Ship 02 USS Reuben James Division 923

[keshiahorton]

Well I finally talked to my son last night.  What joy!  He called last Tuesday and I missed the called.  I sat in the floor for over an hour holding my phone is disbelief and in tears.  Needless to say I haven't moved without having it in my hand since that time.  It will be 3 weeks tomorrow since he left and to hear his voice was WONDERFUL!  He sounded great.  He was up beat and happy.  He said things were going great and he has made many friends.  He said the training is fine for him and they do yell a lot but it wasn't too bad and he was handling things well. 

We found out his PIR date was 4/19 and I am ready to make plans to come and see him.  I have already scheduled to attend the meet and greet the night before and I am so excited to meet other navy families.

Is anyone else with a loved one in Ship02 USS Reuben James Div. 923?  I would love to connect.  Maybe we can meet during the ceremonies as well.

[Martie]

My daughter Camille is Ship 02 Div 923-PIR April 19-how did you schedule the meet and greet-what hotel are you staying in?

[keshiahorton]

What does it mean to be sticks/flags?  Do you know where I can find a picture of the 923 divison or of the USS Reuben James?  I would like to make some t-shirts for our family to wear before we come.

[keshiahorton]

Hi Martie,

From what I can gather the meet and greets are open to families.  They are the night before the graduation at the Ramada Inn.  My son's name is Darrell.  I hope he and Camille have been friends.  I can't wait to ask him if he knows her in my next letter.  DJ (that's what he goes by) doesn't meet strangers and makes friends pretty easily so I am hoping that he has done that while in Boot camp as well.

[Proud Moma PIR 5/17]

So happy for you! My son left last Monday and can't wait for phone call to hear his voice! Did he get to talk much?

[my4boys]

My son is in the same Division.  We will be at graduation next week as well.  I am so glad to hear that someone else missed that first call and had a meltdown.   I had my phone with me at all times (even slept with it beside me).  And I stepped into a place for 30 seconds that had no connection and missed his call!  I was so distraught! I cried and cried.  So it's nice to know I wasn't the only one.  HOWEVER, when he did finally get through to me a week later....the turkey could have called me right back but he thought my phone was off and didn't!  Hearing his voice was awesome. I am so excited to see him next week.  We are thinking about going to Sarge's meet and greet.  I read quite of few people saying we should.  Was your son one of the boys in the 923 Div that asked you to mail chocolates to the Chief?? lol

[Niks Mom//Marissa]

My son Nik is in Ship 02/USS Reuben James /Div 923.  We were really excited to talk to him Saturday..what a joy that call was!!  Nik left on 4/24. ...Nik graduates on 06/21 and I cannot wait to see him!!!

We are staying at Navy Lodge for a few days!!  

[Niks Mom//Marissa]

Thank you so much for all this info.  I am so new at this and I really appreciate any help getting around this wonderful site!!

[lemonelephant]

You are very welcome.

[smokeater]

my son is graduating on 5/24 he is also on USS Reuben ship02 DIV 928. im very excited to see him. im assuming he will be a grad and go but i thought that meant that they would have all day of graduation then they would leave early the following day, the 25th. His A school is in Florida. We are coming in on the 23rd and fly back out on the 26th. I know that we may be there an extra day w/o him but at the time i was making the flights i had no idea what was going on and i didnt want to miss any oppurtunity to spend time with him so i booked the extra day.i figure i will just use it to look around Chicago, since ive never been there. I too plan to go to the M&G at least the Sarge but i havent signed up yet. I wanted to talk with my husband first, he is coming with. is the Ramada close? Can you swing by and hit both of them? are they with in walking distance of each other? if you come in the day before grad, are you allowed to see your sailor the day before? can you take them off base? thx for any info  

[lemonelephant]

Grad and Go is an outdated term. By the old standards nearly every new Sailor is Grad and Go since most of them will exit the RTC for "A" School or training within 24 hours of PIR. Yes, since he goes to Pensacola for "A" School he most likely will fly out the day after PIR.  The first time you will see your Sailor is when he enters the Drill Hall for PIR. See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend for more on how to plan your weekend and what to expect and it will answer the other questions you had about Liberty. Go to Sarge's M&G. Some have also gone by Ramada's for a short time as well, but don't miss Sarge's. No, they are not within walking distance of each other since they are about 2.5 miles apart.

Be sure to join the groups I've previously mentioned to you.

There are groups for most of the A Schools and ratings. Here are two of the Pensacola groups, Sailors In Pensacola, FL For A School....Corry Station too!! and Parents of A School Sailors in Pensacola. What will his rating (job/specialty) be?

(The Page name and Group names within this reply are clickable links. To join a group, click on the group name and after the group page opens, click on “+ Join...” in the upper right.)