natalie's and all - When your recruit writes, always tell them to write the date, and the day they are on (example 2-4 which mean second week, 4th day)  that way you can see everyday what they are doing.  It's actually really fun to know what they did or are doing.  You will soon get a letter and it usually matches up perfectly.

diannep - I can just imagine a sailor saying that...   Talk about getting dogged forever.... Actually, I bet the CO response would be...

Ladies, I noticed that there are a few empty nesters in this group.  It may help to join the empty nesters group on Navy4Moms.   Here is that link in case you are interested.  

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/emptynesters

Ok, Craig.  You are too funny!  What does it mean when my sailor actually has had some CO's that by their own admission, don't curse?????  SHOCKING!  He even had an RDC that didn't curse...so anyways.....whatever.  Moving on!  :-)

Tell him to get a hammer and smack them on their toes...  We will see if they curse on not....  My bet is they will be like this...

Poop?  

Yea after a couple months in the Navy, he'll be like this lady (frame 00:45) on this Bud Lite Commercial.

(btw:  I said he'll, not hell..) 

Craig - Thanks for almost making me wet my pants first thing in the morning!

My son still doesn't swear...at least not out loud that I know of...he's in Seabee "A" school though so plenty of hammers and swearing I'm sure.

'Course what's the world coming too when crustraceans have potty mouth!

Hi everyone, I don't know how I missed that this group had started lol. I got a message from a mom in this group wanting to order ribbons and I was like wow she really got her order in early then I checked and here you all are lol.

I guess better late than never. I am Lora better known as Lala, Another Navy Mom here to help out with the questions you all will have over the next few weeks. I am happy to see some form letters are arriving :-)

FTLW, it's ok with me.  It takes me a little bit of time to catch up anyway, *wink.  

Hi Ladies, I'm Betsy and another veteran mom that helps out.  Welcome to our crazy Navy mom's world.  We guarantee it will be a fun adventure.  I am lucky enough to have 2 sailors in our family.  My youngest son enlisted during high school and report to BC about 6 months later.  He is just about finished with his training and will be receiving his Orders shortly.  He is a CTT and is currently in Pensacola.  Our family's other favorite sailor is my daughter's fiance, who is an ET finishing up his final year of 6.  He is stationed on a nuke sub in Pearl Harbor, HI where my daughter lives in an apt. with him.  

I'm also a recent empty nester mom of 5.  

Now that so many of us have gotten the form letter, when can we expect a real letter or even a phone call? Just throwing that out to the veteran moms out there! 

Craig@ thanks for all the great information.  Next Friday will be info from Craig day in my classroom!  (Minus a few tidbits here and there)  What a fun way to honor our VETS and make it fun at the same time! 

Thanks Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons and  FireTeamLeadersWife You woman are amazing.  I appreicate all the feedback and support.  It is so nice to talk to someone who has been there, done that.  I am keeping my cell phone attached to me at all times. 

N4M essentials:

Ok here's the one for today!  Gonna be a busy day. y'all enjoy!

My second favorite household chore is ironing.  My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint.  ~Erma Bombeck

Good Morning, dianne!  

momshousedivided, love Erma! LOL 

GOOD DAY TO ALL OF YOU and WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!  Letter in the mailbox for my son along with football newspaper clippings - he will be disappointed that his high school dropped from #4 in the state (4A conf) to 12.  YIKES!

@ momshousedivided - LOVE IT!

@ all others - GET YOUR CHOCOLATE FIX TODAY!  I see a frozen mocha frappe smothered with caramel drizzle in my future. Note to self: there is not enough coco in that mocha frappe to make a difference...although hundreds of calories!  Perhaps just a pc of dark chocolate...

Morning! I hope everyone had a great Saturday! Be blessed on this Sunday

A Mother's love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.

I just love this quote!

Hello ladies, 

I was wondering if any of the veteran moms knew when we find out where our recruits would find out where they will be attending "A" school at.   I'm hoping my son will be somewhere close to home....but expecting the unexpected seems to be the "norm"  LOL...have a stress free afternoon....

It will be two weeks tomorrow since I dropped my son off with his recruiter.  I did not know this was going to be this darn hard.  I will say this site has helped.  I am getting great advice about graduation day.

@ Betsy - I LOVE THAT!  I am looking forward to meeting the Navy mom's on here...come 12/29. 

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS if I missed you yesterday!

Ladies, I am still just as close to my PIR moms now as I was a year ago when my son was in BC and our sailors are all over the world now.  The bond that you all have is very strong and it's so wonderful to have each other to share this with.  

jnrlopez, ((Hugs)) that's understandable.  I'll see what I can find out about that rate.  

One thing you all may find is that civilian families do not understand what you are going through.  They may equate your SR leaving for bootcamp as the same as one going to college...so not the same!  Like you all said, in college, there is contact.  Maybe even some visits home if close by.  They are their own boss...not in the military.  They learn very quickly who "owns" them. 

So that is what is so special about this site.  We all understand because we are in the same place.  Even once contact is re-established after bc, scheduling leave, etc is still a bit difficult. They must get permission to do so much...they have a radius they have to stay in, even when not going on leave (i.e.: weekend visits). 

Having said that, it does get so much better when they finally have their cells at A School and when stationed, and you can text.  Now...when they deploy on a ship...it is a test of patience again!  Although some can stay in contact by email, it is not a guarantee.  But still, there is some contact.  For those stationed overseas, SKYPE is a wonderful way to stay in contact.  Well, even for those here in the States!  Talking "directly" to your sailor right there on the screen!

diannep is soooo right!  I have even had people say "well, I have a child in college, so I know what you are going through,"  NOT!   It does get better after BC, so hold onto that thought.  

diannep, We are still waiting to here if our sailor can take leave for Christmas and with every day that goes by, the airfares go up.  :(    He says that he definitely won't get Orders now until Jan. but they won't let them turn in the leave chit yet.  Ugh!  

jnrlopez - Hello...I'm not Betsy but I checked on your sons rating. You have on your page that he has enlisted AECF. There are only two ratings in this field.

Here is a link to usmilitary.about.com:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/aecf.htm

From what I have read all AECF go to Great Lakes for their initial core A school. During that time (approx 19 weeks) it is determined if they go on to ET - Electronics Techinician (electronics communications and radar) or FC - Fire Controlman (Fire as in weapons...operate, maintain and repair electronic, computer and control mechanisms used in weapons systems) within the field.

Once that is determined they then continue on at Great Lakes in that field for approx 11-13 weeks depending on which rating.

They THEN should have a "C" school. These vary.

Here is a link to a group on here for:

AECF - FCs and ETs

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/fcsfirecontrol

Good Morning all!

Here ya go----

When an Amercian says that he loves his country, he means not only the New England hills, the prairies glistening in the sun, the wide and rising plains, the great mountains, and the sea. He means that he loves an inner air, an inner light in which freedom lives and in which a man can draw the breath of self-respect.