Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Phoenixmom - I am sorry to hear about your Grandfather's puppy dog. The anniversary of your grandfather's passing is also one of those moments that take us back down memory lane. I am glad that his family called and checked on you. 

Shanny - That is interesting about the Crocs. My sailor hasn't mentioned that at all, so I will have to ask him. 

Mom2blondies - I had intended last week to send you a PM regarding the meals in ROM and I think it just didn't happen. 

ROM in BC is totally different than ROM elsewhere, at least as I understand it with what is going on with my sailor and those being assigned to his ship. In BC the SRs are all in one place and being checked on by staff at their location. When they were at GWL, I think they were brought sack lunches of turkey sandwiches a lot. The SRs in initial ROM should be receiving meals. And those in 2nd ROM, I think are on site at RTC. They should also be getting food. 

The issue that Shanny's son was dealing with is being in ROM at a motel that is on base but not on his ship. The logistics are a lot different. The base is large, lots of ships are there and many sailors are needing to go to many ships. As my sailor has said, all of this with COVID is so different and not only that, currently, many of the ships are on holiday stand down. People are taking leave so staff is limited as well. 

Even if I don't agree with what is going on, I wish I could give a glimpse into the other side of things but that would take a lot more time to explain and not necessarily OPSEC or PERSEC so the best I can say, is be aware of the situation and that it is different in each place. Your sailor needs to communicate issues with their chief. There could be mix-ups with rooms and food that don't get recognized, and this is all new for everyone. 

Making connections here, though with other moms, and even on FB, you never know when someone can help someone else out. We as moms and families are as vital to helping our sailors moral as their spouses and other shipmates. I may not be on the ombudsman FB, but I can read messages on my husband's and I am still a part of our ship's family! 

FYI - make sure your sailor knows how important it is to you knowing what is going on with them once they are in the fleet - to be added to the Ombudsman list - And they may need to have their ship email - That may be the only way you can communicate with them. 

Chipmunk:  THANK YOU  for making the point that friendships and relationships are so important for our sailors as well as us-the families.

I didn't know if I should make it public but when we were all discussing food issues and the idea that my sailor may not get Christmas dinner, a wonderful, caring mom i met on here reached out and arranged for a Christmas dinner to be delivered to my sailor in ROM. I don't know if this wonderful, caring mom really knows how much she saved my breaking Momma's heart. And how truly grateful my son and I both are. You never know when you may need help or who may reach out and help you or even who you may be able to help!  The Navy truly is a big family. Dysfunctional as we may be!  

My point, please know when we say we are here for you, we really are here!  And if we can help or support you in any way, we truly will!  

Oh and we believe we may have figured out the food issues with my sailor in ROM. There are 9 buildings that a part of the hotel complex he was in. Each with room numbers that are the same or very similar. It may have been an issue of being delivered to the wrong building. 

Good morning! Running a bit behind but,  fed all animals here and made my Belgian waffles for dd and myself. 

Also,  need to follow up if my friend made it finally home from Utah... she had truck troubles,  then got detoured from highway to some back road & like others and was sitting basically parked on that road as it was snowing.. she was thinking she might have to spend night in truck...I have been going to take care of her 3 cats each day too...

Plus,  I need to go up to my horse to do his vet prescribed physical therapy... drive longer than our sessions as we begin this.... ha ha ha... will drop off empty egg cartons to another friend up there too today... then home to change, told dd I'll make my cookie batter she can then make what she wants as she wants ,(usually how we do it), she wants me to make a custard pie plus ,I want to make a cheesecake but don't think I'll get that made before l go puppy sit my newest grandpuppy for oldest dd... they go out to spin classes every Tuesday and grab supper afterwards... not early night usually for old momma as then home to take care of doggies here...

Forgot to take my zyrtec last night so breaking out in hives... fun day ahead. 

Shanny- your sailor in Texas correct??  Good for you helping him figure it out... as an old Texas country girl if a Texan says they would like a Coke or soda water it could most likely be Dr. Pepper they are referring to unless they are wanting a Coca cola coke and salted peanuts... the peanuts go in the coca cola... occasionally they maybe wanting a Big Red but,  as the "national drink" of Texas is Dr. Pepper he might clarify before hand... 

