Camp Lejeune and FMTB-East Moms, Families and Friends

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Camp Lejeune / Camp Johnson / Field Medical Training Battalion moms, family and friends - Welcome! Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is home to more than 47,000 Marine and Sailors from around the world. FMTB, the eight-week training course for corpsmen, is on Camp Johnson, adjacent to Camp Lejeune.

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merchantvillesteve

We are from the Cherry Hill area so we are probably an hour or so north of you, my only dilemma at this point is knowing if he is getting leave or not, dont want to book the whole weekend if he wants to come home after graduation. Steve is loving the physical aspect also, he said that got to do some work in the simulator yesterday and it was really cool and life like. Only a month or so away time is flying.

Apr 6, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

He has to put in a leave chit and get it approved. we drove down for his graduation and spent most of the weekend with him.

Apr 6, 2011
merchantvillesteve

I think he is still finding his way, he said he was gonna submit one throught the chain, he isn't due to report to Lejeune until the 5th of june so he has some time built into his orders after graduation he just needs to submit the chit. Either way we are going down Baymont looks like the way to go, thanks for the heads up. How is Delaware thinking about retiring there

Apr 6, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

I've lived here my whole life, I like it. We're close to most everything. 2 hours to the beach, mountains, NYC, Balt., DC., and no sales tax!

Apr 6, 2011
rockwido(S07Div359)

My son is at Camp Lejeune waiting to start FMTB...he called last night and ask if he could bring 3 friends home for Easter Holiday since they can not travel to their own home and we live within travel limits.....guess I will be cooking up a storm and glad I can be a adoptive mom for the weekend

Apr 8, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Rockwido, you win CL Mom of the Week! well, if there was such a thing LOL. How wonderful for everyone!

Apr 8, 2011
merchantvillesteve

Booked at Baymont coming in on Thursday very liberal on cancellations and changes

Apr 11, 2011
merchantvillesteve

Sounds like there having fun at the range!

Apr 12, 2011
Emilie

Hi Everyone - hear the range fun as well as the football games on off time! Wow the time is flying by! It will be good to see them.

Apr 12, 2011
Emilie

Hi Guys - decided on a condo on Emerald Isle, some of our family would like to come along so it was the most room for the best deal. A bit away from the base hopefully not too inconvenient for whatever goes on. :) Sounds like we are all getting situated for the big event. Our youngest has to miss a bit of school but I have heard they sometimes deploy soon after FMTB so I want to take every chance we can to have time with him and what a great celebration. We didn't get to go to Corp School graduation as it was right after x-mas ect........Swansboro sounds like a great idea - it will be good to explore the area so if we get to go again we can know the best place to go. What an adventure - I have to say this young sailor of ours is helping us to explore parts of the country we might not have otherwise. :) Many good wishes and prayers for all

Apr 13, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

We love Emerald Isle Em! We've stayed there a few times, it's only about 30 mins. from base.

Apr 13, 2011
Robin(Corpsman-DA Mom)

Hello Everyone! My son will be headed to Camp LeJeune around May 17th. He is finishing up Dental Assistant school in Great Lakes and will graduate May 3rd. My question is: He wants to have a vehicle at Camp LeJeune. Is this feasible? Will he actually use it? Is there a place for him to park it? We live about 16 hours away (Louisiana) so he won't be coming home, just using it on the weekends I suppose. Thanks for any advice! Robin

Apr 13, 2011
mikes mom

I don't know about when they first get there Robin.. My son has been there for 2 1/2 years and he has had a car for most of his time.... John - Does your son have his car ?

Apr 13, 2011
vettespace

Hi Robin, just check out the link above for FMTB at CL and it has the information on having a vehicle on base...the short answer is yes it's feasible.

Apr 13, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

My son had his car from the first day. Allowed him to drive home on those 96 weekends, and it's a big base it would be hard to get around without one. There was plenty of parking at Dan's barracks.

Apr 13, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

To add my two cents, having a car is a huge plus at CL.

