Moms of Aviation Rescue Swimmers

http://newbreak.org/pacific-beach/

The Navy kids go to the 10:45 Sunday service..........

proud and aster.........   I got that backwards... here is the PACIFIC BEACH link for the Newbreak church... there is an Ocean Beach one also....  BUT Pacific Beach is the one you want..... this is Pastor Steve Bombaci's church and the one all the Navy kids go to.  It is only about 15 minutes from the North Island base..  my boy rides his motorcycle there and usually about 15 to 20 max

minutes....  here is a couple of photos of him and the youth doing a face paiting at a street fair...  BIG NAVY BOYS painting little kids' faces... 

Thanks Lydia! I'll pass the info on to my sailor, he's on North Island.

proud... as Jodi said... best of wishes for a speedy recovery....sure think of and praying for her!!  I think all things will work together for the good!!!!!   Please keep us posted for sure!!!!

proud and aster... .if your kids decide to go, let me know, Ill have my boy and his buddies looking out for them - they will make them welcome for sure!  Aster... perfect!

I  messaged my son the info...will let you know if he goes this week

thank you!

Soheartstrings.... Awesome!! Congrats to your son...:) that is Fantastic!

TO EVERYBODY !- (not yelling, but cheering!) thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for my family  (medivac'd to SD from south pacific). Those prayers were answered!  I cannot tell you how much it meant to me that moms from all walks of life with only one thing in common (N4M) would take time out of their day and write me a note wishing my family well.... I cannot even begin to tell you how appreciative I am of that act of generosity!!!!  My daughter and baby are doing really well! The baby no longer needs a blood transfusion! Woot woot!!! They will remain in SD in order to closely monitor my daughter's pregnancy-but all is well. Thank you to everyone for your encouraging words of support and faith during a terribly difficult time for us.

Lydia- Thanks for the extra information about that church. I spoke with my daughter again and as soon as she receives extra clearance from the dr- I think the family will attend that church- do you know if they have a preschool class ? They have a four year old:) I loved the pics of your son and friends- nice to see how happy they all are! Love the face painting... nice pic of strength and tenderness at the same time!

S o Heartstrings congrats to your Son! Proudmama so glad to hear the good news. Your Daughter in law and grandbaby are in the best of hands now!! God Bless! 

Always good to jump into the page with you all.   K is on the ship and able to email daily ( although I am not the girl that gets them all these days... :)  )  And he is flying this week and will probably get his wings in about a month.  YIPPEE!!    I remember when Lydia talked about that step. I will keep asking i there are any of you out there with sons on the squadron on the Mighty Ike.  

SoHeart....   awesome!!  yup now comes RSS where we stay on our knees alot!!!

Travels....  we always miss our sista friends when they are gone..  I wish that what ever the bad and sad are that we could give you a big  {{{{HUG}}}}   

I do know that with the cutbacks and the draw down...  many kids are getting early release from the Navy..  and yet, still the recruiters are recruiting??  Very confusing for me...   I do know that they are really trying to make it nearly impossible to pass RSS...  which is already that way anyway...   sooo be sure to encourage and get your Sailors to use that HOLD time wisely.....  run on the beach, swim like crazy, practice buddy tows, do a thousand flutter kicks, clear masks at various depths....  be prepared mentally..  they have to do everything by the book and not speak a word but listen and study...--- NO PARTYING on the weekends----  mental is the killer but also the physical is enormous..  any kid who has made it this far is probably very fit BUT my son said they lose some of that during BC.... they must be even more fit to test in to RSS !!!  ummmm  gosh Im trying to think of all the things my son has told me over the past few years...  Don't be offended if you don't hear much from them while they are in RSS...  they have NO time for anything but PT testing and studying....and distraction can cause them problems.  The hold times yall are taking about sound normal....  my son (3 years ago almost)  was on hold in Pcola for NACCS for 8 weeks then for RSS for about 6 weeks...  the for A school for about 8 weeks.......   so that is not soooooo bad I think...  It does cause them to get discouraged if they let it...  they have to stay busy during those times.

Gosh I hope this helps some...  what a hard frustrating nerve wracking time for yall...  Ohh how I remember!!!   keep us posted please!

Vitamama....   awesome, man those wings are awesome... for Christmas this past year my son got hold of a duplicate pair and had the back engraved and gave the to me!!!!!!   Best gift EVER! 

HI Sweetpea!!!!!!  <3

proud !!!!!!!!!!!    AWESOMEness sister!!!!!!    My heart just skipped a beat that mom and baby are well and good!!!!!   sigh of relief for you and also for us!  Ummm Im not sure I will ask I am on FB with Pastor Steve and his wife Karen... Ill get back to you on that....

