AECF - FCs and ETs

Barb, thank you for posting that video. I have been aware that my Iphone has built in GPS in it. I never post from my Iphone to my PC ever!! I heard about there being a code where anyone who has a GPS can figure out where you are. (if you post you photos)  

My son said that he is going to turn off his Iphone while over-seas. 

My Sailor has finished ATT!!! !!!  Gets his certificate tomorrow.  Hallelujah!  PIR was 4/29. Lets see how long till A school starts.  

I contacted  headquarters for the movie theatre at Gurney to send R. a gift card.  The lady explained that ordering on line would be easier. I chose the cheapest shipping rate which was US mail.  I get an email from The lady telling me that she upgraded the shipping to next day FedEx.  Her way of thanking R for his service and he would have it for this weekend.  Well, they attempted delivery three days.  I called FedEx to find out what was going on.  Of course it has to be signed for and the delivery guy could not get in the building. They suggested R. come to the FedEx office in Great Lakes to get it.  I said yeah right.  Take a taxi with a liberty buddy to the FedEx office during THEIR business hours! So they returned the card to the nice lady and she is going to send it out to him  again via priority mail.  Sounds cazy.  Telling you all this so you know how FedEx works on the base.  I would never send anything any other way except US mail anyway.  Job security.  Hubby is a postmaster.  

R'sproudmom...Congrats to your sailor! Got my fingers crossed for ya that he starts A school soon!

Just too funny about the FedEX deal. I'm with you...ship US Mail!

R'sproudmom, Congratulations to your Sailor.

Odi, I am glad your Sailor was not put on hold for long and started (A)school right away.

jacqueline, your son's recruiter should handle all of the paperwork for your son. He/she will tell your son what he needs for security purposes. 

My son's Dad is from Great Britain. We have lots of family in the United Kingdom and Australia. For security reason my son had to provide the recruiter with all of his aunts and uncles names. (and grandma's)  This is because our relatives on my husbands side of the family are not American Citizens. If your relative are all US citizens then you won't have to provide their names.

Have your son talk to his recruiter about this. You can call up your son's recruiter and ask questions. They will be happy to answer them for you. Although they can't give you legal advice.

Just make sure that you don't leave out any important medical information. I have heard of several SR being Separated from the Navy for not disclosing medical information. Discuss this with your son's recruiter.

Jacqueline...Like Sandy already said, your son's recruiter should handle all necessary paperwork. Your son should have received it all soon after he signed up. When he leaves for bootcamp, he won't be taking anything with him except the clothes on his back and a piece of paper they give him.

And yes, disclose anything and everything that might come back and bite him in the you know what. Even financial / credit issues. Our sailor was a victim of identify theft (long story) so we had to show police reports and everything to prove he was not responsible for the alleged debt in his name.

Helen... We're all here for you...sending big ((((((Navy Hugs)))))) your way. Wishing Matt and all his shipmates the best. May they all stay safe, while enjoying their deployment and experience a new adventure.

Helen,

How's your husband doing? 

I don't yet know what if feels like to have our sailor on deployment but my thoughts are with you.  

Helen, it's so good that your Nicholas has an opprtunity to attend his arthritis camp.  I have a friend who has nursed at an asthma camp and another who nursed at a diabetis camp.  They could not say enough about the experience for both the kids and themselves.  Having a chronic illness can really mess with a person's body image, self concept, sense of normalcy, the whole nine yards.  It's even harder for kids who are just developing all that.  At these camps these kids are "normal", which, as we know, is all teenagers dream about.  Of course we know that they are better than normal because they have blossomed despite adversity.  And we will tell them that.  Once they hit twenty-five or so.  :-)

Helen....Well, you surely have not been leading a boring life! Kidding aside, I'm happy your hubby is on the mend. Been thinking about you wondering how much sleep you've been getting with Matt just leaving. But with so much going on, hopefully when your head hits the pillow, you're off to dreamland.

Take care and keep us posted.

Anti M....have a great time...fill us in when you get back and have time!

We'll try not to get into too much trouble while you are gone, right ladies?!!!

sciteacher, so glad he has fixed his phone, loL  

Congratulations to your son for all his hard work. I hope you get to visit with him during Labor Day weekend.

Helen...yes, I'd love to and be honored to help send Matt some birthday wishes!

I'll PM you!

When your son/daughter is deployed there is nothing like a good photo of them to make your day!  

Thanks for finding him!!!

And you know I'm happy to send my wishes to Matt :-)

Awesome picture Mary.  To think that mine could be there some day makes me feel a little.... well, I don't know how I feel.  He did start A school yesterday.  One day on hold. He found out yesterday morning  that classes were starting.

Helen.. a package is ready to be sent out.  I loved putting it together!!  

Debbie, I love that poem. I am going to share with my son. I think he will find it funny.

Connie, Congratulations to your son. Talk about changes, LoL.  Where did that kid go?? 

Pam, nice to meet you and congratulations to your son too. It is great that he was able to take that much leave time.

Happy Sunday everyone...

Helen...your son is really a sweetie for sending you all those emails. I wish him all the best...safe journeys, safe "boardings"...with a little fun and adventure thrown in!

Connie and Pam...congrats on the upcoming weddings...your families are growing! Glad you came back to share the good news with us Pam. Nice to meet you!

My husband and I would like to fly a navy flag under our USA flag - any ideas on where to find a good one - must be USA made

Jean..just some info if you don't already have it...NMCB5 has  a good facebook page with up to date info and pics.

http://www.facebook.com/NMCB5#!/NMCB5?sk=wall

Helen...the pot luck and the entire event was a big success. Marcy Scott deserves a big thank you for organizing the entire thing. Had tons of delicious food, met wonderful Navy Moms & Dads, and Rear Admiral Sanders impressed us all. He even brought his Mom..and she baked cookies!

He graciously answered any questions we had, and had a few stories of his own to tell. A couple pretty funny ones about pirates.

Only have a couple pics, but I keep getting an error message when trying to post. Will have to figure out what's going on.

Here is the Admirals' biography. You can see he's been a pretty busy man:

http://www.readyforsea.org/sanders.html

Helen, I will keep your nephew in my thoughts and prayers.

Everyone!!  I am so happy. My Sailor son is coming home on leave next week. He will be here for 10 days. Can't wait.