Moms of Aviation Rescue Swimmers

Load Previous Comments
  • TexasMomof2

    So, a couple of hours ago, I received a text from my son that says "Worst camping trip ever, lol!"  They're baaaccckkkk, YAY!
  • TexasMomof2

    Ellie, sorry to hear hubby is sick.  There are so many germs floating around those schools.  Close quarters.  They come back from Boot Camp where it's even worse and the new Sailors bring in all those germs.  My son had a constant sinus infection, I swear, for 1 1/2 years.  Always stopped up.  Tell Hubby to use this time to heal.  To use this time to mentally prepare so he can physically prepare once he's well.  And make sure he's on multi-vitamins.  I'm such a Mom, I know.  :o)

     

    When they get out of Boot Camp and get to Pensacola, they are sooooo ready to get GOING.  They're motivated. They've kicked "A" in Boot Camp.  And they get to Pensacola and it's oh, wait, hold on.,,,,  It's mentally deflating for them, I believe.  My son just got out of his last school (today) and it will be TWO years in July.  It isn't easy and I do remember this. 

     

    Some move faster through the program.  Some don't make it through it.  Some start over.  And don't make it the second time.  Others have injuries and have to sit back and watch others move on by. And THEN their time can come.  Everyone shines at different times in life.  Not everyone shines at the same thing....at the same time.  But, there's a reason for how we move in life.  HA!  Sounds like BS doesn't it?  But it is true.....just can't see it at the time.

     

    Tell your hubby to use this time wisely....not that he won't....but tell him to hold his head up and be proud.  He WILL be watched in how he handles this.  This time for him - and others who encounter same thing - is a lesson.  A lesson in patience.  A lesson in how to take a situation that we're not prepared for and to turn it into a positive experience.

     

    When my son was in Pensacola and REARING to go, I would tease him and say "Are you sure you aren't at some resort?"  I mean, he was at the beach..... getting a tan..... and was getting a paycheck for what?  To go to the gym and work out? To hang with his friends?  He was getting medical benefits.  He was putting money in savings and building a retirement.  And he was getting the comfort of knowing that he has a JOB that he is preparing for.  Not everyone has this these days.

     

    I'm not saying your hubby isn't aware of nor appreciative of these things.  I'm sure he is.  Just remind him.  Be his support.  It's difficult to be positive when you feel like poo poo...

     

    Sorry so long everyone.  I'm proud of ALL of our Sailors!  HOOYAH!

  • TexasMomof2

    Ellie, what's a "brown bagger?"  Also, see where you talk about BAH and not getting it?  My oldest son is a corpsman and married after he'd been in a year or so.  Took FOREVER to get paperwork in order and funds to roll in.......it does not move fast.  But hang in there....

     

  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Texas...  my two bffs boys just got done too...SWCC.. bet they were all together...  isnt it a small world... they know each other and we know each other.. we pray for them...  glad it is over!  For him and my other bffs boys too.... mine in 3 weeks.  Just funny how small a world it is!!!!!  Godspeed our boys!!!  love each and every one of them like they are my own! 
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Texas... btw... brown bagger... gets to go home to be with the wife and kids...  hence brown bag!
  • TexasMomof2

    Lydia, oh yeahhhh, I bet those guys did get to know each other really well. I can't even imagine. SWCC? This is what my son's first contract was for.....and then during his senior year in high school, he switched from football to the swim team to prepare for SWCC....and discovered how much he enjoyed swimming and surprisingly, that he was pretty darn fast. So back to the recruiter and for a RSS contract. After re-qualifying that is.

    What a journey this has been. Godspeed to all our boys, YES!
  • EllieHZ

    Thank you everyone for the kind words and advice!!!! Its great to have a support system on here. I will keep you posted with his progress. I hope all of your sailors are kickin butt this week!!
  • navymom 74 Ship 4 Div 805

    hello to everyone!!! my son is stationed in Pensacola waiting to class up for RSS..how long is the wait for this? i ask him and he says that in reality he has no idea..he did say that a few of the guys got moved back because they werent doing what they were suppose to also that one of his friends quit the program!!! i must say im very proud of him...and all who are there...i have a ? this group here of moms of aviation rescue swimmers..are yalls sailors here in Pensacola? How many schools do they have to go through..i ask my son and hes still learning and im sure afraid to ask...he is just going with the flow i guess!!
  • sweetpea4

    My son has been in Pensacola since April 17th and has not classed up yet!!!!!!!!
  • CaliMom (Maryann)

