Gunners Mates

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Comment by Bill S on March 3, 2009 at 10:01pm

Hey all, just heard from my boy about ATT school dates for GM. He has been on hold since SCC graduation on 2/11. He was told today that he is #459. That means there are 458 sailors ahead of him. ATT should start for him in 28-35 days. That will be a hold of 7-8 weeks total. THAT sucks! But.... he now has a target date and has something to work for, so his spirits have picked up a little. I will post more when I get it. Peace, Bill

Comment by Kevin on February 19, 2009 at 11:02am

Sorry to hear about the recent delays in training. I spent 13 months in Millington, TN back in 1980 as a new sailor getting trained in avionics. There were waiting periods between each course of training, so things haven't changed much. I think there was significant weather last year that caused lengthy interruptions at Pensacola, which has also affected GL.

Best these young men and women can do is start learning how to "hurry up and wait", which is part of military service life throughout a career.

Blessings, Kevin

Comment by Bill S on February 15, 2009 at 12:36pm

Well Gary, that's a damn good question. They have these young men doing the mundane . They clean everything every day. You name it, they clean it. They do their daily duty, stand watch on 4 hour shifts and have their " free " time. They get weekend liberty usually from 5:00 pm Friday until 9:00 pm Sunday unless they pull duty and watch. Brett is 24 years old and has always been active with work, sports and volunteer work and has completed 4 years of college. So it IS taking a toll on him as well as the others. He says there is quit a bite of theft an irresponsible behavior and the whole ship has to pay the price when some one asses up. As for the enlistees, Brett was told BEFORE he signed that he would be done and out to fleet, including boot, in 6 to 7 months doing GM. Looks like it will be almost a year before he gets his duty assignment. He can not get any firm answers from any of the senior staff on any time line other than "we will let you know when we know". I was aware of some of these things before Brett did his PIR. I chose not to tell him because they have enough on their plate without worrying about schooling. He told me that that was the right decision for him so I was off the hook. Now he has his laptop which was a godsend. He did have to get a wireless card because there are no places on base other than the library were they can get internet service. He doesn't want his car because everyone bugs those that do for a ride on weekends. They also pester him for his laptop because he is one of few that have access. My thinking is that there MUST be some reason for this, whether it be for their mindset or to just break them and get them used to a different lift. I just don't know. I kills me to know that these young men are being yanked around like this and there is nothing we , as parents, can do for them. So the daily phone calls from friends and family and the internet helps him cope and he is getting to mindset of one day at a time. As soon as any info comes in on the time line I will post it here and it should give you some guidance. Hopefully things will speed up soon. Best wishes to all you parents and your sailors. Godspeed. Bill Sick

Comment by Gary T. on February 15, 2009 at 9:39am

Bill, with all of these hold ups, what is the NAVY doing about the moral of these young sailors. Young people get board easily. The sitting and waiting has to be taking its toll on them. If the waiting time is this great, are some questioning there enlistments.

I have read some of the posts in NAVY 4 MOMS. They have this problem in many of the schools. To your knowledge is there a number, a person, a printed explanation anywhere. Someone or something to give an answer. I think our sailors should be given factual information to help them cope with the wait. Just wondering, Nick is starting week 05, don't want to seem him loose sight of his goals.

Comment by Bill S on February 13, 2009 at 5:51am

Gary, A school is backed up. My son is hearing that they have almost 800 sailors that will be in different stages of hold awaiting class assignment. My son is in the 2nd wave, waiting,waiting,waiting. Godspeed to our sailors. Bill

Comment by Gary T. on February 12, 2009 at 11:22pm

Glen, I am from Illinois, my son Nicholas started basic on 13/Jan/09. He is only in his fourth week of training. His PIR date is 13 March 09. Nick is in the GM program. From what I gather reading your discussions he has a SCC, then an ATT before GM school. Is it possible A school is not filled so they are waiting for more sailors to be piped in?

Comment by Bill S on February 12, 2009 at 7:09pm

Yeah Glen,that's what my boy told me too. Brett is REALLY bummin about this next hold. They told him it will be for 8 weeks! It is driving him crazy all that sitting around and waiting. It is not his nature. I don't know what to tell him, he is getting so depressed. I just hope something changes for them. I just don't get what all the delays are about. You would think they would move them through quickly to better use their training while it is fresh in their minds. So, 8 weeks to ATT and then hold again before A school. Looks like Oct. or Nov. before they get done. What a mess! Wish our Sailors the best. Bill

Comment by Glen H. on February 12, 2009 at 6:59pm

Bill - I spoke to Danny the other day and it sounds like he knows your son - I think they were on liberty together down in the city (Chicago) last weekend or around there. I believe Danny said he'd be taking his last test in SCC this week, then back on hold. Last we talked he's on Enterprise. Glen

Comment by Glen H. on February 12, 2009 at 6:57pm

Gary - where are you from and when did Nick start bc?

Comment by Gary T. on February 4, 2009 at 7:04pm

Glen my name is Gary. My son Nick is currently in basic. I have asked Bill to use any info from him to inform my son of things to expect. I would appreciate your input as well . I have learn a lot about the GM field and any future information would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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