Camp Pendleton Corpsmen Moms

An alert from U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command came across facebook 2 hours ago. They are pleading with all not to give out any information on Battlestations - i.e. dates and times. From the way it is worded, it may also mean all tests in addition to Battlestations. I would cut and paste it here, but I can only get Facebook on my home computer and I'm at work right now (where I can't get it.). If you have a Facebook account and have "liked" U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command, please take a look at it. Maybe one of the other Members can paste what they have asked into a comment box here.

Morning Pam, Thanks for the information, I will try to accomplish it.

Thanks Judy - P-Bear's Mom - I'd take some of those yummy sounding cookies also.

hi all, just wanted to say that my bf is now offically at camp pendleton. he is on hold there till his training starts in jan. i will be on here much more often now checking in with everyone. i had an amazing time with him during his leave. saying i will see you soon is always hard. but i am super excited about moving there in about a month. i cant wait to be with him!!

Ruth - exciting times ahead for your cub. It sounds like he's going to have an exciting year ahead of him. Sometimes change is good!!

jesspoo05 - Wow - I remember when you first joined the A school group! It's crazy how fast time flies for all of us. J is currently in FMTB. They keep them very busy, with little sleep. He's warned me there are going to be times when he has no communication with us. He says though it has it's moments!

P-Bear's Mom - our PIR group went back and forth also abotu Battlestations, but for the most part it was when most got the "I'm a Sailor" call. I've seen some that literally post the dates and times. Yikes. I'm trying really hard to be careful what I say, which is hard because I like to talk!! So, if I slip up, please feel free to "yell" at me! The safety of all our Sailors is the only thing that matters.

Have a great Friday everyone!

Good TGIF, I've been out of commission this week back & forth to the hospital. But I have been in contact with T and he text "No sleep & pretty stressful with a lot of physical fatigue".And he personalized a text "I'm really sorry I didn't realize how much you do for me earlier in life. I promise to start making it up to you from this moment forward". Talk about maturing in the navy...wow!! Joining the navy has done wonders for my cub...He has now become the "Knight in shining armor" I always knew he could be and I look forward to watching his life unfold into great things...

Jess, Sooo Happy that you and your sailor got the time to spend together before he goes off to CP. Have you found a place to live?! I have a friend who son is a navy seal and he just left for deployment and he rented a room in a house with some really nice young adults; They asked my cub if he needed a place to live in SD that he always had a place with them, so if you wanted to rent with them let me know I could hook You up ( as the kids say)!!

Ruth, I love to hear about your cub, he is a wonderment in my eyes...a true officer in the making!!

thanks all!
judy/pam - i am looking at 2 apts in Fallbrook. they are only about 20 mins from where he is on the base. he should have his car there soon so it won't be to bad. and this way it is about a hour away from 2 locations that i could transfer my work to. i hesitate to rent with others. even though i would love to try and save money. maybe if i got to know them first there is always an option of moving later. i have lived alone now for about 2 years and have a fully funished apt. so condensing isnt what i really wanted to do that much or pay for storage. plus we will be getting married in the kinda near future and dont want to sell my stuff just to replenish it again shortly there after. and you said it was in SD? it would be nice to be close to work but i would rather be closer to him. thanks though! i really appreciate it!! i will let you know if my plans change though! thanks!

oh and i was going to ask, does any one know if they get liberty on the weekends during FMTB? i think i herd that they do but i wanted to see. it would be really really great if they did at least some of the time!!

Jess, Yes. There is liberty upon phase 4. T had test 2 this week; so now he gets weekend liberty at fmtb.

judy- thanks! and congrats to T! i was reading up on it on the page. there is a lot of info in those 514 pages! just a little bit of a bummer that they have to stay with their buddy the enitre time..... oh well some time with him and his friends is way better then none...

J said he'll call tomorrow. He and a few buddies went to SD for the day. Sounded like they were having fun. He said he's shown his sister's pic to buddies--then he said the guys there are great but he's going to keep them away from her!! He's proud of his only sis; warms a mother's heart. Can't wait to hear about his week~

Liberty Buddies are so funny! We had a wedding to go to at the end of June right outside of Chicago and since J had just started A School, his buddy got taken along. To a very long Catholic wedding no less! As it turns out, the Buddy was also from Georgia, about twenty miles from where we live! They even had the same flight home from A School. Very small world sometimes! But, now J is in San Diego and his liberty buddy is in TX for Surg. Tech.

