CS (Culinary Specialist) Moms

I like that one. It sounds better. If you eat it and it's bad, you can figure it out and if it's good, you can be proud that you did a job well done!
I'll ask tonight when I talk to him.

Ok, I was only able to talk to Richard briefly last night. He said that they ate the food. He made the fruit salad and tarter sauce. For breakfast they had steak and eggs and for lunch, catfish.
I'll get an update tonight. Some people messed up on the "ship", so they are all on phase I liberty, so no trip to Chicago this weekend! lol

He said it was good, but he had some comments on his tarter sauce. He said it was good and he got compliments, but it had a yellow tint, and should have been white.

Friday's breakfast was eggs and lunch was steak. (I forgot all the sides.)
I asked more detailed questions last night.
The Jr. class prepares the main dish and the sides while the sr. class bakes the desserts. Monday he will be a waiter and also one day he will be on clean up duty. He hates that, but I told him, he has to learn ALL aspects of what goes on in the kitchen. He sounds more excited every day. He even likes to tell me all thethings I do wrong at home. I can't wait till he comes home to show off his skills and prepare some gourmet dinners.

Thanks Johanna. he hates to clean, so that might be his insentive.
BTW, where is Zac. Is he in the Pacific?
Has anyone been following the earthquake in Chile? I pray for all our sailors in the sea and in Hawaii.

Johnna, Richard was told that his ship had to sail early due to the tsunamis and earthquakes. He finishes A school next Friday. Once he gets to San Diego, he says he will have shore duty for a year before his ship returns. What do they do on shore duty? That just seems so long.

Congrats!!!! Enjoy your time with him. Mine graduates next week. He was to graduate today, but he got sick ans was set back.

CONGRATULATIONS! I know you are proud of your sailor!!!!!

Richard graduates this week. I can't wait to see him! He will be home for two weeks before reporting to Dan Diego.
He said that he won't be able to cook for me since he doesn't know how to measure down the recipes. I think it is just an excuse not to cook. lol

It is official! I am now the proud mother of a CS. His graduation was this morning and he is at the airport waiting to board and come home for two weeks. I am very proud of him!

NavyMomma, it all depends on when they class up. They will be told in basic. What I did both times, I took all their things with me. That way they have them for the weekend at the hotel. When my first son graduated, I took it all back home and then mailed it when I got his mailing address. With Richard, his brother was in A school in GL. I left everything with him. They both moved over to the main side the Tuesday after PIR. Again, some are a grade and go. My advice would be to take everything. Laptop and cell phone. Then if she can, she has it to take, if not, she has it for the weekend. Either way, she will enjoy them.

Mary, my son just graduated CS school on Friday. His PIR was 1-9-10. He got sick his first week of A school and was set back a week. He was also on hold for about two weeks. This should give you an idea of the time frame.
As to what he can have: anything. My son had his laptop and cell phone as well as while he was there he bought a TV and internet aircard. He had to mail the TV home since it was to big to carry on the plan. He is home for two weeks and then off to San Diego. I am still wondering why he chose CS. He loves it, but has never cooked. Oh well, at least he's happy. I hope other experienced moms can tell you more. I'll also ask my son for details while he is home. Good luck to you and your nephew.

Ooops, Richard's PIR was 1-8-10, not 1-9. Sorry.

NavyMommaB, I too am not sure what all a girl wants. I know that the girls have to wear "Ganny Panties", so some nice undergarments of her choice would be nice. I have heard form both my sons that the guys HATE the whitie tighties so much, they stop wearing them. Also, some make-up, or other girly stuff. She has been without shaving or able to wear makeup for the past eight weeks.
When is PIR? I hope you have a wonderful trip! Let us know all about it.

My daughter cut her finger and it required 5 stiches, hope this doesn't hold her back.

Spoke with my daughter, won't hold her back and will just have to wear the finger cot under her gloves like you said. At first, she said she cut her finger in half and nothing else...whats a mother to think!!! Told her "wecolme to the club of cooks" ha ha...

Sissy'smom, OCH! I'm glad all is OK.
My son wants his Dress Whites ready for San Diego. Well, he doesn't have the emblem patch required, so it's not ready per the Navy. I went to the Army Navy store here in Dallas just to see what they have. The first one did not have official Navy Uniform patches, but the second one did. I dug in a box, and low and behold, they had one CS E-3 patch! He now is on his own to have it sewn on. I found several for P.O CS, but just the one for E-3. I think my son got lucky.

NavyMomma, that sounds about right. Both of my boys wanted a shower alone! I gave them a hard time and said that we had to save time and water and no one showers alone. They didn't like my humor.
Ask her in a letter. It will give her time to think, and it gives you time to ask without the excitement of the call! I remember carrying my phone EVERY where! Even the bathroom. I did not want to miss that call! Keep us informed.
Mary, when they finish A school, they are the same rank as when they finish BC. In BC, they are all E1. I have one son who has been in since Aug, 2009 and is an E1 the other, my CS has only been in since Nov. 2009, yet he is an E3. He also had three years of high school ROTC and was an officer. That made a difference. My E1 son dropped out of the ROTC because they wanted him to cut his hair! It was below his shoulders when he went in and now, well, we all know how short it is now.
So, there rank (E1, 2, or 3) depends on what they did before they enlisted, yet BC all are E1. It is stated in their papers from MEPS.

NavyMommaB (Ship 13 Div 160), I booked a spa massage for my daughter and she enjoyed that more than anything. I told her after I booked it and she said that she then had dreams about it during bootcamp. It also allowed for some alone time for me and her on the short drive over away from the rest of the family. I think it can be overwhelming for them, everyone asking questions and such.

She didn't have a deep tissue massage, just relaxation but they did use hydroculators and she felt like a new woman when she was finished and was completely revived and ready for the next stage in the Navy.

