Another new beginning for DS... reported in at P'cola for API. The last four years with NROTC were good for him. Strapping ourselves in for another interesting ride!
Dawn, good for your son. My son finished OCS April 2011 and is now in Intermediate. His best friend just commissioned in the group a week ago Friday. The Facebook page for the class is very helpful. Any questions, just ask. Make your reservations for commissioning now if you have not already done so.
Reservations made! Very exciting. Got another email today that he let me know the times they will have phone privileges. It is nice to have some communication now. What is DS?
Navy wife and mom, for those who go to OCS, RLP (room, locker, personal) inspection is a biggie. A candidate can get rolled back if they don't make it.
Navy for Moms asks us not to use our children's names on this site for safety reasons. We use the code DS for "Dear Son", DD for "Dear Daughter", etc. We must also be careful not to give any information about maneuvers or info that is not common knowledge. You can private message a member and use names and more private information. Ultimately we want to keep our sons and daughters as safe as possible!!
You are right, those phone calls from OCS were such a blessing. We could tell in his voice how exhausted he was. Graduation ceremony was wonderful, just the beginning of a roller coaster ride!!
Our DS is finishing up his F-18 training in Lemoore CA. They are hoping that they can hook up with a carrier this month and finish up their training (Day and night landings), then he will be assigned to a squadron and have his first deployment. Just to give you a time frame, he graduated from OCS Jan 09.
Thank you all this is very helpful. RLP is a big inspection that dips they don't pass they roll back for thhree weeks and then go in with another class
Thanks for the additional info pedsdoc. I use my son's name in private messages on this site. Since anyone can read this blog, I use DS and generalities about his activities. Please don't let this deter anyone from posting. We are all proud of our LO's and their accomplishments, and we enjoy reading and supporting other parents during their journey!
My DS doesn't tell me much anyway, he knows I worry too much. Some LO's do share more and most of it is fine to speak about on here. They are trained about what they can and cant talk about. If I ask him something too specific, he will tell me that he cant talk about it. You will be fine pedsdoc! I look forward to hearing about your adventures!
We have been watching the Weather Channel news on Pensacola. Have you all heard from your families there? Everyone okay with all the rain and flooding?
Son graduated tomorrow from War College, hosting the USNA appointment dinner tonight and 14 days until daughters wedding. Still trying to clean up my sewing room so it can double as guest room. Other than that things are quite here:)
Hello all...my son called last night. He isn't real thrilled with all the rain. Not a fun welcome to Florida! He and his new bride are taking advantage of the time while he is waiting to class up for IFS by getting their new home set up and spending some of their wedding money! They found a duplex near Milton as he has his follow on orders at Whiting. (I think I said that right.) I'm glad they have some time to adjust to married life, as the last month has been a blur of graduation, commissioning, wedding, honeymoon and moving.
My hubby and I are adjusting to life without kids around. Fortunately we have a new puppy to keep us distracted! I had forgotten what fun house-training is however. Good thing she is so cute!
Bravo Zulu, Paymaster! Congratulations to your son. Ours will graduate March 6 next year. He just finished first semester finals. We are planning on trekking to Rhode Island for that.
pedsdoc: I understand your challenge of the rehearsal dinner from afar. I just did the same. And there are almost as many details as a wedding! Best wishes on all the wedding activities; may you enjoy every minute of them! We scheduled our son's wedding the week after his commissioning; hoping the Navy wouldn't move him too quickly. So glad we did. We've heard so many stories of sailors and soldiers barely making it in time!
Congratulations to all on the graduations, promotions, and of course the wingings! What a fantastic group of children we have! I wish I could take more credit for the terrific young man my DS has become, but no matter how much support we can offer, they are doing this on their own. So proud!
I'm glad to hear that the weddings are coming together. The added tension of worrying about leaves and long distance planning makes me cringe. Luckily, my 3 aren't there yet.
