EOD

Good morning girls ... I think if we all add each other as friends then we can private message each other. I will add you all. 

I am already friends with Karenlee but I sent a request to nancyp and NJNavyMom once you are friends then you can go to your page and send messages to friends. Hope that helps!!

I also am excited about todays lunch with NJ Moms infact NJNavyMom you will have to introduce yourself to me.  

Hello everyone. I haven't commented on here in a very long time, so wanted to say hi. My son just started underwater last Friday. Does anyone else have someone in that group?

navyarmymom~ Where do you mean? Panama City? or Eglin AFB?

My son is in Panama City at dive school.  He got first an ear squeeze and then a slight tear in the drum (well that's not what he called it but I don't remember the technical name.  He couldn't dive for few days.  Has anyone had someone that had this and is it common.  Does it reoccur?  Can this affect his training or EOD position?

it has been awhile since i have been here, which means everything is going great with my EOD son.  He had some ear issues in panama city which made him drop back a class.  so for who ever was asking it does happen.  for those of you new here, it only gets tougher.  dive school is TOUGH.  Elgin is a long process.  once at eglin, you can only fail a test twice i think.  it is a tough job with requirements.  My son loves it so far.  he is stationed in Rota, Spain.  he has been deployed in Africa and had training in Germany, and different places in Spain.  He is young and enjoying the adventure.  I hope everyone if fine and if you have other questions, email me at audiedale@aol.com.  audrey

Thanks Addy62 & NJNavyMom.  My son has until the end of Sept yet to finish in Panama City.  So he's got a while yet.  Praying he makes it through this tough training.  So far so good and he loves it.  What is the next step after dive school?  I try not to ask too far ahead with him and just let him stay focused on the present task.

Appreciate any info.

NJNavyMom and Karenlee thank you so much!!

NavyMom. I'm sorry I have taken so long to respond. It's been a hectic few weeks. Anyway, I meant EOD underwater at Eglin AFB (after finishing surface EOD). I was wondering if anyone else has someone in that class which started on July 17.

yes, that would be my son who spent last week blowing up things, according to him

Ha Ha, I got the same comments about blowing things up.  Pretty exciting week.

NavyMom - once again I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond. I've been out of town. My son doesn't graduate until Oct. 19. But congratulations to your son. He's almost there!

Does anyone have suggestions on where to stay when we go to EOD graduation at Eglin AFB?

Thanks Karenlee. I appreciate the info.

I just got word my son will graduate EOD Sept 8 and he asked ME to pin him! I'm sooo HAPPY & PROUD of him! I can't wait to get pictures of him in his dress whites! Since we will be taking his dog to see him, we will be staying at the La Quinta on Miracle Way in Fort Walton. We've stayed there before. A very dog friendly hotel. The farther out you make reservations, the cheaper they are. 
http://www.laquintaftwaltonbeach.com/

What kind of EOD graduation gift would be appropriate?

Karenlee~ He still has to go to Gulfport & Ft. Benning then eventually going to Mobile Unit 3 in San Diego. 
Thanks for the gift idea.

Karenlee~ I know an officer in Va. He loves it there. My son was stationed in San Diego for a year & is very happy to be going back!
I found a really neat photo album to give my son. N4M rules state I can't advertise merchandise but if you 
Google "Crackerjack photo album" you can see it.

