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Comment by Shelby on February 11, 2016 at 1:02pm

Wow, thanks everyone for your responses. Knew I could count on all of you for that! I should have prefaced my moving comment by adding that I have family in Monterey, have a job that is easily transferable throughout the country (RN - can take travel nurse assignments anywhere that pay for my housing), my SR is older (28), and we have been together several years with a percentage of that time long distance, and have been living together (just to put you at ease that, should we end up getting married, it would be for the right reasons, not just financial). I do appreciate all of your comments and will take them to heart. I knew he would be busy and I did not expect to live together in Monterey. I guess my thought process was that seeing him once a week or bi-weekly is better than not at all. However, I would not want to put extra stress on him if you think that's what me moving there would do. 

As for the flight questions.. They seem to be out of O'hare typically rather than Midway? 

Comment by DNavyFamily on February 11, 2016 at 12:43pm

Important, especially for young couples, once your CTI2B is at O'Hare, he CANNOT leave the airport even if his flight isn't until late that night for example.  You cannot pick him up from Great Lakes and take him to the airport, either.  You can only meet at the airport. Most all of the CTI2Bs fly United, even as of January I've heard.   They won't know their flight/ticket info until the last few days and our CTI2B was able to call us the Sunday before PIR with that info.   We already had booked United based on what we had heard and fly United most anyhow.   Ping other CTI members here every so often to confirm that the DOD/USN didn't change transportation contracts, etc.  Check the other non-CTI groups, too to see what the latest word is on the airlines being used.

Comment by DNavyFamily on February 11, 2016 at 12:34pm

As ejrwelch noted, you can get married before graduation if all is looking good.  That's a smart move beyond the direct financial benefits, it will ensure a much smoother "walk in the door" at the next duty station as far as being noted as a dependent, medical/dental access, and having a base registration for your car.  I do agree that if you all are strong enough to make it through DLI and get married at the end, it's a smart move to get things administratively squared-away before shipping out.

Comment by DNavyFamily on February 11, 2016 at 12:28pm

Also, our CTI2B was routed to United the Saturday morning after PIR along with all the others heading to DLI.  If you fly United, the O'Hare terminatl and USO, restaurants, etc. are all really close and short 10 minute walks at most- very easy to catch up there.  As for our CTI2B, they asked for their civies and work-out clothes about the 3rd week there and we shipped them in lots of individual boxes.  Remember, they won't have a car and it can be a serious hike getting the boxes from the Caffrey Rd mail room to their quarters, up stairs, etc. AND they have almost zero time to do so.  Ship things in lots of boxes no bigger than a copier paper box and only ship one or two a day.  Don't do big boxes or a hail Mary mega shipment.   The mail petty officers and mail hours aren't that supportive of your CTI2B- I hear they are YNs, PNs, or SKs not fellow CTI's so mail and box handling and care is not a priority at all.

Comment by DNavyFamily on February 11, 2016 at 12:22pm

I cannot agree more and we are loving mixed civilian and active duty Navy family so we aren't seeing this through only one side or the other- I strongly concur that moving out there is not a good idea on many levels.  Cost is #1- you are better off staying gainfully employed at a lower cost in your area than following your CTI2B out there.  Secondly, the language instruction, military side duties, standing watch allow almost NO time for family life.  It's like going to law or medical school.  Look back through this thread- it's hard for a student to even get their mail time wise.  We aren't talking "Oh you can help them get the mail"  I'm talking that your CTI2B won't have time for even you.  Not doubting at all you are in love and that love and support is a good thing, but it can and often does not work out the way you guys think it will.  However, Ia couple great visits, long weekends are doable and can be a plus once he phases up.  It's difficult for our UBER sharp CTI2B to even text us except weekends.  It requires medical/law school dedication and focus.  It's not a time for playing house.(no offense- but you know what I mean).  Save it for the next duty station.  You'll thank all of us.  Tell your CTI2B to change rates and change now if you all can't handle this, are insecure about the separation.   Save your money and you both work hard.  You will be challenged to find a job out there, as well. Being there to help with laundry or cooking isn't a help if he has to be rushing out the door anyhow.  AND... the cost of an apartment out there is going to be way over an E3's budget- it's a non-event.  Sorry so extreme but I hate seeing this sort of thing over and over in my past Navy life and also our kids on active duty on both coasts and their friends/fellow shipmates.   Patience is a virtue and that's why that saying even exists.  Hang in there!!

Comment by Desiree on February 11, 2016 at 12:17pm

agreed with ejrwelch. My now husband and I recently got married over the summer. While he was stationed at DLI i stayed back home and we made it work long distance. It is extremely expensive to live there without BAH. we got married a few months before he graduated DLI so that they would move us across the country. but yes depending on the language those are the places he can be stationed afterwards. if you have any questions, feel free to message me or email if you would like to know more. My husband graduated DLI in october and we have been stationed in our new location since november. so all very new and i know how hard it is to live away from your CTI, but if it is meant to be, trust me, it will work.

Comment by elliluvs on February 11, 2016 at 12:09pm

Cut me off twice now so I apologize but don't move out there. It's extremely expensive and then he will not be stationed out there as you stated those are the main locations dependent on language. So you would basically move across country twice. With no financial help but if you guys do get married while he's out there then the Navy will pay to have moved both of you to the next duty station. Definitely not a reason to get married unless you're absolutely sure.

Comment by elliluvs on February 11, 2016 at 12:03pm

Okay so I'm not a mom but I'm actually Cti. To answer the first question he will have a lot of space I was able to manage most of the stuff. He will be able to stay out overnight but must be back for duty and class and stay within a 250 mile range. They've recently had a change of command so the 250 mile range may have changed. There is no set flight path to get there but typically they will get flown into a major airport and then flown into Monterey and picked up by the watch . If he passes then he will put on e4 either at dli if his graduation falls on a certain date or he will take on within a month of being at his duty station. I do not I do not

Comment by Shelby on February 11, 2016 at 11:58am

And one more -- I read it depends on their languages where they get stationed, but the main locations are Ft Meade, Georgia, Hawaii and Texas? True/False? 

Comment by Shelby on February 11, 2016 at 11:51am

Hi everyone! My boyfriend is currently at boot camp with a rating of CTI, so pending clearance, he'll be a "CTI2B." I have gotten most of my information about basic from here, but still have lots of questions about A school! 

Is there a decent amount of storage space in their room for clothes, etc once they phase up?

Is it true that once they reach phase three, they are permitted overnights on weekends?

I'm sure it changes, but has there been a pattern of which airport/what time your new sailor flew to Monterey from basic?

Do most students have to wait an extended period of time before starting class?

He went into basic as E-3. I know there are tests and certain things he has to do to become E-4, but does anyone know how long that typically takes/is it usually given after A school is over?

All I can think of for now! So nice to have a group of (mostly) women to discuss things with and get support from. We are from the East Coast, so I am planning a West Coast move this summer to be closer. Any thoughts on that idea? 

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