Moms of IS (Intelligence Specialist) sailors.

LizziesHusband, I visited my son at DN in October.  I didn't get to spend a lot of time with him because he was so busy with school, homework and standing watch.  If you don't mind spending all day by yourself for the few hours you get to see them in the afternoon/evening it's worth the trip.  Keep in mind too that at first (I forgot how long) they are not allowed to spend the night out of the barracks so she will have to be back at the barracks by 10:00 pm.  After she's been there a while the restrictions loosen up.  After my son went to C School he seemed to have more free time.  Best wishes to you.  I tried to get in the Navy Lodge but it was booked but I was able to get in one of the older buildings and it was great.  Old but clean and well maintained.........the only thing separating you from the ocean is an earthen wall.............walk over the wall and absolute beauty!!!!

Kim, You are right! That's the reason we always say, nothing is etched in stone until it actually happens. Most of the reservists who are deployed have either volunteered for the deployment or knew there was a greater chance of deployment based on their job specialty.

LizziesHusband, I'm sorry I know little about the schools other than where the schoolhouse is. My son was there 5 years ago and some things have changed by what I read on other posts. The schools are not as physically challenging as they are mentally intense and work towards building up their work ethics and stamina for long shifts. If things are the way they used to be they mustered early in the morning for PT then they would fall out to change into uniforms, eat breakfast, etc and then muster again to march to the schoolhouse. After a morning session they were released for lunch (I think they had to march back) and then they had to reform to go back to the school for their afternoon session. During C school, if my son went in early to work on something, he could drive his car to the schoolhouse which was nice when they had to stay very late at night, or he had to hustle back to the barracks after school or study hall to stand watch or be shift duty driver. Usually on the weekends there was a few hours for fun. Sometimes he and his buddies would jump in a couple of cars and head to the mall or out to eat at the beach or go to Oceania for a move at the IMAX theater.

After graduation, I don't know what she wants to do jobwise but the training she gets along with the security clearances gives her good shots at jobs such as Homeland Security, CIA, FBI, local law enforcement intelligence, and due to some of the technology they use and ways they present the information they have gathered during the week, it helps prepare them for college, business, teaching, etc. The education she will get while at DN will help her succeed afterward.

Hello all.....I am new to this site and the Navy altogether....our 18 yo daughter just enlisted this week on the delayed entry program and wanted to get a job into the medical field but none was available and she ended in IS....we have no idea what to expect at all!  A and C school from what I can figure out are back to back....is this true?  Are they allowed to have cars while in school??  Do you suggest having a car??  How much are they allowed "out" while in school as we want to plan to head up to Dam Neck during Christmas time??  Any and all info you have would be helpful....thanks in advance!!

Supporters of KayleeN, Welcome! Some of the info in the discussion above "Now your sailor is at Dam Neck" is outdated but will help you understand just a bit. They are still allowed to have electronics, and parents are still posting that they can have their cars. My son had to phase up to be able to take his car there but it was only a few weeks after he arrived. The schools may run back to back or there might be a few months between A school and C school. They will remain stationed at DN all through that time. A school is approximately 13 weeks long and then the C school varies by the specialty. She could be there for around 5 months to possibly close to a year. It is considered as part of her enlistment time and she is safe so the longer she is there, possibly the better.

Once she has phased up she will have plenty of opportunities to leave the base for the evening or the entire weekend. I know one officer who was a Corpsman for several years and then changed over to IS. He loves the IS field. She can go back and ask again later about the Corpsman area if that is what she really prefers. She is under no obligation until she signs her contract and is sworn in. Maybe in two months they will show something coming open in her field of choice. I think she would do great in the IS field but keeping your options open is a good thing.

GracieG, Thank you and welcome aboard! We are glad to see our IS Moms community growing! Bootcamp will be some of the toughest weeks you will endure. Hang in there and you will be so proud of the man he becomes over the next several months. We are here for you!

Navy Hugs

Mary

Does anyone else find this new page format a little jumbled looking? It will take some time to adjust......

The new page layout is horrible

I have a question regarding IS NAP reserve rating.  Are there any other moms out there who's Sailor has been down this career track?  I would like to PM someone about this.  I am very worried about my son. HELP!

Hello all!  Just popped in to say "Hello".

My sailor is out there on deployment, (again) floating around on the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN77).  At least this time he is on the newest carrier instead of the oldest one!

I hope that everyone is happy and healthy!