Hey Lydia, all is well! My Son is still training no end in sight! 2 years at this point!

proudmama, that is such good news to hear!!!. Your daughter has been in my prayers every night so I'm so glad to hear that things have turned around.

My son is only a few weeks away from graduating A school and heading to SERE. Of course he is Grad and Go so our scheduled trip to see him in Pensacola will not happen. We were planning on a Memorial weekend visit but he's leaving the day were were going to arrive. As far as hold times, he and his classmates (both Sierra and Romeo) weren't on hold very long for any of their classes. He arrived in Pensacola the end of August and will graduate Romeo May 24.

Jodi.......   congrats to him... Im sorry you can't get there to see him!  woooow his hold times were awesome then!!!!   Goes to show you that with military.. you NEVER know!   I'm sure he will do fine in SERE... what a great kid he is!!   so Im curious....  USUALLY hahaha   they get quite a few days after A school to get to their destination..  in my sons case, he drove from Pcola to Cali... but they gave him 10 days so he stopped here for a few (Texas) to see us...  so your son grads and they are flying him immediately ???  Sheeeesh...  so hard to keep up with the ways of the Navy.  I was HOPING that perhaps he could sneak a visit in in between....   

sweetpea...  wooooow....  2 years....  how do you keep sane!  BUT what an awesome Sailor you have there!!!!!!

Proud.....  yes yes yes they do have care for the young children!!!  yea!!!!!

Lydia, from what J's told me, after SERE he heads to Jacksonville for more training-he has Bravo platform (which he tells me they are phasing out????). He's hoping that once he gets there he can put in for leave while on hold for more classes. If he doesn't get leave then his dad and I will head for Jacksonville to see him.

For my Navy moms.....    I posted this on my FB........  Godspeed you all mammas....  !!!!  xoxoxoxox

Until you have lived many years to look back upon the greatness of this name and the weight that it carries...you can never know.... I heard it screamed at me in pain as I ran faster than Superman to the rescue, spoken in confusion as to what was happening but knowing that all would be okay, spoken in agitation anger, whispered as sleep prevailed, the first word of a long awaited phone call... the name called out when there is no where and no one to turn too... the name that brings love, peace, okay, listening, hope, encouragement, instruction, advice... a name so hard earned through labor and birth.. but honorable to be so called. A name I will protect at all cost! Mom~

Jodi- Thanks for your prayers for my daughter and family:)It is so appreciated!  Congrats on your son's upcoming A school graduation! How exciting:) It sounds like his journey is moving relatively quickly-I am referring to Navy time of course!

Vitamama- I am excited for you that your son is going to get his wings soon! Does he have to fly a certain amount of hours or have served a certain amount of time to earn his wings?

Lydia- Thanks so much for checking in with your son's pastor regarding the church school for toddlers, checking location etc. You are so wonderful! Thank you for going out of your way to help my family that was suddenly and recently relocated to SD for an unspecified amount of time (at minimum 10 weeks probably longer). It is greatly appreciated! I gave my family the information and they are going to visit the church on Sunday-yay!!  I also want to thank you for all that you do here on N4M- you cheer for us when we are happy, pray for us when we have need, and give advice to us when we are in doubt! It takes commitment, time and energy to do all that- and it is appreciated!

NancyNature- Thanks for the link that you gave to me regarding the online store for the fins! My son's fins arrived- and thanks to the Q & A portion of the link, I ordered the correct size ! I would never have thought that my son would wear a size XXL in fins! Now he has what he needs for his next spec. ops work out session and of course, he will practice his flutter kicks....daily!

Sweatpea- thanks for your thoughts and prayers for my daughter and family! BTW- your N4M name is the nickname I used to use when referring to my daughter that you have prayed for!

Soheartstrings- Congrats to your son on his graduation from Aircrew school!  Yet another step toward his goal! I am looking forward to being able to one day say that about my son! (God willing... of course!)

 To all the N4M's out there.... I wish you all a wonderful Mother's Day! You are a great group of moms who support your families and each other with enthusiasm, compassion, and wisdom. I love learning from you ladies! Happy Mother's Day!

Proud - I will let Pastor Steve and Karen know that they will hopefully be there tomorrow...  please let them know to just go up to Steve and or Karen and tell em Lydia sent me hahahahah....  then they will make the connection and can hook them up with my Boy(s)   I'm so happy that all is turning out okay...  

OH and about the wings...  they have to grad FRS (FRAC) and be attached to their squad..  then they go through many many tests but in the air and written..  when they finish and meet the criteria..  then they get them.  Its different within each squad as to how fast or slow they can get through all the tests..  alot also depends on if they spend their spare time studying...  hahah study study and MORE study... by this time I think they are tired of studying hahahahahaha

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MAMMMA'S    Personally I think it is the hardest job in the world...  being a Military Mamma!!!!!

