Good Bye group. My son is now located in Kings Bay Georgia, and is currently sitting in my living room visiting with us while he is on transfer from Groton to his sub base. He was glad to be in weather that is warm, with it being in the 60's here in Oklahoma. When he left Groton on March 9, it was 35 degrees with snow still up to his knees. That was the warmest it had been in 4 months. I hope all of your children have a successful transition to their next step.
It is time to say 'Fair Winds and Following Seas'. My son has long ago graduated. He has been through school and his first deployment. He is stationed in Kings Bay Ga. My other son is Leaving his first station, heading to Camp Lejeune for FMF school then off to Okinawa for 2 years with a Marine Unit as their medic. This group had been very beneficial for me in the beginning and first two years navigating with both my sons joining a year apart. Great support. I tell everyone that ha a loved one going into the service to look for a support like this one. Thank you and God Bless!
My son is in the final stages of A school. He has been there since last June and will be graduating 4/30 God willing. Praying that God will give him the desires of his heart! I am so proud of him and looking forward to seeing him soon.
My son is now stationed in VA so I will be leaving this group. I have enjoyed my time here and all the help this group has given to me. I pray each of you and your sailor will continue to be blessed in your life. "Fair Winds and Following Seas". Navy Moms Hugs to you all.
My son just arrived at Groton and found he is placed on a two week hold. How does this work for the three phases of school? I am new to military life so any advice about A school or the different phases would be great
Farewell scubagirl, Mama Jill, and madhoby! Good luck to you and your Sailors!!! Mine has since gone to Hawaii but I still like to linger here!!!
Jujugirl, sometimes they have to wait until there are enough Sailors to fill a class, kind of like in boot camp when they had to wait for enough recruits to fill a division. They are all almost always on hold before one class or another. Just the Navy way!
My son is SFEC so he won't know his official job until the end of BESS from my understanding. I think he wants Fire Control or hoping for it. Guess I will be able to tell you in 8 or 9 weeks.
Jean - sub school has been great for my son! Exciting training drills and school work that is designed for all to learn! Much more freedom. They earn different passes with more privileges my son is so happy with his experience in the Navy! A proud mom!
Texasmomship13 - my son is graduating - April 3rd - we are going to his graduation and I can let you know - what I gather from my son - 3 exciting drills and a few chapters and a quiz in the beginning of the week then the end of the week a test - my son loves it too - after sub school - another 4 week school - I think basic mechanic at CT - when is your sons graduation?
A navy mom, I'm not sure when my son is graduating. I have not talked to him since he had gotten to sub school. I hear through his girlfriend that he doesn't have a good connection with his cell phone. He can't make any calls while in his room, but he can connect with his girlfriend ok.
Nicksmom89... Hi. My son left 4/16 for boot camp then he's going to Groton as well. Does anyone know how long boot camp? When you get the letter? When can I expect a phone call? Address so I can write him? I'm sorry, lots of questions.
Nicksmom89 - welcome to this new world of hurry up and wait! Boot camp is about 8 weeks from when they have enough for a division - not necessarily from when they left. It might take a while to get a letter - it will have his ship# and Division and info on sending mail.
Once you know the division, a good idea is to join the groups here on navyformoms and on Facebook for that division & PIR date (Pass in Review - aka graduation).
It will be a couple of weeks before he can call - if he has your cell# keep it with you at all times - there is no rhyme or reason as to when they call. They can only send mail on Sunday - so depending on your mail service, it should be at your box around Thursday.
The first thing you will get is the "box" with all his clothing etc that he arrived with.
The bootcamp pages will probably be of more help and support. This is good training for when he's on a sub, as there is little contact then as well!
I could be wrong, but I believe leave/liberty is determined by their card - White, yellow, blue I believe and if they have to report for class or duty.
I do know that on any special weekends etc. where large groups have gone into the city (NY), or expected parties, there is usually extra drug testing afterwards!
Hi from Central OH. I'm trying to plan a trip to CT late in July for my sailor's b-day. What would be major cities I could look for to plan the trip? He talks about Boston; that's the only one I know of. Please help.
It's funny how we grow accustom to where we live! Baby Dukie, don't know where you live, but when I visited AZ I thought it was nice, but too much nothingness! I had never driven for hours seeing nothing! No trees, no houses, no gas stations, but I realized that the sky is pretty big!
Lakeranne , Boston is also Great! There is much to do & see. Also, th RI beaches. I have lived between CT & RI my whole life
Lakeranne, look into river fire in Providence, RI. I have heard it's pretty cool. Boston and NY. NYC is about a 3 hr train ride, if you go I suggest the train rather than driving there. Newport,; RI IS nice. Local to Groton are a lot of pretty little towns and some history. I grew up in Mystic.
