Moms of "A" school Sailors

I have read where anything sent USPS certified (docs, mail) or USPS insured (packages), do not have to go through a security screening like UPS or FEDEX. I sent my son's laptop, cds, and clothes, last Thursday morning and he got them yesterday (Tuesday) since the mail did not run Monday. He said everything was fine and unopened. It's my understanding that (at least where Chris is) when UPS or FEDEX drops a package at the gate it may become "suspicious" and have to go to security first. USPS on the other hand is government so it goes on through most of the time. Chris does have to pick up packages at his NEX. I don't know if that is how it is on all bases. The one thing I did not like was that I could not track the package from the website. But he got it .
If you call the post office 1-800 number you can order the military flat-rate boxes. They will deliver a pack of them to your door complete with labels, customs forms, tape and plastic sleeves for the forms. You pay $7.65 to ship each box no matter the weight, even overseas. You can go to the PO and get them too but why if they will bring the whole thing to you? I got 8 boxes and they give you an ID number so you can call and reorder anytime. I did find that his laptop case would not quite fit but just about anything else will. If my dog does not leave me alone she may find herself getting shipped! lol

Thanks Lisa! They did not inform me of that. I will if I ship any more of his running shoes. Now that he has the laptop I think the only other thing of real value he will want is his car. Do you think they would mail it so cheap? lol Oh well, it's a few more weeks before he can phase up to that anyway so I'll be ready for a weekend jaunt by then. I'll take it to him (yeah good excuse to go see him). I hope he will have some time to get his pass and anything else he needs to keep it on base. Thanks for all the help.

Wow! I feel so lucky that my Chris is also at Virginia. Here all along I just thought it was the RDCs at bc being jerks about getting letters to and from my son. It sounds as though GL may need a new post master. Good luck to everyone trying to get stuff to their SNs and SAs.

OOH RAH Carol! Job well done! Congratulations to your son!

Terri, remind Jason that he is a good man and that some of the instructors are still at that "I'm gonna make you or break you" point. He will have to eventually suck it up and get determined that he's not going to let one instructor ruin his whole career. If he can make it past this guy/gal he will likely be a much better sailor. I know that I and my son both had some teachers in school that we thought were mean but after the years were over those are the teachers who taught us the most and that we still remember the things we learned. Just watch him to make sure he does not get too down. Stay in communication with him constantly. I'm sure it is stressful to you and he probably feels like he is carrying the world on his shoulders...alone. Try not to baby him but to reason with him with compassion and understanding.
I feel really bad for you and him both and I may have to face the same thing once Chris' classes start so I'm watching the comments closely. Good luck and my prayers are with you and Jason.

OOH-RAH Lisa! Job well done! OOH-RAH Carol F. and congratualtions on having your very own Seabee! OOH-RAH Carol for your son starting classes, maybe you will get to see him soon. What a great day!

Hi Carol, my son is at Dam Neck, VA waiting to class up. He graduated on the 9th and arrived at Dam Neck on the 11th. I just spoke to him and he phased up today so now he wants his car. I suppose I should take a little road trip in the next week or two. He is restricted to being back by midnight and when he phases up again for full weekend liberty he will still be restricted to a 50 mile radius or possibly up to 300 miles with special permission. So I'll be taking the car to him rather than him coming to get it. Oh yeah, he is going to start training for Intelligence.
Today and yesterday he's in a Finacial Management class to learn more about his benefits, insurances available, investment options, etc. He was all wound up about how he can get his insurance cheaper with Geico but then I reminded him that he is on my policy which means multi vehicle discount and on with an experienced driver. I told him to check and get a quote and we will see. I think he is looking at it as finacial independance and freedom. I'm looking at it as his money is burning a whole in his pocket and he thinks he'd better spend it. He already got scammed at the mall last week, good thing he had duty and watch last night and couldn't go to the mall.
What is AZ? How long is the "A" school and does he have "C" school afterward? Chris is doing all the "usual" right now while waiting for class to begin. Cleaning, moving furniture, cleaning, PT, cleaning... I expect a clean bathroom and a clean floor while he is home on leave! Yeah right.
I wish your son good luck in his classes.

Hi Karyl, My son is beginning his IS class on Monday. I'm sure if your son got this far in he will make it fine. Keep up the faith and just keep encouraging him. Every parent that I've learned from says their son/daughter says it's the hardest thing they've ever done. He will make it fine.
One of the moms here, Dawn, her son is in IS "C" school so she is a good resource. Also there is a small group of us now at a page just for IS. There are a couple of moms there whose sons are almost finished or half way finished IS "A" school. One of their son's may even be in his class or a couple of weeks behind yours.
Good luck, I'll be doing stomach rolls myself for 13 weeks come Monday morning!

