Corpsman Moms

Hi Smile09!

Contacted FoxSox for gift cards.  They didn't have them but Wendy Dale kindly replied with the following information:

Promotional Code:  DANCE13A

This if for 30% off, is valid through 9/30/13, can be used multiple times, and can be shared with others.
Standard shipping rates apply unless it is shipping to a military address and then the shipping is free!
This is valid only at www.foxsox.com.
It is not valid with any other offers.
It excludes over stock items, monkey toys and accessories, and John Deere licensed products.

So lets protect those precious feet!   (At one moment not long ago his feet fit in my hands.  Now they are a 12D!)

Help!  Want to change my profile pic.  I have uploaded a couple of pics from my computer and they have been approved.  I can't figure out how to change from my current profile pic to one of these.  I have searched this topic and find directions to upload photos from my computer but I have already done that.  Do I need to upload them again.  Feel like I am losing my mind!  And, I have so little to lose at this point. 

IDCmom-     Go to My Page.   You will see your picture and there is a place to edit it.  You bring up your picture saved from you hard drive, and make the change.  

velvetlace, when I updated the pics from my computer last week, they had to be approved before they showed up in my album.  This seems redundant to have to upload them again.  Will search for the photos again on computer and try uploading one now.  Thanks for your help.

Got it.  Pic taken just before my son left for training before deployment with his future (now) wife.

Does anyone know, whether all HM Sailors from Group 150A/B graduating next week, Thursday, Aug 22, received their orders? My HM Sailor, soon to be a HM Corpsmen, is saying was found in the pool of about 20 HM Sailors, who did not receive their orders???? Whomever, knows something about it, please respond, thank you. Also, i am not attending the next week's graduation, because my HM Sailor does not want me there. Does anyone have a similar situation??? I simply can't wrap my brain around it that someone could be so selfish, especially in this field, and would not want their spouse or a parent there, for such an important event, as his/her graduation. One would think that a spouse/parent should seemingly be the closest friend, person to them, unfortunately this is not a case in my situation and i am very hurt by my HM Sailor's decision. I am very, very sad and disappointed beyond words. I really have mixed feelings and do not know what the future will holds for us??? This HM Sailor, i am inquiring about, happens to be my spouse. I wonder whether my HM Sailor invited someone else in my place??? Nonetheless, I'll never know, since i won't be there to know/see for myself. I wish i knew the truth, rather than to speculate. I wished that my HM Sailor was honest with me, which i of course would prefer. I am a grown up and definitely could handle the truth. I would rather avoid the unnecessary stress i am dealing with right with. Does anyone have any idea how to help me with this issue, i would really appreciate it!!!!!! Thank you and take care, m.

Hang in there.  My son did not get his orders until 3 weeks after A School.  The FMTB program only run 3-4 times a year so there is not a weekly start.  He should use the time to relax because there will be no sleeping at the next school.

I am also not attending FMTB graduation and can not believe it.  I would move heaven and earth to get there, but here's the thing;  My HN is adament that we do not spend the time and money to get out there for these reasons

1.  After they hear the call for Liberty he has been told to about face and get packed for the next flight out.  There may not be time to visit.

2.  Right now the frustration and exhaustion are so high that all he wants to do is get off the base. 

3.  This ceremony is not as huge as PIR

4.  This is just one more line he is standing in.

5.  He doesn't feel like he can truly celebrate until he gets home.  Officers are still watching them every minute and yelling at them for the smallest of mistakes.

6.  He is dreaming of the minute that he drives off the base for good.

7. It is not selfishness at this point it is survival!

8.  I'm sure there will be pictures and DVDs to order

So next best thing is to start planning the party at home!

I wish it was all true, but our marriage is falling apart and there won't be any party at home.  I am afraid that a main reason why i am not invited, because there is going to be someone else in my place.  I wish to get in touch with someone who is going and to maybe observe it for me, who will be there????  My Sailor is graduating from a HM Corpsmen A school this Thursday, Aug 22 in San Antonio, TX, Class 150A/B.  Does anyone go to this one, who could help me????  Please answer to me, it is a very emotionally charged time for me.  Please try to understand and help me as much as anyone can, thank you, best wishes, m.

By the way, the HN Corpsman ceremony is the smallest of the three.  I've only seen pictures of a small auditorium and only a handful of civilians.

