Prayers are always welcome Anna...thank you! It's been in the 120's most everyday and lots of dust/sand storms over there, but he's halfway thru this deployment...
Cub tells me those sandstorms were the worst! He came home with a fly-phobia. He goes nuts when a fly buzzes him. Said the flies were awful in the sandpit and drove him crazy.
New members, Princess is never giggly and blurry....LOL
Sir vette it was a short cruise. he's already home. : ) I didn't. chat with him at all to expensive .. how about your son ? how is he, when is he coming home ?
Anna, that dust gets everywhere...I've shipped him lots of baby wipes this tour! Last tour I think they just gave up trying to keep clean and then burned everything just before returning home!
Hi Kathy, sorry to hear about your shoulder!!! Hope it all heals up well for you. It was great news about Ruthella's son...there's a Chief in the family now!!!
Princess, he'll be home in a few months...not too long. He's the Corpsman for a motor transport platoon this go around...so I imagine IED's and those suicide bombers on vehicles are the main threat...among others! But, this is his last deployment and he'll be headed to college in Fall 2014!!!!
Kathy, I injured my rotator cuff several years ago and it took over six months to finally heal so I had full motion...thank goodness I didn't have to have surgery. It does act up if I lift too many heavy items though...
Cub's five years will be up next Aug. so he's definitely planning to get out and head to college on his own! He filled out the 2014 application on line from the sandbox a few weeks ago...:-) And since he's heading to college and has already been admitted, he's hoping to arrange to get out a little early if possible, so we'll see...
Newby here! Son just starting MA school at Ft Sam--actually class wont start for him for a few weeks it sounds like. He is open minded and rearing to go-- so any suggestions are welcome! It is great to meet everyone!
My son is happy, no matter how long the wait. He is studying for the first tough section, making friends, and getting good advice. He knows it will be tough when it starts so he is making the best of the time he has beforehand :)
Marsha, aka MikesMom, aka Princess LOL - how's JazzFest? You're still able to type? I'm impressed!!! :p
Welcome TaysMom! It's such a great journey he's starting (HM, not MA, right?)
Vette, that's so wonderful about school, congratulations to him! Mine's fitting in classes while working at the hospital in Naples (Italy) but it's not easy with various schedule changes and all but I"m so grateful they have instructors there; some things like Biology just don't work in online classes very well.
Meee toooo! We all need a major meet-up one of these days - newbies and regulars alike - and hey Kathy, we are not aging, just getting better - with a LOT of Aleve - or Marsha's version this weekend, pinot grigio :)
Carol, he's planning to study Political Science and is interested in Law down the road...I know, I know, I tried to encourage him to stay with the health/medical field, but it's his choice... :-)
Hello. It has been awhile since I have posted. Been lurking though. Our son returned home after being in the sandbox. He got home in Nov. we were there to greet him and spent the weekend with him. He was then home for about a month. Nice to have him home. His brothers and sisters loved having him home. He went back to base. Long story short. Does the worry go away? He is having flashbacks, nightmares.... Met a girl 3 weeks later they were married. He will Be moving down to Key West to the NAS. He is drinking. And they think this is normal and ok. Other things going on also. Concerned for both. Any suggestions? And info on Key West? Will that move be enough to "get him back"? He had a flash back while visiting him a month ago he will no longer talk to me or anyone else in the family. Wife says he is to embarrassed. Have been leaving him alone....any suggestions?
Kym, there's help available. Encourage him to talk to the counselors. Let him know you love him no matter what and that you're there if he needs you! My cub experienced these issues upon his return from deployment in 2011. He's now in the middle of his 2nd deployment to the sandbox. Private message me if you have any questions, I'd be happy to share my experiences.
Thanks for all the input!!! I am looking at the websites. He finally called last night-first time I have heard from him in over a month. My guess is he knew I had posted on here and he could "feel" all the mommas and pops praying for him. :). He apologized , said he is not mad just embarrassed. Needed time. I know it is not the end of his issues. I just told nothing he could do would make me live him any less and that I would be here always, no matter what.
