My son applied for the May 25th (2020) NFO board. He was notified that his packet was approved approximately one month later. I do know there was a lot of “talk” on that May 25 Board AirWarriors page as people received their acceptances.
My son was later given an OCS date for November 2020, but was put on the “available to move up list”. Be very careful what you wish for, as he suddenly got a call one afternoon (2 months early) and a mere 19 HOURS later was at the airport bright & early for his flight to Rhode Island. He graduated from OCS in Class 04-21 in December.
My son reported to Pensacola NAS the first week of January 2021 and currently, he is waiting to class up for NFO training.
How is your son doing with his command in Italy? Hopefully, the virus situation is lessening there and things are opening up. I hope you will be able to visit soon! Historic Italy is on my bucket list---Pompeii, the Colosseum, the old Roman forum, etc.
M's mom- His wife says he has lost weight but doing okay. Their area is alternating between Red (totally locked down) and Orange (mostly locked down). No travel between regions unless work required. He is working the fine line between keeping the bases operational and upsetting the Italian government. No one is happy. The Italian government is continually complaining that they are violating Italian law, for instance our DoD schools are open. It is what it is. Everyday balance the needs of the Navy, the wishes of the Italian government, the Italians who work on the bases, the American government, the American contractors, the American military personnel, the American civilians, the foreign military tenants...the Italian unions...the list goes on and on. Fun times.
Glenni - They are hopeful that the Italians will get vaccinated soon, that would certainly help. At some point every day won’t be, I didn’t get fired by the Navy or arrested by the Italians today. Things will get better. I worry about him but he says it’s just part of the job. He has put in 24 years as of this May, 2 years left on this contract. We hope to travel to see them next year. Our granddaughter will be graduating from high school. Maybe COVID will be in our rear view mirror. When I think about all of this I think they are lucky to have an RN, BSN, Helo pilot, Inspector General, CO taking care of all of them. We will all be OK.
Sounds like your son has his hands full, but I'm sure he's doing as well as any CO could do in that situation, and I'm sure the Navy knows it. Of course, all administrators know that when you try to make everyone happy, no one is happy, so you just have to do the best you can with balancing everyone's interests, and let the chips fall where they may. I hope you will make it to your granddaughter's graduation next year, and things will be much better for your son! Gosh, he and his family have probably not been able go out to see any of the sights of Italy since they've been there!
M's mom - They were able to take the train to Rome for the day last July when they were released from in-house quarantine after their arrival. Since then when the region is in Orange, they can travel in the Campania region which includes the Amalfi coast so they get away to some great places. They have found some really neat local wineries. The Support Site is in a farming area and they are looking forward to some amazing local produce. The latest from the Italians is the rumor of moving to Yellow at the end of this month. Fingers crossed.
M's mom- My husband and I were fortunate to spend some time in Italy in 2017. We flew into Venice and spent a couple of days touring the city. Then took the train to Florence to spend a few days there seeing the sights. Took the train to Rome and had a tour to Pompeii and Positano on the Amalfi coast. Toured the Colosseum and the city of Rome, spent a day on a tour of the Vatican. It was amazing. We are looking forward to returning.
Helomom,----That sounds like a wonderful tour! You saw many of the things I would like to see in Italy, hopefully, one day. I'm SO looking forward to travelling again when things open up and we can get back to a sense of life as we knew it!
My son is still with Cyber Security at Ft Meade, but got a very preliminary feeler from his detailer about a position in England! I'd love to visit the UK, particularly always wanted to see Scotland! My husband and I absolutely loved visiting Japan when my son & wife were there. (This was after the Carl Vinson tour.) We would have never visited Japan on our own, so it was wonderful to have personal tour guides and drivers while there. My son learned to drive on the LEFT side of the road in Japan, so I told him he should be skilled at that already if he goes to the UK. The saying is: "Join the Navy and see the world!" I say, "Join the Navy so your parents can see the world while visiting you!"
I love that! "Join the Navy so your parents can see the world!" That's great!!
Thirty four years ago my dad took my husband, my brothers and me to Europe for almost a month. We loved visiting Italy, but didn't have time to do much more than Rome when we were there, then we sailed from Italy to Greece. My son hopes to be part of the rotary community, so I'm hoping he will get some cool postings in the years to come! But first we're waiting to know for sure that he's going to Pensacola when he commissions!!
