Naval Aviation

For Moms with Aviators or anyone interested
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  • Helomom

    I got some fun information yesterday from DS. He was texting me to arrange child care for July of 2013. He is a complusive planner! LOL! Anyhow, after his graduation next Spring from USNWC, he will have Command Leadership training before reporting to the squadron for his XO/CO tour. Part of the training includes one week of training in Newport that his wife is required to attend with him. As part of her class she will be flown out to a carrier on a COD for an overnight on the ship. He's pretty excited that she will get an official "trap and cat". She's pretty excited too! We are all excited...we sound like Tim Tebow. Excited!
  • Dawn

    Judy and Leslie thank you. How do you talk off line?
  • Paymaster

    Helomom.....Do you know if there is any traditional gift you give one when they graduate from War College?  Mine graduates next month and haven't a clue what to get him.  It was no problem when it was college or flight school.  Need suggestions.

  • Helomom

    @Paymaster - I hadn't even thought about that. Yikes! I suppose it should be more than a hug and a job well done speech. I have until next March, so if you think of something or hear something let me know. I have no idea about gift protocol. I have a friend who is the wife of a retired Captain. I'll check with her to see what I can find out.
  • Paymaster

    Helomom....Thanks, I appreciate you checking. Yeah, its one of those things that does deserve more than a hug and job well done.

    Mine is also waiting for orders, I hate the waiting game.

  • Helomom

    @Paymaster-What does he think he will get? I'm surprised he doesn't have them yet. The Navy is so strange sometimes. My son just started in the February class and he already has his orders for after graduation in March 2013. We are waiting for the Commander promotion release. I checked online today and the list is on the Secretary of Defense's desk. The public release of selections should be coming up next, then the President signs off and the Senate approves the list. Waiting... always waiting for something.

  • Paymaster

    Helomom.....Mine had just made Lt CDR at the end of June.  The 1st of July they told him he was going to WC.  He was deployed at the time.  They pulled him off his ship two months early for him to make his class that started Aug 1st.

    He would like a Department Head position, but since he is one of the lowest in grade to grad, we will see what he gets.

    Guess he was the last one in and will be the last one to get orders:)

  • Paymaster

    Helomom....Well my husband solved the problem of a gift.  He is custom making a pen and pencil set with his rank on the pen and his wings on the pencil.  He is turning them on his latte.  Just got to love him!

  • Helomom

    That is AWESOME Paymaster! Does he want to make two sets? LOL
  • Marianne

    Leslie - Yes, some of us are NFO moms! My guy is in Japan right now in VAF 115. It's really hard with the 16 hr. time gap to coordinate calls even when they are on land. There is also a separate group on N4Ms for NFO families, too. I always try to pass along N4M because even though I don't write a lot, the shared experiences have helped keep me sane.

    One idea for WC gift - have his graduation certificate made into a plaque. Years ago, I attended the Army WC @ Carlisle for their last week as a "civilian participant" (long story). It was an incredible experience. I've never met so many incredibly bright and deicated men and women! There will also be some students from foreign services as well as US.

    Anyway, a number of spouses were having the graduation certs mounted on plaques rather than framed. They explained that the (mostly) guys really liked the plaques and (hadn't thought of this), the plaques don't get broken as easily with all the moving. You can have it done by a number of companies on line if it's hard to find somene near you.

    Congrats to all for your wonderful children.

  • JudyM

    Marianne, I understand the 16 hour time difference, my non-Navy son is in Tokyo. It is difficult to  talk sometimes. Do love that Skype! 

  • Paymaster

    Sheila....So happy for you, graduation and all your children home.

     

    Looking forward to having all my children home in June for daughters wedding.  It will be a crazy week, but will love having everyone home.

     

    Hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's day tomorrow, that if you can't be with your children that you hear from them.  If you don't hear from them rest assure that they are thinking of you.

  • Paymaster

    Leslie....Yes, this is the same daughter.  We are thrilled that she has found love again.  It has been a learn experience going through the process with her loosing her loved one. Hope none of you ever have to do through that.

     

     

  • JudyM

    Happy Mothers Day to all. Paymaster, yes your daughter did deserve to be happy again. She is a lovely person.

  • Barb

    Wow!  Congratulations, Leslie!  I hope it's a beautiful flight!

  • Barb

    Very cool!

  • Paymaster

    Those pictures are some of the best Mother's Day gifts most of us mom's will ever get!  Congrats Leslie.

  • JudyM

    Leslie, loved the pics. It is incredible how these guys have such a grin on their faces. They just love what they are doing.
  • lsP3Orion

    Hello everyone,

    Yes I am still here, just have been lurking over the past few months - I have loved reading about all of your LOs and what they've been doing - congrats on all the accomplishments they've done - Leslie, that Mother's Day pic threw me over the edge - it was awesome!

     

    My son is getting married in September and we are not real thrilled about it for reasons I won't go in to here, but that's one of the reasons that I've been quiet as I have such mixed feelings and am not real happy right now- there's still a lot of time between now and September - so we'll see what happens. 

