AECF - FCs and ETs

Leanne...Have a safe trip and ENJOY! They study long and hard. Your sailor will appreciate you being there.

Christmas stand down dates just posted on the FB page...Dec 16-Jan 2

Hi all,

Hard to keep up somedays but wanted to congratulate Noel on his orders.  BR549, the USS Millius is an Aegis Destroyer - nice size ship.  Depending on how it's staffed, the crew size is about 230-300.  And four years in San Diego is sweet!

Woke up this morning to find our son is in Korea today, they still have awhile before they return to their homeport in Pearl Harbor but they have released the homecoming date and announced a Tiger Cruise...that tiger cruise is originating in TAHAITI.  My all time dream vacation but we cannot join them due to other commitments we have and the cost of a one way airline ticket from Hawaii to Tahaiti is $1700 so thinking alot of families won't make that tiger cruise!  I just know he is grinning ear to ear to think he is beating me to Tahaiti!

I can think of worse places to travel  :-)

NavyBluMom --- generally ships stationed in Japan have "family and friends" day.  Where the shipmates can invite guests to come on board, tour the ship, have lunch and they take them out in the Bay.

Had a friend here in GA recently fly to Yokosuka to do the event with the USS Geo. Washington.  Her boss was very generous and paid for a round trip ticket for her.

Hi Ladies,  My daughter just phased up. should want her clothes next week. she is in ATT school right now.

Hi everyone,

I've been reading all the post you ladies have been doing about the wonderful news of your sailors. This is my first post kinda shy and I thought it was about time to post something. My son just graduated from his ATT school today. He's having a hard time being away from home but besides that doing great. Were going to Great Lakes to spend Thanksgiving with him to cheer him up.  Were from California. Just waiting now for A school which is still in GL. Congrats to all of your sailors

Hi. Saw this on FB maybe you have seen it before but want to share it here, says how I feel about deployment; 

“A ship in harbor is safe—but that is not what ships were built for.” - Admiral Grace Hopper

She had been on deployment 1 month now, many more to go.

BR549, where has everyone gone?? LoL   I try to stop in from time to time. I see Barb, Vickyrun, Vickymed, Anti M and Mary here. Where have the rest of us seasoned Navy moms gone.

I am glad we have lots of new moms/wives and gfs joining.

@Mary, Glad to see you made it back to Austin safely.  I know it was a long drive.  It was a pleasure to meet you.  Now I know when I have a question about my FC where to turn.   Have a safe trip back to Atlanta and any time you make it back to Texas let me know. We would love to have you come visit.

Denise, I was in Round Rock on Wednesday -lovely area.  

Tx Navy Mom, it was so nice to meet you and your family.  Found out the next day that the parents of old high school friends live in your same town.  I will be back in the area after the first of the year, we will have to get together if your schedule allows for it.  In the meantime, you know where to find me if you have any questions.

BR549, Lori is a sweetheart.  We've been together thru thick and thin or at least the beginning of this group almost four years ago!

Navyblumom - I know Lakeway!  You may live in NM but I suspect once a Texan ...always a Texan.

Hi ladies,

I was looking for a Navy shirt for an upcoming event and found on cafepress.com lots of FC and ET items from cups to shirts such as the one below.  They have them for dads, moms, nieces, etc...

Thanks for sharing.  Looks like a mug for dad's collection

Happy Halloween to everyone. 

Vickyrun thanks for he pumpkins

Mary thank you for the info. I will definitely be paying a visit to Cafe Press. So happy that they have stuff for families of ET and FCs. 

Happy Halloween everyone!

Dang...I have a lot of catch up reading to do! Been away for a week or so.

Our guy got his orders to report to San Diego Dec. 2 for "C" school. And then he will be attached to the USS Germantown. (home base Sasebo, Japan) We are sooooo excited he will take leave to come home for Thanksgiving before going to SD. YIPEE.

So..here we go...another Navy chapter soon to begin!  And some much nicer winters than GL !

Vicky..Happy Pumpkin Day to you too!!

Mary...thanks for the CafeExpress info!

Barb, exciting news, I hope he likes Japan.

Can anyone tell me what RAS stands for? She uses it to desribe her ship.

Sasebo is a beautiful area, smaller base but nice location.  The USS Germantown is part of the USS Essex group but I had read recently that the Essex will be leaving Sasebo for the yards and will be replaced by another ship but I cannot remember what ship is replacing it.

Hmmmm...wonder what Crissy is referring to since she is on a destroyer.

Happy Halloween to all.  We got a great treat today, our son's ship was adopted by Molly's Adopt a Sailor so they posted a ton of great photos on facebook which included three of our son.   

I just want to know...when did he get old enough for a mustache?!!!

Mary and Anti M...

it's the USS Bonhomme Richard

http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2011/08-august/027.htm

http://www.stripes.com/news/uss-bonhomme-richard-to-replace-uss-ess...

Anti M... it says "hull swap"....but that still doesn't say what ship will replace the Essex, right?  or am I missing something?

Hull swap means the crews stay where they are, just the ships change.  Of course a small crew is needed to take one over and one back, but they really aren't fully manned as I understand it.

My dad was on the carrier named the Essex during Korea.  I have his old crews books, they are a riot and very politically incorrect.  There are pages of Miss Essex photos and Mrs. Essex photos, wives and girlfriends of the crew.  That Essex was "the cake baking-est ship in the Navy"; no one could sneeze without the galley baking them a fancy sheet cake!

navyblumom...he won't be deployed until he finishes "C" school. Don't know for sure how long that is...I'm thinking no more than 6 months.

Sorry to hear that your son will be leaving before Christmas.

It's certainly will continue to be an adventure and challenge to keep up and learn everything for this Navy Mom (grandma).

Okay all you ET sailor Moms... I spoke with our sailor in more depth today. Got more info. I previously thought C school would be longer than 6 months. Seems that's true. This may not be the case for all ETs, but ...he is going to San Diego Dec 2 through March for part of C school. Then more C school in Norfolk. He was put in for training abroad...so then he'll be on the USS Germantown...home base in Sasebo, Japan.

He said to get overseas training, he first had to be approved and accepted by a sponsor. (which he said he has...by a Senior Chief...good deal!

He's been busy with all the formalities (paperwork etc)  but he said things have really been moving along well. Most paperwork is done, now he just needs to take PRT (physical fitness test).

I thought of Anti M....because he told us...again....that he is really happy that he is an ET...because he will have the opportunity to attend more C schools and train for various aspects withing the field. ( some rates attend one C school only)He feels there is more opportunity for advancement by learning more.

He's happy...that makes me happy!!!

Vickyrun congratulations on your new grand baby in progress. The more grandkids the better.

Barb, I bet your son is so excited. The time is going to go by so fast. Tell him that once he gets to Japan he better take lots of photos.( so you can post them here for us on AECF)

BR549. I am sorry you will miss Christmas with your Sailor. I know you will really miss him. Just make sure you still put up your Christmas Tree and decorations.

My son thinks that this will be the last Christmas he spends with us for awhile. He thinks be on a ship next Christmas.