Ok folks, I'm most humbly sorry. It seems I opened a can of worms and misunderstanding with questions about the car insurance. (It sure got everyone talking though) What my son told me was simply that he had been informed that the NAVY has teamed up so to speak with the little Geko people and that they (his finance class) had been told that they could possibly get their car insurance cheaper there. NOT free, NOT given out by the NAVY but suggested by the person leading the class. I simply told Chris he needs to get a quote and we will check into it.
Please, I'm only looking for input. I did not mean to confuse anyone. Chris will have to take care of most of this himself, I would just like to be ahead of the game so it can go smoothly. Thanks to everyone for info and again my apologies.

Congratulations to the new Seabees!!

I was the same once they started coming inside with scarves over their faces like little bandits. I thought I had seen my son when he was turned to the back of the room. They took off the coats and scarves and gloves and then switched places as they turned and I asked him later. He said, " no I was more in the middle". I thought dang! I was so sure that was his ear! Pretty bad when you think you recognize them from the back by seeing one ear!!

Lisa, they have to wear them like any other part of their uniform if one wears the scarf they all must wear the scarf and they all have to wear it the same way. It has to come up and cover about 1/2 -2/3 of their nose. It's funny in a way. The way they have to wear them though you can only see their eyebrows and eyes and a little hair. Between the scarf, earmuffs, and cap, you really can't see much of them. Then they really do all look alike.

You guys are just too funny! Good pix though! Have a good night everyone and a wonderful day tomorrow! (Today now).
God bless you all. G'night

You know, I bet someone at the NAVY monitoring these discussions is just beaming with delight! "Yup we do good at making them all look uniform." I've always heard that during boot camp they all change so much you hardly know your own child. Now we know why they say that. Judy, You still take top honors!!

It's coming down a cold rain but there's a fire in the fireplace. It's a good day to be laid off. Are you over your peanut butter syndrome?

Yeah, sorry Joanne, forgot to address the comment to you. Glad you are feeling better.

Congratulations Laura on your soon to be sailor! I hope you and he both enjoy his new life.

Lisa, I hope you enjoy your son being home with you. I can't wait for Chris to get through the first round of school so he can come home. I envy you right now but I'll feel as happy come the end of April. ~ :-)

Laura, I got an email from a mom earlier today who says she believes her son is just homesick but he wants separation! He's talking trying to get an honorable discharge! He is still on hold waiting for classes and I suppose is more or less wandering around during the day. If you find a way to motivate please let me know so I can pass it on to her. Also any prayers for her and her son will be very much appreciated.

Hey Cheryl I just saw where you've joined us finally! So glad you were finally able to get it to work!
Judy, I've got one that's not as good as you not recognizing your Chris but it will get a laugh or two. It's actually a serious issue but I think it was a bit humorous.
On Monday I sent a box to DN with some clothes for my Chris. He had asked for jeans, running shorts, running shirts and polo shirts. I had found a deal at Wal-Mart the day before on Skittles candy. I got one of the large movie theater size boxes and thought I'd surprise Chris by putting them in the box with the clothes. I also stuck some more Ramen noodles in. Today he called and said the box was at the school but that he couldn't open it until he called home and found out the contents of the package. I started throught the list in my mind and as I called things out he began loudly repeating the list. I said one pair of jeans ( he repated it), two polo shirts (repeated), 2, no 3 running shirts, a box of Skittles, 3 pks of Maruchans, oh and 2 pairs of running shorts. He said anything else? I said, "Oh yeah an index card telling you I couldn't fit one running shirt in but I squished in at the last minute". He said, "What did you say about Skittles"? "I said, I sent a box." He said Oh and all of a sudden the line went dead. I'm thinking security does not like Skittles...or anything else that rattles when the box is moved.
It was a serious thing but I could just picture all these people looking at this box kind of passing it off to each other. "Here you open it", "No go ahead you open it". Then finding out they were afraid of Skittles. I'm really glad they are so cautious. It could have been a bad thing but at the same time...I couldn't help but laugh. Let this be a message to all moms don't send Skittles!!!

So true Cheryl about making the choice to know when to help and when to back away. Thank you for your kind words. My prayers are with you and Tyler both as always.