    My son is just finishing up A school.  First he went through NACCS, then RSS, now A school.  All of those schools are in P'cola.  After they finish A school, they go to either the East Coast or the West Coast for SERE and FRS.  There is usually a hold time in between each school, but the length varies from sailor to sailor. 
  • Kyle's mom

    Howdy all!  Check out the awesome pics of Navy Rescue Swimmers on their site on Facebook!   It will make your heart bump!  Hooyah Navy Rescue Swimmers!
  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    My son has been in Pensacola since February 10. He has finished NACCS and just moved over to the RS building and waiting to do starboard D and then RSS. My son has said the whole time he doesn't really know what is ahead of him. They don't give them a course sheet that tells them all the classes/schools they have to go through or a time frame. He finds out most of his information from me, which I get from you wonderful ladies and I am so thankful for, and as he makes more friends who are ahead of him in the process he gets a lot of information from them. There is a board that he has to check that will have his name on it when he is moving onto the next thing, other than that they are learning how to wait and be patient. - Kyle's mom thanks for the heads up on the FB RS's....too cool!
  • mom2four

    Proud, sounds like our boys are probably together!
  • ochaos

    My son has been there since March 17th, it is frustrating to say the least. He still has not classed up.
  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    mom2four - Hopefully they will get to starboard D soon. =)

    ochaos - try not to be frustrated. From what I have read this is what everyone goes through, if that helps at all.

  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Yes yall....... seems like "most" have long hold times but my son said once they see that first ride in that chopper... It is ALL worth the agony and pain!  So tell them to hang in there and kick butt to prepare while they are on hold.  Remind them (tho I doubt they will need reminding) that the attrition rate is over 75% so they should be thankful for the long hold so they can build their bodies back up.  My son told his bf swim sprints, swim sprints, swim sprint...,mask clearing and running and swimming and then start all over again each day.  haha
  • TexasMomof2

    Tomorrow morning there are two very proud incredible young men headed their way to our home from San Diego.  My son and his best buddy just finished SERE and are leaving SD.....headed to Norfolk for their orders.  Stopping here first for some leave and then headed up to Norfolk.  My son's best buddy was his bunk mate in boot camp and they've been through the last 2 years side by side.  Very nice they're able to remain together for orders.  There are others with them that have been together since boot camp and are all headed separate directions and while this makes them sad they all recognize it's their time to move on.  Happy yet sad!  I can't wait for them to be here!  Hope everyone is doing well!

  • mom2four

    CONGRATS Texas!!   You help us all see that there is an end in sight... enjoy your sailor for his time home.
  • CaliMom (Maryann)

    Texas mom- you must be so proud!   Can't wait until I can say the same! Just one week left of A school, then a week on hold before heading to VA and SERE 
  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    Texas - Congratulations!
  • Andysmom

    Tears of joy! My son passed his RSS test today! I am 1 happy mom!
  • Kyle's mom

    Congrats Andys mom!  Quite an accomplishment (and relief).

    KevinHMom - do you know when your son is scheduled for SERE?  mine is in July

  • TexasMomof2

    Thank  you guys for the congrats!  Andysmom, how exciting!!!
  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    Andysmom - That is wonderful news. Congratulations!
  • sweetpea4

    Andysmom! Fantastic!!!!
  • CaliMom (Maryann)

    Andysmom-congrats to your sailor! That is awesome news. 

     

    Kyle's mom-He is scheduled for SERE in late June.

  • NavyWife10

    My husband graduates Aircrew School Thursday, does anyone on here know exactly where the graduation is held at? I believe its in front of a building close to their barracks, but not for sure. Anyone in here happen to be going Thursday?
  • Christi

    Texas Mom - Congratulations, enjoy your time with your son!

     

    Andy's Mom- Congrats to your sailor...excellent work.

  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Andys.... whooop whoooop!!!  Congrats!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhh breathe now...

    Texas... sooo awesome...

    The3Cs....  Im sorry Im not sure exactly???  But I will tell you this... you hubby will notice that lots of pix will be taken by other family etc....   Get your honey to get some and email them to you or Face Book them.... 