All the pictures of P'Cola are a shock. When my DS was there, my main concern was tornadoes. It did take him three days to get back from Chicago during one cross country training flight, but that was due to rain everywhere. We could certainly use some of that here - Chicago has been so dry on top of a low snowfall winter that one of the western tollways had to be shut down last week due to a dust storm! I feel like an Okie in the Depression. hate to see what my water bill will be, even though I'm concentrating on the flowers and veggies. Grass is supposed to be brown, right? We're continuing to break heat records, too. That was fine with me in Mrach, but I am wondering where I am going to put all of my youngest's friends and their families this Saturday. We're having a graduation party for him and his friends from NU and since he's the only "local", the families will be here too. My house is NOT designed for 90 people!
Sheila, am praying for your son's quick recovery. Back pain is nothing to joke about and the last thing any of them need is delays in training.
This will sound crazy, but does anyone have good recipes for baked goods that will travel well? DS requested more in his next care package, and even though I've found baklava and biscotti are practically indestructible, I don't want his squadron to end up with boxes of mold, so I'm leery of sending anything else. It was lots easier when he was in the States. All suggestions will be tried! Thanks, ladies and James.
Nancy, you have some very vivid dreams. Unfortunately, I don't remember my dreams so I have not interesting stories. I'm looking forward to seeing you in a few day and hope your flight is uneventful. My guess is that you will be able to see the fire on your way in. I worked from home yesterday and today and the slurry bombers have been flying over about every 10 mintues. I was watching the news on channel 4 and the did an interview with the owner/pilot of number 48 and right after the interview ended (recorded) he flew over the house. I am fascinated by the planes, but hate why they are out. Everyone be safe.
By the way, my DS has a girlfriend- keep your fingers crossed.
Navy Mom's are the best!!! Judy thanks for taking me out and letting me unwind, you will never know how much that means to me. Thanks for being there for me.
Denise.....That is great that you got to meet up with your son and tour the ship. We were lucky also a couple of years ago when the sister ship to the San Antonio the Green Bay was visiting San Fransiscoand our son gave us a private tour. The ship is a wonder how they get everything in the space they have.
Always a good day when you get to spend time with your child and meet another Navy mom!
This past Friday DS soloed in the T-45. He was so stoked! Saturday was the Goshawk Ball and he had a date who flew in from Dallas. He looked so handsome in his whites with a cute girl on his arm.
Navy son just arrived for baby sister's weddimg tomorrow. Its so nice just having him in the house! Love just sitting around and talking with him. This weekend will got by to fast!
Anyone have a loved one from the NAS Kingsville squadron (VT-21 Redhawks) that went to Jacksonville this past weekend (they left Thursday June 21)? They were supposed to do carrier qualifications and my son is on the carrier. Tropical storm Debby has been pummeling the Jacksonville area so I'm sure (at leastI hope!) the carrier is out in calmer seas. Anyone been in contact with any of the squadron? Any way I can find out where the carrier is? I think he is on the George HW Bush. This is his first carrier experience and I guess it's a good taste of the deployment experience. So don't like it :-( Any info is greatly appreciated!
I don't but my positive thoughts are heading your way...my son is in Primary and I miss him so much and think about him every day. I can't even imagine how I'll feel when he is deployed.
We'll hope for calm seas to prevail and hurricane season to be short for your sake and your son's!
Our DS has CQ's this week as well. Out of the west coast though, so hopefully they will have nice weather. This will be his quals with the F-18 and also night landings!! He seems to think they will know about sqandron/deployment when they finish up next week. We were hoping to get out to Lemoore to see him, but may not be able to now. Our youngest DD graduated from American University last month, and I tore my rotator cuff (again). Believe me the second repair is much worse than the first time. I will be in the sling for 3 months! I'm with you Nancy, I hope we get to see him before they deploy. We haven't seen him since Christmas!
I have an Uncle in Tampa and my Father is in Jax, I know they need the rain desperately but not all at once!! Our DS sat in Mayport waiting on weather to clear when he had CQ's the first time, then it was a big rush to get everyone qualified. It's very hectic at times.
My thoughts are with all our men and women, so glad to have N4M.
