AngelsBreath - Any time you have more than one child, it seems like there is always a conflict somewhere. Often things can be juggled, but at other times not. I would definitely let your oldest know that the graduations conflict and hopefully, he will suggest to you to attend his brother's PIR. This is a hard call for sure. Keep praying for your recruit and as I think lemonelephant said, the shower is a good place to cry and regain composure!!

CountryMomOfASailor#47 - I saw your chat yesterday, but you were offline - congrats on your SR passing her PFA and swim test. I know that is a relief for you and her to have that accomplishment done.

Pooh'sMom - Definitely let me know if you are back in your hometown stomping ground. It would be great to meet up.  I am starting to realize that not everyone actually puts their present hometown down on their profile, so it gets confusing at times. Sorry for my assumption.

Yes ma'am I always tell him to go somewhere quiet to go to cry. Yes I am going to PIR. My oldest is the recruit. My 2nd is the ABH. I am just so proud of them both

AngelsBreath - My apologies, I meant the shower as a quiet place for you to cry in. I also didn't realize I had your sons mixed up as to which one was the recruit and which the ABH. Thanks for the clarification, I appreciate it. You definitely have my admiration for all of the support you give your sons and for their willingness to serve our country!!

Chipmunk - Will do.

Thanks Chipmunk! Yes it made me very happy to hear how well she was doing:)) passing her PFA & swim test is great news! And she was made a section or div leader also. She said she had a bad cough/cold and no tissues or cough drops allowed:( she refuses to go to medical. I am so very proud of her:D Wish I could squeeze her right now lol

I got a letter from my son today.  He got ETN!  It was his first choice, so yeah for that.  He mentioned that the nukes may end up staying in GL for up to 2 months.  He said they were told that  the records will need to be reviewed since the guy that signed off on them retired.  He said I don't know what is going on with that.  Has anyone else heard anything about that?

His PIR is Oct 27.

Hello Green2Blue, my daughter is also going into the Nuke program, PIR 10/27. When she called last Saturday she also mentioned that she may be held back in the THU unit because of something about her records. She wasn't sure exactly how long she might be held there or if at all. She said that it may get cleared up by PIR. She's an MM.

Nicknukemom - I was hoping our guys would be in class together, that is too bad. I didn't know they had so many sailors at GC either. I will have to ask mine the next time we visit.

Grannyofnine - so glad you were able to visit with your sailor and didn't have to wait long after PIR. The flight time can be very early in the morning, but it is worth being with them as much as we can. Glad you were able to get to Sarge's Meet N Greet.

Green2Blue & AmbersMom - I am really not sure what is up with the delays for some of the sailors and not for others with regards to heading to GC. I have read different comments as to why some are being delayed, and then GrannyofNine's left early this morning (Sat) like is expected.

What I do know is that there was an officer we spoke to at RTC while patiently waiting outside the chapel for ours to go on Liberty. His only comment was that because of the rating (Nuke) they have to make sure and double check their medical and their security, because it isn't always done as thoroughly at MEPS as they want it to be. That wasn't much comfort to me, I just wanted to see my son and get him some food!! At least you have an idea there could be a delay, so you can prepare for it, but also prepare to have everything in order and they fly out early Saturday morning.

Nicknukemom my son is also in class 1802 as an MM. What is your sons rate?

Grannyofnine - that is almost exactly what happened with my son when flying out from GL - airport at 3:30am but his flight ended up being about 8:15 in the evening.  It was a very exhausting day.  You're right - wouldn't have missed it or PIR for anything but I can tell you that when we did go visit our son a few months later in GC it was oh so much more satisfying.

Hi again. Been busy lately. Getting ready to go to Northern California for my Dad's service. 

My nuke gets to come and will be arriving from Hawaii just before my flight. He rented a car and will be picking me up. It will be good to see him. 

Of late, since my trip out to see him, communication has been sparse. His boat is continually out and about. I texted him about his Grandpa's death just as he was reporting for duty and he did not have time to call. Well word got around and his CO ordered him topside to call his mom. He has also been ordered to come back for the service. Nice and thoughtful CO.

We will be driving up to Dad's ranch to see what we want there. We will be trying to find his navy memorabilia for my boys. His Navy whistle, MP baton, a book on the history of his ship, the USS Wilson and the journal my dad keep all during WWII. 

PIR was thrilling for me twice! I also have twin sons who joined. One is not a veteran and living in Alaska. The nuke still has a little over a year to serve. He will have one more deployment. The graduation that I found the best was Power school in GC. almost 500 sailors graduating. So wonderful. 

Charleston has so many great places to eat. My son LOVED Charleston, he particularly liked all the history there. It also has a great ice-cream place on King St. That was written up in Bon Appetite. And great shopping. Simply J is a boutique with lots of handmade clothes and many with a navy theme. I got a great blouse there with anchors. 

