First Year on Board

[Diane Forster]

My son is stationed in Virginia. He has requested leave to come home to Alaska. He had to wait a month to get all the signatures on his leave paper. He finally got all the signatures, plane tickets bought and now the day before he leaves, he asked for his leave papers but his leave papers are lost. He has to get all the signatures again before he can leave.
My son is and was very proud to be in the Navy. This leave fiasco is one of many frustrations for him and us. He is a long way from home and feels isolated as it is. Stuff like this is so disappointing. I think he wishes he would have stayed home and gone to college.

[Navy for Moms Admins]

Diane -

Did your son lose the papers or are you saying that they were misplaced by Navy personnel?

Elle

[Diane Forster]

The Navy miss placed his papers. I spoke to him yesterday and he is good to go. I'm happy that he has his new papers but I wonder why he had to go through so much just to get his leave.

[Paula]

I would assume the Navy since it is saying he asked for his papers. That is a sin, I have been hearing a little to much of this stuff in every branch thou not just the Navy. What base is he stationed at? What is his job, my son is also their in Oceana and is AE. Maybe they know each other. I am 5 hours away, if he really gets home sick he can always come to us for the holidays if he can't go home. (Just an option) Keep us informed.

Paula (Proud Mom of Brett)

[Diane Forster]

Thanks the offer of your home! My son is a MC, his ship is at the Grummond ship yard for repairs. He is on his way home now but the frustration and unnecessary worry was something that didn't need to happen. I feel for him in his attempt to understand and make sense of some of the unexplainable red tape and personalities he has to work with. Thanks again!

[Achseh]

Quite frankly it was more than likely a young sailor like your own in the admin office who misplaced his leave papers. Sometimes it happens, I'm sure it wasn't done on purpose and there's a good chance the person who misplaced them feels badly. Happily he was able to get it and get on his way home.

The Navy isn't a machine, it's made up of all of our sons and daughters, our husbands and wives, our sisters and brothers.

Enjoy your visit with your son.

[Diane Forster]

Thanks for the different perspective. Makes sense. I am looking forward to my visit and appreciate your comments. Thanks!

[Denise 2]

I would like to say that this NEVER happens but sad it does. They are all human. This is something that they have to stay on top of. Glad to hear he was able to get the signatures again and be done with it. Next time suggest he make a copy of the form. That way if someone doesn't remember signing he has extra copy.
Some people take their jobs more seriously then others. There are some things where Navy is like civilian life.
Enjoy your visit with your son.

[intheknow]

Maybe he should have stayed in college. Life happens, few things go as planned. If a lost leave paper has got him that upset I don't know how he will handle the big stuff.

[Meagan R. Landrum]

As much as I hate to say it, this happens frequently with request chits of any sort. Roll with the punches, and rest assured knowing that eventually you will get to see your loved one. Always remember that the Navy comes first in their life, and makes most of their logistics decisions for them.