proudmama and I are beginning this journey together, both our sons start RSS on Tuesday and yes lots of blue candles will be lit in the house. Boot camp was so very hard with the 8 weeks and I know RSS is 5 weeks and I don't expect to hear much from him at all. More quilts to make to keep busy, I guess. Retail therapy is not good for me right now so will just make quilts.
Hi all... Congrats, Best Wishes, they will all be just fine. RSS graduation is awesome..I hope you can all go..
Now about the PO Boxes... My son has one also and Im sure he told me he could not get packages with a po box.. Maybe some businesses wont deliver to a po box.. Has anyone looked in to this?
Proudmama, Deb and Eaglemom2, congrats on your sons making it this far. Remind your sailors that this next step is hard and that they need to stay focused. My son's class started with around 38 and 20 dropped the first day. Your sons will have to really want this and be willing to grit their teeth and dig deep. But if they really want it they can make it through. Even if they don't pass the first time they will be given a second chance so don't worry too much. Eaglemom, yes quilt making will help the time go faster. I think I'm on quilt 10 since my son went through RSS last spring.
oneproudmom - SERE - my son said that it was the worse two weeks of his life and the Best two weeks of his life. It was cold and miserable BUT after it was all over, they all came home with new hearts.. an appreciation for life and country.. that is all I can tell you. Of course I don't know all of what goes on.. as they are not allowed to disclose... I got a few tidbits from him ... but the questions I asked he said, Mamma, I can not and will not tell you that cause you wont like it and Im not allowed hahaha... But they all come through it even the females. You will hear from him the first few days.. but once they bus them out ... you won't here from him until the Thursday late afternoon or evening when they are home.. they stop and let them PIG out at McDonalds.. then they sleep... but tho you are worried, just know he will make it through and have a new attitude most likely not they their attitudes are bad, but they grow up fast out there... so keep us posted and hang in there!!!!!! FRS varies... it is usually anywhere from one and a half years to two years...
proud you crack me up!!! Its a good thing us mammas are not the instructors... we would give them hugs and send them for a nap if they were not feeling good.. hahahahaha
HI NavyMomNurse... he is now well on his way!!!
Eaglemom, Deb and Proud... awesome that your kids are doing this together...
Travelsalot... my son got his boxes just fine... I forget how they do it but they get them to the school house or barracks... It takes for ever so don't send home made goodies unless they are vacuum sealed... tho B said they ate my brownies even after the two weeks it took to get them hahahahaha
Jodi is correct..... yall have to remember the attrition rate for RSS is about 75/80%. My sons class started with 37 and only 9 passed... a few of them failed and were rolled back into other classes but most of them Dropped rather than start over and then the rest just failed out. I have had moms ask me why so many Drop or Fail... remember this rate is ranked up there along with the Navy Divers, EOD and BUDs/SEALs..... it is a rate that can save life... or lose life. If they are not highly trained.. and you know what... some kids just decide at the the first few weeks that it is really not for them. There is no shame in that. And any job in the Navy is a good job!!! I just am hoping and praying for each of them and I have a Navy sensey that stays lit for my son and for all our kids going through this Pipeline. so you three ladies.... we are here for you so keep us posted !!! REMEMBER you will NOT hear much from them... after their full day from "you know where" they have a little time to eat dinner and then off to their evening study groups.. then they pass out in bed... Please remind them this from me and my son........... EAT LOTS OF CARBS!!!! DONT skip breakfast and at night.... PIG out at dinner and grab as much nutrition as possible especially carbs... they burn them out of them every day...Drink gatorade and water as often as they can...bananas for leg cramps... and at lunch the one thing that kept B going in the afternoon he told me was a GIANT bowl of ice cream he ate at lunch every single day.... anyway I could go on and on but wont... except to say... I will be praying first thing in the morning for our three and I know there are more that might be hear but just watching and not saying anything!!! Praying for them also!!!!!
I told my son I didn't want to know what happened in SERE that I am better off not knowing and he said I couldn't tell you anyway mom. He said I will be fine.
Good morning all. My son is heading to P'cola and said that he may be going straight to RSS in 2 weeks becuase NACCS is so backed up. I am looking forward to following along. I know thigs change day to day but I will keep you all posted.
Lydia - thank you for the information on SERE and FRS.
NavyMomNurse - my son is in San Diego now and is loving it. He is happy to be starting the next step in the pipeline. He is starting SERE today. Good Luck to you son in Jacksonville. FL.
Ridgegirl.... awesome... woooow that would be a first that I have ever heard of in the years I have been doing this!!! Yes please do keep us posted !!!!
NavyMom.... hahahaha sometimes what we don't know won't hurt us right !!!!! Yes he will do just fine
Well, Blue Candle prayers for our class ups for RSS... and our SERE kids too! xoxoxox
Saltyocean my son just went through the A school and they aren't allowed to take notes or take the books out of class he said it was all confidential material they were studying. He liked that because he did that in college he never studied and graduated college. To me that is a little scary I have to study.
Lydia you are right what What I don't know won't hurt me or worry me lol. Thank you for the prayers for Sere School.
one proudmomca my son doesn't start Sere until March. I'm ready for to have done it and get it over with.