Thanks Leslie, this is my second time on the left, so it was a revision. If it doesn't heal, I will get a replacement. I am glad it's my non dominate hand again this time. I had the right side done in 08 and do not want to go through that again, so keeping my fingers crossed that lifting weights didn't tear it as well.
Heard from DS (text message) that they plan to go out to the boat Thurs for CQ's. He is excited this time and has heard that the 18's are much better than the T-45 on the carrier. Either way, he says it's the best roller coaster ride in the world!
Suzie, Congratulations on another milestone...I hope the solo goes well! My son said it is just so hot they hardly go outside. He was supposed to begin classes yesterday... his start date moved up about six weeks from what they originally told him. I was thinking about the kids in Pensacola too...there were plenty of delays on an average day but throwing in all the weather and they must all be sitting around. (Hopefully safe and dry!)
Hang in there on the care-taking....remember to take care of you, too! You can grow weary very quickly. It's nice that you can be there with them.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday to everyone--it's a little sad this year without our son along on the annual family vacation, I'm struggling with it a bit.
Ladies.....We are having a working Meet and Greet here in the Sacramento area on July 28th. We are working on pillowcases for the Wounded Warrior project. We would love it if you all could join us for a fun day of sewing ( you don't have to sew to attend there are lots of things for non-sewers to help with), visiting and of course eating. Just go to the Northern Calif group and look under Discussion's and RSVP. We look forward to seeing everyone.
Judy....Thrilled you can join us. Would you be so kind and RSVP on the Northern CA group event, that way we can keep track of who's coming. Its going to be a fun after noon.
My son is starting his 9 week at OCS. He is SNA. So proud of him. His class has received all 5 steamers for their class flag. I really enjoy reading everyone's comments, gives me insight as to what will be coming in the long road ahead. Look ing forward to graduation and the next adventure.
Congratulations Rose4256! Winging is such a proud moment! I second Kathy B, it's great to have another helo mom on board. I'm anxious to here what platform he will be assigned to and which FRS he will report to.
Hello all...great to hear all the news; wingings and weddings. Can't wait to hear the wedding updates. Amazing look at that helo...so thankful all got out.
My son is settling in to Pensacola; learning the "be flexible" rules of the Navy early. They are re-arranging his schedule as the training pool will be closed this fall. So, getting his swimming stuff out of the way before he starts IFS. At least it gives him some extra time to settle into married life!
Hope everyone has an enjoyable 4th! Somehow it means a bit more when you have someone serving to ensure our freedom!
Leslie...The wedding went wonderful thanks to my Navy Mom Friends! We couldn't have had better weather, the bride looked beautiful and groom handsome. Navy borther made it home for the wedding. Everything went as I plan and on time. Just waiting for the pictures from the photographer.
Navy Pilots x 2--Got the call today that DS will be attached to a squadron in Japan. He has to be there in 2 weeks!!
He hadn't told me about the weather last week for the CQ's. When I asked him he did say the weather was lousy and that some of the guys couldn't get all their traps in. Did Nick get his next duty station?
Rose
Another new beginning for DS... reported in at P'cola for API. The last four years with NROTC were good for him. Strapping ourselves in for another interesting ride!
Jun 2, 2012
JudyM
Dawn, good for your son. My son finished OCS April 2011 and is now in Intermediate. His best friend just commissioned in the group a week ago Friday. The Facebook page for the class is very helpful. Any questions, just ask. Make your reservations for commissioning now if you have not already done so.
Jun 2, 2012
Dawn
Jun 2, 2012
JudyM
Dawn, "dear son" I believe.
Jun 2, 2012
JudyM
Navy wife and mom, for those who go to OCS, RLP (room, locker, personal) inspection is a biggie. A candidate can get rolled back if they don't make it.
Jun 2, 2012
TennMom
Hi Dawn,
Navy for Moms asks us not to use our children's names on this site for safety reasons. We use the code DS for "Dear Son", DD for "Dear Daughter", etc. We must also be careful not to give any information about maneuvers or info that is not common knowledge. You can private message a member and use names and more private information. Ultimately we want to keep our sons and daughters as safe as possible!!
