IS Moms Questions - New and Old

[Vikki]

Thought this might be a good place for specific questions. For all of us really. This way we can all chat on our main page, but when there is a specific question, it can be addressed separately. ~ Vikki

[Rene]

Excellent idea Vikk! I get so ovwehwhelmed trying to keep up with everyone...but love it!

[Mary (Chris' mom)]

I've got a quick question. It was my understanding that the new working uniform (camo) was not mandatory until the end of the year but Chris told me the other day that they are being required to have theirs by March 30. Have any of you heard this from your kids and have they purchased it yet? For the total uniform it's like over $500. Once the parka and boots are bought it's not so bad but even for the pants and shirt its almost $80. I know the Tidewater area was going to be the first to get them but these guys just out of bootcamp just bought those blue utilities and now they are going to have to ditch them and buy the new uniforms?

[Barbara]

Hi Mary... As for the new camie's ...I must say after seeing a lot of the sailors walking around Norfolk in them they are sharp looking the blue, grey and white...I think that is what the appeal is....they actually look good. The winter months are almost over can you get buy without buying the parka. With Brendan going to the desert he didn't get it. What I understood is that they are being phased in from area to area. The reason they want to all buy them here is because if you come from a base that already had them you can wear them in your new location. Brendan had a bunch of guys asking him to buy them and bring them with himto Bahrain.... He couldn't because of limited space in the seabags.....

[Mary (Chris' mom)]

Chris told me that his PO1 told him they have to buy the entire uniform except for the Gore-Tex liner in the parka since it's not cold weather. I suppose if the liner is removed it is also used as a rainjacket? I hope that what I saw at the NEX Mall at Oceana was for the whole parka. I saw a liner on the rack and I saw the parka shell a few feet on down and they both said $170 on them so I'm hoping someone just failed to get their liner and it's $170 for the shell and liner.
I have read that the Uniform Replacement Allowances are based on their payrate and on how long the original uniform should last under normal conditions. So does that mean the guys just out of bc won't get much at all toward the new uniforms? I agree that I like the looks of them although like the new Service Uniform I think they are beginning to look more like Marines than Sailors. At least they are not having to wear either the desert pattern or the green/brown woodland pattern. Thanks for all the info.

[Valerie (Wes's Mom)]

Great idea Vikki! My husband just said something about that a little bit ago after talking to Wes. That since he will be there after March 30th, that he will have to buy the new uni's. Now is that for just the camos or do they have the buy the new uniform (that look alot like the marines)? Mary, I agree about the camos, I like blue better than the green camo pattern.

I have another question... Did any of your sailors buy a ring after bootcamp? Have they gotten yet? It was a pretty good deal - One navy ring (look like class rings), then a replica of the WWI (or was it WWII) Navy ring for free, plus earrings (which he got for me) for about $550 and they take it directly out of his account. It's been over three months, so I guess I will need to find his paperwork and give them a call. I was just curious.

[Mary (Chris' mom)]

The only thing Chris told me was that the have to buy the entire uniform (I don't know if that would aply to the Reservists, the parka that is) but when I said something about buying everything but the parka he said he has to buy everything. He may opt to not get the liner for the parka now because of the warm weather. I believe they do it kind of like boot camp. If one person is wearing the parka then they all have to wear the parka. So he may not need the liner right now but he has to have the shell in case someone else does wear theirs, he will have to wear his as well. It only makes sense too in case of rain, at least they have a hood to keep the cap dry.
Chris also bought a ring. They called the house about three weeks ago to make sure that they had one of the emblems right. That's the last I've heard about the ring. I've still not gotten his DVD yet from PIR. I got the KEEL last weekend while he was home. I believe they told Chris he sould have his ring in April and he graduated Jan. 09. Maybe the ones right before Christmas were held up some by the holidays also. I agree though that I would call. Let me know what you find out.

[Mary (Chris' mom)]

I posted this out on the other page and forgot I could post it here. Duh! Can families attend the frocking ceremonies? Also if Chris has leave between "C" school and his 1st command he can go ahead and put his chevron and rating patch on correct? I want to get portraits done and wanted to know if that would be a good time to do that.

[Valerie (Wes's Mom)]

If "frocking" happens when they get to their duty station... How does it work for Reservists? If they complete A & C School do they become Petty Officers? Sorry, I am not sure if I asked this before (Petty Officer question).
Thanks!!! ~Valerie

[Dyon Abbott - Kevin's Mom]

Valerie:
Our son, Kevin, transferred into Intell in 2001; he was nominated for Petty Officer in 2006, attended the initiations (these are time honored traditions, and a number are held in secret between PO's) for some six weeks, then, after passing the tests (the candidates must know a huge amount of Navy history, Navy protocol, etc.) they go through the pinning & frocking ceremonies. Kevin's pinning & frocking ceremony was at Newport, RI, and yes family members were allowed to attend. Then, in 2008, Kevin was promoted to Chief Petty Officer, another initiation and ceremony.

Sailors are promoted up through the ranks (talking about enlisted sailors, not officers). The ranks begin with Seaman Recruit (E-1), and continue upwards - Seaman Apprentice (E-2), Seaman (E-3), Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4), Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5), Petty Officer 1st Class (E-6), Chief Petty Officer (E-7), Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8), Master Chief Petty Officer (the first level in E-9). E-9 includes the aforementioned Master Chief, Command Master Chief Petty Officer, Fleet/Force Master Chief Petty Officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.

[Humberto Gallardo]

I want to transfer from US Coast Guard Intel into USN intel. And I want to obtain a job overseas.
Do you believe I have a good chance for this?
I love the fact that the Navy is involved in worldwide activities.

[Anna]

Barbara,
When my son was in on his first enlistment I had to deal with two deployments over to the gulf. It is nerve wracking but I made him promise me that at least every other day he would take just a minute to get on the computer and email me that he was still there and still safe. He worked on the flight deck which was dangerous and hot and involved long hours day and night. When he had more time he would send me a longer email but at least if I could get one sentence that said "still here" I was OK. I did LOTS of praying!!!!
Also, find out who the ombudsman of the ship is and get signed up to receive emails and newsletters from them. They are a good source of information that is safe to pass along. They communicate directly with the powers that be on the ship so they know what they can tell you and what they can't. It was good to have someone that I could contact if I ever felt I really had to get in touch with my son. That gives you some piece of mind.
And stay in touch with Navy for Moms - this is a great source of help, comfort, and understanding!!!
Anna

[Vanessa]

Hi Moms, I'm just a DEPper, shipping in April. I'm probably getting a little ahead of myself, but I was just wondering if anyone had any advice about IS A and C school.