Judy, I'm still waiting to hear the end of the story as well! I'll let you knoe the conclusion when I hear it.
LOL, It's a wonder Your Chris does not have some real problems! All the drama of having to suffer with someone else's box! I hope the lunch was good! Was it Ninja Turtles by chance? My Chris would have pushed Mathew off a bridge for taking anything TMNT. He dreamed of being Donatello! Ooops! Don't tell him I said that publicly! He'd deny it and let you know in a hurry that all along he wanted to be Tommy the Green Power Ranger who became the white ranger after a few years! lol Gosh, it's been forever since I thought about all of that!

Good morning everyone. I'm so lucky that everyone enjoyed (though maybe tearfully) the prayer. It was sent to me a couple of weeks ago from a mom whose son's ship is very close to the Middle East area. I am constantly praying for his safety and for his family to have strength and comfort. I too cried (and still do) when I read it. Joanne, I'm sorry. I copied it as I got it, which was in the male gender but you change it to fit your needs and we will be praying for you daughter as well as all the other women who serve. Every prayer prayed is meant to help all.
Y'all have a good day!

Yes I do know Joanne. I am glad that you do bring back to mind for us that it's not only guys out there making the sacrifices but our lovely women as well. Thank you for the reminder!

Amen! And our sailors are lucky to have moms who not only support each other but care about them as is evident by all the comments. I feel the same as you, Ben's Gram, Christopher has so far not had any major problems (as long as I don't send Skittles) and other than a cold has been healthy since he began. I did worry while he was a bc because a few weeks into the summer last year he came down with strep throat and mono that put him on total bedrest for the biggest part of 6 weeks. I was so afraid the would have a recurrance while he was there. But he came out with an ear infection and chest cold which he went to medicals to have checked soon after he got to VA. He seems fine now.

Good morning Lea! Welcome aboard! How is your son doing in school? How are YOU doing?

Lori, I'm not sure that the Skittles was truely the problem but I don't think security was over excited to pick up a box that "rattled". I think it kind of "rattled" their nerves.

Judy, Lori just posted a comment on my page her son is at Dam Neck for MA also. Thought you might like to know. I told her that I was thinking that is what your Chris is there for.

Judy, Congrats on Chris starting his class, I'm sure he is glad to finally start. I have a question for you, at another site we've been "comparing personalities" of our "A" schoolers. Does your Chris happen to show a strong interest in swords? We are wondering if it's an occupation thing or a name thing. If he is interested what kinds does he prefer?

Judy, one of the other moms whose son is also named Chris was talking about calls home and I mentioned that my Chris would call if he went to the mall and found some sword he had seen last weekend that he wants. I said it would be my luck for it to be one of those big heavy Excaliber swords. She thought that was interesting since her son bought an Excaliber sword when he got an apartment off base. It seems so odd how they can share so many interests and characteristics when they have the same name. Kind of like TMNT lunch boxes! I was just wondering about your Chris as well. I know that in my son's ROTC the only ones who got swords were the platoon commanders, company commanders, and MA. I just wondered if that was a motivating factor in your Chris' choice of jobs.

I think ALL guys back then liked TMNT! Cowabunga dude was the password for everything. My Chris still loves Batman. Before he went to bc he wanted to see the last Batman release but couldn't find a date that evening so he came out while I was washing the car and said, "Mom will you go to see Batman with me tonight.? I'll pay for everything and drive." How could I pass up a date with my son? I don't think Chris is as into the sword fighting as he is into the swords themselves. He has a japanese Katana, and a mid weight 19th century sword, and an old Knights of Columbus sword. When we were at the Renaissance Festival last fall he wanted one of the very heavy broadblades but they were like $400 -$600 for a good one so he opted for the MUCH less expensive midweight sword. Now he feels he has a little money to burn he has found one that is "way cool". I suppose I will be hauling a sword home next weekend when I take his car to him. At least he is doing some things he enjoys.

Amen Kim! Chris would never admit it to anyone else but one year he picked the white ranger for his Christmas ornament. It still goes up on the tree every year.

LOL! I don't know what it is about the swords. Chris didn't need a sword when he was younger. His 3rd day at kindergarden didn't go so well. (he was a ninja turtle) During an outdoor recess he got mad at some other kid about twice his size and flying sissor kicked him off the bridge. I pulled him out of school and told him we would wait one more year to try it again. He thankfully gained a few appropriate social skills during that period. Well sure, HeMan was cool!! So were Wolverine and Storm (X-Men?).

