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Comment by freckles1218 on June 24, 2015 at 2:20pm

My son got his orders today and he officially reports July 5th to Newport. Since I was giving him space and "allowing" him to be a man I never made any hotel reservations for him for the night before. Anyone else out here that has a son with a room that might like to meet someone and share the expense of the night before? Is it possible to private message someone with info here? Thanks all! This Mom is a little sad but happy for him as he was originally told June 14th, so we said goodbyes then, said goodbyes at college graduation and said them again after this "bonus" visit!

Comment by Rosemarie on June 23, 2015 at 11:13am

Hi All,
My son is planning a wedding in Northern VIrginia this summer. He actually is legally married, having done so civilly prior to his deployment last summer. He and his wife now want to have a ceremony and reception to say their vows and celebrate with family and friends. The venue is set, located in Chantilly VA, close to Dulles airport. Does anyone know if there is a way to have a military ceremony off the base? I am trying to contact chaplains, however, have not been successful in getting this information. My son was based in Norfolk and is now in San Diego. So, coordinating this is a bit challenging. I did speak to one chaplain in Norfolk, but she was not very helpful. I read somewhere, (I don't remember where I stumbled on this info) that there are reserve units or honor guards around the country who will show up at military weddings and do the sword arch. Does anyone know how this can be done?

Comment by M's mom on June 8, 2015 at 8:13pm

Mama Gumby:  Thanks for the info that the squadrons that were deployed will be able to sponsor guests also.  Can you ask your sailor whom they contacted to sign for a ship's Family Day?  My son says his CO is clueless about how they would sign up for this.  He is in Whidbey Island WA with his squadron now, and not in San Diego where the Carl Vinson is, so he would have to take leave to meet us in San Diego.  Thanks for the help!

Comment by M's mom on June 6, 2015 at 10:09pm

Helomom: Yes, you're right.  I know they have to draw the line somewhere.  Just thought it'd be fun to see my son's "home" for 10 months! 

Comment by Helomom on June 6, 2015 at 1:36pm

Not sure when they will have family day. Lots of logistics in planning for that. There may be a cap on who can attend. If they ended up with like 10,000 people (half of everyone on the ship invited 2 people), where would they put them? How would they feed them, how much water would they need for drinking? Porta potties, the list goes on and on. Just have your son check with his command and let them know that he is interested.

Comment by M's mom on June 6, 2015 at 8:35am

Helomom: You mentioned a Famliy Day in July for the Vinson.  That's the second time I'd heard that, but I emailed an ombudsman for the Vinson and asked, and she said there were no definite plans at this time and no date.  I was so disappointed that I couldn't go on the Tiger Cruise.  My son couldn't find a female to sponsor me because you have to sleep in their quarters, at least that's what they told him.  I know families need a sponsor for the Family Day also, but my son said he could probably get a weekend leave and fly down to SD if he was allowed to go.  The ombudsman sounded like it was only for the ship's company families, and not the air wing, but I would think that since the air wing personnel were also on the ship for 10 mos, they should be invited and allowed to sponsor guests also.   Of course, your son's squadron is based there in San Diego, unlike my son's.  If you hear of a definite date in July, please let me know, and hopefully my son can figure out how we can be included.  I 'd really like a tour of the ship!

Comment by Helomom on June 6, 2015 at 1:54am

Joint tour is where you work with Army, Navy, and Air Force officers. Pentagon, NATO, AFRICOM, there are a few others scattered around the U.S. and overseas. Usually occurs sometime after your 15th year depending on how your personal track is going but you have have a "j-coded" tour before you can get a "major command". As for the Vinson, they will have a family day in July. Not sure when they go out again as my son's squadron will be changing air wings and ships. He has a buddy that will be here in March to be the navigator on the Vinson and they will be starting work ups.

Comment by M's mom on June 5, 2015 at 11:00pm

Helomom:  What is a joint tour?  My son has only been in 2  1/2 years, so I'm still learning the lingo.  I was just curious as to how long the ship's company would have shore duty with their families before the Carl Vinson deployed again.  My son was with the air wing, and they rotate on & off various carriers.

Comment by Helomom on June 5, 2015 at 11:15am

M's mom - His CO tour will be about 14 months. He is thinking that his next tour will be a joint tour as he hasn't done a true joint tour yet. They would like to snag something in DC or Europe. DIL got her first COW gives from her mother. LOL

Comment by M's mom on June 5, 2015 at 9:00am

Helomom:  Congratulations to your son for becoming the new squadron CO.  I can tell you are justifiably proud!  Sounds like you had a wonderful time.  So, your son's wife is now the COW?   What if the CO is a female? Is her husband the COH?  That doesn't sound as funny.  I'm sure your DIL is proud to be the COW, even if she has to put up with lots of cow gifts!  How long will your son have shore duty before his squadron is deployed again? 

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