NancyW-Your son's reluctance probably comes from a good understanding of the network constraints aboard ship. Video and audio are huge bandwidth hogs compared to itty bitty text packets. Navy Times ran a nice article about this last year. Here's a link: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcsd/nccosc/aboutUsV2/inTheMedia/Doc.... If anyone has an issue opening this, get the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
NurseNavyMomShelia, welcome to Dallas! Hope you have a great weekend here. If you were staying longer, I'd say let's meet for a cup of coffee! When is winging? Early or late July? Sure hope you get some answers soon.
DS is doing his formation sims this week. Should be coming up on selection soon. Hubby and I are on pins and needles waiting for it; can't imagine what the wait is like for DS and DIL. Hopefully he's so busy that he doesn't have much time to think about it. But knowing him, he's always thinking about it.
Have you looked at Craigslist or scoped out Walmart low-end furniture items that might tide them over while they are in P'cola? That, and ask around for others who might be moving on & need to unload furniture, etc. they had acquired during training.
Yay! It's the weekend! Our DS has rejoined his family in San Diego for a week. He finished up AVCOT in Pensacola on Wednesday. Next weekend he's off to Newport, RI for CLS. More school... at some point he will get back to flying. Hope you all have a relaxing weekend.
I don't think I've been on this site since before DS winged in April!
Kabar: The Navy provides brass wings for all wingees. The wingee may be gifted with gold wings that we brought up to the front with us when it was time to pin them on. I shopped around and found that Wings-Pensacola www.flywings.com had the best price. I got them early enough to have them engraved with his first initial, last name & winging date.
DS came out of SERE 15 lbs lighter and they really can't talk about the experience because it is pretty much all classified. So glad for him that its done.
I am doing Dogs on Deployment and have the pup of a P3 pilot from NAS Whidbey who just deployed to Japan for six months. She is sweet, energetic & gets along with my dog so well. When he dropped her off he said that he couldn't think of a nicer place for his dog to stay while he was deployed. Big lump in my throat...
JudyM: I need to get you my cell phone # that you can pass on to your DS. I would give him a place for Thanksgiving dinner, etc at my table!
Sheila: Prayers for you. What you are going through reminds me of what my best friend just went through-very similar symptoms. I am also in healthcare & went with her to all of her appointments to the 19 different specialists that we saw. In the end they decided that her immune system went haywire as a response to a viral infection (EBV) and started attacking different organ systems similar to an autoimmune disorder. All of her diagnostic tests always came back normal. She would have one set of symptoms for about two months then those would resolve and another set would come on in a different system. She finally got better after treatment with prednisone. I wonder if they gave you a trial of prednisone if your symptoms would wane. My friend was able to taper her prednisone doses down to nothing over four months and her symptoms resolved and she remains well.
Kabar.....we gave our son, something he had been asking from the store Wings. I think it was the note book case they strap to their leg. Every family is different.
Kabar: Our DS really didn't seem too excited about the gold wings when I had asked, so we skipped them and instead got framed pictures of the planes he had flown in training ( and some stuff with the logo of his new squadron on them). He really liked them and had them proudly displayed at his house in Japan. As paymaster said, every family is different!
DS was promoted to LT last Saturday and got his bars on Iwo Jima, which made it extra special for our family because my uncle was one of the first Marines to land there in WW II. That really teared me up.
Still waiting to hear if he got into Top Gun at Fallon, so keep your fingers crossed.
Kabar- When our son winged we ordered lithographs of the aircraft he flew in training framed with a brass plate showing his rank, name and date and a pair of wings. FlyWings handled it all. Over the years we have also purchased him the desk scale models of each aircraft he has flown. He has the T-34 Turbo Mentor, the Bell T-57 helicopter, the CH-46D, and a couple of the 60 variants. FlyWings has alway been great to work with. He just graduated from the War College with his Masters in March, will pin on Commander in September and is the PXO/PCO for a squadron - we decide on gold wings for the trifecta. We had the wings hand crafted by David Crisalli, former Naval Officer. When we arrived for graduation I got a closeup look at those old brass wings of his with the finish coming off around the edges and we were so pleased with ourselves for picking the "perfect" gift. When we gave him his new wings, he was very appreciative but then, holding his old wings in his hand said, "I'll keep these for every day. The Navy gave me these."
