Anyone with Sailors/Soldiers/Marines in War Zones and Combat Areas

Yeloman....Congrats to your New Petty Officer!

Congratulations to your daughter yelomoon! Always great news for their accomplishments.

Congrats to the new Petty Officer 3rd Class!! and to mom!

My congrats too did not mean to be so serious in my answer yelomoon! Yes it is great to share the happy news. Photos were posted on FB today and I saw  my son getting his SCWS pin so it was wonderful to get a great photo- and a proud moment too!

Thank you everyone!!  And congrats to you too Julie, always nice to see a picture of our children!!!  I am going to go look at the pics.

I was so excited and asked how she was taking the good news. She was very humble. She has changed so much and all for the good. They and the few friends I have met and spoke to are just complete Ladies and Gentlemen. 

What is a SCWS pin?  I have so much to learn, I will never learn it all. lol, 

Hi Julie, which FB site are the pictures on? I'm pretty new to FB so I'm not quite sure where to go on it. Does the Navy have different FB sites according to different category's of where or whom your son or daughter is with? Did I make any with my question?

Jersey Susan, message me privately what unit your son is with and I'll see if I can find it on FB...can you tell I'm bored at work? 

Hah, I meant to say 'Did I make any "Sense" with my question?

Officially on his way Home!!!!   :)  We Love Him and Can't Wait to be With Him!!!

Congrats JerseySusan!

Jersey Susan...I'm getting weepy...lol  You beautiful pic brings back all the joy (and gratitude) of homecoming!  Hold him tight...then give him an extra hug from all his Navy Moms.

Thank You Soooo Much!!! I can't wait until I lay my eyes on his & hold him tight!! My M-in-L (90 years old), wanted to dance in her street last night. She's only 15 minutes from his base. Already is planning to make his favorite meal, spaghetti & meatballs, so its waiting for him when he walks through her doors tomorrow night!!! I have a welcome home yard sign to put on her yard. We have his truck packed up with his some of his possessions we were storing for him & ready to roll tomorrow morning!! I can't help it..... Can you tell how excited I am!!!!!

I will give you up-dates and keep Praying for all of your sons & daughters to stay safe & return home soon!!

So exciting!!! whooohooo!! yes, photos! of him and his grandma!! and lots of mom hugs from all of us!! congrats, JerseySusan!! 

Congraulations JerseySusan!!!   How exciting!!!  So happy for you!! 

Congratulations JerseySusan!  Hugs from all of us to all of you.

Looking for some guidance, my marine daughter will be deploying soon to the sandbox. Would like to know what its like over there now for security?.. Since they are drawing down and pulling out next year, I heard they are cutting back on things from meals in mess halls etc  This will be our 1st deployment for her and us. Would take any advice/suggestions you all would have. Also regarding communication with her, not sure if she is allowed to bring her cell phone, or a small laptop, ipad .. thoughts here too would be appreciated. Thanks !

pschumacher, welcome...like Julie says, we're the group no one wants to join. My son was in Iraq, I only know about Afghanistan from this board. I think as far as meals/mess halls go, it will be really where your daughter is stationed.. I do know that food is a big part of packages headed there. Find out as soon as possible what cooking facilities they have. Perhaps send an elec skillet and rice cooker or foreman grill...(things my son used when he was deployed..he was the "chef"). There will be some A deployment moms here shortly with a lot of advice...please check back often....bad days, good days...we'll be here. You are not alone....

pschumacher,  wow, no worries on me remembering that name. :)

There is only so much that can be said.

She will figure it out.

Then she will let you know what she needs. There is no way to plan ahead for a deployment. 

Is this her first?

sry pschumacher, I did not read your post entirely.

Im sry to say , I dont have info on marines,

my daughter is a seabee on a marine base.

depending on the providence, some wifi works better than others.

they like small things that fit in there pocket.

mints, chocolate, wisps, hand warmers, foot warmers, rubix cube

a locket with a pic,

sandbox toys for the children??

@Texasdocmom,

 our microstove was allowed to be used once or twice and then it was disposed, I dont know if you remember me posting about that or not.

Thanks everyone for the ideas and suggestions, great feedback, this site is wonderful. Thanks for your time !

Welcome, ladies!! not that anyone really wants to join this group...but we're here! Glad you're reading back over the posts...

BOOTS ON THE GROUND >>>>SAFE AND SOUND.......Thanks to all for the support and for all of us helping each other through  all of our journeys! You have all made the difference for me because I always felt the concern and caring every step of the way.

Julieb....Congrats!   Nothing feels better than when they are back in the good old USA! 

Julie, I know the Feeling, it's very overwhelming!! Our son has some leave time now that he will get to enjoy.

Congratulations Julieb!!  Enjoy!!  Come back and visit!!

Thanks everyone it feels so good wishing same for all of you too

@ Julieb I hope we all have the same happy as you.  

Happy Days are here again! and so good to know that there should probably be just a couple of more rotations! and we'll have moms with NO kids in Afghanistan! Here's to happy reunions and safe deployments...

Welcome, Kirsi.  I have a Corpsman in Afghanistan right now.  Thanks for your prayers, JerseySusan.  We have been praying hard this week as well.  Our son is based in Afghan Security house. Prayers as well for our new Pope.  TexasMom, I hope you are right - my son says they are being told Corpsmen will continue to rotate to Afghanistan until 2023.  Ugh

Tamma, it could happen...Independent Corpsmen would be perfect for this type of deployment. I'm assuming that Greenside Corpsmen will stop that rotation when the Marines leave. 

Kathy, big hug.  Our Corpsman went over the middle of December.  I send care packages all the time.  They receive food drops but, of course, no junk so I send cookies, chips, beef jerky, etc.  We are all here for you.  God Bless.

Kathy, my heart to you and all in those units deploying now...as soon as he gets there, find out if he has electricity etc...if so, send an small elec skillet, rice cooker, something to heat food...and send can soups, ramen noodles, anything that looks good in a can. My son was the "chef"...he wanted seasonings and salsa...

Hi My son is a Corpsman PMT at CL and will be deploying in June. Anyone else with a PMT (Preventative Medical Tech).  I am glad I found this group and all the great ideas of things to send.

Welcome, Vipergirl....we're here whenever you need us!

I feel for the Corpsman. I just started watching Combat Rescue on T.V.

What a job they do.   I am proud of those who walk that walk and I wish I could thank them more.

Yelomoon, my son is a Corpsman presently in Afghanistan.  Not sure I should watch but what station is Combat Rescue on?  I have the Marines and their families in my prayers that lost their lives in Nevada.  My son was just there this past fall with his Marine team he is stationed with right now. 

Hi LoriLAB, sent you invite with my emails. 

My son did his FMTB training at Camp Pendleton after C school. He loved CA and being able to be greenside. He wanted 29 Palms but I am happy he is where he is at. Currently at Camp Lejeune he tests water, sprays for bugs and does other inspections, which I am sure are similiar to your son's. I appreciate the offer to send care packages once he deploys. He said he will get an APO number and once I have it I will pass it on to you.  Thank you.

Inside Combat Rescue is a mini series on National geographic  and it is actual footage of a para trooper squad  (PJ's) from the Air force. It is intense and really shows the hard work that these guys do out in Afghan to provide critical care to the wounded.  there is one episode left  it has been airing on Mondays at 10 pm in the north east.  

Thanks TexasDocMom

I am sure I will be reaching out for support once he deploys, I appreciate having the support of the group members during this time.  

Excellent description julieb. It is intense but I find it very interesting and humbling. It makes me realize how special each and every military person is in their own way. My heart goes out to all of them and I too are sending prayers to our lost ones in Nevada.