MA "A" school length?

Posted by Ian Thompson on October 14, 2014 at 1:31pm

Hey everyone, My girlfriend is about to graduate from basic, but still isn't sure how long MA "A" school will last... The internet has provided answers from 40 days, to 7 weeks, to 9 weeks... What should we expect?

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Replies

  • Todd Hutchins February 17, 2015 at 2:21pm
    She just doesn't like them because they are loud. She has no problem putting them in their place. They're 19, she's 28. It's just a maturity difference.
  • Todd Hutchins January 11, 2015 at 11:42pm
    My daughter is in PRP (Personal Reliability Program). She is in Silverdale, WA. She hates being on a Marine command, and the Marines piss her off constantly. But she loves the MA rating.
  • David Oelker October 20, 2014 at 9:37am
    Our daughter got to San Antonio for MA school this past Saturday. She was given a graduation date of 15 December. Hope this helps.
  • Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom October 14, 2014 at 3:40pm

    RIVRON.....formally MSRON.....Expeditionary Security.....now combined with the former Riverines...

    • Michael Baione > Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom October 14, 2014 at 4:39pm

      Yeah that's it!

  • Scott Karneth October 14, 2014 at 2:44pm

    Here is what I would say you can expect:

    Generally there will be a 1-2 week period while she waits for there to be enough students to form a class. After that there are 7 weeks of instruction. Graduation should happen at the end of the 7th week So, typically 8 weeks, sometimes 9, rarely longer.

    The reason that you have found so many answers is because there IS NO set length of time that someone will be at MA school. There are many variables to consider:

    • The time to form a class, or 'Class Up', can take up to a month depending on who is graduating boot camp. There are usually enough every week to make a class, but you never know.
    • There are security and medical clearances that should happen well before boot camp, but sometimes are missed.
    • There are tests each week that MUST be passed in order to continue, otherwise students are held back. This is just like boot camp, if you don't pass the tests you get held back.
    • Sometimes there aren't orders for all the students, and that will hold them up.

    I know these may seem scary, but please understand that they are the exception and not the rule! Most MA Students will get what I have told you to expect above. I just want you to be informed.

    Also, if you are interested in what will happen at MA School, NavyForMoms.com has a great break down of what happens in those 7 weeks here.

    Finally, you should also know that after graduation she should be able to take her first leave! Most can start their leave the day of Graduation or the day after. Some will have to wait up to a week. A very few with overseas or shipboard orders may not be allowed leave at all. Again, this is the exception.

    If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask, here or directly to me. And welcome to the family!

  • Michael Baione October 14, 2014 at 2:27pm

    Hi Ian, Welcome to Navy Dads!

    MA school is about 8 weeks long. It is at Lackland joint military base in San Antonio, TX

    Some of the highlights are Self Defense, Firearms, and Tactics. The suckiest part is when they have OC Spray certification day. Look up "OC Spray" on YouTube. Other than that they can pick their specialty if they want to have one. There are a few to pick from. MWD = Military Working Dog, which is what my daughter did. Some of the others are protecting nuclear facilities, Investigation and Tom's daughter Was supporting Seal's on their missions. I forget what the title is, but it's very cool!

    Lets us know any other questions you have

    Michael 

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