Wow, Babie Dukie! Which 7 states? I grew up there, all I knew was that it was small town, never seemed that close to me! But after Texas, which is miles and miles of miles and miles, I can understand why you would feel that!
All in perspective! Ahh, I never miss it more than I do when I talk about it or visit. ;)
Yvette, I lived in Newport/Portsmouth while my dad was stationed there. Grew up in Mystic, CT. Newport is beautiful. Don't forget Cliff Walk, near the mansions!
Baby dukie's mama, that sounds like a wonderful trip, except for the semi crashing part!!! We are in So Cal and went back to CT almost two years ago when son was in school there. We drove all over and went up to Quebec City in Canada, drove through many states and I was also amused that we could drive so few miles and go through so many states!! It takes a couple of days to drive from one end of CA to the other so going through so many small states was kind of fun!
NavyMom - depending on his track - plan on about a year. Mine is sonar and was in Groton from December to November. Nukes usually leave earlier for C school elsewhere. Chefs, usually start somewhere else then finish in Groton.
In all, there's about a year of sub training before they are assigned a boat.
Going through son withdrawl. Haven't got to speak to him much since he started ATT. That is about to wrap up so I hoope he has a moment to call and chat before Techno starts. It is good practice for future deployment but still..... Ah no matter I couldn't be more proud or more supportive of him
hello ladies. I have a question . My sailor has his orders for his sub. The sub is being built so he had hoped to do ride alongs to earn his dolphins-they are telling him that he might have to continue taking other classes until later-what classes? He has had BESS,ATT,Techno and now A school-he will be a sonar tech. Any help would be greatly appreciated
baby dukie's mama He will be on Colorado. We were in Groton in May and they were working on the end(I don't know Navy term ). Sailor said they were working on the reactor area now
I am new here. My son's PIR is on 7/24 and then he will heading to Groton, CT. He was wondering if when he gets to A school in Groton, CT, will he be able to request rooming with a specific person. One of the guys that he has become good friends with would like to room together. Also, how many guys room together and what is the layout of the room?
I'm loving all the info that is being shared! My SR's PIR is 8/28 and he will be going to Groton training as a Sonor Technician. I would like to visit my son in Groton this fall.
Does anyone know how long after he gets there will he (or I) get information about when he will be allowed some liberty?
Good morning ladies. My son just got his re-rate out of the nuke program. He will be an MT. Not much info on N4M about that rate. From what I've pieced together it looks like BESS, BMS and ATT in Groton then A school in Kings Bay? Where can I find that rate description paper they have for each of the rates?
I am interested in any information on the phases, the acronymns(just found B.E.S.S.!), etc. If that is in the facebook group, that makes sense to join that. And I also am not sure how to find it.
Also, a security question. How does one get let into the facebook group or even this forum? Has my name been doublechecked that I am the mom of a certain sailor recruit?
I am wanting to be conscientious about OPSEC and I find it odd that while we are not supposed to use our last names as a user name (if they match our sailors') that we can be in a facebook group that uses our real name and can access our pics of our family, etc. It's somewhat disconcerting to me as a new Navy mom and being more aware of evil-doers who may want to ...well...do evil. I'm not a worrier by nature, but I curious about this.
Any thoughts shared on this would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hi my son will be graduating this week in Connect. He was supposed to come home this Friday for a few weeks before he heads to his station. He just called to tell me that none of their plane tickets had been reserved. The person responsible for them had gone out on leave. So they are unsure what will happen, and haven't been able to get answers. Has anyone else heard about this? Or know where to direct them for answers? I'm wondering if they'd be allowed to purchase their own ticket then get reimbursed later?
DianaLynn I agree with you about the security on the FB sites. That's why I prefer the secret groups. In this current hostile environment I want to do everything I can to keep my sailor and all of our brave warriors safe.
BESS is 8 weeks not counting the time waiting to class up. Depending on rate - there is techno, ATT then A school. Plan on 10 months or so, of training before getting assigned. Nukes go elsewhere after BESS & A school, most others are at Groton.
My son is sonar and left last November.
I live in CT, so it was only a 90 minute drive for us. The BESS graduation is nice, intimate and a great opportunity for photos - cameras only! (No cell phones allowed) A school is a bit bigger, still less formal that PIR. Cell phones are ok. Sailors usually get 2 weeks leave after A school. Many go home before reporting to their boat.
My recommendation- if you are able, attend, if it is too far and your sailor is coming home after A school, don't anx over not going. For those that can go- TAKE PICTURES of every sailor. It is easy to do. When I did it, I posted all of the pictures on Dropbox and shared the link with this forum as well as the FB BESS page.
