Hi Nathalie, I've been able to text and Skype with my son. We have gotten cut off but have been able to call again. It gets hard to communicate with my son at times due to his schedule as an MA and our time difference (10 hours). I've had to learn to be patient which is very difficult at times but the communication does come. I hope you hear from your brother soon.
Hi Fellow mom's. Just got word from my son he will be shipping to Bahrain after A school as an MA in San Antonio. I'm freaking out. How are other mom's doing?
Hi Karen93, I understand I how you feel. My son is an MA and had been there for 4 months. The hardest part was when he first got there and it took time before we heard from him. But once he settled in we have been able to text on a regular basis and now we skype at least once a week. It's a pretty safe place so no need to worry, he'll be fine, it's just hot.
My son will be arriving in Bahrain in November. My dr has been there and she loved it. However she wasn't military. I am concerned. Determined not to let my son know how concerned I am. I am sure that I will be holding my breath until he comes home like most mom's. This is what they do. I am glad that it is not like 30 yrs ago when it would be months before we would hear from them.
Hi Bahrain Moms. My son has been in the Navy for a couple of years now. He is going to Bahrain in a couple of weeks. We both did a lot of research; me online for hours and days, and he talking to all the other sailors who have already been there and back. They all said it was a great opportunity, not scary, good communications to home, and if you can tolerate (survive) the heat, there are some interesting things to do and see if you get any leave while there. I was super worried at first but feel a bit more at ease now. We should know soon enough after those first few calls home. Good luck to your men and women and let's compare notes once they're there! Kim
Thanks Sinda and ImSevenUP for your input as well. I guess we are all in the same boat. I'm curious how long they stay there for. My son is just out of boot camp. He said his orders could last for 2-3 years at one base. Also, he mentioned there are special airfare programs for military family members that will help us visit him. Has anyone heard of this before?.
My daughter just left for Bahrain yesterday... It's tough when they leave. This is her first deployment. She was told it is for 2 years, she is MA also. No need to freak out from what I understand, it is safe area. From what I've been told, they all love it there aside from the heat.
Hi Everyone! I am brand new to this group. My son just finished his 1 1/2 year training a few weeks ago and just received his first orders, to Bahrain. He just joined his new squadron and will be heading to Bahrain in January or February.
Hi Everyone, I'm new to this group. My son has been there one month now, and is getting the hang of things will be moving into his apartment in a week. He's liking all the state restaurants on American Alley. Will be there for one year.
Hi Mimi, I understand! Though it is generally safe, the whole situation in the Middle East worries me greatly. I have a daughter there, and the experience for women is different from the men. They have to be a lot more careful out in the city, and since they have to live off base they can't avoid the local population. She says it is better for the men in general. She has also said she can get anything she needs at the base or local stores, and Amazon will ship to the military addresses. So that's a small comfort. Communication is good but delayed because of time difference, but for us we don't hear much because they have her working 12 hr. shifts every day.
New Navy Mom here!!!! My son loves the Navy he enjoyed Boot Camp and is almost finished with A-school. He just received his orders and will be home for Thanksgiving but be in Bahrain in December for 2 years. Of course I panicked when he told me but I have gotten a lot of reassurance from several other sailors that have been there and love it .
Good morning to All!! It's been a while since I do not communicate...I'll tell you that my son will be leaving Bahrain this December, thanks to God...He liked since the 1st day, he even asked to be sent there, it was for a year, then he asked for another, of course I was worried, Still...He says that the people he has met outside base are very nice, humble and friendly...he always says to me, "not to worry" even tough, counting the days he'll be back....Have a nice day All!!
My son just received soft orders for Bahrain. I have to say I am sick to my stomach. He is still in MA school. He has heard some things that have me worried. We are trying to be positive.