Apr 13, 2011
Robin(Corpsman-DA Mom)

Thank you all! He'll be happy to hear that. Guess we better start looking! His old truck is just that....OLD! and I don't think it would even make the trip to CL. What is your best advice for a sailor just heading to CL??

Apr 13, 2011
Emilie

Hi Everyone and welcome Robin it does seem like they really need a vehicle, good for a little freedom too I think. :) Thanks John I am excited to hear that it will be a nice place to stay, just sent the final payment so here we go!

Some of you probably already got this but I wanted to be sure everyone could pass it around. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden launched their "Join Forces Initiative" here is a link, it is an initiative to help the community understand and support the military members and families more, even Moms and Dads, brothers and sisters :) Here is the link - http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces

The press release we got had lots of businesses helping out from hiring veterans to allowing family members to transfer when their spouse is transfered. I hope it will be a very successful campaign. I know we all support these guys and gals but it is nice to know the entire country is behind them!

let me know what you think -

Apr 14, 2011
merchantvillesteve

Geez, thought about staying near the beach but Steve is hoping on getting leave after graduation so we are probablly gonna just stay overnight and do a trunaround trip.

Apr 14, 2011
Tamijzr07

Hi All...just to join the car conversation. :) My son is chomping at the bit to get a car down to CL. He says you need one to go just about any where.

Apr 15, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

I just added some info about what sailors need to have cars on base, to the FMTB discussion above. Also added maps of Camp Lejeune and Camp Johnson, too! :)

Apr 18, 2011
mikes mom

Just checking in to see if everyones Sailor is doing okay after the tornado... My daughter took many pics and told me of the damage done to the base ( homes, buildings and so on ).. She was very lucky...

Apr 18, 2011
Tamijzr07

I have not heard from my son yet but I am assuming he is busy with cleanup or @ the clinic. I am anxiously waiting to hear from him. I hope everyone hears that their sailor is well soon.

Apr 18, 2011
vettespace

Here's a report on NC Bases:

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63598

Apr 18, 2011
mikes mom

Camp Lejeune was hit pretty bad.... My daughter who lives on base took pics and I could not believe the mess... Be patient he will call you soon : )

Apr 18, 2011
merchantvillesteve

should they register the car in their home state? My insurance said to go through the military since the car will not be parked at home any ideas?

Apr 20, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Steve, is he only going to be in NC for Field Med, or is it his duty station/where he'll be based out of? My son registered his car in the state where he's based.

Apr 20, 2011
merchantvillesteve

he is gonna be at CL for three years

Apr 20, 2011
Emilie

Hi MS - we are leaving our son's car registered in our state for now anyway and he votes through the mail, uses this state for taxes (no state tax). Our states licensing fees are fairly low and our insurance just uses his address as an alt address. He is looking into insuring with USSSA which I think would be best so he doesn't have to keep changing companies as they serve the military and have some great rates. I think it is totally up to you if you are willing to help with getting his tabs to him ect. I guess we just thought it was easier until he is settled settled or may be I just still want to be needed for something :) - now I guess it is keeping some of the stress off. He is suppose to be at CL for 3 but with the military it is so hard to tell. Also, when they go on deployment they can call their insurance company and tell them to put their policy on "deployment" status so they can save some money since they wont be driving - atleast that is what we did for him. Hope that helps and that everyone is doing great, getting ready for Easter weekend full of family and friends! Happy egg hunting!

Apr 21, 2011
MEsailormom

Hi everyone! My son just left Maine after a 5 day leave between GL Corpsman School and now in NC @ FMTB. So far he loves it and with his excitement level I'm sure he will do well. 2 questions for you: 1. what is a good comeback for those people who think bringing up him getting hurt in war is the first thing to say when they hear he is in the Navy. 2. Why was this good bye as sad (and frankly teary) as the last 2 times? Does it ever get any better?

Apr 21, 2011
vettespace

2. No, it never gets better!!! :-)

1. If not for our brave young men and women in the military protecting our freedoms were would we be?

Apr 21, 2011
merchantvillesteve

thanks all

Apr 21, 2011
Emilie

1. not any "better" here - just try to remember he is doing what he believes in.

