proudmom, I sent you a friend request. Yes, names and identifying information about our kids is not used on the public forum, so DS, DD, etc. is used when referring to them.
Welcome proudmom. My DS is in Lemoore, CA. I just moved to Atlanta from Dallas, TX. There is a Texas Moms page that has several subgroups and I know that there is a group that has met in the Austin area for lunch. You can find that page and post there. I don't know how often they meet. This page will give you lots of information about the flight training process...read back through the discussions and also post any questions you have. These ladies (and one dad) are very helpful and supportive!
proudmom...I'm in Sandy Springs. Just starting to explore the area. If your DS gets to Corpus, make sure you make it down for the Blue Angels show in March. Each year it is in either Corpus or Kingsville. Our DS was in Kingsville for Advanced and it was wonderful to see his world with so much going on.
Congrats jamiess, on your son's completion of SERE, I told my DS please don't tell me when you go through SERE!! I think he still has a while before doing that!!
SERE typically happens after they finish advance and receive their wings. It's actually beneficial training so you would rather they be prepared then not prepared for potential situations.
I need a little help...my DS is in the last block of primary which is instruments. He is his worse critic. He is on monitoring status but he has passed all his sims to date and doing well...he gets so nervous I worry about him. I keep talking to him and supporting him...I know he is scared too...he doesnt want to fail...(in his eyes) I keep telling him keep your eye on the prize and he does know his stuff...I just feel so helpless at times, but I would never let him know that...guess I just need some encouragement...LOL
Hi Gina, I remember those days. Instruments is hard because there are so many details and so many ways to mess up. One of DS's instructors told him that while you have to know all this stuff, you actually don't use it that much once you are in the squadron. So, you just have to get through it.
Keep encouraging, remind him he is there for a reason, and that they thought he would be good enough to make it thru the training or they would not have put him there.
I know it's really hard on you to listen to him. So you hang in there too! Our DS lost a bunch of weight cuz he got so nervous that he couldn't eat. But he made it thru!
Just let us know how you and he are doing...
Gina, our DS was an aviation major in college so in some ways, I feel like I've already been through the nervousness and anguish prior to the Navy. It's rough, I understand completely. My suggestion to our son who was a bundle of nerves was to go for a run or workout. Try to get rid of the useless nervous energy and use the rest of your time to focus. He did it a lot and would think through problems on his runs or workouts. Needless to say, he was in great shape in college! LOL Throw in a few prayers (him and you) and you'll both feel better. Hope it helps.
My DS just finished instruments. It was tough. When he went through a tough time earlier in Primary, one of the moms told me to remind him that this is not a wee out process. The Navy wants them to succeed, and they were chosen because they are capable. My DS realized he needed a way to process the stress and got himself a bicycle. So now he rides to de-stress.
Encourage him to go do practice sims, it's not the real thing but it can be helpful. Also an instructor once told my DH to go home and drink a beer after a stressful flight. Sometimes taking a break from it and doing a non stressful activity will help clear the mind and start fresh.
Hi Gina, I feel your pain, we probably all do. Just continue to be there for him. Sometimes I think I worried more than my DS did :). He passed all his sims, that's awesome. It's such a stressful journey for all of them. Hang in there.
All of the Moms have had good advice. There are many stress points along the way for both you and your DS. Encourage him to find his way to destress. The Navy does want him to succeed. He might even find someone ahead of him in the pipeline to talk with. They are always ready to help one another.
On our way to Tailhook this afternoon to help our friend serve wine (tough job but someone has to do it.) DS and DIL will be there -YEAH! Last year he was deployed. I cherish each moment we are together.
JudyM - My husband and I watched the Smithsonian episode! Really neat. In the late 60's my husband was an aviation fire control technician for the A6 Intruder.
Helomom, thanks for letting me know you saw it. We have not as we do not have access to the Smithsonian channel. Sounds like you are several generations Navy. Awesome!
Kama, you'll get used to it! We also use terms like DIL for daughter-in-law, etc. This is due to OPSEC (operational security) because it is potentially dangerous to give out names, etc. on a public forum.
