Moms of Aviation Rescue Swimmers

Well, I'm back.....things have been a tad crazy for us but more about that later...first --

Ann, oh my gosh, what happened?  I'm glad to hear he's improving.  They do take good care of our kids.  My swimmer son busted his ear drum last month...doing some exercise in the pool and another swimmer's shoulder connected with his head.  He had to sit out of flying for a month but he's back flying again so he's all happy.

Lydia, Hey there!  Glad to see you're still here.....I read back a few pages and see that B is doing great....this is so nice!

Bird, blessings to you and your's!  Jodi, YAY!, you are almost at PIR??!!  This is very exciting.....enjoy!

I see other new people.....I'll catch on soon.  My youngest son has been in since 2009.  He's a aircrew rescue swimmer stationed with a special operations squadron in Norfolk.  Very proud of him, he's worked very hard....as has all our young men and women.

My oldest son is a corpsman and has been in since 2007.  He is currently going through FMTB (Field Medical Training Battalion) school with the Marines at Camp Pendleton in San Diego.  Little rough on him and his wife right now as they just found out she's pregnant (YAY!) but then school started and he's on base.  He gets to leave once a week to take her to the doctor appointments as she's a "high risk" pregnancy.....so it's nice they allow him to do this.  She's not too happy with him gone but she is very emotional right now - understandably.  I worry about my son and the stress with wanting to be with her and yet he's a Platoon Leader so he has his new corpsmen that he's responsible for.  It will all work out :o)

Hubby and I moved in February.  Week we moved, I unexpectedly started vomiting blood.....pure liquid, red blood that filled a small trash can.  I immediately went into ICU for 12 days.  Bleeding continued  but then stopped on its own.....never could determine source other than it was coming from the small intestine and backing into the stomach.

Then my sweet Mom passed away while I was in ICU......I went to her funeral in a wheel chair but I at least was able to go.  I finally physically recovered and here I am......phew. 

Thought I'd check in and see how things are here....and things look good!

I dearly miss my sons as I know we all do.  You'd think I'd get used to it since they have been in for awhile, but, truthfully, I haven't.  I'm lucky that they do come home and we are constantly in touch.  I read sometimes where Moms haven't seen their Navy kids for a year or so and that they don't keep in touch.  I'd be hunting my sons down if they did this.....I think they know this too :o)

Hello Everyone !!! WOW, so many new people since I have been on and a wonderful array of everyone from PSTing to several years in....it's so great to see such a varied blend of the pipeline...

Teamnavy you are doing great...it will work out fine just persevere my dear !!!

I only went back a few pages but it's great to catch up even a little...

Ann, I dont know what happened but I hope he heals quickly and is fit as a fiddle soon...Texasmom Im glad your guy is back on  track and feeling better...it sounds like you have been through the mill but have taken such a challenging time in stride...I hope you have continued good health and I'm sorry for the passing of your mom and all of the ups and downs both physically and emotionally...you are a pillar of strength....

Hello Lydia !! It's been ages...I hope B is doing well and How are you and your hubby?

It's interesting that I am reading about the health issues on this page...I have been off for a few months recuperating from a spontaneous ruptured colon...very rare and unusual situation...no warning, just went to bed one night in May and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery with peritonitis and sepsis...2 weeks later I left the hospital with a colostomy and extensive internal and external damage...my surgeon planned on going back in 6 months later to do a reversal but complications developed after a month and a few days ago everything got considerably worse...as a result I am going back in on wednesday for the colostomy reversal 3 months early, much to my doctors dismay....on the other hand I see it as a blessing in disguise...my dream and goal is to get to my sons graduation in december and that would have been impossible except for all that is happening now...I have been told to expect 10 days in the hospital and 3 more months recuperation which should have me right on track to get to SD in december...a real silver lining !!!

I have to say, the Navy was wonderful with our family emergency...as soon as my son got the call about my condition, they told him to get on the next plane..which he did...they then kept extending his stay until I got out of the hospital...granted it was a very dire situation but it was so comforting to know that they cared enough to tell my son to be with me for mothers day and my entire hospital stay...my greatest gift !!!

