Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

These are the coins I found for my husband, to go with his shadowbox.  I can't find a few of the commands, but these are First Class PO, ET, Uss Sumpter, Uss Dubuque, Shellback, and a Gator Navy (Amphibs). He never received any coins while active duty, these are all purchased.

To All of Us, Moms/Loved Ones: Let’s remember to breathe. I would find myself not breathing and with a knot in my stomach.. 

BelovedbyHim: Your comment about King Neptune had me literally LOLing!!!!

DsMom2020: At the end of the day, those photos are priceless. After what our SAILORS (I can’t get tired of the feeling of saying it!) have gone through, we forgive them everything! I can’t wait to hear what you received!!! My guess about the $150 shipping cost is that probably you will either get them VERY soon, and/or a shadow box and frame are included. As I said, keep us posted!!!!!!

Northwoodsmom: safe journey!

Phoenixmom: a most blessed (belated) birthday!! *Thank you* for the coin/gifts/Pollywog-Shellback info!

VintageGal: We used to live in Upstate New York. Our older children got to experience what REAL cold was; unlike our California Sailor, who found Great Lakes “cold" (I don’t recall temps going below 30s… In Upstate NY that was “nice” weather. In the 50’s: time for a t-shirt!).

Partyofseven: I always enjoy your scripture verses. Powerful reminders!!

Can’t wait to see today’s pictures and video!!!!

Semper Fortis, Semper Gumby, Hooyah!

Thanks Anti M bud has his ship from BC, and his Carrier, and his both his rates as he rated up. I will need to take a photo I believe he took some with him why I have no Idea?

The ones he took with him may be ones he earned and can be used for the drink challenge in a bar.  The rate and boot camp ones are more for memories.  

I found one on ebay today for one of my husband's commands in Japan, and it wasn't too expensive.  I can't find the right one for his command at North Island, or for Diego Garcia.  Coins can be very specific.  I did find one from his first shore duty, but it is rare and the asking price is $275.  Yikes. 

Anti M you may be right, the reason being is I have heard about some challenges he has taken on and if you could see my Eyes and Mouth at the time, boy oh boy! he was like what mom, Boy, I didn't know this.....Her said how could you I just told you. so I have learned some things. I have noticed that some Challenge coins can be costly, I paid the most for one  was maybe 25.00 but no more, the case to hold the coins I paid quite a bit  but really nice.

The really expensive ones are from small commands, specific events, or commands which have shut down.  I usually have paid about 20~30.  I was lucky to have found the Japan one, but it is a fairly sized command, so it was under 30.  

His E4 rate was a little expensive, BUT I AM SO EXCITED! I ordered my Kids all 3 a Legacy keepsakes some jewelry with my Husbands Fingerprints. for Christmas cost me a pretty penny. but they had asked me about it and didn't answer so they will be so surprised. I got my Oldest a locket with Dads Initials in front locket opens up and you can put a pic and his fingerprints are inside, my other daughter got her a Heart with his fingerprints and birthstone as they both have same birthstone. My Son a really nice Dog tag with dads fingerprints with his birthdate and day deceased with a saying in back that states "you are gone but never forgotten" cant wait to see it!.

The Cemetary/Mortuary had given me a Necklace with my husbands fingerprints, Had no Idea, they called me one day and mentioned that something came in for me so I went and picked up, when I opened it in my truck I began to cry, I had no idea. wore it for a few days as it brought me so much comfort to know he was close to my Heart. It was so beautiful so I thought this would be something my kids would cherish!

Bought these two for him for Christmas one year.

Does mail to our sailors on ships have to go through Chicago first? I mailed USPS Priority Mail my son's ballot on October 6. It made it to Chicago on the 8th and has been "in transit" from there since the 12th. I am concerned he won't get it in time...

LadyBluefire you would put ships address but yes it will go through Great Lakes for some reason then it will be shipped to the ship.

I have come to notice it will take 2-3 weeks before they receive there package if out at sea.

What happens it will get shipped to the nearest Port and when ship/carrier ports then they get their mail and packages. that has been my understanding. but yes it takes awhile.

Phoenix - goodness I wonder if I wasted my time paying $20 for priority!? I hope he will get a chance to vote.
I wish he had a friend in town with a real address, lol. As far as I know his ship is in port.
Wondering if  I should have used FedEx instead? Would that have made a difference?

No it wouldn't have mattered same time, not worth paying more. but always remember if shipping out a package and they are out at sea it takes2-4 weeks before they will get it. Normal time!

Ladybluefire, were you shipping to an FPO address?  It goes through the FPO post office, one is in Chicago.  After that, it hits the military system, and "priority" mail means little.  Letters are moved quicker than packages, but that's at sea, because they are lighter and smaller.  It can take a couple weeks, but if they're in port, it shouldn't be so slow. All mail goes through the mail room, just like in training.

