AECF - FCs and ETs

FCS and cots are pretty generic terms.  When he gets to his school, he should be able to tell you a more precise name of the system.

Thanks Anti M  I found FCS to be Future Combat Systems and CG is a carrier. His will be USS Leyte Gulf in Norfolk. Any definition of COTS? It looks as if some carriers are upgraded to have AEGIS on them, Do they live onboard? and are they to be in Norfolk or at sea?

I am guessing COTS=commercial off the shelf.

The Navy tries to put them in a barracks situation if possible when the ships are not deployed.  This isn't always possible, but they do have some nice Live Ashore units for the fleet.  Hard to say if he'll be living on the ship or not.  Sometimes the guys will pool their money to share a place if they aren't eligible for a housing allowance.  

Do you mean is the ship going ot be deployed?  I would assume it will at some time, but usually we don't talk about ship movements.  That's an OPSEC violation.   What you need to do is have your sailor sign you up with the ombudsman when he checks in, so you'll be kept updated on what they are doing.  The ship has an official website or FB page, so you can check in there also, but you really want to be on the ombudsman list.

I hear you GoldnG8r...

I think they will be out later this week, I saw something on FB.

It's Out:

And she made the list FC2 Woot Woot!

Woohoo got me an FC2 also neither of us thought he would get it this first time!

Thanks and Congrats to all who advanced. Deb, it is unusual to advance the first time. This was Chrissy's 4th time.

my daughter is currently stationed in Dalgren Va A school, she is a fire control men ageis, waiting for orders. I believe there is just one other female in her class. How do orders work will there be more then 2 choices when the orders come in? or will she only have 2 places to choose from. She really wants to go to San Diego.

Good morning, I hope you all have a nice Memorial Day weekend.

Intresting news about our  Aegis FC's and thier ships;

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/05/30/navy-ships-growing-in-capabili...

Where is everybody?

Hanging out, nothing much to say.  My ET's wife was in a Japanese Coke commercial.  That was pretty exciting, but she was an extra, even up front and flinging her hair around, you need to know her to spot her.  

Hi Anti M, That is cool. My FC2 is home on leave, she is missing her frocking ceremony but she will just get the pin when she goes back.  

Congrats on second, and I hope she's having a great time on leave.  

Frocking is one of those things I don't miss.  You get to wear it, you get new responsibilities, maybe a couple perks, but you certainly don't get the pay for it.  Did get me a better barracks room at the time.  

Thanks. Chrissy likes the ceremonys and the rewards, the pins and that stuff she works for. She likes the attention. She eats it up. And she likes poseing for the pics. Lucky me, I get lots of pics. Lol. She has an apartment off-base. (She is living with her boyfriend, another sailor on the same ship. )

Well, Chrissy dropped off teenage Marsha yesterday in the parking lot and didn't come upstairs, so I didn't get another hug, the little brat. Well, Marsha said she had to go back to Sac to pick up Aidan, she is taking him back to VA today. She gets him for five weeks. She posted on FB that she is worried about the storms and tornado warnings. Norlfolk posted a warning. Well, I hope they get there ok, today. She said she will be home for Christmas, then maybe Spain. Not sure yet about Spain.

Spain is cool.  I'd go again, if I had the money.  Flights have gotten so expensive.

is anyone's sailor an ET Riverine?

Does anyone know how long C school will be for AN/USC-38?  My son has gotten his verbal orders and will be working on this equipment, and he is trying to find out the duration of this C school.  Any information is appreciated!

The fireworks over San Diego Bay are really something.  Crowded though.   Google it for all the things happening.  If you can get a harbor cruise, seeing them out on the water is fabulous.  Pricey though.

Good morning, Happy 4th of July! All hail the Red, White and Blue, land that I love

I went to the fireworks last night in Jackson, and I am haning out with a single girlfriend today. My sailor is marching in some kind of parade in Viriginia, her son is marching with her, I hope they have fun.

Good Morning!  I was wondering if anyone on here attended their Sailor's 'C' school graduation at Dahlgren, and if so, were there many family members there?