Hugs... time to get dressed, boots on and out the door... sunny but,  muddy up where he's at.

Good morning Warrior Moms!

Hope you have a beautiful day, it's sunny and cold here in ATL. My fingers never warm up at work these days!  LOL.  Hoping to work on getting down some Christmas decorations this evening, but I tend to shut down when the sun goes down! HA!   

Northwoodsmom: long message on your page. :)

Shanny: Happy Birthday for your son!

Phoenixmom: Your prayers are a blessing! Prayers and Hugs in memory of your grandfather.

PartyofSeven: Hmmm, tacos!  

Newmilmom: You're making me hungry for treats!  Hope the therapy helps your horse! Hives are no fun!

Stay warm, I'll drop in later!  HUGS!

Shanny happy birthday to your son!  I think it might almost be harder on the moms for the sailor to be gone on his/her birthday than it is for the sailor !  My son eemed to take it in stride!  

Katharine, I feel for you.  I have a similar, but yet different, situation!  My older three are triplets.  One of my older sons gave us a one-week notice a couple summers ago that he was moving out.  He was the first (and only so far) to move out!  I cried so much!  He also struggled because he was tired of being lumped into being a triplet.  He wanted to distance himself from us and get his own identity.  It was really hurtful to me.  But he has come around and I think he actually reliazes what he has been missing.  Not my other older son plans to move out sometime in January.   But it is time.  And he won't move far.  My daughter, on the other hand, is going into missions.  So when she moves in about a year, it will be to Austria for about 4 years before she comes home on furlough.  She is my only daughter, and we have grown so close since she's been home from college.  I am really going to miss her!  Thank you, God, for technology!  Now my sailor, who is a reservist, will be getting a job somewhere in the state when he comes home.  So my baby very well could be moving out next!  It's all happening so fast!  And i just need to wrap my mind around it all!  

We said goodbye to our sailor about an hour and a half ago. He is headed back to his barracks with the rest of the stuff we brought down for him. I wish I would have gotten him on the first trip with his seabag but I missed it. I’m glad we got to see him for Christmas. 

Thank You WarriorProtector!

Great Pic MyKidsMom!

Shanny- Happy Birthday to your son. I think that was awesome what that other mom did for your Sailor. You would have been ok if you had shared that news. You didn't mention names or anything. God Bless her for doing that.

As for the food issue that is something that has been talked about for a while now. We just don't mention a lot of that on here as the new and newer moms have so much to deal with at that first point it's more important to focus on that. But as you get moving along with your Sailor as they go thru different things you start to learn more and more.  :)

Phoenixmom- Good Morning, can you text me and let's see if it works. I am sorry about the puppy and hugs to you in memory of your grand father. I'm glad the family checked on you thou.  :)

C'sMom- Oh my!! Big hugs to you!!

MyKidsMom- Love the pic and I'm glad you got to see your Sailor too. :)

NewMilMom- Be safe and have a good day!!

LBF- Enjoy the time with your Sailor's as they come and go. That's awesome they are getting to come home. Miss seeing you on here, have a great day!!!

Katharine- Whoo hoo that's awesome about your daughter. Have a great day!! 

Partyof Seven just texted you my friend, Hope you are well!

jenniferssailor,

Here are some links for you to read. The Informed delivery is great, you sign up and then you can see what mail is coming.

Informed Delivery®

Boot Camp First Weeks Timeline

First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition

Welcome again!!!

Darn, St. George is booked up, so I snagged Vegas.  We don't like Vegas, but it is an acceptable jumping off point for the Grand Canyon and Valley of Fire, and a couple other places.  Westerners will drive for hours and think nothing of it.

I have a tragic story about a sailor on my husband's ship who died because he had flipflops on and tried to work on a generator.  He was on duty, but the kind where you can sleep in your bunk unless they need you.  He ran down to the engine room in his flipflops instead of stopping to put on his safety boots.  It ended badly.  While they absolutely need something on their feet in those showers, flipflops are not good for much else.

NewMilMom:  he is actually in Virginia now!  He wishes Texas-he has always wanted to live there!  That’s why I asked where his LPO was from because Cola can mean so many different things. In Georgia when I was visiting a friend, they asked what kind of Coke you wanted even if they only served Pepsi products. I was confused!  And Dr Pepper would always be my choice!  I may be addicted to it!  What’s Big Red?!? That’s one I have never heard of lol

Good afternoon ladies!! 

