Naval Aviation

For Moms with Aviators or anyone interested
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  • Sweet*Southern*Lady

    Our friends who's report dates were before June last year started things right away. Our friends who got down there after June waited for at least 6 weeks to start anything.

    But then with the pool being closed longer than they thought for we've heard there are some major waits possible 3+ months. A Marine friend just got there in December and she's on a hold pattern for no earlier than March! Yikes.

    He's in the STA-21 program and he was prior Rescue Swimmer (lots of Helo time). Hopefully IFS will be a breeze.

    I guess we'll just see how it all works out I just want a decent home and a vacation even if its in Florida and only 4 or 5 days longs.

  • ulua

    Thankyou Nancy W.  I had to print that posting for me to keep. It described so well the Navy mom experience.  God bless you

  • Jamesmum

    Nancy, thank you! My boy just reported to Pensacola last week from OCS and is waiting on his NAMI for the 22nd. I am at the start of this process. Reading the posts and seeing what others feel and go through helps tremendously. I honestly don't the enormity of how little I will see my son has hit home yet. It is going to be one heck of an adventure for him and I am glad to have this group to be my support.
  • JudyM

    DS should be winging in early March. A retired Navy pilot had given us the idea to get him a ring made from wings. DS said he would probably not wear it. So . . . gift ideas anyone?

  • Helomom

    Kathy B- I checked out your pictures, that is very similar to what we got for our son when he winged. Over the years we also purchased the wooden desktop models of everything he has flown starting with the T-34 Turbo Mentor as gifts along the way. 11 years and 10 relocation moves have taken their toll on the models and the moving company has had to replace his CH-46D but he loves the collection.
  • Paymaster

    ok, where did you all find the wooden desktop models?

  • Helomom

    We bought several through Flywings in Pensacola. They were pretty easy to work with. They have a website: http://flywings.com/catalog.htm A couple of times I emailed them photographs so they could get the numbers and decals right. I also bought a plain mahogany 46 and a plain mahogany 60 at a seasonal store in our local mail. They have a website: http://mahogonymodels.com/helicopters.htm. Those are very reasonable, I got my husband a set too. Our son's wife thought those were pretty enough to be in the living room, LOL.
  • Helomom

    Judy-sorry, didn't respond about the lithographs. We too had our son order his framed lithographs with patches. He ordered his at FlyWings in P'cola. We picked it up and paid for it when we flew in for his winging.
  • Dawn

    Chris where is your dd?
  • Helomom

    Chris- http://budget.house.gov/ Here is budget plan. "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the UnitedStates; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; To borrow Money on the credit of the United States" Article 1 Section 8, U.S. Constitution.
  • Helomom

    More light reading. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_Two_of_the_United_States_Const...
    Our local library system has started an adult education series on the Constitution and Bill of Rights. It's a refresher on US Government and Civics. It has become a very popular class.
  • JudyM

    I am hoping that our DS will be sent to Lemoore in March - only three hours from us!

  • Helomom

    So glad you read the budget outline, Chris. There seems to be such confusion these days about the roles of each of our branches of government. I wish the media did a better job of reminding the public about what the people have evidently forgotten. Every branch of government's role is very clearly defined. Here's a link to the role of the Senate. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate
  • Michelle

    Thank you Helomom.  People forget it's Congress who approves the budget.

  • Navygf820

    My boyfriend is in Pensacola right now waiting to start IFS and then API. He was told yesterday by a LT that "there isn't the funding right now" for aviators to begin IFS. Has anyone else heard anything about this? Any updates? I knew there would be a big backlog for aviators to begin training in Pensacola but now I don't know what will happen if they can't get paid...yikes!

  • Dawn

    My son is in API. They have been backed up because of pool being down. They started an API class Oct 1 and then not another until Jan 10. He got there in August. Took several weeks before started IFS and then flying in that depends on weather. They had over a week their was no flying when hurricane when through. He finished IFS and then had about two months down time. He reported to base each day and took the one week leadership course they take. He also on his own time completed him pilots license. As soon as they star API they know where they will go for primary after API. He found out on Monday that he was classed up for API on Thursday. Have not heard anything about them not getting paid.
  • Navygf820

    Leslie- they didnt say anything abut him not being paid, just that they didnt have the funding for IFS right now.