Travels....  thank you!!!!!

Thanks to all and Happy Navy Mama's day too!!  Proud- He graduated  in March and is with his squadron out in the deep blue. And yes, now for the tests of all the stuff they have learned.  he gets to email every night after work. I guess there are 3 computers for 20 of them.

 He said it is really hot and wants a portable fan.  I'm sending out a package on Monday.  Any suggestions?  

It's also very "kewl" that Lydia has friends at that church.  I found a family in Norfolk who moved there to have a place for the sailors to hang out. HE was a former chaplain.  

Happy Mother's Day to all!! And God-speed to your sailors whatever stage they may be in the rescue swimmer path!! And Lydia, I love you statement on mothers!! Perfect!!

Vita....

on board the ships the drinking water is aweful... its chemically recycled ... sooooo the one thing the Sailors LOVE that we ship in our boxes are the Koolaide and Gatorade powders... the individual packets... they come in a box of ummmmm  like 8 or 10..different koolaide flavors (Tropical Punch being the fav)   they sell them at the Dollar Tree and prob Wal mart also..  well the Gator powder you will have to get at your store or Wal mart..  they loved that and the MnM trail mix ---  they also asked for AXE body wash and extra towels..  laundry is not fun on the ships they said.  Otherwise we sent all kinds of other goodies..  powder, sani wipes and hand sanis...   extra white t shirts too..  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY YALL!!!!!!    HI Birdiejr    Thank you!

Happy Mother's Day everyone. Hope you were able to hear from your sailors.

Happy Mother's Day!

Praises to the RTC for the privilege to talk to my son! What a great day it is!

Thanks be to God! :)

As always, you come through with great ideas Lydia.  Thanks.  I'll be filling up a package and sending if off tomorrow.  Do you mean a regular towel?  

Vita....   yes regular towels... wash em first and throw a dryer sheet in em when you fold them

nancy.... SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

Jodi.....   you toooooooooo

Nancynature-so glad you were able to talk to your son-yay!

Vita-if your son knows people who aren't receiving care packages from home, let me know...a group of us ladies in our town put together care packages full of stuff that Lydia mentioned. We would be happy to do that again for any soldiers on that ship...

Lydia- is there a special type of goggle that is used by rescue swimmers? I don't know which one to purchase for my son...

Proudmama,  Wow, that touched my heart. I told k and he gave me the name of  two sailors who have not rec'd any packages.  I can send you the names but not sure of what address, unless it's the same as my son's.  And any tips on sending the package because I'm one together for my son today.  

Vitamama- I am glad to do it! It is such a small thing to do and I know that there are sailors out there who don't get as much support from home for one reason or another. I figure we can all use some TLC in this life! I will message you and we can figure out the rest!

Vitamama- I forgot to say that the care pkgs that we sent to Iraq were very similar to what Lydia was saying regarding pkg contents...the only extra thing we bought that was out of the ordinary was silly string... they used that for EOD purposes. We sent gum, trail mix, candy, baby wipes, toiletries. I loved Lydia's idea of washing and drying towels and then packing them with a dryer sheet! Great idea.

proud... mostly they use masks... not goggles..    Yes, when ever we send boxes out to ONE soldier, we know there are dozens attached to him her that dont get anything... so we send to the one and ask them to share!  awesome !!!  here is a photo of my son in his navy dive swim gear... maybe just looking at this will help.. it was issued by navy but all dive shops sell them  hang on must find the photo..........

GO Proud and Vita!!!  send that love to those kids!!!!!!!!!!    

Here ya go....    this was taken during FRS (FRAC)...  navy issue

Where do you get those phone cards.  All I find are the ones which sound like they are for cell phones  or some "plan"  Any info would be great.  Our first call was on arrival to BC, but that was one his cell which was sent home in "the box". I don't want to miss any chance for a 30 second chat!!!!

Lydia-great pic! Thanks- so much!

Saltyocean - before my son went to BC last summer, I purchased one at my local Walgreens. It had 3000 minutes on it and I told him to share with SR who did not have a card. If you don't see one, ask one of the clerks where they keep them. I found it behind the register in front of the store by the registers.

I hope this helps. I know how precious the calls are!