I am sorry to hear of your concerns and can only advise from what I have seen and heard.  All of this training is such an incredibly stressful and emotional experience for all involved. No big decisions should be made under these conditions.  Try to get yourself involved with your career and goals or a new project so you can stand on your own if it comes to that.  Being divorced is ok if you are emotionally and financially prepared. Better to be happy and single than miserable and married.  Life is too short.  Don't worry, you will find the strength no matter which path you choose.

Power, your post was about as simple and real as I've ever seen on why many sailors do not want folks attending every graduation. Sounds just like my son (especially #2 , #4, # 5,  # 7).

Marika, I'm sorry to hear of your situation. If anyone is interested or willing to participate in your observation plan, we'd ask that it is handled by PM, not on the public board, thanks. Good luck!

Has anyone/everyone seen this trailer? The family of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Lt. Michael Murphy said this about this movie after viewing it:

"The Family of LT Michael Murphy saw "Lone Survivor" yesterday and while it was very difficult to watch they were very pleased. We encourage every to see this movie when it comes out!"

Here is the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoLFk4JK_RM

We should be proud of our sailors...each and every one of them.

Thank you very much to all, who replied to my message.  Dear TexasDocMom, i agree with you and would like for someone, who is interested to help me to contact me on a PM, thank you.  I understand what all of you are saying and everyone puts a different weight on graduations.  I love my Sailors and does not matter how big or small any graduation may be, i would like to participate in the experience along my Sailor, soon to be HM Corpsman.  I would like to be there for both of us, nobody else.  To me, it is a very sad situation, that i am not going to be a part of the graduation.  I am a highly educated/professional and it is not about not having anything to do or otherwise.  I simply love my Sailor and would like to be there!!!!  I know it is hard to understand who is not in my shoes.  To some divorce is not a big deal to me, my Sailor is the only person out there!!!!  I can't imagine my life without my Sailor, who is a special human being!!!!  Thank you for all of yours input and support!!!  Please pray for us!!!!  God Bless All!!!

Thank you for your prayers, Dear TexasProudSailorMom!!!!  Take care and i'll pray for you back!!!!

TexasProudSailorMom,

WARNING: I cried at three (3) distinct places in the book. Not teary eyed...full on cried. I am not ashamed to say this. My son said he even cried.

Marika, keep praying. It sounds as if that is the best thing for you to do. You are in my prayers.

Thank you Bobbo and God Bless You too!!!

Response from FMTB - West when I asked about DVDs for sale:

All graduation pictures will be posted on facebook.  Pictures of the training evolutions as well as a dvd will be available for purchase at graduation.  Unfortunately we are not setup to ship, so please have your son purchase all the copies necessary.

V/R
S-6

I just wanted to share with parents what just happened to my son...and to exhort their sailors to remember one thing:

If you really want to do something, don't take 'no' as the answer.

The story, in short: My son has a goal, his supervisor wasn't helping very much. He actively sought out the people who could mentor him by using any and all of his assets, mostly people he knew. Through this process, he not only found that someone, he found them quickly.

I have written before about the difference between the new sailors who are enjoying the Navy and those that aren't. Those following their 'dream' step over disappointments and issues to find a way to get to their 'success'. I am stunned how my son has already done this three times (that I know of) in his first year. He has always been on the shy side but not now with his dream life within reach. BTW, he has not been a top student, an award winner, or even coming in with 'rank'. But he has had his dream and resolve.

I hope this is not perceived as bragging about my son. It is just that I have been shocked how the military so strongly encourages sailors to be proactive about seeking out their individual 'success'.

For once, its truth in advertising. Get the word out!

I hope that this helps other sailors.

Prayers to this young man and his family.  The Red Cross and Instructors are terrific during these situations.  My son has lost his Dad and Grandmother since joining and they have been such a support in getting him home in both instances.

Thanks so much for everyone who voted for my son for the photo/flower package.  They won!  Please read the very nice blog from the photographer.  The military family support is phenominal will never be forgotten.

Thanks for the update Tamme - I was just wondering if they got the official word yet!  How exciting for them.  I was just at a family wedding over the weekend and my husband and I "won" longest married at 24 years and 8 months!  Our advice to the newlyweds:  me - just don't kill each other; my husband - cherish every day.  Ha, ha... yep, he's the serious one in this relationship!  But congratulations to your son and may they have many long years of happiness!

As times are uneasy with Syria, another group I'm in is having prayer time between 9:15-9:30 CST daily until this issue is resolved! I'm asking for all to take a moment in that time frame to please stop and say a prayer, a moment of silence, or whatever is you may do to send good positive thoughts to our Military involved and requests to the Almighty one who can help guide us through all of this! There is power in prayer and all those positive thoughts, you know our kids can and will feel it! 

