ANY MOM WITH A NMCB 18

[djmax77]

Hello,

My Son is an NMCB 18 DET 0718 TO GULFPORT IN MARCH AND THEN ON TO AFGHAN. I would really appreciate anyone who could advise me with what to get him or any events that I can attend to help with the transition of his deployment. Any information would be so helpful.

Thank you so much,

Donna

[Brenda Sue]

Sorry, I can't help - but you might check out this group - Click Here

[seabeewife]

Hello Donna,
My darling husband is in NMCB 18 too but with a different Det. He has been deployed out there multiple times already so I can probably help you. Personally, I would not send too much stuff to Gulfport for your son. Normally when they go from Gulfport to their final destination they will only be allowed a certain number of bags. When my husband went last time it was 3. In those 3 bags they are required first to take all the military required gear (sleeping bag, helmet, gas mask etc). After packing all the gear each Seabee only had a very small space left to put their personal gear (AKA clothing). Good things to send there.... that special snack that he loves, a clean sand free pillow case, favorite video/computer games, movies, phone cards so if he gets a chance he could call home, those large zip lock bags are good for keeping clean clothes and computer equipment sand free.

I also found this link for Gulfport. I find it a little more reassuring if I can see were he will be living. Here's GulfPort's accomadations: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Gulfport/OperatingForcesSupport/Gulfport_.... Check out the "transient" accomodations, that's most likely were they will be housed. The rooms may vary a bit and lower ranking guys may end up sharing rooms but at least it will give you an idea.

As to events..... there should be a family day at his reserve center, I've heard rumor that there may be another family day scheduled in Gulfport. It's common for that to happen so families get a chance to see their sailor before they head out. At family day there will be other families that you can talk to and tons of literature about what to expect and what you can do. Alot of folks think that they can not attend these functions because of work but new legislation that was passed about 2 years ago that requires employers to give family members time off without pay in order to attend. This legislature was added on to The Family Medical Leave Act and works the same as FMLA. I have additional info and the web site address if you need it.

I hope this helps,
Karan

[seabeewife]

oh Donna, you might also check out militaryonesource.com. It is a great website with free literature and information about coping with deployment and helping yourself while your loved one is deployed. It does require that you register... a couple of easy questions. Many things are free to download right then or you can order an item and they will send it to you free. It's a great site with great information.

Karan

[Silvertabby]

Hi Donna. My daughter is in that battalion too. She just got her orders today. She'll be leaving a bit later than the rest though, because at first she wasn't going to go and then they told her she would be going. I attended the Family day last Saturday at her reserve center. It was very informative. They did mention that there would probably be some send off gathering in Gulfport before they actually ship out to Afghanistan.

[djmax77]

Hi, Thank you for writing about your daughter in the same battalion. I have another mother that I am writing to that it turns out her Son and mine will be on the same convoy. She even got to hold my new and only Grandchild at the Family day. We will all have to stay in contact with each other so we can get updates on each others children and that way feel more content about everything. I'm sorry but I don't know you or your daughter's name but she is lovely. You must be so proud!! Talk to you soon, Donna

[Silvertabby]

Hi Donna. Thanks for replying to my post. I would love to stay in contact. I'm pretty scared about her going to Afghanistan and it will be nice to have someone who understands to talk to about it. Thanks for the compliment and yes, I am very proud of her. This will be her first deployment and she's both excited and terrified about it.

[djmax77]

Hi, Is your daughter in the same detachment as my son? He just got done talking with me on the phone. I wish they were closer especially with my new little Grandson. I live in Southern California and he lives in Oregon. He has lived there for almost 10 years. You can write me if you'd like on [e-mail]. That is my private e-mail and I can give you the e-mail of the other mother that I am corresponding with. Her son, will be on the same convoy as my son. Isn't that a coincidence??
Talk to you later, Donna

[Kathy]

Hello
My son is also going to Gulfport and then on to Afgan all I know so far is that he is going with NMCB 18 do not know his detachment though he is a reservist here in Cali I am just now trying to gather all the information I can get

[djmax77]

Hi Kathy,
My son has been in Gulfport for over a month and really seems to be getting into the swing of things there. He seems to be kind of enjoying the whole training experience although I know it must be really hard being away from his wife and 4 mo. old Son. If you can, find out what detachment your son is in. Take care and talk to you soon.

[Kathy]

I will try glad your son is adjusting well My son seems to always adjust well too guess our sons are kind of in the same situation He is leaving his wife and 10 month old son He left the first time when she was pregnant missed his birth (he was early and went to NICU) has spent 6 months with them and is leaving again

[djmax77]

Hi Kathy,
Has your son gone to Afghan twice? How long ago did he join? Are you going to go visit him in Gulfport on Memorial weekend? I think we may try but the flights now are so expensive and the hotels around there went way up..............kind of crazy!! I think the airlines and the hotels are just taking advantage of the Memorial weekend. Talk to you later, Donna

[seabeewife]

I am going for the Family Day in Gulfport and the reason tickets and hotels are so expensive that weekend is because Gulfport is a tiny airport and there are other things going on that weekend like a Harley Davidson Convention and some other events. You might try looking at other nearby airports like Louis Armstong (MSY) and Mobile Regional (MOB). They are both about an hour and 30 mintues away.

And for those of you in Oregon, there will be an FRG sstarting up at the Portland Reserve center later this month. You'd get to meet other families and get a little support that way. If you are interested email me at [e-mail]. My name is Karan and I happen to be the president of the FRG. I am the one setting up the events for Family Day in Gulfport.