First Deployement

[Lauri Smith]

Hi I'm Lauri. My son, Daniel just deployed for the first time. He's a SeaBee out of Gulf Port. I don't know what to expect. My other son is Air Force and has been to Iraq however he was in a safe zone and has a very different job so I heard from him regularly which was nice. Does anyone know how we can receive informatiom? Updates? Daniel said he may be able to contact me on FaceBook in a month but was not sure...
Lauri

[Kate]

This is some advice I got from a JO mom that I hope will be helpful to others. If your sailor is not married, (s)he may need you to take care of business while (s) he is deployed. Here are a few things that your sailor/JO may need to do before deployment:
1) Visit the JAG office and get a will made. (Horrors! But getting all the ducks in a row can make deployment less stressful.) The will should be updated with each deployment.
2) Get a 1-year Power of Attorney or possibly several so that family can take care of banking, car, and general business. Copy for the family member who holds the POA, copy in his storage locker, copy in a safe.
3) Make a list of important info: where the car is, where his stuff is stored, who has the keys or what the code is.
4) Inform the family who is the contact person at the base - home and cell numbers and what constitutes enough of an emergency to make that call. Your sailor should also put your names on the contact list.
5) Call the Post Office to have mail sent to the family member so that bills get paid, license plates and insurance can be renewed, etc. The family’s phone number should go on the the military insurance status sheet so that the insurance company won’t give you a hard time if you call for information.

[Lauri Smith]

Great advice. Thank you!

Lauri

[Susan]

Hi Lauri....My son is a SeaBee out of Gulfport as well... he just got back from his first deployment on 8-9 from Kuwait. Daric did call us once he got there... and he had excellant internet service there... where is your son going?
Sue

[Lauri Smith]

Hi Susan. Somewhere in Afghan.

Lauri

[Tresa Taylor]

Hi Lauri,
My son just left gulfport for his first deployment, we received one call when he first arrived from a out of state phone #. I guess they are routed somehow from overseas. I was relieved to here he was there safe. I have been waiting to hear from him again. It will be nice to know where to send stuff I am waiting for him to contact me with address. I guess it will be a little time for him to get used to surroundings. I am thankful he is not in harms way for now... He is 13 hours ahead of us so I think he worries he will wake us. I told him to call no matter the time. 2 kids in the military, you must be very proud of your boys. TTYL,
Tresa

[Lauri Smith]

HI Tresa. Yes I am proud of them however, it doesn't come without it's worries too. :). I heard from Daniel two times now. So he's doing well. But is planning on pushing out further into his work area soon. I don't have an address. Not sure when I will get one either. Hope soon.
What Battallion is your son in? What does he do?

Lauri

[ProudmomofaCMSeabee]

Hello, I was reading your posting but did your son sign you up with the obudsman they provide you with addresses and phone numbers to call should you need to hear they are ok..

My son is also leaving today, but for the last few days I have been receiving updates from the obudsman to addresses and phone numbers..

Your son should have provided the command with your email address and you would receive information about how they arrived or if you have any concerns you can email them.

I was very glad to hear from the obudsman..Doesn't make it easier I will probably worry just as much.... And also this is his first deployment.

So good luck to you and your Sailor! We are all proud of ALL of our Sailors! Wishing your son a safe return!

[Lauri Smith]

No idea! He didn't tell me much. Due to his job and the secrecy involved with it, I wasn't able to hear a lot of details...

Thank you for your well wishes. It is much appreciated.

Lauri

[judy r]

Lauri, I am Judy and have been doing the Navy thing for 20+ yrs...generally there is email available on ship and you may hear from him that way.. As for mailing items to him go to the usps.com website and order custom forms and flat rate military boxes..I use these to send things to my son in Afghan. If he has a microwave available to him any thing like that is good, wipes hand cream toilet paper...I buy bags of candy like you would get for halloween and use as a filler...they also like newspapers from home. Good Luck and God bless

[Jean C]

Hi Mommas,,,,,Great ideas all!! Everything I sent to the "sandbox" went into large ziplock bags. If something leaks it won't run into other items. I sent via a request from son for "marshmellow fluff"....it popped open during shipments, but they could eat it right out of the bag..LOL. Don't forget "silly things" to make them laugh..yoyo/harmonica.......things the guys/gals will remember from childhood. When it gets cold/ and it really does get cold at night certain times of year.........handwarmers are great fillers.
Facebook/ Skype all good ways to keep in touch. And yes--- Seabees work long hours, so be patient. I know it's hard,,,,,,,,but they will get in touch when they can. Stay busy, and take care of yourselves!!!

[Lauri Smith]

Yes I agree! Have to send the silly stuff. Keeping them laughing is important. I sent bubbles and funny wands to my son for his 21st. Birthday in June. He laughed and used them all but did call and say, "mom, are you loosing it..." So we both had some laughs out of it. :)

Can't wait for an address, if I get one at all, in the "sandbox" as you call it. (which I love by the way).

Bye for now,
Lauri

[Lauri Smith]

Since he is a Seabee and not on a ship, it may be different. He is on the ground somewhere "over there"
Thank you for the other information. Your years of wisdom are appreciated

Lauri