    Dawn - where is your son going to do Primary? 

  • lou2949

    DS came back from 9 month deployment 4 months early to resurface slick flight deck with the schedule to deploy again just a few weeks later but now rumor has it they won't deploy again.....could just be rumor but who knows with the deep budget cuts......
  • Dawn

    Whiting which is by Pensacola
  • Helomom

    The CNO did an All-Hands Call today from Norfolk which was broadcast live. He spoke at length about the budget. The B-Roll complete video is available on the Defense Department Video site. http://www.dvidshub.net/video/280048/chief-naval-operations-all-han...
  • Navygf820

    what do "DD" and "DS" stand for?

  • Dawn

    Dear daughter and dear son
  • Dawn

    They are asking them when they first get there now what their first choice is. Sounds like most are getting their first choice at this time. My understanding when i talked to DS was that they told them when they classed up for API where they would go so gave them a bit more notice.
  • Dawn

    Thank you Leslie. It is my DS. Yes, lots of waiting. It is nice to have these groups for updates.
  • CheriH

    Praying for the Air Force pilot lost light night in Italy.  And for the family.  

  • Paymaster

    Finished what my husband calls the baby pack.  Receiving blankets, burp clothes and a quilt.  It a gift for a lady that works at our front desk at City Hall.Blue Gift Quilt

  • AH

    Multiple job offers are great.  DS got 3 in the same day.  One was the least $$$ and of course that was with the Navy.  It's obvious which one he took.  Still not regrets.

     

  • Barb

    Leslie,  Congratulations!  How exciting...I forgot, where is Rory at?

  • CheriH

    Have a marvelous time Leslie!  We want details when you get back.

  • CheriH

    Got a question Moms...what's the average time between finishing primary and winging?  I realize it's different for each aircraft.  But I'm just curious how long it takes. And I don't really want to ask my DS. :) Thanks!

  • Growlermom711

    I almost never post, but do follow along on all the news-so happy this forum exists for Moms.Now I have a comment to make. My DS was to deploy last Fri on the Truman, and the deployment was cancelled 2 days beforehand!.I can't believe that this was thought out-how many families lives were upset, and we still don't know when this deployment will happen!this is DS second deployment,so you know what to expect and you prepare yourself for them leaving.now we have to do it all over again! It is too bad the military and their families are being used as pawns to get  a budget passed.! thanks ladies for letting me get that off my chest-no one understands like you do!

  • lou2949

    Alice......my DS is on the Eisenhower.....they deployed last June for what was to have been 9-10 months long.....returned just before Christmas to resurface a slick flight deck and are now leaving in a few days for a few more months......I think that's easier than what happened to everyone on the Truman.....I've read and the talk in my son's squadron is the Truman will leave later this year or early 2014. Absolutely nothing is set in stone these days that's for sure. We're off to Norfolk in a couple of days to spend a few days with DS before he leaves....again. Can't wait.....
  • Growlermom711

    Lou2949-enjoy your visit. we were all wondering why they didn't let the Truman go out and let the Eisenhower stay behind?DS says the Truman has to get underway to launch the jets,and he will probably come home on the airlift.I don't mind having to be flexible,but really 2 days notice? all those men and women who gave up apts. and made all other arrangements to leave ,now what?thanks for letting me vent!

  • Helomom

    We loved visiting our son and his family when they were stationed in JAX. It's a pretty area plus it's a day trip to Savannah and a quick drive to Orlando and the Space Center. They also have Steak 'n Shake restaurant which we like better than In and Out. They weren't there very long though, just thru a Truman deployment.
  • ulua

    How exciting Leslie- congrats to your son!

    I am heading this coming weekend to spend a few days with my DS in Kingsville.  We are hoping to do a trip to San Antonio and see the rodeo this weekend, trying to find a few tickets at this late date. Has anyone else ever seen the show?

