he can have whatever you send him. i know that we were allowed to have cell phones and civilian clothes right away. we couldnt leave base for like a week though. we had to do indoc...that's everywhere you go though. before i even left for boot camp i had packed a box that i wanted my mom to mail me...turns out they brought it to me! =]

[poddoc]

FutureIT: Thank you for you information. I thought I would bring a bag packed for him when I fly in and if he can't take it no biggy. How is Japan? I think my husband talked to you briefly, he had mentioned a woman on the Kitty Hawk in Japan. He desperately wants to go there for the food oh and the bonus of cool cars! Anyway, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas over in Japan. I know that it must be hard to be that far away for Christmas. Thank you for your service to our country.

Thank you to NavyMom and Kristie for your information! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas.

On a side note, I had the best anniversary gift yesterday -- a six pag letter from my husband! Now if only they could get a call around Christmas. I know, the wanting never stops!

[NavyMomx2]

Oh and that phone call would be so wonderful - you never know, it might happen, keep your fingers crossed, your prayers going and always always positive thoughts in your head and heart.

Merry Christmas to you too!

[cousinIT]

he wont be able to have anything you bring to him while he's on liberty from boot camp...just wait to mail everything once he gets to school. i beleive it's in south carolina???

japan is amazing...i love the culture and the food! the people are really nice, too.
i hope i make it through christmas okay!!! it's my first one away from home...i gotta be strong! but i do miss my family...hopefully they like all the gifts i sent them!