Comments

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  Jim April 11, 2009 at 8:26am

  Hi Richard, To start with, enjoy the PIR. That sure makes a parent pround seeing there son or daughter marching in. As for Corpsman A school, these are some of my interpitation from talking with my son. He should make good use of the study time. He will be sharing a room with 2 other sailors, have him get the ground rules down right away with all them keeping the room clean and ready for inspection. Otherwise they will be standing extra watches. They get three chances on failing room inspections. One roommate fails they all fail. I hope he gets good room mates. My son had a few different ones over time, because of sailors dropping out. The school starts out freedom wise like BC but then they start getting more liberty time as they progress. I think they start getting the more liberty after the third test. My son had a cell phone and laptop during A school. He order a cable modem (Comcast) that he and his roommates split the cost on. $20 each. He lived in what they called the "crack house" because it was so run down. When he was on leave at Christmas, he said it was nice to take a warm shower because the crack house didn't have working hot water in 4 weeks. My son also volunteered to be in charge of the sailors standing watches (Chief of the watch?)in his building, this way he could study and not stand a watch. But he would also have to take care of the supervising and dole out punishment for not be on time and other things.
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  Jim April 7, 2009 at 12:21pm

  Richard,
  
  My son finished Corpsman "A" school on 1/30/09 and is now at Camp Pendleton in the FMTB class that graduates mid May. He will be stationed there for the next 3 years. I also have a son in-law that has been a Corpsman for 13 years, he will also be at Pendleton starting the middle of this month and then for 3 years. It will sure be different this summer not having my son with fishing at the lake.
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  Jim April 6, 2009 at 7:11am

  Hi Richard, My son, son in-law (both Corpsman) and myself enjoy fishing for those Pike's and Walleye's here in Minnesota.
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  E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin February 28, 2009 at 9:02am

  Richard, Welcome Aboard! I found navyformoms in searching for answers to my son's future. I just knew their had to be a site for dads like n4m's but I was wrong. So I started this site so us dads would also have a place to call home. I'm new at this and I hope this site will benefit fathers that come behind us. So jump right in share concerns, join groups, share info, and show off your sailor. I'm so glad to find out their are so many proud Navy dads just like myself. I hope this site benefits you and your family throughout your sons journey in the Navy. Thank Nick for his service for me and yours as well. Thanks again for joining us.
  Sincerely,E.G.
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  Michael B - PIR 3/20/09 February 28, 2009 at 8:33am

  Welcome Richard.
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  NavyDads Admin (Paul) February 28, 2009 at 7:04am

  Welcome to NavyDads Richard! I'm sure you'll find the site as fun and useful as I have. Explore and make some friends, add your comments to a discussion or two, read the postings in the various groups-- even start one or two. I have! If you have any questions or concerns about your sailor and what Nick is going through...ask! I'm sure someone here will have the answer or can point you in the right direction to find out. I'm lucky enough to have two sailors- my son Eric is on the second half of a seven-month cruise on the carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and my daughter Kat recently returned from a seven-month cruise on the carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). And Richard this is a great place to brag about your sailor as well! So join in and let us know how Nick is doing!
  
  As a parent of a sailor currently or soon to be at Great Lakes you'll have many questions about what your son is going through. Thanks to one of our members we have two excellent videos that you can access from the Video area on the NavyDads.com main page: New Bootcamp 1 of 2 and New Bootcamp 2 of 2. These videos will answer many of your questions and concerns and will give you a better understanding of how the United States Navy transforms our children into sailors!
  
  Be sure to spend some time in the Bootcamp group- there are many questions and answers available to help you understand what your sailor is going through. And as PIR draws closer, be sure to spend some time going through the PIR-Tips, Hints and Helps group- we’ve tried to assemble some tips and suggestions to make your sailor's PIR more enjoyable. Best Regards- Paul