I must admit when my son first told me where he was going I got sick to my stomach also. He was nervous I could hear in his voice. I mediately got on the phone with several people that I know that have been in the Navy for many years and they said nothing but positive things about the area. Each one of them reassured me that it was a place many sailors want to go
I understand. While it is generally peaceful there (with some exceptions), the whole situation in the Middle East looks grim right now. Our daughter just got there and will be staying until late 2017. It has taken her a couple of months to adapt to the living situation there. But really, we keep hearing that it is a lot better for men living there. They don't have to deal with the cultural issues as much as women. Her worst thing is the safety issue, which is not a problem for the men. She has to watch how she dresses, where she goes, etc. One thing that has me worried is that she has to work night shifts - they have her living off base and traveling to work in the middle of the night. But again, this sort of thing is the main worry and the men don't really have to deal with those issues. Other than that, it does not seem like such a bad place - so long as the peace holds out there.
My daughter was allowed to choose where she wanted to go, but Bahrain was on a short list of destinations. She went ahead with it though she really didn't know what to expect. Overall she says it isn't bad but they are shorthanded in her area and that makes her hours long. It is probably different based on what the job is.
My son, who is in the reserves, is being mobilized and is headed to Bahrain during the first part of 2016. He will at the air base on the south end of the island. What of the living accommodations there? I saw one video showing canvas Quonset huts, but he showed me a web site showing metal buildings with two bunks, two closets and a small refrig.
First he is going to Norfolk for a few days and then a month in Fort Jackson for additional training. Last weekend he went to San Antonio for a meeting about it. There were about 50 reservists there and most were MA's like my son. The average rank present was E5. (He is an E4).
Any information about conditions, accommodations, meals and anything else about life at the ISA Air Base will be much appreciated by him and me .
Hi B&E,
My son has been there for a few months now and he really likes it. Those pics you found on the Internet are old, his accommodations aren't bad he says. Everyone is really nice there and he is pleasantly surprised that he's enjoying his time there. He can take a 1 hour bus ride to the other (nicer) base which has much more to offer as far as things to do, places to eat, etc. he's been doing a lot of working out and watching movies. He misses home of course but he's enjoying his time there. He will be there for another 10 months and is re I listed while there as well. Try not to worry.
Oh and communications are good, he purchased a phone plan and is able to message home and FaceTime every day...no calls tho, too expensive...but FaceTime is good for both audio and video calling.
Hi Patrick's Mom, my son Adrian is with your son in the Riverine Group leaving tonight to Bahrain. My heart is sitting in my throat knowing this us it! Any updates I get I will forward on to you and please do the same. Keeping good thoughts and love for our sons
Hi. My son left from Norfolk to Bahrain on Tuesday night. Still haven't heard from him. I know it is a 2 day trip, and his phone will not work (has to purchase a new one once on base). However, I was wondering when other mom's got word... how long did it take until you heard they arrived safe.
Hi Karen. My son just came back stateside but when he left Norfolk it was a good week before I heard from him. I added international service to his cell phone so he was able to text when he got there. He did have to buy a local phone but only had to put s small calling plan on it.
Hi Karen, My daughter got an app for her phone called Viber that allows her to text from overseas. She was able to text us when she had layovers and when she finally got there - but the whole thing did take 2 days and she was exhausted when she arrived. We got a brief text saying she got in but then did not hear from her for almost a week. She caught up on sleep and was going through the initial orientation and training. Plus if your son has to live off base, he will have to spend time looking for an apartment. My daughter said she had to show proof that she looked at 6 apartments a week until she found something. So that is a time consuming process too.
My son just arrived in Bahrain a few weeks ago and we found that Face Book Messenger is free so texting can be done with no charge with any WI-FI connection.
My son left then also. I heard from him at every stop...Spain, Italy, Greece then Bahrain was about midnight Michigan time last night. He called today and said that he had to get a phone there for work. Apparently that phone doesn't connect to our cell phone because we need to have it set to receive international calls. We had set up an app on both our phones before he left so we could talk by WiFi. I hope that it helps knowing the plane arrived safely. My sailor is in a smaller unit, he has already met 2 of the guys he will be working with and they are going out Sat night on the town.
My son called this afternoon through Facebook. It was a little choppy but he said he is exhausted from travels and trying to catch up on sleep. He said the base is nice but that's all I got. I'm sure they need time to acclamate. Don't I sound the like the voice of reason! I'll be freaking out around 2 this morning like last night!
My daughter says the base is very nice. Good food and good shopping. At first they stay in a hotel while they go through orientation. The hotels are nice but it is an immediate introduction into the Muslim world - which is a much easier place for men to blend into.