    Cheri- I think for jets the timeline is roughly a year to winging.  So many factors like weather come into play.

    flyboymom- I enjoyed your kindergarten reference, it is an exciting time. 

  • Paymaster

    Naurse Nayv Sheila.....So what is his call sign?

  • Barb

    Leslie,

    Awesome!  Thank you for sharing.  It is so good to hear the details that Moms want to hear.   I'm so glad that they recognized your family...you all deserve it (especially YOU!  Talk about nerves of steel!)  My DS is in Kingsville so will he wing there?  Or does everyone go to Corpus? He has quite a ways to go...just sims so far, their gear still isn't ready yet so no one has been flying.  That seems to be taking a really, really long time.  He was part of the first group to do the one day centrifuge class in San Antonio a few weeks ago.  He sent us a video clip and I'm really glad he sent it, but boy, I did not really enjoy watching it!  His dad and brother really did, but his two sisters were more unsettled than I was.  I'm not sure they made it through the whole two minutes!  ("Why are they doing that to him?")  His gf is down there now on an "extended visit", he says they are not living together, but...

  • CheriH

    Thanks Leslie for all the good scoop.  Those of us behind you on this track are lapping up the details!

  • Barb

    Leslie,

    Great photographs!  Thank you for sharing!

  • gonavymom

    Leslie:  Thank you for all the great information on winging.  What a beautiful family you have, I can only imagine how proud you are.   My DS should be winging in Kingsville in around 6 weeks.  His CQs have been affected by the Truman situation so hoping that budget cuts don't push the process out even farther.  He has been in Kingsville just over a year.  He will be flying F18s but don't know where yet.   Any other Kingsville moms on this timeframe?

  • lsP3Orion

    Leslie,  I'm so glad you were able to go to Rory's winging and you've really captured what the essence of what it was all about!  What a wonderful family and to be honored as you were!  Beautiful pictures!

     

    I haven't posted much, but have been reading everyone's posts!  My son passed his P3 board last week and is now Flight Commander!  It was very grueling - so my thoughts are with Conor - good luck to him!!

     

    Granddaughter is due April 17th (my older son's BD) - pilot son will not be here for the delivery as he will be deployed, but home about a month later after she gets somewhat in the groove of having a new baby - he'll miss all the fun, first month stuff :)

     

    I may come down to Florida after the baby is born, but will probably wait until my son is home so I can see him too - I'll let you Florida moms know!

     

     

  • Paymaster

    It doesn't matter how long they are in, your heart always drops when they call to inform you they are deploying. 

    Mine call last night on his drive into base for a none scheduled deployment.  Couldn't tell us where or for how long.  Its the nature of their business.  Gods speed to all.

  • Paymaster

    Thanks, Leslie.   Its the nature of the beast.  I am a old hand at this, but is still is a hard pill to swallow.  I miss talking to him.

  • aggiemom

    My son graduates OCS next week and will be going to Pensacola next. He is looking for a place to stay with at least one other guy. Any suggestions or recommendations? 

  • Dawn

    Aggiemom. I sent you friend request with some information
  • USNA Mom

    Hi Ladies, I am new to you all and have learned from reading the thread.  Excuse me for just jumping in but after reading aggiemom's request for Pensacola housing, I wanted to jump in to warn her son about a Property Management firm named South Pointe.  They have a racket going where they have a lawyer send a letter to the kids about a month after they move saying that the kids never gave in their paperwork and keep the deposit.  The kids are no longer in the area and cannot do anything about it.  It happened to me son and his friends and after posting on another site, I found out that this is common. I would hate to see someone else have the same experience.

  • Barb

    Leslie,

    Congratulations! 

  • Barb

    aggiemom, My DS lived in Austinwood apartments in Pensacola and everyone was very nice.  He had his own one bedroom apt, but there were lots of guys there sharing 2 br.  It's just a few minutes down the road from the base and just a minute or two from the Walmart and Target.

  • Dawn

    Congratulations!
  • Helomom

    Congratulations, Leslie! Bravo Zulu to Conor!