If anyone could spare some extra prayers for a successful surgery this wednesday, it would be greatly appreciated...

Please know that I include all of you in my prayers every night and when I see a special situation I specifically add that....

I know everyone has so much to deal with all the time and I am so glad that we all have each other...it's a whole other world that only people in it can completely understand...

Sending good wishes for all the sailors and sailors to be and their loving families and friends....

NavymomGG welcome back. I'll be praying for you! I have a close friend that has experience the exact same thing with him. His ruptured while in the hospital. Long recovery but he is fine. Wishing you the very best!!!

Navymom - Congratulations to you on seeing the silver lining and on re-joining the group! Sending prayers your way for health and steady hands for your surgeon.

Happy week to all! Sending love and prayers to you and your sailors!!

TexasMom - super duper prayers girl!!!

Navymom - also for you as well. 

Yall let us know please how you do !!!  Its hard enough having health problems  but on top of that having kids in the military make it harder...  NavyMom...  so glad he got to be with you.  That was quite awesome !!!!

I sure am glad yall came here again and filled us in. I have often wondered about yall.

The Bman will be heading out for a short Deploy on  the ---------  guarding over the new pilots practicing landing and taking off....  just a short deploy...  thank goodness..  =)    Well, may the Lord watch over all who need healing, strength, energy, passing tests...  HUGS

Thor.... as he likes to be called (lol)

PST results:

Swim 7:41

Push Ups 95

Sit Ups 92

Pull Ups 17

Run 9:34

He's getting entered for the Draft on Thursday.... wish him luck!

JackFlash, Congrats to your son!!

Lydia, Praying for B!!!

NavyMomGG, Praying for you, Met C, thank you for the hug-what a great young man you have raised!!! The guys are all so nice and very funny!!!! Go Squadron 41!!!

You and your families are in my thoughts and prayers!!

Ann, Heard C is doing better-I know you are going to have a great time in SD!!!

Thank you all for the prayers...I truly appreciate them..leaving for the hospital in a few hours and will be in for about a week...I will check back when I get out...

JackFlash...Congrats !! Good Luck on thursday!!

Lydia...prayers for a safe trip and speedy return...prayers for you too!!

Sweetpea..Thank you for the success story...its wonderful and encouraging to hear..

Birdier...it's funny you mentioned steady hands...I have had to follow up with my surgeon almost every week for the past 3 months and one day I saw these red marks on his hands...I asked him what it was and he said they were burns from the harsh cleanser they use..I was horrified..I said you need to take good care of those hands..they are miracle workers...

Roxanne...Hello !! C just called to wish me luck and he was telling me about meeting you..he was saying how nice you are and he said mom, you two would be good friends if you lived close to each other...sooo cute..I was so happy he got to meet you...your son is so precious so I knew you would be too...I think there is something special about meeting each others families..I think it makes them feel comforted for each other...

Well...off I go , lots to do...sending Love and Good Wishes to all..xoxo GG

NavymomGG, Wishing you a speedy recovery and praying for  you! God Bless you!

Rox - how ws you trip sista... did you get a note from me??  =) 

navymom - you are sooo in our prayers sister...  I wish I were there to hold your hand or crack a joke and make you laugh or something!  I know you will be A-OKAY  and same with NavyMom too!

Jack -  awesome and mucho luck..  he will do fine...  he must be super high right now and you too daddy!  let us know we are on pins and needles and also with our girl....   TeamNavy!!!  

Again Prayers for all who are healing, surgeries, school, tests and deployments!  We are alll here for each other...  no question is stupid and vent or pray or what ever....  WE ARE HERE!!!!

TeamNavy-Sounds like you did good, girl!! I'm sure you will be passing every test in no time.  When my son went for his first test, he was pretty strong except he was not that great of a swimmer.  He figured he would do fine in everything except swimming.  He didn't expect them to do the swimming first, and since he was not a strong swimmer, it took all his strength, and he had nothing left for the rest of the tests.  He threw up a couple of times during the tests after swimming and they kept asking him if he wanted to stop and not go on to the next test, and his answer was always the same, "No, I got this".  I don't think he passed any tests his first time, but they stuck with him because of his attitude and he improved every week. 