My son is an E4 and is room in the barracks was empty / dirty waiting for him. One of the guys he works with is going to put in for him to have a place off base. At his last base he only had to share a bathroom. The barracks where he is has 2 beds. He did find lots of change there! Which he is going to end up spending to clean the room.
My son had his orders changed. Instead of going to Fort Jackson for a month, he will be going to Fort Bliss for additional training. That makes sense to me, because of a desert type of terrain. If he gets a weekend off during that time, Fort Bliss is just within one day of driving range from Austin where we could drive to Fort Bliss for a visit.
Do our sailors fly commercial to Bahrain? Being as he will be stationed at the IS Air base will he fly in there? He flies commercial when he has gone to Korea the past three summers.
My daughter flew from Dallas to Norfolk on a commercial airlines, then waited there for a military flight to Bahrain. She was in Norfolk for about a week before her flight left.
Irene my son left Saturday from his base in the U.S. & arrived in Bahrain 26 hours later - wow your daughter waited a long time!! I think they stopped at Norfolk first.
Samson - on the base where my son stays which is the other smaller base- the Bahraini Royal Air Force base- he lives in a storage pod!!! Hahaha. No bathroom. I'm serious. But he gets it all to himself. It has a cot looking bed from what I can see.
The CPO in charge of security in Bahrain called my son today, from Bahrain, and told him a few things: 3 days of 12 hour shifts then 2 days off followed by 2 days on and three days off (at least that what he thinks the CPO said. The phone reception was very bad.), plus not to pack too much that in Norfolk he will get new uniforms (avocados?) . The CPO said he needs a no-fee passport, whereas at the meeting he went to in San Antonio they told him he did not need it. That was nice of the CPO to call him from Bahrain and tell him a few things.
Just got word from my daighter that she got orders to Bahrain. I am so scared fir her to go there. Can anyone set my mind at ease that she will be safe? I know they fon't like us over there plus she is frmale.
My daughter is in Bahrain and has been for a couple of months. It appears to be pretty safe over there. Mine hasn't had any issues with safety. The heat was something to get used to and being that far from home but other than that, it's pretty good. With Skype you can talk to her pretty often, depending on what her job is.
Proud mom I was so nervous I cried hysterically. Especially because of his job - plus he's on the crappy Bahrain Air Force base & even they don't like the Anericans!! Hahaha. ( as opposed to the Navy base everyone on here seems to have kids on ) Anyway, he is fine! No problems. His whole aircrew had the day off & went to a VERY rich area of the country & enjoyed a nice dinner in a very fancy hotel that was shaped like the letter 'H'. He goes into town with his friends on occasion & even volunteered at the Bahrain animal humane society. I hope this helps. I feel he is safe there- even when they have their annual riots ( or is it every 3 years?? It's a planned riot ). Security is awesome at his base, too. I just get nervous when he leaves to do his job :-(. He goes for 5 month deployments & this is his 3rd time there.
FloridaMom
Hi All - New to this group. Thanks for being here!
Aug 24, 2015
lawlady1963
Hi everyone, I'm new here. I just found out my son will be going to Bahrain after A school. I'm reading and learning! and trying not to be nervous!
Sep 1, 2015
BabyJ2015
Sep 5, 2015
Karen93
Hi Fellow mom's. Just got word from my son he will be shipping to Bahrain after A school as an MA in San Antonio. I'm freaking out. How are other mom's doing?
Sep 15, 2015
Karen93
What is the danger level for MA is this area? Please tell me I'm over reacting. Scarred silly!
Sep 15, 2015
BabyJ2015
Sep 15, 2015
Samson
My son will be arriving in Bahrain in November. My dr has been there and she loved it. However she wasn't military. I am concerned. Determined not to let my son know how concerned I am. I am sure that I will be holding my breath until he comes home like most mom's. This is what they do. I am glad that it is not like 30 yrs ago when it would be months before we would hear from them.
Sep 15, 2015
ImSevenUp
Sep 15, 2015
Karen93
Thanks BabyJ2015... Its good to hear from another MA mom in Bahrains.