Thank you all for prayers, input and suggestions. I will keep you posted with updates
WOW! Ruth, five more grandchildren! And here I moan and groan that I would like at least one more and you hit the jackpot.
Actually, I have just gained a new granddaughter. I have known her since she was born and she is a very special 8 year old. My new daughter-in-law was my son's high school sweetheart but life took them on separate paths in their 20s. Our new granddaughter is a wonderful friend and big sister to our five year old granddaughter and daughter-in-law is a wonderful mother.
It has been a rough two years for my son. He filed for divorce from his sailor wife, deployed to somewhere near Africa, and left his little girl with us for almost another year (we had had her for a year while parents were both in C school). Now, seeing him so happy with the girl he fell in love with when she was 14 makes my heart smile.
Can hardly wait until Christmas when they fly home!
Congrats to Chris. I know his parents have been a good example of a loving marriage.
Ruth, plans sound so wonderful. I know your son is going to just be thrilled to see you and his dad. I love looking at your family pics because you look like such a happy family.
Today was my granddaughter's first day of kindergarten (orientation) and my new daughter-in-law told me that she will be volunteering in granddaughter's class each Tuesday. Our little sweetheart is so lucky to have such a wonderful step-mother. I think d-I-l also makes my son an even better father. I know it would have been very hard for him to do all the things he wanted to do for his daughter as a single father with custody.
Still praying!!!! Have only spoken to him once since we left. About a minute. " Mom. I love you. I am sorry you saw that. I need space to get thru this. Can't wait to see everyone at Christmas. Thanks for coming down. Gotta go. Love you. " End of conversation. I did manage to squeeze in an "I'm proud of you "and an "I love you" before he hung up. Thank you for asking.
Has anyone heard of a F.A.S.T. unit? A navy dad said his son was being attached to one and asked what to expect, the dads never heard of it so I thought I would go to the site where all the answers were!
Fair Winds and Following Seas to the Sailors and Marines of the USS Boxer Amphibious Strike Group. A special shout out to the Marines aboard the USS Harpers Ferry and their Corpsman HM3 (FMF) Hofstein! SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The amphibious ready group led by the USS Boxer will deploy from San Diego to the Western Pacific and Middle East on Friday, the Navy announced Wednesday. The group includes the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans and amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry.... "We've had a very rigorous training cycle to prepare us to execute any mission when called upon," said Capt. Malcolm Potts, the commander of Amphibious Squadron 1 and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. "I am awed and impressed by the ingenuity, creativity, and industriousness of the 4,200 dedicated sailors and Marines that serve on our ships." The ships will embark with about 2,400 Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Pendleton. According to the Navy, the group will focus on maritime and theater security. The sailors and Marines will be available for any amphibious assault and Special Forces operations, humanitarian missions and non-combatant operations that become necessary, the Navy said.
Beth, LHDs and their ARGs are the best! I've seen the LCACs roar out of Little Creek on the east coast as they prepare to join their ship - what an amazing sight and sound. All the best to your son and his Marines. Got your first care package started? :)
Anna
Aug 10, 2013
vettespace
Prayers are always welcome Anna...thank you! It's been in the 120's most everyday and lots of dust/sand storms over there, but he's halfway thru this deployment...
Aug 10, 2013
mikes mom
Melissa is at ft Louis near tacoma. remember. I'm outside and drinking. lol
Aug 10, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 10, 2013
vettespace
Princess, how's your cub's cruise going??? Do you get to chat with him often?
Aug 10, 2013
Anna
New members, Princess is never giggly and blurry....LOL
Aug 10, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 10, 2013
vettespace
Anna, that dust gets everywhere...I've shipped him lots of baby wipes this tour! Last tour I think they just gave up trying to keep clean and then burned everything just before returning home!