2. Had an interesting conversation with someone about the war the other day, crazy but I was able to stay calm, she was mentioning that my son's service was pointless and I asked her if she would feel comfortable if I decided to take all the police/sherrifs out of the town she lives in? Would she live there, would she feel safe? I told her I didn't think the answer was to have no "police" watching out for areas in the world. She said if we spent as much on teachers going into the same part of the world as we do on military people the world would be a better place. I asked her and her friend if they would sign up to go as teachers - no answer. I told her that my son and his buddies making it safe so they will have an answer when I ask again. Most of the young men I have talked to feel like they are dealing with a bully or "gang" they are out there fighting a huge gang that is in one area of the world making it safe for all of us and our teachers.

Apr 22, 2011
mikes mom

Emillie - Good Job !!!! I always feel that my children are fighting for their right ( those people you spoke with and the ones I have to deal with in Santa Cruz County) to be stupid... : ) It is never easy to know just the right thing to say.. You did a beautiful job and Thank You...

Apr 22, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Emilie, great response! :) Next time you could add 'humanitarian assistance and disaster relief' to your reply. Until my son joined I didn't know the scope of the Navy's ongoing involvement around the world, including the USNS Comfort and Mercy, and the annual Pacific Promise and Operation Continuing Promise missions on amphibious ships. Those in addition to aid for Haiti's earthquake, Pakistan's floods, and Japan's disasters, etc just for recent examples...

Apr 22, 2011
Tamijzr07

Wow, Thank you so much for posting all the car info. Good to know about the insurance too. My daughter did get a text from my son. It was "relax...Im fine. I guess i left too many messages. :) I was just instantly worried once i saw how bad the damage was @ CL . I guess I should get that in check. Practicing patience is going to be a must. I hope everyone has a beautiful Easter weekend.

Apr 23, 2011
Billie

Good afternoon everyone! Just took my baby boy to the airport this morning, and he should be arriving in CL in about an hour to report in for FMTB; actually, I believe he will be working in the VA for a few weeks before he begins FMTB. Anyway, please help ease this mother's heart by educating me about what we should expect from our son's experience at CL. Boy, it sure is tough letting them go again and again. Thought it would be easier this time, but it's not. Was blessed with two wonderful weeks with our son (he will leave for Okinawa immediately after FMTB) so I am incredibly grateful. Just missing him something awful, especially knowing that he won't be coming home again for over a year. We will be going to his FMTB graduation in July, but it's quite the downer knowing that he won't be actually coming home for a very long time. What do we do with his bedroom or his things? Ugh. Sorry. I'm blabbering. Guess I just need some reassurance that things will get better for this overly involved mother. :)

Apr 28, 2011
mikes mom

Ruthella - I was just thinking of calling you : )

Billie all i can say is listen to Ruthella she knows ... I just packed all of my sons stuff up two months ago ...He is 24 and moved out when he was 19.. LOL Yep, now mom has an office...

FMTB is very hard work....

Apr 28, 2011
Billie

Ruthella and Mikesmom: Thanks for your words of encouragement. Just reading about packing up my son's things set the tears rolling again. *Sigh* Part of me thinks we should keep his room ready for when he comes home on leave, but the logical part of me thinks that's ridiculous because he won't be home for over a year, if that. But then again I'm sure it gives him comfort knowing he has a home and a room that he can always come home to and claim as his own. Obviously, this is not the time to make that decision. As such, I will take your advice. For now, his room stays as it is. When I'm ready (perhaps in five years like mikesmom LOL) I will tackle it. And yes, Cody is a corpsman. I think he will love FMTB. . .he loves physical challenges and absolutely loves his job. Did either of you send your sons goodies, etc., while they were at FMTB? If so, any ideas on what my son could use/appreciate?

Apr 28, 2011
mikes mom

OMGosh every chance I would get YES.. I just sent him some goodies last week and he should receive them in 3 to 6 weeks.. ( hes on a ship )... Yep, 5 years !!!! But, now I have that office..

