CS (Culinary Specialist) Moms

I was talking to Richard. He knew that it was being decommissioned and said that they will use the ship for parts to new ships.
Will Zack have any say in where he will go?.

Lisa, enjoy your next two weeks!!! The time will fly!
To which ship is she assigned?

Richard goes out on his first cruise today. He called me to let me know he sets sail in two hours. He will be back on Friday. He said he is just going out for patrol duty.

I can't wait to hear about his adventure! He leaves for the first big one in June, but will only be gone for about 6-8 weeks.

Johanna, I connected with Richard's ship on facebook, and it is amazing the updates they give! It is good to get updates when the ship is out to sea!

Richard turned 21 on Monday! He sounded a little down. I guess he didn't get to do anything exciting. He had to work the breakfast shift. This coming Monday, he leaves for Hawaii. I'm looking forward to his return trip. He put my name on the list for the "Tiger Cruise" I've always wanted to go on a cruise, just never thought it would be with the US Navy! lol

Mary, I was already looking forward to my Tiger Cruise, but now that you mention the men in a uniform makes it sound even better!
Johanna, Mine's also in Aug. Perfect timing, one week before Summer break ends!

I would love song from South Pacific! I might just have to do it for my son! He's use to me bursting out in song! When ever I hear something that sounds like lyrics to a song, I start to sing it. Being in the Pacific has potential for lots of songs!

Johanna, I am still waiting to hear details. I think I set sail from Hawaii and sail back with him to San Diego. He is at sea, and unable to call. I hate this!!!!!! I miss our talks! It's almost like BC all over again!

Richard did get moved to the bakery. He has glad to get out of the galley.

Johanna, from what I can figure out, Richard just got his email. he said he would send it to me, but he hasn't yet. While at sea, he suspended his cell phone, so I guess I will have to wait. He mentioned that once he received the email, he would forward it to me. I hope he calls soon. His girlfriend id having a hard time trying to fill out all her forms so she can move to the US in August. I called her today and reassured her that once Richard docks, he will call. Oh, welcome to the US and life in the Navy!!! lol

As much as Richard loves to talk on the phone, I would have figured he would have done that! I guess he is still green about Navy life. I will have to let him know. Thanks

Johanna, So your son is now a Shellback!!!! That is so cool!
Richard is in Hawaii for RIMPAC. He is excited. He is now in the bakery. He was telling me the secret to perfect rolls.

I'm still learning about RIMPAC. From what I can read, it is an international sea competition and maneuvers. Richard was telling me about how his ship hosted dinner for the Chilean Navy.
As for the rolls, yes, I want him to show me how it is done. SECRETS, I want all their secrets! I might just learn how to cook!

@ Margaret. My son is in Hawaii for RIMPAC too! My husband and I took our vacation in Hawaii this year and were able to see him for a couple of days.Got to tour the ship which was really cool. We got to see the the galley where he works long hours and got to go up on the flight deck. Double cool.

My son does not go to boot camp untill March 2011 !! Does anyone else have to wait that long?? He has gotten a full time job so that may help the time go faster. I am so ready for him to get his Navy career started. I love him and am so proud that he made this decision. He is ready to go and I am ready for him to go...in a good way. Ya know what I mean. He really needs this! He is 18 and has the "I am an adult and I should be able to do what I want when I want" attitude. I know this will change when he gets to Boot Camp.....

Brandonsmom: My son was a DEPR for his last year of high school and then went to bootcamp last December at age 18. It was tough over the holidays for all of us. BC is particularly rough on the moms but you'll live through it and it's really important that you write him as your letters (everyone's letters) are gold when there is a total communications blackout. My son is now on the USS Reagan. Being a CS is a tough job -- I think a lot more work than he expected. Long hours. But he's a great kid and a hard worker. You'll be amazed at your son's transformation.