By "rotary community" I assume you mean your son hopes to be a helo pilot after commissioning? Is he in ROTC or going to OCS? My son went to OCS as a Naval aviator candidate, but they only did the full flight physical on him AFTER he was already at OCS. They found out he had a minor heart anomaly which is not life-threatening, but DQ'd him for aviation. He was upset, but decided to switch designators to intelligence instead of quitting and going home. He has been in the Navy almost nine years now, and loves intelligence. I think his DQ was a blessing in disguise, because I think intel is a much better match for him than aviation anyway. I hope your son gets the helo spot he hopes for, but my son is proof that there are many other rewarding jobs in the Navy. He has lived in five different places in nine years, and we have enjoyed visiting him in each, so hopefully you will "see the world" along with your son!
I just want to make sure I am in the right place.... My son will graduate from George Washington U and be commissioned in May and then he heads to Pensacola mid June for flight school.
I would love to know as much as I can about the commissioning ceremony and also his move to Pensacola. Is there anything I need to know as his mom? Someone said there was a "pinning" I would do or put his boards on?
Welcome shocklady! Congrats to you and your son. This is a great page...there is also a Naval Aviation group within this site that has lots of info about once he gets to Pensacola for flight school. My son did the same in 2012...it's an exciting ride!
I don't know about the commissioning ceremony at college ROTC, because my son went to OCS after college, but hopefully someone else here can help you with their experience. As CheriH posted, you should join the "Naval Aviation" group here on NavyforMoms. Those ladies can answer any of your questions about Pensacola and flight school.
M's Mom, my son is ROTC. I think they may do a flight physical in the fall before they do service selection. But I'm not 100% certain about that. Shocklady, did your son have the flight physical already?
Congratulation Meredith and Shocklady on your sons' graduation and commissioning. My son has 1 more semester because even entering college with a semester's worth of credit already, he just couldn't get everything into 4 years. He's an aerospace engineering major, and is so happy that this is his final semester of engineering classes. Next semester is just Navy stuff and basics!
shocklady: My DS did ROTC in college as well; graduated and commissioned the same weekend. I'm sure there are some differences depending on the university, but he did the official commissioning with his Navy ROTC unit; very formal; take the oath together; then presented with commission (a signed document) and shoulder boards pinned on. My hubby got to present the commission and DS's fiance and I got to pin the shoulder boards on. It is very moving. Then they do the first salute, and then we went to graduation.
As for the flight physical, I think he did several rounds. There were at least two prior to selection; then another when he actually got to Pensacola. He had PRK eye surgery before his last semester, so his vision was 20/20.
Thank you Cheri!! My son had PRK last summer and he was thrilled with the result being better than 20/20 vision!
And yes Glenni, he has had the physical. He is in Washington DC so they just went over to USNA & Walter Reed for all that and he reports to Pensacola on June 14th
Yes, Glenni, we were shocked!! Fortunately he has a couple others from his unit going at the same time and they are looking for housing together!
He did have to go back and forth a few times for his physical because of various different reasons which was stressful but it all went fine in the end.
Mererdith yes we should connect!! I sent you a message
For all you Navy Moms who have LOs going to Pensacola for flight training - if your loved one has to have Aviation Safety Training which some platforms require, they stand a good chance of having a class from my daughter!!!! She will still be at the Aviation Safety School until next March when she transfers out.
That's really cool. My midshipman will commission in December. I hope he'll be going to Pensacola at some point in the spring. But he'll probably miss your daughter as an instructor.
My sometimes a pilot Naval aviator was in Texas for the week last week. It was nice to have him in CONUS for a short time but he has been back at the grind in Italy this week. He was stateside getting his sim time in and his requalification completed. If the COVID situations improve in EUR he might get more time in the cockpit. 3 PCR COVID19 test to get here, 3 PCR COVID19 tests to get back and they had to send his driver to pick him up as not many trains are running. Sure wish we could go visit, haven’t seen them all in person since March 2020. Someday…
I hope you got to visit with your son when he was in Texas! That's great that he may still get some helo flying time. I thought once the aviators got promoted up to a command rank, that they were pretty much done flying, and only "flew a desk," as they say.
My son, who is presently at Ft Meade (Baltimore) with Cyber Security, just got "verbal" orders, (not official yet) that he will be transferring to an intel position in England in one year!! Hubby and I have always wanted to visit the UK, especially Scotland! Hopefully, things will be back to normal by then.