Sep 16, 2015
Karen93
Thanks Sinda and ImSevenUP for your input as well. I guess we are all in the same boat. I'm curious how long they stay there for. My son is just out of boot camp. He said his orders could last for 2-3 years at one base. Also, he mentioned there are special airfare programs for military family members that will help us visit him. Has anyone heard of this before?.
Sep 16, 2015
cjbmom
My daughter just left for Bahrain yesterday... It's tough when they leave. This is her first deployment. She was told it is for 2 years, she is MA also. No need to freak out from what I understand, it is safe area. From what I've been told, they all love it there aside from the heat.
Sep 16, 2015
Samson
Sep 16, 2015
A's Mom
Oct 3, 2015
PROUD MoM of William aka(Smiles)
Hi Everyone, I'm new to this group. My son has been there one month now, and is getting the hang of things will be moving into his apartment in a week. He's liking all the state restaurants on American Alley. Will be there for one year.
Oct 10, 2015
Mimi
Oct 24, 2015
Irene
Hi Mimi, I understand! Though it is generally safe, the whole situation in the Middle East worries me greatly. I have a daughter there, and the experience for women is different from the men. They have to be a lot more careful out in the city, and since they have to live off base they can't avoid the local population. She says it is better for the men in general. She has also said she can get anything she needs at the base or local stores, and Amazon will ship to the military addresses. So that's a small comfort. Communication is good but delayed because of time difference, but for us we don't hear much because they have her working 12 hr. shifts every day.
Oct 25, 2015
Violet
Oct 30, 2015
mother always
Good morning to All!! It's been a while since I do not communicate...I'll tell you that my son will be leaving Bahrain this December, thanks to God...He liked since the 1st day, he even asked to be sent there, it was for a year, then he asked for another, of course I was worried, Still...He says that the people he has met outside base are very nice, humble and friendly...he always says to me, "not to worry" even tough, counting the days he'll be back....Have a nice day All!!
Oct 31, 2015
guysmom
My son just received soft orders for Bahrain. I have to say I am sick to my stomach. He is still in MA school. He has heard some things that have me worried. We are trying to be positive.
Nov 9, 2015
Violet
Nov 9, 2015
Irene
I understand. While it is generally peaceful there (with some exceptions), the whole situation in the Middle East looks grim right now. Our daughter just got there and will be staying until late 2017. It has taken her a couple of months to adapt to the living situation there. But really, we keep hearing that it is a lot better for men living there. They don't have to deal with the cultural issues as much as women. Her worst thing is the safety issue, which is not a problem for the men. She has to watch how she dresses, where she goes, etc. One thing that has me worried is that she has to work night shifts - they have her living off base and traveling to work in the middle of the night. But again, this sort of thing is the main worry and the men don't really have to deal with those issues. Other than that, it does not seem like such a bad place - so long as the peace holds out there.
Nov 9, 2015
Violet
Nov 9, 2015
Irene
My daughter was allowed to choose where she wanted to go, but Bahrain was on a short list of destinations. She went ahead with it though she really didn't know what to expect. Overall she says it isn't bad but they are shorthanded in her area and that makes her hours long. It is probably different based on what the job is.
Nov 9, 2015
Patrick's Mom
Nov 10, 2015
B&E
My son, who is in the reserves, is being mobilized and is headed to Bahrain during the first part of 2016. He will at the air base on the south end of the island. What of the living accommodations there? I saw one video showing canvas Quonset huts, but he showed me a web site showing metal buildings with two bunks, two closets and a small refrig.
First he is going to Norfolk for a few days and then a month in Fort Jackson for additional training. Last weekend he went to San Antonio for a meeting about it. There were about 50 reservists there and most were MA's like my son. The average rank present was E5. (He is an E4).
Any information about conditions, accommodations, meals and anything else about life at the ISA Air Base will be much appreciated by him and me .
Nov 10, 2015
ImSevenUp
My son has been there for a few months now and he really likes it. Those pics you found on the Internet are old, his accommodations aren't bad he says. Everyone is really nice there and he is pleasantly surprised that he's enjoying his time there. He can take a 1 hour bus ride to the other (nicer) base which has much more to offer as far as things to do, places to eat, etc. he's been doing a lot of working out and watching movies. He misses home of course but he's enjoying his time there. He will be there for another 10 months and is re I listed while there as well. Try not to worry.