He did not decide to even go see the recruitor untill about 3weeks before he graduated from HS. He went to MEPS the week before graduation. I did not think he would pick CS. He did take foods 1 and 2 in HS but he had told me did not think he would take the CS....but he did. The night after his phsy. they had Avation Availible but the recruitor told him to think about it and he could decide in the morning, but in the morning it was not availible anymore. So he signed for the CS. I hope he likes it and is happy...I think he is haveing second thoughts.

Thanks he is talking about wanting to stay in untill retirement 20years.

Oh my GOSH Brandon just called me the recruter just called him and said he could leave for BC on Sunday if he was ready!!!!! WHAT???? OK I said I was ready but now I am FREAKING OUT!!!

still waiting on the final call about sunday! It has to be approved by someone higher up, I guess.

Oy. Sunday. Really? That's quite a shock. It will be OK. You'll feel totally lost at first, getting the "oh, my God they've vaporized him!" box with all his stuff will be hard but you'll make it through. My son went through BC during the holidays last December and it was really hard on all of us, but looking back, it created some memories as well. I agree with others that you should join a BC group with as they will have lots of information about PIR (Pass in Review -- graduation) and then you can get to meet other moms during the ceremony at Great Lakes. My son told me that the letters he received (and we wrote him almost every day) were what kept him going. I used to send Facebook updates to family and friends and had them send him letters as well. These letters don't have to be anything fancy -- just what's going on the the world (sports scores, current events, funny stories). My son said his favorite letter had my description some bickering I had with his dad over the fragrance of Bounce -- he said it sounded just like us. You'll be surprised how fast it goes. It seems like forever then the next thing you're hopping a plane to Illinois. Anyway, we're all here for you.

Thanks..but we have not gotten the final answer yet. They say they are working on it. What ever that means. He was under the impression that he was going to take the place of someone that got hurt that was supposed to leave Sunday. Now he is being told they are trying to get it processed or approved?? IDK

Roller Coaster is what this is. Just talked to the recruiter and they could not get it approved/processed what ever they do IDK. So he is not going anywhere on Sunday. So it was a wasted FREAK OUT.......oh well.

I had to step away for a while. I have been pulled from every direction this summer. Richard is with RIMPAC off the shores of Hawaii. While he is there, I have been asked to help with his girlfriend's visa. I spent so much time with her getting all her forms filled out as well as the ones for Richard. She had her interview and it was approved. Now I get to plan their wedding. I have been trying to work with her and Richard. She is in Brazil, I am here in Texas and my son in Hawaii. I am just so thankful for the internet!
While away, Richard did tell me that he has been moved to the bakery. He sounds like this is much better. I think he has found his calling as a bakery chef. He seems proud of the rolls and cakes he is baking.
Brandonsmom, welcome to the group! I have found that this site is a true life saver! I have been in other groups with Zack's mom. We can all understand what you are going through. I learned so much from the moms here, so go ahead and vent, cry and laugh. We all have, so welcome to our world and get ready for the ride of your life!

Congrats, Johanna! I know he is excited.

That just shows that he is good at what he does. I wonder how the E-3s and higher feel?

I know that the rank you are is so important. It is sad that how your prior experience which is not military related is not taken into consideration when it comes to the number of stripes on your sleeve.

You will have to post a full report about the cruise! I have heard how much fun they are.

I have been following RIMPAC on facebook. They have posted a few pictures of some CSs. I was amazed at how small the space is. They didn't show the galley, just the chefs preparing the food. I want to see it for myself. I have found myself looking in kitchens of the places I go to eat.

My son took us on a tour of the Reagan's galleys when they were in port in Hawaii for RIMPAC. It's amazing that they can cook and serve thousands of meals in that kind of space. Johanna: a tour is really cool. You'll love it. Have fun on the cruise.

Good question about A school. When Richard calls me next time, I will ask. I know that they spend time in a classroom for the first part and the second part is in a kitchen. The break down of exact time, I don't know.

