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Comment by Janis on September 20, 2010 at 12:37am

My daughter just emailed me. She isn't having a problem with her email, she's been cramming for a couple of tests, and she just kind of let the time slip by. Maybe there are some others that are cramming as well for these tests, and they are not getting enough time to email? It's a possibility.

Comment by DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor on September 19, 2010 at 7:13pm

abc, they are in the $40-$50 range.

I think we should make sure the chiefs get one then it is harder to complain. :-)

My soap box is ever expanding. Anyone who wants to join me is free to do so.

Drop by the Heads at Ease group and view how one sailor has decorated his rack! I think it is much more cheerful than Navy issue!

Comment by Janis on September 19, 2010 at 6:11pm

Thankyou, ABC. I must have missed her post. I get it now, it's sort of like those shoe bags you could throw over the inside of your closet door with pockets for each pair of shoes. Neat idea that it fits behind the curtain of their bunk. She would need one of those, I'm sure. I'll ask her if she can. I know she can't have a special pillow case, so I don't know if her chief will allow those. Maybe. :)

Comment by Mollie...Kelcies Mom on September 19, 2010 at 5:25pm

Claudia.......how awful. It sounds to me like your son's senior chief had some kind of MAJOR personality disorder, if he would be so harsh over something like a rackpack. I mean, if he wants to say "NO" period, that is certainly his right, but to be so punitive over it.....not good!!! Glad your sailor has come out on top though, and WANTS to stay where he is!!! I guess they all need to learn to "read" their command, and know how far they can push.

Comment by Mollie...Kelcies Mom on September 19, 2010 at 3:53pm

cfsnowmom.....tell your daughter to fight for her right to use her rackpack. See my post below on how Kelcie wiggled her way into getting to use it.

Comment by Mollie...Kelcies Mom on September 19, 2010 at 3:52pm

NavyMa......toooooo funny!!! I know that at the base Kelcie was at before the GW, they had a club on base, and they did Halloween "up right". Big costume parties etc, but somehow, I just don't see the GW command getting into it :>)

Comment by abc815 on September 19, 2010 at 3:30pm

hi janis! i think dc g'mother explains what rack packs are a few comments below :) i can't remember what they cost, i do remember looking it up once. under $100, i think around $80? again, not too sure. i asked my sailor if he wanted/needed one before ordering and he told me not to. he said he really doesn't need it and that most sailors on the ship don't have one. it really depends though, if your sailor has alot of "stuff" or if your sailor is a girl, i would consider it because it gives them extra storage. as far as it blocking out light, from what i hear, yes, it does help, but the navy-issued curtains work pretty well too. also make sure that the rackpacks are allowed. :)

Comment by Janis on September 19, 2010 at 2:51pm

Okay, what are 'rack packs?' And where can I get one/them? My daughter hasn't brought 'rack packs' up. She doesn't say what she wants or needs very much, because she knows I am financially strapped, so to speak. I did send her some bags of Starbursts (she loves them). I'll have to ask her if she likes skittles as well. I think she does.

Comment by Mollie...Kelcies Mom on September 19, 2010 at 2:24pm

Hi ladies, abc is SO right, about the sailors using 2 or 3 of the powdered drink packets with every bottle of water :>) But you can get them at the dollar store so there are about 8 packets in each box, so it's pretty cheap to send. They also have sugar free varieties if your sailor is watching their weight, and they are quite tasty, so the sailors won't feel 'deprived'.
DC.......is there room on that soapbox for another mom??? My sailor has to use her rackpack on the BACK wall of her rack, cause the chief that is in charge of her berthing won't let them use it across the front!!! But my sailor is hard headed enough that she wouldn't accept "NO" for an answer, and pestered until she got the okay to put it to use where it's not visible. I guess "bosses" in the Navy are no different than in the civilian world.....some good, some not so good, but these kids are giving up a LOT and I agree.......for pity sakes, cut them a break whenever possible!!!

Comment by DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor on September 19, 2010 at 10:08am

abc, you are so right about personal items. Frequently they can buy "something" but it is not the brand they prefer. That's why I send feminine products. Oh, if your dentist gives you and opportunity to take a sample toothbrush or toothpaste, ask if you can take an extra to send to your sailor. Mine will always do that. If your sailor doesn't want them, s/he will pass them along.

Heatherose, I had wondered about rice krispie treats. I couldn't see how they would break up too much but wondered if they would be too stale. I'll have to try it, but will need to hide it from DH so they get sent before being eaten.

I do use Starbursts and Skittles to fill holes. I put the Skittles in sandwich baggies so they will fit into the hole but not get spilled.

Kathy, a rack pack is a curtain that fits the rack on the ship. There are different lengths. They will fit inside of the official curtain so if the ship requires a uniform look, they can still be used. Please look at them at this link:

http://navyrackpack.com/

Some of the berthing areas on GW allow them. My sailor did say she had to put it inside her Navy issued curtain. I agree with Claudia, it is sad that some chiefs, etc., are so restrictive.

I belong to a group that makes pillowcases for deployed military personnel. A while back we sent pillowcases to all on the USS Crommelin. They were enjoying them and then a change in command said the pillowcases had to go. We just sent some to a squadron on the USS Truman and have received so many appreciative notes. I have been in correspondence with one who has described how he has decorated his rack.

As we all know, our sailors get very down as the cruise drags on and on. They cannot get away from their shipmates or the ship at all. If there are things that brighten their day and do not cause harm, I do not understand now allowing them. They can still be required to have their racks neat and made properly.

Okay, I'm off my soap box now. I did get a one-liner from my sailor telling me that the e-mail has been problematic ... consistent with what others have said here.

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