Just graduated! :)

[holliann7]

Just graduated yesterday! :) In San Antonio awaiting my departure to Corpsman school. Any questions? I will do my best to help! :)

[rac]

Congrats! How were the IT sessions? Any stupid mistakes to avoid doing at the beginning? I leave August so I have a while but thank you for offering a Q and A.

[krystaljoycee]

do you know any GSE's in your division?

how are the marchings? I heard it's like 10 miles

and how was the overall experience?

congratulations btw :)

[rac]

do you know any GSE's in your division?

how are the marchings? I heard it's like 10 miles

and how was the overall experience?

congratulations btw :)
Wow the Navy has marches? I never heard about that till today.

[Haasino]

how are the marchings? I heard it's like 10 miles/QUOTE]

That's about 9.5 miles more than I ever marched at RTC. :p

[QUOTE=rac;26750]Wow the Navy has marches? I never heard about that till today.

Furthest you'll ever march is from your ship to the firefighting building... that's maybe a mile, on the other side of RTC.

[geeMA]

well, my division we marched in circles around the base for couple of hours.

[Haasino]

well, my division we marched in circles around the base for couple of hours.

When did you graduate? RTC has softened quite a bit in the past 4 months... lots of RDCs aren't happy with how their hands are tied in regards to a lot of areas.

[navyyoungster]

are the showers cold?

[holliann7]

Congrats! How were the IT sessions? Any stupid mistakes to avoid doing at the beginning? I leave August so I have a while but thank you for offering a Q and A.

Hello! The IT sessions are hard but just DON'T give up... they just don't wanna see you give up, that's all they want. No matter how out of shape you are.

And just don't ask stupid questions, do what you're told.

[holliann7]

well, my division we marched in circles around the base for couple of hours.

Yeah we did that, and marched around the drill hall a lot too. Marching was always one of my favorite things though.

[NavyGuyRob]

What is the difference between the 800 and 900 division

[llamayamaa]

What is the difference between the 800 and 900 division

800 divisions are special program recruits with higher physical requirements, i.e. future SEALS, etc.

900 division is the performing division, i.e. the recruits that do stuff at graduation (music, drill, staff, etc).

[NavyGuyRob]

800 divisions are special program recruits with higher physical requirements, i.e. future SEALS, etc.

900 division is the performing division, i.e. the recruits that do stuff at graduation (music, drill, staff, etc).

oh ok thanks a lot

[nikkiv6]

well thats good to know!

[PacificSunrise]

900 division! Hoping to be in one!! Extra work? I don't mind!

[SENavyDude]

Just graduated yesterday! :) In San Antonio awaiting my departure to Corpsman school. Any questions? I will do my best to help! :)

I just want to say congratulations!

[krystaljoycee]

are the showers cold?

yeah are the showers cold?

[SailorWSanchez]

What is graduation like. What should I expect that Friday

[sweetmtn]

What is graduation like. What should I expect that Friday

To get all the information on your graduation..it is called the PIR Pass In Review..there is a forum area on here just for that to help you.

http://www.navydep.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=168

[prop827]

yeah are the showers cold?

No, they're warm, no different from at home except bigger and a lot more people in them when you're using them with no privacy.

:party:

[llamayamaa]

No, they're warm, no different from at home except bigger and a lot more people in them when you're using them with no privacy.

:party:

...expect a cold shower on Sundays if you shower after church. Just sayin'...

[cire]

900 division! Hoping to be in one!! Extra work? I don't mind!

If they ask you during indoc (or the first night you get to boot camp) if you play any instruments, sing, do flags, was in ROTC, etc.. and you want to be in a 900 division, say YES. Keep in mind that 900 divisions will end up staying in boot camp a week or so longer than other divisions (at least when I went through)

[PacificSunrise]

If they ask you during indoc (or the first night you get to boot camp) if you play any instruments, sing, do flags, was in ROTC, etc.. and you want to be in a 900 division, say YES. Keep in mind that 900 divisions will end up staying in boot camp a week or so longer than other divisions (at least when I went through)

3 years of JROTC. I don't mind having to stay a week longer, as long as its not the cause of being asmo'd..

[cire]

3 years of JROTC. I don't mind having to stay a week longer, as long as its not the cause of being asmo'd..