Wow Rita, I wish Chris would get into something so small. The smallest he wants to get is an axe or a long dagger. I suppose I should be glad he does not collect dogs or cars.

Hmmm...I'm thinking (bad thing I know) maybe we should start another survey. How many moms named Mary have sons named Chris? LOL I don't know if any of us could count that high! Well so much for scientific surveys. Maybe we should just stick with sword play and super heroes!

LOL! I quite agree with you Judy. The swords do just quietly sit their own little corner of his closet for the time being. I have considered that while he is gone and I am laid off I should make him a nice display rack to hang on his wall. I just don't know how many to accomodate for. He will likely collect them faster than I can build display racks.

It's been fun moms but I've got to get a shower and be down the road in less than an hour. Catch you all later! It was bodacious dudettes!

Hey Bernadette! Of course light sabers count! That was Chris' second sword. I think that since his class started last week he's not had a lot of time to devote to thoughts of sword play. When I take his car to him next weekend though he does want to go back and look again at the one he found last weekend. I'm sure that by the time he finishes "C" school he will have added a couple to his collection.

Judy, if you do decide to go to Dam Neck to visit Chris sometime while he is at school, let me know and I can give you some info. I've got most of my end worked out to get my Chris' car to him this weekend so I've found out a few things.

Lea I do pray you get to make the trip to see your son. Have fun, it's a very interesting area. Patriot's Point has several old ships on display that you can tour and downtown historic Charleston is very worthy of a visit.

If you already have reservations then chances are you know as much as I. :) I got reservations at the NAVY Lodge for Saturday night. Check-in is at 3:00 and Chris will have to check us in. The pass and ID office at Oceana is closed on Saturday but is open on Sunday from 1:00-3:00pm so you can go over then to extend your pass if you need to. Chris will need to meet you at the Dam Neck gate and if it is Saturday then the guard at the gate can issue a 24-hour pass then you would have to get the extension on Sunday.
I also am sorry that I can't wait the extra week but since I'm taking Chris' car I need to do it this weekend or wait until the end of the month. He will have duty the Sunday that you are there and on Saturday the following weekend. He is tired of spending $4-6 everytime he and a few others want to go off base somewhere so he thinks it will be just as cheap in the end to have his car. Then he also does not have to wait until 5 other people want to go.
I am glad however that you are getting to make the trip to see your Chris. I'm sure it will be exciting for them to show off a bit of their "home". Turtle Power!

Judy, What I was told by the ?Fleet Family Services Rep? today is that I suppose you will need to call Chris when you are close to the base and he will have to walk to the Main Gate at Dam Neck, they will likely pull you over to the side while other trafic goes through. He will have to be your "escort" (just like GL) anytime you are out on the base. He will come to the gate and show his ID and the guard at the gate then will be authorized to give you a 24 hr pass for your vehicle.
When I was there before they needed my NCDL, my car registeration and proof of insurance. I do not know if like at GL everyone has to have ID or not. I did not think to ask. From what the guy at the NAVY Lodge told me yesterday is that if I am in my vehicle going on or off base I need my pass but I don't think Chris has to actually be inside the vehicle with me. I asked if once given a pass and checked in at the Lodge if I was more or less free to come and go and he said yes.
When we were there in Nov. everyone was very professional but very nice and helpful. It's a bit intimidating at first because you've got these guys standing there with rifles and your afraid of going into a sensitive area or doing the wrong thing. If you have any questions just ask the guards, they will let you know very quickly where you can and can't go without your sailor.
I know your Chris has been there longer than mine. Will he be a phase 3 by then? If so then he should be able to just stay with you for the weekend. I believe I read that they generally spend 3 weeks at phase 2.
I have always heard two big rules on ANY base. No cell phone use while driving (I don't know if that's for just the driver so I just say for all occupants) and obey all speed limit and traffic signs.

Gail congrats on that sailor!! I know you are proud. He will have a couple of days of processing at his school as well and "learning the ropes" there. He will have some time to kind of look around and get acquainted with the base if he's lucky. Best of luck to him, he's a step closer to doing what he wanted to do.

