Moms of IS (Intelligence Specialist) sailors.

Linda,

So sorry to hear your sailor is in this predicament.  Like Mary said the results of the Captain's Mast will depend on the infraction made and the sailor's record, along with any other mitigating factors.  Not all Captain's masts end with the result of separation.  I'll say a little prayer for him.

As far as the Ask a Recruiter I think Mary meant to do a search for it.  If you go to the groups tab there is a box where you can type in what your searching for.  I've seen this myself but I don't believe it is a group - I think it is a discussion on another group.  I also can't remember where exactly it is located.  If you go to the forums tab and type in Ask a Recruiter there are some options that pop up.  You can also ask the Navy4Moms admin's page and see if they have a link.  Good luck!!! 

As for our sailors no longer being our kids I have to categorically disagree.  I have 3 kids serving and they are all first and foremost in my heart my kids.  They may sign up for military service at the ripe age of 18 but they still need guidance and support from their families.  We cannot be with them but we can still be here to talk to them and let them know we support them.  My son got in a bit of a jam because of the actions of others but he was ultimately held responsible.  We talked several times, I offered some advice, and then he handled the situation.  Luckily it wasn't that serious but still he learned from the experience.  That's how we all grow and mature.  So let your son know you support him and let him vent to you if necessary, and then see where it goes and help him with whatever the outcome may be.  I do hope all works out well for him.

Thanks for helping out there Anna. I knew someone with experience would come along (Anna is former Navy, her husband too, one son, and both daughters). If it can be known...she probably knows it. teehee.

Linda, the group is called Q & A with a recruiter here is the link http://www.navyformoms.com/group/qawitharecruiter good luck.

Well thank you for the kind words Mary but you were able to find the group.  I couldn't find it.  I did find a discussion called Questions for a Recruiter by Navy Gunner but that was as far as my seach took me!!!!

Hope everything is going well for you - - haven't heard anything from you lately on FB.  Did I mention that Chris and family are going back to VA?  I'm hoping Steve and I get to visit sometime in the near future.  I so enjoyed spending time with all the kids last week!!!  We really need to catch up with each other!!!!

yes we doour phone...it's me. teehee

oops

 answer your phone

Depends on their orders and if they have leave on the books and want to take it.  Once C school graduation is over they have to clean out their rooms and finish up any last minute paperwork and that's all.

rpgolfmom...I know this is a difficult time but believe me, we have all felt it and totally understand. You will not believe how much he transforms in 9 weeks toward manhood. He will have some discouraging days while he is there but he will survive and be better for it all. Encourage him all you can. If you stay busy finding news clippings for his mail, sports scores, and happenings with his friends...the time will go quickly. We will be here too. :-) 

I suppose your b/f could call MEPs everyday and talk to a detailer to get a list of current openings. I can only say that if he were my son I would hold out for what he wants. He actually does not have to go to BC until his contract is signed and he is sworn in. Until then he can hold out and try to negotiate for a job he would enjoy and training that will give him skills in civilian work after military. Recruiters get recognition for having more enlistments so they are eager to have shippers out the door and into BC. He needs to be aware of his options and exercise his choices.

MusicMom, I can only imagine how parents of daughters feel when their young ladies are at BC. It was hard on me and I had a son there who had 4 years of NJROTC, leadership academy, and Marine mini boot camp under his belt. If you look back, one of our moms (Anna) has not only a son who is in IS but a daughter who is in personnel (Yeoman if I remember correctly) and a daughter who just finished college and is going for officer training to become a pilot. She will tell you that even for women it is a great experience. Your daughter will do well and you will do fine. You must trust her and trust God to take care of her. Good luck.

Navy Hugs

Zacsmom...I understand how you are feeling. I did not realize he had been in for so long. My son is at sea right now and this is his second deployment as far as ship duty. I believe shore duty is easier as they generally have more steady hours and more internet access for communicating. It is so hard to watch them go. I'm taking it that he is going overseas or at least the other coast? We will be here to support as you already know. Good luck and tell your sailor thanks for his service. 

Zacsmom...the time will seem so long at first but as he gets out and explores a bit, you will see how much it changes him and how much good it does him to be "on his own", seeing the world. I thought Chris changed a lot during boot but it was nothing like the changes he went through when he was in SK for 2 years and changed even more when he got his first taste of a few months at sea. Each assignment presents a new opportunity for them to grow and gain new perspectives.

Ryansgirl- Your sailor has to book the room.  There are actually two lodging options on Damn Neck.  They are right across the street from one another.  One backs up to the beach. 

There are sailors who travel to Dam Neck for special classes and meetings.  Sailors on orders always have preference over guests for room bookings.  Look for additional hotel rooms in Virginia Beach.  It is only a short drive to Dam Neck.

Our sailor walked out to the gate, and met us.  Just have I.D. and insurance information, and you can get a pass for the time you're there.

We are trailering our sons car this weekend. we plan to take it off trailer at the Uhaul in Virginia Beach...does anyone know if I can drive it to the base entrance, or how I get the car to him? what are base access restrictions in Dam /neck?

Janet,

Look at the discussion for Now Your Sailor is at Dam Neck above. It should put you in the right direction. Although some things may have changed a bit the basic information should still be the same. No one has informed us differently. Hope that helps.

My son graduates in 2 weeks from bootcamp and then Dam Neck, here he comes!! I am excited!     I heard there is a nice beach right on the base!