Hello all and congratulations to all our new graduates at whichever stage of the pipeline they are in.
Lydia - they are still doing assignments out of FRS based on class rank. Right now there is a Guam and a Japan position open for my son's class and the rest of the class will remain in San Diego.
I got to go spend Valentine's Day with my sister and her family to celebrate her birthday. It is also my daughter's birthday but since she and her husband were on a belated honeymoon in Jamaica, we celebrated with her in spirit! Had a great visit and enjoyed the time away.
I am currently at my oldest son's house with my two oldest grandsons because the youngest is in hospital with pneumonia. He is responding well to meds and is steadily improving but is on oxygen so is not able to come home yet. His Mom and Dad are playing tag team between work and hospital so I'm glad I am able to help out.
About mailing packages, remember that the po box is the Navy postal exchange and it will take additional time for mail to get sorted through there so don't bother paying for priority. It has been my experience with San Diego that mail takes a minimum of 10-14 days to get to my son.
Melissa - I sent my package by regular US mail on Tuesday and have been tracking it - should arrive on Monday, of course when he will get it is another thing. Hope your grandson is recovering; my prayers are with him.
Hi all, I have been following you all for about 2 months ever since my son signed the new contract for RSS in DEPS. He turns 18 tomorrow will graduate from high school in May then heads to BC July 29. All the info you all have shared has helped me tremendously I am able to talk to and encourage my son. Remind him how hard It will be to make it thru RSS, encourage him to stay focused and give him tips for his journey.
For his birthday he asked for a waterproof Ipod and ear phones so he can listen to music while he continues to work hard on his swimming (I'm so proud).
RIdge girl : I'm really interested to find out if your sailor goes to RSS before NACCS. Congrats to you.
It took me awhile to comment because my son's Journey is just barely beginning. I have joined several other groups with helpful info but this one is very dear to my heart.
Thanks again for you all and your wonderful sailors.
Welcome whatever. We have all been in your shoes so feel free to ask any questions that you have. Lydia or some of the other moms whose sailors have been in for a while will be happy to answer them. My son also went in from DEPS and has been in since July 2012. He's hoping to graduate FRS next month and his dad and I are anxiously waiting to hear where he will be stationed.
Whatever- Welcome! Sounds like your son is thinking ahead! Good for him:) The waterproof Ipod is a great idea! My son is in RSS now... he is finishing week 1. I wish you, your son and your family all the best!
Welcome whatever and navywife. My son is just starting out. He arrived in FL last week from BC and is surrently phasing up. No word yet as to what he will be doing next. This waiting will become very familiar I'm sure. Prayers to you proudmama as getting through RSS is the hardest part of this pipeline, correct ?I know SERE is hard but from what I understand, doable after completing RSS.
As I read through all of the posts, I am still so lost. There's that fine line between my son doing this on his own and me wanting to know everything - so our communication isn't ideal. He txt'd me today to send him the 'package' of clothes he had set aside prior to going to Great Lakes and to use the address on the paper that he sent me a pic of but put his name on the first line vs the class number.... SOOOO as much as I look through all of the posts I cannot figure out what that means. (He did say NO FOOD). So back to feeling in the dark again :(
C's mom - for P'cola address- it should read AA, Last name, first name and then the address that is on the form. At least, that is how my son had me send the package. There is no class number once they are in P'cola. As for the rest, there seems to be a delay of info. No food is right and I avoided sending anything extra because they have such limited space. I have found that giving my son an iTunes card was helpful because he could download music, movies, and even books if he wanted. And about that doing things on his own versus you wanting to know everything and help him with everything... I feel your pain! Hang in there!
Well my son will be heading back to SERE for the second time on March 3rd. The first time he was over 1/2 way through and then due to the government shut down they were pulled. Lets hope everything goes well this time. He is about 1/2 way through his FRS, so getting closer to joining his squadron.
Ridge girl - RSS is the toughest part your son will have done to date, but each successive class is tougher and more detailed than the last. They build on each other as they move through the pipeline. Completing the skills in RSS gives them the knowledge and skills to do SERE and FRS. Know that we are all pulling for all the men and women in the pipeline and rooting for their success.
Dbristol - yuck on having to redo SERE. I remember hearing about the recall at the time and thinking how unfair that was to the guys. Prayers to him and the others beginning SERE.
Thanks for the prayers for my grandson - to those who asked, he is 8 months. Fortunately late yesterday afternoon the dr deemed him well enough to come home. He is still breathing hard and has that wet, hacky cough, but has improved by leaps and bounds. I am going to stay here until he finishes this round of antibiotics and nebulizer treatments so that Mom and Dad can get back to work and he doesn't have to go to daycare.
Melissa, how wonderful that your grandson is getting better and back home. A young man at work just went through that with his son who is about the same age. It was a rough time for them all. Your grandson will be in my prayers for continued recovery.
Welcome NavyWife, good luck to your husband. Remind him to keep focused and to work hard and he will get though this.
C's mom, you might also like to check out Sailors in Pensacola Fla website too for general information on Pensacola. It is/was a very active group on there and you can learn a lot there.