We will probably do as we did when he was stationed in Japan--wait a year or so to let them learn to get around and check out the best places to see, and then plan a visit! He and his wife were great tour guides in Japan. Daughter-in-law had learned "getting around" Japanese by then, and they had figured out the excellent Japanese cross-country train system, so we had a blast riding the Shinkansen (bullet train), and seeing as much as we could.
I told my son that at least he knows how to drive on the LEFT side of the road already, as they do in Japan and the UK. It was so weird riding in a vehicle with him in Japan, and the steering wheel in on the right side! (Glad I wasn't driving!)
Hope you get to visit your son and family in Italy soon!
M's Mom - Unfortunately we didn’t. He wasn’t even there for a week and had a heavy schedule with classes, sims, and studying. He is flying the C26 Metroliner, not helos this tour. With COVID19 stuff to handle and flight restrictions he hasn’t had much chance to fly. He is hoping that as things improve, he will be able to fly more. One of the perks of these orders was that it was a flight billet. Hahaha. But restrictions did ease up a bit this week. They were able to get away to Sorrento. Still can’t leave the region though.
That is great news about your son! You will LOVE England. We were there for a week in 2019. Saw lots of the sights in London, took a Windsor Castle tour, went to Bath, Stonehenge, and toured Highclere Castle and surrounding area where Downton Abbey was filmed. We stayed in a hotel across the street from the Tower of London and had a view of the Tower Bridge from our room. We want to go back and see more at some point. Scotland is definitely on our list.
Wow, I didn't know your son flew fixed-wing planes as well as helos! I've heard that flying helos is completely different than flying a fixed-wing, so he must be a talented pilot! Hope he gets to fly more soon.
Sounds like you've already seen many of the things I want to see in England. I'm into history, so would love to tour some old fabulous castles, Stonehenge, Sutton Hoo, etc. My son will be stationed about 90 miles north of London, closer to Cambridge.
I've seen videos of the Scottish highlands, just lovely. Lots of history in Scotland, too. Not keen to eat haggis, though.--haha My niece studied a semester abroad at St. Andrews in Scotland and loved it there. She had to have her mother send her some jars of peanut butter, because they didn't have it in Scotland. Her Scottish friends thought it tasted awful, and must be an acquired taste! I thought the same thing, the one and only time I tasted vegemite!!
But that is one of the best things about international travel--trying the local foods! We had some GREAT food in Japan, and enjoyed sampling as many things as we could. I did draw the line though, at anything that looked like....tentacles. I might have liked octopus, if it weren't so obvious that's what it was! haha
Helomom, I love the fact that your son is still flying! That's the kind of career my son hopes to have!
M's Mom, when we lived in Peru they had Ceviche mixto that had "pulpo" in it. Pulpo is spanish for octapus. It was cut up pretty small, but you it still had a very distinctive rubbery texture that was hard to get past for me.
It has been a great summer! Our daughter-in-law, our granddaughter, and our grandson were able visit from Italy. The primary purpose of the visit was to narrow down our granddaughter’s list of colleges she will apply to. Success! UW, WWU, and UofO are at the top of the list…and maybe Michigan. Our grandson was able to spend some time with his cousins. They also worked in a week in SanDiego visiting friends. We had a lovely visit with our daughter-in-law! They are hoping we all get to visit them next year. We definitely plan to be there for her high school graduation.
M's Mom, all Navy pilots start on fixed wing before they split off to type. He said it really isn’t that hard to adapt. He’s hoping to get more flight hours in this next year. They are up to their ears in COVID stuff still with ever changing regulations but he has been able to make headway with the Italian garbage union. Garbage was a huge issue at Support Site. He’s getting schools ready to open now, that’s a job. Tomorrow we are watching his live Town Meeting on the web. The fun never stops.
Helomom: I can highly recommend Indiana University to your granddaughter! Of course I'm slightly prejudiced, being a grad myself, although it has been, ahem, a "few" years!!
I'm glad your family was able to visit the States. Hopefully things are getting a little less stressful for your son. I never really thought about it before, but, of course, a military base would generate tons of garbage, and would need some place local to haul it to. If the locals aren't cooperative, that would be a nightmare! Hopefully, the new year will be a better one all around, so he can start to enjoy Italy a little more, and I hope things are MUCH better by the time you head over for graduation.
