Pensacola "A" School Sailors

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Permalink Reply by Lou S on October 6, 2008 at 10:54am

Jan - my son Matt also PIRd on 092608 - Div. 362 and arrived in Pensacola last Wed. as well - he is there for CTR. I have loved the frequent phone calls from him - everytime we speak with him he is more excited about the decision he has made. When we spoke with him Friday evening, he was extremely excited that he received his initial security clearance. We sent him things off to him on Saturday a.m. after finally receiving his address from him. He has indicated that his classes should begin next week. Sounds as though the base is very nice. We began the conversation at PIR, from info I have gained on this website, that the two biggest issues for our sailors at A-school is theft and underage drinking. Matt told me that his entire closet locks - we discussed locking everything up even if he leaves the room for just a couple of minutes, and to not leave anything of value lying out. There is zero tolerance for underage drinking, or contributing to underage drinking - Matt said they had attended a captain's mast on Friday concerning two sailors involved with underage drinking - they lost their rank and their security clearance and were due to be sent out to the fleet on Saturday to probably "chip paint". How sad, to sacrifice all of their work for just a sip of beer. So, continue to tell your sailor how proud you are of her, and do stay in touch. You may want to also check out the Pensacola A school sailors group. Take care - Lou.

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Permalink Reply by Diane(Alyssa's Mommy) on October 7, 2008 at 7:29pm

Hi Lou...my daughter also graduated 9/26 and is in Pensacola for CTR......

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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Manning on October 6, 2008 at 11:00am

Hi Jan
My son graduated on 8-29 and arrived in Pensacola on 8-30. He has a friend there who is aircrew and my son is AO which is aircraft ordnance. He finally starts his classes tomorrow. He has pretty much figured out the whole Pensacola area since he has been there. He's been to the local beach as well as the beach there on base. He says the base is beautiful and the weather is great, now that it is cooling off some Haha. He calls at least 4 times a week sometimes more! We have always been very close and he knows he can talk to me about everything that is going on and I am truely interested. I still have a hard time understanding all the Navy acronyms but I am learning. If not he is always proud to dazzle me with everything he has learned. I will add you as a friend.

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Permalink Reply by janhaskins on October 10, 2008 at 8:19pm

Hi Jacqueline
Sorry I didn't answer you sooner. Things have been hectic here. Wasn't graduation wonderful. It's nice that your son's classes started. Brook has started the Aircrewman part which includes lots of swimming if I understand right. Her A School classes won't be for several weeks yet. I guess Brook has been out to the local Beach and quite a few places around there. She even went to "Hooters". Oh geez. I agree it sure is nice to hear from them more often. She calls almost every night, but she could call twice a day and that would be OK with me!!! I'm always thinking, what is she doing now, is she doing OK. Congratulations to your son and my prayers will be with him. Keep in touch and Thanks.
Jan
Brooks Mom

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Permalink Reply by Gena Greene on October 6, 2008 at 8:22pm

Hi Jan, well it's almost time for us to fly out to see Bob. He called today to let us know he passed Battle Stations. He flies out Sunday or Monday for Pensacola, but class doesn't start until December. He says I can take his stuff to the airport and give it to him there. He said someone higher up said that is ok. Will check with recruiter to make sure. Hard to believe a few short weeks ago we were basket cases LOL

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Permalink Reply by LizaJane on October 6, 2008 at 8:36pm

Gena, you can bring his things to the airport.....a lot of the sailors do get their things that way....we had to ship my son's stuff since we couldn't be there when his flight left.....

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Permalink Reply by Gena Greene on October 7, 2008 at 10:27am

Thanks for the info

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Permalink Reply by Julia~Matthias's Mom on October 6, 2008 at 9:42pm

Hello All
My son graduated 9/12 and is now in Pensacola. He is busy all day and I am lucky that he calls me all the time. It is so nice that he can have his cell and his laptop with him. When he tells me he is ironing, and cleaning I have to double check to make sure I am talking to my son!