ALNavyMom, I had to go back and look because I knew Lydia had talked about this earlier in the month. I have short term memory loss-not really but it's a good excuse lol-so I don't remember when my son graduated from it. She said that RSS graduations are on Thursdays unless there is a holiday or something.
ALNavyMom - I don't know if anything is set in stone but the last RSS graduation was on a Friday and my son will graduate this Friday, 2/28 from RSS. Perhaps something has changed recently?
Good luck to all the candidates in the pipeline. We are very excited to have come this far, it has been a great journey for our son. I read somewhere that they are doing a better job of screening potential AIRR candidates so the attrition rate once they get through BC is not the 80% that has been in the past. Our sons RSS class began with 20 and they dropped as low as 14 candidates and are now at 15 with 1 or 2 who rolled back in from previous classes. The majority of the drops were actually med-down, not DOR or drops entirely. The attrition rate from the beginning of BC is definitely high but once they get to Pensacola and through NACCS it seems to be better. I believe candidates who are med-down get another chance.
Hi everyone, I have been following for about a month. My son is currently in BC and will be graduating soon then off to Pensacola. I spoke with him this past week and they were told they are changing up the pipeline and after BC they will be doing a 3 week AIRR prep ( SO, SB,EOD, DV all currently do this) then start RSS school. After completing they will then do the A school. Has any of the recent classes done this? If so, is the prep in GL or Pensacola?
Bayswan~ you are correct they are definitely weeding them out in BC. There has already been a number that have dropped just the past couple weeks alone.
I look forward to this adventure for my son as this is all he has wanted to do since grade school.
Busymom13- Welcome:) I am glad you joined us! It does sound like there are some changes being made in the pipeline... It will be interesting to see how that all works out! Yes.. some are dropped in bc, but there are quite a few DORs in starboard D and RSS class...each class gets increasingly more difficult that is for certain! Best wishes to your son:) It is wonderful that he has had this dream since childhood! He sounds very persistent!
Bayswan- Congrats to your son!! I will be thinking about you and your family as you attend his graduation!! Safe travels:)
Melissa- glad your grandson is better! Nothing better than a hospital homecoming!
Jodi, travels alot and Lydia- I'm so glad that you ladies provide so much valuable information. I would literally be lost without you!
Aster, Vitamama- haven't heard from you ladies in awhile... Hope all is well with you and your sons:)
Welcome WHATEVER (love that name) and NavyWife.... First of all, yall go up to the Discussion forum up above here and read the Path and Phases.... those will help you alot with some general questions.... but still we are here to help however we can... my son has his wings and has been in the Squadron now for over a year.... like Cs said it can be soooo confusing... but we will help!!!!!
NavyWife.... then your hubby is in class with Proudmama..... yall should chat on PM if you have not already...
dbristol.... kewl!!!! and oh gosh... well, at least he knows what is coming!!!!! And YALL they all do Fine with SERE.... It is not fun at all... but they come out fine... they come out even better mentally (other than exhaustion) then when they go .. That is all I can say about it but.. hang in there... OH and a note on SERE and FRS...... normally generally usually, once they grad from A school (Romeo or Sierra) which is AFTER RSS, they go to their base and hold a bit... they are on hold for FRS and in that time they usually will do the 2 week SERE.. then eventually start FRS... now that can change.. sometimes they can start FRS and then do the 2 week SERE while in.. no big deal either way... they have to do both... Yes RSS is the HARDEST part with the most DORs (Drop on Request) and fails in this pipeline... usually the kids do great and love NACCS (Naval Aircrew Candidate School) then on hold for RSS ...... there is about an 85% attrition rate in that class... Drops and fails... BUT then it is Spec Ops.. so it is among the elite of the Forces... right up there with BUDs/Diver/EOD etc. who also have a high attrition rate.
Csmom - you will def find that and especially now that they are in the most intense time of trainings, you will not have the greatest communication from them. Not only because they are working and studying hard... but because they are pulling away and becoming Men and Women... trying to be independent and strong on their own. Learning to be a Team with their fellow shipmates... it is part of their intense training. It is not that they don't love home, but their minds BETTER be on and focused on what they are doing, what is expected of them and just getting through this mentally as well as physically... just know in your heart you are loved!!! And I talk more now to my boy since he is out done and through with the training pipeline .... soooooo take heart, once NACCS, RSS and A school are done, you will have more communication..... =)
soooo speaking of the order of classes..... I am hearing that the Navy is going to reverse RSS and NACCS.... that is a hard one for me to believe THO with the Navy ANYTHING is possible... NACCS is a proving ground and a start for what is ahead of them with RSS... without that, more of them will fail... so I hope that this is only a rumor.. but again, with the Navy or any military, anything is possible..... anyhoooooooooooo please if you are new and still in touch with any of the moms or wives from your PIR who are of this contract - tell them to come on in! Many come and go from here... so fail and leave, some Drop and leave and some even pass and still leave us.... which all is understandable.. I have been here and Sweetpea and others now for a number of years and are happy to help in anyway we can... it is great to have each other and at different places in the pipeline.. you are sure to get an answer for most any question that way!!!! SO congrats to the Sailors that are nearly through with all of this... and congrats to our RSS who are working hard to get through!! AND congrats and welcome to our new ones who are just at the beginning of it all! It is a roller coaster ride for sure! =) xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Congrats MaryKay on your son's graduation and your upcoming visit. I will hopefully be in Jacksonville the following week to attend my son's FRS graduation! My son graduated BC August 2012. I just hope all this nasty weather is out of the way by then since we are driving down (14+ hours. yikes!)
