Okay. Let’s say you’re fourth in your A School Class of 22, missing being third by a hair, and 100ths of a point from first. No C Schools are offered. Let’s assume the first three guys will pick King’s Bay or Bangor. So you’re best of the rest, and here are your choices: Hawaii, Groton, or Norfolk. No boats designated. Where would you go?
To me, Hawaii would be the no-brainer, except that: there are four Virginias in Groton, and three of those are eventually headed to Hawaii. Two more Virginias (New Hampshire and New Mexico) are under construction and will be home-ported in Groton. You’re advised that available billets “may” include boats under construction (i.e. a Virginia).
Being that you have the next choice, do you pass up Hawaii in the hopes of getting a Virginia in Groton?
Correct if I’m wrong, but it seems to me that the primary consideration shouldn’t be how nice the weather is at your base. After all, how often are 688 crews in home-port? Seems more important considerations would be 1) boats available; 2) patrol area (e.g. South China Sea vs. Persian Gulf); 3) possible missions (support of GWOT/OIF vs. chasing Chinese); 4) foreign ports desired (Japan/Philippines vs. Italy/Spain/Greece); 5) reputation of the Command (but how would you know?; 6) anything else?
These are obviously simplifications and generalizations and I may have made incorrect assumptions. But, then, that’s why I post - to get help from guys who have been there/done that.
So, please help me help my boy make an informed decision.
Not just the Chinese on the west coast. Those pesky Russians are out there too.
I spent a year in Groton for BESS, A school and C schools. I was also in Hawaii for 3 wonderful years. I kinda wanted to get away from winters being that I grew up in the Midwest. I liked Groton but Loved Hawaii. Actually I spent more time at sea on the old Permit class boat I was on than the LA class boat. I guess it would be up to what you want. Do you want to have liberty in Europe or the Far East? Between San Deigo and Hawaii I had two WESTPAC's and love it.
That is my 2 cents on the matter. And I am still scratching my head about the no C school thing.
As a former aviation type I don't normally post here, but I saw the thread and thought I give my opinion. I was stationed in Hawaii (NAS Barbers Point) and also on the east coast (NAS Oceana). I made 2 Med cruises and can tell you, the ports there are good fun and very historical, but I knew way too many people who made West Pacs and Med cruises, they said the Med doesn't compare. I left Hawaii to try the east coast Navy and found it to be very different. With the close proximity to Washington, i.e. the Pentagon, the east coast Navy was more spit and polish. Both were very professional as far as quality of work and people, but the east coast was way more regulation heavy. Hawaii is a great duty station and someplace alot of people never get the chance to see. The other islands are close enough to visit and now they have a ferry so you don't have to fly between them. The weather is always GREAT!! Waikiki is world class for everything from shopping to night clubs. Alot of tourists, naturally, means meeting alot of people (women). I was in the same situation after A school and not sure if I should go to Hawaii. I asked my A school instructor for his opinion of the orders I was considering, his reply was "Did you join the Navy looking to have some fun?? If so go to Hawaii." After living there for 3 1/2 years I can tell you, he was right. Good luck in whatever you decide!
Here is my two cents also. In four short years of Navy active duty I spent time in Norfolk, Groton and finished up being homeported at Pearl Harbor. Honestly Gorton, CN would be my very last choice. Remember seeing the world is a big part of why you joined right???… August of 2006 some of my E division “target fleet” members got together in Norfolk. Compared to 70/71, Norfolk,VA is now a beautiful place to be stationed. My last year and a half in the Navy being homeported at PH was great also. Then after I switched service branches I spent several TDY trips back to Oahu from 90 to 96 and although it had shown so much growth it was still a paradise. If you are into military history related stuff, as lots of us “older folks” are, you cannot go wrong with either Pearl or Norfolk. I was in Groton from Aug of 71 to Dec of 71 for both Subschool and a follow on “”C” school for the SSN/SSBN IC package course. Gorton was the low point of my whole Active duty Navy career. And I just returned from San Diego from another “target fleet” reunion. So don’t discount it either.. It certainly didn’t have the post WWII charm it had in 69 and 70, but it still would be a nice place to be stationed.
And Naval Base Kitsap (Bangor), even though it is over 20 years old now is a wonderfully beautiful place.
As Tomcatfan said, good luck!!! And also remember, life is 95% attitude, make the most of it.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: IC2SS19Z50C5,
Dnt choose Groton in hopes of getting a Virginia. Its a horrible reason. Im on the Hawaii. Im a nuke so I might have a biased opinion. We got a new Mechanic back aft that actally requested a Virginia. He now claims it to be his biggest mistake. We were supposed to be in pearl in less then a year. But now its looking like late 2009 if we are lucky, with the Texas as the first boat to go in mid 2009. New boats have lots of issues. Like the texas, there boat is a mess. The Hawaii isnt much better.