  • Andysmom

    The other Sierra starts on Monday so he'll be on hold for awhile. He's going to put in for a week's leave as soon as he moves over to A school. Hoping for a + chit:)
  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    The3Cs - I am not sure either. I am pretty sure my son said it was outside of where they live.  I live in Washington state so I didn't go.
  • NavyWife10

    Lydia- I will be taking lots of pics myself! I have a friend that moved down here to Pensacola about a month before I did, that just so happens to do photography.. And she is doing some pictures for me as well! =). And yes, it's outside of their barracks.. The other wife here messaged me and told me the details.
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    The3Cs...  awesome!!!  Be sure and put one on here for us to see... we love pictures...  no problem as long as their names do NOT show!  Being Spec Ops women we have to protect at all costs....  =0P

    Andys..... kewl!!!!!

    Proud.....  woow Washington state is like the opposite end of the country hahah!  I did not go either but had mommas that went to RSS grad for me that live there in Pcola and they took video and photos for me.... such a great Navy family we all are!!!!

  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    I am going this summer to visit and will try to be at RSS graduation. My work is hard to get vacation time during the summer unless put in months in advance. I have blocked out some weeks and hopefully one will work when I can spend time with him. My son said they were told some were moving to starboard D this week, which he is hoping one is him, but if not it would be three weeks. I haven't heard from him yet today.
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Proud... good luck with the vacation!!!  I just love the video of the graduation..  it gave me chills and tears...  and when they gave my B the honormen award.. he was soo not expecting it and it made me just booooohooooo!  I hope your boy moves to Starboard D too!  It seems to go faster from that point! 
  • sweetpea4

    Not classed up yet, so there go another week!!!
  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    Well my son didn't move to Starboard D but he said even though he didn't want to wait three more weeks he will just take the extra time to be in even better shape. I am so happy he is keeping a good attitude. Now to try and guess again when he might be done and try to plan a trip that may coincide. Crazy!
  • EllieHZ

    Husband decided a few days ago RSS wasn't for him. He was in star.d and ended up having a nice talk with the Sr.Chief who told him he was more than capable of completing the program and told him he respected his decision to recognize this wasn't for him before he completed it and got to the fleet. Looks like we will be moving in 2-3 months! :/ eeeek haha. I will def be staying active on this site though and in this group. You ladies are great! And keep encouraging all of the swimmers!!!
  • CaliMom (Maryann)

    Ellie-as it has been said many times on this site, being a rescue swimmer is not for everyone, and kudos for your sailor for recognizing that.  You said moving in 2-3 months. Does he already have a new rate?

  • sweetpea4

    EllieHZ, good luck to you and your husband. He will find his way!
  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    EllieHz - I wish you and your husband a smooth transition into your new direction. I believe there are many great jobs and callings in the Navy. Glad your sticking around.
  • Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)

    Ellie - I second what everyone has said!  Good luck and feel free to stay on here.  Its not just about our Rescue Swimmers - its about our Sailors too!  We love them all and are proud of each one!  {{HUGS}}
  • EllieHZ

    He doesn't have a new rate yet. He goes undesignated airman.. I think he will have the chance to get a new rate in the future. He's trying to figure out what he really wants to do.. I know he wants to finish up college, he has like 16 credits left to a bachelors so hopefully he pursues that :) I guess not he just goes into whats called "student pool".. he will go over to NATTC and take some aviation class and then get orders to go somewhere.. thats about all I have learned so far :) I hope some of your sailors class up today!  I know a group of our friends is planning on it tonight!! Have a great weekend ladies!
  • ochaos

    Just found out last night that my son classed up last week. Will not be able to go to graduation from Aircrew school because I am in Cali, hopefully someone can get photos for me when it happens. He is so glad to finally get going.
  • ochaos

    Ellie good luck to you and your husband.
  • Andysmom

    Did anyone go to RSS graduation today? Or...Does anyone know of anyone that went? Wish I could be there. I know my son said they take pictures but it will be awhile before they get them back. Help.
  • sweetpea4

    Patience, My son has not classed up either, it's just a waiting game.

     

  • sweetpea4

    I must say this is a very helpful group of ladies, very encouraging for each other, its great to be around a group that is concern for all our sailors. Thanks ladies for all your support and support of others who have made a different transitions!!!!
  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    Ann1 - I am not sure how the clearance works. I would think after a year there would be someone he could talk to there to find out what the hold up is. It is great that he is sticking to staying fit. Wish I had some answers for you! Sorry to hear about your father.
  • TexasMomof2

    Ann1, maybe your son was "on hold" for medical reasons? You say he was injured in BUDs......when he arrived in Pensacola, it's very possible he continued to be on hold until his injury was healed/cleared...