Moms of Aviation Rescue Swimmers

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  • Robin

    Thank you mom2four! I'm not a mom to a sailor, but I'm the oldest of his 3 big sisters! :~} I'm not even sure if this is the group I should be in...lol Our sailor is in P'cola & has a graduation tomorrow. I guess I need to find out some info from him!
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Robin...  Is your bro Rescue Swimmer.???  Tell us what we can do to help you!!  I guess I missed something... did not see your post... sorry

    mom2.... hoooooyaaaaaaaaaaa  NACCS grad!!!  Now comes the real fun hahaha!

  • Robin

    Ok- I'm straightened out now. :) he graduates RSS tomorrow! I wish we could be there, but we have already planned a trip to P'cola the first weekend of June. We can't wait to get out there & see him!
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Robin, I wish you could too!  Its quite something.  I had a momma go in my place and she filmed it and took pictures.   Be sure and see when you talk to him if any one took pix.  He can put em on his Face Book or email to you.
  • CaliMom (Maryann)

    So my son got his orders for VA and he will arrive there only a week before we are going out to visit him.  What is "standard" operating procedure?  Will he still have overnight liberty privledges on the weekend, or is there a phase up process like there was when he arrived in Pcola?
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Kevin....  my son (in CA) said it is a total different situation.  He/they have total freedom.. in fact he said almost too much!  So assuming it is the same in VA..  you should be able to see him no prob.  My son goes off base almost every day to either play golf or do his Kick Box class... He is IN class FRS now while waiting for SERE but after that.. he takes off.  Im ASSUMING that this would mean they can stay off base over the weekend like in Phase 3.  But of course within the mileage limits.  Anyway, thats how it is on his base in CA.
  • Robin

    That little rat told us it was nothing special & that the ceremony only lasted a few minutes! Wait 'til I see him! Lol he also said they wouldn't get much free time due to moving across the base. He really gives us NO information! Not much of a talker when it comes to his Navy stuff!
  • Kyle's mom

    Robin - My son said they didn't have a ceremony other than getting beat and then I think they all went out for lunch.  There was a great group photo though, they all look so professional in their flight suits!

    KevinHMom - My son is in VA.  He loves it, says it is much more laid back than at the Pensacola Schoolhouse.  He does go off base regularly and for the weekend.  He will be on hold until he goes for SERE in July, long hold.  He LOVES all the Helos and Ships around too, says Helos are flying around all the time.

  • EllieHZ

    My husband classed up to RSS today! WOOHOO!! Here goes 5 weeks of hard work! :) How is everyone doing this week??
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Ellie.. great.. start the prayers sista.....  we will be right here with you (and him) let us know!!!!!
  • Robin

    Kylesmom- how do I find out if there are any moms, sisters, wives or girlfriends on here that had guys graduate RSS today? I shouldve been on here throughout this whole process! :~} I might actually know what he's been doing! Ha
  • Kyle's mom

    Robin - So sorry to say but I dont have a clue except maybe ask your Sailor who had peeps there with cameras.  I only have their group photo and love it!
  • EllieHZ

    Dear Navy Moms,

    Happy Mothers Day to all of you amazing moms this weekend!!!!!!!! I know you are not all with your loved ones but I can only imagine (after reading your posts) how much your sailors miss you and love you!!!! You are such awesome women!! 

  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    EllieHZ - Congratulations for your husband starting RSS, and thank you for the MD message.

     

    My son moved over to the RS building today so he is getting a bit closer. =)  Hope everyone has a nice weekend and Happy Mother's Day to everyone.

  • sally

    Hi all, I havn't been on for a long time.  Just to update you on "standard procedures", some go to SERE before FRAC and some go after FRAC.  My son went after FRAC.  He is now deployed on the USNS Mercy (a humanitarian floating hospital ship that stops at 9 countries.......the first was Jamaica and now they are heading for Peru).  I think that every squadron is different.  In the past, they got their flight wings once they got assigned to their squadron.  Now, apparantly, they have to serve with their squadron for 18 months in order to get their flight wings (which is a really big deal).  It is awesome to see them in their flight suits!!!!
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Sally - oh man the ship MERCY is such a fantastic ship...  Is your son a Rescue Swimmer and on that boat??  I had no Idea that the MERCY had helo crew ...  and what about the HOPE is she the same????  How extraordinary to serve on that ship!  I heard about the wings....  I kinda wish it were when they get their assignment but I can understand that it needs to be sooo special that they make them wait.  They work so hard for those beautiful gold wings!

     

    Congrats beautiful mommas on jobs well done.  We really do have the hardest job in the world being mommies and being Navy mommies!  You young wives have it perhaps even harder...  what a job to be away from your beloved hubbys (or wives) and be supportive and love this country.  hoooyaaa to you and my hat is off!  HEY how come they dont have a Wife Day??????????????  hummmm

     

    HUGs lovely ladies and congrats to all Sailors... where ever in the pipeline they may be!!!!!!