Aug 10, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 10, 2013
vettespace
Hi Kathy, sorry to hear about your shoulder!!! Hope it all heals up well for you. It was great news about Ruthella's son...there's a Chief in the family now!!!
Princess, he'll be home in a few months...not too long. He's the Corpsman for a motor transport platoon this go around...so I imagine IED's and those suicide bombers on vehicles are the main threat...among others! But, this is his last deployment and he'll be headed to college in Fall 2014!!!!
Aug 10, 2013
vettespace
We even received word this week that he's been admitted into The University of Alabama for Fall 2014!!!! He's real excited about that...Roll Tide!!!
Aug 10, 2013
vettespace
Kathy, I injured my rotator cuff several years ago and it took over six months to finally heal so I had full motion...thank goodness I didn't have to have surgery. It does act up if I lift too many heavy items though...
Cub's five years will be up next Aug. so he's definitely planning to get out and head to college on his own! He filled out the 2014 application on line from the sandbox a few weeks ago...:-) And since he's heading to college and has already been admitted, he's hoping to arrange to get out a little early if possible, so we'll see...
Aug 10, 2013
taysproudmom (HM class 220A)
Newby here! Son just starting MA school at Ft Sam--actually class wont start for him for a few weeks it sounds like. He is open minded and rearing to go-- so any suggestions are welcome! It is great to meet everyone!
Aug 11, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 11, 2013
taysproudmom (HM class 220A)
My son is happy, no matter how long the wait. He is studying for the first tough section, making friends, and getting good advice. He knows it will be tough when it starts so he is making the best of the time he has beforehand :)
Aug 11, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 11, 2013
taysproudmom (HM class 220A)
I have sent him the Kaplan study guide already-- he says he will have 2 hobbies-- studying and shining boots LOL!!!
Aug 11, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Marsha, aka MikesMom, aka Princess LOL - how's JazzFest? You're still able to type? I'm impressed!!! :p
Welcome TaysMom! It's such a great journey he's starting (HM, not MA, right?)
Vette, that's so wonderful about school, congratulations to him! Mine's fitting in classes while working at the hospital in Naples (Italy) but it's not easy with various schedule changes and all but I"m so grateful they have instructors there; some things like Biology just don't work in online classes very well.
Aug 11, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 11, 2013
louielou
Hi All, new to your group (thanks Marcy). My son graduated from A School in June and just started FMTB-W two weeks ago.
Aug 11, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Meee toooo! We all need a major meet-up one of these days - newbies and regulars alike - and hey Kathy, we are not aging, just getting better - with a LOT of Aleve - or Marsha's version this weekend, pinot grigio :)
Aug 11, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 11, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Hey Louielou! I just got an invite in my email to this year's Navy Ball at the Buttes in Tempe - you're in Phoenix, right?
Aug 11, 2013
louielou
yes I am, I saw your message. That sounds fun! :)
Aug 11, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 11, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 11, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 11, 2013
vettespace
Princess, WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!...LOL
Aug 11, 2013
vettespace
Carol, he's planning to study Political Science and is interested in Law down the road...I know, I know, I tried to encourage him to stay with the health/medical field, but it's his choice... :-)
Aug 11, 2013
mikes mom
Thanks for the wake up
Aug 11, 2013
vettespace
Here's a fresh cup!!! :-)
Aug 11, 2013
mikes mom
Aug 11, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Vette, sometimes LOL doesn't do justice, I truly laughed out loud at the BAM BAM BAM Princess wake-up call!! How's that head today Marsha? heeheehee
Aug 11, 2013
Kym Ship 11 Div 118
Aug 11, 2013
mikes mom
I don't know if it gets better or we just adjust to their life...I just love him.
Aug 11, 2013
vettespace
Kym, there's help available. Encourage him to talk to the counselors. Let him know you love him no matter what and that you're there if he needs you! My cub experienced these issues upon his return from deployment in 2011. He's now in the middle of his 2nd deployment to the sandbox. Private message me if you have any questions, I'd be happy to share my experiences.