We talked to J earlier and he was in San Diego for the day also. He actually got a little upset because we're having a Georgia/Florida football game party!! I guess he thought we weren't going to have any fun since he wasn't here! LOL. I tried to explain to him before he left for bootcamp, that he was going to be the one to change. Everything pretty much stays the same at home.

Since most of the Corpsman will be staying at Camp P for Thanksgiving, do you think the Navy will put on a traditional dinner? I know J has duty that day. Just wondering.

Happy Halloween!

Good Morning Happy Sunday! Well T has duty Thanksgiving weekend. I'm sure the navy will serve Thanksgiving Dinner, probably on Thursday. Looks like most of all the Corpsman went into San Diego this weekend; I think they needed to destress for awhile!!

Ruth, I am getting that information on the room for rent with those really nice young adults in San Diego. My friend Rick has been out of town so I'm trying to reach him via Facebook.

Thanks! This will be our first holiday without J home. Feeling the sadness in the pit of my stomach. I know it's perfectly normal, but darn, do they have to grow up so fast?

J got his box. He told me not to send anymore brownies because he gets attacked whenever he gets a box from home! LOL - ALL of the guys he went to A School know what's in his boxes!! So, yes they can get packages, but they may need more than normal to share!

Thanks Ruth. He'll be able to spend Christmas at home, but then he's off to Italy for two years. I'm so excited for him but I still miss him like mad. He called yesterday and was at the laundromat with two other guys. One of his shipmates from TN has his vehicle and they made an afternoon of doing all of their laundry at once. For some reason that strikes me as funny! I can only imagine three young Sailors in a laundromat! I bet that place will never be the same!! He seemed in a pretty good mood and did say that he has Phase IV liberty now. No more late night musters. Just early mornings. I had to laugh because he said it is COLD standing outside doing muster.

Happy Monday Everybody, I hope everybody enjoyed their weekend and have heard from their Corpsman. Looks like they had test 2 on Friday. I hope All Corpsman past!! HoooRahhh!!

Great Post Election Day to Everybody!! I to have been off the radar the past couple days; been setting up for the election polls on Monday. I worked the polls All day Tuesday for the Red Cross, we work for free and the Red Cross gets the well deserved monies!! I hope everyone got out to Vote in their precincts/parishes this voting period?!

Chief, that was a good score, but the next test is Grueling!! T said they got their issued rifles this week and that having field duty the next couple days will make it that much harder to to get his last score of 94 and anybody who doesn't pass test 3 will not have liberty(keeping fingers crossed, and toes and pray real hard) that All Corpsman excel this week!!

Jacqueline, You let your cub know that we are so Proud of his success & Accomplishments...Please keep posting as I use all you Moms success stories when talking to T and giving him inspiration!!

Carol, Please let C know that we appreciate his contribution to his fellow Corpsman...Thanks a Million!!

Wow - SARC is something to proud of! I just read up a little myself on that since I didn't know what it was. J said they were headed to the field sometime this week and he was soo looking forward to it. He sent me a picture of his "bag" all ready. All I can say is I'm glad that's not on my back.

Although my husband was in the Army when we were first married (he got out when J was only 3 months old) this is all new to our son. He's seen my husband's old uniforms and whatnot, but for some reason I don't think my husband ever brought up specific things he went through. He spent a year in Korea and has talked about that, but not too much on uniforms and going to the field. Men just don't like to talk like us women!

Jacqueline - Good luck to your son! Another chapter has started for him and I'm sure you can't wait to see the next page turn!!

OMG, Our cubs are sweltering in this heat...It's in the High Ninety's today in California!! I too am hoping for good news about the test this week. My cub through a chit in and it will be approved unless he doesn't pass this test..Yuck!!

It's good to know that our cubs survived last weeks test; I'm stressing, and then I pray that our cubs can get use to carrying that large load on their backs!!

Ruth, Rick has been out of town. I was told by my husband that he went to Hawaii and then went out of town on business; I will have him contacted, tracked down and corner him for that information for you're son; I sure would like that situation come together!!

Oh my goodness!! I love it!

Linda - it's a good thing he gets to "practice" before heading to FMTB! My son is currently going through FMTB.

Thirty hours in a car would be cause for some serious soul searching!! We drove to PIR and it took us fourteen hours with one of J's friends, my other two kids and husband. Boy, we got to know one another pretty darn good!! J can't wait to get done with FMTB and start working at a clinic or hospital. He loves his job. There are also transport services out there to ship the car home. J said the Navy would ship his car, but for them it takes about six weeks. He could always check into that. I miss my daily texts from him!