CONGRATULATIONS IS Mom!!!!  I can feel your pride & excitement...the ride is just beginning.  :)

purplegiraffe69 - Almost there!  And yes, the beach is very nice.  Just remember, when you visit, no photos.  Actually, you can take a photo with the ocean in the background.  No looking down the beach shots and no random people in your photos.  You can't take photos anywhere else on the base.  They are very strict and you don't want your sailor to get in trouble.  It will be a fun ride!

Does anyone know anything about "rules" is one wanted to send their deployed sailor "canned" food items?  I've seen several notations on the Internet that these types of things are a good idea for getting delicious things to our sailors.  I've seen the Cakes in a Jar infor but what about other "canned" food items?

Can anyone help with this question?

Thank you!

Gabrielsmomma

Canned items are fine. Just make sure they have the easy open tops and don't need a can opener. Smaller individual size cans are best.  No place to store leftovers.  Some areas have small fridges, most don't.

Rule #1 - Don't mix food items & personal items(soap, etc) in the same box.  If your sailor is in a warm spot, the food will smell like soap.

Rule #2 - Get rid of as much outer packaging as possible, especially if he/she is on a ship.

Rule #3 - If the container is squishy, like fruit cups or individual applesauce, put it in a zip lock bag.

I hope this helps.

Congratulations to you & your Sailor! I remember that day like it was yesterday - 13 months ago now. ;p

ProudMaMa, the flights may originate from O'Hare or Midway but tend to be from O'Hare. My son's flight to DN was at around 10:00 on Sunday morning but the bus left bc for the airport at like 6am. Some sailors leave on Friday after PIR and some on Sat or even Monday or Tuesday following PIR. I just took my son's iPod, cell phone and running shoes to him at the airport. We were not yet sure he could keep his laptop so I brought it back home and shipped it a couple of days later with some clothes. He could have taken it, but we thought better safe than sorry. We were also able to take another sailor his cell phone as his parents were flying out very early from Midway. You might be able to connect with another sailor's family in your PIR group or division who can get your sailor's items to him. Do however remember that whatever you give at the airport must be able to fit into an already stuffed seabag.

ProudMaMa - sent you a message as well. 

The sailors will have a black backpack that they will carry on to the plane with them.  Their sea bags will most likely be inaccessable. 

You have two choices when meeting up with him. 

#1 bring things he wants, laptop, phone, etc. and he will stuff it into his backpack.

#2 bring a plain black backpack, no logos, no color, no designs, loaded with the things he wants and give it to him at the airport. He can transfer items from his issued backpack to the new one. (we did this)

We put his laptop, phone, chargers, snacks, jeans, sleep shorts, a t-shirt, (and some decent underwear!) into the backpack.  It was all fine.

It's fun seeing a new group of Sailors going to IS.  My daughter was driving the duty van a few weekends ago and had to make 5 trips to the airport to pick up a very large group (compared to her group in March).  Good luck to all.  I recommend visiting if you can.  Virginia Beach is a pretty nice area.  And after Labor Day the hotel rates drop tremendously.

Dakota's Mom, I would look into the Navy Lodge first as the rates are more steady and do not fluctuate as much with seasons. Also you will be right on base so he is not needing to get a shuttle etc to meet you off base. It generally takes around 4-6 weeks for them to phse up to having overnight liberty. I went when Chris was at 4 weeks and he was not completely phased up so he had to leave the Navy Lodge around 11:55 to be back at barracks at midnight. We did not realize the first night that someone made a mistake and had him listed as fully phased up, so technically he could have spent the entire weekend with us, but he did the honest thing and reported back at night and then got it resolved the following day.

Eight hours away? I think I would go ahead and mail a box of things for the immediate and then once he is phased up take other things during your visit. Remember that anything you take or send must be removed from his room when he leaves the schools. Also they must sometimes move to another wing or building...don't want them to have to drag too much around. My son is a collector...for every one thing I sent to him he bought two things. He entered DN with one seabag and pack but left with the trunk of his car filled, his back seat full and my trunk 1/2 filled! And still managed to leave his dress shoes! 

Oh Mary - - - that Chris!!!!!!

Haha Anna!!! He learned it from YOUR Chris! teehee

LOL!!!!

Hi! My son is at GL with a PIR of 9/28, then on to Dam Neck for IS A school.  Question...

1.  when they fly to Norfolk the weekend after graduation, do they immediately start A school (because I saw one is starting 10/1)? Or do they do misc. check in stuff for at least a week first?

2.  Do they have any kind of "family day" during A school where we are invited to come visit that I will want to plan my schedule around?  Thank you!

My sailor just graduated BC 8/24 shes IS @ Dam Neck.  Her group left the RTC at 00:30 to go to Ohare.  Their flight was at 7:00 it was a long night at the airport.

Hi Ladies, I have the son PIR 9/21 with a start date for IS A School of 10/1 - that is what was on his sheet.  I am hoping that he will get settled and start, I think that Tumbleweed's son will be in the same class, and yes they can start right away, there are no "P" style days at A school.  However if they are waiting for the class to convien then they will do watch and PT and they will be on restriction for a while.  I will try to find the low down on IS A, I read it before.   Dakota's mom - was he shuttled at 00:30 to OHare as Bries mom's SR was?

Briesmom - were u informed of her travel orders before?  I would like to see him at the airport to give him his personal items.  Were the two on the same flight? Dakota's mom said he arrived Saturday evening, it is a short flight, was her flight at 7 am or 7 pm?  I may have to stay at the hotel at Ohare so we can meet up with him if it such an early shuttle.