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Permalink Reply by Tiffany on October 6, 2008 at 10:24pm

Hey, I just got back from graduation, Stevie (Stephanie) my adopted niece just graduated WOO HOO!!!. I loved it out there, the kids in their uniforms looked so awesome...I was so proud of them all. BTW, anyone that I met at the Navy Lodge, congratulations!!. Anyway, I'm from Pensacola and my dad spent 38 years in the Navy, a good portion of that in Pensacola and now their retired there. The A school (or Schools Command - what we call it) is absolutely beautiful. They built all brand new buildings and they're really impressive when you first turn the corner and head towards them. They have cool hangouts right there at the Schools Command so when they're allowed to, they can go bowling, movies, game rooms, and stuff like that. As for the A school, the Aircrew school is tough from what my dad says, no harder than Basic though...it kind mirrors OCS (Officer Candidate School) but it's well worth it to graduate. They get to do lots of cool things, lots of confidence courses, zip lines into the water, survival school and stuff like that. Had I not joined the Army, I would have gone Aircrew as well. They have long hours sometimes, but if she loves to fly, she'll love this job. Congratulations on her graduation, i'm sure it will be a breeze. Oh yea, if she gets a chance to go down to Pensacola Beach, Trader Johns, McGuires Irish Pub or Seville....definitely GO!!!. Those are all the cool places to visit. Trader Johns is a Tavern type place that is totally dedicated to the Navy and it's "Squids", and it doesn't matter whether they're a newby or a salty seagoing dog they're totally welcomed in there. The whole inside of McGuires (all the walls and ceilings, every single square inch) is covered with dollar bills and you're free to hang some up in there. Sign them first though with a black magic marker, the waitresses will give you one, then get a picture in front of it. If you're lucky, the irish guy that sings in there will get you up in front of the crowd and make you kiss the moose (It's great). It's a Pensacola Landmark. Seville is a fun club with tons of different rooms with all different types of music in there, really fun too. Pensacola Beach is the place to be on warm days. The beaches are sugar white and they're totally beautiful. Anyway, that's my two cents on the school and the city. Hope she has a awesome time.

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Permalink Reply by janhaskins on October 10, 2008 at 8:26pm

Hi Francine. Thanks for posting. It sure is wonderful to get to talk to our Sailors more. I haven't been able to send Brook her laptop yet, but am impatiently waiting. Can't wait till she can e-mail me and send pics. Brook has started Aircrewman school from what I understand is before her "A" School. She is AIRR. What is your son doing? Brooks "A" school could be 8 weeks away yet. Oh well, she's keeping busy. It's sure been nice to be able to talk to other Navy Moms. The stress of BC is over, but I still worry about her and wonder constantly what she's doing and how she's doing. PLEASE keep in touch.

Jan
Brook's Mom

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on October 7, 2008 at 9:11am

Hi to all! My son just left Pensacola. He was down there since 3/05/08. He also was aircrew and AT A school. He says it's like they put the Base in the middle of the "Hood". He comes from a rural area so for whatever it's worth. Aircrew school he said is very physical. They do alot of PT'ing. If there is still a wait for aircrew they PT for like 5 hrs a day while they wait. They aren't aloud computers and such when they first arrive for aircrew. There are 3 levels and they have to reach level 2 I think. Nick has orders for SERE school in San Diego for 2 weeks and then off to Whidbey Island Wa for 3 years. He'll be on EP-3's. He's really looking forward to the next phase oh and he also got his Petty officer rank. So now it's AT3 Tosh. We're so proud of him. He is also happy with his decision.

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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Manning on October 7, 2008 at 9:25am

My sons best friend is aircrew and graduated Boot Camp and arrived a week before him, around 8-25. He had his laptop, cell phone and other personal items when he arrived. He PT's everyday but no where close to 5 hrs. He has worked up to Phase 3 and just recieved a 6 day "chit pass" to go home for that time. I cant remember ALL the classes he has to take after aircrew, but this young man will eventually be flying some type of Naval Aircraft. Of course he would love to be a fighter pilot but any aircraft will suit him fine. I am going to go see my son on the 24th and he should be phase 3 by then but said if he wasn't he could request a "brown bag chit pass" which will allow him to stay out overnight if you have family visiting. He said it takes a minimum of 2 weeks to earn Phase 2 and then a minimum of 3 weeks to earn Phase 3.

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