The beaches are fabulous there as well and lots of places to tour. I loved the She Crab soup. I rented a cute mother-in-law cottage that was 8 minutes from base. It had it's own yard with a big BBQ and we had a steak BBQ for sailors who's parents could not come for Graduation. 

Morning family, I see some of you had PIR this past friday. I hope you enjoyed yourself. When my 2nd born went through PIR I was glad to touch him and kiss his face.

 CO-TwinSalorsMom - Glad to hear the plans for attending your Dad's service is all coming together. I hope you are able to get the memorabilia items you wish to keep. My sister found my father's Army Air Corps uniform hanging in their bathroom closet of all things! You mentioned a WWII diary - my mother had her uncle's from his time on the USS Monterey and she transcribed it one year and gave copies of it to all of us for Christmas. Those are definitely some family treasures you mentioned that are worth keeping.

Thanks also for your Charleston recommendations. I finally decided I better start a file with the comments everyone has made when it comes time for me to visit my sailor.

Nicknukemom - I am sure that he will definitely enjoy brownies and grandma's chocolate chip cookies!!

Co-Twin, I think I've stayed in the same place you did in South Carolina. Did you get it through AirBnB? Very convenient to base and has a nice back yard (including a hot tub!).

I'm so excited to be fly out this week to see my sailor and his college (He's in the STA-21 Program, for those who don't know) He has been so wrapped up in his classes I almost never hear from him. I'm assuming he's alive and doing OK. No news is good news, right?

I've been thinking about you and the loss of your father. I'm sending hugs and healing thoughts to you, your sailor and all the rest of your dad's friends and loved ones. You say he's from northern CA? Might I ask where? I grew up near SF.

Nicknukemom - I made choc chip cookies yesterday. I'll need to make another bunch before I fly out to see my son if I want him to get any. I've been gobbling them up like my life depends on it. LOL

In August we celebrated my Dad's 80th birthday, and the 6 year anniversary of his leukemia diagnosis. He's doing well, and feeling pretty damn good. He's amazing!

As a gift my parents best friends hired a photographer to get some family photos. I've been trying to post a couple of them here, without success. Let's see if it'll work this time. This first one is of my 2 kids and me. I bet you can figure out who's who.

This pic is my dad with my son (yes, it's supposed to be black and white).

This is a shot of the whole family - my parents, my siblings and me, and 5 out of 6 grandkids (my niece had to go back to college the week before the party).

PacNWmom, what wonderful family photos! Everybody looks great. It's hard to get a great photo with a large group where everybody looks good but your photographer did it. Well done. Precious memory in the making.

Hi all - Happy Monday!

PacNWmom - ah I love the pictures - beautiful family!  Thanks for sharing ;D  Have fun on your visit to see your sailor (of course you will!).

All the homemade cookies & brownies are going to make for some very happy Sailor's!  Just make sure they are sealed well so no little critters get in (of course they probably won't last that long lol!).

Went to Fleet Week San Diego yesterday.  Got to tour the USS Anchorage and a Coast Guard Cutter.  Boy was it warm for San Diego.

My hubby meets oldest son in Green Bay for the Packer game this weekend - they are bummed that Rodgers broke his collarbone but are still excited to be going to Lambeau Field.  They're doing a tour of the stadium on Saturday and the game is Sunday (I'm a little jealous!).

It's nice to see all the new members on here chatting.  Keep it up!

Welcome to our newest member ~ djimom.

Be sure to read the pages to the right (10) under the member profiles - lots of good info there.  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have!

djimom - Welcome to our group. Please share with us about your recruit or sailor.

B's Mom - my cappuccino was great this cool OK morning, but I always need my days to be much longer than I can ever get everything accomplished!! Love the minion though. I need to keep a file of all of your cute postings!

IMG_0407.jpg

For the person who was interested in the Mother-in-Law cottage I rented. Here is the info I posted this up in the discussions with more photos. 

I rented this little mother in law cottage. It has two bedrooms and a private yard with BBQ. It was perfect, quiet and 9 min. to base. a straight shot to base. Owner really nice (John on here_ He wants you to book through the VBRO place, do a google search If you can't find it You could call him. but he would prefer not to be called unless you need him after you book it. I got in late, after 10pm and he waited there for me so I know where I was going and he gave me the key and showed me around. It was great. The pic I posted earlier today with my sleeping sailor was on the couch in the cottage.