He is in the current class that just started three weeks ago. J so wishes he had his car since the base is huge, but he's only there long enough for the training. With your son being on hold until the next class starts up in January, it's probably a good idea he has his vehicle! I'm sure it will all fall into place, but if he's going to have it transported home, he might want to check into that before he starts training. Last weekend J told me that one of the guys has his Maxima there and J and a couple of other guys were going to take a cab home, but they "talked" them into piling into the back seat. Lord the pictures! But, you know, they had so much fun that they didn't even care that two guys were sitting in each others lap!! LOL.

Yay for Friday!!! I'm really hoping we get a call or text this weekend. I guess I better get used to not hearing from him part. Hard, because we both like to talk! The last call I got was last Sunday when he was doing his laundry.

Linda - an 86 average is pretty darn good in A School. When I went to the graduation in September, they had the Honor Graduates stand up (90 and higher). Out of over 50 Sailors, there were only 9 that scored a 90 or higher. J's average was an 87 or 88 and he never had problems with tests growing up. They get into their groove and come to the understanding that this is their career and it makes all the difference.

Well Linda and JLC, my son is supposed to graduate A School first week of Dec then is grad n go to CP where he will work in the hospital until he starts FMTB in Jan. L&D huh? Wow I have been a OB nurse for 23 years working postpartum and nursery, have been to more births than I can count but it is still a miracle every time. My kids have all visited me and always threatened to bring my daughter there to experience the sights and sounds but she never took me up on it lol. Hope all sailors did well and that you all hear from them soon, that was the best part of A school is talking with my son again.

Chieff88 - take it easy on the back this weekend! No more bulb planting!

The best birth control for my boys was having a baby when J was 16!! Ha, ha, ha! His little sister then had colic so that pretty much sealed the deal on his having kids anytime soon!!

We got a call!! He survived and in his own words, he smells like a cows butt, but it was a good experience! Hope everyone else hears from their Corpsman!

That is terrific news Pam!! Not that he smells like a cow but cause he survived.Oohrah!!

I got a short text saying "I have to clean my gear, I will call later"...I'm still waiting to hear ;)

Great story Chief88.

I also had a "navy" story yesterday! We had a new attorney start in my firm and he seen Jamie's bootcamp picture on my desk and asked if it was my husband!! Ha, ha,,,,I told him no it was my oldest son. He was also in the Navy, worked on a sub, and paid for law school with the help of the GI bill. He also had a friend from bootcamp that was a corpsman that later became a doctor. Wow!!

P-Bear's Mom - Isn't it great when they just want to talk. When J called last night, he talked for about an hour. My husband couldn't understand why he called home before he even took a shower!!

Oh - and I had to ask him... Did you have to dig a hole to go to the bathroom!! Ha, ha. They actually travel with port-a-pottys. No showers, just baby wipes. And they slept out in the open. No tents. Sounds like it was right up Jamie's alley!!

Carol, I spoke to T also this morning, I'm so happy he came through it!! I prayed every hour they were exposed to those extreme elements; and the planning for the 4 day "Veteran's Day" when he will grace us with his presence to pick up his car, it has been setting for 7 months and needed a good oil change and a wash!! Were still hoping that he will get his chit approved; his test score for Monday will tell...

Chief & Pam, What amazing stories!! I'm so happy that you were able to appreciate your "Proud Mom Moments". When I was working the polls this week there was the Red Cross Inspector, and he has a son/corpsman just deployed last week!! Amazing!!

CMMom, My cub was in the first group who had to dive in the muddy water; only to wear it all day. lol

Glad to hear everyone is getting calls! J is studying hard today for the next test. I could literally sit and listen to him talk for hours!! Except when the person comes over the intercom in the barracks and J starts getting ticked because he can't talk. LOL - I keep telling him temper, temper. He did something in the field that made me so proud. Apparently one of the other guys did something wrong and they (in J's words) got beat. J actually stood up for him. It's a team effort no matter what he told his Platoon and stood by the guy. He's grown up so much.

I know T said that the water that heated up their food sent off the the most nasty smell. lol T was one of those Corpsman that got chewed out something about a gas mask not sealed correctly; he said it was his turn to get chewed out and didn't take it personally. If it were me I would have fell apart right there and sobbed. lol

Chief, did you send your cub his box with the Military boxes?! If not you order them from the USPS, they come by mail to you they send you 2lg 2med 2sm and they are a flat rate military forms are required. That is really nice for that sailor to respond to your kindness...I'm happy it made your day, everybody needs to feel special on both ends!!