My greenside corpsman told me he is being deployed to Australia in December. I didn't even know we had troups over there. Anyone have experience with an Australian deployment and what we all might expect?  This will be "our" first deployment.

Our Marine presence in Australia is relatively recent.  He'll love it!!!  I've traveled to the land down under a few times and the people there are wonderful.

Mombyheart

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20130611/NEWS/306110043/Mar...

My son was telling me about the Australia connection.  Could be worse deployments, that's for sure!

Corpsman is "Ball Boy" Check this link for a great story about an injured Doc who is still kickin' butt....

Great story TDM.  Am I the only one that thinks the journalist should get it right and stop calling him a Navy medic.  He's a Corpsman!  He earned that title and then some.

After nine long months, my 19 yr. old Camp Pendleton FMTB Corpsman Reservist graduate is expected home around 9/27 (despite any spitting matches with Syria)  From his phone calls, I can not imagine that there will not be some PTSD issues.  Any suggestions for what to expect when he comes home. (Zombie like symptoms like after PIR?)  I'm guessing alarm clocks are a bad idea.  How do I help him re-enter the civilian world?

Hi power0806,

Here are some sites that may be of interest regarding help with PTSD:
http://realwarriors.net/
http://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/
http://www.afterdeployment.org/
https://www.facebook.com/militarypathways
http://www.familyofavet.com/secondary_ptsd.html
http://www.dcoe.health.mil/Default.aspx

I find that the older I get the more emotional I get on this day every year.  Maybe because I now have a son who is a Corpsman attached to a Marine Unit, I don't know.  He was only in the 5th grade when it happened.  Old enough to understand it and the magnitude of the loss of life.  Saying lots of prayers today for those that lost their lives that awful day and for the men and women that have since paid the ulitmate sacrifice to defend our freedoms to make sure it never happens again.

Pam, I agree.  It also scares me each year on this date for repeat, especially with our troops still there.  Can't wait to get my boy home.  Continuing prayers.  On good news front, he passed his FMF written and oral exams.   

I agree also, Pam.  My corpsman went green side last spring and will deploy in several weeks for the first time. Prayers for peace are what this world needs.

I also have an SR who shipped out 9/5 who wants to go greenside and would be interested in helpful information regarding that. Thanks:)

Mombyheart, prayeres for peace definitely flowing.  We will be here for you to help you through deployment.  We are the three-month countdown for our son to return.  As far as the new recruits, tell them to study and score very well in Corpsman A-School.  Usually the high ranking students get their choice to go greenside right after school.  However, as you will learn, nothing stays the same with the Navy.  Good luck to both your recruits.

Good luck to your sons Smile09 and Azerin303.  Tamme is right - study hard in A-School and they'll get to pick their orders first.  My son picked Italy for his first two years and stayed blue.  However, he went greenside this past January and although he really loves his Marine's, it was an adjustment for him. He was stationed in Italy and then Hawaii, both wonderful duty stations, the cost of airfare for us to visit (we're in Atlanta) or him to come home on leave is so much.  It gets hard going for months and not seeing them.  But he was able to travel all over Europe for two years and has seen things that we only read about.  The Navy has been a wonderful experience for him and he has matured into a man that I am so proud of!!  And lots of letters to them in bootcamp!  It helps to keep them grounded and focused as they go through that process.

Tamme - hoping those days go quick for your son - they have a wedding to plan!

Hi Everyone - my daughter just received her soft orders and looks like Bethesda, MD.  Wondering if anyone has any information (with a Sailor that is there or been there) or knows of a group that may have more information.

Thanks!

Hello Jaime,,,My daughter just arrived in Bethesda, actually (VA) after a 3 day drive with her navy bf from SA..She is checking in Sat,,so we can compare notes!

2thldy, please find our group: Moms with kids deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan  There is a huge support system there, and lots of people to answer your questions.

I would encourage all new Corpsmen moms to check the links above the discussion area for a slew of links developed to help everyone find their way in this Navy world. 

2thidy, God bless and protect your son.

Hi all,  

Our son's birthday is coming up soon and in conversation with him about what he would like for his birthday, he has indicated that he would like a "stock medical bag"?  Does anyone know what this is and where to get one?  Thanks in advance. 

Coyote Brown socks from foxsox.com ....my son still wears those socks with his boots. Like putting on clouds on your feet (yes, I tried them on! I had to know!)...

KathyShip, I have no clue, but maybe someone does. If you can't find it, get him a Gerber multi-tool, my son carries his still.