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Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on August 22, 2013 at 9:37pm

Anna if Amanda and Addy happen to run into my mom while they are in CO tell Mom "Hi". :-)  So my kid is back on Japanese soil although he has not gotten to the apartment yet, it may be a few hours before that happens for him. Liz is getting really antsy for him to unload stuff from the truck so she can go pick him up at the hangar. I want to talk to him!! He takes email binges where he emails five times per shift for three or four days, and then I don't hear from him for 3 weeks, suddenly he's there again. But mom needs to hear his voice! He calls Liz so I have not heard him in about 2 months. :-/  I can only imagine how hard it will be for you when your Chris leaves. Wow. You will have to call me sometime. Your number is not showing up in my phone now. (Really getting irritated with this phone, but new phone is new problems so I am going to try to make do with this one a few more months)

sweetsmomma, I remembered there was an Asian restaurant in there but was not sure of the chain. I think the military has some sort of contract with Subway, I think every base my son has been to (even branches outside the Navy) had a Subway. That is good that they are taking advantage of being on the beach. My son went out there a couple of times, but he was gone by the time summer rolled around. Yes, packages should go US Postal and be sure to get them insured.

I don't know if it applies to all bases now CONUS and OCONUS both, but I am now having to use the full 9 digit zip for all packages I send to him whether he is at the "beach" or on ship. It may only apply to overseas but I understand that all are going through Chicago now rather than Pacific fleet going through San Fran or San Diego (I forget which) and where ever the Atlantic fleet's was. Make sure when your sailors leave DN they are aware they MUST have the 9 digit zip or your packages will be returned.

So my son has messaged at facebook...gonna get that Skype call in a few hours. :-D

Good night all     

Comment by sweetsmomma on August 22, 2013 at 8:54pm

My son is at DN now, his PIR was 7/26/13, he loves it. He said the food at the galley Is not that good. It was much better at BC. He has chosen to buy other food, like pbj. They have a subway and a panda express in the NEX. They do share a cab fare and go to Wal-Mart for supplies. I know he Is really busy but when he gets free time him and his buddies do hang on the beach. We are hoping to visit him in September. If you do send packages, send them issured thru usps and they usually take 2 days to get there. They do have a frig in there room.

Comment by Anna on August 21, 2013 at 10:48pm

Thank you, Mary!!!  I will be sure to pass along your greetings and thanks for the prayers!!!  Yeah, little Addy doesn't like it when her daddy isn't around.  Amanda is planning on going to Colorado to stay with her family for several months after Chris leaves, so hopefully that will break up the separation for both of them a little bit.

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on August 21, 2013 at 9:14pm

Yes the whites will get them every time (maybe there are advantages to the peanut butters and tans?) I know Chris carries his in one of his large pockets when he wears the working digi, I'm not sure if he wears peanut butters or digies when he has shore duty for his current command. I remember your Chris was smoking when I met him but I figure with all the school he has had lately he probably might as well have quit. If you speak to him before he goes overseas, tell him I said "Thanks for going". I know it can't be real easy leaving little Addison behind. Hopefully he will get in there and right back out sooner than expected. Prayers for you and hubby and Chris' young family.  

Comment by Anna on August 21, 2013 at 8:03pm

You're right Mary about the electronics in the classrooms for security reasons.  I know even Jenn cannot have a visible cell phone while in uniform.  She has an ankle holder she puts her phone in.  It's harder when they wear the whites because you can see too much of what they have in their pockets!!!!!  And no one in uniform should ever be caught on their cell phone when walking.

The smoking thing I can't help you on.  Even tho Chris smoked (don't know if he still does or not) I never asked when he could or couldn't smoke!!!!  Kinda hoping the Navy would make him quit but the sad thing is the Navy caused him to start smoking!!!!!!  Oh well.  He's home right now for 11 days.  Finished his combat training!!

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on August 21, 2013 at 4:52pm

Oh and I'm pretty sure they were not allowed to take their phones or any other electronics into the school building.

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on August 21, 2013 at 4:51pm

If I remember correctly Anna (though you usually know better than I do) I think they cannot be in uniform, walking and talking or walking and texting. I think it is the discipline of always being aware of your surroundings. Also they cannot have noticeable bulges in their uniforms so generally a small, thin phone is easier for them. I remember the weekend of PIR Chris sat in the car to talk to people and then would get out after he'd disconnected. I might be wrong on the unis and phone thing. I know right after PIR they are still not supposed to smoke or use tobacco while in uniform (I suppose they must be able to during working hours while in uniform after getting out of school?) I can't imagine the smokers going 40 or 60 days without a cigarette, waiting for a port call. I know when I smoked, I couldn't have! lol

Comment by Anna on August 21, 2013 at 3:23pm

Phillipmom,

When the right out of bootcamp sailors arrive at Dam Neck, they have to stay in their uniforms until they earn some privileges.  It's a little different from those who have been in the fleet already before reporting.  But as long as they stay out of trouble they shouldn't have any problems moving up!!!!  Also I'm pretty sure they can't carry their cell phone around when in uniform so make sure he keeps it tucked away.

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on August 21, 2013 at 10:12am

Phillipmom, It was the same for my son when he went through DN as Kim says. There are a couple of discussions at the top if you want more detailed info. If you click the view all, there is one "Now Your Sailor is at Dam Neck", which may not be totally up-to-date since Ellen never really left me instructions on how to change things when she left me as administrator of the page, I've not changed anything. It will give you a pretty good idea as to what you and your sailor can expect. There are also a few older discussions there as to lodging in the area, etc.

If a few of the moms would leave comments on what their sailors enjoy doing while at DN, and places they like to go eat, or just hang out, please pass it along and we will put that into a discussion area also which they can look at or parents can pass the info to later sailors. I took my son to DN a few weeks before he went to boot so he was able to see the base, find the schoolhouse and visit the MWR a couple of months before he arrived there. I think any time they have extra information it helps them to feel more comfortable and adjust a little better.

Congratulations to families of new sailors and a big congratulation to families of IS's! A thanks to all of them and to all of you for letting them go to help serve.

Navy Hugs!

Comment by Kim on August 21, 2013 at 8:56am

Anna, my son was an IS out in the fleet. He just went through another C school to learn a different "specialt" I guess you would call it! He is now in Gulfport going through Combat School.
Phillipmom- it's been 3 years since mine went through bootcamp but while they were waiting to class up they did stuff like cleaning, sweeping halls, standing watch, picking up litter, etc- and of course PT. In fact mine got stitches from a game of football or soccer! They slowly earn freedom and soon will be able to leave base and go to the mall. I took a few "civilian" clothes with me to bootcamp so he would have some to start off with and then sent a box to him later on. I don't know if this all still applies! Good luck to your sailor!

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