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Comment by Diane2557 on August 20, 2009 at 9:39pm

If that's true, DJ, how did your son make out on the his carrier quals?

Comment by Diane2557 on August 20, 2009 at 1:04pm

Chris, if it translates back to the T-45, then wish Erin some happy "bouncing" days ahead.

Comment by Diane2557 on August 19, 2009 at 7:29pm

Our prayers are with you Chris! Oh, and Erin, too. ;o) We're picking up our college daughter today from the airport. She spent the last 6 days with 2 of her college roommates in Vancouver. Then she spent time with her brother and his wife at NAS Whidbey Island. It was good for them to be together. She says she's got some great pictures of him "bouncing" today. That's a pattern of about 4-5 jets do to simulate landing on the aircraft carrier. I can't wait to see her pictures of Chris "bouncing." Regards to all!

Comment by Diane2557 on August 19, 2009 at 11:02am

Greetings, ladies. Sounds like everyone is doing fine. And, yes ... the weather. My son often gets frustrated for the weather in the northwest. Many flights regularly cancelled on account of fog. Have a great day.

Comment by Diane2557 on August 16, 2009 at 11:37am

Congratulations, Sandy, for surviving your son's SERE training!

Comment by Diane2557 on August 16, 2009 at 5:41am

Hi and Welcome, NurseNavyMom! I know that you'll have your questions here. It is wonderful to find so many friends willing to share their experiences. My son graduated from Auburn. He was commissioned into the Navy as an Ensign the day before graduation. There is usually a private ceremony for family and friends in the early morning. There, they take the oath of office and whoever the officer designates (usually parents if not married) who will pin on their mortarboards. They then have a group ceremony later in the day. Once in the Navy, and after doing T-35 or Helo flight training (I know for pilot's, but not sure about NFOs) they celebrate their first solo flight with a party and tie cutting ceremony. Does anyone know how cutting the tie got started? I don't know about Helo, but winging for jet fighter pilots occurs after T-45 training and doing their carrier qualifications (this usually includes the traditional growth of a mustache for the guys). Since by then our son was married, his wife pinned on his wings. This is usually a group ceremony wearing Sunday best, and is usually followed by one or more parties. We were there for only 3 days...arrival the day before, the day of winging (which included tours, taking a turn on the jet simulator, and an evening party sponsored by my son and a few of his buddies). We did stay the next day and again, our son and some buddies, planned a beach party for family and friends. That's about it. Hope this helps.

Comment by Diane2557 on August 15, 2009 at 12:14pm

kathy B: gosh, i've forgot all about the tie ceremony. We happened to be in Pensacola when our son had his. It was a beach party and we could go along to see it. Many of the pilots go out and buy clip on ties or outrageously decorated ones. And, yes, Chris still has his!

Comment by Diane2557 on August 14, 2009 at 12:16pm

DJ ... for the date: be very flexible. we were told it would be beginning of June, then it was moved to end of June, beginning or July, middle of July. It finally happened on July 27!

Even though we didn't get to pin his wings on - his wife did that - we were still so proud and I cried.

Bev: from time to time, they will be tired and discouraged, but always happy about what they are doing. Good luck to your son! Time passes quickly, so have fun with him along the way.

Comment by AH on August 14, 2009 at 11:15am

But don't pin yourself!!!! The commander was saying that the guy taking the professional pictures had a smaller lens on his camera than Dad did and wasn't paying attention and apparently pinned my finger and drew blood. Maybe in Meridian they are a little more formal but Kingsville was a blast and we got a bunch of laughs out of the whole thing. The most fun for me was flying the simulator. Mike said I did an aileron roll over the carrier deck. I was laughing so hard I could hardly see what I was doing. Gives you an appreciation of what these kids are doing in a real plane.

Comment by Diane2557 on August 12, 2009 at 2:53pm

DJ, while my son's winging was in Meridian MS at the end of July it was very hot. We were told to wear our "Sunday Best". My picture for N4M's was taken at my son's winging. Though jeans was appropriate for their evening party at the base's club.

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