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and experiences with getting gold wings for a winging...or not. My son has spoken of the framed piece several of you mentioned. I know it can be ordered from Wings in Pensacola. Is anyone on this list going to be attending Friday's winging at NAS Whiting Field? Sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear where/what training will take my DS next.
We have a queen size bed for sale in Pensacola. Our roommate bought it when he moved down here. He left it when he went to Vance for training. Now he is in Corpus Christi for advanced. We are trying to help him sell it as we are not sure if we will cross paths for him to get it again or not.
Kris P...As the Navy says, "Blue skies and fair winds" for your trip! You may yet get to spend time with Mitch; they hadn't deployed as of Monday. Conor also is on a 3 yr. and will be home (at least in the States) in December 2014. He definitely wants to be back in the States rather than doing a NATO stint in Europe, which is one option.
For all of you with kids on the GW, this article about their recent training on Iwo is interesting, if nerve-racking:
What a heartbreak for everyone involved. I'm so sorry. Please feel our arms around all of you in a supportive embrace and know that you are all in our prayers.
Leslie- Such terrible news. Thoughts are with you, your family, and the friends and family of that Naval Officer.
Sheila- Prayers for you too, Sheila. Hopefully you are on the path to resolution for all of your health issues.
DS checked in today. He flew back in Newport for CLS today. We leave on Thursday to fly to San Diego to hang out with the grand kids for a week. DIL is joining DS in Newport for her CLS Spouse training.
Oh my...my heart is heavy for the family of those pilots and their friends. You steel yourself for possibilities of their dangerous jobs, but the reality is that tragedy can come in so many other ways.
We got a call from DS yesterday; he's only four flights away from finishing primary. But only flew once last week. On standby for today. I'm surprised he seems to be doing amazingly well with the waiting. I guess last summer of waiting really taught him a few things. It was great to talk to him.
Praying for all those in Meridian today...and for you Sheila!
Such a terrible tragedy and a reminder to us all, again, of how life is so precious. We can't hug our DS and DD's but our love is endless. Condolences to families and strength to the close friends and fellow aviators.
Leslie, Suzie: Heartbreaking news. My prayers are joining up with all the others. Praying for the families, the extended Navy family & friends for the peace that passes understanding, the strength to do all things and the courage to face the days ahead without their loved ones. Also continuing to pray for Sheila's health-have you been able to question any of your doctors about a trial of prednisone yet?
With the heartbreaking news of the auto accident, I have some good news to share. Yesterday NASA announced it's newest class of astronaut candidates. Among them is Lt Commander Victor Glover. He is a mentor to our DS and commissioned him at the end of OCS. Victor exemplifies the hard work and talent of all Navy pilots. He is an outstanding individual.
Bless you, Leslie. So glad for you and Rory, that Rory could make that call and lift your heart. Any Mom can identify with how our hearts hurt any time one of our loved ones is hurting. Prayers for continued healing of the many hearts touched by the tragic occurrences in Meridian.
I have not commented much because I was a newbie but appreciate all of you tremendously. Thank you.
My son just finished Primary last night. He is going to find out how he selects. He is confident that he will get Helos (which is his first choice) since he scored super high on the order of merit (or whatever the matrix is called) so he is happy.
My question is: how long does Advcanced last? When should I expect roughly winging should be? Where is the best place (cost wise) to get gold wings?
So glad to hear NNMShelia. We'll keep praying for the foot!
My heart is still heavy about the loss of the two aviators in Merdian. Thanks Leslie and Susie for the updates. I cannot imagine the grief and loss.
We got an unexpected phone call from our DS last night. My thoughts were racing as we exchanged initial greetings; wondering what was wrong that would make him call mid-week. (He has a way of chatting a bit before bringing up the reason for his call.) He finally brings up the question he called about...he just remembered his sister's birthday was today and did I know what she might want? Nearly fell out of my chair. lol.