You are right, those phone calls from OCS were such a blessing. We could tell in his voice how exhausted he was. Graduation ceremony was wonderful, just the beginning of a roller coaster ride!!
Our DS is finishing up his F-18 training in Lemoore CA. They are hoping that they can hook up with a carrier this month and finish up their training (Day and night landings), then he will be assigned to a squadron and have his first deployment. Just to give you a time frame, he graduated from OCS Jan 09.
Jun 2, 2012
Dawn
Jun 2, 2012
JudyM
TNnavymom, how long ago did your son get winged?
Jun 2, 2012
TennMom
He winged Aug 5th in Meridian. Was able to meet Nancy W when were there, what a thrill to meet a N4M in person!
Jun 2, 2012
Dawn
I was the one with the question of what DS was TNnavymom had the answer
Jun 3, 2012
Dawn
Jun 3, 2012
TennMom
Thanks for the additional info pedsdoc. I use my son's name in private messages on this site. Since anyone can read this blog, I use DS and generalities about his activities. Please don't let this deter anyone from posting. We are all proud of our LO's and their accomplishments, and we enjoy reading and supporting other parents during their journey!
Jun 3, 2012
TennMom
My DS doesn't tell me much anyway, he knows I worry too much. Some LO's do share more and most of it is fine to speak about on here. They are trained about what they can and cant talk about. If I ask him something too specific, he will tell me that he cant talk about it. You will be fine pedsdoc! I look forward to hearing about your adventures!
Jun 3, 2012
TennMom
Opal is adorable, and what a sport your DS is for taking her along!
Jun 5, 2012
Paymaster
I think Opal needs her own ID tags:)
Jun 5, 2012
Paymaster
Leslie....No I am not on Fb, just here:)
Jun 5, 2012
Helomom
We have been watching the Weather Channel news on Pensacola. Have you all heard from your families there? Everyone okay with all the rain and flooding?
Jun 10, 2012
Paymaster
Son graduated tomorrow from War College, hosting the USNA appointment dinner tonight and 14 days until daughters wedding. Still trying to clean up my sewing room so it can double as guest room. Other than that things are quite here:)
Jun 10, 2012
CheriH
Hello all...my son called last night. He isn't real thrilled with all the rain. Not a fun welcome to Florida! He and his new bride are taking advantage of the time while he is waiting to class up for IFS by getting their new home set up and spending some of their wedding money! They found a duplex near Milton as he has his follow on orders at Whiting. (I think I said that right.) I'm glad they have some time to adjust to married life, as the last month has been a blur of graduation, commissioning, wedding, honeymoon and moving.
My hubby and I are adjusting to life without kids around. Fortunately we have a new puppy to keep us distracted! I had forgotten what fun house-training is however. Good thing she is so cute!
Jun 10, 2012
Helomom
Jun 10, 2012
CheriH
pedsdoc: I understand your challenge of the rehearsal dinner from afar. I just did the same. And there are almost as many details as a wedding! Best wishes on all the wedding activities; may you enjoy every minute of them!
We scheduled our son's wedding the week after his commissioning; hoping the Navy wouldn't move him too quickly. So glad we did. We've heard so many stories of sailors and soldiers barely making it in time!
Jun 10, 2012
Marianne
Congratulations to all on the graduations, promotions, and of course the wingings! What a fantastic group of children we have! I wish I could take more credit for the terrific young man my DS has become, but no matter how much support we can offer, they are doing this on their own. So proud!
I'm glad to hear that the weddings are coming together. The added tension of worrying about leaves and long distance planning makes me cringe. Luckily, my 3 aren't there yet.
All the pictures of P'Cola are a shock. When my DS was there, my main concern was tornadoes. It did take him three days to get back from Chicago during one cross country training flight, but that was due to rain everywhere. We could certainly use some of that here - Chicago has been so dry on top of a low snowfall winter that one of the western tollways had to be shut down last week due to a dust storm! I feel like an Okie in the Depression. hate to see what my water bill will be, even though I'm concentrating on the flowers and veggies. Grass is supposed to be brown, right? We're continuing to break heat records, too. That was fine with me in Mrach, but I am wondering where I am going to put all of my youngest's friends and their families this Saturday. We're having a graduation party for him and his friends from NU and since he's the only "local", the families will be here too. My house is NOT designed for 90 people!