Shanny ~  I have a feeling you’re lighting your lantern today!  I hope your son enjoys his day. I know how boys are, my son won’t tell anybody it’s his birthday guaranteed. His is in a couple weeks. Just in time for him to be out of quarantine! 

Chipmunk ~ hello friend! It’s all good I was just kind of feeling like a Grinch after my son left. I know you weren’t meaning that . I just thought about how everyone’s probably enjoying their holiday and I was being a little moody LOL ladyblue recommended a good cabinet cleaner In a PM (Murphy’s oil soap ) so I’m going to tackle my kitchen while my husband and my daughter take our dog to a self wash dog salon. He didn’t want to do it at home because it’s too cold outside for her to dry off. She’s so big he hates washing her in the house. So here come the rockin tunes while I have the house to myself!! 

NewMilMom ~ hello! I hope all is well :) your son is with my son and my boy told me that they go pick up their boxed food now instead of having it delivered and that they can roam around outside. Is that the same info you got from your son? Big hugs to you and your family! I’m right there with you! I’ll be there to watch 2020 leave as well. I picture one of those STAPLES push buttons that make things happen... New Year reset button anyone?!! 

Mom2blondies ~ your “life decisions based on food” comments about your son had me laughing! That would be my youngest son!! He eats anything and everything in sight! My sailor told me that they’re fed really well in Boot Camp so I wouldn’t have any worries there. HUGS MAMA!! 

Phoenixmom ~ Hello :) sorry to hear about your granddad‘s pup. I’m sure the pup is getting some snuggles from him up in heaven :) 

i’m with you on sleeping in I haven’t emerging from my comfy bed until about 9:00 every morning while on Christmas vacation.  Normally up at 5:40 but now that’s for the birds! BUG HUGS TO YOU MAMA! Thinking about your sailor and all of our sailors out at sea <3

Ladybluefire ~ An engagement? Congratulations!! Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday with your family! Enjoy your second Christmas!! I loved seeing your name on here this morning! 

Katharine ~ Best wishes and good health to you and your family! And about the infertility issues... that’s what scares me. I pray that nothing comes of that and that our boys will be OK In that department. No thanks!! Did you say that your family is Russian? I am reading Lost Roses that takes place during Russia in the early 1900s. It’s a really good book so far :) 

MyKidsmom ~ Big hugs to you and your family as your sailor goes back to his Barricks. I hope you got in all the hugs and good times that you could! 

C’smom ~ thanks for sharing a little more about your family! Really pulls our heart strings to read about someone else’s children growing up and moving on. I wish we could just have a day back when they were all little and have a day with them where they’re innocent with no worries and not a care in the world. And toys all over the house! :) i’m glad you have this time with your daughter. Sounds like an amazing young lady and what a noble and humble mission that she’s about to embark on! Can’t wait to hear more about it :) HUGS!! 

Have a beautiful day Warriorprotector, Northwoodsmom, Belovedbyhim, Anti M, Partyofseven, Doribry! :) welcome to all of our new moms! 

VintageGal:  did you read the first book in that series?  Lilac Girls?  I just called my library to see if they had Lost Roses based on you saying it was good so far. And she asked if I wanted the first book in the series too...  I live for the book recommendations you ladies post!  (I’m currently reading a trashy “brain candy” book about Navy Seals that requires no thought whatsoever!)

VintageGal- Murphy's Oil soap is wonderful!!

Have fun tackling your kitchen table.  :)

Anti M- Hey, Some of my family is there in Vegas now and they said it's dead down there. 

They are down there for my niece's wedding. Her and her party were at a fancy dinner and not one person was wearing a mask except the dancer. Now they had to cancel the wedding as the bride woke up sick as a dog. Ugh!! 

Hopefully she just has food positioning and not the virus!!!

I love going down to Lake Meade and that area around there!!

VIntage - I wish I would have gotten the book recommendation yesterday. On Audible I alternate fiction and non-fiction and had to choose a fiction last night. I decided to go against my usual and I got an Agatha Christie (only my second one). Reading about Russia in the early 1900's always makes me sad .... knowing what my family lost and the family that was lost.