     

    Robin hang in here with us and keep asking...  I know some grad RSS last week and some classed up!!

  • sweetpea4

    Still waiting to class up! maybe this week! Happy Mother's Day everyone! God Bless our Sailors!!!! 
  • gabbyhat

    Lydia...check your inbox...sent you a PM...
  • sally

    Sorry, I meant to write that my sailor is on the USNS Comfort.  The Mercy and Comfort go out on alternating years for humanitarian missions.   (I think that only applies if there is not an emergency like a Tsunami or something of that nature).   The Comfort has several Aviation SARS on the ship.  Also, these ships have a planned schedule of countries that they stop in for a certain period of time.  They stick to the plan unless the mission is diverted due to an emergency (like a Tsunami, ect).  The Comfort is out of the East Coast and the Mercy is out of the West Coast.  Not sure about the USNS Hope.
  • Andysmom

    My son failed his RSS test. He had a drowning victim that ripped off his mask and snorkle. He did all the procedures w/o mask and snorkle. He forgot rescue breaths. The instructor was very impressed that he did all the procedures without. But...said since he forgot the rescue breaths, he had to fail him. He was devestated. Now, he rolled into the next class...Week 4 day 1. This team is Sierra and he said the instructors are awesome. The physical beat downs are 3 times as hard. He said...as bad as he felt for failing, it was a good thing. He rolled into a class that was down to 11. So....rock on! My son says, "I worked SO hard for this and failure is not an option". I am SO proud!
  • sally

    I love it when they say "failure is not an option."  It shows how determined they are.  It is so hard but your son made it this far.................. which is great! 
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Andys...  Im sure he will get it this time around!!!

     

    Happy Mothers Day everyone!

  • CaliMom (Maryann)

    Andysmom-Love your son's attitude and he has realized that rolling back has turned out to be a good thing for him.  I have shared before that something similar happened to my son when he went through RSS.  By rolling back he got more intense PT, which for some odd reason, he loved and Sierra platform.  If he had not rolled, he would have been Romeo.  So all was good in the end.
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Okay... who is classing up RSS today?  My son's best buddy is so Im wondering who else here might have a Sailor in his class.

     

    Hugs to all!!!!

  • sweetpea4

    Still on hold!
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Hi sweetpea!  Hoping it will be soooooooon!
  • TexasMomof2

    Love reading on everyone's progress! Andy's Mom, your son rocks.....he has the RIGHT attitude! My son is on the tail-end ride of that very last "school......" where there is -0- contact. Can't stand it and I told him when he's thru all he puhleeze needs to do is send me a text saying "All's okay....." I feel as if he's in Boot Camp again except totally different day-to-day situations. And while I know he will be awesome, I will just feel a lightened load when I get that text. Talk to ya later ladies!
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Texas Mom.... all I can say is uggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.  Mine will be there in three weeks! 
  • sweetpea4

    What part of the program is there no contact?
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    sweetpea...   Its no secret that they have to do this but the details are undisclosed.  You sailor knows all about it believe me... it is SERE... 
  • sweetpea4

    Oh thats what it is. My  ex husband went through SERE's training years ago. He was quite a sight when he got home after that training!.
  • Robin

    No contact...lovely! :( I just finished finalizing our reservations for our trip to P'cola in June! We are so ready to get out there & visit! The months since Christmas seem like they've been dragging. Atleast this drive (Tx to Fl) won't be as looong as the drive from Tx to Waukegan! :~}
  • CaliMom (Maryann)

    So excited...gonna go see my sailor in a litttle over 3 weeks! He will have just gotten to Norfolk, so he won't really be able to show us around or anything.  Anyone know of good places to eat or visit in Norfolk?

  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Kevin - woooooooooohoooooooooo!  I know you are excited!  Hey is there a Norfolk or a VA site maybe that you could join too?  I dont know anything about VA.
  • Kyle's mom

    Lydia and KevinHMom - I haven't found a VA site but my son has been there for about a month and is the one with a car so he drives everyone around.  I'll ask him for recommendations.  I thought it was funny......one night they went to "B dubs" and watched the fight (Buffalo Wild Wings).  They have code for everything!  LOL
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Kyles... that is funny yes a code for everything...  Like my son loves to say ...  (instead of No)  Negative Ghost Rider.  Or instead of Yes...  always Roger that!  hahaha   They are so military!

  • CaliMom (Maryann)

    Ya, Kevin always says "Roger that" instead of "Yes" also. 
  • EllieHZ

    Husband got walking pneumonia :( will roll back in with starboard d, and wait to class up with the next RSS..
  • navymom 74 Ship 4 Div 805

    Hello everyone!! My son is in Pensacola...waiting to class up to RED school..anyone else out there??
  • navymom 74 Ship 4 Div 805

    I meant RSS school...these phones can get crazy..lol!!
  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    EllieHZ- Sorry to hear about your husband. Hope he is feeling better real soon.