Sheila, am praying for your son's quick recovery. Back pain is nothing to joke about and the last thing any of them need is delays in training.
This will sound crazy, but does anyone have good recipes for baked goods that will travel well? DS requested more in his next care package, and even though I've found baklava and biscotti are practically indestructible, I don't want his squadron to end up with boxes of mold, so I'm leery of sending anything else. It was lots easier when he was in the States. All suggestions will be tried! Thanks, ladies and James.
Jun 11, 2012
Paymaster
Marianne...what are you thinking og wanting to send?
Jun 11, 2012
AH
Nancy, you have some very vivid dreams. Unfortunately, I don't remember my dreams so I have not interesting stories. I'm looking forward to seeing you in a few day and hope your flight is uneventful. My guess is that you will be able to see the fire on your way in. I worked from home yesterday and today and the slurry bombers have been flying over about every 10 mintues. I was watching the news on channel 4 and the did an interview with the owner/pilot of number 48 and right after the interview ended (recorded) he flew over the house. I am fascinated by the planes, but hate why they are out. Everyone be safe.
By the way, my DS has a girlfriend- keep your fingers crossed.
Jun 12, 2012
Paymaster
Navy Mom's are the best!!! Judy thanks for taking me out and letting me unwind, you will never know how much that means to me. Thanks for being there for me.
Jun 13, 2012
JudyM
Paymaster, you are welcome. You have been a "rock" for me with DS in OCS and flight school. We all take care of each other. Go Navy!
Jun 13, 2012
Paymaster
Denise.....That is great that you got to meet up with your son and tour the ship. We were lucky also a couple of years ago when the sister ship to the San Antonio the Green Bay was visiting San Fransiscoand our son gave us a private tour. The ship is a wonder how they get everything in the space they have.
Always a good day when you get to spend time with your child and meet another Navy mom!
Jun 18, 2012
JudyM
Denise, so good to hear from you.
This past Friday DS soloed in the T-45. He was so stoked! Saturday was the Goshawk Ball and he had a date who flew in from Dallas. He looked so handsome in his whites with a cute girl on his arm.
Jun 18, 2012
Paymaster
Navy son just arrived for baby sister's weddimg tomorrow. Its so nice just having him in the house! Love just sitting around and talking with him. This weekend will got by to fast!
Jun 23, 2012
Rosemarie
Hello Everyone,
Anyone have a loved one from the NAS Kingsville squadron (VT-21 Redhawks) that went to Jacksonville this past weekend (they left Thursday June 21)? They were supposed to do carrier qualifications and my son is on the carrier. Tropical storm Debby has been pummeling the Jacksonville area so I'm sure (at leastI hope!) the carrier is out in calmer seas. Anyone been in contact with any of the squadron? Any way I can find out where the carrier is? I think he is on the George HW Bush. This is his first carrier experience and I guess it's a good taste of the deployment experience. So don't like it :-( Any info is greatly appreciated!
Jun 25, 2012
Rosemarie
Oops--from previous post---meant "So far I don't like it"!
Jun 25, 2012
Barb
Rosemarie,
I don't but my positive thoughts are heading your way...my son is in Primary and I miss him so much and think about him every day. I can't even imagine how I'll feel when he is deployed.
We'll hope for calm seas to prevail and hurricane season to be short for your sake and your son's!
Jun 25, 2012
TennMom
Our DS has CQ's this week as well. Out of the west coast though, so hopefully they will have nice weather. This will be his quals with the F-18 and also night landings!! He seems to think they will know about sqandron/deployment when they finish up next week. We were hoping to get out to Lemoore to see him, but may not be able to now. Our youngest DD graduated from American University last month, and I tore my rotator cuff (again). Believe me the second repair is much worse than the first time. I will be in the sling for 3 months! I'm with you Nancy, I hope we get to see him before they deploy. We haven't seen him since Christmas!
