Navy Reserve Moms

For anyone who has a Sailor in the Reserves. Lets talk...
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  • Kim of Virginia

    Judio-Chris' Mom, thank you so much! I wouldn't miss it for the world. Only mother could stop me (by closing airports from Virginia to G)L from attending my son's ceremony.

    Bobbi Ray, my son's recruiter is awesome, he calls to check on me every 2 weeks although my son is 25 and married. Explained the process to me when my son was signing up. My son is in FTS because he has a 2 yr old child and as a reservist, my granddaughter would not have benefits. However, as FTS my son is full time reservist collecting the same benefits as active duty navy. I asked if all of my son's time as FTS were counted towards retirement and he said absolutely. However if my son would have took the reservist, he would have to do a certain amount of duties to make a year. FTS, they are employed full time just like active duty. According to my son's recruiter and the first recruiter my son was working with, he will be given a choice of locations at the end of "A" school. As FTS, they can be stationed anywhere there is a need for their expertise. However as a reservist, the navy tries to keep them in their home state unless there is a compelling reason to deploy them. If one goes in as a reservist, he is entitled to a bonus, FTS are not entitled and not offered a bonus as they are full time and will make the money of the bonus in no time as opposed to reservist you generally drill 1 weekend per month, 2 weeks per year. I will know more once my son comes home for a couple days leave before he heads to Mississippi. I do hope I have answered your questions and addressed your concerns. My son chose FTS and wanted me to hear the benefits from his recruiter. My only concern was it was like a reservist and he would have to serve 8 years to have 4 years of Fed. seniority. I respect my son and his decision, he is a man and I believe as FTS, he made the best decision and I don't try to second guess him, I am only there as his support. As long as he is serving his country, I am proud, no matter FTS or reservist or active duty. My son wants to go to the west coast and although we have the largest navy fleet in Virginia, I am fine with his decision and I an rack up Frequent Flyer Miles. Bobbi Ray, can you talk to your son's recruiter. Both recruiters call me to check in and as a matter of fact, I went to my son's last recruiter and baked cakes and pies for Christmas for his office. Because I believe he did right by my son and I want him to continue to do right by all of our children who walk their doors.
  • Kim of Virginia

    Judi-Chris' Mother, please forgive my typo in your name below. Thank you so much for your support.
  • JudyB.

    Good Evening Judy, sacred'smom and Bobbie Ray, I am so happy that we actually have enough people to call us a group. lol

    Well my name is Judy also and my Corpsman is a Reservists and he is also 25yrs.old. He is about to graduate fmtb in CP on Dec.16th then his orders are for somewhere in the middle of Los Angles...hoping to transfer to Las Vegas to be with his GF soon to be fiance. T is really excited to take his new found experience out into the world and become Law Enforcement with emphasis on the San Diego/mexican boarders, but would like to make an officer someday...just his way of fighting the crime of the Mexican Cartel!
  • Bobbi Ray

    My son is 26 years old. I am hoping the FTS was the way to go. So far I think it has been. My sailor is going to be an AE. He grads A School in Pensacola on Jan. 16th. I can't wait to see and hear what happens after that. As far as I have heard my sailor doesn't get to pick where he is going, he said they send him where he is needed-which I hope is close. haha
  • Kim of Virginia

    Thank you Judy-Chris' Mom, sometime I think faster than I type. And I hate reading my writing. Yes,, indeed, it is great to have a group. We will need each other as time goes on and our children/love ones  are deployed. i just pray that they will be safe. If there is anyone among us and their child or loved one is deployed overseas, maybe we as a group could collect magazines, candy, deodorant, etc and mail to their squadrons. Just a thought! Forget to tell me, my hobby is advocating for children and now since my son joined the Navy, I have been trying to think of ways to serve America's Finest when they are so far from home and far from their loved ones. Just a thought, don't shoot me!

  • JudyB.

    sacred's mom, Shoot You!! Nah...We all need you to much!! lol  I agree with you I do send badly needed asked for goods that are good men & woman who are on deployments ask for...and I welcome any ideas or plans for such a endeavor...sign me up!!