GregsMom, I have not heard of NAP reserve rating but I can try to get some answers for you from another IS reservist (after he gets back from his honeymoon :-) ). Until then I will see if his mom knows about that and can provide any answers. She is no longer active here, but we keep in at least weekly contact.

Laura, Those ship duties can be soooo long. Chris will be headed out again in a few months. He went from the GHW Bush to the G Washington so he went from the newest to one of the oldest. After 6 years overseas, and 3 years on ship, he is trying to find something on the east coast, shore duty, for his next assignment. Good luck to your sailor! I saw where the ship had ported in my son's favorite country recently (Greece), I hope he had fun while there.

Navy Hugs to all!

Welcome mommapossum.

I hope that all is well with everyone!

Welcome Mary! I know it makes you happy to have him close-by. Get in as much time with him as you can while he is there...never know where he might end up next. :-)

Welcome!

My son will be leaving from Pensacola and coming to Virginia for Intelligence Specialist A school this month.  His career path changed so I know nothing about Intelligence Specialist.  Is there any recomendations on what I can read or do to know more?

Any other Mom's with kids coming from Pensacola this month.  PIR 5/16/14 

adammom, You can find some very basic information on the rating on the internet. There are several subspecialties that a sailor may study and work in based on interest, abilities, apptitude and most of all needs of the Navy. As with any job there are frustrations and they often end up working excruciatingly long hours but my son likes the opportunities and benefits the job affords him. It's a very competitive school but well worth the effort. Your sailor will learn what they can discuss with you about the job and what they can't. It's best not to know too much.

Thank you.  I will find out as much as I can from the internet.  I guess I just want to know if there is anything I can do to help him.  I wrote almost everyday in boot camp and during that time he really appreciated it. Then when he had his phone we text.   Is there any other groups I should join? The Navy Mom's was such a big support for me and Maybe I sorta miss that.  Thanks for your great information Chris' mom.

Once your sailor has orders for his first assignment there are usually groups either at N4M or facebook or somewhere you can join. We are a quiet group now but anytime you need support or information we will do the best we can. Most of the "old timers" are gone. Anna, Laura, and I are fairly experienced. Anna has 2 sailors in and one who did her duty and got out. Anna and her husband both were in (a few years ago of course) so she usually has the most knowledge. We were in your place several years ago, so we will do what we can.

Navy Mom Hugs {{ }}

Thank you.  I appreciate your support.  Oh yes and I needed the huggs (-:

adammom,

Certainly, anything Mary or I can do to help we will do!!!  She's right, this group has been kinda quiet lately but a few of us are still here.  Both Mary and I have sons who are IS but they did go through several years ago.  I don't know if things have changed much since then, except your son will still need your support and encouragement.  School can be hard for some and they really need to stay on top of their studies.  Don't know how your son handles school work but you might want to give him some study habits, test taking tips, etc.  I don't think they can have their phones with them during class time because of security.  And he won't be able to tell you much of anything regarding what he's learning.  He might appreciate some care packages now and again.  Especially if he spends nights studying - things like granola bars, nuts (especially almonds are supposed to be good for the brain!!!)  Mary can give you some good tips of what to send and what NOT to send!!!!  Right Mary?!?!?!  And thank you for the kind words!!! 

Facebook Group...Navy Families of Norfolk and Surrounding Bases....  Supportive & helpful group....

Very cool Kimberly! It will be great to have another mom here with some experience. Welcome aboard.

Kimberly,

Welcome and thank you for you and your husband"s service, along with your daughter!!  Both my husband and I are veterans, we have one veteran daughter and a son and a daughter active.  My son was an AO stationed at Oceana for his first four years, VFA 136 the Knighthawks.  Now he is an IS1 IDW/AW.  Help me remember - what is PR?

Also if you are interested, I have a group Moms of Daughters 2.  With your experience you could be a great help to our new moms.  We are very supportive of our moms and all our daughters and we love to chat about all things.  Here's a link to the group:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/momsofdaughters2

Hi all and welcome to the new folks on this site!

My son just passed his three year mark in the navy.  He is on his 2nd deployment in 3 years.  Both times on a carrier.  Keep in mind intel sailors aren't part of the ship's company.  They are attached to the ship, not assigned to it.  So they can be reassigned more frequently and easier than other sailors.

He is lucky to have a very good command structure.  They really push education and advancement.  He already has his surface warfare and his air warfare pin.  He is currently working on his information dominance pin. 

All this while they are out there, floating around, making news headlines.  They keep everybody busy. 