Thanks

My FC is still in GL with plans to go to Dahlgren for C school in August to graduate in Dec and then transfer to Norfolk to a destroyer

Donna---my son graduated a couple of years ago from C school in Dahlgren.  we didn't go.  my son said that there were only about 8 people graduating and said we shouldn't come.  if we lived closer maybe we would have anyway but we are in missouri. 

My daughter went to C school in Dahlgren. I didn't go because I couldn't affored the trip ( I live in California). She said it was ok because A school and C school is not a big deal like PIR.

Hi everyone, is there anyone that knows what happens when FC's get shore duty out of A school..  Alot of those orders coming down the pipe so I was just wondering what kind of stuff they will be doing since they are not getting a direct C school order.

togo, My son says it is not a big deal, but I still want to go!  We live in Illinois and   haven't gone to go visit since he has been at Dahlgren because he is in class all night (midnights).  It seemed like every weekend that he had free - we didn't!  We did attend his A school graduation, and I am so glad we did.  

Natasha - my sallor warned me that if something bad happened we would hear, so dont worry about quiet.  Unless they get in trouble? The guys idea of communicating is not like ours! I wanted to attend C school grad but was told they are basically handed a piece of paper and it is no big deal. So my idea of travel was squished

Natasha, yes it is normal. They are very busy.

Christy, I think he is use to mids now, but I think he will be glad when he is done!

I talked to my son again about us attending graduation and he said he didn't think we would be allowed into the building where his will be held because of security, but he would ask.  We will see....

Natasha, your son moving on to San Diego can be tied to his ranking in A School. Some sailors are stuck at GL for up to 6 months. It seems the Navy wastes quite a bit of the sailors careers with waiting and cleaning and standing watch.

Remember, no news is good news. 

Donna, parents are allowed to attend A and C school graduations. Your sailor just has to put you on the list to get on base or met you somewhere. Most parents don't attend but if some do, the Navy makes it nice for them. I did not becasue I couldn't afford to travel but that is what I have heard from other Moms who have gone.

Hello

My daughter also just arrived at C School SD.  I too am hoping to get out there to visit, maybe over the Christmas holiday.  Any advice is welcome, figure it'll will take a few months for newly arrived Sailors to get into a routine and get to know the area.

San Diego is amazing.  So much to do and see, so many choices of places to visit.  Be sure your sailor knows about the MWR discounts, and the many places they can go for free.  

Good morning, TGIF! I hope you all have a nice weekend.

Hi all, Chrissy's knee is hurting her again.

sorry to hear that Vicky

My son is on his first deployment, could I have some ideas what to send him. He asked for snacks and treats, and are there any guide lines. Thanks in advance

geokat5, double baggie anything that may leak, melt,...it takes awhile to get there, so be conscious of things getting stale as well.  I also learned form a Navy site that you have to use all 9 digits on zip codes or it will be returned.  Whatever you send, he will love it!

Don't send toiletries in the same package as food items.  The scents get into the food.  

Use flat rate boxes, do not insure them.  So not send anything valuable.

Send things which will hold up, some packages can take weeks to catch up to the ship.  There are several ways to pack cookies so they won't be crumbs. although they will still eat the crumbs!  Think pringles cans for holding snacks.  Chocolate and other soft things get melty, save those for winter months.  Powdered drink and electrolyte packs are desirable, send along a reusable water bottle too.  Gum, nuts, jerky, slim jims, hard candies, dried fruit or raisins or fruit leather, granola bars, power bars, but not the kind with a melty coating.  My guys liked tuna packets, ramen noodles in the cups or the kind in the square boxes, heat n eat things, and even ravioli in the pop top cans (which are a little heavy).  Peanut butter and pickles come in individual plastic cups now, those can be good.  Put everyting into ziplock bags, in case the package gets damaged, the things inside will be fine.  

Magazines are good, I sent my nephew off the wall ones such as Smithsonian, Archaeology and Popular Science.  He said everyone sent fitness/truck/hunting/sports magazines, so a change was good.  

Socks.

geokat5,

3 things i included in every box sent to my girls, chap stick, pocket size waterless cleaner and the little envelopes of drink mix to add to water.  also, if he has any favorite condiments, snacks, etc.  this is a good site to buy travel sizes.  you can order any amount.  i sent 1 daughter a bunch of packets of texas pete because she put it on EVERYTHING!

http://www.minimus.biz/