Sorry I haven't been on for such a long time--my son is graduating from "A" school on Friday and is heading back out to San Diego for SERE and FRS. This was his choice and we are happy for him but he will be a long way away from Maine. He is very excited to finally get out of Pensacola. It's such a long and at times frustrating journey. He has seen a lot of his friends get dropped--a few because they made some poor choices when off duty.
For those of you who have sons or daughters just starting on this journey--please remind them to set their goals--stay flexible to change (it's constant in the Navy)--be very patient and above all remember they are in the Navy 24-7-365--if the decisions they make and the actions they take don't match up with the Navy honor code they all learn in BC--they can quickly find themselves out of the program and heading to the fleet undesignated.
MaryKay--my son said he is really going to miss your son. He said they could easily be a comedy act together. I really enjoyed meeting him when I went to RSS graduation. Please give our son and yours a big hug for me when you go down for the graduation. I'm so proud of them all! If you could take some pictures for us that would be wonderful. My family and I will be going to his graduation from FRS in San Diego.
All the best to all of your son's and daughters no matter where they are in the pipeline and thank you all for your sacrifices as well.
After A school when they get stationed for SERE and FRS, does anyone know if those orders are for a spouse to move with them as well? I just want to know if I should expect to move after he has completed A school or if it is after he completes A school, SERE, and FRS. Please help!
MK5Diver... awesome! congrats to your son!!!!! well, he will love SD at least my son does... they love surfing and of course even snowboarding ... so much there to do!! I know how you feel tho! So far away...
NavyWife13....... I think that, once he is done with A school... he will be assigned to a base... once he is there, sure you can move there with him!!! NOW remember that tho FRS can be up to two years, yall might have to move again... he will once he grads FRS and is assigned to his squadron... he will be assigned a base... could be anywhere from Japan to Guam to San Diego... but yes... once he does grad A... then off yall go!!!!! If he goes to Virginia, you go there... San Diego, you go there I do think that there is moving allowance for spouses... not positive.. he can find that out... he will def be given a travel allowance to his base after A school.....soooooooo dont panic... you will be with him... he can find out the details tho
Okay. I thought that but just wanted to see if anyone knew anything more. That's good news for me though because him 1 year mark of being in the navy is coming up and I would like to be able to have the same home as my husband, even though I know he won't be there a lot it will be nice to know its ours. I also wish they would tell them before A school where they're going. It would be nice to go ahead and get the home search started. I understand it is a long and arduous process but one can only hope!
MaryKay, from what he has been told, Bravo's only have 2 places they go, San Diego or stay in Jacksonville but who knows if that is right. He's hoping to find out in the next few weeks, but again, who knows? He said either place will be fine with him since he has a place to stay either way-he has a rather large dog so he needs to have a place off base.
MoAngel, ask your son if any of his friends have someone coming to the graduation who can use his phone-if he has one-to take pictures. When my son graduated one of the parents was there and took a video of the graduation which he posted on YouTube so I was able to watch it.
Speaking of taking pictures if anyone has a son graduating from FRS in Jacksonville when I am down there I will be happy to take his picture so just let me know. Last I heard graduation should be 3/14.
Hi all, I haven't posted in a while - it's fun reading how well everyone is doing! My son is currently in NACCS expected to graduate next week (I think!). He said that he will then go to Starboard D pretty quickly (March) and then to RSS (again pretty quickly) sounds like maybe they have fixed the backlog issue. One interesting thing he said was that after that the two choices are now Norfolk and Jacksonville - that San Diego won't be a choice - but who knows - the rumor mill is pretty strong in Florida. Love to hear how well everyone is doing in the pipeline.
Eaglemom2
proudmama and I are beginning this journey together, both our sons start RSS on Tuesday and yes lots of blue candles will be lit in the house. Boot camp was so very hard with the 8 weeks and I know RSS is 5 weeks and I don't expect to hear much from him at all. More quilts to make to keep busy, I guess. Retail therapy is not good for me right now so will just make quilts.
Feb 16, 2014
Travelsalot
Hi all... Congrats, Best Wishes, they will all be just fine. RSS graduation is awesome..I hope you can all go..
Now about the PO Boxes... My son has one also and Im sure he told me he could not get packages with a po box.. Maybe some businesses wont deliver to a po box.. Has anyone looked in to this?
Thanks
Feb 17, 2014
proudmama
Deb and Eaglemom2-Glad to meet other moms whose sons are in the same RSS class as my son. I'm sending you each a pm:)
Travelsalot- Your confidence is comforting:) Thank you!