Glenni- Our son graduated in 1997, he bought the package and he was very pleased with it. I don’t even think the price has changed. He was moving to his first duty station almost immediately after graduation and needed everything ASAP. I believe he was given the option to make payments on it…but it was a long time ago. :-)
Did anybody's sailor take the pre-commissioning loan offered by USAA? What was that experience like? My son's car died this weekend....may it rest in peace. This summer he and his wife bought a 2015 Nissan Rogue to replace her dead Corolla. She is able to make the payments easily with her salary as a teacher. They were not planning on getting another vehicle until their first posting after flight school. But it looks like they don't have a choice. He definitely doesn't want a new vehicle, but after having 3 older used cars (including her corolla) die during his college years, he's ready to have something reliable.
Just thought I'd update on the pre-commissioning loan. It is a lifesaver! My son was able to get $15k at 2.99% interest. Payments don't begin until 6 months after commissioning (3 weeks from today!!). It allowed him to buy a late model Ford Fusion that should last well into his Navy career! So for future moms of officers, this is a terrific option if your sailor needs it!!
I have a question about a FPO address. My son took a pic of the FPO for his ship for when they deploy. In this address it says:
YOUR NAME SHIP NAME UNIT______(# is provided) BOX__(YOUR BOX # / DIV)____ FPO_____ (provided) ZIP CODE _____(provided)
I have all the info except for Box #. My son was not told a box # but was told to use "wardroom". Anyone have a similar situation? Do I put "wardroom" after BOX & then put his DIV? My son thought maybe put "wardroom" under the ship name but since he wasn't given a box # I wonder if it should go there? He's on a DDG if that helps any.
Looking for recommendations on an int'l phone plan for my son who is deployed. He has his own account but his current provider doesn't offer int'l plans so this would require switching. Have any of you done this for your sailor while they're deployed? Let me know if you like your plan, pros/cons, etc. TIA!
Kim8: When my son was stationed in Japan for three years, he got phone service through Google, (with a different phone number.) He had cell service with Verizon in the States. They said since he was on active duty, he could suspend his account and phone number while he was deployed, and re-activate it after he came back, which is what he did.
I'm ignorant about how all this works, but I think he got a new phone at the base that would work in Japan, and got service through Google with his new number. It worked well--he sounded like he was just in the next town, when he was speaking to us from literally half-way around the world! It worked for him outside of Japan too, because he called us when he visited Australia and Guam on leave.
My son is on a carrier right now and was able to get an international plan through Verizon. He is able to use his own phone and I believe he told me that he just pays a flat rate any day that he makes a call internationally. They don’t charge him for a call or for time, just charge him a daily rate any day that he has an international call. We have spoken to him a few times already and everything was working well.
Kim8: I talked to my son about calling from Japan. He said he bought a new phone when he got there that worked in Japan. Then he got phone service through the app "Google Voice." The calls then go through the internet, instead of standard satellite phone service. Not sure if it would work the same way on a ship, because he was land-based.
My son used a plan from T-Mobile when he was in Japan, and had no problems. It’s worth checking out different phone companies as some give a good military discount!
BaylorMamaBear
NavyplusArmy,
This is my recent experience with timing:
My son applied for the May 25th (2020) NFO board. He was notified that his packet was approved approximately one month later. I do know there was a lot of “talk” on that May 25 Board AirWarriors page as people received their acceptances.
My son was later given an OCS date for November 2020, but was put on the “available to move up list”. Be very careful what you wish for, as he suddenly got a call one afternoon (2 months early) and a mere 19 HOURS later was at the airport bright & early for his flight to Rhode Island. He graduated from OCS in Class 04-21 in December.
My son reported to Pensacola NAS the first week of January 2021 and currently, he is waiting to class up for NFO training.
Apr 17, 2021
M's mom
Helomom:
How is your son doing with his command in Italy? Hopefully, the virus situation is lessening there and things are opening up. I hope you will be able to visit soon! Historic Italy is on my bucket list---Pompeii, the Colosseum, the old Roman forum, etc.
Apr 17, 2021
Helomom
M's mom- His wife says he has lost weight but doing okay. Their area is alternating between Red (totally locked down) and Orange (mostly locked down). No travel between regions unless work required. He is working the fine line between keeping the bases operational and upsetting the Italian government. No one is happy. The Italian government is continually complaining that they are violating Italian law, for instance our DoD schools are open. It is what it is. Everyday balance the needs of the Navy, the wishes of the Italian government, the Italians who work on the bases, the American government, the American contractors, the American military personnel, the American civilians, the foreign military tenants...the Italian unions...the list goes on and on. Fun times.