My paper books are usually sciency ones (my first degree was in microbiology) that would not work well on audible, or on a small screen. My Kindle books are usually easier science, sometimes fiction, psychology, or history. I usually have 2 or three paper and 2 or 3 Kindle on the go at any time. Maybe I do have ADHD?? I can't seem to choose. At least I do not cheat on my husband.

My sailor did not trust the food for this two week ROM (at GL A-school). He brought back one suitcase full of food .... summer sausage, smokies, canned tuna, canned salmon, canned chicken, low canned low-carb veggies, canned low-carb soup, jerky, meat sticks, a dozen boiled eggs, sugar-free ketchup, and a canopener. He has not taken the ROM food yet ... he is usually OMAD (one meal a day but a very big one), and keto, so cold sandwiches with potato chips and carrots would not be ok (he did fine with keto in bootcamp and the mess). I told him he should take his ROM food anyway since he is paying for it .... his roomies might appreciate a bit extra on some days. That way he doesn't have to share his jerky :).  They do get microwave time a few times per day (even after someone set off the fire alarm last night with burnt popcorn). 

Katharine ~ Yes, I’m in the first few chapters but I know where it’s headed. A lot of tragic times for Russia and Europe. I recommend both Lilac Girls and Lost Roses. I’ve always wanted to read an Agatha Christie book. You’ll have to let us know if you liked it. I end up reading books that take place during World War II. Shanny recommended Beneath the Scarlett Sky - it has to do with Italy during WWll. My Sailor is logged into my library Overdrive account so he can read in A -School quarantine. I can see that he just checked out The Outsider by Stephen King. He enjoys S. K. Books :) 

lol yes, it’s so nice of you that you don’t cheat!
Dang we’ve missed you!!!

Katharine:  my son says microwave fires are common in A School!  He had 2 for burnt popcorn and one because someone left a spoon in the bowl with whatever they were cooking all in his barracks. But they had microwaves and refrigerators in their rooms. 

VintageGal:  there are multiple series by one author...  Delta Force, SEALS, Mercenaries...  she likes her military men!  I’ll take a picture and send it to you

Mamabear ~ hello! pop on over to margaritaville and ask for Jeff the bartender and tell him you’re a fellow Navy mom :) and that Vintagegal sent you ;) if you want! HAVE FUN!! BNMH!! 

Mamabear ~ if you do go send us a selfie! Party time! 

When will there be a group here for PIR 2/25/21?

Oooh! Reading is my favorite free time joy. I really love espionage, murder mysteries, military romance, historical, fantasy...pretty much if your a good writer I'm game! Series are my favorite for character development. Love Jeff Carson's David Wolf series, David Baldacci's Atlee Pine series, Michael Connelly's Jack McEvoy series, John Sanford's Virgil Flowers series... just to start. Lol. Loved Agatha Christie my first series along with Lord of the Rings. Never enough time so many books!

Have a wonderful night, I'm off to read. Hugs to all!

warriorprotector:  for military romance, check out Susan Stoker. She has a lot of books about SEALS and Delta Force!  Warning, some can be a bit graphic in “romance” descriptions but they are series. 

Mamabear- Hey and yay for the visit. I am so happy that your Sailors made it home!! I bet there was some happy tears there.

Have a great time in Vegas!! Be safe out there.

warriorprotector- I love Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, John Sanford. They are great authors!!!

I love to read as well just don't have a lot of time for it any more it seems like.  :)

Hugs back to you and have a great night as well.

VintageGal- She is pretty sick. They are at Marrakech. She said it was a pretty cool place.

VintageGal-  Yes they did. I had to go back to get to your original post Lol but yes that is the place.

Partyofseven ~ I had a feeling it was the Marrakech when you mentioned the dancer at the restaurant. I’ve eaten there once and they serve lamb and exotic foods. I’m so sorry! Did they already get married? 

VintageGal-  No my other niece said she has symptoms like the flu. They are waiting for her to be able to travel back home but I'm thinking they won't leave until tomorrow anyways. 