You should be fine

[cjtarverful]

So did you get to keep your phone during boot camp? I went through in march 2011 and we didn't but I'm hearing rumors you get to now

[Auridan]

Do they start shoehorning recruits into a 900 division if they don't have enough volunteers to fill it? I'm not exactly itching for extra demands on my time, but I would be sharp enough for drill team.

[llamayamaa]

Do they start shoehorning recruits into a 900 division if they don't have enough volunteers to fill it? I'm not exactly itching for extra demands on my time, but I would be sharp enough for drill team.

No. At least, not for Triple Threat, which is the division that provides music and drill. They don't want someone who doesn't know what they're doing in Triple Threat because that division has a rather large responsibility for PIR and if they sound or look bad, the reviewing officer is NOT happy, not to mention it looks bad on the Navy in front of all the parents. We practiced once per week for about a month before our first PIR performance. Then we were in the drill hall four times each week, each time being inspected by the RO and other drill hall staff to make sure we didn't suck.

[cire]

No. At least, not for Triple Threat, which is the division that provides music and drill. They don't want someone who doesn't know what they're doing in Triple Threat because that division has a rather large responsibility for PIR and if they sound or look bad, the reviewing officer is NOT happy, not to mention it looks bad on the Navy in front of all the parents. We practiced once per week for about a month before our first PIR performance. Then we were in the drill hall four times each week, each time being inspected by the RO and other drill hall staff to make sure we didn't suck.

Band practices in boot camp. That was definitely a nice little break lol except their instruments you had to use sucked. I got my trombone shipped to me during A school at Great Lakes when I was in the base band there. Not sure if it's the same guy running the band now, but the band director officer dude hated drum corps, so I had to bring it up as much as possible. lol

[djhaugen]

I have a million and a half questions but I'll stick with a couple. FIRST: what was the swim requirements and process like? (I don't know how to swim yet.)
SECOND: did all the females cut their hair? (Not a deal breaker)

[cire]

I have a million and a half questions but I'll stick with a couple. FIRST: what was the swim requirements and process like? (I don't know how to swim yet.)
SECOND: did all the females cut their hair? (Not a deal breaker)

You will be taught to swim and you will need to pass the swimming test to graduate.

Everyone cuts their hair unless your hair is so short that you dont need to cut it, but chances are you will need to cut it at some point

[djhaugen]

Thank you! It is decided. Off with my hair :) its already dead anyway.
Swimming:I will be learning before I leave but I wasn't sure if there was a certain area I should focus on. (Strokes, time, etc.) At least I know how to float.

[cire]

Thank you! It is decided. Off with my hair :) its already dead anyway.
Swimming:I will be learning before I leave but I wasn't sure if there was a certain area I should focus on. (Strokes, time, etc.) At least I know how to float.
Don't need to float but you will need to know how to stay afloat. front stroke I believe is all you will need to know... maybe side? You will need to be able to swim the length of a pool and in a certain amount of time I think, but it's nothing that hard. You will also need to be able to jump off a tower into the water which is about 10 stories high.

[sweetmtn]

You will also need to be able to jump off a tower into the water which is about 10 stories high.

LOL....it isnt 10 stories high...as that would be like 120 feet up! It is about a 30 foot platform jump..nothing bad. They use a standard 10 meter diving platform....maybe you meant 10 meters...it is meant to represent a jump from the ship into the ocean.

[cire]

LOL....it isnt 10 stories high...as that would be like 120 feet up! It is about a 30 foot platform jump..nothing bad. They use a standard 10 meter diving platform....maybe you meant 10 meters...it is meant to represent a jump from the ship into the ocean.