Having a message is something I'm afraid of. I had one a long time ago. I felt TOO relaxed. I guess I'm afraid I will fall into a deep sleep and not want to wake up when my time is over. But, it does sound like a great idea for Liberty Weekend after PIR. I know that it is eight weeks of pure stress.
Mary, I like how your son used the dog clippers. both of my boys said that they can't believe they charge $8.00 for a bad hair cut. They are both so glad to be able to go where they want and get a good one!

Mary, the last hair cut Laurence had before the Navy was the summer between 6 and 7 grade. I bought a pair of clippers and did it at my sister's house. He HATED it! Now that's all he gets! Now, Richard, my CS has always had a short hair cut. He has always been a bit more conservative. How odd that two boys with the same parents can be so different!
I still have the clippers. I use them on the dog.

Tyguysmom, Welcome. The same is true for my son, but now that he has finished A school and will be heading to San Diego nest week, he loves it. He was even telling me last week how he want to open his own restaurant when he gets out of the Navy.
Johanna, I hope he does get to enjoy the party! I hope he has fun grilling! Nothing tastes better than a burger cooked on an open flame!

Lisa, they will have some days of in-doc, where they will take a few classes about what to expect in the Navy. After that they odd jobs until she classes up. My son is home this week. He just graduated CS A school on March 12. He will head to San Diego on Sunday (one week from today). She will spend two weeks in a classroom and two weeks in the kitchen. My son never cooked at home, but he seems so excited about being a CS. He is always telling me why things are done and how to stay safe.
Good Luck!

Well, I finally had Richard cook a meal. I wasn't going to let him go without showing off his new found skill. To my surprise, I was impressed. The Navy taught him well. I was giving him a hard time about the ten-second rule. He said that he was taught, once it falls on the floor, it goes in the trash!
He said that I was scully, so I was having to wash ALL the pans he used! He said I was not ready to be his assistant.
I think this was one of the best evenings I have spent with him.

It is hard to believe, but Richard's time at home is almost up. He leaves Sunday morning. His ship is out at sea, but is heading back. I have no idea what he will be doing while on shore. I guess cooking on base. I know he needs to go, but I will miss him! I almost feel like the day he left for BC.

I have heard a lot of mom's use skype. I guess I will soon find out, Richard was told that his ship sets sail in May.
As for AT&T, I have it, but I do not have international calling. I would call your phone provider and ask about rates.
Let us know when you find out. Any other moms have any luck? Although Richard is stationed in San Diego, he is about to head below the equator.

I think that what happened is so funny!
I'm glad to hear that they are being well feed!

Well, Richard's long journey has reached a new chapter. He was taken to the BHR today. It is close enough to dock, that he was taken to it. I guess he now gets to see what life is like in the middle of the Ocean. Last night he reminded me that he won't be able to talk to me, so not to try and call.
I can't wait to hear all about the ship's galley!

The BHR has docked, but I haven't heard from Richard. I guess with this being his first "REAL" day, he is busy being taught the "ropes" of the Galley. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Richard finally had his first full day in the galley. He said he worked 12 hours! He said that it would have been shorter, but the officer who had to do the inspection was late. So far, he seems to be enjoying Navy life. He is still talking about staying on after his time.

Mine's on the USS Bonhomme Richard.

My daughter is on the USS Ronald Reagan

Johanna, that is wonderful news! I know you are proud of your son!

Congratulations!!

Johanna, I am so proud of your CS.
I was talking to Richard and come to find out, trash duty is voluntary. I thought it was since he was the new kid in the kitchen.I am proud that he feels the importance of volunteering for even the most mundane job as carrying out the trash is an important job.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=52784

Any moms here with CS's on the USS Blue Ridge? Congratulations to all winners! You know I post from time to time because my husbands TCA mentors to CS's aboard ships and they have a close place in my heart :-)

Thank you for posting CCR! I enjoyed the article. I love to see our CS's being recognized for their outstanding work.

Mary, thank you so much for sharing! That is how I feel! SO many times, I find myself here on this site. So many of my friends don't understand. I worry so much about my boys. They are safe today, but what about tomorrow? What about will in the middle of the ocean, or being deployed with the Marines? I feel safe here. I feel that when I cry, everyone here understands.
Again, thank you for sharing.

I have a hard time thanking a soldier or sailor. I can feel myself start to cry every time. I too, want to give them a hug and say thank you.

Mary, I agree with Johanna. Don't wait. WIth each new day brings a new adventure and a new reason to feel pride! What your son is doing now is just as great.

Happy to find a CS Mom discussion board. Thank you all. My son just arrived on the USS Ronald Reagan and so far so good.

Bananamom, my daughter is a CS on the RR also and is loving it. Good luck to your son.

Richard has his first adventure this month. I think he is ready. He said something about a short trip to Hawaii for some presentation. He is excited, since he will be in Hawaii when he turns 21! On his way back, I've been invited to go on a Tiger Cruise. I've heard something, but not a lot. Anyone ever been on one? From what I can gather, it where the family joins the ship as it reaches home port.

Johanna, that would be cool! Richard has already told me that he plans to re-enlist when his time is up.

My son is in the process of changing from an LS to a CS, he starts school May 17th. Currently he is in Meridian but he was dropped from the program. He had an 86% in the course but failed too many tests. IT was all self paced with no instructor. He is a terrible test taker. Luckily, they gave him the option of changing jobs, I hope he made the right decision!

Welcome to the group! If you don't mind me asking, what is an LS?

LS is logistics specialist, it is all self paced with no teacher. Not good for the hands on learner!

Johanna, that will be hard I bet. Everyone will be sent to different ships. I guess that is all part of military life. Once you get comfortable, you get moved!

When he gets his new orders, let us know!