Aug 11, 2013
vettespace
Here are some sites that may be of interest regarding help with PTSD:
http://realwarriors.net/
http://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/
http://www.afterdeployment.org/
https://www.facebook.com/militarypathways
http://www.familyofavet.com/secondary_ptsd.html
http://www.dcoe.health.mil/Default.aspx
Aug 11, 2013
Kym Ship 11 Div 118
Thank you all for prayers, input and suggestions. I will keep you posted with updates
Aug 12, 2013
IDCmom#1
WOW! Ruth, five more grandchildren! And here I moan and groan that I would like at least one more and you hit the jackpot.
Actually, I have just gained a new granddaughter. I have known her since she was born and she is a very special 8 year old. My new daughter-in-law was my son's high school sweetheart but life took them on separate paths in their 20s. Our new granddaughter is a wonderful friend and big sister to our five year old granddaughter and daughter-in-law is a wonderful mother.
It has been a rough two years for my son. He filed for divorce from his sailor wife, deployed to somewhere near Africa, and left his little girl with us for almost another year (we had had her for a year while parents were both in C school). Now, seeing him so happy with the girl he fell in love with when she was 14 makes my heart smile.
Can hardly wait until Christmas when they fly home!
Congrats to Chris. I know his parents have been a good example of a loving marriage.
Aug 12, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
IDCmom#1, it's so glad to hear that things smoothed out for your son, and with such a happy outcome. Yay for Christmas homecomings!
Kym, stay strong, we're here for you and your sailor :)
Ruth - you'd better post a pic (or two or three) from the wedding!! It's right around the corner, bet you're crazy busy getting the reception ready?
Aug 19, 2013
IDCmom#1
Ruth, plans sound so wonderful. I know your son is going to just be thrilled to see you and his dad. I love looking at your family pics because you look like such a happy family.
Today was my granddaughter's first day of kindergarten (orientation) and my new daughter-in-law told me that she will be volunteering in granddaughter's class each Tuesday. Our little sweetheart is so lucky to have such a wonderful step-mother. I think d-I-l also makes my son an even better father. I know it would have been very hard for him to do all the things he wanted to do for his daughter as a single father with custody.
Aug 20, 2013
mikes mom
Kym I hope everything is working out.
Ruth like marcy said Pics
Aug 22, 2013
Kym Ship 11 Div 118
Aug 22, 2013
Dan's Dad (John)
Has anyone heard of a F.A.S.T. unit? A navy dad said his son was being attached to one and asked what to expect, the dads never heard of it so I thought I would go to the site where all the answers were!
Aug 22, 2013
Dan's Dad (John)
Thanks Kathy!
Aug 22, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Hey John! How's Dan doing these days?
I also found this with info about FAST - FAST Company Marines and Marine Corps Security Force Regiment.
Aug 22, 2013
BethFromNJ - Doc's Mom
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The amphibious ready group led by the USS Boxer will deploy from San Diego to the Western Pacific and Middle East on Friday, the Navy announced Wednesday.
The group includes the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans and amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry....
"We've had a very rigorous training cycle to prepare us to execute any mission when called upon," said Capt. Malcolm Potts, the commander of Amphibious Squadron 1 and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. "I am awed and impressed by the ingenuity, creativity, and industriousness of the 4,200 dedicated sailors and Marines that serve on our ships."
The ships will embark with about 2,400 Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Pendleton.
According to the Navy, the group will focus on maritime and theater security. The sailors and Marines will be available for any amphibious assault and Special Forces operations, humanitarian missions and non-combatant operations that become necessary, the Navy said.
Aug 22, 2013
Bobbo
The original was named Red Cell. You can find their story on youtube in 5 parts.
Aug 22, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Beth, LHDs and their ARGs are the best! I've seen the LCACs roar out of Little Creek on the east coast as they prepare to join their ship - what an amazing sight and sound. All the best to your son and his Marines. Got your first care package started? :)
Aug 22, 2013
DramaSoul
Aug 22, 2013