Apr 17, 2021
Glenni
Helomom,
that sounds like a bit of a nightmare!
Apr 18, 2021
Helomom
Glenni - They are hopeful that the Italians will get vaccinated soon, that would certainly help. At some point every day won’t be, I didn’t get fired by the Navy or arrested by the Italians today. Things will get better. I worry about him but he says it’s just part of the job. He has put in 24 years as of this May, 2 years left on this contract. We hope to travel to see them next year. Our granddaughter will be graduating from high school. Maybe COVID will be in our rear view mirror. When I think about all of this I think they are lucky to have an RN, BSN, Helo pilot, Inspector General, CO taking care of all of them. We will all be OK.
Apr 18, 2021
M's mom
Helomom,
Sounds like your son has his hands full, but I'm sure he's doing as well as any CO could do in that situation, and I'm sure the Navy knows it. Of course, all administrators know that when you try to make everyone happy, no one is happy, so you just have to do the best you can with balancing everyone's interests, and let the chips fall where they may. I hope you will make it to your granddaughter's graduation next year, and things will be much better for your son! Gosh, he and his family have probably not been able go out to see any of the sights of Italy since they've been there!
Apr 18, 2021
Helomom
M's mom - They were able to take the train to Rome for the day last July when they were released from in-house quarantine after their arrival. Since then when the region is in Orange, they can travel in the Campania region which includes the Amalfi coast so they get away to some great places. They have found some really neat local wineries. The Support Site is in a farming area and they are looking forward to some amazing local produce. The latest from the Italians is the rumor of moving to Yellow at the end of this month. Fingers crossed.
Apr 18, 2021
Helomom
M's mom- My husband and I were fortunate to spend some time in Italy in 2017. We flew into Venice and spent a couple of days touring the city. Then took the train to Florence to spend a few days there seeing the sights. Took the train to Rome and had a tour to Pompeii and Positano on the Amalfi coast. Toured the Colosseum and the city of Rome, spent a day on a tour of the Vatican. It was amazing. We are looking forward to returning.
Apr 20, 2021
M's mom
Helomom,----That sounds like a wonderful tour! You saw many of the things I would like to see in Italy, hopefully, one day. I'm SO looking forward to travelling again when things open up and we can get back to a sense of life as we knew it!
My son is still with Cyber Security at Ft Meade, but got a very preliminary feeler from his detailer about a position in England! I'd love to visit the UK, particularly always wanted to see Scotland! My husband and I absolutely loved visiting Japan when my son & wife were there. (This was after the Carl Vinson tour.) We would have never visited Japan on our own, so it was wonderful to have personal tour guides and drivers while there. My son learned to drive on the LEFT side of the road in Japan, so I told him he should be skilled at that already if he goes to the UK. The saying is: "Join the Navy and see the world!" I say, "Join the Navy so your parents can see the world while visiting you!"
Apr 20, 2021
Glenni
M's Mom,
I love that! "Join the Navy so your parents can see the world!" That's great!!
Thirty four years ago my dad took my husband, my brothers and me to Europe for almost a month. We loved visiting Italy, but didn't have time to do much more than Rome when we were there, then we sailed from Italy to Greece. My son hopes to be part of the rotary community, so I'm hoping he will get some cool postings in the years to come! But first we're waiting to know for sure that he's going to Pensacola when he commissions!!
Apr 21, 2021
M's mom
Glenni,
By "rotary community" I assume you mean your son hopes to be a helo pilot after commissioning? Is he in ROTC or going to OCS? My son went to OCS as a Naval aviator candidate, but they only did the full flight physical on him AFTER he was already at OCS. They found out he had a minor heart anomaly which is not life-threatening, but DQ'd him for aviation. He was upset, but decided to switch designators to intelligence instead of quitting and going home. He has been in the Navy almost nine years now, and loves intelligence. I think his DQ was a blessing in disguise, because I think intel is a much better match for him than aviation anyway. I hope your son gets the helo spot he hopes for, but my son is proof that there are many other rewarding jobs in the Navy. He has lived in five different places in nine years, and we have enjoyed visiting him in each, so hopefully you will "see the world" along with your son!
Apr 22, 2021
Meredith
Love this thread! My son commissions in less than a month (ROTC) and I'm already looking forward to visiting him in San Diego!
Apr 22, 2021
shocklady
Hi!