If your aviator is confusing you, too, check out the list of Navy acronyms on Wikipedia. They use the terms so much that I used to feel like I was getting hieroglyphics from my DS.
JudyM - DH and I are on Coronado visiting DS and family. I heard tonight that they (DS and DIL) tracked you down at Tailhook and spoke to you and your husband. :-)
Helomom, I did get visit from DS and DIL. They are terrific! It was so wonderful to meet them. Please say hello to them for me and that I so enjoyed meeting them.
JudyM - They say hello back! We love it here on Coronado. This tour has been the longest time they have been here so we have been able to visit more often. I think we will get a couple more trips in before Change of Command. Then they will be off again.
We have been visiting our DS and family for the last week on Coronado and are flying home today. Yesterday he took us over to the hangar to see his office, the ready room, conference room and the helos. DH and I got to sit in one of the helos while he explained all the controls to us. I must say it's a little amazing to see his command mission statement on the wall and realize that he is in command of 250 people and a quarter billion dollars worth of aircraft. His command tour is winding down, less than a year left so now the conversation is about what's next. DS says he won't really know much until next Spring, impossible to predict at this point. As we live in the moment, this visit was great fun. We went to the Fall Festival at school, caught a couple of our grandson's soccer games and watched our grand daughter cheerleading at a Pop Warner football game. Great fun!
Hi all! My DS just got the word, he will be moving to Corpus Christi soon. He's been in Pensacola for about 10 weeks, but the apartment/housing hunt begins again. Any suggestions on housing in Corpus Christi would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Hello all! It's been kinda quiet on the site lately. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We were blessed to have our DS and DIL with us along with our daughter and SIL...and 9 month old granddaughter join us at our new home in Atlanta. It was so wonderful to have them all here.
DS had stories of training fighting maneuvers in Key West and in-flight re-fueling. He will be in El Centro after the New Year getting ready for carrier quals sometime after that. He is getting close to being done with all this training. He is excited to be getting close to receiving that patch!
We are looking forward to our third, yes third, winging date. Only 5 flights to go. Not even buying another ticket until it is for sure. You just never know what will happen that impedes completion. Fingers crossed!
It has been quiet lately, CheriH and I'm glad you had your DS and DIL (and Grandbaby!!) for Thanksgiving. We are counting down until our DS is home for Christmas and we've got him for 3 weeks!! Today is his last flight in El Centro (maybe they are there together?) and he patched last week! It's a long haul, Kama, good luck...third time's the charm, right? Hoping everyone is well...take care!
Kama, welcome to the Navy. Dates are rarely set in stone. I know we ended up with two winging dates. Deployment is not a whole lot different. Dates are flexible.
We spent Thanksgiving in Washington with DS and Dil. So excited they will be with us for Chistmas. Last year he as dployed for both.
Greetings everyone! Well, wings are on, assigned to operational squadron, training continues (as it will until the day they retire), and it is time for the next step - time with a carrier group. So, since this is a new phase of the adventure for me, how do we communicate with our LOs while they are at sea? Do they receive mail (e-mail or snail mail) fairly regularly? How often? Does it do any good for them to take a cell phone or tablet along? Are there good gifts to send when they are at sea or preparing to go? Hoping my DS will be here for Christmas! Merry Christmas, everyone!
Congratulations on the winging! You really have it right when you say that they never stop training. My DS is an instructor at Top Gun (after 3 years in Japan) and he's still taking on online course right now.
Go to the U.S. Post Office website and have them deliver a carton of flat rate military boxes for free. They are great and get priority. Mine averaged 10 days to the Far East and never more than 14.
Email is the best way to keep in touch on deployment aboard a carrier. They have limited bandwidth, so how often they can get on is dependent on what they are doing. A tablet is great for using face-to-face talks when they are in a port.
Appreciated while at sea: Sheets (XL twin) and towels. DS described the Navy issued ones as "awful." Socks (athletic & boot) are always welcome. Food is pretty bland, so we would always send hot sauce. There are actually really tiny bottles of Tabasco that my guy would carry in his flight suit!
Magazines are enjoyed by the whole squadron. A number of my friends would save everything from National Geographic to car magazines. They are heavy, but the flat rate boxes don't have weight limits. Go Post Office! DS would put them in the wardroom & ready room.