Feb 17, 2014
Jodi-alumni Ship 4
Proudmama, Deb and Eaglemom2, congrats on your sons making it this far. Remind your sailors that this next step is hard and that they need to stay focused. My son's class started with around 38 and 20 dropped the first day. Your sons will have to really want this and be willing to grit their teeth and dig deep. But if they really want it they can make it through. Even if they don't pass the first time they will be given a second chance so don't worry too much. Eaglemom, yes quilt making will help the time go faster. I think I'm on quilt 10 since my son went through RSS last spring.
Feb 17, 2014
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
oneproudmom - SERE - my son said that it was the worse two weeks of his life and the Best two weeks of his life. It was cold and miserable BUT after it was all over, they all came home with new hearts.. an appreciation for life and country.. that is all I can tell you. Of course I don't know all of what goes on.. as they are not allowed to disclose... I got a few tidbits from him ... but the questions I asked he said, Mamma, I can not and will not tell you that cause you wont like it and Im not allowed hahaha... But they all come through it even the females. You will hear from him the first few days.. but once they bus them out ... you won't here from him until the Thursday late afternoon or evening when they are home.. they stop and let them PIG out at McDonalds.. then they sleep... but tho you are worried, just know he will make it through and have a new attitude most likely not they their attitudes are bad, but they grow up fast out there... so keep us posted and hang in there!!!!!! FRS varies... it is usually anywhere from one and a half years to two years...
proud you crack me up!!! Its a good thing us mammas are not the instructors... we would give them hugs and send them for a nap if they were not feeling good.. hahahahaha
HI NavyMomNurse... he is now well on his way!!!
Eaglemom, Deb and Proud... awesome that your kids are doing this together...
Travelsalot... my son got his boxes just fine... I forget how they do it but they get them to the school house or barracks... It takes for ever so don't send home made goodies unless they are vacuum sealed... tho B said they ate my brownies even after the two weeks it took to get them hahahahaha
Jodi is correct..... yall have to remember the attrition rate for RSS is about 75/80%. My sons class started with 37 and only 9 passed... a few of them failed and were rolled back into other classes but most of them Dropped rather than start over and then the rest just failed out. I have had moms ask me why so many Drop or Fail... remember this rate is ranked up there along with the Navy Divers, EOD and BUDs/SEALs..... it is a rate that can save life... or lose life. If they are not highly trained.. and you know what... some kids just decide at the the first few weeks that it is really not for them. There is no shame in that. And any job in the Navy is a good job!!! I just am hoping and praying for each of them and I have a Navy sensey that stays lit for my son and for all our kids going through this Pipeline. so you three ladies.... we are here for you so keep us posted !!! REMEMBER you will NOT hear much from them... after their full day from "you know where" they have a little time to eat dinner and then off to their evening study groups.. then they pass out in bed... Please remind them this from me and my son........... EAT LOTS OF CARBS!!!! DONT skip breakfast and at night.... PIG out at dinner and grab as much nutrition as possible especially carbs... they burn them out of them every day...Drink gatorade and water as often as they can...bananas for leg cramps... and at lunch the one thing that kept B going in the afternoon he told me was a GIANT bowl of ice cream he ate at lunch every single day.... anyway I could go on and on but wont... except to say... I will be praying first thing in the morning for our three and I know there are more that might be hear but just watching and not saying anything!!! Praying for them also!!!!!
Feb 17, 2014
NavyMomNurse
I told my son I didn't want to know what happened in SERE that I am better off not knowing and he said I couldn't tell you anyway mom. He said I will be fine.
Feb 17, 2014
Ridgegirl
Good morning all. My son is heading to P'cola and said that he may be going straight to RSS in 2 weeks becuase NACCS is so backed up. I am looking forward to following along. I know thigs change day to day but I will keep you all posted.
Feb 17, 2014
oneproudmomca
Lydia - thank you for the information on SERE and FRS.
NavyMomNurse - my son is in San Diego now and is loving it. He is happy to be starting the next step in the pipeline. He is starting SERE today. Good Luck to you son in Jacksonville. FL.
Feb 17, 2014
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
Ridgegirl.... awesome... woooow that would be a first that I have ever heard of in the years I have been doing this!!! Yes please do keep us posted !!!!
NavyMom.... hahahaha sometimes what we don't know won't hurt us right !!!!! Yes he will do just fine
Well, Blue Candle prayers for our class ups for RSS... and our SERE kids too! xoxoxox
Feb 17, 2014
Saltyocean
Thanks you Lydia and oneproudmomca. He says he can't take notes. That doesn't make much sense to us. And what are the computer notes? Romeo.
Keeping our fingers crossed!!!
Feb 18, 2014
NavyMomNurse
Saltyocean my son just went through the A school and they aren't allowed to take notes or take the books out of class he said it was all confidential material they were studying. He liked that because he did that in college he never studied and graduated college. To me that is a little scary I have to study.
Lydia you are right what What I don't know won't hurt me or worry me lol. Thank you for the prayers for Sere School.
one proudmomca my son doesn't start Sere until March. I'm ready for to have done it and get it over with.
Feb 18, 2014
Melissa
Lydia - they are still doing assignments out of FRS based on class rank. Right now there is a Guam and a Japan position open for my son's class and the rest of the class will remain in San Diego.