I just want to make sure I am in the right place.... My son will graduate from George Washington U and be commissioned in May and then he heads to Pensacola mid June for flight school.
I would love to know as much as I can about the commissioning ceremony and also his move to Pensacola. Is there anything I need to know as his mom? Someone said there was a "pinning" I would do or put his boards on?
Any help is greatly appreciated!!!
Apr 22, 2021
Meredith
@shocklady - we should connect. Our sons are classmates!
Apr 22, 2021
CheriH
Welcome shocklady! Congrats to you and your son. This is a great page...there is also a Naval Aviation group within this site that has lots of info about once he gets to Pensacola for flight school. My son did the same in 2012...it's an exciting ride!
Apr 22, 2021
M's mom
Welcome shocklady,
I don't know about the commissioning ceremony at college ROTC, because my son went to OCS after college, but hopefully someone else here can help you with their experience. As CheriH posted, you should join the "Naval Aviation" group here on NavyforMoms. Those ladies can answer any of your questions about Pensacola and flight school.
Apr 22, 2021
Glenni
M's Mom, my son is ROTC. I think they may do a flight physical in the fall before they do service selection. But I'm not 100% certain about that. Shocklady, did your son have the flight physical already?
Congratulation Meredith and Shocklady on your sons' graduation and commissioning. My son has 1 more semester because even entering college with a semester's worth of credit already, he just couldn't get everything into 4 years. He's an aerospace engineering major, and is so happy that this is his final semester of engineering classes. Next semester is just Navy stuff and basics!
Apr 22, 2021
CheriH
shocklady: My DS did ROTC in college as well; graduated and commissioned the same weekend. I'm sure there are some differences depending on the university, but he did the official commissioning with his Navy ROTC unit; very formal; take the oath together; then presented with commission (a signed document) and shoulder boards pinned on. My hubby got to present the commission and DS's fiance and I got to pin the shoulder boards on. It is very moving. Then they do the first salute, and then we went to graduation.
As for the flight physical, I think he did several rounds. There were at least two prior to selection; then another when he actually got to Pensacola. He had PRK eye surgery before his last semester, so his vision was 20/20.
Apr 22, 2021
shocklady
Thank you Cheri!! My son had PRK last summer and he was thrilled with the result being better than 20/20 vision!
And yes Glenni, he has had the physical. He is in Washington DC so they just went over to USNA & Walter Reed for all that and he reports to Pensacola on June 14th
Apr 23, 2021
Glenni
Shocklady, that's really fast!! Some of the mids in my son's unit have been stashed for several months. I bet he's really excited!
Apr 23, 2021
shocklady
Yes, Glenni, we were shocked!! Fortunately he has a couple others from his unit going at the same time and they are looking for housing together!
He did have to go back and forth a few times for his physical because of various different reasons which was stressful but it all went fine in the end.
Mererdith yes we should connect!! I sent you a message
Apr 24, 2021
Anna
For all you Navy Moms who have LOs going to Pensacola for flight training - if your loved one has to have Aviation Safety Training which some platforms require, they stand a good chance of having a class from my daughter!!!! She will still be at the Aviation Safety School until next March when she transfers out.
Apr 24, 2021
Glenni
Anna,
That's really cool. My midshipman will commission in December. I hope he'll be going to Pensacola at some point in the spring. But he'll probably miss your daughter as an instructor.
Apr 24, 2021
Allison
HI Anna! My DS got his wings of gold in Pensacola in October 2019. Probably had your daughter as an instructor!
Apr 25, 2021
Helomom
My sometimes a pilot Naval aviator was in Texas for the week last week. It was nice to have him in CONUS for a short time but he has been back at the grind in Italy this week. He was stateside getting his sim time in and his requalification completed. If the COVID situations improve in EUR he might get more time in the cockpit. 3 PCR COVID19 test to get here, 3 PCR COVID19 tests to get back and they had to send his driver to pick him up as not many trains are running. Sure wish we could go visit, haven’t seen them all in person since March 2020. Someday…
May 7, 2021
M's mom
Helomom,
I hope you got to visit with your son when he was in Texas! That's great that he may still get some helo flying time. I thought once the aviators got promoted up to a command rank, that they were pretty much done flying, and only "flew a desk," as they say.
My son, who is presently at Ft Meade (Baltimore) with Cyber Security, just got "verbal" orders, (not official yet) that he will be transferring to an intel position in England in one year!! Hubby and I have always wanted to visit the UK, especially Scotland! Hopefully, things will be back to normal by then.
