Moms of IS (Intelligence Specialist) sailors.

Thanks Laura for the tidbits!!

Laura, the tote is a great idea!! Now if I can get my amazing son to call home during a port visit (he'd rather call his wife for some odd reason :-] ), I will ask him if he has or wants one. His problem with the camera came when he was on duty during a special flyover from the ship, and he ask one of the officers to get a pic or two for him. The officer did, but still being on duty and not allowed to have a camera in his work area, he placed it on top of something outside the skiff. When he went out a short time later during a break to take it back to his rack area, it was gone.

The Big E? I thought it had already been decommissioned. Hmm...my son's bestie from A/C school 3 years ago went to the Enterprise. My son did get to also have contact with another man who was in a different class but at DN the same time as Chris. They ended up being shipmates for the first half of the deployment he is on now. Cam's dad, Carl and I got each other's names to our sons and it was good for them to form a connection, even if they never got to meet face to face. (They each worked with different squadrons, so they had totally different work and berthing areas). Love it when my son meets people he already knows from school or previous duty stations.

Carolyn, I'm sure it feels totally different in the beginning but they learn to travel with a seabag. I suppose having a small area for storage besides the seabag gets to feeling like a luxury. They all manage to survive, and if lucky they will find compartment mates who they like, and they will all share goodies etc so things don't get too piled up.

Oh one other item to think about for care boxes. Canned fruits. The only time my sailor was sure the food was relatively fresh was right after RAS (Replenishment at Sea) or port calls.

If you have a very tall sailor...grab a top rack when it becomes available (I've heard they have more headroom and are coveted by all).

Michelle - I wonder if they did cross paths :-) ....My son met some really nice people. We are from Philly, so I did drive 5 hours many times this summer, luckily his fiance rented a 3 bedroom house in VA Beach for the summer to be close to him. I also have a son who is a Marine (avionics) who was stationed next door in Oceana for a while, unfortunately not during the time my sailor was there.

Army/Navy game back in Philly this year, so my sailor, along with a few guys he met while in Dam Neck, are all trying to get here. Yeah!! My sailor is stationed at US southcom, in Florida now, so not such an easy drive. I did find a cheap flight and flew down to help him set up his house with the new wife! <3

Jillbro ~ Welcome to Florida ~ It's a beautiful state.  We are in the Pensacola area!

The Enterprise will have it's decommissioning ceremony on December 1st in Norfolk.  It will be quite the turnout.  I doubt that we will be going.  Space is limited and most of it will we filled up with VIPs and veterans of the Big E. 

That is OK with us because as you know, intel isn't actually part of the ship, they are attached to it, so I don't even know if my sailor will still be there.  He hasn't received new orders yet.  We will have to wait until the dice are rolled to see where he ends up.  Interesting and exciting times on the horizon!

Thanks Kim! I will have to look into the drifit tees. I have not heard of Chris having issues with laundry; but if he tries one at home, and likes it, he might pack a few for his port of calls.

Laura, best of luck to your sailor as he gets ready for a new station. Maybe Japan??? It's pretty good when they are at home (and Chris does not seem to have too many issues with his ship either although it is also one of the oldest in the fleet). Korea is another good station (I know that is also based on which base in SK they are stationed). So far, my son has really not expressed a disdain for any of his commands or the people he works with. He always enjoys the job he is doing.

I put in my vote for Hawaii or italy but I don't think the Navy will listen to me...darn it!

My sailor will be getting married in August, so no Japan or Korea please!

Hi Kim!

lol Laura, you are right...darn Navy! If he gets Italy please let my son know how to pull those strings. That is his number 1 choice always! He wants sooooo much to go to Italy and Greece. He loves the ancient history the area has to offer. 

Overseas does make wedding planning harder! My son decided to rush their wedding, to be married before he left for Japan. It was hard enough on about three weeks notice to plan from one coast to the other. But both sides of the family (and his bride of course) flew to Seattle, and they had a very small wedding at the chapel on the base. When they return from Japan next year for leave, we are having a large reception for them and they can renew their vows in front of their friends and extended families.

He and his wife are enjoying learning about Japanese history, culture and experiencing the culinary delights. Chris wants to take her to SK for a vacation to show her around the ancient temples and palaces, and the colorful festivals. He also wants to take her to Cambodia (he missed the elephant ride through the jungle by 10 mins) to see some of their traditional dances and their schools (my DIL has a masters in education, my son wants to become either a history teacher or English teacher). 

It all works out. Adjustments become a way of living, and if they make the best of the situations it all becomes a learning experience. I hope Hawaii or Italy either one is in your future!

You are correct Mary but lets throw another element into the mix as well for Caroyln. 

Some of the IS sailors are assigned to a squardon of planes or a specific group but there is another group of IS sailors who aren't attached to any group.  They don't travel or follow any group.  Once information has been obtained they prepare presentations and give briefings.  They work as a group but their assignments are individual. 

Make sense or did I just muddy the water?  Of course, once we get all of this figured out, the rules will change on us!

