Comment

Comment by Linda on June 7, 2012 at 6:57pm

whate does it mean be rerated?

Comment by Gingerman on May 29, 2012 at 3:25pm

OPSEC

Just a reminder or for those of you who are new, a heads up.

With you Sailor in this specialty, and in C school for this specialty, you have the toughest job of any Navy Family:  you've got to keep your mouth shut.

You can't say what your Sailor is doing, or where they're doing it.  In this specialty, and just a very few others (NSW) this is very real.  Your sailors will be told about it, and they won't be telling you a lot, but YOU know their rating, and you're proud, and want to tell, BUT DON'T.

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on May 25, 2012 at 7:56am

Things might have changed during the past couple of years since Chris was in school but actually the time between A school and C school may be a weekend up to a few months...depending on how many make it through the A schools and which C school a sailor will be going into. Some o f the longer more technical ones may take a couple of months for enough qualified students to make a class. Yes, reservistist, full-time entry, and fleet returnees all have the same schools and requirements. Generally speaking (though not always the case, lately), reservist are placed in OpIntel. As previously mentioned many do not become active duty (AD) so they are placed in the shortest school and the most generalized job of the rating. Why would the Navy pay to put a sailor in say, STRIKE school if they are going back home to Kentucky and will never be on a ship or near planes?

One way the reservists can continue their service after school is to maintain a good presence within the community. I know of one who almost full-time does Honor Guards at funerals, Color Guards for his city's pro football and baseball games (yes, I've seen him on TV!) besides being very active in his reserve unit (which is a 4 hour drive from his home). He is a real go getter though and has struggled with the Navy in an effort to become full-time AD. Just saying that there are things reservists can do with their time and training once they are finished with their school, so don't let the short school fool ya. Revisiting the time between schools...my son grad from A school on Friday and started C school on Monday but another from his class did not begin his C school until August (our guys grad'ed A school in April). It really does vary greatly. If they are on hold for a long time between A school and C school, they MIGHT be able to take leave for a week or two but be warned!!! They may likely not be able to get leave time before their first assignment if they come home between schools.

I look at it this way...as long as they are there, they are safe and available for communication. Besides, this time of year they are 1 block from the beach and a couple of miles from the resort area. How much more fun can a sailor have???

 

Comment by Laura on May 17, 2012 at 12:29am

Ryansgirl- Some "C" schools are 6 weeks, some are much longer.  The active duty training is the same as the reservist training.  Since the job is the same, the training is the same.  My son trained side by side, reservist and regular navy.  No difference.

My son didn't get his 1st choice for "C" school.  He got his 2nd choice but he said that he is so glad that it worked out the way it did.  He is in the fleet now and he loves the job that he is doing and very happy that he didn't get his 1st choice. 

Comment by Ryansgirl12/148 on May 15, 2012 at 12:31pm

My fiance is a reservist. He said his C school will be 4-6 weeks because he won't need the extensive training because he won't be used as much as AD

Comment by Laura on May 15, 2012 at 1:10am

Your son will go to "C" school, it is just a matter of which one he gets closen/placed in as a speciality.

It is common that sailors are "on hold" for 4 to 6 weeks between "A" and "C" school.  They cannot come home during that time.  They will still have duty/watches but not in school.  It is a great time to get a few clep tests out of the way and research eduction options.

One important thing, his mailing address will change slightly as he progresses through each stage.  It will be an exciting time for him!  Go visit him if you are able.

Comment by Ryansgirl12/148 on May 14, 2012 at 1:15pm

My sailor graduated bootcamp on Friday and is now in Virginia for A school. His class starts next Monday and he graduates on 10 August. His class is very small 10 males and 2 females. Im so excited to hear from his everyday and cannot wait until he can graduate. He is not sure if he has a C school yet. We both want him back here.

Comment by Mary (Chris' mom) on May 9, 2012 at 6:57pm

Oh Carl! So sorry to hear that things have been so dramatic on your front. Have not contacted you and Irene lately so it's nice to be updated on your sailor.

