Comment

Comment by DNavyFamily on February 1, 2016 at 9:20am

Good morning navymom- do  you mean a challenge coin from Great Lakes or DLI?   If you are looking for one to give him at PIR from Great Lakes, MWR sells them (and water/coffee/snacks actually during the actual PIR ceremony and they sell Great Lakes/Basic challenge coins).  Get one there because that will be his first and where the adventure begins.  As for a CTI/DLI one- hopefully someone else will respond for info on that.  I'm sure there's one out there- just not sure on the very latest. 

Comment by navymom on January 31, 2016 at 10:07pm

I am new to this site. I currently have a son who is PIR group 3/4/16.  In communicating with those moms I have learned that there is someone on this sight by the name of Craig (not sure if that is a first or last name) who makes Challenge Coins.  I am interested in getting in touch with him to see about getting a Challenge Coin for my son as a graduation gift.  Thanks for any and all information!!

Comment by DNavyFamily on January 20, 2016 at 2:50pm

You are awesome parents- they are still so young and that encouragement helps power their success.  Also to all the others with CTIs2B out there, just because basic is over, keep writing and keep going with little care packages every once in a while.  Our kiddo said that DLI is 100x harder than Basic and she loved the letters at Great Lakes but gets more energy out of the ones she gets now even though they can text, call, go out on weekends and things.  It means a lot. 

Comment by Lisa (A-Mac's mom) on January 20, 2016 at 2:46pm

There is so much of an opportunity for these young adults to set themselves up for future financial success.  My guy has been in for four and a half years, and he has been able to save over $50,000 (not counting his Thrift Savings Plan investment) over the course of his enlistment so far.  So many wonderful things come from this opportunity.  Travel might not be one of them.  But there are so many others that totally make up for it.

Comment by BrownEyedMomma on January 20, 2016 at 2:36pm

I also told my daughter the same thing bbcregular suggested. She had seemed disappointed about the fact that she might not travel much but when I suggested that, she perked up. I told her she gets great time off and good pay to do something that might be hard work but she still enjoys it. "Save your money and choose where you get to enjoy your time off instead of having the navy direct where you get shipped". She seems happier about it now. Like she's remembered that her goal was more about being in the Navy than about being a CTI

Comment by DNavyFamily on January 20, 2016 at 10:15am

Our prayers and support for you CTI to be!!!   Sounds like she has awesome family support.  On a side note, I hear great things about the free tutoring, too btw.  Our CTI 2 B got one and the test scores are stronger than ever.  It takes up more free time after class but again parents out there, it means less rampant spending and eating out all the time and good GPA DOES have an impact on duty stations and promotability.  A CTO or CTR get promoted based on proficiency with equipment use and maintenance;  a CTI gets promoted in part based on language skill so good on you bbcregular and all other parents for keeping your loved one motivated, supported, and for helping them keep an eye on the prize- whether a rewarding 20-30 year career or even post college work in international commerce, the State Department, or as an educator. There are so many blessings that will come from some flat-out, agonizing at times, challenging academics there at DLI.  The best is yet to come...

Comment by bbcregular on January 19, 2016 at 7:32pm

Thank you DNavyFamily for the input. I have been reading the comments and my advise to my DLI student CTI wannabe is to use her leave to be a tourist around the world. Her career in the Navy is to do her job to the best of her ability and beyond. All the Navy gives her is the perks of the job. She does not want the charge cards and debt. She does not eat out all the time and uses public transportation. Currently her job is to be the best student she can and learn her language. 13 more months to go then the DLPT. PRAYING FOR HER DAILY.

Comment by DNavyFamily on January 19, 2016 at 12:04pm

Help your future CTI keep a "cup half full- not half empty' good attitude. There are so many places to visit/vacation- if they avoid spending their entire paycheck on dumb cars and insurance, they'll have a ton of money saved, plenty for travel.  And even if they are in Hawaii, there are cheap jaunts to the far east, or if they are at Ft. Gordon, you can go see so many great places in our own country- Hilton Head, the Appalachians, DC, Orlando, Key West- all long weekend getaways.  Work hard, work out, CLEP out of some college 101 courses, and play hard on weekends or take leave.  Take massive advantage of MWR trips, too.  Every kid should be run through a Dave Ramsey course during basic and a refresher in A or C school.  I understand though- some duty for a first enlistment can seem like it has nothing to do with seeing the world- but make the most out of it- success is more good attitude- the travel and great things will follow! 

Comment by Lisa (A-Mac's mom) on January 19, 2016 at 10:21am

Kelli,

Mine has been in four years.  He has never deployed and will not deploy before his enlistment is up.  

Comment by KC'smom on January 19, 2016 at 10:14am

Except I should mention he took 3 weeks leave & traveled to Europe on military flights for free - so he only had to pay for accommodations once he got there.

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