IA's.....Individual Augmentees. lol Muddy waters there for sure!

Others who can be "attached" are folks who may go in with specialized troops. While they are not a special ops themselves, they do Intel for the particular group they are "attached" to.

My son was not technically "attached" to his first duty station. He was assigned to UNFK which is the headquarters for all military affairs in SKorea. He actually worked and lived on an Army base and loved his command. He worked with troops from SK, USA, Australia, Sweden, private contractors, and others. Now he is assigned to a squadron of jets. The squadron is attached to one of the carriers so my son is "attached" to the carrier.

Yes, it's all muddy waters but for our sakes, and the safety of our sailors it may be best to just stay kinda murky. I try to find out about general military/Navy stuff from Chris but sometimes I get too close and he shuts up. Sometimes he just confuses me even more than I already was. :-) I've learned to just accept whatever he tells me and question when he seems open to discussion. (After 4 years into this, I still know almost nothing) :-( That's why sites like this are so wonderful. I might not know, but I can ask. If no one else knows then I'm probably not supposed to find out but I can vent and get support here anyway.

One thing I strongly suggest. If your son or daughter is attached to a ship (not all are on carriers) join the moms for that carrier or ship. It's a great way to keep up with scuttlebutt from the ship. Communication from sailors is much more limited on board so facebook and N4M are great places to get info and support. 

All good information shared here!  I'll give a little more clarification on the ships company.  When my son first went in as an AO he was attached to a squadron and went on deployments on two carriers over to the gulf.  Any of the sailors that is actually attached to the carrier is part of ship's company.  That includes not only the rates Mary mentioned but anyone from the pay and records folks to the CS (cooks) and everything in between.  Just about every sailor these days has some sea duty time in their rating as well as shore duty.

And to add a little more mud into these IS assignments.  I just heard from my son (who is now an IS) that he stands a chance of going to that "starts with an A" country as an IA.  He's attached to a command in VA but they provide IAs to all kinds of places. So even tho they are stationed in VA, these ISs could end up going anywhere!!  And as Mary knows my son - he's all hot to trot about this opportunity - - his wife and I - - not so much!!!!!

Oh, forgot to mention - one of the nice things my son loved about being on the carrier but not being ship's company - - - -  whenever they call battlestations or other drills for the ship, those attached to the squadrons just riding along, don't participate!!!!

Anna, With 5 current or former sailors in your family, you always have some in-the-know info for us. Thanks. Godspeed with ChrisA!

Hey Mary - - I have some update info I need to give you - pm on here or is your email a better choice????

Carolyn,

Sent you a friend request.  Want to give you some info on another subject!!

Anna, whatever works for you, dear friend. You want me to call you?

never mind...my stupid phone has lost your number so I'm having to look for my old address book.

email me I suppose, Anna.

My son is graduating on Nov. 9th, got a C School, and already has orders after C school.    I thought that was early. Any way these are orders can change or are they set in stone?   

Heading to VA beach this weekend to see my sailor.  Can I get on base? Where can I pick him up? he is in phase 3 and can leave friday and return Sunday.  but can i drive on base. Not even sure where the base is...guess I will find it when I get there.  

purplegiraffe,

Hate to say this but yes, orders can change.  It doesn't happen often, buy Mary (Chris'sMom) can tell you - her son had orders to DC and then they were suddenly changed and he went to Korea!!!  But like I said, it doesn't happen often!!!!

Anna, right! It does not happen often but then again my son was also the one that when he came out of Korea, was assigned stateside and then was told the whole group he was attached to was being moved overseas. So.... back overseas he went.

Purple, you should be able to meet your sailor at the gate to the base and everything will begin there. Do take driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance with you. If early enough, they may send you to the Pass and ID office at Oceana for a weekend gate pass. If not, then they will issue a limited pass there at the gate house. The base is actually easy to find. Plug in the schoolhouse address and GPS should take you to the front gate. Just like bootcamp and any other base you may go to later...you can drive on base but your sailor or a Navy escort must be with you at all times while on the base.

Hi,

Any reserve IS Moms out there?? What are the chance of being deployed after C school? Love to hear your thoughts and expierence.

Carolyn,

I am only guessing at an answer to your question about clearances being used in civilian jobs, but I think each change in companies or organizations they would have to go through background checks etc again, but already having top clearances will be beneficial once they are in. It is much the same as when I want to volunteer for a public school here there are background checks if you will be having contact with the students. If I go to another school district to work with students there, again, they want another background check. If I want to purchase a handgun then there would be another background check done for that as well.

I think each employer would have their own people or contracted agencies that do thorough checks depending on the services they provide and where the job is located. It makes sense to me that a job with the Treasury Department or CIA could potentially call for a higher degree of security than say a job with a local security company. That's kind of how our sailors operate too. One moment their job may not call for special security, but then the next memo they get calls for only one other officer to know...Top Secret. I learned a while back to just not ask about any of it and we can avoid the "Ummm...I can't talk about that". 