I got to go spend Valentine's Day with my sister and her family to celebrate her birthday. It is also my daughter's birthday but since she and her husband were on a belated honeymoon in Jamaica, we celebrated with her in spirit! Had a great visit and enjoyed the time away.
I am currently at my oldest son's house with my two oldest grandsons because the youngest is in hospital with pneumonia. He is responding well to meds and is steadily improving but is on oxygen so is not able to come home yet. His Mom and Dad are playing tag team between work and hospital so I'm glad I am able to help out.
About mailing packages, remember that the po box is the Navy postal exchange and it will take additional time for mail to get sorted through there so don't bother paying for priority. It has been my experience with San Diego that mail takes a minimum of 10-14 days to get to my son.
Feb 20, 2014
Saltyocean
Thank you NavyMomNurse
I had to study too. Don't understand how they can do it!
Feb 20, 2014
airmom10
Melissa - I sent my package by regular US mail on Tuesday and have been tracking it - should arrive on Monday, of course when he will get it is another thing. Hope your grandson is recovering; my prayers are with him.
Feb 21, 2014
whatever
Hi all, I have been following you all for about 2 months ever since my son signed the new contract for RSS in DEPS. He turns 18 tomorrow will graduate from high school in May then heads to BC July 29. All the info you all have shared has helped me tremendously I am able to talk to and encourage my son. Remind him how hard It will be to make it thru RSS, encourage him to stay focused and give him tips for his journey.
For his birthday he asked for a waterproof Ipod and ear phones so he can listen to music while he continues to work hard on his swimming (I'm so proud).
RIdge girl : I'm really interested to find out if your sailor goes to RSS before NACCS. Congrats to you.
It took me awhile to comment because my son's Journey is just barely beginning. I have joined several other groups with helpful info but this one is very dear to my heart.
Thanks again for you all and your wonderful sailors.
Feb 21, 2014
Jodi-alumni Ship 4
Welcome whatever. We have all been in your shoes so feel free to ask any questions that you have. Lydia or some of the other moms whose sailors have been in for a while will be happy to answer them. My son also went in from DEPS and has been in since July 2012. He's hoping to graduate FRS next month and his dad and I are anxiously waiting to hear where he will be stationed.
Feb 21, 2014
proudmama
Whatever- Welcome! Sounds like your son is thinking ahead! Good for him:) The waterproof Ipod is a great idea! My son is in RSS now... he is finishing week 1. I wish you, your son and your family all the best!
Feb 21, 2014
NavyWife13
Feb 21, 2014
whatever
Thanks for the Welcome. Jodi did your son must have done SERE before FRS is that the way it normally is?
Proudmama I'm pulling for our RSS sailors right now. Making it through week one is a great start.
Feb 21, 2014
proudmama
NavyWife13-Welcome! Is your husband done with his training or is he somewhere in the pipeline? Glad you are here with us!
Feb 22, 2014
Ridgegirl
Welcome whatever and navywife. My son is just starting out. He arrived in FL last week from BC and is surrently phasing up. No word yet as to what he will be doing next. This waiting will become very familiar I'm sure. Prayers to you proudmama as getting through RSS is the hardest part of this pipeline, correct ?I know SERE is hard but from what I understand, doable after completing RSS.
Feb 22, 2014
C's mom
As I read through all of the posts, I am still so lost. There's that fine line between my son doing this on his own and me wanting to know everything - so our communication isn't ideal. He txt'd me today to send him the 'package' of clothes he had set aside prior to going to Great Lakes and to use the address on the paper that he sent me a pic of but put his name on the first line vs the class number.... SOOOO as much as I look through all of the posts I cannot figure out what that means. (He did say NO FOOD). So back to feeling in the dark again :(
Feb 23, 2014
proudmama
C's mom - for P'cola address- it should read AA, Last name, first name and then the address that is on the form. At least, that is how my son had me send the package. There is no class number once they are in P'cola. As for the rest, there seems to be a delay of info. No food is right and I avoided sending anything extra because they have such limited space. I have found that giving my son an iTunes card was helpful because he could download music, movies, and even books if he wanted. And about that doing things on his own versus you wanting to know everything and help him with everything... I feel your pain! Hang in there!
Feb 23, 2014
dbristol
Feb 23, 2014
NavyWife13
Feb 23, 2014
C's mom
Thank you! I'm back on track (kinda/sorta) - I keep re-reading and it will eventually stick!
Feb 23, 2014
Melissa
Dbristol - yuck on having to redo SERE. I remember hearing about the recall at the time and thinking how unfair that was to the guys. Prayers to him and the others beginning SERE.
Thanks for the prayers for my grandson - to those who asked, he is 8 months. Fortunately late yesterday afternoon the dr deemed him well enough to come home. He is still breathing hard and has that wet, hacky cough, but has improved by leaps and bounds. I am going to stay here until he finishes this round of antibiotics and nebulizer treatments so that Mom and Dad can get back to work and he doesn't have to go to daycare.
Feb 23, 2014
Jodi-alumni Ship 4
Melissa, how wonderful that your grandson is getting better and back home. A young man at work just went through that with his son who is about the same age. It was a rough time for them all. Your grandson will be in my prayers for continued recovery.