NavyMom, reading your post about pinning your son at graduation, I had the same experience and it was wonderful! As Karenlee may recall, I did get a negative reaction from someone here, who said I shouldn't pin my son, that an officer should.  I was so upset! Unbeknownst to me my son was reading my posts, was not happy about that comment, and  contacted me that he wanted me to do it and not to be concerned.  Karenlee and a couple of other people also encouraged me.  I was so thankful for that support!  For graduation, my  sister and I stayed at a timeshare in Fort Walton.  We had a wonderful week with my son who spent a lot of time with us which was like gold, as all you moms know.  After graduation we went to Fort Walton Beach with the graduates and their families and had the best time. Memories to last a lifetime.

nancyp~Thanks for the encouraging words. I was shocked & excited that my son asked me to do the honors. A year ago his older brother, Master Chief,  pinned his Surface Warfare pin on him. Maybe his Dad will have the next honor. My son will be 31 yrs. old this month. He knows what he wants & goes after it. Me, my husband & my ex husband are all staying at the LaQuinta at Ft. Walton with allll our dogs. With graduation early in the morning we're looking  forward to some fun on the beach after lunch.

just spent the w/e in florida visiting my son in eod school, as he just had a birthday.  we stayed at the marriott fairfield- technically located in shalimar,  which was fine and very clean- 10- 15 mins away from his gate.  We picked up my son outside the gate, they are living right next to it, so it was easy.  he came back to the motel for breakfast and we went to the beach in the am, but in the afternoon went to the bay area and rented a pontoon boat for 4 hours, it was wonderful and very relaxing because we all jumped off and swam in the bay a bit.  Harry T's was a great place to eat in that location as well, we could sit outside and watch all the boats go in and out.

Of note, Navy gives them $ for food, they are not fed on the base, my son said that might be changing but for now...

 Publix grocery store makes nice subs etc and we gave him a publix gift card to use.  He never asks for anything and suprisingly was very happy to get this card.  Had I not gone, I would have never known, so am just passing this along.

Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful information...places to stay, eat, things to do, gifts, etc. Traveling from Texas and not always sure what to do. I love the comment about time spent with your sailor being just like "gold".  This is so true!  We want to plan a trip soon - as we have an upcoming birthday to celebrate.  Hard to space out visits and leave time to travel for holidays too.  Everyone have a great day.

Really cool Navy photo album. Google "Crackerjack photo album". I gave it to my son to keep pictures of his travels.

Holiday question for anyone: Does anyone know what Christmas leave dates are for this year?  OR, for any seasoned Mom, does anyone know what to reasonably expect.  (Will classes let out on Thursday or Friday the week before perhaps)???  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  By the way, any Thanksgiving tips would also be appreciated.  Thanks!!!

Thank you Karenlee for the comments.  My son is still within the first 9-10 weeks of EOD school, so we did not know what to expect.  Last year we were able to fly to GL for Thanksgiving after boot camp.  I realize holidays may get tougher to arrange from here on out.

As far as I know they still earn leave while in the pipeline. When my son was at school which has been 4 plus years so things may have changed but they did not like them to take leave during school. He did not live on base so Thanksgiving was just an extended weekend and he did not come home. Your sailor will have to check on the stand down at Christmas. Things are a little different when they are in the pipeline. Hope this helps.

hello, all-

My son just got to Panama City for Dive School.  He made it through prep, but was having a lot of trouble with IT band paim in one leg.  He says he doesn't want to get dropped by going to medical, but is having lots of trouble with workouts, etc.  Have any of you had your son/daughter experience the same issue, and can pass along some advice? 

Thanks again to everyone for all the helpful comments.  We have been told that Thanksgiving will be 4 days - including Saturday & Sunday.  BUT, if you do not want to take "leave" time, only liberty, you have to stay within 100 mile radius. Anyone heading to Florida for Thanksgiving this year?

Oh and also, OregonNavyMom, my sailor experienced some knee pain and just worked through it, even though it was difficult.  He might try wearing a brace when he is able to, like at night and weekends.

Prayers going out to all in light of the events in Paris

Hi Navy Moms,  my sailor will leave at the end of March for basic with a contract  for EOD.  I am new to all this.  A l ot of what I am reading doesn't make sense to me....I almost need a crash course.  Any advice or info I need to check out is welcomed, I really don't know much!

@ccsmilee they are provided meals at the galley, the money comes directly out of their paycheck and I believe they have a meal card that they show when they enter.