He is only a check-ride and solo away from selecting. He's hoping to get it done so he can select next week; but Thursday is a holiday and nobody is saying how that affects the schedule. Oh, the waiting!
CheriH, oh the pins and needles of waiting, right? I hope all goes well.
Our DS is plugging away in Kingsville...a scheduling error set him back this week so that was disappointing. 61 days (60 is the limit) went by between the class and the check ride, so he has a do over. Ugh!
My 50th (yikes!) birthday was last weekend and the kids each took turns taking me for a surprise "outing"...it was so wonderful. Our DS was having a hard time figuring out how to participate when he's on the opposite end of the country, but he and his sisters came up with an awesome plan. He sent my husband a menu and shopping list and then the two of us made dinner together over Skype!! I was so excited all day leading up to it and then we spent almost two hours drinking the same wine, preparing the same meal and sitting down to eat together. It was so wonderful to see him and do things "together". Of course I cried and cried after we signed off, but it was really special. They are great kids. Have a good day!
Leslie: Happy Birthday! Have been praying for all of you affected directly by the Meridian accident. We always worry about flying, and often forget the daily dangers of life.
Barb: What an amazingly clever way to share with your son! I'm still smiling at picturing the two of you "having" dinner together. I may steal that idea but with DS in Japan, we'll have to do dinner/breakfast! Some time to figure it out, since he should be landing on the GW today (or maybe yesterday, because I always forget the differences in date).
Judy - What a great surprise! Enjoy every minute.
DS made Top Gun! I'm so grateful that he'll get this dream.Thanks for all your positive thoughts, ladies and James. He'll be headed to Fallon next month for the two month program. I doubt he'll make it home and will be too busy for us to go out there, but at least he'll be Stateside. Too bad they moved it from Miramar - the movie will forever have it set in my mind as THE spot.
Sheila - I'm glad to hear you are making progress. Enjoy that winging.
I am sure that someone has already asked this question but here goes? Has anyone been on a Tiger Cruise yet? Can you share your experiences? My son is not able to communicate any details but I just wanted to learn about-What to do- What to bring/ etc. Would appreciate any info!!!!!
Hi moms! If I don't get the chance later, happy 4th to all of you. We are having a blast here on Coronado with our grandchildren. Our granddaughter is taking golf lessons this summer and her little brother wanted to hit balls at the range while his sister was in class so we picked him up a set of clubs. He is hitting 2-3 buckets a day now as is happy as a clam. DS and DIL got back from CLS in Newport on Saturday. They were exhausted but said the class was incredible. There are so many facets of command that they hadn't even thought of, so many potential situations to prepare for, it was an amazing opportunity to mine knowledge from outgoing COs and spouses. Today DS is at the 32nd St station for a refresher in aviation fire fighting. We are hanging out here until Saturday and then heading home to the PNW. Nancy-Hopefully we aren't missing summer!
Sheila- I'm so glad you are on your way to getting your health issues resolved. What a relief!
Will and I are off to Balboa park today. With the grand kids off at camp we are going to check out the art museums.
I love reading everyone's posts about their child's adventures from beginning to end. It seems like yesterday that my son was stressing about one thing or another. Will I get jets? Will I get my base choice? Their experiences are incredible and as they mature so do we !!! But it never gets easy. I always feel like I am looking over my shoulder for the next bump in the road! Now I just miss him terribly. First deployment in the Pacific. Very little contact and not knowing where he is is so frustrating. But just wanted to say thank you for this board as we can all share our ups and downs. It DOES make it a little easier. Parents of non military kids just don't quite get it! Thanks for the vent! LOL
I've been going crazy all afternoon. He selected at 14:00. I just got a text...he got Tailhook and is headed to Kingsville! I'm so excited for him as this is what he's been dreaming of since he was in 3rd grade. Can't wait to talk to him. I'm all jittery!
Dawn
May 30, 2013
Paymaster
JudyM....That was a quick two weeks. Glad to know he is home.
May 30, 2013
Sweet*Southern*Lady
yeah for waits... he left the house at 6:20am and came home by 7:15am... haha i shouldn't get to used to this.