I was trying to strike fear into and nervousness into their minds.. thanks for ruining it :)

I honestly think the tower is too low to simulate a ship jump.. especially the bigger ships. :pirateship:

[prop827]

Swim qual you will jump off of the tower into the pool and then must swim to the other end (50 yards I believe) using any one or combinations of the following strokes WITH PROPER FORM: American Crawl, Breast Stroke, Side Stroke, Elementary Backstroke (You can switch between as often as you want and use any of them you want to. If you fail to use proper form, you will be warned and required to complete the swim using the elementary backstroke). After the swim you will get out of the pool and await the next event. You will then climb back in the pool and you will all be required to do a 5 minute prone float (dead mans float). You must keep your face in the water only lifting your head to breathe. If you are taking too long of breaths you will be warned to put your head down. If you do not put your head down you will be told to exit the pool. You also must keep your body in a horizontal position, if you are too vertical in the pool, you will be warned and the second time you will be told to exit the pool. After the prone float you will get out of the pool and put on a set of (soaking wet) coveralls. You will then get back in the pool and you will do a manual coverall inflation by prone floating and slapping water into the open coveralls then clutching them closed to seal the air inside. If you fail any portion of the qual you will get one chance to retry that portion. If you still fail you will go to swimming lessons where you get to retake the test every day until week 6 of training. You must pass the test BEFORE this point.

[kgervais]

I've asked this before but I'm kinda confused because of the different answers I'm hearing but how long are the showers? About how long for each individual under the shower head? About how long is the process for the entire division?

[cire]

I've asked this before but I'm kinda confused because of the different answers I'm hearing but how long are the showers? About how long for each individual under the shower head? About how long is the process for the entire division?

If you want to know what it CAN be like.. at 6am, just into a freezing cold shower. Shower as fast as you can. Get out. Dry. Then come back in after you are dressed and dry down the entire shower with a towel.

You get to shower. You will not be in there long and you will get to use your own shower head - probably. Boot camp isn't day spa. If you have some homophobia about showering with 30 some naked people of the same sex, then grow up.

[djhaugen]

Thank you! This helps so much!

[Auridan]

I've asked this before but I'm kinda confused because of the different answers I'm hearing but how long are the showers? About how long for each individual under the shower head? About how long is the process for the entire division?

If you want to know what it CAN be like.. at 6am, just into a freezing cold shower. Shower as fast as you can. Get out. Dry. Then come back in after you are dressed and dry down the entire shower with a towel.

You get to shower. You will not be in there long and you will get to use your own shower head - probably. Boot camp isn't day spa. If you have some homophobia about showering with 30 some naked people of the same sex, then grow up.

You might also want to practice shipboard showers, where the primary difference is water conservation. Get in, wet down as fast as possible, turn the water OFF. Scrub and all that, then turn the water back on just long enough to completely rinse.

[kgervais]

I was just asking to know how much to cut down on my current showers now as practice. I read somewhere that they got 10 minutes to shower each and that seemed excessive. No homophobia intended...

[kgervais]

How is Corpsman school btw? The barracks and whatnot.

[cire]

I was just asking to know how much to cut down on my current showers now as practice. I read somewhere that they got 10 minutes to shower each and that seemed excessive. No homophobia intended...

Like I said.. practice taking ice cold showers. You will be in and out as fast as you can. Trust me. You don't need to practice for it really, it will come naturally

[sweetmtn]

Moving this thread to the proper forum....

[FutureND]

It blows my mind how anyone would need to practice showering, or even getting used to a short/cold one for that matter. We are all adults and we do what needs to be done. RTC is designed to be a shock to the system and to break you down, it is unrealistic to think you can simulate life there at home.

[cire]

It blows my mind how anyone would need to practice showering, or even getting used to a short/cold one for that matter. We are all adults and we do what needs to be done. RTC is designed to be a shock to the system and to break you down, it is unrealistic to think you can simulate life there at home.

You don't need to. They were asking about showers. Maybe some people are used to really nice luxury 30 minute hot showers or something. If you want to make the "transition" to boot camp showers easier, get used to freezing cold showers right when you wake up. They might or might not happen in boot camp, but it probably will at some point.

In the end, it's just a shower.. you don't need to over analyze things.

[Auridan]

RTC is designed to be a shock to the system

Which means that the fewer ways in which you can be shocked (having to take a blazing fast, freezing cold shower, for instance), the more energy you'll have to handle the shocks you can't so easily anticipate. It's just like getting used to waking up at a set time, shaving, doing tons of PT, listening carefully with your mouth shut, and (for those of us who've been out of school a while) remembering how to take legible notes in a classroom lecture.

And frankly, some of us are just BORED with 6 months to twiddle our thumbs, and need some variety in our DEP lives.

[holliann7]

How is Corpsman school btw? The barracks and whatnot.