I am happy he will be close to you soon and I hope everything continues to go well during your treatment. I trust Irene is holding down the homefront...it is not easy when the family all must be so stretched out across a vast area. The bright side is that you are able to see your daughter! Congrats to her on her landing the part. Prayers to you all. Maybe our sons have met after all?  

Comment by Gingerman on April 22, 2012 at 7:53pm

Hello All,
It's been a while since I posted here. Our Sailor left Dam Neck several yeats ago. He has loved the work he began learning there.

I've been forced to reflect on my relationship with our Sailor given the nature of the job he has chosen. First, it is the job he has chosen. Not either of his parents. All of our Sailors have made this choice, and we must give them the support we can, and we must trust their decision. We must trust the Navy to support them as well. If they ask for assistance, I am ready to give it, but I won't ask questions, or put myself forward in this process.

I wouldn't get any good result by so doing, and could cause bad consequences.

In the media, from politicians, and evev from senior officers, you often hear our Sailors being called "kids." The temptation is for us to do the same thing. They aren't kids. They are adults, doing very grown up, and very important jobs, and we have to let them be adults. It's hard for me.

When I say Us or Our, in this note, I refer to my wife and myself; I am not implying anything about anyone else's attitudes.

I am somproud of my Sailor and what he is becoming and doing, that i want to brag about it. I've finally gotten that I can't. The only concrete thing he has told me about his particular part if the IS rating is that it is better for his safety anf our own that we don't talk about him and what he does.

I don't actually know what he does; when I ask him what he's doing, he says, " I don't know."

Comment by DrewSwags Mom Shp 3 Div173 on April 22, 2012 at 7:19pm

Hello All Moms,

Anna, no that is not his real name it is a nick name, thank you for your keen eye.

But as I stated, been working for the Folks a long time, and that I was married to it for 7 years. I see the things that you all see and question with regards to what they post, and believe me there are kinks in the system, but us as moms, know not to repeat what we see them do. I work in the IT department and you all is being looked at and when traced back, well let's just say it is not nice or pretty. I love my son, my family members and all the other kids that went to school with my son that have joined and want them to be safe. Mums the word as it iti typed for all that I love.

I send no bad thoughts his way as I know that he has to focus in his task at hand and can not be distracted by what is going on at home. I have seen to many that receive bad news that are unable to deal with it and soon begin to fall short. Tjis is of active duty members that are with in our sons/daughters age range. I don't want my son and or the rest to have to carry any guilt for not being home when things are tough. Besides our children are taking thier first steps into the world of being upstanding citizens. How proud are we to be the MOMs of them. Just like it was when they took their first steps and said their first word. (Smiles all the way). For all of you, I know it will be hard not knowing where they are or what they are doing, but remember, you did not tell them everything either when they were growing up, you had secrets. As long as you get an email, a call, or a letter from them you know they are alright. Leave it at that. Your heart will thank you, I know mine does, and it has had to 2 heart attacks to this day. So please spare yourself of the stress. They know you love them, even when they won't admit it, deep down in their hearts, they just like you KNOW.

When I was married to the service 14 years ago, or is it 15 now, I don't remember and my fingers are to busy typing this to count on, but if the service members immetiate (wife, kids) family got into trouble, the service member suffered because they did not control their family. Now that we have the web, it can extend to other family and friend, i fear, because it was their people who let the cat out the bag or for some let the dogs out. Hackers can get to anything you type out there and are watching, (our side is watching as well) how else to you think they know? This is a government site, think about it. This is a safe site for us all to support each other and calm the fears and help those that do not know.

As for the picture that displayed the names, rest assured it will be dealt with I am sure. No that is not supposed to be out there. But like i said, there are kinks in the system that will be worked out. Believe me.

 

I Hope all you MOMs have a good evening, me I have to go work on my truck at the moment, it just did not sound right comming home from the 2nd job to night.

 

As my son used to say when he was very young, if you don't smile before you go to sleep mommy, you will wake up with crabby patties under your eyes. Now I pass that to you MOMs. Smile before you sleep.

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