May 30, 2013
Dawn
May 31, 2013
Paymaster
Sheila....Really a cyst, my gosh you poor things. Hope you get a good report from the doctor this week.
Jun 3, 2013
JudyM
Jun 3, 2013
Helomom
Jun 6, 2013
CheriH
NurseNavyMomShelia, welcome to Dallas! Hope you have a great weekend here. If you were staying longer, I'd say let's meet for a cup of coffee! When is winging? Early or late July? Sure hope you get some answers soon.
DS is doing his formation sims this week. Should be coming up on selection soon. Hubby and I are on pins and needles waiting for it; can't imagine what the wait is like for DS and DIL. Hopefully he's so busy that he doesn't have much time to think about it. But knowing him, he's always thinking about it.
Jun 7, 2013
Rose
Have you looked at Craigslist or scoped out Walmart low-end furniture items that might tide them over while they are in P'cola? That, and ask around for others who might be moving on & need to unload furniture, etc. they had acquired during training.
Jun 7, 2013
Helomom
Jun 7, 2013
Paymaster
Leslie....Don't feel bad, TAPS will do it to me everytime! And I am not a cryer
Jun 8, 2013
Kabar
Do most parents give new aviators gold wings at the time of winging?
Jun 8, 2013
gonavymom
I don't think I've been on this site since before DS winged in April!
Kabar: The Navy provides brass wings for all wingees. The wingee may be gifted with gold wings that we brought up to the front with us when it was time to pin them on. I shopped around and found that Wings-Pensacola www.flywings.com had the best price. I got them early enough to have them engraved with his first initial, last name & winging date.
DS came out of SERE 15 lbs lighter and they really can't talk about the experience because it is pretty much all classified. So glad for him that its done.
I am doing Dogs on Deployment and have the pup of a P3 pilot from NAS Whidbey who just deployed to Japan for six months. She is sweet, energetic & gets along with my dog so well. When he dropped her off he said that he couldn't think of a nicer place for his dog to stay while he was deployed. Big lump in my throat...
JudyM: I need to get you my cell phone # that you can pass on to your DS. I would give him a place for Thanksgiving dinner, etc at my table!
Sheila: Prayers for you. What you are going through reminds me of what my best friend just went through-very similar symptoms. I am also in healthcare & went with her to all of her appointments to the 19 different specialists that we saw. In the end they decided that her immune system went haywire as a response to a viral infection (EBV) and started attacking different organ systems similar to an autoimmune disorder. All of her diagnostic tests always came back normal. She would have one set of symptoms for about two months then those would resolve and another set would come on in a different system. She finally got better after treatment with prednisone. I wonder if they gave you a trial of prednisone if your symptoms would wane. My friend was able to taper her prednisone doses down to nothing over four months and her symptoms resolved and she remains well.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Jun 8, 2013
Paymaster
Jun 8, 2013
Marianne
Kabar: Our DS really didn't seem too excited about the gold wings when I had asked, so we skipped them and instead got framed pictures of the planes he had flown in training ( and some stuff with the logo of his new squadron on them). He really liked them and had them proudly displayed at his house in Japan. As paymaster said, every family is different!
DS was promoted to LT last Saturday and got his bars on Iwo Jima, which made it extra special for our family because my uncle was one of the first Marines to land there in WW II. That really teared me up.
Still waiting to hear if he got into Top Gun at Fallon, so keep your fingers crossed.
Jun 9, 2013
Sweet*Southern*Lady
New Group: Pensacola Navy Significant Others
Jun 9, 2013
CheriH
Gonavymom: I love that: dogs on deployment. I would love to do that. No military base close by tho.
Great job Whitney for filling a need and starting a new group!
Congrats Marianne on DS' promotion; and how special on the family history connection.
Jun 9, 2013
Sweet*Southern*Lady
Thank CheriH. I'm hoping to meet some other wives/girlfriends/ or boyfriends/husbands who's spouses are in training.
Jun 10, 2013
Helomom
Jun 10, 2013
Kabar
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and experiences with getting gold wings for a winging...or not. My son has spoken of the framed piece several of you mentioned. I know it can be ordered from Wings in Pensacola. Is anyone on this list going to be attending Friday's winging at NAS Whiting Field? Sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear where/what training will take my DS next.