HI Saltyocean...  welcome!!!!  Yup drug stores...  I did the same as aster... and my son shared his also....   BTW for you gals whose kids are BC right now...  I dont know if you are on your PIR site here on N4M... where you will find super advice... but speaking of the cell phone IN THE BOX...  well, be aware that they take the batteries OUT of those phones and either shove them in a shoe or drop em down in the box...   I found this out the HARD way hahaha.....   had my boys phone and charger all packed and took it to him ....  well, I plugged it in that night before the PIR only discover that the battery was NOT in it....  only a month later did my daughter find it in the bottom of his box that was at home.  Needless to say I wound up racing out and buying him one for PIR gift (along with the watch I had already bought)  so be sure to look for that battery and don't forget the charger!!!!!  =)

proud... your welcome, Im only assuming that this is the same mask that they use during RSS..  prob so...  my son is out training or I would could ask him

My son passed his final test and will graduate next week. What a relief that part is over. Now to worry about SERE!!!!  I've gotten used to talking to him quite often so going a few weeks without any word is going to take some getting used to but I have faith that he will survive this next step of training.

Jodi - CONGRATS!  I so, worried about SERE for my son and although he never really discussed any details, he did just fine.  He claimed it was the "worst week of his life" but that was months ago and he never talks about it or dwells on it.  You boy will get through it just fine.  We were out of touch for about a week and he called me immediately after he caught up on his sleep! 

Jodi- Congrats :) How exciting.  Onward and upward!

Great news from my son in San Diego.  He's been there since the beginning of March from Pensacola.  SERE was done first thing, then he waited to class up for FRAC...they had him working in a parachute repair shop (which he loved!) then working around the schoolhouse, now he starts school on Monday.  He's excited, we are thrilled for him to move on through the pipeline.  He's surfing and cove diving and at the beach every spare second.  We are from Florida, but he says California just "blows that away"!  He is having a great time and is ready to buckle down for the next phase.  He's done all this in the inside of a year.  We miss him terribly but he's doing great.

Gmom- I am definitely going to share  your post wth my son who is in the DEP program. I'm so glad that your son is doing well and enjoys his job so much! How exciting (as a mom) to see our children grow into adults and achieve their personal goals!

GMom, I'm so glad to hear your son is doing so well. I can't wait until J gets to that phase. I think he was hoping for San Diego since most of his buddies are heading there but will be heading to Jacksonville after SERE.

It doesn't seem that long ago since our boys left for bootcamp, does it? Remember sitting PIR with that baby crying non stop?  Wow, time sure flys.  

Jodi - How could I forget that disrepectful family sitting below me, it was the utmost distraction. You know, I think about that often and REALLY wished I would have said something.  All my video has in it is crying baby!  Nevertheless, it has almost been a year....son has done so well, it's not been easy for him, he truly struggled with RSS in Pensacola as he watched friends drop out and some just not make it.  As much as G loves San Diego, we selfishly would have loved for him to Jacksonville!  (Only 4 hours for us) but we wanted him to see and do and go... a true time of his life to experience all he wants to without any other committments except to himself and the Navy.  PROUD MOM! 

HI Ladies!!!!!

Its so awesome when you all share about your Sailors moving on through the pipeline..  I remember how hard it was for me....  he was just fine hahaha... I am the one that got more gray hairs and gained about 20 pounds from worry!!!!  Now he is totally done and has been for a while - loves his squadron and loves deployment.  Loves San Diego too!  perfect place for our surfer boys to be!  Im told that they also like JAX...  so not to worry there.  SERE, my son said that it gave him a new perspective on life in general and a new respect for life.  Other than being starving and sleep deprived, he was awesome when he called that thursday.  So hang in there SERE mammas!!!!  (I know, easier said than done as I recall  )     

GMom, I'm glad I bought the video from graduation. Even though it isn't geared just to the 800 division like our videos probably were it didn't have the crying baby on it. J seemed to do okay with RSS. It was when he got to A school that I got worried. He tends to stress out during tests but after a few bobbles he did fine. His dad and I are glad he's in Jacksonville as it is a littler closer. If we decide to fly to visit him instead of driving it will be less than a plane ticket to San Diego. We hope to visit him once he gets settled.

I agree Lydia, it seems like we were there at the waiting stages for sooooo long.  Now he is flying and doing what he was trained to do.  This week they had a big 'steel beach party" on the upper deck and then swimming, where the sailors jumped over the edge of the boat ( 35 feet).  He had to be in the water for 5 hours watching over the people swim. Shoulders got sunburned!!!    That's my boy!!  :)  And they are really good on the ships FB page to have lots of pictures.  I haven't seen one of him, but their helo is all over the place!!!  

That sounds cool, Vitamama.  Hopefully there weren't a bunch in the water at the same time. I think it would be hard to keep watch while in the water. But then again I'm not too fond of being in water where I can't see the bottom lol.