Welcome NavyWife, good luck to your husband. Remind him to keep focused and to work hard and he will get though this.
Feb 23, 2014
Jodi-alumni Ship 4
Whatever, yes my son did SERE before FRS and from the guys that were in his group I think they all did it that way.
Feb 23, 2014
ALNavyMom
Feb 24, 2014
Jodi-alumni Ship 4
C's mom, you might also like to check out Sailors in Pensacola Fla website too for general information on Pensacola. It is/was a very active group on there and you can learn a lot there.
Feb 24, 2014
Jodi-alumni Ship 4
ALNavyMom, I had to go back and look because I knew Lydia had talked about this earlier in the month. I have short term memory loss-not really but it's a good excuse lol-so I don't remember when my son graduated from it. She said that RSS graduations are on Thursdays unless there is a holiday or something.
Feb 24, 2014
ALNavyMom
Feb 24, 2014
Bayswan
ALNavyMom - I don't know if anything is set in stone but the last RSS graduation was on a Friday and my son will graduate this Friday, 2/28 from RSS. Perhaps something has changed recently?
Good luck to all the candidates in the pipeline. We are very excited to have come this far, it has been a great journey for our son. I read somewhere that they are doing a better job of screening potential AIRR candidates so the attrition rate once they get through BC is not the 80% that has been in the past. Our sons RSS class began with 20 and they dropped as low as 14 candidates and are now at 15 with 1 or 2 who rolled back in from previous classes. The majority of the drops were actually med-down, not DOR or drops entirely. The attrition rate from the beginning of BC is definitely high but once they get to Pensacola and through NACCS it seems to be better. I believe candidates who are med-down get another chance.
Feb 25, 2014
BusyMom13
Bayswan~ you are correct they are definitely weeding them out in BC. There has already been a number that have dropped just the past couple weeks alone.
I look forward to this adventure for my son as this is all he has wanted to do since grade school.
Feb 25, 2014
proudmama
Busymom13- Welcome:) I am glad you joined us! It does sound like there are some changes being made in the pipeline... It will be interesting to see how that all works out! Yes.. some are dropped in bc, but there are quite a few DORs in starboard D and RSS class...each class gets increasingly more difficult that is for certain! Best wishes to your son:) It is wonderful that he has had this dream since childhood! He sounds very persistent!
Bayswan- Congrats to your son!! I will be thinking about you and your family as you attend his graduation!! Safe travels:)
Melissa- glad your grandson is better! Nothing better than a hospital homecoming!
Jodi, travels alot and Lydia- I'm so glad that you ladies provide so much valuable information. I would literally be lost without you!
Aster, Vitamama- haven't heard from you ladies in awhile... Hope all is well with you and your sons:)
MK Diver- How is your son doing?
Feb 25, 2014
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
Welcome WHATEVER (love that name) and NavyWife.... First of all, yall go up to the Discussion forum up above here and read the Path and Phases.... those will help you alot with some general questions.... but still we are here to help however we can... my son has his wings and has been in the Squadron now for over a year.... like Cs said it can be soooo confusing... but we will help!!!!!
NavyWife.... then your hubby is in class with Proudmama..... yall should chat on PM if you have not already...
dbristol.... kewl!!!! and oh gosh... well, at least he knows what is coming!!!!! And YALL they all do Fine with SERE.... It is not fun at all... but they come out fine... they come out even better mentally (other than exhaustion) then when they go .. That is all I can say about it but.. hang in there... OH and a note on SERE and FRS...... normally generally usually, once they grad from A school (Romeo or Sierra) which is AFTER RSS, they go to their base and hold a bit... they are on hold for FRS and in that time they usually will do the 2 week SERE.. then eventually start FRS... now that can change.. sometimes they can start FRS and then do the 2 week SERE while in.. no big deal either way... they have to do both... Yes RSS is the HARDEST part with the most DORs (Drop on Request) and fails in this pipeline... usually the kids do great and love NACCS (Naval Aircrew Candidate School) then on hold for RSS ...... there is about an 85% attrition rate in that class... Drops and fails... BUT then it is Spec Ops.. so it is among the elite of the Forces... right up there with BUDs/Diver/EOD etc. who also have a high attrition rate.
Csmom - you will def find that and especially now that they are in the most intense time of trainings, you will not have the greatest communication from them. Not only because they are working and studying hard... but because they are pulling away and becoming Men and Women... trying to be independent and strong on their own. Learning to be a Team with their fellow shipmates... it is part of their intense training. It is not that they don't love home, but their minds BETTER be on and focused on what they are doing, what is expected of them and just getting through this mentally as well as physically... just know in your heart you are loved!!! And I talk more now to my boy since he is out done and through with the training pipeline .... soooooo take heart, once NACCS, RSS and A school are done, you will have more communication..... =)
soooo speaking of the order of classes..... I am hearing that the Navy is going to reverse RSS and NACCS.... that is a hard one for me to believe THO with the Navy ANYTHING is possible... NACCS is a proving ground and a start for what is ahead of them with RSS... without that, more of them will fail... so I hope that this is only a rumor.. but again, with the Navy or any military, anything is possible..... anyhoooooooooooo please if you are new and still in touch with any of the moms or wives from your PIR who are of this contract - tell them to come on in! Many come and go from here... so fail and leave, some Drop and leave and some even pass and still leave us.... which all is understandable.. I have been here and Sweetpea and others now for a number of years and are happy to help in anyway we can... it is great to have each other and at different places in the pipeline.. you are sure to get an answer for most any question that way!!!! SO congrats to the Sailors that are nearly through with all of this... and congrats to our RSS who are working hard to get through!! AND congrats and welcome to our new ones who are just at the beginning of it all! It is a roller coaster ride for sure! =) xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Feb 25, 2014
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
OH and HI Busymom... Im sorry I missed your post but see below.. welcome!!