I would think that it at least lets employers know if they send out a memo or email to someone with those types of clearances there is little chance of information being released until they want it known. Some people in high places tend to become paranoid. Knowing there is someone trustworthy could be a big factor in promotions etc.

Carl and Irene,

So glad to hear from you again!!!  Good to hear Cam is close by and doing well.  Our family has a brand new Ensign - our daughter Jennifer was commissioned the end of Sept after 12 weeks of OCS.  Chris is doing well - reenlisted for 6 more and transferred to Norfolk.  Maybe doing an IA soon over to the sandbox.  Will post more when we know.

Hey Carl and Irene!! Great to hear from you! I am so glad you are going to be able to enjoy Cam's new station. I can imagine he is pretty happy to get off the G-Dub for now. Chris is still attached to the G-Dub. He and his wife will be at Atsugi another two years (more or less). I bet you can answer a question for me. I know Cam is not quite four years yet but Chris just made it 4 yrs since leaving for bc this week. How long after their 4 years do they get the hash for the lower sleeve (4 yrs service with good conduct)?

Are you and Irene doing well?

Hope to hear from you soon and I will try to email you during the holiday season. Take care.

Navy Hugs to you both

PS Tell your daughter to keep interpreting!! 

Mary,

Used to be you put the hash mark on as soon as you made 4 years.  It's not something you have to wait until the pay shows up like advancement!!!!!!

Hey Carl - I forgot to ask about your house situation?  Are you still working on the new one?

Anna, Is a reenlistment for another 6 yrs standard for the IS rating or do they have a choice for 4 yrs also?

Cool. I KNEW you could answer but forgot at the moment. I thought of it just as I opened my notice and saw your reply! Haaaaahaaa. Thanks dear, friend.

Anna, Is your daughter in Intel also?   My son graduated OCS on Sept 7, and he is now in Dam Neck.  Just started Intel Officers School this week.

Anna's son is IS. One twin daughter, Jennifer just completed OCS and is becoming a pilot.Her other twin daughter, Catherine was until very recently Personnel. I believe Anna says she has been out a couple of months now. Correct, Anna? 

M's mom and Mary,

Yes, Jenn is in Pensacola waiting to class up as a Naval Flight Officer.  Catherine is out now and is in PA going to PSU on her GI bill.  My son is the IS and Mary, I'm not sure what the standard reenlistment is for IS.  Chris requested 6 years because he wants to go IA.  Don't ask me why - - - you know my Chris!!!!

Anna, What is IA, as in: "Chris requested 6 yrs because he wants to go IA."    I am a new Navy Mom and am not up on all the abbreviations yet!!!    Does your son enjoy Intel?  Mine just started school in Dam Neck and will graduate in April.

M's mom, IA is Individual Augmentee. A longer contract gives them more flexibility if they are taking 2-3 yr assignments. It gives them the opportunity to switch jobs a couple more times and hopefully get the IA job. IAs come from many different ratings but are usually on the ground in the middle of the action.

From here, I will let Anna or another person who has experience with IA take over. That's about all I know, that I can really explain.

M's mom,

Yes, just to elaborate a little bit.  With so many Marine and Army troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, sailors were told they would be helping those troops by IA assignments.  There was talk about this being mandatory for all sailors to have at least one IA assignment in their service.  I remember my Catherine (a desk job sailor) telling me she might have to go on one.  But I don't know if that plan ever came to fruition.  (She never had to go).  However, sailors in certain ratings (like Intel) are needed and they can request an assignment (such as my crazy kid Chris) or they may be "voluntold"!!!  Hope that helps clear up one more of those "clear as mud" Navy ways!!!!  Yes, my son enjoys IS but he also likes living on the edge!!!!!

Anna, I have not heard of them instating mandatory IA. With the current Executive administration having 4 more years I believe that (barring major military or political changes in the world) it will remain on a volunteer basis for a while. Most of our troops from both Iraq and Afghanistan are withdrawn or will be within the next year so I don't see where there will be a need for significant numbers of Naval IAs. Of course, Intel is one of those rates that the Navy supplies to the other branches of service very regularly. Maybe your Chris will get to go after all. Did he take the test for E6? I saw where results should be out in the next day or two. 

Mary,

Yes he took the test and is anxiously awaiting the results!!!  Say a prayer for him.  Did your Chris?  And I'm sure ISs and HMs will continue to go overseas for awhile yet!!!  Seabees too I guess.  Not sure who else does that on a regular basis.

Chris took the E5 exam again. I'm really hoping this time he can get it. He has missed it by one document or one point on the exam so many times now...now he has been on ship for a while, he has hopefully had more of the experience needed to advance. He has been working hard I know towards his Special Warfare Pin too so hopefully he can get his advancement, his pin, and his 4 yr hash all at the same time!!

Best of luck to your Chris on the E6. I'm sure he did well. So many leave before they become elligible for the E6 exam. I think that is one of the harder ones to fill. 

He's not too hopeful for it on his first go'round.  He got his IDW pin so that helps.  We will both just have to keep our fingers crossed for good news tomorrow.

Is your Chris planning on reupping?  Is his contract for four or six?