    Navymom- Welcome. My son's next step is starboard d and then RSS.

  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Ellie... seems a lot of this happens with each class but so much better for him to be 100% for RSS....  The atrition rate is already 75% so he needs to be 100% plus some!  Im glad he will rest and recover and then kick butt!

    Hugs to all..  my buddies best buddy (my adopted son haha) R is doing approaches and releases today!!!!  My B talks to him every few days and says he is doing excellent but prayers for my R !!!!!  Who else has a Sailor in RSS right now 2nd week?? 

  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    Lydia - good thoughts and prayers going out for R!
  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    EllieHZ - they don't seem to be given a lot of information. Sometimes I feel like I know more than my son does just from being on N4M, but maybe my son doesn't really want to ask the questions. Try and be positive for your hubbie. Can he ask some of the others that are married how they went about getting answers to what you need? My son said there are many that are married there. Also it seems I have read comments about others on the Pensacola site about what you are dealing with. Do you read comments there too?
  • EllieHZ

    Thanks Ladies!! Hubs is def feeling crappy but the Dr. has him on anti biotics. A lot of frustrations with not being able to get brown bagger and still not receiving bah. Hopefully our luck will change soon! Hard to stay motivated when he asks for help with those things and ppl tell him to "eff off"...
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Ellie - remind him that this is all about him...  no one else.  He must be a bull and see the color red to get through this.  He can not afford to look around at everyone else.  My sons Aunt is a VERY high ranking officer in the Navy.. not one time has he asked her for any favors / nor has she offered.  He takes pride in doing everything with his sweat and blood.  You tell your hubby to get well and stay focused that is what will get him through this.  My son got to Pcola and the hold times were very long...  he stayed focused and out of 38 Sailors he was one of 9 who passed.  Remind your hubby that healing is all that matters.  Brown bagger status should be the last thing on his mind right now.  I know thats easy for me to say...  just get him to relax on that and dont put any pressure on it if you can.  Ask Robin over on the Pcola site about how to go about that.  She can tell you what to tell him.  Maybe he is missing something.  Or taking to the wrong persons.  But again... healing and total focus is all that will get him through this program.  If he loses motivation he will not make it.  So little lady... a lot will be up to you to kick him in the butt and get him thinking about one thing healing and RSS!  Meanwhile we will be praying hard for yalls status and his healing!!!!!!!!!!  Lots of guys roll for health reasons or even first time failure...  he is not alone for sure! 

    Proud - thank you!  How is your son????

  • mom2four

    Ellie, I agree with Lydia.  My sailor says that there are lots of guys that are on hold "forever". Don't let him get down, he can do it!  Focus on health and the rest will come.

    Waiting to class up to RSS... have a great weekend everyone.

  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    Lydia - Good advice. My son is doing good. His good friend there dropped this week, something about them treating them like kids for what others were doing. Wanted to tell him well he still is a kid, lol, but refrained. Didn't sound like he was feeling the same as his friend. Tried to make sure he is staying focused on his goals and told him that unfortunately other friends will drop too. He was going to the pool yesterday to use his fins and work out.
  • EllieHZ

    Thanks Lydia!! Ill def relay your advice to him! Sometimes I feel like I put too much pressure on him with RSS because I know what he is capable of.  As far as brown bagger, we are fine not having it. He just really likes coming off base during liberty and relaxing at home.. BUT we only have one car.. so him not being able to come off base EVERY day is actually better :) (that way I dont have to wake up at the crack of dawn to take him back haha) I know he can do RSS.. I think he just loses sight of things when he follows the rules, shows up to musters on time, sets his uniform straight, works his ass off and then still cant do things for his own morale. We both know that everything in the Navy has a purpose, and I try and tell him all the time that this is a training command... for training ;) I will continue to kick him in the butt!
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Ellie - you go girl..  set him straight!  hahaha...  he should be proud that he is setting the example and IS doing things right..  that is why my son won the Honormen award....  he did it right regardless of what was around him.  Funny story.. when my son got to A school Sierra... the guys in the class were screwing around one day and finally my son said he stood up in the middle of class and told them... in other words of course that I can not repeat.... that they are screw ups with no discipline and he hoped that they would never be responsible for maintaining his chopper or he will surely go down...  etc etc etc.....  takes guts to be serious and determined...  he can do it and so can you!!!

    Proud... yes... the never ending beat down... and remember - TEAM WORK - they all get punised for what one does... my son lost most all his Rescue swimmer PIR buddies... of course... that is okay cause they went on to do other things that they were interested in and that is what it is all about.. .then he made new friends..  its so hard but always remember that for each one.. God has a purpose and they will not all be the same!  Each Sailor to me is a hero no matter where they end up.  Im glad you son is hanging in there!!!!!   GO NAVY!

    mom2four... keep us posted!!!!!

    Gosh - I sound like an old mother hen... sorry!