USS Bataan LHD-5

@Sandra AM where do we read the note from the Ombusman?

I was going to mail his x-mas box on dec.1st. but my son said that would be to late.  So now I'm getting his box together and making him his favorite cookies and waiting for his gift to come in so i can mail his box off.  I did order him a Navy Camosock socking for X-mas and going to fill it with little things.  Sandra AM gave me the web sight. the sock came in quick and awesome. I think he will really like it. go to www.camosock.com .   He wanted the Kindle Fire so that is what I'm waiting on.   Then I'll mail his package off.

Is anyone doing the Tiger Cruise?

Whats the family cruise?

Oh I can see me being one of those that get sea sick. lol   But does sound like that would be more for us than the tiger Cruise.   So I hope we get a chance to do that.  Now my son did say we could tour the ship wants they get back also.  idk

There was a comment on the rack packs, my son says he wants one, where do i order one for him?

Barbara,  So sorry about the Tiger Cruise and getting off work and all.  So are you going to NC for the homecoming?

SandraAM  So happy to hear about the wedding.  I know it has been really hard for them through this deploymnent. 

Thanks Sandra!

What length do i need to get for the rackpacks 4,5,or 6?

Thanks ladies!

Just made an order for the rackpack, She told me the 5ft split(two panels) was what the guys on the Bataan get, hope my son enjoys it, I know it will help with storage issues.

I would love to do the tiger cruise but I believe that is for family only. I am only a girlfriend HA!! It would be surprising if I did show up there. I am in Virginia.

Ohh :-( oh well I guess I will wait. Patience is the key in this anyways.

Hello All, I love this page and all the cheerful news of weddings and babies and such.  I am so new to all of this.  My son is just finishing up A school and will be joining the ship in December (where ever it might be)  since he will be home after thanksgiving but leave before christmas I am trying to figure a way for him to leave feeling like he celebrated christmas.  I think I have decided just to through a christmas party, invite all his friends and family and do a little gift exchange.  Any suggestions on what to gifts to give him.  We are not sure yet but I think they will be flying to the ship so I imagine they wont let him take much.  I was thinking about stuff to make his bunk more comfortable like a really thick sleeping bag or maximize his storage but I want him to have some stuff that has nothing to do with the Navy for his christmas gifts as well.  My head is swimming!  Any suggestions on how to celebrate and what gifts to give would be much appreciated.

Its ok my bf's parents is going to email the ombudsman and ask about that. My friend is willing to drive me to NC to do the Tiger Cruise if it happens.

WOW  Thanks Joro

Thanks Donna.  The car might have to wait, LOL.  Luckily another sailor, who is a very good friend to Jake, is going with him from A school to the Bataan and he is from Norfolk.  So he should good for a ride.  I saw some Moms talking about thick sleeping bags and special storage organizers and stuff on here.  Do you think that is the kind of thing he will be glad he has once he is there or is that a crappy christmas gift?  He already has a lap top and every other gadget you can imagine.  My biggest concern is what I can send with him from here (vegas) to ???  

does anyone know if the Bataan has a Tiger cruise?

going to send our first package, what are the food restrictions?

OH   I mailed Curtis package out on the 8th so I hope he got his Thanksgiving Box full of puppy chow. 

I received an excited call from my sailor at 4 a.m. saying he made E6!! So proud of him

Hey, my son said he knows everyone on staff Phibron 6, love to see if anyone knows staff members...he is an OS and is on staff member.. Dorris is his last name.. does anyone have a connection?  He said a tiger cruise was mentioned yesterday and his boss is looking into it.

WOW!!!  E6... I hope to meet these amazing leaders and their families..and may God continue to bless you all!!!  This is a wonderful site, and thanks to everyone who can mentor us "Newbees"..

Great news, my son e-mailed me yesterday and said he passed his exam, he is now an operation specialist, I'm so glad, he really didn't like being undesignated.

Thanks.  I am so proud of him!

Congrats to all the sailors that passed!  :-))

My son is happy and sad at the same time with his scores.

Said..scored 97% which meant he scored 97 percent better than everyone in his rate.  The cutting score to pick up rank was 151.54 and his final score was 150.89. Then he said his test score was 68.72 out of 80 , the navy average for anyone that took this test was 58.65.  

He was happy that he did really well for his 1st. time but sad that he missed by less than 1/2 point.    Just needed one more questioned right.

He was so close, I hope next time will be it. idk  

So Proud of him anyway! 

And again congatuations to all that made rank!!    (A JOB WELL DONE)

Great picture!!

Hey everyone how is everyone doing?

yeah I am its my sailor and I's first year anniversary. I am sorta bum he isn't home for it. I know he will be home soon!

Hello all...My normal AOL address was un-accessable... 594 e-mails, 150+ SPAM.... GOOD HEAVENS!!!   Call from our  Sailor Friday, AM, of course I was in DR, office and hubby had to go outside to get service... Sailor told his Father he scored in the top 4% of an exam... Can advance but no slots to advance to...What exam, he did not ask? Do you think may be it is the same exam, you are all speaking of.... Guess I'll have to wait until the  next call... You all have a safe and pleasant Turkey Day!!  Take care, & God Speed!! 

Don't you love how they can put all that out there, but if we say it, it's an OPSEC violation?  : )

I like how they over work them on deployment. My sailor is working from 5am to 11pm at night its ridiculous all he focuses on is sleep. He recently told me not to send him anything on the ship because when they got a shipment recently 6 to 8 bags of mail fell overboard. So he told his parents and I not to send him anything. I am still going to but that I think is horrible.

Well I just got back mailing my 2 boxes off.  I hope they get there!

Hi Ladies - do any of you know of website or bulletin board where single folks can find roommates? My girl is on the Bataan but she is single and is worried about where she will live once the ship returns. I know there must be someplace where potential roommates post ads if they are looking for someone to share the rent. Any ideas of places I can tell her to look? Thanks much.

Kathy Dee

ps. Best wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving to all of you.

Thanks Nancy - your response was very helpful.

Kathy Dee

Oh my in regards to the bags falling overboard....I just sent 4 packages out yesterday in hopes to get to him before Christmas...hope it doesn't happen again!!  Not sure if this info will help anyone, but I receive my boxes and packing stuff from the US postal service, they send them for free and I usually mail them through the US postal service, however, yesterday I stopped by my UPS store to see if they could mail them for me and they said sure, they even packaged my 4 boxes into one big box and it saved me over $33 in postage.   Hope all are having a great day.  It's rainy and dismal here in Delaware, we're suppose to get 2 inches of rain between today and tomorrow...YUK!!

I got the Christmas package sent off today, boy did that feel weird and a little depressing, buying Christmas and sending it off, this is the first Christmas without my son:(

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!