Feb 25, 2014
C's mom
Everything you posted is just what I needed Lydia! Thank you for being here for us.
Feb 25, 2014
Jodi-alumni Ship 4
Congrats MaryKay on your son's graduation and your upcoming visit. I will hopefully be in Jacksonville the following week to attend my son's FRS graduation! My son graduated BC August 2012. I just hope all this nasty weather is out of the way by then since we are driving down (14+ hours. yikes!)
Feb 26, 2014
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
C's mom... so glad I could help... that is why we are all here... to help each other!!!
Jodi.... I know you are on pins and needles with anticipation!! yippie!!!! go AWAY bad weather!!!!!
MaryKay... awesome!!! exciting!!!
Hey we have RSS grad I think or grads.... very super exciting!!! Please give a shout out here when you can!!!
xoxoxoxoxox
Feb 26, 2014
MK5Diver
Sorry I haven't been on for such a long time--my son is graduating from "A" school on Friday and is heading back out to San Diego for SERE and FRS. This was his choice and we are happy for him but he will be a long way away from Maine. He is very excited to finally get out of Pensacola. It's such a long and at times frustrating journey. He has seen a lot of his friends get dropped--a few because they made some poor choices when off duty.
For those of you who have sons or daughters just starting on this journey--please remind them to set their goals--stay flexible to change (it's constant in the Navy)--be very patient and above all remember they are in the Navy 24-7-365--if the decisions they make and the actions they take don't match up with the Navy honor code they all learn in BC--they can quickly find themselves out of the program and heading to the fleet undesignated.
MaryKay--my son said he is really going to miss your son. He said they could easily be a comedy act together. I really enjoyed meeting him when I went to RSS graduation. Please give our son and yours a big hug for me when you go down for the graduation. I'm so proud of them all! If you could take some pictures for us that would be wonderful. My family and I will be going to his graduation from FRS in San Diego.
All the best to all of your son's and daughters no matter where they are in the pipeline and thank you all for your sacrifices as well.
Best wishes always! MKDiver/Dave
Feb 26, 2014
NavyWife13
Feb 26, 2014
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
MK5Diver... awesome! congrats to your son!!!!! well, he will love SD at least my son does... they love surfing and of course even snowboarding ... so much there to do!! I know how you feel tho! So far away...
NavyWife13....... I think that, once he is done with A school... he will be assigned to a base... once he is there, sure you can move there with him!!! NOW remember that tho FRS can be up to two years, yall might have to move again... he will once he grads FRS and is assigned to his squadron... he will be assigned a base... could be anywhere from Japan to Guam to San Diego... but yes... once he does grad A... then off yall go!!!!! If he goes to Virginia, you go there... San Diego, you go there I do think that there is moving allowance for spouses... not positive.. he can find that out... he will def be given a travel allowance to his base after A school.....soooooooo dont panic... you will be with him... he can find out the details tho
Feb 26, 2014
NavyWife13
Feb 26, 2014
NavyWife13
Feb 26, 2014
MoAngel1967
Is anyone going to the RSS graduation this Friday? I can't be there, but would love to have a picture or two.
Feb 26, 2014
Jodi-alumni Ship 4
MaryKay, from what he has been told, Bravo's only have 2 places they go, San Diego or stay in Jacksonville but who knows if that is right. He's hoping to find out in the next few weeks, but again, who knows? He said either place will be fine with him since he has a place to stay either way-he has a rather large dog so he needs to have a place off base.
MoAngel, ask your son if any of his friends have someone coming to the graduation who can use his phone-if he has one-to take pictures. When my son graduated one of the parents was there and took a video of the graduation which he posted on YouTube so I was able to watch it.
Speaking of taking pictures if anyone has a son graduating from FRS in Jacksonville when I am down there I will be happy to take his picture so just let me know. Last I heard graduation should be 3/14.
Feb 27, 2014
jaxietwo
Hi all, I haven't posted in a while - it's fun reading how well everyone is doing! My son is currently in NACCS expected to graduate next week (I think!). He said that he will then go to Starboard D pretty quickly (March) and then to RSS (again pretty quickly) sounds like maybe they have fixed the backlog issue. One interesting thing he said was that after that the two choices are now Norfolk and Jacksonville - that San Diego won't be a choice - but who knows - the rumor mill is pretty strong in Florida. Love to hear how well everyone is doing in the pipeline.
Feb 27, 2014
Ridgegirl
Hi all. My son is on hold in FL waiting to start NACCS. Enjoying following along!!
Feb 27, 2014