AECF - FCs and ETs

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.

Chief Angie, or anyone else who may know...

Can we get permission to have copies made of the photos we purchased at Bootcamp graduation? I was told that they are copyrighted and a lab will not make copies unless I get permission. I wanted another copy not only from last year, but I have another from 20 years ago that I wanted to get a new copy of. After all, after many years on the wall, they do start to fade! Any pic does.

(and yes, I know, I can scan it in on my computer and print a copy out myself on nice glossy photo paper!)

Man that sucks. But on the bright side our sailors still have a job even if they don't advance. 

My son advanced to E4 yesterday and got his crows. He said that there was no ceremony he just went to class with his crows on his uniform.

Thank you Helen and Vickymed.

Vickymed congratulations to Chris!! Hope you hear from him soon.

Can't wait to see my son in December.

My ET2 is now an ET1!!!!!!!!!!!!!   YAY!   First time up!

Congrats to all that make it, the numbers are getting thinner each cycle.  For our ET3 hoping to move up to 2nd class, the numbers are slightly better than the FC2 opportunity, out of 1191 ET3 only 81 will advance to 2nd class.  VickyMed, I will check for Chris and let you know.  

Helen does have GOOD news to share  :-)

NavyBluMom --- the difference between the two groups is Aegis and non Aegis as Helen and Karla shared below.

Sandy, they don't do a ceremony for our ETs and FCs to E4 because it is an automatic advancement but congrats to him -- when they move beyond that and have to pass these advancement tests they do one big advancement ceremony Navy wide where they all get frocked at one time, last year it was Dec. 1st but the results are out a week earlier this year.  They do not start getting paid for the rate until later - the first pay for advancement begins in January and then each month thru June a % more gets their pay increase.

NavyBluMom - I do have the rack size somewhere and will try to put my fingers on it today for ya.

.

My only question is; Why does the Navy test so many sailors? When they know they only need a few. 

If they are qualified to take the test - they have to test.

Anti M, congratulations to your FC1!!!   I wish all our Sailors the best of luck with their advancements.

(psssst .... ET1!)   ((lol))

If they take the test and pass it, they get points for next time.  We had guys who claimed they weren't doing their courses because they were happy as E-4s, didn't want responsibility, etc.  They were very angry when the Training Officer wrote them up, and had to actually study and work on their advancement quals.  That attitude doesn't fly in today's Navy.  In fact, I know the one guy would have been tossed out, and the other two PITAs would have been right behind him.  

Congratulations on those advancements! To the others - keep on working....

On the crocheted blanket - I was thinking the same thing and bought enough for a lap quilt size, thinking he could use it when curled up to computer.......

Yay Matt!  It is so nice to see a few of ours make it this cycle!

Helen, on the CMC's friends list >>>>>>>>>>>

A few happy sailors this go around and unfortunately many frustrated ones.  Hoping the next cycle will be kinder with the quotas.

Sailor son became a "Golden" Shellback this week, this means they crossed the equator at the 180 Meridian line (Figi) and are now experiencing Pago, Pago.  They have an awesome travel agent for this deployment :-)

When you become fleet mommas, you will really learn to appreciate an occassional photo of your sailor, today was my turn...

Cute pic, Mary. And congras to al who advanced. I just have one queston; Chrissy's ship command held on to all thier tests and she was not counted in the results last friday. So will her test still be graded/counted?

Steel beach picnic Connie, the CO is getting ready to leave the ship.  He was a great CO.  

VickyRun, I had heard about this issue.  The CO does have special abilities to advance his sailors and I certainly hope he considers doing it under these circumstances.

Hi all, our sailor is home (WOOHOO!) for Thanksgiving! (it's been a year since we have seen or hugged him) So not spending too much time on the computer!

Wanted to say a BIG Congratulations to all those who made their advancements! Both to you Moms and your sailors. And you too Anti M! What a wonderful accomplishment and feeling, huh?

Gotta run.....

Mary....just love seeing your sailor son's smiling face...

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving everyone...I'll be back after our sailor leaves on Dec. 1.  I'm soooo excited it's hard staying in my own skin!

Woohoo - Sailor home for Thanksgiving!  How special is that?!!  Enjoy every minute Barb!

Found why Nick was smiling so big today ---- they just hit a very special port in the South Pacific...

Moored Papeete,Tahiti French Polynesia

It has always been my dream vacation, cannot believe the Navy took my son there first.  Trying not to be TOO jealous!