Apr 28, 2011
Billie

Mikesmom: GREAT! Then I will once again keep busy baking goodies. Should help me get through these next few days and will hopefully provide a boost to Cody in a few days when some of the newness of CL wears off. :) How long has your son been gone, and is he also a corpsman? Five years. . .that just seems like a long time. Wow. It won't be long and I'll be there, too. Is Mike your only son, or do you have more children at home to help keep you busy in his absence? Enjoy that office. . .it surely has an aurora of good memories. :)

Apr 28, 2011
mikes mom

I have three children two at CL a daughter and my Corpsman son : ) I alson have a daughter in the Army training to be a Medic...

Apr 28, 2011
Billie

Oh my. I must sound incredibly selfish. Here I am missing my one son, and you have three in the military. I can only imagine the roller coast of emotions that you must experience!!! I bet you're proud of your babies, and you certainly have reason to be proud. Where is your daughter training?

Apr 28, 2011
mikes mom

My oldest daughter is no longer in the Navy but is married to an officer in the Navy.. My youngest is at Ft Sam Houston...

Apr 28, 2011
Billie

So your youngest is closer to you in location. . .what an awesome family. You truly must be proud!!!

Apr 28, 2011
mikes mom

Why Thank You ( In my best southern Drawl )... OMGosh Ruthella I told my Oklahoma story to a friend last night and he couldn't stop laughing.Hmmmm was it my accent ? LOL I feel the same way about you and your wonderful family... hazel still talks about the wedding : )

Billie a few of us have been on N4Ms for a long while.. What a great group..

Yes, I am very proud of all my kids.. I am proud of all our kids !

Apr 28, 2011
mikes mom

Billie - Why don't you join corpsman mom and dads group.. Its a great group : )

Apr 28, 2011
Billie

I can tell you are good friends. :) Just reading your messages has significantly brightened my evening. . .thank you! Just spoke with Cody and he arrived safely to CL but is having a hard time getting settled. I think the new surroundings, new people, and the unexpected are overwhelming him. So, I am doing all that I can do right now and that is praying. I am learning that my new calling as a mother is to be a prayer warrior on behalf of my son. :)

Ruthella: Nine years! So you, too, became a sudden empty nester and have had to adjust. Your yacht trip sounds wonderful! I bet it was very therapeutic. :)

Thank you both again for welcoming me to the group and for being such great encouragers. I will check out the corpsman moms and dads group. Thanks!!!

Apr 28, 2011
mikes mom

Navymomx3 - I haven't heard from my daughter but as soon as I do I will post it...

Ruthella - You helped me so much and I will always be so grateful to you... For the first few months when we were all getting to know each other I had no idea that your son was where mine was... And I will never forget when I went on and said " I haven't heard from M in 2 or 3 weeks" I was so scared.. You said " Sweetie its been 6 weeks since I have heard from my son"... Our cubs are busy working... Man, did that ever calm me down... Billie - Talk about a sisterhood! You will need that group.. Please come and join.. Just jump in and say Hi !

Apr 29, 2011
Billie

Good afternoon friends! I will join the corpsman moms and dads group. Thanks for the invite! Seeing your friendship and hearing about how N4Ms has helped you through tough times is a great encouragement. When Cody was in bootcamp I relied very heavily on N4Ms. . .We had a great group of friends who were a consistent source of encouragement, and I'm delighted to find yet another group of friends. Ruthella - seven months sounds devastating. Right now I am just trying to get through each minute of the day without crying. I have a great fear of getting super depressed. I have never struggled with depression in my entire life - I've always been the cheery sort. :) But when Cody left for bootcamp, I became very depressed for several months. Just started getting back to my "normal" self about a month ago, and since putting him on the airplane yesterday, I feel that heavy depression hovering over me again. If it's like this now, I fear what it may be like when he leaves for Okinawa and is deployed from there. Makes me feel weak and selfish because HE is the one who is going through all the changes and the unknowns. I need to be strong for him. Reading your comments helps me realize that I will grow stronger. . .just wish it would hurry up and happen now. LOL

Apr 29, 2011