  • Kim of Virginia

    Judy-Chris' Mom and JudyB, Yes, there are similar programs in my state, but I would like to do for our children's division. My son will more than likely be in the United States for the next 4 years as a PS, but if any of your children must deploy, all your child would have to do is notify you  (the parent) that they are in need or want, give the number of people in their division, tell you what they need the most, and instead of one parent trying to do everything on their own, we can work together as a team to make it happen. I love helping strangers, but I just feel that we must help the ones that we personally know as well.    Just my thought! I read on the various navy for mom sites, how children are deployed, and they run out of basic necessities (that we take for granted at home), sun screen lotion, deodorant, tooth paste, a pillow case, magazines, newspaper, and just to know that people in the US are thinking about them. 

  • Bobbi Ray

    My sailor just informed me that he did pick from a dream list yesterday. So FTS does get to pick also. He did say there was nothing overseas on his list.

  • JudyB.

    scared mom, You have a valid point!!  Yes, I would like to now support our cubs here on this site oppose varies others...I have been vi dual on the Holiday Project somewhere around 70 pounds so far this year...sure not a lot but I just started in October! 

  • Kim of Virginia

    JudyB, thanks, is your son in the States?

  • JudyB.

    sacred's mom, Yes my son is in the states and just finishing up fmtb at camp Pendelton, California.  On Dec 16th he will be pinned FMF Corpsman...I'm attending the ceremony!  I can't wait until Thursady...Tristan makes me so proud!  He is my only son!

  • Kim of Virginia

    JudyB, you have a lot to be proud of. I just got the call and my son is a Navy Sailor. He is my only son and my baby.....................

  • JudyB.

    Sacred's mom, "'CONGRATULATIONS" to You and your New Sailor!!  I just got home from watching my corpsman be pinned into "DOC" FMF Corpsman!!  I keep singing that song "OH, what a feeling", I'm sooo proud of my Navy FMF Corpsman I love to say it and I love to see it in person ie. on the computer screen & on paper. LOL  I absolutely know what you're feeling right now...Over the moon for your Navy Sailor...Uh huh!!  lol

  • Kim of Virginia

    JudyB and Judy-Chris' Mom, thank you both so very much, I know how proud you both must be. JudyB I know you are a Proud Navy FMF Corpsman Mom, wear that title with pride. We are leaving tomorrow evening as our flight leaves out of VA at 7pm, I wish you both and your families, a very Merry Christmas. I still have shopping to do Friday, and we are not due back until 11pm Thursday night. So in case I don't get to log back on before Christmas, have a Merry Merry Christmas

  • JudyB.

    sacred's mom, You are the sweetest for thinking of US when you're having so much fun with yours. lol  We'll be here when the season blows over...Here's wishing you a blessed Christmas and a Stupendous New Year!!

  • Becky, Matt's Mom

    Haven't been on here in awhile.  Wishing everyone a Happy and prosperous New Year!  Last year in January, Sailor was deployed to Kuwait.  Nice having him home and not worrying about deployment.
  • JudyB.

    Hi Becky and Judy and sacred's mom,  I hope everyone and your families had a very warm Merry Christmas and a safe New Year!  My T has checked in with his post and is just beginning to put down roots in Las Vegas waiting for orders to deploy sometime in his reservists career! 

    Becky, how long has your sailor been a reservists and how many deployments?!