FedEx is a no go for an FPO address, and even if you had a street address on base, it would be expensive and a hassle.

If anyone has kids at sea, the cut off date for holiday mail is shockingly close.

Anti M  - thanks for your reply. It is an FPO. My hubby was telling me he had off base friends when he was in Norfolk, and if his mom wanted to send him something when he was in port to send it to them.

It is in a priority mail envelope so not sure if they consider that a package.

Sounds like he may be better off trying to print out his ballot on ship...

I didn't realize the cut off date Anti M, schucks! well my bud will have to wait until I get down to SD or he comes home again. didn't even think of that........just so busy these days.

LBF, I think it will get treated like a letter.  Any tracking stops at the FPO facility.  It is a frustrating system, a hybrid of USPS and the military.  

Here are the posted deadlines for this year.  In my experience, Priority mail doesn't get there as fast as advertised.  Mail early, and never put anything irreplaceable in the mail, or high value. Mail wanders off, gets lost, or even falls into the sea, and insurance isn't always the answer.  I knew someone whose package wandered around for six months!  Rare, but it can happen.  
I have goody mailing tips too if anyone wants to send cookies or such.
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/1008-usps-re...

Anti M - that is good info to know about the tracking stopping once it hits FPO facility...

I was just thinking about making Christmas packages for my sailors. I can't even think of what to get them - I did buy them their RTC ship coins and between those, the flags I had flown over the Capitol and display cases for them I have spent $1,000 already. 

I won't have my #3 ship address for a month and 1 & 4 will be at school still  - thankfully based on that link I have some time. 

I think I speak for a lot of moms when I say yes please on sending goodies tips!

LBF:  In his letter today, he said that he was surprised they passed Marlinspike because they went over by 10 minutes, but they did pass the first time. 

He also said that they passed their marching and can start things like trick drill. And so far they've earned all the flags that they can at this stage in boot camp.  Is that normal?   He said it finally happened--the division got IT'd pretty hard.  He said it was not a fun day but hopefully it drove home to everyone that they need to grow up and take things seriously and that it's not a good idea to talk back.  He also said that in chapel they have a theme song each Sunday.  It is Way Maker.  He said it's so nice to be able to go and listen/sing to music because boot camp is pretty "music-less."

Shanny--praying you get something positive at today's appointment.

Phoenixmom and AntiM--thanks for all the information.

DsMom:  I told my SR to be sure to order lots of pictures!  I'm rethinking what I told him!  Lol!

When they are actually on their ships, goodies and basics are the best. Nice things need to be stored and can get stolen, so maybe send pictures first.  

Never send toiletries and food in the same package.  Scents can migrate from soap or deodorant into food items.  Irish Spring cookies are nasty.

Pack the box as full as possible, use flat rate.  The less things can move around, the less they can be damaged.  Use clean new socks as packing.  Do not use foam peanuts, they're terrible at sea.  

Put cookies in Pringles tins or those inexpensive plastic containers.  Do not send cake in a mug or jar for three reasons, one, it can break.  Two, not everyone has access to a microwave reliably.  Three, now they have a glass container which must be stored or disposed of at sea.  Try not to do that.

No candles.  A small LED one is okay.  No cologne or perfume, it's flammable, that's a USPS rule.

Chocolate melts, so be sure it is in a plastic bag.  In fact, use as many ziplock bags as you like.  They're reusable and handy on the ship.  Non-melty candy is great, although mint can migrate into other things, so double bag that.  

Don't overlook dried fruits, nuts, jerky, tuna packs, and ramen as goodies.  Extra salt and protein is better than all sugar.  Drink powders or liquids are nice too, and teas.  Again, zip it!  

Playing cards are good, I sent pane spotting ones as a joke to my nephew on a sub. Tiny Maglites with a red lens, an eating tool, multitools, little puzzles, small things make good gifts.  Visa or NEX giftcards, maybe.  

LOL "plane spotting cards" ...

Csmom - it is easy to not get all the flags that is for sure! Simple things can cause them to not earn their flags. I can't recall exactly but my daughter's div put something where they were told but it was "off" in placement and that cost them a flag.

If they get all the flags and are the division with the most points they get a special flag at PIR.

As for IT - when that happens they announce it on the Ship's PA so the whole Training Group knows all about it.

My son bawled like a baby at Chapel - hearing all the songs he sung at youth just made him so homesick and he felt so far away..

Anti M - thanks for the tips on packing and gift ideas! Irish Spring Cookies - LOL! My husband's mom sent a cake and when it arrived it had fungus all over it. It was only in transit 2 days...