Judy, Oceana, NAS is the main base for the Dam Neck Annex. As we've talked before Dam Neck is small in population, pretty big by my way of thinking in terms of land, but some of the administrative stuff is appearantly done at Oceana. You shouldn't have to worry about going over there or if you do then you won't have to until Sunday when the Pass and ID office is open. Chris can (would have to) take you over there if you need to get your pass extended beyond what the guards at the gate are authorized to give to you. My Chris says that he heard from one of the Petty Officers that the guards should be able to do your extensions for you. You will only be issued a 24 hour pass at the gate. If you get your pass at 7:00pm on Friday evening you would need to get another pass on Saturday evening for another 24 hours. If you plan on being there early enough on Friday then he could take you to the Pass and ID office over at Oceana, Friday afternoon and you could just get a weekend pass and be done with it. Anytime the Pass and ID office is open you have to go there to get your pass. We had to just to be there a couple of hours. If the pass and ID office is closed (like later Friday night or Saturday), the guard at the Dam Neck base can issue a short-term (24 hr) pass.
Oceana is like 3 or 4 miles from the Dam Neck Main Gate. Easy to find. You just take Dam Neck Rd. back out till you get to General Booth and make a rt. on Gen. Booth. I believe it's about the second? light you will turn left and the pass and ID office is a small building on the rt, directly across from the NEX. I'm pretty sure your Chris has checked out the NEX at Oceana since it is much bigger than the one at Dam Neck. He won't have a problem finding it. The guard at the Dam Neck gate can tell you which rd to turn off of Gen Booth. Actually I can tell you after I go next weekend. I won't need to go to the office because I won't be there a full 24 hours but I'm going with Chris to the NEX over there so I can let you know.
If you have any questions, let me know and I'll try to find out while I'm there. You need anything taken to your Chris while I'm going?

Thanks Judy. i don't think the weather could be much colder or snowier (is that a word?) than GL a month ago! The weather will be fine whatever it does!!!

Anne I'm so sorry to hear about Jeremy's problems at P'cola it seems that it is a common thing at P'cola for classes to be backed up weeks or months. I can't imagine how it must be for all those guys and gals down there just waiting to class up. At least you know for the time being they are getting paid and they are safe.

Judy, I did not realize that Chris had classed up. That's great! I wish that Chris (mine) knew more of the MA's so he could introduce me to your son. I know one of the moms that I talk to at another page, her son is in my Chris' class, (his name is also Chris!) and my Chris does know him so I hope I do get to meet him this weekend and even told my Chris to invite Anna's Chris for dinner with us Saturday. Wow, did you keep up with the three Chrises? I'll give yours a squeeze for you if I can find out which one he is. I'll just run around the base yelling, all Christophers please report to the front and then I'll yell, ok who has the mom named Judy? Who has the mom named Anna? Who has a mom....? lol No, I won't embarass them all like that. ;) I will take a good look at his pic and see if I can spot him.

Lori, you can ditto that. I will attempt to find Jake as well. Does he have liberty to go off base yet? or have you heard that he will by weekend? I suppose I could try to collect them and take them out to the beach for pics. Surely the waves are not a threat to security.

Cowabunga Judy!! Sounds like a plan to me! What is OC'd?

I have heard the same thing about security clearances. If they have to have secret or top secret it can take a while and if they have to have one of the levels above top secret then it can take a long time to get clearances. I guess it's better than getting out in the field and find that you can't get assignments you want because you lack proper clearances.

Yeah I think I would be too Judy. I'm almost glad that Chris can't tell me about his training and job. I got your message, wrote down what I needed and deleted it. I'll be on the lookout!

Hi Toni! Welcome. Sorry I can't help you with your son's schooling but congratulations on having a sailor and that I suppose he is classed up? I don't know anything about ATT (FC) but I'm sure there are some moms here who do.

Judy, by now all the sailors at Dam Neck may know about TMNT. When I talked to Chris the other night I told him all that we had been talking about. He just took it in stride and said, "Yeah that's us boys". I may not have to look very far for your Chris or mine, they may be waiting to ambush me as soon as I drive on base!

LOL Judy, I could but the paint on "the galloping blue goose" is so dead it would take the paint right off, besides how many blue turtles are there? LOL Of course if I wanted your Chris to find me so I wouldn't have to look for him...Good idea though.

Judy, I'm not going to be able to leave until early morning Saturday and hope to get there soon after noon or at least by 1:00. Then I'm headed back around lunch time on Sunday. Fast trip but I get to see my dude and he will be happy to have his wheels.

Yes Lori, Jake is on my list too. I'm going to see if Chris will bring his laptop to the lodge just so I can double check pics. I can see me walking around the base with an open laptop looking at guys and saying could you smile a big smile just like you did after PIR? Of course that is more subtle than painting TMNT stuff all over the "galloping blue goose"! Cute Judy....