It's interesting! The barracks are so nice. It's a high end dorm room really. Walk in closet, desk, one bathroom per room, two sinks. My room gets inspected randomly though.

[holliann7]

So did you get to keep your phone during boot camp? I went through in march 2011 and we didn't but I'm hearing rumors you get to now

Haha no. That goes home in 'the box' which is what you put all your civilian clothes in when you get to RTC. You have 2 minutes to call your parents or loved ones and tell them that you made it safely. Then your next phone call is 5 minutes long and is in he third week of training. This is subject to change though, you can lose that privilege. It's not as bad as it sounds though!

[holliann7]

I just want to say congratulations!

Thank you :)

[holliann7]

I've asked this before but I'm kinda confused because of the different answers I'm hearing but how long are the showers? About how long for each individual under the shower head? About how long is the process for the entire division?

Honestly it varies division to division, and day to day. On days where there isn't much time you could have showers as short as 3 minutes. The showers never were any longer then 7 minutes, except on sundays when you can shower for as long as you want, within reason. It's a circle of shower heads and everyone gathers around them. It's an hour long on the schedule, but hygiene also includes laundry passing out and turning in. AND that also includes the time it takes to clean the head and get it on-spot.

[holliann7]

I was just asking to know how much to cut down on my current showers now as practice. I read somewhere that they got 10 minutes to shower each and that seemed excessive. No homophobia intended...

Honestly, do the opposite. Take really nice long showers up until you leave. Cherish it, lol! The showers are really not that bad. You get used to it. It honestly helped me gain better habits. Before boot camp, I used to shower for 45 minutes to an hour. I would just sit in the hot water and waste a lot of time. Now I only shower for 10 minutes at most. It helped me learn time management.

And plus, those showers are so crowded and uncomfortable that 3 or 5 minutes to shower is plenty of time. I found myself just wanting to get out and get dressed as quickly as I could.

[holliann7]

900 division! Hoping to be in one!! Extra work? I don't mind!



It is extra work but it depends on how you look at it. RTC is set on a competetive basis. Divisions compete against one another for high scores. To my understanding, the 900 divisions don't spend much time focussing on earning those scores, and they focus on their drill. I spent a majority of my time at RTC working towards hall of fame.

The first night you get to RTC, during the in-processing (which you'll stay awake for about 45 hours straight, just so you know), an RDC (a petty officer or chief) will be walking around asking if you have experience in drill, or can play a musical instrument. When they ask that, tell them that you do. Those RDC's are looking for people to be in a 900 division. 900 divisons perform at graduations and go out in the city to appear in parades and things like that.

[holliann7]

I have a million and a half questions but I'll stick with a couple. FIRST: what was the swim requirements and process like? (I don't know how to swim yet.)
SECOND: did all the females cut their hair? (Not a deal breaker)


First: If you can swim, don't worry about the swim test. Honestly, it's easy if you can swim. You jump of a 10 foot platform and swim 50 yards and you get to choose the stroke you use. It's simple. Just don't panic when you jump off the platform. I would suggest learning before you go. Even if you fail the first time, you can go get lessons throughout boot camp. But it's 2 or 3 times a day, and it uses up a lot of time and you miss out on other divisional events like classes and drill practice. You have to pass the swim and prone before battle stations in order to graduate with your division. If you learn before you should be all set though :)

And yes, all the females get their hair cut. It has to be above the collar. For some reason, the Navy is the only branch that makes females cut their hari in boot camp. But after boot camp you are allowed to grow it out and put it in a bun. :) I don't mind the short hair. Honestly, it's easier to maintain, and having a tight bun of wet hair all the time would cause moldy hair. And that would be worse then an uneven haircut. :)
I'm glad it's not a deal breaker, because here at A school, a lot of Air Force girls have told me that that's why they chose the Air Forcer over the Navy... The haircuts! It's only hair, and it'll grow back :) It's definitley worth it!

[kgervais]

Which means that the fewer ways in which you can be shocked (having to take a blazing fast, freezing cold shower, for instance), the more energy you'll have to handle the shocks you can't so easily anticipate. It's just like getting used to waking up at a set time, shaving, doing tons of PT, listening carefully with your mouth shut, and (for those of us who've been out of school a while) remembering how to take legible notes in a classroom lecture.

