Pensacola A School

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Comment by Phil Shannon on June 27, 2014 at 4:46am

Growing up here in the northeast we used to go to Florida all the time but it was always orlando/ft lauderdale or daytona, I had never been to Pensacola. Until our sailor got out of boot camp, then her next stop was NAS Pensacola. She then moved to Corry, I got to visit twice. Now Pensacola is one of my favorite spots in florida. The beaches are awesome, I hope you get a chance to visit your son. Jim's advice is spot on, try to reserve a room at the Navy Lodge first it's right on the beach.

Comment by Jim on June 26, 2014 at 10:20pm

Also, Eric.
If you wish to visit your son while at Pensacola, check out the 'Navy Lodge' and 'Gateway Inn'. Both are on base and have rates around $69 year-round. If your son's PIR is July 18, then he will be flown to Pensacola on the morning of July 19. Pensacola hotels get expensive in Spring and Summer. The only criteria for staying in the on-base hotels is that your son will have to be there to 'sponsor' you at check-in. But, you can make the reservations online yourself. I did, anyway.

Comment by Jim on June 26, 2014 at 10:12pm

Eric,
My son was at NAS for his ABH A-school. He arrived on 8Feb2013. He had a LOT of down time. Only had 'duty' or watch a day or two a week and every couple of weekends for 3-months. Although, he had to be there for muster daily. The first couple of weeks, he won't be able to leave the base. Then, he will be allowed to leave the base during the day. After a few weeks, he will be allowed to leave the base on weekends that he doesn't have a duty or watch. But, there are distance limits of something like 200 miles from base. Luckily, we live in Florida. So, I visited him often. The base has a theater, games, etc to take up some time. There are hundreds of young men and women going through it, too. So, he won't be alone. They also organize some weekend trips, if he chooses, to Orlando and such. Once my son 'classed up', 3-months after his arrival, he was finished in 8-weeks. He recieved his orders on the last day of class.

Have your son be looking at where he would like to be stationed. They will have an opportunity to fill out a 'dream sheet' during class. My son wanted to get away from the east coast and experience a little if the world. So, his first choice was the George Washington (CVN 73) in Japan. He has been on that ship for a year now and landed in Singapore yesterday (for the second time for him).

Comment by BillG on June 26, 2014 at 9:56pm

Eric,

Sounds like you're on the money with NAS. I'm more familiar with Corry Field's procedures, but I'm sure the NAS guys will tune you up. What area are you from?

Comment by Eric Danielson on June 26, 2014 at 9:46pm

Bill..I believe NAS. I need to be careful because, like I said we are new to Navy terminology . He has a job as a Air crewman, rescue swimmer ??He was on a deflated enlistment program while he finished a semester of college. We have had such little contact with him, we are just trying to catch up. If this doesn't sound correct , please feel free to give me some advice .

Comment by BillG on June 26, 2014 at 9:21pm

Eric,
Will your son be at NAS or Corry...big differences depending on which base. What rating is he going for, that will determine which base he ends up on. Either way it's a great area with relatively mild winters and great beaches.

Comment by Eric Danielson on June 25, 2014 at 10:53am

Curious as to what my son will encounter when he arrives here. His PIR is 7/18. We are new to the Navy family and learning as we go.

Comment by Firebuff, Rich on May 9, 2014 at 11:22am

Hi Becky,

All the suggestions you received are good. I was there in July, and caught the tail end of a Graduation held in the Museum. I think it depends on who is coordinating as to where the graduation is held. Make sure ANYONE going on base has a Valid ID. Even as much as a school ID is good. The Base is Open to Civilians for the places I list below. Leave yourself time for sights if you can. There is a lot to see and do there. Great Restaurant's on Pensacola Beach, and on base they have the Old Fort, The Aviation Museum, and the Lighthouse. You can spend more than a day just there. When you drive in, use Navy Blvd., and Scott's comment about the gate just over the bridge is correct. The Blue Angel Parkway is the long way around.

Congratulations, and Thank Your Sailor for me, for her Service to this Great Nation.

Comment by Becky VanValey on May 9, 2014 at 10:57am

Thank you very much for the help.  I was not aware that the Navy Lodge was right on base... We are renting a car, so if we just tell the gate we are staying at the Navy Lodge and show them our reservation, they will let us thru?  Then, I understand we will not have to go thru another gate to get to graduation?

Comment by Phil Shannon on May 9, 2014 at 8:24am

Also, the Navy Lodge is right on base. I'm sure the nice people at the desk can tell you how to get to the graduation ceremony. If you aren't renting a car, they have a local taxi service that can get you around town and to/from the airport. 

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