RMD - Meet and Greet, tell us about your sailor!

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

I'll start...my sailor is not on the RMD, he is an FC that is still in GL but has orders to report to his C school in January. I joined this group to help support the families of the RMD on this deployment.

[Connie (Guy's Mom)]

Hi Mary, Proud Mom of NIck,
I am Connie and the mother of Guy who is on his first deployment. He is a helo pilot on the RMD and I just stumbled on this site while trying to find out more information about RMD. Every site I found after Googling RMD gave me very dated info from years ago.
Any advice to us newbie Mom's with kids on deployment? Do you know if there is another site that has official information about the RMD with updates etc? I know they can't give out real specific info but there must be another site that can keep us a bit more updated.

My son did send us a phone number where we can call and leave voice messages and he can pick up the message via computer on the ship...so he can hear our voices. I think this is a service that is available to all the personel on board. We called and left a group voice mail from everyone who was around our Thanksgiving table. We will do the same thing during a Christmas party so he can feel part of it. I call every couple days or so and leave a voice mail as well as send emails to keep him updated on family activities.

I was bummed to find out that they have been gone for more than a month and have yet to receive any of the care packages we sent. They have been in port three times an no mail delivery yet. I recommend folks send their holiday packages very early in hopes that they get them by Christmas.

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

Wow That is one good looking sailor ~~~~
but did you come to the right place for all that info :)
Miss Diane do you want to help this Mom out with the RMD sites/Ombudsman/shipping details ?
Connie so nice to meet you ~
Mary and I dont have sailors onthe RMD (well not biological) WE have a group called the adopt a sailor group and this X-mas we have adopted the RMD :) better go take a look and see whats going on :) Its gonna make you cry so bring a tissue !!!
Hugs to you Momma

[Connie (Guy's Mom)]

Hi Molly, I'm just figuring out how to work this site. I will have to start limiting myself to one trip to the site each day or I will never get anything else done in my life. There are so many entries throughout the day and each one sends a notice to my email and my curiosity always make me break away from what I'm doing to check out the new entry.

I wanted to say Thanks so much to you and Mary for "adopting" a sailor group. I can tell you that my son has received a package from you or someone like you and it made a huge difference to him. When he called over Thanksgiving, Guy was so bummed that he hadn't received any of the mail he knew his family and friends had sent him but he received a care package from a group that adopted his ship and it really helped boost his spirits. He thinks you are pretty awesome! So do I !. At least now I have a way to say thank you and to some of the other Mom's who are so giving to embrace my son in such a wonderful way. And the tears of gratitude are running down my face as I write this. Hugs to you from me and from Guy.

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

What a great smile he has Connie! Mail is so sketchy when they are out to sea, they get nothing for weeks and then bamm!! I know they will be making some very big efforts to get mail to all deployed ships with the holidays coming up. The Navy understands how important morale is for their crew.

I love that you can leave vm for them to retrieve, I had never heard of this. I would be keeping that mailbox full of messages!!!

[Connie (Guy's Mom)]

Hi Mary,
I wanted to Thanks so much to you and Molly for "adopting" a sailor group. I can tell you that my son has received a package from you or someone like you and it made a huge difference to him. When he called over Thanksgiving, Guy was so bummed that he hadn't received any of the mail he knew his family and friends had sent him but he received a care package from a group that adopted his ship and it really helped boost his spirits. He thinks you are pretty awesome! So do I !. At least now I have a way to say thank you and to some of the other Mom's who are so giving to embrace my son in such a wonderful way. And the tears of gratitude are running down my face as I write this. Hugs to you from me and from Guy.

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Connie,
Molly and I just thrilled at how many navy4moms that stepped up to make the holidays just a tad brighter for these sailors. I am fortunate that my sailor will be home this holiday but don't expect that to be the case next year.

I was a Navy wife for 10 years so know very clearly how difficult it is for them to be away from home. Never did figure out if it is harder on the sailor or the family but we just know it's part of their job and we have to support them. Glad to hear that Guy is going to see some benefit from the program!

[Heather (Shawn's Wife)]

Hey connie actually there is a site you can go to its the official site of the Rodney M Davis....I will have to find the address in my email and send it to you:) I get weekly and sometimes daily updates about things going on or for the Davis. Im suprised your son did not sign you up for those emails?? Or do you get them? Anyways the ombudsman sends out little bits of info as much as she can here and there. Lol the voicemail is a fun feature that we have since our ships does not have skype:( sad oh well we are little what can we expect:( lol Anyways did your son call you over thanksgiving?? I know that we should all be receiving some phone calls soon due to refueling but that all depends on if they let the boys off for a phone call:) My husband is an EN but right now is doing the dreaded job of cranking. Soo fun! (hell who wouldnt want kitchen duty right!! ) That is really exciting about your son flying the Helo's ....now he is not stationed in everett is he? Cause I know they pick the helo up in cali soo I was wondering if that is where he is stationed when they are in port? Anyways well welcome aboard and if you have any questions hopefully I can help! I get alot of good info from the inside if you know what I mean:) LOL I also was prior service and I loved it! Go Navy!

[Virginia (Matthew's Mom)]

I am Virginia (Matt's Mom) Matthew has been in the Navy a little less that 2 years. This is his first deployment. He is a Quartermaster. We think he is doing really well. He just found out that he has just made an E5!! The photo is a picture that I took at home when he was home on leave in July of this year. I was amazed at how well he could iron his own uniform!! Can we post pictures that have been taken on the ship?

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Congratulations on that e5 Virginia!!! Nice! Yes, you can post photos taken on the ship - often the ship's newsletters have photos in them as well. We just cannot disclose where the ship is until......after the fact.

[diane {Shawns mom}]

OH Virginia, please if you have photos SHARE...we lover photos.......E5 fantastic.....Great job..Matt...
xooxoxox

[Jackie (proud mom of John)]

Hi Virginia,
I was just checking the site, I haven't been on in a long while, and saw your post about your son. My son John is a QM 3 on the RMD. I bet they know each other as its such a small ship. John loves his job and also made E5 recently. I really like your picture of you son, he looks happy. Congratulation on your sons E5.
Jackie

[Aleicia]

Hello, everyone! My sailor is a BM on the RMD. We have been on the ship for about 18 months now. We have both come to accept that sea duty is just that "sea" you later! Here are some links/e-mails that many of you may find to be useful:

OMBUDSMAN: [e-mail]
FFSG (Family and Friends Support Group): [e-mail] and http://hub.homefrontonline.com/ffsgrmd/
RMD website: www.davis.navy.mil
PNW Naval Stations: www.navylifepnw.com
Free voicemail in e-mail service: www.K7.net

I look forward to supporting each other through this deployment!