And frankly, some of us are just BORED with 6 months to twiddle our thumbs, and need some variety in our DEP lives.

Exactly this in its entirety. The people who have gone through it before must have forgotten about the pre-RTC anxiety and this 6 month waiting period. Ideally, the less shock to the system the better as told by all the recruiters in my office.

[kgervais]

Honestly it varies division to division, and day to day. On days where there isn't much time you could have showers as short as 3 minutes. The showers never were any longer then 7 minutes, except on sundays when you can shower for as long as you want, within reason. It's a circle of shower heads and everyone gathers around them. It's an hour long on the schedule, but hygiene also includes laundry passing out and turning in. AND that also includes the time it takes to clean the head and get it on-spot.

Ah, that's exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you and congratulations!

I'm leaving April 16th and I'm trying to be as prepared as possible but in the shower department I mat practice my quick showers in the morning and cherish my long ones at night haha.

[cire]

Exactly this in its entirety. The people who have gone through it before must have forgotten about the pre-RTC anxiety and this 6 month waiting period. Ideally, the less shock to the system the better as told by all the recruiters in my office.

I didn't have any pre-RTC anxiety personally.. I just went with an open mind. If you do that, no matter what comes your way you will be ready.

[kgervais]

I didn't have any pre-RTC anxiety personally.. I just went with an open mind. If you do that, no matter what comes your way you will be ready.

That's really good advice. I think the anxiety builds up because people have so much time to think about it and me being at home with my folks. I'll be open-minded throughout so there's always room for adjustment. I'm not exactly fresh out of high school so it shouldn't be too hard.

[kgervais]

I didn't have any pre-RTC anxiety personally.. I just went with an open mind. If you do that, no matter what comes your way you will be ready.

Did you enjoy your time serving?

[cire]

That's really good advice. I think the anxiety builds up because people have so much time to think about it and me being at home with my folks. I'll be open-minded throughout so there's always room for adjustment. I'm not exactly fresh out of high school so it shouldn't be too hard.

I didn't go right out of hs either so I think that helped. I guess that's one negative thing about sites like navydep, it can get people over worked up about joining! but it really isn't all that bad.

I did enjoy my time, got to be stationed in some awesome places and met some awesome people. I did help in a lot of ways, but the Navy is just like anything else in life.. you only get out of it what you put in. If you join and do nothing but partying and drinking, you aren't going to get much out of it

[kgervais]

I didn't go right out of hs either so I think that helped. I guess that's one negative thing about sites like navydep, it can get people over worked up about joining! but it really isn't all that bad.

I did enjoy my time, got to be stationed in some awesome places and met some awesome people. I did help in a lot of ways, but the Navy is just like anything else in life.. you only get out of it what you put in. If you join and do nothing but partying and drinking, you aren't going to get much out of it

You're right it does get people worked up, having all this information ready and available.

That's cool though. I would expect that to legitimately make a career out of it you'd really have to put your best foot forward. You were stationed in Hawaii? How was that? I've heard a lot of people say expensive but mainly for families.

[cire]

You're right it does get people worked up, having all this information ready and available.

That's cool though. I would expect that to legitimately make a career out of it you'd really have to put your best foot forward. You were stationed in Hawaii? How was that? I've heard a lot of people say expensive but mainly for families.

I mean you can make the Navy a career, or you can make a career out of the Navy. If that makes sense. For example, in 2001/2002 I was stationed with one guy who retired at 20 years as an E5. He was pretty worthless at his job. I came in the Navy as an E1, by the time I was an E2 I was his supervisor. I was also stationed with a guy (my LPO) at the same command who at the time was an IT1, he had been in about 8 years at that point. He then picked up Chief his first time up, then Senior Chief his first time up and then became a Warrant Officer his first time up. Guy was on top of his game, a perfect sailor, everybody liked him, he knew his shit and he was went out and did what he needed to do to make the Navy his career.

As far as Hawaii, I loved it. It was expensive, but no more expensive than say the nicer areas of San Diego. It is pretty expensive if you go out and buy a home, there are limited jobs and opportunities there.. but if you have a family there it might be expensive.. but at the same time you pay nothing to move there, you get free housing, and all the benefits of the military.