Csmom - found my daughter's letter about the flag incident.

flag.png

I am home....  No answers...  They did a million tests on my eyes...  even took special images of the inside of my eyes.  She said there is nothing wrong with my eyes...  My prescription has not changed.  My optic nerve is completely healed...  The only thing she saw was a duct was plugged not allowing proper lubrication for the eye.  so she said moisturizing gel for my eyes, some fish oil and flax oil so help start the lubrication for the eye.  Told me to call the primary doctor because my sinuses on the right said appear swollen to her so maybe a sinus infection....

ok so voting...  My sailor's ballot was mailed to A School 14 days ago.  He called this morning and said he has checked 4 times and it hasn't arrived.  So I went to the township clerk's office this morning and she had me call the County Clerk who told me to call the township clerk...  So I called township again and she called the County herself.  in the end, they emailed him a ballot that he was able to print, fill out, and put in the mail.  So, he at least was able to vote...  finally

Now, to catch up when my eyes are not so dilated...  (such a fun drive home-said with much sarcasm)

C'sMom-- You can read up on it here. Unless you have SAILED over the Equator you are a slimy pollywog. Flying DOES NOT Count!!! https://www.veteransunited.com/network/the-navys-line-crossing-cere...
The Coins are a recent tradition/keepsake/ collector item.
Yeah for letters!!! The RDC’s it seems often say that they are doing just so so, or that if they would just pull together more they could be top..... I think it’s a motivation technique, since so many of them seem to be top Div’s.

LadyBluefire-- Yep, It’s not supposed to be discussed.... Neptune follows OPSEC... HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Seriously though, Rank and Rate do not matter they are all the same for the ceremony and they used to be VERY Raunchy!!! The Stories I’ve heard made the Sailors blush!! Much tamer and more in the spirit of fun now!
Yes all Mail to the fleet addresses goes through a Central address. If they are at a shore command they are better off getting a POBox off base to get mail faster.
Anti M-- Thank you. I asked my Shellback DH and he said no to buying a coin for the reason stated above (Actually it was Seabee son who wanted me to ask) so maybe it was just his way of not having to keep up with a coin!

Shanny-- SO sorry they didn’t find any answers and left you with dilated eyes for the day!!

LBF:  Thanks for the insight.  The divisions earning points must be what my SR was talking about in his first phone call.  and Yeah, he said his division was announced over the PA when they got IT.  I wondered if it might be a motivational thing the RDCs were doing with their talk. 

Shanny:  hopefully, it is just a sinus infection (I say "just").  But that can be fixed with antibiotics.  I was having mild headaches a couple days ago from my sinuses caused by allergies or the storm front coming through.  I know sinus infections can be bad.     

Good Evening Ladies, another successful Wedding Cake delivery. It should be the last for this year.

NWM - my favorite cake so far. Beautiful!!

Hi Ladies

I wrote a nice long comment. And promptly lost it when I clicked on a link. 

Thinking of you. 

DsMom2020 - I am sorry! I tend to open a couple of tabs with N4M if I looking at links. Occasionally though, you can go to your back arrow in the upper left and click on it, and some times you will get back to your post you were writing with some success.

Northwestmom - The cake is lovely!! 

Shanny - a sinus infection can do a number on the head as well. Hopefully, you can get some answers soon. That is a pain about your sailor's ballot, but glad he was able to get it taken care of.

I will catch up later, hopefully sometime today. May you all have a great Saturday!! 

Good morning Ladies, today My Dad leaves back to Florida, this time without my Mom. My heart is breaking and my mind filled with worry. We have spent countless hours comforting and holding each other up these past couple months, I am going to miss him so much. There is no way my sister and I can convince him to stay in sub zero conditions of Wisconsin so off he goes to the warm breezes and sunshine.

Thank you for your lovely comments about the cake, I think the florist went a little overboard with the flowers. They had it hanging from the ceiling, very unique wedding.

Prayers you all get letters or phone calls from your Sailors today, my son surprised me with a long text yesterday. Just fills me with joy knowing God has placed him in a place he is excelling and he is the happiest I have seen him in years. Hoping the same for all of you Moms, God Bless.

Good Morning Ladies and welcome to all of our new comers.

We are glad you are here. Keep those phones on you at all times and those ringers on loud. Answer every call and if it's a scammer hang up.   :)

NWM- The cake is beautiful. 

Shanny- Good Morning, Hope your feeling a little better. Sinus infections are the pits. When I get them ugh. 

Anti M- Hope your weekend is going well. Love all the stories you tell. So exciting. 

God Bless and have a great day!!!

Good morning.

Most shellbacks wouldn't want a coin to keep with them, but if the collection is at home, more for family than for the sailor, most wouldn't object.  My husband liked the coins, but thought they were frivolous.  I'm mostly rounding out the collection for my sailor nephew, we were the reason he joined and he adored his uncle.  They go with the retirement shadowbox. 

Phoenixmom: I am holding back my tears as I read your post about your husband’s necklace with his fingerprints. I am hugging you tightly in spirit…

LadyBluefire/RE: VOTING: As I heard from my (then) SR, they were given information about voting, and they would be able to vote.