I know I was too when they called us this morning to let us know what was happening. They will reschedule at some point. 

jennifer-  Hi I wanted to make sure I didn't not answer you!! We have some Veteran moms that put the groups together and they will be ready not right now but maybe next month. They will let us know when they will be ready and they will be posted on this site

Good Evening!  been a full full day...my horse decided to be a hot mess today-I am assuming he is feeling better as he was totally wild... I knew he was a bit hot from his demeanor & mood yesterday & being in a high alert since new place etc... after all these years together I can read him pretty good needless to say...(just wish I had that easy of a time with reading people) ... I took him into the round pen at our new place to see what he'd do....oh my stars! he was kicking, bucking, twisting & running around like a nut...so much for the easy walking & light trotting for limited time the Vet prescribed for his physical therapy...rofl.. at one point he was going so fast & turned sharply fell and slide 1/2 way across round pen hopped up and took off again...he will be one sore boy tomorrow...he had several good rolls in the mud too before I hosed him down, fluffed up his pine shavings in the inside stall & he then proceeded to go outside to the mud and roll again...oh bother...he is a doofus but, totally a love bug doofus.

I jokr that he & is 2 legged brother are the same...when they are good they are very very good but, when naughty watch out... rofl... 

Didn't get cookie dough or custard pie made for dd but tomorrow is another day.  After taking care of my horse, I dropped empty egg cartons off  for a friend (she gave me another dozen fresh eggs which I brought to my eldest dd tonight), ran by their local woman-owned little coffee shop (she has the best organic coffee) for a hot cup of wonderful coffee, ran by the livery in town on way out to look for "athletic wear" for my over zealous boy after today's antics...you'd have thought he was 6yrs old vs. 21yrs soon to be 22 yrs old today.

dh heard from our sailor...he says where he is at A school ROM they deliver food as they are not allowed out of room at all...dang! guess he was upset at as husband put it "the green veggie thing they served today that he doesn't like but Mom does"...I was like what??? collard greens, spinach, kale??? seems it was asparagus....  rofl... yep, I am the Only 1 in house that will eat asparagus...funny they'd serve that of all things...knowing where he is I expected collard greens, okra or such... wonder if hubby right it was asparagus and not okra...??...

VintageGal - I wonder why different ways of handling them in the ROM??? think you said that yours is allowed to pick up their food whereas dh states that our sailor says they deliver to the door where they retrieve it...  hmmm.... interesting to say the least... 

I used to be an avid reader but, that was many many moons ago...before 3 kids and all the critters (ours & rescues) plus all the (read to many) volunteer things I got involved in all while working full time. 

I did order & started the Be Safe, Love Mom book that was recommended...  to be perfectly honest I am only on page 55 but, I only read a bit at a time -- it is a great book but, I can only read a bit at a time as I tend to break down and tear up...not that it is a sad book but, due to my own feelings with being totally new to this military life (mom) role I now find myself faced with.  I have always been more than a bit patriotic (I tear up when I hear the National Anthem) & have always kept all our military in our prayers through life but, now it is even More personal & hurts my heart even more.

I am used to feeling like I had "some control" which I know is a fallacy in life in general but, yet my personality was/is control or trying to have plan for everything etc...

Semper Gumby is NOT easy for me to embrace... I am trying but, yet... I also want to scream, cry, shout & throw stuff over this new reality of our lives.  I Love & Support my sailor as he embarks on his chosen path but I am also kicking & screaming in private at it

NewMilMom ~ So I just talked to him and he said wow mom’s need to know everything. Yes yes we do. AnyWho, he said that he’s picking them up at this area where they have tables set up and they pick up their meals. 

NewMilMom- Hugs to you and have a restful evening!

NewMilmom- my mom had a horse for many years and I never could get to where I felt comfortable with him. She got him after I moved out but I saw him several times a month but never learned to ride and would just go out and give him carrots and a pets on the nose. I was always amazed at how fast he could zoom around the corral. And watching him roll around on his back and then pop back up on those skinny legs with that big heavy body, they are amazing! 