We will probably do as we did when he was stationed in Japan--wait a year or so to let them learn to get around and check out the best places to see, and then plan a visit! He and his wife were great tour guides in Japan. Daughter-in-law had learned "getting around" Japanese by then, and they had figured out the excellent Japanese cross-country train system, so we had a blast riding the Shinkansen (bullet train), and seeing as much as we could.
I told my son that at least he knows how to drive on the LEFT side of the road already, as they do in Japan and the UK. It was so weird riding in a vehicle with him in Japan, and the steering wheel in on the right side! (Glad I wasn't driving!)
Hope you get to visit your son and family in Italy soon!
May 7, 2021
Helomom
M's Mom - Unfortunately we didn’t. He wasn’t even there for a week and had a heavy schedule with classes, sims, and studying. He is flying the C26 Metroliner, not helos this tour. With COVID19 stuff to handle and flight restrictions he hasn’t had much chance to fly. He is hoping that as things improve, he will be able to fly more. One of the perks of these orders was that it was a flight billet. Hahaha. But restrictions did ease up a bit this week. They were able to get away to Sorrento. Still can’t leave the region though.
That is great news about your son! You will LOVE England. We were there for a week in 2019. Saw lots of the sights in London, took a Windsor Castle tour, went to Bath, Stonehenge, and toured Highclere Castle and surrounding area where Downton Abbey was filmed. We stayed in a hotel across the street from the Tower of London and had a view of the Tower Bridge from our room. We want to go back and see more at some point. Scotland is definitely on our list.
May 7, 2021
M's mom
Helomom:
Wow, I didn't know your son flew fixed-wing planes as well as helos! I've heard that flying helos is completely different than flying a fixed-wing, so he must be a talented pilot! Hope he gets to fly more soon.
Sounds like you've already seen many of the things I want to see in England. I'm into history, so would love to tour some old fabulous castles, Stonehenge, Sutton Hoo, etc. My son will be stationed about 90 miles north of London, closer to Cambridge.
I've seen videos of the Scottish highlands, just lovely. Lots of history in Scotland, too. Not keen to eat haggis, though.--haha My niece studied a semester abroad at St. Andrews in Scotland and loved it there. She had to have her mother send her some jars of peanut butter, because they didn't have it in Scotland. Her Scottish friends thought it tasted awful, and must be an acquired taste! I thought the same thing, the one and only time I tasted vegemite!!
But that is one of the best things about international travel--trying the local foods! We had some GREAT food in Japan, and enjoyed sampling as many things as we could. I did draw the line though, at anything that looked like....tentacles. I might have liked octopus, if it weren't so obvious that's what it was! haha
May 7, 2021
Glenni
Helomom, I love the fact that your son is still flying! That's the kind of career my son hopes to have!
M's Mom, when we lived in Peru they had Ceviche mixto that had "pulpo" in it. Pulpo is spanish for octapus. It was cut up pretty small, but you it still had a very distinctive rubbery texture that was hard to get past for me.
May 12, 2021
Helomom
It has been a great summer! Our daughter-in-law, our granddaughter, and our grandson were able visit from Italy. The primary purpose of the visit was to narrow down our granddaughter’s list of colleges she will apply to. Success! UW, WWU, and UofO are at the top of the list…and maybe Michigan. Our grandson was able to spend some time with his cousins. They also worked in a week in SanDiego visiting friends. We had a lovely visit with our daughter-in-law! They are hoping we all get to visit them next year. We definitely plan to be there for her high school graduation.
M's Mom, all Navy pilots start on fixed wing before they split off to type. He said it really isn’t that hard to adapt. He’s hoping to get more flight hours in this next year. They are up to their ears in COVID stuff still with ever changing regulations but he has been able to make headway with the Italian garbage union. Garbage was a huge issue at Support Site. He’s getting schools ready to open now, that’s a job. Tomorrow we are watching his live Town Meeting on the web. The fun never stops.
Aug 17, 2021
M's mom
Helomom: I can highly recommend Indiana University to your granddaughter! Of course I'm slightly prejudiced, being a grad myself, although it has been, ahem, a "few" years!!
I'm glad your family was able to visit the States. Hopefully things are getting a little less stressful for your son. I never really thought about it before, but, of course, a military base would generate tons of garbage, and would need some place local to haul it to. If the locals aren't cooperative, that would be a nightmare! Hopefully, the new year will be a better one all around, so he can start to enjoy Italy a little more, and I hope things are MUCH better by the time you head over for graduation.