  • Kim of Virginia

    I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We had a eventful flight going and returning home. Our plane was canceled in Atlanta en route to home after the graduation. The airline put us up in a hotel and we caught a flight out Christmas eve (Friday). Because of the snow, we did get to see my son Christmas day and then he went home and of course it snowed 13 inches, so needless to say, he was in Norfolk, VA and I live in Chesapeake, VA, so I didn't get to see him again until Monday as he was leaving for the airport to go to Meridian for school. But just knowing that he was allowed to take his phone and lap top, it was bitter sweet. He did get a chance to spend time with his wife and 2 year old baby and that is always a good thing. We thought his daughter would be afraid of him when he came home from boot camp after being gone for 8 weeks, but no, she ran right to her father and stayed by his side, talking him to death or as much as a 2 yr old could talk. I get to text with him and face book him daily, so it is good. Thanks a million guys for being there for me.
  • Becky, Matt's Mom

    JudyB ~ My Sailor (EN2) has been a Reservist five years.  The deployment was his first.  He volunteered to be deployed and was called by a Boat Div unit out of NJ.  We are in NE OH.  He was deployed the same time as Judy-Chris' Mom's son.
  • JudyB.

    I see...So from your personal experience due reservists get deployment as often as career sailors?!  I'm asking cause my cub just finished up fmtb and is now a fmf corpsman and there was talk of deployment sometime in 2011 to the sandbox!!
  • Kim of Virginia

    Judbe-Chris'Mom, I don't think it is the luck of the draw in all cases. It seems in your Sailor's case, a commanding officer has determined that he is a darn good sailor and therefore, he is called up frequently. Congratulations on raising such a fine young man and sailor!
  • Bobbi Ray

    My sailor finally graduated yesterday from A school. He is now a AE. WA-HOOOO. Because of him being Navy FTS., he hasn't received any orders yet. So i'm keeping my fingers crossed for orders really soon.
  • LaurieM Ship 2 Div 902

    So I have a few questions... my son is set to graduate from A school 2 nd week of Feb. MAA. He is scheduled to start college as full time in the fall. What are the chances that he would be deployed in your experience? Even a short time like like 4 months or so?
  • JudyB.

    Good Morning Friday Everyone!!  Welcome LaurieM!!  My cub just celebrated his 26th Birthday a week ago today and he is FMF Corpsman as of 12/16/2010 and he is waiting for orders also, but in the mean time he will train with his Marine Battalion one weekend per month until they are deployed.

    As Judy-Chris' Mom stated the reservists usually get deployed on "Navy Time" and your on "need to know" basis. lol  So if you're cub is interested in higher education this would be a good time for it. 

  • Bobbi Ray

    My sailor got his orders today. He wanted East Coast but he got San Diego, Calif.. He still seems pretty happy about it. As long as he is happy, mom is happy.
  • JudyB.

    Bobbi Ray, Congratulations to your sailor!!  San Diego is a wonderful station to be deployed too!  The weather here on the coast of California is in the 70's this week and sunny skies all weekend at the coast, yeppie!! lol  He should enjoy his time here in Cali. :-)
  • Bobbi Ray

    Thanks ladies
  • Bobbi Ray

    My sailor now is so happy and excited to go to San Diego. YAY..
  • Bobbi Ray

    Jackie-Double Congrats. I bet u cant wait to see your sailor. I'm so excited for you.
  • Kim of Virginia

    Hello all, sorry I haven't been on a long time, had a lot going on. My son just completed A school in Meridian Mississippi and will be stationed in Tampa Fl.
  • JudyB.

    Gosh Jackie,  Your 5th play!!  That's courage's but sounds like sooo much fun!! I bet you have a blast!  As for your Sailor, a "home coming" is always up there on the Special List. lol
  • JudyB.

    sacred's mom, That's a great place to be stationed; what's he going to down there in Tampa...go to school or has your reservists found work?!

    Oh yes Jackie, Please be careful with break repairs especially with the snow, black ice ...who knows!  It's hard to think of another expense so close to just after the holidays...I feel your financial pinch! ouch!! 