Any treats to share are appreciated. Be careful about chocolate, though. It can be a melted mess in hot climates. Action movies are great. I shipped over all the old Terminator and Die Hard movies and they would have marathons.
Remember they have very limited storage space, so save the lovely homemade afghan, quilt, etc. for when they are in port.
Good luck on the next step in The Great Adventure (as my family now calls Navy life.)
Happy holidays to all and blessings to our children, wherever they may be.
Thanks Marianne and NavyMominOhio! I will figure this stuff out eventually. Great suggestions! By the way, if I send sheets and towels, how do they get laundered? Do you just mark them with a laundry pen or are they on their own for personal laundry?
It is finally official. My son is getting winged. Hoping for him to get the selection he wants. So far he hasn't had much luck with his selections. Maybe this time! I have made him a quilt with US Navy fabric and have incorporated patches from his military journey throughout the design. Turned out quite nicely for my first quilt! So proud to be a part of this community and for my son who has struggled and persevered for 6 years to get to this point. Bravo Zulu.
Campbellm: I'm not 100% sure, but since DS was often complaining that the laundry shrunk his socks and Ts, I am assuming that officers get their laundry done on board. I'd check with him, but he is off training again!
Kama: Congratulations! Sometimes the road is really crooked, but he got there. Winging is am amazing ceremony that you'll never forget.
Peace & Blessings to all and your children. I'm blessed to have my DS coming home, but I also have been through the years of deployment overseas. I hope that those who are in that position will get a chance to talk to your LOs.
I'm praying for our children and all others who serve. May 2016 see them healthy and safe.
helenp
proudmom, I sent you a friend request. Yes, names and identifying information about our kids is not used on the public forum, so DS, DD, etc. is used when referring to them.
Aug 29, 2015
J/J Mom
Welcome to the group proudmom. DS is stationed in Corpus now for flight school. He LOVED Austin when he visited!!
Aug 29, 2015
CheriH
Welcome proudmom. My DS is in Lemoore, CA. I just moved to Atlanta from Dallas, TX. There is a Texas Moms page that has several subgroups and I know that there is a group that has met in the Austin area for lunch. You can find that page and post there. I don't know how often they meet. This page will give you lots of information about the flight training process...read back through the discussions and also post any questions you have. These ladies (and one dad) are very helpful and supportive!
Aug 30, 2015
proudmom
CheriH...Thanks for the info. Before Austin, I lived 16 years in Alpharetta. Where are you in Atlanta?
Aug 30, 2015
Chris
VT-6 rules! My son was in VT-6, now in Meridian MS.
http://www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw5/vt6/
Aug 30, 2015
CheriH
proudmom...I'm in Sandy Springs. Just starting to explore the area. If your DS gets to Corpus, make sure you make it down for the Blue Angels show in March. Each year it is in either Corpus or Kingsville. Our DS was in Kingsville for Advanced and it was wonderful to see his world with so much going on.
Aug 30, 2015
jamielss
Aug 30, 2015
jamielss
Aug 30, 2015
proudmom
CherH...Sandy Springs is nice...you're close to everything. I will definitely go to the airshow in March if my DS is in Corpus.
Aug 30, 2015
Quilter
Congrats jamiess, on your son's completion of SERE, I told my DS please don't tell me when you go through SERE!! I think he still has a while before doing that!!
Aug 31, 2015
jamielss
Sep 1, 2015
CheriH
jamiess...glad he made it through! I know they are training them and want to make sure they are alright, but it's still hard to hear about it all!
Sep 1, 2015
Quilter
jamielss, how long after OCS do they have SERE, just so I can prepare. LOL
Sep 1, 2015
Hurricane
Sep 1, 2015
Quilter
Thank you Hurricane, and I agree 100%
Sep 1, 2015
jamielss
Sep 1, 2015
jamielss
Sep 1, 2015
HeloMOM2016
Hi
I need a little help...my DS is in the last block of primary which is instruments. He is his worse critic. He is on monitoring status but he has passed all his sims to date and doing well...he gets so nervous I worry about him. I keep talking to him and supporting him...I know he is scared too...he doesnt want to fail...(in his eyes) I keep telling him keep your eye on the prize and he does know his stuff...I just feel so helpless at times, but I would never let him know that...guess I just need some encouragement...LOL
Thank Gina
Sep 8, 2015
CheriH
Keep encouraging, remind him he is there for a reason, and that they thought he would be good enough to make it thru the training or they would not have put him there.