Your sailor really will not know the date of either graduation until about a month before. I knew more than my sailor did. Just encourage them to follow the rules and do their best. They will drug test after holiday weekends. They do not have much patience for drinking and drug use.
Navymom - those pictures are like the photos from boot camp, except the sailors are more awake - LOL. They do superimpose photos over submarines, and any stripes are on the uniform. They are not taken at graduation.
Navymom26
You need to visit The Shack to eat a meal. And go hungry! It's on the right going toward Mystic.
Mar 14, 2015
A navy mom
Mar 14, 2015
madhoby
Good Bye group. My son is now located in Kings Bay Georgia, and is currently sitting in my living room visiting with us while he is on transfer from Groton to his sub base. He was glad to be in weather that is warm, with it being in the 60's here in Oklahoma. When he left Groton on March 9, it was 35 degrees with snow still up to his knees. That was the warmest it had been in 4 months. I hope all of your children have a successful transition to their next step.
Mar 15, 2015
Mama Jill
It is time to say 'Fair Winds and Following Seas'. My son has long ago graduated. He has been through school and his first deployment. He is stationed in Kings Bay Ga. My other son is Leaving his first station, heading to Camp Lejeune for FMF school then off to Okinawa for 2 years with a Marine Unit as their medic. This group had been very beneficial for me in the beginning and first two years navigating with both my sons joining a year apart. Great support. I tell everyone that ha a loved one going into the service to look for a support like this one. Thank you and God Bless!
Mar 15, 2015
Nereida
Mar 15, 2015
scubagirl
My son is now stationed in VA so I will be leaving this group. I have enjoyed my time here and all the help this group has given to me. I pray each of you and your sailor will continue to be blessed in your life. "Fair Winds and Following Seas". Navy Moms Hugs to you all.
Mar 16, 2015
Jujugirl
Mar 16, 2015
mrsb
Farewell scubagirl, Mama Jill, and madhoby! Good luck to you and your Sailors!!! Mine has since gone to Hawaii but I still like to linger here!!!
Jujugirl, sometimes they have to wait until there are enough Sailors to fill a class, kind of like in boot camp when they had to wait for enough recruits to fill a division. They are all almost always on hold before one class or another. Just the Navy way!
Mar 19, 2015
TexasmomShip13
Thank you,
Jean
Mar 22, 2015
Jujugirl
Mar 22, 2015
TexasmomShip13
Thank you,
Jean
Mar 22, 2015
Jujugirl
Mar 22, 2015
A navy mom
Mar 24, 2015
A navy mom
Mar 24, 2015
TexasmomShip13
Mar 24, 2015
A navy mom
Mar 25, 2015
TexasmomShip13
I'm hoping to hear from him soon.
Mar 28, 2015
NBSmom89
Apr 19, 2015
Cath Bubblehead mom
Nicksmom89 - welcome to this new world of hurry up and wait! Boot camp is about 8 weeks from when they have enough for a division - not necessarily from when they left. It might take a while to get a letter - it will have his ship# and Division and info on sending mail.
Once you know the division, a good idea is to join the groups here on navyformoms and on Facebook for that division & PIR date (Pass in Review - aka graduation).
It will be a couple of weeks before he can call - if he has your cell# keep it with you at all times - there is no rhyme or reason as to when they call. They can only send mail on Sunday - so depending on your mail service, it should be at your box around Thursday.
The first thing you will get is the "box" with all his clothing etc that he arrived with.
The bootcamp pages will probably be of more help and support. This is good training for when he's on a sub, as there is little contact then as well!
Apr 19, 2015
Nereida
Apr 29, 2015
Nereida
May 2, 2015
cybergrouch
Congratulation to the ITS C school class that graduated May 8th. On their way to F school now!
May 12, 2015
Cath Bubblehead mom
I could be wrong, but I believe leave/liberty is determined by their card - White, yellow, blue I believe and if they have to report for class or duty.
I do know that on any special weekends etc. where large groups have gone into the city (NY), or expected parties, there is usually extra drug testing afterwards!
May 15, 2015
TexasmomShip13
May 20, 2015
Cath Bubblehead mom
May 21, 2015
lakeranne
My son came to Groton from boot camp in March. Anyone else? I thought I counted about 15 who went with my son, Sean C.
May 28, 2015
lakeranne
Hi from Central OH. I'm trying to plan a trip to CT late in July for my sailor's b-day. What would be major cities I could look for to plan the trip? He talks about Boston; that's the only one I know of. Please help.