Jun 10, 2013
Hurricane
Jun 10, 2013
Marianne
Kris P...As the Navy says, "Blue skies and fair winds" for your trip! You may yet get to spend time with Mitch; they hadn't deployed as of Monday. Conor also is on a 3 yr. and will be home (at least in the States) in December 2014. He definitely wants to be back in the States rather than doing a NATO stint in Europe, which is one option.
For all of you with kids on the GW, this article about their recent training on Iwo is interesting, if nerve-racking:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/amid-safety-fears-us-...
Of course, DS didn't mention any of the safety issues when he got back from there last week. Smart guy - he knows his mother too well.
Jun 12, 2013
Dawn
Oh Leslie. My heart aches for Rory, you and the families my prayers are with you all
Jun 16, 2013
Barb
Leslie,
What a heartbreak for everyone involved. I'm so sorry. Please feel our arms around all of you in a supportive embrace and know that you are all in our prayers.
Jun 16, 2013
JudyM
Jun 16, 2013
Helomom
Sheila- Prayers for you too, Sheila. Hopefully you are on the path to resolution for all of your health issues.
DS checked in today. He flew back in Newport for CLS today. We leave on Thursday to fly to San Diego to hang out with the grand kids for a week. DIL is joining DS in Newport for her CLS Spouse training.
Jun 16, 2013
Barb
Suzie, so glad to hear that your son is safe and so sorry for all the young people and their families touched by the tragedy.
Jun 17, 2013
CheriH
Oh my...my heart is heavy for the family of those pilots and their friends. You steel yourself for possibilities of their dangerous jobs, but the reality is that tragedy can come in so many other ways.
We got a call from DS yesterday; he's only four flights away from finishing primary. But only flew once last week. On standby for today. I'm surprised he seems to be doing amazingly well with the waiting. I guess last summer of waiting really taught him a few things. It was great to talk to him.
Praying for all those in Meridian today...and for you Sheila!
Jun 17, 2013
TennMom
Too sad for words, prayers all around.
Flying is one of the safest things our kids do on a day to day basis.
Jun 17, 2013
ulua
A terrible loss, so sad there are no words.
There is info posted from Tuscaloosa news. Our prayers go out to all
Jun 17, 2013
aggiemom
Prayers for all families, loved ones and friends.
And for you Sheila.
Jun 17, 2013
Jamesmum
Jun 17, 2013
gonavymom
Leslie, Suzie: Heartbreaking news. My prayers are joining up with all the others. Praying for the families, the extended Navy family & friends for the peace that passes understanding, the strength to do all things and the courage to face the days ahead without their loved ones. Also continuing to pray for Sheila's health-have you been able to question any of your doctors about a trial of prednisone yet?
Jun 18, 2013
JudyM
Jun 18, 2013
Michelle
Sheila, gee, you are definitely due for some good luck! I hope things start improving for you.
Jun 19, 2013
Rose
Bless you, Leslie. So glad for you and Rory, that Rory could make that call and lift your heart. Any Mom can identify with how our hearts hurt any time one of our loved ones is hurting. Prayers for continued healing of the many hearts touched by the tragic occurrences in Meridian.
xoxo Rose
Jun 25, 2013
USNA Mom
Good Morning Ladies!
I have not commented much because I was a newbie but appreciate all of you tremendously. Thank you.
My son just finished Primary last night. He is going to find out how he selects. He is confident that he will get Helos (which is his first choice) since he scored super high on the order of merit (or whatever the matrix is called) so he is happy.
My question is: how long does Advcanced last? When should I expect roughly winging should be? Where is the best place (cost wise) to get gold wings?
Thanks for your help!
Jun 26, 2013
CheriH
So glad to hear NNMShelia. We'll keep praying for the foot!
My heart is still heavy about the loss of the two aviators in Merdian. Thanks Leslie and Susie for the updates. I cannot imagine the grief and loss.