Aug 17, 2021
Glenni
For y'all whose sailors came through NROTC, did they get the ensign uniform package for about $1600? Was it worth it?
Oct 11, 2021
Helomom
Glenni- Our son graduated in 1997, he bought the package and he was very pleased with it. I don’t even think the price has changed. He was moving to his first duty station almost immediately after graduation and needed everything ASAP. I believe he was given the option to make payments on it…but it was a long time ago. :-)
Oct 11, 2021
Glenni
Thank you Helomom. Yes, he does have the option to make either 4 or 6 payments after he commissions. I appreciate the input!
Oct 12, 2021
Glenni
Did anybody's sailor take the pre-commissioning loan offered by USAA? What was that experience like? My son's car died this weekend....may it rest in peace. This summer he and his wife bought a 2015 Nissan Rogue to replace her dead Corolla. She is able to make the payments easily with her salary as a teacher. They were not planning on getting another vehicle until their first posting after flight school. But it looks like they don't have a choice. He definitely doesn't want a new vehicle, but after having 3 older used cars (including her corolla) die during his college years, he's ready to have something reliable.
Oct 25, 2021
Glenni
Just thought I'd update on the pre-commissioning loan. It is a lifesaver! My son was able to get $15k at 2.99% interest. Payments don't begin until 6 months after commissioning (3 weeks from today!!). It allowed him to buy a late model Ford Fusion that should last well into his Navy career! So for future moms of officers, this is a terrific option if your sailor needs it!!
Nov 19, 2021
Kim8
I have a question about a FPO address. My son took a pic of the FPO for his ship for when they deploy. In this address it says:
YOUR NAME
SHIP NAME
UNIT______(# is provided) BOX__(YOUR BOX # / DIV)____
FPO_____ (provided) ZIP CODE _____(provided)
I have all the info except for Box #. My son was not told a box # but was told to use "wardroom". Anyone have a similar situation? Do I put "wardroom" after BOX & then put his DIV? My son thought maybe put "wardroom" under the ship name but since he wasn't given a box # I wonder if it should go there? He's on a DDG if that helps any.
Nov 30, 2021
Glenni
I am officially the mom of an officer! Let the fun begin❤️❤️
Dec 10, 2021
Sarah
Dec 10, 2021
Allison
A very proud moment! Congratulations!
Dec 10, 2021
Helomom
Congratulations to you and your family, Glenni!
Dec 10, 2021
M's mom
Glenni: Congrats to you and your new Ensign!
Anchors Aweigh!
Dec 11, 2021
Andy'sMom
Congrats Glenni! A new chapter in your lives!
Dec 12, 2021
CONavMom
Congratulations Glenn - exciting times ahead!!
Dec 12, 2021
Kim8
Looking for recommendations on an int'l phone plan for my son who is deployed. He has his own account but his current provider doesn't offer int'l plans so this would require switching. Have any of you done this for your sailor while they're deployed? Let me know if you like your plan, pros/cons, etc. TIA!
Jan 6, 2022
M's mom
Kim8: When my son was stationed in Japan for three years, he got phone service through Google, (with a different phone number.) He had cell service with Verizon in the States. They said since he was on active duty, he could suspend his account and phone number while he was deployed, and re-activate it after he came back, which is what he did.
I'm ignorant about how all this works, but I think he got a new phone at the base that would work in Japan, and got service through Google with his new number. It worked well--he sounded like he was just in the next town, when he was speaking to us from literally half-way around the world! It worked for him outside of Japan too, because he called us when he visited Australia and Guam on leave.
Jan 6, 2022
CONavMom
My son is on a carrier right now and was able to get an international plan through Verizon. He is able to use his own phone and I believe he told me that he just pays a flat rate any day that he makes a call internationally. They don’t charge him for a call or for time, just charge him a daily rate any day that he has an international call. We have spoken to him a few times already and everything was working well.
Jan 6, 2022
M's mom
Kim8: I talked to my son about calling from Japan. He said he bought a new phone when he got there that worked in Japan. Then he got phone service through the app "Google Voice." The calls then go through the internet, instead of standard satellite phone service. Not sure if it would work the same way on a ship, because he was land-based.
Jan 6, 2022
Sarah
Jan 7, 2022
Kim8
Thanks for the int'l phone plan recommendations!
Jan 10, 2022