     

    But on a happier note - he becomes a LT. in just a couple of weeks, cannot believe he's got 4 years of service in already.  Below is a link to what his squadron has been doing the past few weeks - all you east coast folks can rest easy as the Navy is watching over you of you :) 

    Love to all of you!

     

    http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=67148

     

     

  • Helomom

    0-5 Line Officer promotions have just been released! I'm the proud mother of a Commander Select!
  • Paymaster

    Helomom....Sweet.  Best of luck to him!

  • JudyM

    helomom - how awesome for both you and your son.

  • Helomom

    @KathyB - He is in the Senior Officer Masters degree class at USNWC. After graduation next year he will have the Command Leadership Training class and then will head to San Diego for his XO/CO tour. 18 months (approx.) as the squadron XO, then he will assume command as the squadron CO for another approx. 18 months. My question is what does he do after that? Becoming the CO of a squadron has always been the dream. Now he will live the dream but that isn't the end. So now what? About 50% of 0-5's promote to 0-6. What does he do to get on that track? Wow, what a ride.

  • JudyM

    flyboymom - great story. Thanks for sharing. Yes, we do want a picture!

  • Paymaster

    It is tradition for fathers and mothers to exchange something with their child before deployment.  The parent usually gives the child an patch or part of their uniform and the child gives something of themselves.  Sometimes its a toy or a hair clip.  I love the pig!

  • Growlermom711

    DS is doing a flyover for Fleet Week in New York-he will be in the Growler and we are going to watch from lower Brooklyn as he passes over the Verazano Bridge.it will be awesome-also will have the Blue Angels doing the flyover.we are so proud he was chosen for this-we got to visit with him yesterday , and it was great to see him again-Whidbey island is far away!

  • Barb

    navymominohio, Can't wait to hear all the details of the winging.  Congratulations to all of you!

    Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend!

  • Helomom

    These are such happy days! Congratulations to all you moms, you did well.
  • Paymaster

    Love how you all color coordinated!

  • Helomom

    Great photo, Leslie. And how come that helo mom isn't on N4M. We definitely need more helo moms!
  • AH

    I have to wonder about people and what makes them do what they do.  My best friend's son-in=law is in the Army and they moved from Fort Benning on their way to WA.  They stopped in Colorado to visit with her mom and his family. They thought that they had base housing but that fell through.  The actually stayed a couple days longer thinking they didn't have to look for housing.  Well, when they were ready to leave on Sun..... they came out to pack and found that their car had been broken into.  Not much taken except for paperwork, including bills that had all their account numbers,bank statedments,  their 7 year old son's school records and all of his certificates and awards etc..  That being bad enough,  the jerks decided to urinate all over the interior of the car.  They had to cancel all their credit cards, including their bank card.  They had no money to get the car cleaned and expenses along the way up to WA.  All of their receipts from their trip from GA to Co were stolen also.  They have finally made it to WA after borrowing money from a friend to get the car cleaned and to  get up there and are now looking for a place to live.  Please keep this wonderful couple in your prayers.... that they don't have a hard time finding a place to live where Carrie feels comfortable (she feels better living on the Post) and that they don't have a hard time getting stuff replaced.  Our loved ones have such a hard time with the moves and to have something like this happen on the way to a new place where they've never been is very stressful. 

     

    On a more positive note, my DS has a back yard.  Of course the week it got finished, the temperatures went into the 90s. 

     

    Everyone have a great Memorial Day weekend.  I'm taking 1 more day...  I need it.

  • CheriH

    Hello all...I'm joining the group as my son has just commissioned and will be reporting to Pensacola next week to start his flight training.  He graduated and commissioned on May 11th and got married on the 19th.  He's my youngest, so the nest is now empty.  Lots of changes happening in our lives.  I'm hoping to learn alot about navigating this new Navy life from all of you!

  • Dawn

    My son is starting his fourth week at OCS as SNA
  • Marianne

    Welcome, CheriH! I hope you will find this group as warm and helpful as I have. We have a Navy "tradition" with my flyer's father and grandfather (Army on my side, I'm afraid), but naval Aviation was a whole new world from ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence; you'll get all the acronyms after a while).

    My DS was also at P'Cola after college grad and commissioning, then Norfolk and now Japan. Quite a roller coaster ahead of you, but hang on.

    P'Cola can be VERY frustrating because of all the backups between flight levels, so be prepared. I've never understood why they can't do a better job with scheduling, but it is what it is. If you get down there, stay at the Navy Lodge on base. It's one of the few "open bases" (anyone can come on with ID), and has a beautiful Lodge and great museum.

    Remember, we're all in this together!

    To all:  God bless this Memorial day weekend. It saddened me that most of my high school students didn't know why I was wearing a vet made poppy on Friday; you can bet they do now!

  • Dawn

    Nancy. Yes he is in Newport.
  • AH

    Rose4256.  Carrie and Erik have never been at Fort Carson except to go to the PX when they are in CO.  They were on their way from Fort Benning in Columbus GA to Lewis/Mcchord in WA.  It sounds like they may have found a home and that is good since the base housing fell through.  Erik posted that their son was a bit upset that there was no swimming pool in the area until he found out that there is a lake with swimming about 2 blocks from the house.  I'll have to call my BF and find out what they got. 

