Day after Grad

Posted by Dan Breen on March 16, 2011 at 2:18pm

My son is Ship 09, division 135.

 

Question.  A school is not at Great Lakes, he is shipping out the day after grad, on April 16th.  Can we meet his at the airport and hand him civilian cloths, cell phone, and what ever else he might need????

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  • Albert Knies March 17, 2011 at 12:50am
    We just went through all this, this past weekend with our son. Amazing to hear all of you saying what happened. We were exactly the same. He left for the airport at 2:30 am Saturday. Plane left at 7:30 pm. We had to buy an all black backpack. We filled it with his cell phone, iPod, 2 terabyte backup drive, etc. Spent a few hours at airport with him. He took it all with him to Sub school. He bought a new laptop at the NEX there. Been in communication daily. PIR was as awesome as everyone explained. Hint: if you have a military pass and can get on base a day B4 PIR, a visit to the NEX is wonderful. MUCH less crowded. We loaded up. Enjoy!
  • Steven S March 17, 2011 at 12:12am

    Dan ~ My son went to Goose Creek for his A school and was allowed to have everything that we gave him at the airport.  He requested in his last letter that we bring his laptop, cell phone, sweats, shorts, sandals. 

    It was all put in a backpack and given to him on the gate side at the airport.  The airline will let you get gate passes to spend the day with them while they wait.  Mine was there at 4am the next morning and didn't leave till about 10am.  After he arrived at his barracks we mailed him some more tshirts and some speakers.  It will of course depend on where he is going, but they will find out as soon as they get there.  The clothes were for the dorm only at first.  He said it helped. 

     

    Dave is correct about their attitude toward the rules.  The night of graduation, mine wasn't to be back till 9p but was so nervous he forgot when and insisted we get him back by 7p.  He said there were several that sat there with each other laughing about that.  I was very impressed!

     

     

  • TerriC(Ship09Div077)PIR 2/18/11 March 16, 2011 at 8:34pm
    Very good suggestion.  We met my son at the airport around 8ish (he was there at 2:30 a.m. and he called at 4:30 wanting his cell phone!  Needless to say I reminded him that we were civilians, HE was military.) to hand off his cell, Ipod, etc. in a solid black backpack.  He had to buy one at NEX.  I came home and found one in his closet.  I didn't know and he didn't remember that he had one.
  • Dave DeWald March 16, 2011 at 6:28pm
    According to the Family's Guide To Recruit Training, " If your Sailor is attending A School away from Great Lakes, you may not escort them to the airport, but you may meet them there."  It only states that they are not permitted to take those items back to base on the day of PIR after liberty.  We just experienced PIR for the third time in 30 years, and it is spectacular.  After PIR, the sailors are still a bit skitish about breaking any possible rules.  So my suggestion would be do not do anything that puts them in a civilian frame of mind at this time.  Trust me, once they get the lay of the land at their new duty station, they will become the individuals you once knew.  We just sent a care package to our son with his MP3 player, he purchased a new laptop, and cell at the NEX.  He is not permitted to wear civies for the first two weeks of A school.  Additionally, he may not want to lug around the extra weight at this time.  Over all the decision is up to the both of you,take it along if you want and let him decide after PIR if he wants you to drop it at the airport.  One last thing, the military is notorious for inspections, and I would not put it past them to have a seabag inspection upon arrival at their A school.  This may also have some bearing for you decision.
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