I have an Uncle in Tampa and my Father is in Jax, I know they need the rain desperately but not all at once!! Our DS sat in Mayport waiting on weather to clear when he had CQ's the first time, then it was a big rush to get everyone qualified. It's very hectic at times.
My thoughts are with all our men and women, so glad to have N4M.
Jun 25, 2012
TennMom
Thanks Leslie, this is my second time on the left, so it was a revision. If it doesn't heal, I will get a replacement. I am glad it's my non dominate hand again this time. I had the right side done in 08 and do not want to go through that again, so keeping my fingers crossed that lifting weights didn't tear it as well.
Heard from DS (text message) that they plan to go out to the boat Thurs for CQ's. He is excited this time and has heard that the 18's are much better than the T-45 on the carrier. Either way, he says it's the best roller coaster ride in the world!
Jun 26, 2012
Barb
Suzie,
Congratulations on another milestone...I hope the solo goes well! My son said it is just so hot they hardly go outside. He was supposed to begin classes yesterday... his start date moved up about six weeks from what they originally told him. I was thinking about the kids in Pensacola too...there were plenty of delays on an average day but throwing in all the weather and they must all be sitting around. (Hopefully safe and dry!)
Hang in there on the care-taking....remember to take care of you, too! You can grow weary very quickly. It's nice that you can be there with them.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday to everyone--it's a little sad this year without our son along on the annual family vacation, I'm struggling with it a bit.
Jun 29, 2012
Paymaster
Ladies.....We are having a working Meet and Greet here in the Sacramento area on July 28th. We are working on pillowcases for the Wounded Warrior project. We would love it if you all could join us for a fun day of sewing ( you don't have to sew to attend there are lots of things for non-sewers to help with), visiting and of course eating. Just go to the Northern Calif group and look under Discussion's and RSVP. We look forward to seeing everyone.
Jun 29, 2012
JudyM
Jun 29, 2012
Barb
Rose...Congratulations! Awesome news!
Jun 29, 2012
JudyM
Winging - wow! Congrats.
Jun 29, 2012
Paymaster
Judy....Thrilled you can join us. Would you be so kind and RSVP on the Northern CA group event, that way we can keep track of who's coming. Its going to be a fun after noon.
Jun 30, 2012
Dawn
Jul 1, 2012
Helomom
Jul 1, 2012
CheriH
Hello all...great to hear all the news; wingings and weddings. Can't wait to hear the wedding updates. Amazing look at that helo...so thankful all got out.
My son is settling in to Pensacola; learning the "be flexible" rules of the Navy early. They are re-arranging his schedule as the training pool will be closed this fall. So, getting his swimming stuff out of the way before he starts IFS. At least it gives him some extra time to settle into married life!
Hope everyone has an enjoyable 4th! Somehow it means a bit more when you have someone serving to ensure our freedom!
Jul 1, 2012
Dawn
Jul 1, 2012
Rose
CheriH, sounds like our guys are at the same 'swimming' stage in P'cola.
Jul 1, 2012
CheriH
Rose, I just sent you a PM...
Jul 2, 2012
TennMom
Waiting to hear from DS today. Has been on CQ's since Thursday off west coast.
Was expecting to "walk off" today.
Nancy, so glad you are having fun in Oceana.
Always fun to hear of solo's, wingings, etc. Makes us further along reminisce back to those happy times with pride!
Jul 3, 2012
Paymaster
Leslie...The wedding went wonderful thanks to my Navy Mom Friends! We couldn't have had better weather, the bride looked beautiful and groom handsome. Navy borther made it home for the wedding. Everything went as I plan and on time. Just waiting for the pictures from the photographer.
Jul 4, 2012
JudyM
Jul 4, 2012
TennMom
Navy Pilots x 2--Got the call today that DS will be attached to a squadron in Japan. He has to be there in 2 weeks!!
He hadn't told me about the weather last week for the CQ's. When I asked him he did say the weather was lousy and that some of the guys couldn't get all their traps in. Did Nick get his next duty station?
Jul 5, 2012