Nov 10, 2015
ImSevenUp
Nov 10, 2015
dori
Nov 10, 2015
guysmom
Does everyone live off base?
Nov 11, 2015
Irene
I understand that lower ranking seamen live on base and higher ranks off base in apartments. My daughter is an E5 and had to live off base.
Nov 11, 2015
Karen93
Hi. My son left from Norfolk to Bahrain on Tuesday night. Still haven't heard from him. I know it is a 2 day trip, and his phone will not work (has to purchase a new one once on base). However, I was wondering when other mom's got word... how long did it take until you heard they arrived safe.
Nov 12, 2015
BabyJ2015
Nov 12, 2015
Irene
Hi Karen, My daughter got an app for her phone called Viber that allows her to text from overseas. She was able to text us when she had layovers and when she finally got there - but the whole thing did take 2 days and she was exhausted when she arrived. We got a brief text saying she got in but then did not hear from her for almost a week. She caught up on sleep and was going through the initial orientation and training. Plus if your son has to live off base, he will have to spend time looking for an apartment. My daughter said she had to show proof that she looked at 6 apartments a week until she found something. So that is a time consuming process too.
Nov 12, 2015
navymom41
My son just arrived in Bahrain a few weeks ago and we found that Face Book Messenger is free so texting can be done with no charge with any WI-FI connection.
Nov 12, 2015
Violet
Nov 12, 2015
navymom41
Hi Violet, Skype is good for video messaging but FB Messenger is easy to use for texting. Good luck to your son! I know it is difficult for you too.
Nov 12, 2015
Samson
My son left then also. I heard from him at every stop...Spain, Italy, Greece then Bahrain was about midnight Michigan time last night. He called today and said that he had to get a phone there for work. Apparently that phone doesn't connect to our cell phone because we need to have it set to receive international calls. We had set up an app on both our phones before he left so we could talk by WiFi. I hope that it helps knowing the plane arrived safely. My sailor is in a smaller unit, he has already met 2 of the guys he will be working with and they are going out Sat night on the town.
Nov 12, 2015
Patrick's Mom
Nov 12, 2015
Irene
My daughter says the base is very nice. Good food and good shopping. At first they stay in a hotel while they go through orientation. The hotels are nice but it is an immediate introduction into the Muslim world - which is a much easier place for men to blend into.
Nov 12, 2015
Samson
Nov 12, 2015
B&E
My son had his orders changed. Instead of going to Fort Jackson for a month, he will be going to Fort Bliss for additional training. That makes sense to me, because of a desert type of terrain. If he gets a weekend off during that time, Fort Bliss is just within one day of driving range from Austin where we could drive to Fort Bliss for a visit.
Do our sailors fly commercial to Bahrain? Being as he will be stationed at the IS Air base will he fly in there? He flies commercial when he has gone to Korea the past three summers.
Thanks
Nov 15, 2015
Irene
My daughter flew from Dallas to Norfolk on a commercial airlines, then waited there for a military flight to Bahrain. She was in Norfolk for about a week before her flight left.
Nov 15, 2015
KC'smom
Nov 16, 2015
KC'smom
Nov 16, 2015
KC'smom
Nov 16, 2015
KC'smom
Nov 16, 2015
B&E
The CPO in charge of security in Bahrain called my son today, from Bahrain, and told him a few things: 3 days of 12 hour shifts then 2 days off followed by 2 days on and three days off (at least that what he thinks the CPO said. The phone reception was very bad.), plus not to pack too much that in Norfolk he will get new uniforms (avocados?) . The CPO said he needs a no-fee passport, whereas at the meeting he went to in San Antonio they told him he did not need it. That was nice of the CPO to call him from Bahrain and tell him a few things.
Nov 23, 2015
proud mom of Kayla
Nov 30, 2015
cjbmom
Proud mom of Kayla,
My daughter is in Bahrain and has been for a couple of months. It appears to be pretty safe over there. Mine hasn't had any issues with safety. The heat was something to get used to and being that far from home but other than that, it's pretty good. With Skype you can talk to her pretty often, depending on what her job is.
Nov 30, 2015
KC'smom
Nov 30, 2015