I know it's really hard on you to listen to him. So you hang in there too! Our DS lost a bunch of weight cuz he got so nervous that he couldn't eat. But he made it thru!
Just let us know how you and he are doing...
Sep 8, 2015
jsefamily
Sep 8, 2015
helenp
My DS just finished instruments. It was tough. When he went through a tough time earlier in Primary, one of the moms told me to remind him that this is not a wee out process. The Navy wants them to succeed, and they were chosen because they are capable. My DS realized he needed a way to process the stress and got himself a bicycle. So now he rides to de-stress.
Sep 8, 2015
Hurricane
Sep 9, 2015
Barb
Hi Gina, everyone has a rough spot at one time or another. Sending you and your son lots of positive thoughts and warm hugs! Hang in there!
Sep 9, 2015
NYNancy
Sep 9, 2015
JudyM
On our way to Tailhook this afternoon to help our friend serve wine (tough job but someone has to do it.) DS and DIL will be there -YEAH! Last year he was deployed. I cherish each moment we are together.
Sep 9, 2015
Helomom
Sep 9, 2015
JudyM
Helomom, tell DS ad DIL to come by the Bella Luna Wine booth and ask for me. Would love to meet them and pour them a glass of wine.
Sep 9, 2015
JudyM
Anyone else know their loved ones will be at Tailhook. Please have them come by and meet me.
Sep 9, 2015
JudyM
For anyone who is interested in the Growlers, the Smithsonian channel is having a program in early October. Here is a link to the trailer.
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/videos/this-aircraft-is-a-marvel-...
Sep 30, 2015
Helomom
Oct 11, 2015
JudyM
Helomom, thanks for letting me know you saw it. We have not as we do not have access to the Smithsonian channel. Sounds like you are several generations Navy. Awesome!
Oct 12, 2015
Kama
Forgive me, but I don't know all of the acronyms. What is a DS?
Oct 16, 2015
JudyM
Oct 16, 2015
Marianne
Kama, you'll get used to it! We also use terms like DIL for daughter-in-law, etc. This is due to OPSEC (operational security) because it is potentially dangerous to give out names, etc. on a public forum.
If your aviator is confusing you, too, check out the list of Navy acronyms on Wikipedia. They use the terms so much that I used to feel like I was getting hieroglyphics from my DS.
Oct 16, 2015
Helomom
Oct 19, 2015
JudyM
Helomom, I did get visit from DS and DIL. They are terrific! It was so wonderful to meet them. Please say hello to them for me and that I so enjoyed meeting them.
How do you like Coronado?
Oct 19, 2015
Helomom
Oct 19, 2015
Helomom
Oct 19, 2015
Quilter
Hi all! My DS just got the word, he will be moving to Corpus Christi soon. He's been in Pensacola for about 10 weeks, but the apartment/housing hunt begins again. Any suggestions on housing in Corpus Christi would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Oct 30, 2015
Rose
Looking for Christmas gift suggestions, keeping in mind the limited space while living on a carrier. Any things that your LOs are glad to have?
Nov 27, 2015
CheriH
Hello all! It's been kinda quiet on the site lately. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We were blessed to have our DS and DIL with us along with our daughter and SIL...and 9 month old granddaughter join us at our new home in Atlanta. It was so wonderful to have them all here.
DS had stories of training fighting maneuvers in Key West and in-flight re-fueling. He will be in El Centro after the New Year getting ready for carrier quals sometime after that. He is getting close to being done with all this training. He is excited to be getting close to receiving that patch!
Hope all of you and your LOs are doing well!
Dec 6, 2015
Kama
We are looking forward to our third, yes third, winging date. Only 5 flights to go. Not even buying another ticket until it is for sure. You just never know what will happen that impedes completion. Fingers crossed!
