Gunners Mates

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Comment by Gary T. on October 13, 2009 at 9:47pm

Dean, has Devin started actual A-School or is he in A.T.T.. Ask questions here to help. Gary T.

Comment by dean warkenthien on October 13, 2009 at 9:39pm

Hello from North Dakota GM dads! My son Devin is still in A school at GL. He should finish up around early December. We have been to Chicago twice ,PIR and over the Labor Day weekend to visit. As much as I miss Devin I could not be more proud!! Miss him alot during the pheasant and deer sesaons here, as we have had so many good times doing this together. He would like to get riverine orders but will take a west coast destroyer vls if that is what is available. He is enjoying A school and is really liking the technical/mechanical part of his rate. Looking forward the fleet with a little nervousness!!

Comment by Bill S on September 19, 2009 at 7:16am

Greetings to all you GM Moms and Dads.
The following 1st paragraph is a re-post from the GM Training page on GL Q & A. I wanted to put the whole time line together so it would be easier to follow. So.. he goes.
Greetings, Bill Sick here. My son Brett is a Gunners Mate E-3 currently in his sixth week of A school at this posting. 06/29/2009. Brett left for boot on the 13th of Nov. 2008 and had his PIR on the 9th of Jan.2009. His first stop was the USS Franklin for INDOC and hold for 17 days. He moved to the USS Enterprise on 01/26/2009 and then completed his SCC course on 02/11/2009. The next day he moved to the USS Decatur and was on hold for 12 days and moved to the USS Cole on 02/24/2009 where he was on hold for 42 days. He began his ATT training on 03/26/2009 and completed that course on 04/21/2009 and remained on hold for 35 days until beginning A school on 05/26/209. Brett's class was the second to start the new pilot program with instructor based learning. Prior classes were self paced but took to long to complete. The thinking with the pilot program is to move them through faster and give them more hands on when they get to their duty station. His target date to graduate A school is the 3rd or 4th of August 2009.
Brett actually graduated A school on Aug 15th 2009. The week of the 3rd thur the 7th they had Crew Served training which is multiple personnel weapons ( more than 1 person required to operate the weapon ) The following week of 10th thru the 14th they had FATS ( firearms training simulator/ weapons qualifications ) and received their cannons at graduation on the 15th. The day of their graduation is the day that the Sailors who qualified get to pick their C school assignment. The following is from Brett when I asked him to clarify how the Duty Stations are assigned.

"They put it on the projector and said "this is when the bitching and moaning starts...They put it up and I said make the best of it because it is what the Navy wants anyway..So after the people picked...BY AVERAGE...I came about 5th and I picked what would set myself and my family up for the best dollar decision I could make...and with having Alivia on the way I picked something I could Guarantee would get me to see her birth and have a few months before shipping out...they let us pick by average...and all FC'S pick orders so GM's were just doing it....I made the most sound decision I could and C schools are better anyway..not everyone got it...people with low averages got the short end of the stick. But I had to mix in with people too..If I hadn't been in with the other class I would have gotten "better" orders...I love my orders just because I can be with my family before deployment."

Brett is now doing Yeoman duty for the SDC's and loves it. He was doing office duty"in charge" the other nite. All the Sailors came to him for whatever they needed and if it was something he was not able to handle he was to call the SDC. He has been doing Yeoman since Aug. 17th. He is now classified as non duty. No more dog duty and he gets liberty as soon as he is done for the day which is usually 1130 hours every day. He will be doing that job until he leaves GL on October 1st to come home for leave. He reports to Norfolk on October 17th for C school to start classes for VLS (vertical launch systems) C school runs about 197 days. He reports the his ship USS Donald Cook DDG 75 on April 15th 2010.

So there you have it. From start to finish. Boot camp to Fleet. It will have been 558 days of classes and holds. As of October 1st, Brett will have been in GL for..........321 days!!!! Long story short, tell your Sailor to FIND A JOB!!! The time will fly and they will be much happier rather than sitting around complaining. If you need any more info or have a questions, PLEASE, send me a message thru my profile and I will be more than happy to find the answer (if I can).
Godspeed to our Sailors and the VERY best of luck to you and yours. Sincerely, Bill Sharon and Brett

Comment by Glen H. on September 17, 2009 at 2:53pm

Bill - you keep WAY better records than I did. Danny started boot camp 3 Nov 08, PIR 2 Jan 09, started A school about a week or two before you son, finished GM A school on 31 July, got home for leave on 2 Sept and reports to Norfolk tomorrow at 0800. So the rhythm is pretty similar. BTW - I heard from another guy last night that spoke with Danny's recruiter last week - he claimed DEP people are now waiting 6-8 months before they can get a spot in boot camp; something about less people leaving the Navy due to economy....but that's just scuttlebutt.

Comment by Gary T. on September 8, 2009 at 7:53pm

Welcome to the group. I see you found it. Have you also checked out Navy 4 Mom's Great Lakes Q & A. There are over 25 parents with sailors who are currently attending or waiting for GM A-School.

I didn't have a chance to answer your question ref: Devon becoming a police officer after the NAVY. May I suggest he first study hard for G.M. When he has finished all of his training he should start taking college courses geared toward police work. During a four year enlistment he should be able to obtain an associates degree. Most large departments require a four year degree. I retired from the Illinois State Police and a B.A. is one of there requirements. Gary T.

Comment by Devons Dad From CT (Rich) on September 8, 2009 at 7:35pm

Hello Gunners Mates. My son is still in bootcamp but heading to GM school when he graduates. Looking forward to the support in this group.

Comment by Gary T. on September 1, 2009 at 7:25pm

Give him a big hug and a hardy handshake dad. Keep us posted. Gary T.

Comment by Glen H. on September 1, 2009 at 7:13pm

Heading to Norfolk airport to pick up the boy tomorrow!! He has never been to our house in VA so this will be an interesting few days.

Comment by Gary T. on August 30, 2009 at 9:59am

Glen, congrats to your son. Enjoy his time home. Please give him my best wishes for success in his next assignment. Nicholas is currently completing his 5th week of A-School. Looks like he has about 6 more weeks to go. Gary T.

Comment by Glen H. on August 24, 2009 at 1:12pm

Got a call last night from our Sailor. His orders posted - he's thrilled. Will be home for leave soon before heading out for more training.

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