We got an unexpected phone call from our DS last night. My thoughts were racing as we exchanged initial greetings; wondering what was wrong that would make him call mid-week. (He has a way of chatting a bit before bringing up the reason for his call.) He finally brings up the question he called about...he just remembered his sister's birthday was today and did I know what she might want? Nearly fell out of my chair. lol.
He is only a check-ride and solo away from selecting. He's hoping to get it done so he can select next week; but Thursday is a holiday and nobody is saying how that affects the schedule. Oh, the waiting!
Hope everybody has a great weekend.
Jun 27, 2013
CheriH
...and Happy Birthday Leslie!
Jun 27, 2013
Barb
CheriH, oh the pins and needles of waiting, right? I hope all goes well.
Our DS is plugging away in Kingsville...a scheduling error set him back this week so that was disappointing. 61 days (60 is the limit) went by between the class and the check ride, so he has a do over. Ugh!
My 50th (yikes!) birthday was last weekend and the kids each took turns taking me for a surprise "outing"...it was so wonderful. Our DS was having a hard time figuring out how to participate when he's on the opposite end of the country, but he and his sisters came up with an awesome plan. He sent my husband a menu and shopping list and then the two of us made dinner together over Skype!! I was so excited all day leading up to it and then we spent almost two hours drinking the same wine, preparing the same meal and sitting down to eat together. It was so wonderful to see him and do things "together". Of course I cried and cried after we signed off, but it was really special. They are great kids. Have a good day!
Jun 27, 2013
JudyM
Jun 27, 2013
Marianne
Leslie: Happy Birthday! Have been praying for all of you affected directly by the Meridian accident. We always worry about flying, and often forget the daily dangers of life.
Barb: What an amazingly clever way to share with your son! I'm still smiling at picturing the two of you "having" dinner together. I may steal that idea but with DS in Japan, we'll have to do dinner/breakfast! Some time to figure it out, since he should be landing on the GW today (or maybe yesterday, because I always forget the differences in date).
Judy - What a great surprise! Enjoy every minute.
DS made Top Gun! I'm so grateful that he'll get this dream.Thanks for all your positive thoughts, ladies and James. He'll be headed to Fallon next month for the two month program. I doubt he'll make it home and will be too busy for us to go out there, but at least he'll be Stateside. Too bad they moved it from Miramar - the movie will forever have it set in my mind as THE spot.
Sheila - I'm glad to hear you are making progress. Enjoy that winging.
Jun 27, 2013
CheriH
How wonderful Shelia! Congrats and enjoy the fun!!!
Jun 27, 2013
newfmom
I am sure that someone has already asked this question but here goes? Has anyone been on a Tiger Cruise yet? Can you share your experiences? My son is not able to communicate any details but I just wanted to learn about-What to do- What to bring/ etc. Would appreciate any info!!!!!
Jun 30, 2013
Paymaster
Sheila.....I expected a count down clock for you this morning. If figured you would be counting down big time!
Jul 1, 2013
Helomom
Sheila- I'm so glad you are on your way to getting your health issues resolved. What a relief!
Will and I are off to Balboa park today. With the grand kids off at camp we are going to check out the art museums.
Jul 1, 2013
CheriH
Ok gals...DS finished primary today; formation checkride and solo. Now just the waiting!!!!!
Jul 1, 2013
Dawn
Jul 1, 2013
newfmom
I love reading everyone's posts about their child's adventures from beginning to end. It seems like yesterday that my son was stressing about one thing or another. Will I get jets? Will I get my base choice? Their experiences are incredible and as they mature so do we !!! But it never gets easy. I always feel like I am looking over my shoulder for the next bump in the road! Now I just miss him terribly. First deployment in the Pacific. Very little contact and not knowing where he is is so frustrating. But just wanted to say thank you for this board as we can all share our ups and downs. It DOES make it a little easier. Parents of non military kids just don't quite get it! Thanks for the vent! LOL
Jul 2, 2013
CheriH
I've been going crazy all afternoon. He selected at 14:00. I just got a text...he got Tailhook and is headed to Kingsville! I'm so excited for him as this is what he's been dreaming of since he was in 3rd grade. Can't wait to talk to him. I'm all jittery!
Jul 3, 2013