He will be able to have some civies, also he can have an ipod, cell phone, etc. The rooms aren't very big so keep that in mind. Not sure about the overnight liberty though they have to go though different stages to get to overnight liberty, my son started as a corpsman and changed to a cs he was allowed an overnight liberty both schools are right down the road.

My daughter Marie just completed A school today and I am waiting to hear when she can come home. I am so very happy that I will get to see her soon

I am not sure, they told her maybe ten days, I do hope so. Donna

She is going to San Diego CA,

Yes, USS Mobile Bay Destroyer

I am brand new to this group :) My fiance just had his PIR on 8/20 and he is now in A School in Great Lakes. I was an active member on the PIR 8/20 group and that pretty much kept me sane during boot camp! I am excited to be a member of this group now, I feel like I graduated too, ha!
He will be on hold until 9/15 (boo hoo!) and then they told him his schooling will be 25 days. Does anyone know if that means he will literally be coming home on the 26th day or is there a hold at the end too or some out processing that he will have to do? I have tons of questions about A School for CS's so if anyone would like to share anything that they know about it I would LOVE that! Thanks, and I look forward to getting to know you all :)

I had to step away for a while. My CS got married on the 20th. He was able to come home for one week! He got married on Friday and had to return on Sunday. He had to leave his wife with me. I guess spouses can't live on the ship. lol
He was able to go and apply for married housing. I think he said he goes and looks at pictures and then he will look at the houses. Based on what is available, he will decide, sign and move in. Has anyone ever gone through this?
Johanna, It is SO true. Moms know everything! I just wish they knew we didn't!
My son's bride moved here on the 11th from Brazil. I'm working hard trying to teach her English. My son calls home daily. Mom........

Bernadette, welcome! Where is your CS? Mine is in San Diego on the USS Bonhomme Richard.
nikosmom, thanks. I think with Richard being out to sea as much as he will, a duplex will help his wife get to know people. I feel sorry for her. She has only been in the US for three weeks and already her husband is in San Diego, while she is here in Texas.

Nikosmom: my fiance is on hold with a ton of other guys and they seem to be starting a new group each week. From what he was told there were a lot of new CS's that recenty graduated. From what I read they only start about 30 Sailors each week so that means if there are more than 30 the rest go on hold until the next week or even the week after (which is how long my fiance will be on hold). I sent you a message with some more info that I learned about CS school :)

Thanks Johanna! He leaves next week, but will only be gone for ten days. After that he said he will be docked for several months. He was suppose to look at houses the other day. I need to follow up.
I can't imagine cooking for so many people in a kitchen so small! I guess you learn to make do!
Again thanks for your helpful insight!

My son just told me that he might got to C school. He said it is in San Diego (where he is stationed). What do they study in C school? He is currently a baker.

I asked about C school. It is a fifteen day class to learn more about the "Nuts and Bolts" of running the galley. It's not required, but looks good if you are trying to get E-4.

I guess it is like when they were in school. I would learn a lot from their friends! Richard leaves tomorrow for ten days and then he will be docked for a while before heading back to sea.

Hello everyone. I'm new to the group. My boyfriend graduates boot camp on 9/24. I just figured I would check this page out to see if I can learn more about being a CS as that will be what he'll be going to a school for. He is in the reserves so I'm hoping he'll be home for a while after a school. Does anyone have someone as a reserve CS?

I have no idea he he'll be doing any active duty or not. Hopefully not..

My son will be graduating CS schoolnext week and going to sub school. Anyone else have a CS on a sub.

Thankfull Brandon got a job at a place in town called "James Foods" They make frozen dinners and deserts. Like chicken pie and lasagna, and fruit cobblers. He is hoping it will give him some experence in the kitchen
Nikosmom- do you know how long the "Safe Serve" certification last? My son got it too in HS but in his JR year.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Asheboro-NC/James-Foods-Inc/308899481...!/pages/Asheboro-NC/James-Foods-Inc/308899481359