Thanks...The Listing number is 429492 and thats on VRBO.com....Appreciate it...j

John H Beckroge, Jr/ REALTOR
AgentOwnedRealty/Preferred Group
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Fax. 843-725-7070

Cell: 843-367 3196

Hey Ambers Mom

Nice to know who will be going to GC the same time as my son.  I am curious to find out what the THU hold restrictions are at GL.  I read it quite a while ago, but would like to read it again, just in case he gets held.  I am curious if that would give us more time with Liberty on the weekend and if there are any things he can have...like his own soap, deodorant, etc.  Does anyone recall where the info for THU is located?

Green2Blue - 

I'm not sure where the info is located, but I can tell you about our experience. My son was held in THU for a week. We were able to give him his phone after PIR (he had already moved over to THU). We were able to see him Saturday. Took him shopping for toiletries. We didn't bring them since he was expecting to get orders to fly out Saturday AM after PIR. 

If he is already is moved over to THU I don't see why you couldn't take his soap etc. They don't have much space, so I would not take a lot of clothes or electronics. They will have to pack and carry all of their stuff, regardless of when they ship out to GC.

I have an ETN3 - my son passed his A school comp yesterday - actually got the high score in the class on the math portion.  I can't help but be so extremely proud of him.  I fly out tomorrow evening to be at his A school graduation and then the 2 of us are flying back home together.  What a privilege to get all of that time with my son.  He'll be home with us then for a week - first time in our house since Feb 27th.

And while I'm there I'll be remembering that several of you will be at PIR grad - congrats to your sailors and welcome to GC.

ProudOfK, congratulations!  This is one of many celebrations on the Nuke path!  I personally liked A School graduation very much.  It's small and intimate.  They stop and pose for pictures and you can speak with instructors after.  

Have a safe trip and great visit with your Nuke!

Hi all - Happy Tuesday!

BZ to your son ProudOfK!  Enjoy A school graduation and have fun with your son.

PattiP - I'm with you, I don't ever remember this many THU holds after PIR. It seems like this is something that has become more common just in the last year.  Not sure why though?  How is your son doing on getting everything wrapped up?  Does he plan on staying in VA or will he be heading back home?

CoTwin - I'm glad your nuke will be able to join you for your dad's memorial.  It's nice that you will be able to get some of his military mementos too.  

Q. My Sailor is being placed in the Temporary Holding Unit. What does this mean?
A. Sailors placed in this unit, are Sailors who have graduated from Recruit Training Command and are awaiting follow-on orders to their school. The reasons for placing a graduated Sailor on hold can vary from clearance issues, needing a special physical, or sometimes it is as simple as waiting for a class to fill up.

These Sailors, however, are not just waiting around. They follow a daily schedule. Many maintain work assignments while awaiting their follow-on orders, to include: manning the Ship, acting as escorts for recruits transitioning to medical or legal appointments, or performing office duties at locations throughout the base.

They are also housed separately from other recruits and have the ability to enjoy liberty, and are permitted to leave the base for recreation or for visiting with family members. They may also call home during their non-duty hours.

B'sNukeMoM-

Thank you for that information.  I had trouble finding it.  I was trying to see what he would have for Liberty this weekend if he ends up being in THU.  He mentioned the "up to 2 months", so I was trying to figure out Liberty at Thanksgiving or Christmas...I am a planner!  I like to have my Plan B & C, just to be flexible.  Lucky for us we are only about a 6 hr drive, so could visit on occasional weekends and holidays!

Thanks again for the additional info.  I will wait for more information from him after PIR, but at least I know we will be able to spend a lot of the weekend with him if he is placed in THU!

Green2Blue - You are welcome!  Just remember though - as much as you plan the Navy has their own plan! You said it right, be flexible ~ Semper Gumby!

Welcome to our newest member ~ JenzNavyNukeTwinz!  I see you have twins at BC now.  Wow, both going into the nuke program!

Welcome to our newest member ~ melodyb!  Be sure to read the pages to the right (10) under the member profiles, especially "Your Sailor's Schedule Upon Arrival to GC".  And of course,  feel free to ask any questions you may have.

I am with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and I work for STEM in 30, a TV show geared at middle school students. I thought users of this forum might be interested in tomorrow's show we’re doing about being on the USS Dwight D Eisenhower. It’ll air at 11:00am and 1:00pm. Kids will get a chance to also learn a math lesson involving the landing of a plane on a carrier. You can find more about it here: https://airandspace.si.edu/connect/stem-30 If you can't watch it live, a recorded version will be available soon after at that same link. If you have any questions or feedback you can email at depalmaj@si.edu. I promise not to post all of our shows - just thought this would be really relevant here!

Thanks. Jess

Kids TV Show Shows Life Aboard an Aircraft Carrier

• Posted by jessicaSmithsonian on October 17, 2017 at 6:46pm in School and Education Forum (Change)

Sorry I had to post the below comment in 2 posts - it wouldn't let me post it all in one (said it was too big?!?)

Thought this might be interesting....