I feel you on the loss of control thing. I've always known pretty much where my kids are and what they are doing. Not in a 'keeping track' way but just because we talk about their plans and travels, etc. I'm also a planner and had his work schedule so I knew what days he would be home for our puppy and what days I needed to come home for lunch to let him out to potty, etc. It is a weird feeling not knowing where he is right now, I'm assuming at GL in bootcamp because I haven't heard otherwise. When he made the decision to join I was crushed! I didn't understand it at all. He had a good job that he worked so hard for and was on a successful path already. For a couple of weeks I couldn't even look at him without the tears welling up and he'd just say, "Come on, none of that." I didn't want to make him feel guilty for choosing himself so I started making sure he knew I supported him and took an interest in his chosen 'job' and kept my crying for when he was at work and I was home alone. These days I just try not to think of it. I'm glued to my phone 'just in case' but try to think of it as he is just at work. I suppose I'm in the denial phase at this point. This really is never a life I ever thought I'd have. If you told me 2 years ago I'd be a military mom I'd have said you were crazy. 

Jennifer - Welcome - it is good to see you posting. I double checked and RTC - Training Graduation Dates 2020 / 2021 are only posted on the RTC / BC website until Feb 11th. As Partyofseven mentioned the site admins put the PIR groups together and they have only been doing one per month, so they tend to wait until all the TGs are posted on the RTC website, I think.

Chipmunk-- I’m part of a group that does periodic movie nights via a Private Discord group. One member streams the videos and the others watch and chat in a separate page. When creating Discord accounts some used their real names but we can set the requirement to be to use your N4M Name. NO Real Names due to OPSEC and PERSEC. As to timing-- they start at 8pm Eastern/7 Central/6 Mountain/5Pacific. This seems to work well for most folks since they can plan (We actually start the movie 30 minutes later but folks start checking in and doing sound checks to make sure they can hear the Video. We usually put a cartoon on or a YouTube video. I don’t know all the details of how behind the scenes but this is the basics.

Phoenixmom-- They are calling for it to be -2 on Wednesday Morning 

Katharine-- WOW She did all that by 18? That is impressive! 

Shanny -- Happy Birthday to your Son. 

NewMilmom-- “Semper Gumby is NOT easy for me to embrace... I am trying but, yet... I also want to scream, cry, shout & throw stuff over this new reality of our lives. I Love & Support my sailor as he embarks on his chosen path but I am also kicking & screaming in private at it” I think that speaks volumes for all of us!!!

My favorite books are by Anne McCaffrey for Fantasy, Lori Wick, & Tracie Peterson for Historical Romance (Sex free) My favorite read this year was “Before We Were Yours”. I have to be sure I have time because once I start a book I find that I cannot put it down and the few times I have had to stop a book midway I usually dream about the story; so much so that I do not feel rested. Due to that I don’t read as many books as I’d like but I still read 1-2 per month.

I remember Jelly shoes and thinking those would be so uncomfortable and just plain bad for your feet!! Never owned a pair.

I will get the PIR group for February up in the next few days. We have only been doing one PIR group per month since ROM and COVID has changed the handling of division somewhat. Divisions can have additional quarantine, which changes PIR date for them anywhere from one to three weeks.

Ellen0502 - Thank you!! I knew you would get the Feb PIR group soon. Personally, I think just doing one PIR for the month works as you are more likely to get to know a few more people than if it was weekly. Also, as you said, there has been a lot of division changes with the additional ROMs.

BelovedbyHim - Thank you!!! OPSEC/PERSEC is a concern with doing a meet up and I was trying to figure out how to deal with that. I will ask my son as I think he has some knowledge of Discord groups. 

NewMilmom - YES, ROM restrictions are just like most anything else, they are likely different at different bases or commands. A school ROM is also different from ROM at BC as I shared before. Moving forward from BC where we can gather information that is likely similar for most everyone, it is important to remember the most reliable information will come from your sailor directly. Also, base command, the ombudsman will also be sources of information. There are too many variables for us to address each on specifically. 

Welcome to our newest member - Navyboymom00

Good Morning Ladies and welcome to all of our new moms,

Welcome Navyboymom00 We are glad that you are here. No question is ever dumb and someone will answer you!!!

Ellen0502- Thank you!! That's what I was telling the mom that you would put them up when it was time. The monthly group is a good idea due to all of our COVID restrictions! 

Hope your holiday was good and that you have been well.

BBH- I like your group and how you guys do a book meet up. That sounds pretty neat!! 

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!! Another day closer to PIR!!