Jun 4, 2015
Cath Bubblehead mom
Lakeranne , Boston is also Great! There is much to do & see. Also, th RI beaches. I have lived between CT & RI my whole life
Jun 5, 2015
Annette
Jun 6, 2015
Annette
All in perspective! Ahh, I never miss it more than I do when I talk about it or visit. ;)
Jun 6, 2015
Annette
Jun 6, 2015
Kim
Jun 6, 2015
mrsb
Baby dukie's mama, that sounds like a wonderful trip, except for the semi crashing part!!! We are in So Cal and went back to CT almost two years ago when son was in school there. We drove all over and went up to Quebec City in Canada, drove through many states and I was also amused that we could drive so few miles and go through so many states!! It takes a couple of days to drive from one end of CA to the other so going through so many small states was kind of fun!
Jun 7, 2015
Cath Bubblehead mom
NavyMom - depending on his track - plan on about a year. Mine is sonar and was in Groton from December to November. Nukes usually leave earlier for C school elsewhere. Chefs, usually start somewhere else then finish in Groton.
In all, there's about a year of sub training before they are assigned a boat.
Jun 16, 2015
Jujugirl
Jun 18, 2015
tidefan
hello ladies. I have a question . My sailor has his orders for his sub. The sub is being built so he had hoped to do ride alongs to earn his dolphins-they are telling him that he might have to continue taking other classes until later-what classes? He has had BESS,ATT,Techno and now A school-he will be a sonar tech. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Jun 23, 2015
tidefan
baby dukie's mama He will be on Colorado. We were in Groton in May and they were working on the end(I don't know Navy term ). Sailor said they were working on the reactor area now
Thank you for your response
Jun 25, 2015
jaysmom
I am new here. My son's PIR is on 7/24 and then he will heading to Groton, CT. He was wondering if when he gets to A school in Groton, CT, will he be able to request rooming with a specific person. One of the guys that he has become good friends with would like to room together.
Also, how many guys room together and what is the layout of the room?
Jul 3, 2015
EagleScoutnNavyMom
Jul 29, 2015
DianaLynn
Does anyone know how long after he gets there will he (or I) get information about when he will be allowed some liberty?
Jul 30, 2015
TJ Proudnavymom
Good morning ladies. My son just got his re-rate out of the nuke program. He will be an MT. Not much info on N4M about that rate. From what I've pieced together it looks like BESS, BMS and ATT in Groton then A school in Kings Bay? Where can I find that rate description paper they have for each of the rates?
Aug 3, 2015
TJ Proudnavymom
Elilam46 I am having trouble finding that FB group. Is it a "secret" group?
Aug 3, 2015
DianaLynn
I am interested in any information on the phases, the acronymns(just found B.E.S.S.!), etc. If that is in the facebook group, that makes sense to join that. And I also am not sure how to find it.
Also, a security question. How does one get let into the facebook group or even this forum? Has my name been doublechecked that I am the mom of a certain sailor recruit?
I am wanting to be conscientious about OPSEC and I find it odd that while we are not supposed to use our last names as a user name (if they match our sailors') that we can be in a facebook group that uses our real name and can access our pics of our family, etc. It's somewhat disconcerting to me as a new Navy mom and being more aware of evil-doers who may want to ...well...do evil. I'm not a worrier by nature, but I curious about this.
Any thoughts shared on this would be appreciated. Thanks!
Aug 3, 2015
Charity
Aug 4, 2015
TJ Proudnavymom
DianaLynn I agree with you about the security on the FB sites. That's why I prefer the secret groups. In this current hostile environment I want to do everything I can to keep my sailor and all of our brave warriors safe.
Aug 4, 2015
Kim
Aug 17, 2015
Cath Bubblehead mom
Aug 17, 2015
Cath Bubblehead mom
My son is sonar and left last November.
Aug 17, 2015
Cath Bubblehead mom
My recommendation- if you are able, attend, if it is too far and your sailor is coming home after A school, don't anx over not going. For those that can go- TAKE PICTURES of every sailor. It is easy to do. When I did it, I posted all of the pictures on Dropbox and shared the link with this forum as well as the FB BESS page.
Your sailor really will not know the date of either graduation until about a month before. I knew more than my sailor did. Just encourage them to follow the rules and do their best. They will drug test after holiday weekends. They do not have much patience for drinking and drug use.
Hope that helps!
Aug 17, 2015
Cath Bubblehead mom
Navymom - those pictures are like the photos from boot camp, except the sailors are more awake - LOL. They do superimpose photos over submarines, and any stripes are on the uniform. They are not taken at graduation.
Aug 18, 2015