Jack-congrats to your son on his scores! And good luck with the draft

TexasMom & NavyMom-so sorry for what you are/have been going through.  Prayers for both of you. 

Lydia, Yes, thank you I got your note-and thank you for all that you do for the troops!! You are a special person and friend!!! You da best!!!  NavymomGG is doing good so far, I ask T, who asked C (her son)!!!  Will give you updates when I get them!!!

Praying for you NavymomGG!!!!!  Wish you lived closer!!!!

NavyMomGG, know you are recovering  just letting you know I am praying for you and thinking of you! Get well sooon!!! 

Cortny-depends on where they get stationed.  My sailor is in Guam stationed on a base and will go on detachments for 6 months where he will go to Japan, Thailand and Australia.  This will be his first one so we are not exactly sure how this works, but he will be in Japan and go to the other countries as boats are deployed to go there.   Conversly, he has a buddy from FRS that was assigned a ship as his permanent duty station so he will go on deployments as his ship is assigned to deployments.

HI Cortny...  welcome sis...  hey be sure and go up to the discussion forum and read the Path of the Rescue Swimmer...  =D    lots of great info in there.   I agree with CaliMom...  you just dont know..  after they Grad A school they are either Sierra or Romeo and they are assigned to a training squadron where ever..  my B is in Cali..  they after they get through all that training, they are assigned to their perm squadron and duty station.  Again B was assigned to the 21 and in SD..  however, that squadron is contracted to go over to -------------  (in the desert) for up to 6 - 8 months or more at a time.  Currently he is on a short deploy (one week)  for chopper pilots and pilots who are training their take off and landings..  Gotta have an RSS on hand.  Soon he will get his wings as he is done with all the squadron requirements for it..  then...  he will deploy when every??  Sooo  it is just a different scenario for each one and drives us moms and dads and wives NUTZ!!!   Where in the Pipeline is your son, daughter, boyfriend??  Hang in here... lots of great support, info and just a place to go to cry, vent or even occasionally laugh!  hahahah

Rox...   OH no sister thank you for your donation..  i have and am enjoying our friendsship now of several years!!!!  Im glad T gave you info on navymom - I have been worried about  her! 

HI Sweetpea!!!!!

Thank you! I read the Path of a Rescue Swimmer, that helped. But its still pretty confusing. It seems like pretty much anything can happen! I'm a girlfriend and my boyfriend graduates boot camp August 31st, I'm so excited. Jodi (josh's mom) is my boyfriends mom!

Cortny...  very awesome..  and yes it is sooo confusing..  but we are happy to help answer your questions as best we can!!!!  OH Jodi Josh!!!  well, very kewl...good luck and Godspeed to him.

Hey Lydia, hope all is well. 

Corty be prepared, remain flexiable My RSS can be anywhere in the world within---within a --- notice!!! And you will not know where or what they are doing

Its suddenly quiet in here..  hahaha!    HUGS to all and praying for our men and women in all phases of the pipeline.

off to Vagas! Step daughters 21st birthday celebration! Hope all is well with everyone and our Sailors!

Hello Hello Hello!!  It's been a whirlwind of a couple weeks and this week we are in San Diego and have been spending EVERY evening with K and all of our hometown friends,  We are staying with dear friends in Ocean Beach and loving it. Hope to be able to get on base today. He was supposed to be flying yesterday but the helos were not up to par.  Happy Day everyone!!!  

 Vitamama, awsome have a great visit!!!

Vitamama & Sweetpea - Enjoy your trips!!

Welcome Cortny! I know this is hard on gfs too so ask away w questions. We're all here for the support.

Jack & Teamnavy - any updates?

As for mine - SERE! I guess that says enough, right Jajajo?

Hugs and prayers for all sailors and families!!