Try this Chief88 -
Go to MY PAGE at the top
Your profile picture has a little 'CHANGE PHOTO" at the bottom of the picture.
Hit the browse button and find your new photo. Sometimes it's easier to save the new picture to your desktop to find it easy without having to go to a folder.
After you select the photo, hit save at the bottom of the page. It may take a minute depending on speed of internet and computer.

Hope this helps! J called again last night. Short week next week because of the holiday but then they're going camping again for a little longer.

Ladies- I'm in a panic! I can't find where I put J's address! Would you please point me in the right direction again?! I have been so scatter-brained lately :(

Hi Becky, Here you go Class 2011010
Platoon#? FTMB
Box 555243
Camp Pendelton , CA 92055

Thank you, everyone! I can breathe easier now. Funny how I panic when I don't have communication with him! We did have a 35 min. phone call yesterday. He really seems to be loving it!

Once they graduate FMTB are they free to go and does their leave start right then. I know it may depend on their orders. I'd like to have J schedule his flight if he can so that he doesn't get stuck with a $400 one way ticket like he did after A School grad.

Thanks Jacqueline! He should be on leave from grad until Dec. 26 when he's scheduled to start heading to Italy. I'll let him know. After A school grad was crazy. They let him know at Friday morning muster he was officially on leave. Same day ticket to come home was very expensive.

Jacquline, Thank You for that wish...because here on the Central Coast that is what got...the cold clear blue skies. lol

Hey All, We got 4/ 90's in a row as of today on test. Yahoo!! Keeping fingers crossed for that chit to come in...looking forward to a 4 day weekend.

I just heard from J - he passed the latest test but said it was very hard. I asked him yesterday if he was tired of studying. That's all he has done for 7 months!

T asked me to Pray before every test...so God has his back...and I do every hour on the hour before the test and after. I just ask for God to give T clarity to remember which answer goes to each question....and God is happy too!!

Everyone have a Great day!!

I had my Ziggy 8month old sterilized yesterday, so it will be Mom(me) nursing him back to health today!! He is such a loving pup...

It must be working Judy!! T has done very well on his tests! I'm not sure what J's score was. He just sent me a quick text to say he passed and it was hard. Take care of that little puppy....

It was cold here in Atlanta the last couple days, but today sunny and mid-70s. I love the Falls here. I'm trying to get into the work groove since I'm off on Mondays, today is the start of my week.

Yes, they took test #4 on Monday. Ziggy is a "Red Nose Terrier Pit", my then 19yr.old daughter replaced a "going nowhere boyfriend", with Ziggy and than pawned him on me when she started getting her life together by securing 2 part jobs.

Just for the record, T is always in competition with himself when it comes to test taking; this last test #4 he had mandatory study class the night before. Around 8pm he called me and said "Mom please pray for me that I just pass this test", because it is going to be "real hard"!! They all had to get up real early for a issue of some gear then at 6am had to take the test...God love these Corpsman!!

Does anybody know the address for the "sandbox"?! While waiting for Ziggy in surgery yesterday, I bought care pkges. for 20. I would like to get them off so they arrive before Christmas.

Jacqueline, Thank You for the referral. I will contact Molly's adopt a Sailor group. Gosh 55lbs on K's back and he had to run with it!! Well coming in 2nd is something to be very proud of...for sure!!

Jacqueline, Still coming in 2nd means he gave it extra effort and for that he should be noticed and You have a right to be proud and to share your Glee!!

I wish I could sew...when I was young my parents sent my sisters and I for private sewing lessons and the woman unbeknown to anyone was an alcoholic and was going through a divorce so needless to say I didn't learn very much and she left a bad taste in my mouth for it...to bad because later in life I tried again to learn, but always got really bad headaches. But I do up really nice present wrapping so I think I will stick to what I do best. lol

My number one enemy is a sewing machine! My Mom loved to sew and tried so hard to teach me and for someone with a lot of patience, well, she lost it with me!! Wouldn't let me go near her sewing machine again. EVER!! I just never had the talent I guess! My oldest sister sews and crochets and all that fun stuff. At least they aren't alcoholics though!

Chief88 - Wow you are wonderful. I'm sure you have put smiles on many faces.