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Comment by jsefamily on May 9, 2018 at 1:55pm

Helomom, WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!  That is so wonderful!  Congratulations to your DS and the whole family that has supported him on his military endeavors!  Fantastic!

Comment by Helomom on May 9, 2018 at 12:55pm

Hi Moms! SECNAV released the FY-19 Active Duty Line Officer Captain (O-6) Selections this morning. Our DS is on the list! I knew he would make it but it is really nice to see it actually in print! 

Comment by NOAM on May 7, 2018 at 11:28pm

Hi Jmom,

Our DS did the same thing.  Finished one week then joined a ship the next.  It's jolting for sure.  Email as often as you can knowing he cannot get them as frequently as you send them.  Know they will keep him very busy, so again you may not hear from him regularly.  Remind him to set his phone up for international so when he gets shore leave you guys can facetime and he doesn't get killed with mega-charges - was a life saver for me.  Not often enough but at least I could see his face. Get his address on the ship so you can send him stuff, and ship it as soon as he leaves since it will take a while to get there.

Hang in there!

PS - My DS is on his 2nd deployment and it hasn't gotten easier; we just get better at hiding it. ;-)

Comment by Jmom on May 3, 2018 at 9:51am

I have been reading for awhile but never posted before.  My DS just finished his aircraft training in Virginia this week and will be heading overseas in a week and then two days after that be on a ship for several months.  Trying to help him sort what to take for the short term and what should he take with him onboard?  Not being military I am not used to this short turn around time! Luckily his Dad is retired and we are only 3 hours from him, so he will be going down to help out and pick up the Granddog who will be living with us for awhile it looks like! What an exciting time but also quite a jolt to this mama. Any avdvice is apprecitated

Comment by TriciaM on April 24, 2018 at 5:16pm

To be clearer on my comment before, what Andrea S described is more complete.  There is no slot before training begins that guarantees any  particular selection.What else you all said is correct but to go further. A jet class slot  was , and is?, a slot that is set with the knowledge by the Navy that they need  more jet jockeys at that time. Some slots are primarily aimed at transports etc.  If at the time you go in  no jets are needed or few ,I should say, then your chance of reaching a jet training after primary is reduced because more are competing for fewer openings. Such is the same if someone wants to fly a Growler  or any other  particular plane.  It is a matter of open supply needs and the  great recruiters do  or did?  track and know which training group has a better chance of getting what plane when they start Nothing says the Navy or Marines will not change direction at any time.. MY son was determined that it would be jet or nothing and the recruiter knew that.  In my son's class time in OCS there was a need by  Navy and Marines for a larger number of jet aviators than  in other time frames. Quite a few of the trainees in his class made it to jets. At the same time though everything is up to qualifications .  If when my son went in if the openings the Navy was trying to fill were primarily for transports, his chance of competing for and getting a jF-18, no F-35s at that time.,would have been much less.  My son's route through the whole  long  long process (so it seemed to an anxious mother) and I have not asked him recently if the process has changed .  But it is all on what they meet the qualifications for. my son was by no means  guaranteed any  particular route. I have a close friend and his son went through about the same time as an academy grad and he  got  a P-3 instead of the F-18 he wanted but he was still happy to make it through and he served 10 years.  By the time my son finished and winged  he was then offered three choices  of where to go.  F-35's were one but they were mostly  on simulator training then and for several years  so  he chose the assignment he got and it has done well for him . Mom did get calls then as he worked his way through the decision process.  I could not decide for him but I know him well so we could go through the pros and cons. He was planning a life time career at that time. Did choose one  with Lots of flight time each week. It is a stress filled course throughout the Navy career line and as a mom all I could do is be there for him with encouraging words  through each step that was a critical step to the next phase.  I know I lost weight worrying for him! And the decision  step  is back up again for his next step! I . Being a Navy Mom is  great but can also be  tough on the nerves as I would guess all the MOMs might agreed. Good luck to all you sons and daughters that they  are happy  where they go. All of them are among the best  in that they have been chosen by the Navy To join the greatest military force in the world.

Comment by ulua on April 24, 2018 at 11:25am

So true Judy! Those moments are truly awesome!

I wanted to add that though my LO was an experienced pilot, Each individual’s journey to becoming a naval aviator is different.  Some aviators begin with zero flight experience. Their commitment and drive is amazing. I want to say to new Navy moms, it can be done! Keep encouraging preparation, through study of Navy basics, flying manuals, and physical training.         I have never heard of a ‘jet slot’ promised by a recruiter, so if your LO didn’t get that, don’t worry. 

Congratulations again to those moms soon to watch their LOs   ( loved ones) graduate from OCS. And best wishes to moms waiting for their LOs to begin OCS!

Comment by JudyM on April 24, 2018 at 10:39am

Another heads up, don't miss winging! What a fun party and proud parent moment. 

Also, at the end of OCS there is an opportunity for a private commissioning if you have someone active or retired military family or friend, they can do a private commissioning ceremony as well as the ceremony for the entire class.  Not  sure how it is arranged but our LO had an active Navy pilot do it for him.

Comment by JudyM on April 24, 2018 at 10:28am

Our experience is that there is a selection process after each of the different phases of training. It is based on slots available and although our LOs can request a particular platform for the next step, it is up to the instructors, competition and availability to determine where they go. 

Comment by Andrea S on April 24, 2018 at 10:19am

That is a great link.  Thanks for posting it.  I think we all need to take in account that the Navy fills slots based off what they need at the time. What they need today may not be what they need in a few months or next year.  Lucky for our LO's that the Navy has many different fixed wing to fly.  All we can do is pray for what our LO's would prefer  and be thankful for the amazing opportunity they have to be officers!

Comment by ulua on April 24, 2018 at 10:17am

Thanks Judy!

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