What is Navy "A" School? Can someone experienced give me a detailed explanation of life in ... (read on) ..

Question

I would like to know what exactly life is all about, in A-School. From what I have understood, they will teach the trades now that boot camp has been completed. I'd like to know how the Navy decides on which sailor has to study which field. Is it upto him,or the Navy chooses? And how long can this take? A month? Maybe more? How much free time do they get? What liberties do they get to enjoy? How often are they allowed access to E-Mail? What happens to sailors around 18yrs of age? What about their dreams of undergraduation? Can they still choose to study in a University of their choice? Will the sailors get leave, say around a month, atleast after A-School? Will they get deployed? How far? Even places like Iraq??? What will happen to the boys' education if they end up getting posted on duty??? What else do you know? Can you tell me A-Z about "A" School???

Those who do not know, or have not been with the Navy or are not presently with the Navy - pls do not answer.

Thank you all ..

My Sailor boy has signed the contract for 8years. So are you telling me he will have to think of Undergraduation so many years later, when he's around 26yrs old? But he told me that the Navy will pay for his education as the higher his qualification, the better for the Navy!

Could you add on a few details about C-School too??? It would help us in deciding how to bring up our std of living. What will open more doors to his future? Going ahead to C-School? Or working his way up after getting deployed? Or submitting an application to study further and enroll at a University? What is more practical and will give him more opportunities to widen his horizons?

Answer 1

Everyone signs a contract for 8 years. Usually, it's 4 years active duty, 4 years reserve. I signed on with 6 years active, 2 reserve. I'll try to address each question at a time.

1) He gets to choose a job, dependent upon his ASVAB score. Some jobs are not open to all people.

2) A-school can last anywhere from a month or two, to six months with a C-school as well. It depends on the rating he's in as to how long it will last. He will be told how long it will last.

3)Their free time will be their 1600 until curfew when they have one and weekends. It's known as liberty. You can do pretty much whatever you want- just so long as it's legal. Trips are allowed, though you need to put in requests if you plan on going over a certain distance or staying over night.

4) Email is pretty easy. Most barracks will allow you to receive internet access in your room. If you don't have a computer, there are usually a few computers set up by MWR that you can access at limited amounts of time. Personally, the first things I bought were a cell phone and a laptop so I would have adequate communication.

5) Sailors that are 18 are treated no differently, unless they do something stupid like drink and get caught. Then they're screwed.

6) A-schools actually provide some college credit, so your sailor will be on his way to a degree during A-school. He/she just has to find a school that will accept his/her Navy credits. Thomas Edison State College is the main college Navy folk use because they can take online courses.

7) They can go to whatever college they choose, so long as the command gives it the okay, and it doesn't interfere with their duty hours.

8) Sailors usually get leave directly after A-school before going to C-school or reporting to their first duty station. They can get a week to a month, depending on the school and duty station.

9) They will get deployed, but how soon depends on what boat/ship they will be going to and what their deployment schedule is.

10) Where they deploy to depends on what coast they're on, East or West.

11) There are ships out by Iraq, but remember, there is no such thing as an Iraqi Navy. If he is stationed out there, he'll most likely be on an aircraft carrier, which is one of the safest places to be. The only Navy folk that go in country are the pilots (who are all officers) and SEALs.

12) If they are on a ship, they will still be able to take online or correspondence courses on their liberty, so don't worry.

13) Navy life isn't that bad. If on a carrier, you have all the ammenities of home, only you're around a metric butt ton of people. On a sub, well, let's just hope you're not claustrophobic!

Answer 2

"A" school is where you go to get specialized training in the area you will be working in, after boot camp. You have MUCH ,more freedom than you do in boot camp ( basic training)

Which "A" school you go to depends upon several factors. When you first enter the Navy, you take a test called the ASVAB, which is an aptitude test to see what you are naturally suited for and what your strengths and weaknesses are. While in Basic Training, you take a series of educational tests which also will help them to decide what types of jobs in the Navy you are best suited for.

The "A" schools vary in length. some are just a month, others take several months. When they are not on duty, they have alot of freedom, can move about the base at will, even go off base most of the time. "A" school is usually done at a Navy base, but there are a few specialies where it is held at a regular academic institution. ( That is more common with"C" school, which is even more advanced specialization)

Some people get deployed after " A" school, it really depends on their area of specialization though. Usually,college and other education waits until they are out of the Navy or at least in for a few years. Enjoy it, it is a wonderful opportunity and experience!

Answer 3

When you graduate bootcamp, you then go to A school which will be the Basic training of your chosen job title such as Aviation support Equipment Mechanic. It is basically a mon- fri schooling, there is some guard duty and such. Usually you get weekends off unless that is your weekend for duty. When you have finished a school where you graduate in your class will determine the choice of next duty station, the higher you finish the more choices you have, they will have a certain number of positions to be filled in different places around the globe, on ships, overseas, in the US. You may even go on to C schools which is more advanced training in your job title. Of course this is the way it was back in 1983, it may have changed some since then. You will earn 30 days of leave each year, more if you are in a hazardous duty area or isolated area. They also offer the U of Maryland college courses when you get to your duty stations. The bases themselves are like cities in themselves.

Answer 4

everything depends on what rate he has chosen, a rate is basically navy talk for job. i got a book called Married To The Military and it really explained a lot! during a school they will be able to communicate with the outside world, unlike bootcamp. find out what his rate is. then you can get more info. once he starts a school he'll be able to tell you more. if he wants to attend a university while serving he can do so online, so if he does get deployed he can continue his studies. he should already know what his rate is... good luck.

Answer 5

go to it is a site for all things military. run by military people for military & familie& etc.......