  • firemansmom(S7/DIV357)

    Hi all! Not sure that I've ever posted here...my son is in Corpsman school in Great Lakes scheduled to graduate in March and then on to FMTB with the Marines on one of the coasts. He is attached to a medical unit in St Louis. He is hoping to be thru training and back home to Missouri by early summer. He was planning a celebration vacation to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. He has heard from other reservist that they are not allowed to travel out of the country...he has'nt found anyone "official" to confirm this with. Does anyone know the "rules" about this??? By the time of the trip he will be on reserve status and not active duty. My hubby was National Guard for 26 years and he was never restricted for travel...just wondering if he should cancel his trip. Glad he thought to buy the trip insurance!!
  • MamaBear kk

    firemansmom ~ One of the things that sticks in my head from my son's experiences at Great Lakes (boot camp) and his "A" school in Florida; "Only about 5% of what you hear may be true or factual.  It is not true until it actually happens."  With that said, your son already knows his Reserve Unit (station), NOSC (Navy Operational Support Center).  The NOSC has a telephone number that he can call for more detail.  The details of travel have differences per Rate.  Not all Rates have the same security clearances - therefore, requirements differ.  The advice given to me by another Navy Reservist, is to research a policy and procedure if it sounds a bit off - he tell his guys to research all.  ~ MamaBear kk ~ : )
  • JudyB.

    Welcome Anchoredmom!!  Gosh, what a fun rate your daughter has chosen!
  • sandy (ship 9 DIV. 126 ) PIR 4/8

      hello all... i am new to N4M kinda...lol My daughter just got to BC yesterday and she is in the Reserves. we are in NH. any others out there from NH??
  • sandy (ship 9 DIV. 126 ) PIR 4/8

     thank you for the great welcomes.  this is all so new for me. my daughter went to BC last week. still no "box" or addreass so i can't send letters or cards.

     Jackie L, that is great news that he is coming home.

     Judy, where does your son drill? my boy friend is an MA and drills in NewPort RI

  • Becky, Matt's Mom

    Welcome Anchoredmom and Sandy!  My son has been in the Navy Reserves since 2005.  He had his first deployment last year.  We live in NE Ohio.
  • JudyB.

    Sandy & Anchoredmom, Welcome and hello Everybody!  My corpsman graduated fmtb Dec.14th and is doing weekends in Los Angles but he lives in Las Vegas with his GF but hales fro Pismo Beach CA.

    If anybody has a Sailor who needs a place to stay in CA.  My door is open anytime to fellow Sailors!

  • sandy (ship 9 DIV. 126 ) PIR 4/8

     well i got the "box" today... my daughter will be a seabee reserves out of NH or boston not sure maybe newport ri

     

  • nanny2

    Sandy, I remember the day I got my "son in a box" day. I think that was the worse day, it does get better. I didn't think it would but then before I knew it we were going to graduation. My son PIR'D  12-22, it is an awesome experience. Congrats to & your daughter.
  • JudyB.

    Sandy, Everyone here is so friendly and really love to here others brag, vent or are just lonely and want to share, and that includes myself. Were not a large group but always here when you need us!
  • sandy (ship 9 DIV. 126 ) PIR 4/8

    thank you JudyB... I hope today isa good day. not to many ups and downs. I find myself getting upset with others in my house because i have no address for my daughter and its not fair to them . its like PMS . all the time.  lol   my boyfriend and my son get the upset me the most,my youngest daughter just stays away from mom. :)  thank you again
  • JudyB.

    I think we have all been where you are; and family understands that life has become unpredictable when our cubs are out of touch by Navy Time...don't be so hard on yourself. Now is the time for family support for the times when we are anxious and we are here for you too! Several times a day I would feel out of control because I couldn't control when I had contact with my cub and the mind does wander into negative thoughts, I would give it to God and every hour I would pray that my son new he was not alone...
  • nanny2