If you want Pearl, go to a 688. If you want to maybe oneday go to pearl, and more then likely spend your days in Groton, go Groton.
Also what rate are you? A-gangs life gets rough towards the end of new construction.
Of course, I post these questions for my son, who is in ET-COM A School, and who is due to graduate Dec 19. For decision-making purposes, he relies on A School scuttlebutt and what is often somewhat cryptic advice from instructors. I try to pass on to him information gleaned from this forum. People here are very helpful and the information and advice provided have been invaluable.
So far, the responses to the specific question above have been illuminating. Looks like the vote is 6-0 for Hawaii over Groton. That seems to be the consensus of my Navy friends here at home. Moreover, Tomcat’s observation about the different command cultures was interesting, as was Baja’s scoop on the Virginias.
I’d love to hear more. I think Junior has to decide by tomorrow.
About the only hiccup with Pearl....if you can call it that..is that it will be expensive to go visit. It isn't a short little drive to Groton, or Norfolk. It is a six hour flight, and that from LA.
Needless to say, I didn't get any family type visitors while in Pearl Harbor. I did in San Diego, and the in-laws lived in Groton.
“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”
Pearl Harbor is just as up-tight, but I guess it really depends on a lot of other factors. We always heard that 'oh if you're in subs, you always get out by 1600 if you're in Hawaii"...Not true.
As for life in general (and this is only my 2 cents) Hawaii is great, as long as you don't mind running the risk of getting "island fever" and not seeing family often and not being able to leave to see them. And here, love for the military isn't great, as numerous as our service members are on the island...
“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”
Hey jag First of all, congrats to your son on graduating!
As soon as I saw your post, I had to read it...I'm originally from CT and my husband had the same decision to make between Groton and Pearl Harbor. Has your son been assigned to a boat yet? If he needs to meet a few people around here, let him know can always give my husband or me a shout!
There was a snafu with the orders for the whole class (so what else is new!), but he still expects to get Hawaii. Now, about the boat, that’s a good question. It is my understanding that the orders are for the base, and that COMSUBPAC will pick the boat. Was that your husband’s experience? Or did he get orders to a specific boat while still at Subscol?
When the orders are firm, I’ll put you guys in touch with each other via private chat or personal email. Thanks for the offer - he’ll need all the help he can get.
Hey jag send your son my congradulations. I graduated ET 'A' school 20 years ago in Dec. My school was a pilot ET school for Fast Attacks. But they changed all that a few years later. Back then you either went Nav pipeline or ESM pipeliine.
But this was back before all the combining of the rates.
Yep. As Brandolf has pointed out, Nav, STS, & FTs all go to one school, while COM's have their own little thing going, which includes a heavy dose of ESM.
About C Schools, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. The last class of RM's were offered 8 C School spots. The current class was offered none. Generally speaking, these days, I think the Navy prefers to get them to the boat ASAP, and to save C School as a re-enlistment incentive. But what do I know?
Now I am just a grumpy old submarine troll but when I was in having that 'C' school was important. You could work on gear out of the chute so to speak. But then again what the heck do I know.
When my dh left school and headed for PH, he was told one boat, reported to it and then 2 days later got transferred to another. So it can change very quickly.
We loved Hawaii and would go back in a minute. But have to admit we are in a prime location right now ourselves. Yes it can be expensive to get there during prime season but you can get really good deals every now and then. Knew someone who got round trip from NY to Hawaii for $350 a few years ago. Then he also has the option of Space A flying back to see you. And it gives you excuses to go spend time with him while having a Mai Tai at the Hale Koa military hotel right on Waikiki. They are very liberal with the alcohol there, let's just say a shot of coke and juice and then the rest is the alcohol.
Well...Honolulu is my hometown - (born and raised at Schofield) and I was fortunate to be able to spend a large chunk of my life and my career at PH. I still get "The Honolulu Advertiser" online every day - and always begin reading after I click the city's webcam by Duke's statue on Waikiki. The music and 'real time' views of the beach start my day. Can't beat duty in Pearl. The 6-hour (DST) time change between Pearl and DC is marvelous. Keeps the Feather Merchants at bay.
When I get tired of building stuff in Texas, I'm going back and be a tour guide for all the tourists!! Talk Story to 'em...'get 'em to pay da kine dollah to hear, yeh?'
First of all, congrats to your son on graduating! 