Everytime we are sharing with friends about what K is doing, we are so proud of him and his fellow RSS ers or whatever other letters they have to their names.  Happy Day everyone. We are playing Nana and Papa for the rest of the week to our adorable granddaughters.  

Sounds great Vitamama... sorry it's been so hot here for you, but it seems you are having a great time.

Birdiejr-- I do have updates, but I don't want to jinx him.  Last week after his third PST he was hoping to get his scores entered for the contract draft.  On Thursday they called and asked if he could come in because there was some paperwork to do and when he got there they said his blood pressure was too high and that his vision would have to be tested again, to meet the requirements for Spec Ops.

He was scheduled for the eye test the very next day-- all it was was a depth perception test and he had no problem. 

He worked out with the Buds candidates twice this past week and is doing really great, and then today they called him in and told him that they had not submitted his scores last week.  ---They submitted his scores two weeks ago!  --even before his third PST!

Short version is that he was told today he is looking solid for a contract and he is scheduled to sign it this coming Wednesday... So he should be DEP'd in by this time next week, contract in hand and ship date on calendar.  Woot! 

He's done all he can do, and done it well.  I'm very proud of him.

USN Retired...  welcome and thank you so much!!!  Were you Sierra or Romeo..  Sandbox or ship?  Or both..

Vita!   Awesome..  he my B goes to a kewl church in Ocean Beach..  he is very active with their youth.  I put the link on here once.  Enjoy your visit.  Gosh I wish I were there with you.  I have seen my son in 9 months!  Im dying!

Sweetpea...  have a blast sista!

Jack...  getting closer and closer!!!! 

Beth proud....  hey sis!!!  okay will check out the clip!  Great for your boy!

Birdie is right...  this is hard on ALL of us!!!!!!

Lydia  I didn't get to make those cookies I promised for B but I have elves out there so I'll surprise him another time.  I told K about the kewl church and the guys that go there. It sure is closer than driving out to East County every weekend!!  We hadn't seen him since Christmas so it was wonderful!!!!!!  (okay mom, that's enough!  hahahahaha) 

helllooooo sorry for the delay in response..I don't have internet at my house anymore since going to Cali to see my sailor is tres expensive haha SO haven't redone my PST yet since I strained my IT band, so now that it's back and ready to go I have a statewide PST this Thursday.  So I'm sure it will be crazy with everyone in VA there going out for spec war and me being the only female in the state.. I'm trying not to let overwhelm me, after all I can beat most of the boys in the pool ;).  I cut off 6 minutes from my 5 mile run time today from last weeks time, so I have been working my butt off! Pray I get that last darn pull-up since that's the only thing that's holding me back!  Once I get this upcoming PST under my belt, I get to go back to Cali to spend labor day weekend with my sailor then return back to the east coast the following week to run my tough mudder with my scout!  So exciting couple of upcoming weeks :)

Beth, that was a cool video.Thanks for posting it. My SR has only 12 days left of bc then on to Pensacola. His division is doing really well. They allowed the section leaders to call home and since it was his gf's birthday, he called her. She was so excited.

USN - awesome!  Glad you are here.  My son B..  Is sierra with HSC 21...  about to get his wings now and deploy he THINKS in first of year.  Stationed in Cali and loves it! 

teamnavy..  get that pull up girl you can do it!!!!  I am told by my son and other females that that on pull up can make or break..  I know you can do it cause look at you and all you have done and accomplished!!!  whooop  yes you can..  and even an EXTRA one.. Tough Mudder is so kewl~!   Glad you get to be with the honey soon!!  I know he is proud of you too!  We are sooo proud of you and cheering you on sweetie!!

JodiJ - man time is FLYING isnt it!!!

Vita - no worries I sent them all a ton of brownies..  but thank you for thinking about him anyway!!!    Newbreak Church - Ocean Beach - the pastor is an old friend from Waaaaaaaaay Back in college..  its a kewl casual church..  pastor Stevej Bombachi is a big surfer and the gang loves him and his wife Karen and all the congregation..  the whole church is SUPER active in the Ocean Beach area..  beach clean ups, street fairs, skate park clean ups etc.... 