One thing I always hear about people in the Navy is that they don't make enough, always poor, always needing to be on food stamps, etc.. ok, so yeah the pay is not the best (although it has been getting better over the years).. but seriously, all it comes down to it is irresponsibility and living outside your means. Think about it.. in the military you get a steady income. For E5 married, I think it's roughly $1500 a paycheck.. that's NOT including the free housing on base or housing out in town paid for (roughly $800 a month either way), even more money the more kids you have, extra money for COLA, free medical and insurance, plus free access to the commissary and Navy gas stations for cheap gas. Not to mention tax free paychecks if you are in a tax free area while on deployment. Now I'm back to civilian life.. I'm currently making about $1450 after taxes a paycheck.. I still have $800 a month in rent, utilities, no COLA, my health insurance which I have to pay for each month which has a $1000 deductible (meaning I don't even get to use my medical until I pay $1000 out of pocket first).. etc.

So basically what I'm trying to say is that yes, being ANYWHERE can be expensive, but it is only going to be as expensive as you let it be. Military family? There is absolutely no reason to be "poor" especially if the spouse is working as well. It all comes down to being financially responsible. Don't go out and buy a new car which comes with a crazy high full coverage car insurance.. don't go getting a loan with a high APR to buy a used car. Save your money, buy something cheap that is reliable. If you live off base, don't go renting a house that costs $1500 when you only get $800 for housing (or whatever amount). Don't go blowing your money on console games, big screen tvs, stuff you don't really need. THEN you won't be complaining about how expensive it is to live somewhere.

[Haasino]

I've asked this before but I'm kinda confused because of the different answers I'm hearing but how long are the showers? About how long for each individual under the shower head? About how long is the process for the entire division?

You're generally given 45min to hygiene... that's for the entire compartment of ~90 recruits to shower, change, and get the entire compartment on-spot.

How that's done, is usually left up to the head crew and recruit leadership to figure out.

[kgervais]

I mean you can make the Navy a career, or you can make a career out of the Navy. If that makes sense. For example, in 2001/2002 I was stationed with one guy who retired at 20 years as an E5. He was pretty worthless at his job. I came in the Navy as an E1, by the time I was an E2 I was his supervisor. I was also stationed with a guy (my LPO) at the same command who at the time was an IT1, he had been in about 8 years at that point. He then picked up Chief his first time up, then Senior Chief his first time up and then became a Warrant Officer his first time up. Guy was on top of his game, a perfect sailor, everybody liked him, he knew his shit and he was went out and did what he needed to do to make the Navy his career.

As far as Hawaii, I loved it. It was expensive, but no more expensive than say the nicer areas of San Diego. It is pretty expensive if you go out and buy a home, there are limited jobs and opportunities there.. but if you have a family there it might be expensive.. but at the same time you pay nothing to move there, you get free housing, and all the benefits of the military.

One thing I always hear about people in the Navy is that they don't make enough, always poor, always needing to be on food stamps, etc.. ok, so yeah the pay is not the best (although it has been getting better over the years).. but seriously, all it comes down to it is irresponsibility and living outside your means. Think about it.. in the military you get a steady income. For E5 married, I think it's roughly $1500 a paycheck.. that's NOT including the free housing on base or housing out in town paid for (roughly $800 a month either way), even more money the more kids you have, extra money for COLA, free medical and insurance, plus free access to the commissary and Navy gas stations for cheap gas. Not to mention tax free paychecks if you are in a tax free area while on deployment. Now I'm back to civilian life.. I'm currently making about $1450 after taxes a paycheck.. I still have $800 a month in rent, utilities, no COLA, my health insurance which I have to pay for each month which has a $1000 deductible (meaning I don't even get to use my medical until I pay $1000 out of pocket first).. etc.

So basically what I'm trying to say is that yes, being ANYWHERE can be expensive, but it is only going to be as expensive as you let it be. Military family? There is absolutely no reason to be "poor" especially if the spouse is working as well. It all comes down to being financially responsible. Don't go out and buy a new car which comes with a crazy high full coverage car insurance.. don't go getting a loan with a high APR to buy a used car. Save your money, buy something cheap that is reliable. If you live off base, don't go renting a house that costs $1500 when you only get $800 for housing (or whatever amount). Don't go blowing your money on console games, big screen tvs, stuff you don't really need. THEN you won't be complaining about how expensive it is to live somewhere.