  • JudyM

    CheriH, was your son in OCS Class 11-12? A good friend of my son (now in Intermediate jets) was in that class and will report to Pensacola in a few weeks. Chris said it best, we are all here together and the Navy can change their minds or keep us guessing. We are all proud of our aviators!

  • CheriH

    Thank you all for the warm welcome!  JudyM, he graduated from Texas A&M two weeks ago with a commission, so didn't do OCS.  He did the Corps of Cadets there for 4 years.  He was thrilled to get selected for flight school.  I'm thrilled that he's thrilled!

  • JudyM

    CheriH, I love your son. I am an Aggie - the Corps of Cadets are awesome!!  Are you in Texas?

  • CheriH

    Gig'em Judy!  My husband and I are both Aggies, as is our daughter, and both of our kids' spouses.  We are in the Dallas area, but our daughter lives in the Santa Cruz, CA area.  Our son was in the Aggie Band.  We do bleed maroon!

  • JudyM

    CheriH, we used to live in Rockwall. Now in Sacramento. I wish your son all the best through flight school. He will feel like he is back in college - study, study, study!

  • AH

    Rose - Ft Carson is near Colorado Springs - south of the Denver area.

     

    We had a great day today.....we got a call from our DS yesterday saying that he had convinced the other 3 pilots that he had flown out to an airshow with in MO to stop at the regional airport just 2 miles from our house to refuel.  They spent a couple hours with us and we took them to lunch.  It was great to see him and his fellow instructors (2 are on the West Coast Super Hornet Demo team - not my DS - yet).  It has been a great weekend.  It always amazes me how military aircraft is such a draw.  Within minutes of landing, there were probably 10 cars that drove up just to see them.  When them came off the ramp, there were so many people thanking our guys for their service.  I was quite proud. 

     

    I hope everyone had as great a Memorial Day as I did.  Too bad it is almost over.

     

  • Kabar

    KUNavy, I'm not sure where you are or need to fly your son's dog, but there is an airline that specializes in transporting pets. Locations are currently limited, however they travel to cities on both coasts. The animals travel in a climate controlled cabin...with an attendant. Check out: www.petairways.com.

  • CheriH

    Here we go...the newlyweds got home from their honeymoon on Monday; we said our good-byes that evening, they loaded their truck and trailer yesterday and pulled out for  Milton today.  They found a house to rent, so at least they know where they  will be living. He reports on Friday.  I know that each of you understands what I'm feeling...such a mixture of emotions.  Thanks for listening!

  • Barb

    Not as great a day here...our guy will be finishing API soon, and was randomly selected to go to Vance AFB in OK.  He was cool with everything until notice came about a couple of things--apparently they have to repeat API at Vance?  Which, of course, pushes everything back (we were hoping for Christmas leave, unlikely now) and they have to arrange for their own move.  There are housing requirements (something about a mandatory on-base hotel for ten days? Maybe on base housing, maybe not) so apparently his dog can't go. None of it is the end of the world, and we knew it would all be unpredictable (and still is), but everything on top of each other was a  bummer. 

    When you get the phone calls where they are riding high it is so wonderful and when you get the calls where they're feeling far from home, it's hard.

    NwandM--Glad to hear your son-in-law is home.  Seven months is a very long time to be apart!

  • Helomom

    Ok, exhale... Latest Update Pilots Rescued After T-45 Crash South of Kingsville
    05/30/2012 05:43 PM
    KINGSVILLE - Rescue personnel from Naval Air Station Kingsville have recovered two pilots who ejected safely from a training aircraft about 45 miles southwest of the base this afternoon.
    Around 3:30pm the T-45 Goshawk went down on a routine training flight near Encino, Texas. The pilot and student are now at a hospital being checked out.
    The aircraft is a two-seater jet used in training by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps since 1991.
    There's no word yet on what may have caused the aircraft to crash.
  • Barb

    Suzie, thanks for clarifications, that does make me feel better!  He's okay with the Vance thing for all the reasons you've mentioned (newer planes, clearer schedule, etc.)...and I bet he wouldn't even mind the smell of dirt!  If he doesn't have to repeat all of API that would be great--he's so pumped to move to the next stage!  We don't mind having his dog with us, but he was enjoying having her companionship there.  Rose, thanks...it does help and it's nice to have a group like this that understands. 


    Helomom, thank you for the perspective too.  I had not heard that bit of news.  Glad that all are okay!

  • JudyM

    Got a text from son yesterday (in Kingsville) that he did not fly because his instructor was sick. Husband called a little later asking if I had heard of the crash. My son is so subtle letting me know he was OK without panicking me that there  had been a crash. Amazing, aren't they?

  • NFAO

    Congratulations to the new Naval Aviators!  And glad to hear of everyone else's news.  My son is waiting to get his first flight at Corpus...

  • Dawn

    My son is at OCS and a SNA. Just passed his RLP Thursday. Got email he made 4 th in class and class did weLl and they got a banner. Was so thankful to get email. On FB page we were all wondering. You are all so helpful in seeing the things to come