    Sandy, N4Ms  really helped me through my days. Don't be afraid to ask questions, vent whatever you need to do. If you haven't joined already do join your PIR date & check out some of the other groups. I received my form letter a few days after the box. It will be mainly info for the family & short note from your recruit. I received my first phone call about 1 wk after he left. I was lucky I learned, for some it was closer to 2 wks before they got a call. I wasn't prepared for the first "real" call, he was exhausted, homesick & he was sick,  he could tell I was crying which upset him more. So for the next call I made sure I was upbeat & had funny or good stuff to tell him.  By the next call he was back to his usual self, still exhausted & sick, he actually talked  a little about his days. On youtube  boot camp navy recruit training, or something like that. The Navy has a facebook page where they post weekly pics & you can ask questions too. Keep writing your letters, you will have the address soon, it might take 2-3 wks for your recruit to receive your first letter. My son was upset he didn't have mail & then he said one day he had like 15 letters from friends & family.  I hope I didn't upset you more, this was just my experience w/the phone call. The first couple of weeks are the hardest, it will get better. The excitement of getting your first handwritten letter will brighten your day. Didn't think I would hear from my son, all he knows how to do is text mom,  I have 8 letters he wrote, I cherish them. He is now in A school in sunny San Diego & lovin it.  Have a good day!!
  • nanny2

    check this out, it's unbelievable & so wrong.

     

    http://www.newschannel5.com/story/14053076/military-mom-pays-high-p...
  • JudyB.

    Judy, I like your definition; sounds more plausible!!
  • NavyMomofOnly1Girl Ship 9 DIV126

    How can they send Navy people to Iraq?  I got bad news today.  My first letter came and my daughter was emotionally and physically drained.  She was feeling better a few days later when she passed her swimming test.  She is a level 3 swimmer.  (Is that really good?).  She came in fourth or fifth out of the whole division in running and passed her crunches and push ups.  Over half of her Division failed.  This is the first physical testing.  But, the really bad news came when they had an assembly and the guy was explaining the GI Bill, and post 9/11 education benefits.  Knowing that this information was aimed at FT active duty people, she asked about the education benefits for Reservists (of which she is one of them).  He said he didn't know about that, but didn't think they got anything.  She wrote in her letter and begged me to find out and gave me a website to tell her that this is not true.  I called a phone number that her college gave me to investigate this bad news.  The representative told me that after training, which is BC and A School, that she will get $373 a month for school expenses.  She wouldn't get anything for tuition until she went "active duty" for at least 90 days.  Her recruiter told her she would get 75% of the cost of her private college paid for.  He said she'd get $5,000 for boot camp and $1,500 for her weekend  reserve duty.  Come to find out, all of that were LIES!!!!  How could they have deceived us this way????  Does anyone know a real source of information for Reservist's education benefits.  We are in dire straights.  Please help.
  • NavyMomofOnly1Girl Ship 9 DIV126

    Judy - Chris' Mom - Thank you for your information.  I did go to gibill.va.gov.  It was easier to get there through the Navy Reserve.com website.  It is complicated, but what I was told was true.  She will not get the tuition benefits until she is deployed for at least 90 days.  She is getting a $20,000 sign on bonus, at her MAA training in San Antonio.  How long did you have with your son after PIR graduation?  I don't think they are Grad and Go, are they?  My Sr girl asked how long she has to stay at BC after graduation.  I told her only her superior officer's can tell her when she will be going to San Antonio.  I heard it was a few days.  What was your experience like?  We are staying until Sunday afternoon.  PIR date 4/8/11.  Getting very excited about it.  Still trying to just find out as much info as I can and to transmit positive info to her in letters.  Before I was hoping she wouldn't get deployed, now, I think, I have to hope she does get deployed.  The Fed person over phone gave me the NY Website, but I didn't write it down right because the page couldn't be found.  I have to call back and ask again.  There are other educational benefit websites, as well.  Will track down every lead  to get as much $ as I can for her.  Thank you so much for your input.
  • JudyB.

    Hi there Navymom & Judy-Chris'mom,  Well my reservists corpsman is still waiting for his bonus and his grad date fro corpsman fmtb was 12/14/2010.  He has a really bad drill station in the middle of Los Angles where who's on 1st and what's on 2nd is the norm there; apparently you need 3 signatures to sign off for the "bonus" check to be distributed and the chain of command at his drill station only has one signature...yep!! But it doesn't help to complain it will just take that much longer!!  Just a consideration!!