Well, happy Sonday everyone!!!!  =D

Hello all, I'm not a wife...a husband actually lol. I'm looking into joining the Navy just researching several different jobs that would interest me and get as many details as possible before taking the plunge. The AW/AIRR rating has stood out as one I think I would really enjoy, but my main question or concern rather, is how will my young family be affected? I'm 26 married (5yrs) with a 3yo son & 18mo daughter with our 3rd little one due in a couple weeks. My wife and I have talked over the years about my serving, but it hasn't happened yet. We live in FL so it seems training in P-cola would be good as I would be somewhat close to home, but what of FRAC-SERE? Will the Navy PCS my fam out with me for FRAC and could I live off base with my family while in ACCS and RSS schools? My last question is what is Navy life like after training and being assigned to a squadron or ship? Any help or advise would be great!
Thanks Eric

Jack-good job to your sailor! I am sure he will be ecstatic once he has that contract in hand!

teamNavy-you are so close...keep up the good work.

USN Ret-Welcome-My son is also Sierra and at his duty station.  I would love to hear a story of two from your experiences to help me understand some of what my son is going through.

USN Ret-I also have a few questions about detachments.  How does that work.  My son will be going on a detachment in a few months to Japan. Does his APO address change?

Beth-I have no idea if he will be part the squadron replacing HS-14.  His duty station is with HCS-25 and is going on a detachment to Japan for 6 months.  Only a couple of RSS from his squadron are going on this detachment, so I don't know, during that time are they assigned to a different squadron?

Eric, your wife must be a strong independent woman. Once you are in the military you are married to the military. Make certain she can handle all of the deployments!!!!! I was a Navy wife an loved every part of it. You must be patience and flexible to have a successful military career

Beth, Thank you for the kind offer. I'm sure he would appreciate it. I wish we lived close enough to visit often. Unfortunately we don't so I hope I learn how to use the Skye really well so we can "see" each other often.

Eric...  sorry I missed your post over the weekend...   wooooow that is a loaded question honey.  You wife and children will  move around ALOT and will miss you when you deploy..  There will be periods of time that you will not see them for months and months..  like Sweetpea said, she will have to be SUPER strong and supportive.  After all the trainings which if you got RSS - will take up to two years...  you would be attached to a squadron and a perm duty station.. could be anywhere in the world..  of course they can move to the base with you or where your ship (if you are attached to a ship) is..  But I must say that it is Impossible to know..  every step of the way is a question mark.  Im glad you are hear and you are so welcome to hang out with us.  I hope we can encourage you and help you in anyway you need  us...  Congrats on your decision to serve..  it is a LONG hard pipeline for which you must be on the top to succeed.  let us know what we can do to help you..!!!!!!  please feel free to go up to the discussion forum and read the Path of the Rescue Swimmer....  might answer some general questions you might have.....  

USN  -   kewl...  yes I read the history of the 11's and now 21's....   very kewl

Jack - fingers crossed!!!!!!

HI everyone!!!!!!!!!   

**sorry misspells  need coffee

Eric- There is a US Navy Rescue Swimmers facebook page that may be able to answer a lot of your questions more specifically.  There are several current Rescue Swimmers and leaders that are active on the site and they answer questions like that all the time.

Proud Papa of an official "Future Sailor!"

My son was offered a AIRR contract today, with a ship date of Oct 30.

Hoo-yah!  He's on the path!

Just got the "Call"  I have a SAILOR!!!!!!. He's tired from BS and still hoarse from the fire fighting drill but they passed with no strikes against them. They are also very close to getting into the Hall of Fame. We have our fingers crossed that they can make it. He should be heading to Pensacola next Saturday.

Jack-Congrats to your future Sailor Jack! Oct 30th will be here before you know it! And lucky you, you will get to go to Great Lakes in December!

Jodi-And congrats to you also! Sounds like his group was stellar! You must be so proud. 

That must be a great call to receive Jodi-  Congrats to you and Josh!

I PASSSSEEEDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Congrats Jack.