AntiM: Great tips about shipping goodies. “Irish Spring cookies are nasty,” LOL!!!

Shanny: I tend to look (no pun intended) at the half-full side of the glass: I am glad you can try moisturizer and supplements! I do hope that after trying them and treating your sinus, your issue improves!

BelovedbyHim/C’sMom: I *love* my pollywog!! :-)

Northwoodsmom: WOW!!! You are definitely talented!!!!! Wishing your dad and you peace in your souls!

DsMom: Noooooo!!!! Losing a nice long comment is awful!!! I do hope Chipmunks’s tip works! I found that if I have a Word doc as I read--and I type what I want to say--works better. I also close this site and open it again, in case something was added as I was reading typing.

Partyofseven: I always enjoy the verses…

Wishing you all a blessings-filled weekend,

~MaterNauta

MaterNauta-- My sailor is a Seabee so he will NEVER sail over the equator, Bees fly!!  He'll be a pollywog for life!

Northwoodsmom-- Praying for your Dad and for you and the rest of your family as you "resume" life in what is your new normal.  I cannot imagine how hard it would be to be grieving and trying to manage care for my parents so you have my sympathy and prayers.

Yay - found my lost post content!

LBF and others - Trying to understand why my Sailor's division was skipped at the PIR...... :(  Why would this kind of thing happen? So sad but still proud. Just feeling a little ripped off. We will still have his Watch Party. Hope he is at A school and can attend via facetime. If not, we will take lots of photos for him. Update - I think a sailor tested Covid positive and he and others went into ROM. Could have also had a behavior problem. Will update when I find out. Disappointed for sure.

NWM - Beautiful cake. I do like the flowers too!! Can't you also do the flowers so they turn out just how you like them? I will pray for you and for your dad. Perhaps if he does well on his own in Florida, you will feel better about it too. Prayers.

Anti M - thanks for the useful info on mailing things!!

C'sMom - Yes - be careful what you ask for!!!

Maternauta - I will let you all know what I got for almost $1000!! (More with shipping). I did not even think of chastising him. I said thank you so much for doing that. And told him I would pay him for the photos and share them with the family! What a sweet angel my boy is for taking me literally and getting me everything. He had asked me to guess what he spent... I said $150-200. He said are you joking, are you "low balling" me.  I do hope I got the shadow box. And a mug!! 

LBF/Chipmunk - I hope he didn't get one of every package but an thinking he must have. I will let you all know. 

Party- I guess I can put Shrines with his photos in every room - and then some!

Ordered my son a RTC Triton Challenge Coin and and E-3 Fireman. But afraid to give to him since someone mentioned they could get stolen. Maybe save here at home and just send photos. Make a keepsake or shadow box that he can have later... Phoenixmom - I Didn't see the EM Challenge Coin. I love it. Where do I find this one? Do I need to wait until he IS an EM? I love that the Mortuary gave you a necklace with your husbands fingerprint. How did you get lockets & dog tags made for your kids with the fingerprints? I would love to tell my husband to make jewelry like this for our customers...

Shanny - Flonase over the counter works for me when sinuses flare (which seems to happen now after every head cold.). That and saline rinses. Hope that your headaches resolve after your sinuses better.

LBF. My Autocorrect changes you to KBC!!  Thank you for reaching out. I did go to FB. Yes it was Covid. But maybe more. Hope to get the details from my sailor soon. 
Im VERY sorry you got ripped off too. My family is soooooo disappointed. Now we are left hoping he gets to A school so we can facetime him during our “don’t get to watch party”!! Getting good at dealing with not knowing  

One must look for the silver lining. Mine is $1000 in pictures!!! And he loved bootcamp. 

Good evening everyone!!!

It’s Saturday!! (I think lol) so the headache has been a dull roar today but my eyes are very dry and achy. I will go and buy some different eye drops and moisturizing gel for them. They said relieve the dry achy eyes and it should take care of the headache. I was just too lazy to make that 20 minute drive to the store. 

Waiting on word from my sailor on whether he and his friends went out to check out the city today or not. He said they were talking about possibly tomorrow because of watch schedules.  He didn’t trust the mail service to get his laptop to him so he went and bought a new one at the NEX. His was only a year old. Oh well looks like I am inheriting a new computer lol

i hope everyone is having a great day!  I went to the library, returned two bags of books-I May have a problem lol. And spent hours cleaning up the yard or at least trying. We have two lots-the one where the house is and then a spare lot on the other side of the driveway. All surrounded by trees. So it was raking today. My brother came over with his mower and lawn sweeper and helped. The winds are horrible so it looks like I did nothing. 

This goes down both lots and halfway down my neighbors. (We did his yard outside his fence too). Changed the picture because the other showed someone else’s house