I have to tell you, my sailor absolutely loves what he does!

As far as cars, treats and clothing is concerned, they have to earn their privileges.  Once they "class up" to the next level, usually takes several weeks or so, they get more freedom.  the ability to wear civilian clothes, leave base etc. 

In the beginning they can't ride in a personal vehicle, only the base bus or a cab.  We drove my son's car to him.

Even though he wasn't yet eligible for a weekend pass, because he wasn't there long enough, he put in a leave chit anyhow.  Figured all they could do was say no.

Hubby is an E8 in the Army.  Out of military courtesy they approved his weekend pass.  It was wonderful!

Welp, I went over to facebook this morning only to find that Chris re-enlisted. I thought he was holding out until November when his first 6 years were up but I guess he had to do it now so his next orders could be written out. They are looking forward to his next command which they will go to sometime in the spring of next year. My grandbaby will become a beach bum I'm sure!

Mary,

Congrats to our Chris!!!  Any idea yet where his next duty station might be???

Anna , Yup! You will know soon, either at facebook or I will email you. I'm just waiting for him to get written orders. When I heard about it a few weeks ago it was verbal orders. I think that's why he went ahead and re-upped now, so the could get it as part of his contract. I think it will be more like when he was in Korea but closer to home.

hi moms im new anyone have a SR graduating on 10/10/2014?? going to VA??

My daughter has PIR on 10/10/14.  She is currently in Div 315, Ship 03.  She will be heading to Dam Neck, VA for IS A school.  What division is your daughter in?

Many years ago when my son was at GL, he was on ship 14. I think his Division number was 81or 83. It's been so long...Good luck to your sailor. Sit back and enjoy the ride. 

What time did your sailors have to be at the airport to fly to Dam Creek? Were they there a long time waiting? I saw a post that a sailor arrived on Saturday night, so my guess is they had to be at the airport sometime Saturday. My daughter graduates 10/24

logansmom,

The Navy will give your daughter her travel itinerary to get her to Dam Neck from GL.  I'm guessing her graduation you mention is from bootcamp.  They will give her her orders as to when she has to report and her ticket for her flights.  RTC will get her on a bus to take her and other sailors to the airport.  It all depends on what flights they got for her and when other sailors will be transported to the airport as to how long she will be waiting at the airport.

Since you have a daughter enlisted, I'd like to invite you to join our group Moms of Daughters 2.  We are a friendly caring group of moms and are always willing to listen, share and help each other whenever or wherever we can. We love talking about everything from work, family, weather - whatever. Plus the joyful and anxiety filled journey of being a Navy Mom!!!  Let us support you when you're missing her, lend an ear when you need to vent, and celebrate with you when you want to brag!!  Here is a link to the  group:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/momsofdaughters2

I think my son was taken to the airport at 2 or 3 a.m. on Saturday after PIR.  We met him there about 6:00 a.m.  His plane left around noon so we got to spend about four hours with him before he got ready for his flight. 

My son got liberty for Friday afternoon and Saturday daytime. He had to be back Saturday evening early to stand watch. His shuttle to the airport was very early Sunday morning and we got to see him just long enough to take his cell phone to him, and one of his division buddy's phone to his gate. He arrived at DN late afternoon and I think he called home like 4 times that night. It made me feel good that he had missed me so much but it also made me feel sorry for him to be out on his own with strangers and a whole new lifestyle. He got over it really soon though. As soon as I took his car to him, I heard a lot less from him. :-D That's life as a sailor!

Question for moms of PIR grads. From which airport did your sailor fly to DN and were you able to get some type of a gate pass to go through security to the gate? My son's PIR is 10/31 then off to DN.

O'Hare is the usual one. If you are not leaving out the same day as your sailor, I would call the airport in advance, tell them the situation and see if they offer gate passes to families of sailors. I'm sure they get requests for them all the time.

On the day of PIR your Sailor make plans on what time to meet at the airport.  They usually fly out of O'hare.  He will take you to a kiosk and they will give you a gate pass.  He has to be with you to do it.  Usually they hang in the USO till you get there.  

You can get a gate pass at any airport whenever you have a service member flying.  I still get them whenever my daughter or son comes home for a visit.  You need a picture ID and of course, you have to go through security so make sure you don't have anything in your purse which you wouldn't be able to have if you were a ticketed passenger (like bottles of water, lotion, hand cream, etc....)  Your service member doesn't have to be in uniform, but they do need their military ID.  Of course, they need that anyway!!!!!!