Thanks a lot for this information and insight I really appreciate it and I definitely needed it. This well help me and a lot of other future sailors reassess their steps towards their future in the Navy.

[kgervais]

You're generally given 45min to hygiene... that's for the entire compartment of ~90 recruits to shower, change, and get the entire compartment on-spot.

How that's done, is usually left up to the head crew and recruit leadership to figure out.

Ah, I getcha. It's all a process and shower is just included.

[hellokitty]

Do people usually change their mailing address with the post office when they get to A-school or do you just let it all go home and have someone there let you know if something "important" came?

[cire]

Do people usually change their mailing address with the post office when they get to A-school or do you just let it all go home and have someone there let you know if something "important" came?

If it is something official and important, I would have it sent home.

[Auridan]

Back in time to before shipping: What all goes on during your second MEPS day, just before you ship out? How in-depth is the physical, and how much of your original visit paperwork do you have to do all over again?

[cire]

Back in time to before shipping: What all goes on during your second MEPS day, just before you ship out? How in-depth is the physical, and how much of your original visit paperwork do you have to do all over again?

From what I remember there wasn't much if any paperwork. Physical is a quick one. You will do your final/real swear in, etc.. nothing too crazy

[dcgirl]

how was graduation? what all can i expect that friday?

[holliann7]

how was graduation? what all can i expect that friday?

Pass in review is what they call graduation, and it's really quite the day. I graduated with 1700 other sailors. You stand at attention for a very long time. Don't lock your knees! :P You wear your dress blues. There will be a drill team spinning rifles and there will be musicians playing the drum roll that you march to. You march in as a division, and you march around the drill deck. You all stand side by side, and your division is introduced and awards are handed out. Speeches are made. The drill team (usually members from 900 divisions) perform. You are not officially graduated until you hear 'Liberty call, liberty call!'. That's when they raise the doors to the drill hall and you are free to go see your family. When I graduated, I had 15 minutes to see my family and then I had to go back to my compartment to gather some of my things and then I left again and spent the day with my family, from about 11am to 9pm.

[cire]

Pass in review is what they call graduation, and it's really quite the day. I graduated with 1700 other sailors. You stand at attention for a very long time. Don't lock your knees! :P You wear your dress blues. There will be a drill team spinning rifles and there will be musicians playing the drum roll that you march to. You march in as a division, and you march around the drill deck. You all stand side by side, and your division is introduced and awards are handed out. Speeches are made. The drill team (usually members from 900 divisions) perform. You are not officially graduated until you hear 'Liberty call, liberty call!'. That's when they raise the doors to the drill hall and you are free to go see your family. When I graduated, I had 15 minutes to see my family and then I had to go back to my compartment to gather some of my things and then I left again and spent the day with my family, from about 11am to 9pm.

You will wear dress blues in the winter month, but then they switch to dress whites.

holliann7, did you guys get the entire weekend off? I was 900, we got the weekend off but then had to go back for another week of classes before leaving boot camp

[NAVY17]

I am leaving in July for basic but I really have questions about HM A school holliann7 can you give me any info on the new A school what is the liberty policy and how are the barracks.. how many people to a room and stuff like that thanks so much!! And good luck in HM school!!!

[griz3232]

I was told the showers are the best part of the day. It is the one place you get peace and quiet and can't be yelled at. is this true?

[cire]

I was told the showers are the best part of the day. It is the one place you get peace and quiet and can't be yelled at. is this true?

Pretty much.. and when you can sit on the toilet and catch a minute or two of sleep.. oh and church. Highly suggest you go to as much church and as many services as you can - even if you aren't religious or it's the "wrong" church. Go.

[NavyGirlRecruit]

how are the PT sessions? how often do you have them between the actual PFA's? are they yelling at you when you can't keep up?? thank you so much!!

[cire]

how are the PT sessions? how often do you have them between the actual PFA's? are they yelling at you when you can't keep up?? thank you so much!!

After P days you will have them pretty much every day. They can be not too bad to pretty bad.. and yeah, expect yelling.. or "motivation"