AECF - FCs and ETs

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.

navblumom, Yes, "Mom" is the hardest job in the Navy. We go through boot camp and everything, LOL.

Lots of hugs going to BR549 and Navyblu.

BR549, I too am sorry to hear that news!  He is definitely moving right along since he left GL. 

Congrats Vickyrun on grand baby number two.

GoldnGR8, how long has your sailor been on hold? Mine is FC and will finish up A school in a couple weeks.  

Love the photos Helen :-)  It's so nice to see Matt enjoying himself.  Hold times at this time of the year can be...trying.  Hubby works works for a government agency and they have been working under a continuing resolution all year and it ends on November 18th...so future is always unclear at this time of the year but hold on ladies, it always works out.

E5 advancement news is not far away...hope all of our FCs and ETs get a chance to move up!

:-)  

This is when it gets real.  School can drag on for a couple of years for our FCs and ETs but fleet life is what they have been training for.

Helen....absolutely love all the pics and seeing Matt!  If you post 100 more I'd love it! If we can't see our own sailor's face....seeing Matt's keeps us happy!

Congrats to Matt for all he is doing and may he continue to be happy and stay safe!

Helen, thank you for posting those photos for us.

BR549, I am so happy for you and your son. Funny how things can change so fast in the Navy. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

I wonder what 1B school is??

Marinewifenavymom...good reminder. Thank you.

Just keep in mind the Community Guidelines :

The following are examples of red flags and should not be shared within this community either by posting or sending via a Group message:
• Sailors’ last names. This includes your username if you share the same last name as your son or daughter. If you scan in a picture of an article that contains your Sailor’s last name, make sure to black it out first. If it is an online Navy article or news article that you are reposting, do not publicly identify the mentioned Sailor as your son or daughter.
• No Sailor addresses, emails, or other contact information. The exception to this rule is FPO addresses.
• Specific dates, times, and locations regarding current or future deployments and ship movements. Do not post dates more specific than by month. Do not post specific ports of call, deployment bases, or future destinations.
• Details regarding training, equipment, and current or future operations or missions. (But Boot Camp is okay.)
• Names or numbers of the Recruit Training Command staff.
• Ways to cheat the system. Navy will see it as a breach of security when you share things like how to bend the rules. We don’t want to jeopardize the safety of our Sailors.

INCORRECT:
My Sailor is in XYZ unit and is stationed at ABC camp in XXX city in Iraq.
My daughter is aboard the XYZ ship heading to ABC city/country in X days.
They will be coming back on X date from XXX city.

CORRECT:
My Sailor is deployed in Iraq.
My son is aboard the Stennis.
They will be coming back sometime in May.

When in doubt, less is better.

Linda...not to worry...I really don't think you said anything wrong. You gave no details, times, places, etc.

I only posted the Community Guidelines, since it seemed to go along with Marinewifenavymom's post.

We are all here to learn, share, support, and be a friend to each other!

Proud, I must respectfully disagree.  Linda gave the exact dates of the ship's movement, an absolute violation of OPSEC.  I don't care who "knows" those dates, they are not to be posted by a family member in an open group such as this.  Support is terrific, supporting OPSEC violations so you don't hurt feelings is not.  It is difficult to tell someone who is already upset in a kind and tactful manner that they're making an error.  I know, she just wants an answer.  

Linda, while it is unusual right before deployment, the ships can and do deny leave.  You simply don't know what the CO has been told concerning returning to port, if he says things have changed and there will be no homeport visit, then that's the way it is.  As for Thanksgiving leave being denied, you simply don't know what the situation is concerning who else is taking leave, or not, or why he is needed on board, if the systems need him or of another sailor transferred or what.  Unfortunately, discussing such things also violates OPSEC, so you may never know the exact reasons.

We had someone who was at the airport have their leave cancelled. And that was shore duty!

It sucks, it is disappointing, it feels wrong, it is horribly inconvenient.  But there is little you can do, not under your control, or your sailor's control.  You just have to do the best you can with the situation.  

Linda, can you see a small "x" at the right top of your post?  Clicking that lets you remove your won posts.  But you should repost it without the dates, because it is a valuable, although heart-breaking, experience.  And someone might have some insight they could share with you, maybe privately if it is sensitive.

This while Navy thing just takes practice.

Anti M...Thank You! You are absolutely correct and I agree.  No argument from me about anything you said.   I didn't mean to sound like I was sugar coating things or "supporting" an OPSEC violation.  When I talk support, I strictly mean, emotional, etc.   Sometimes the written word can be misunderstood.   But I surely made a boo boo in not recognizing the violation.  Thanks again!

Good morning,Vicki, anything consumable is good. Nuts, power bars, cookies, instant coffee.  I almost sent Chrissy cookies for Christmas then she changes her mind. She is on a health kick, glad I didn't order them. Sent her some trail mix instead. She wants to get back to her post-BC weight. I don't know she was too skinny then I think.

Does anyone know a sailor with a kindle  - do they work everywhere? Thinking of buying son a kindle as books take up storage? Kindle Fire? Looking for advice

My nephew on a sub has a Nook for his e-reader, something like a Kindle.  He loads it up with books before they deploy.  He can use it anywhere, but can only load books when he is in port and has internet access.  A Kindle Fire is a tablet, much more than an E-reader, more like a laptop.  Anything downloadable could be used, but none of the online apps would work at sea.  Also, the Kindle Fire is limited to what Amazon offers.  

we got my daughter one for her birthday to take on deployment and she loves it

Thanks for input - ordered him one so I can play with it until Christmas!

I will be visitng my son in Great Lakes over Thanksgiving. Anyone know of any

good restaurants to recommend?

Were going to Great Lakes also for Thanksgiving to spend time with our son. I went on the internet and they're open on Thanksgiving at 10:30 am to 8:00 pm. Call for reservations. Their serving turkey, brisket to fried chicken. Sounds good. We just made our reservations right now. Prices reasonable. Everyone have a nice Thanksgiving.

my daughter is in school in Great Lakes and her and her husband are having 4 of her classmates over for Thanksgiving dinner.  she said that there was a list of families that wanted to host the sailors for Thanksgiving and there were so many families they didn't have enough sailors.  makes me feel good that that many people wanted to open their homes for the holiday.

That is wonderful. I am sure many will be alone - but hope it is by their choice, not because they do not know anyone

if they are alone it is by choice.  there were more families than sailors to go around.  they announced in the class rooms, notices, etc.  all had the opportunity.  from what my daughter says unless they have duty nobody will be alone for Thanksgiving.

I'll post something as soon as were done eating and let u know what I think. I'm so excited to see my son. I would like to say a big Thank You to all the families that opened their homes for our wonderful sailors for Thanksgiving. The weather is going to be a problem for me. Right now the weather over here is in the 70's. My sons been telling me I'm gonna freeze. I got my Uggs ready. Ha ha.

marinewifenavymom - Thanks for the restaurant info. I did check out the Savannah House Menu for Thanksgiving and it looks pretty yummie...Can't wait!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

My Daughter's chief on her ship is bringing Thanksgiving to them.They don't have to go anywhere.Also my daughter is coming home for Christmas!! Yipee. Also my son will be coming come home right after christmas.