Dec 7, 2015
Barb
Hi Everyone,
It has been quiet lately, CheriH and I'm glad you had your DS and DIL (and Grandbaby!!) for Thanksgiving. We are counting down until our DS is home for Christmas and we've got him for 3 weeks!! Today is his last flight in El Centro (maybe they are there together?) and he patched last week! It's a long haul, Kama, good luck...third time's the charm, right? Hoping everyone is well...take care!
Dec 7, 2015
JudyM
We spent Thanksgiving in Washington with DS and Dil. So excited they will be with us for Chistmas. Last year he as dployed for both.
Dec 7, 2015
campbellm
Greetings everyone! Well, wings are on, assigned to operational squadron, training continues (as it will until the day they retire), and it is time for the next step - time with a carrier group. So, since this is a new phase of the adventure for me, how do we communicate with our LOs while they are at sea? Do they receive mail (e-mail or snail mail) fairly regularly? How often? Does it do any good for them to take a cell phone or tablet along? Are there good gifts to send when they are at sea or preparing to go? Hoping my DS will be here for Christmas! Merry Christmas, everyone!
Dec 11, 2015
Marianne
Campbellm:
Congratulations on the winging! You really have it right when you say that they never stop training. My DS is an instructor at Top Gun (after 3 years in Japan) and he's still taking on online course right now.
Go to the U.S. Post Office website and have them deliver a carton of flat rate military boxes for free. They are great and get priority. Mine averaged 10 days to the Far East and never more than 14.
Email is the best way to keep in touch on deployment aboard a carrier. They have limited bandwidth, so how often they can get on is dependent on what they are doing. A tablet is great for using face-to-face talks when they are in a port.
Appreciated while at sea: Sheets (XL twin) and towels. DS described the Navy issued ones as "awful." Socks (athletic & boot) are always welcome. Food is pretty bland, so we would always send hot sauce. There are actually really tiny bottles of Tabasco that my guy would carry in his flight suit!
Magazines are enjoyed by the whole squadron. A number of my friends would save everything from National Geographic to car magazines. They are heavy, but the flat rate boxes don't have weight limits. Go Post Office! DS would put them in the wardroom & ready room.
Any treats to share are appreciated. Be careful about chocolate, though. It can be a melted mess in hot climates. Action movies are great. I shipped over all the old Terminator and Die Hard movies and they would have marathons.
Remember they have very limited storage space, so save the lovely homemade afghan, quilt, etc. for when they are in port.
Good luck on the next step in The Great Adventure (as my family now calls Navy life.)
Happy holidays to all and blessings to our children, wherever they may be.
Dec 11, 2015
campbellm
Thanks Marianne and NavyMominOhio! I will figure this stuff out eventually. Great suggestions! By the way, if I send sheets and towels, how do they get laundered? Do you just mark them with a laundry pen or are they on their own for personal laundry?
Dec 15, 2015
Kama
It is finally official. My son is getting winged. Hoping for him to get the selection he wants. So far he hasn't had much luck with his selections. Maybe this time! I have made him a quilt with US Navy fabric and have incorporated patches from his military journey throughout the design. Turned out quite nicely for my first quilt! So proud to be a part of this community and for my son who has struggled and persevered for 6 years to get to this point. Bravo Zulu.
Dec 15, 2015
Barb
Kama,
Congratulations, it's an amazing time! All's right in my world, my DS arrived home this morning and will be here for Christmas!
Dec 15, 2015
Marianne
Campbellm: I'm not 100% sure, but since DS was often complaining that the laundry shrunk his socks and Ts, I am assuming that officers get their laundry done on board. I'd check with him, but he is off training again!
Kama: Congratulations! Sometimes the road is really crooked, but he got there. Winging is am amazing ceremony that you'll never forget.
Peace & Blessings to all and your children. I'm blessed to have my DS coming home, but I also have been through the years of deployment overseas. I hope that those who are in that position will get a chance to talk to your LOs.
I'm praying for our children and all others who serve. May 2016 see them healthy and safe.
Dec 16, 2015