Comment

Comment by Bill S. on February 15, 2009 at 3:18pm

Greetings GM parents, I have been talking with some GM parents on NAVYDADS about the time line and the morale of our sailors. This is my latest update. They have these young men doing the mundane . They clean everything every day. You name it, they clean it. They do their daily duty, stand watch on 4 hour shifts and have their " free " time. They get weekend liberty usually from 5:00 pm Friday until 9:00 pm Sunday unless they pull duty and watch. Brett is 24 years old and has always been active with work, sports and volunteer work and has completed 4 years of college. So it IS taking a toll on him as well as the others. He says there is quit a bite of theft an irresponsible behavior and the whole ship has to pay the price when some one asses up. As for the enlistees, Brett was told BEFORE he signed that he would be done and out to fleet, including boot, in 6 to 7 months doing GM. Looks like it will be almost a year before he gets his duty assignment. He can not get any firm answers from any of the senior staff on any time line other than "we will let you know when we know". I was aware of some of these things before Brett did his PIR. I chose not to tell him because they have enough on their plate without worrying about schooling. He told me that that was the right decision for him so I was off the hook. Now he has his laptop which was a godsend. He did have to get a wireless card because there are no places on base other than the library were they can get internet service. He doesn't want his car because everyone bugs those that do for a ride on weekends. They also pester him for his laptop because he is one of few that have access. My thinking is that there MUST be some reason for this, whether it be for their mindset or to just break them and get them used to a different life. I just don't know. I kills me to know that these young men are being yanked around like this and there is nothing we , as parents, can do for them. So the daily phone calls from friends and family and the internet helps him cope and he is getting to the mindset of one day at a time. As soon as any info comes in on the time line I will post it here and it should give you some guidance. Hopefully things will speed up soon. Best wishes to all you parents and your sailors. Godspeed. Bill Sick

Comment by kim ann on February 15, 2009 at 1:34am

Doreen, this should be true. If she were a "grad n' go", it would have said so on in your grad packet. As for moving, usually they do it fairly soon after PIR, and tho it may not take alot of time to move, they still have to wait till they are given the OK to leave. Can take some 4 or so hr later to have liberty. Congrats to all of you! You are going to really enjoy the time you will have!

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on February 14, 2009 at 11:23pm

My son got my husband hooked on Fall Out 3 when he was home in December. It just goes on and on. Usually it takes my husband three days to beat a game, but he's still playing this one--he said tonight that he's got three days to play this weekend. He works hard and plays hard! I recommend it for x-box is you're looking for a game for your GM. (I don't recommend it for some of the gore, but it will keep your sailor happy for months.)

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on February 14, 2009 at 10:44pm

I find the discussion of x-box and ninetendo on the GM Moms's page interesting and sort of amusing. It seems that GM's have two things in common--they love their gaming and their weapons! Several years ago I went to visit my son in Norfolk, and he had an apartment with another sailor. It seemed that there was a revolting door in that apt bringing in sailors at all times of the day and night. I was cooking at all times, too. I was amused with all of them because first they'd discuss their weapons or show off a new one. Then they'd play something like Battleship on line with one of the gaming systems--I don't know which one because my son owns them all! My son says that the best GMs and the best shots in the Navy are the gamers.

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on February 13, 2009 at 12:36pm

I've never heard my son talk about math, and it definitely wasn't his thing in school either. Maybe it makes a difference as to what kind of GM since there's everything from small arms to missiles.

Comment by Kim - Josh's Mom on February 12, 2009 at 9:07pm

Welcome Kelly! This is a good place to learn about it. My son is in GM A School in GL. He hopes to get his orders next week and hopes it may be a Riverine or in Maritime Security. There are many different jobs a GM can do.
Anyway, when does Jake leave for boot camp? Keep in touch!

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on February 12, 2009 at 1:38pm

Talked to my son at GL this morning. He's on hold as far as becoming an instructor since he needs to take the orientation class in a week and a half. He's not supposed to initiate contact with the recruits, but he told me that he goes to the different "ships" for lunch. He said if any of your sailors want to call him or text him and meet for lunch, he can do that. I'll send you his phone no. if you want it. I think Matt and Chad had it.

Comment by kim ann on February 12, 2009 at 4:04am

Laura, please realize that each one of our sailors can hold a different pattern, and that so many plans told can change at a moments notice! But my experience of the GM grad: my boys had their orders a bout a week prior. They also have a session those last days of GM in the indoor shooting arena. Right after grad they had the opportunity to do more shooting, and really wanted that. Plus they were to leave to their next duty station 2 days later, and spent the rest of the day getting paperwork, orders finalized, medical papers, mail, and everything signed properly, sealed and delivered. Therefore, I met with them immediately after the ceremony, but did not see them the rest of the day. I did get to go the next day and pick them up, and they stayed with me the rest of the weekend. I did take them back real early on Sunday, for them to pack. I brought most of their stuff home, that nite.(I had to work the next day, couldnt get out of it) and they had to wait till Mon morn to have the very last of the orders signed, and left the base to come home for a bit of leave time. Since I brought most of their stuff home, they had only their seabag and uniform bag to carry on the train home, which I picked them up near our home later that day after work. Again, each situation is different, but I still recommend going to grad, it is more reason to beam over the pride you have of your sailor and their accomplishments, and of the other sailors, and even just the NAVY itself! I have alot of respect for them all! Hope this gives you some insight, and just keep up with your sailor to keep you posted! Good Luck, Congratulations to you and K, and God Bless! Any questions, just ask away. Been terribly busy at work, and church, but will try to get back on here when I can... :0}

Comment by J from O on February 10, 2009 at 8:24pm

Finally, good news from my boy. He STARTED ATT today. Can't believe it wasn't another false alarm. Thanks for listening to me ladies.

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on February 9, 2009 at 10:17am

Joyce, my GM son was in Div 2 on the Roosevelt. You're right--small arms and sprinklers. I think he did a lot of security watches, too.

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