Once again thanks for the comments!  Does make me feel better!  I know in my heart he will be okay.  I read a long time ago that it is like a family on the sub.  So, that makes it better for sure.  I know the food is better than on the carrier and else where!  Gotta keep those guys happy some how!!  LOL!  

My son was a reader and game player in high school too, but when he had to be around people he was fine. When you think about it, perhaps that trait of not being all that social is good. That way it's not a big deal to tune the others out and get your job done without distraction because you have more focus and concentration. 

Good thought Hoosiermom!!

Hi Ladies, I haven't been on for a few days (I haven't been feeling well). Anyways, Pamela thank you for the response it was wonderful to hear from my son on Thanksgiving. This is my son's first deployment too. Its a new experience for both of us (having our son's gone on their first deployment)...and I know we are not alone.* As the other mom's have wisely said, try not to worry. Stay strong, positive and supportive for your son....as I'm sure you already have. =)

Pamela- Did you you know that there is (most likely) a group for your son's boat?  In the search window type in your son's boat name (That way you can also connect with moms that have sons on the same boat as your son.). ....If you haven't already done so.

There is no group for Pamela's son's boat because my son is on the same boat and there are not many moms, etc. on here from that one.

Pamela, I know your son made it okay.  Mine said he saw him!!!

My son graduated nuclear prototype on Thursday and now he is a qualified reactor operator. He came home last night for 30 days leave. His two year anniversary in the Navy is next week. Next month he reports to the USS Mississippi as a reactor operator to start his qualifications there.

william in nashua - Congratulations to you and your son.  Two years in school is a long time but the knowledge he received will go a long way after the Navy.  Hope he can relax a little on his 30 days at home.  My sailor is heading to Guam mid-February.  Long way from home but he's a Florida boy so it will be just like home without family.  Happy Holidays

Congrats to your son William! Sounds like he's right on track. It was a joyous day when my son completed prototype after two years also.

Congratulations William and to your son.  Bravo Zulu!

Gina that is the cutest thing I have seen yet!!!  I would never have thought of that.

I tried to start a group for the USS Olympia about 2 years ago and after 4 months of no one joining, I closed it!!!  It does not seem to be a popular boat for N4Ms.

Gina - where did you get the Submariner ribbon magnet?  I would love to have one and have never seen that either!

We got gate passes from United when our sailor left for Pearl Harbor.  Yes, every minute longer with them is a blessing.  It was so nice to get that extra time to chat before we said goodbye.  Everyone else boarded, but we just chatted until they finally told us he had to board.  An extra nice touch was the hug he got from the United staffperson at the gate--and she told him, "Good luck, sweetie."  :)

Yes Gina...we all want to know!!! :)  That is the cutest!!

Congratulations William and to your son! What a great accomplishment

Gina the 'wreath' is adorable! * I too would love to know, where did you purchased the two submariner magnets? By the way, your two magnets beside the wreath was a great touch!

Thanks Rebecca.  

Can anyone answer this? Since my son is ordered to arrive at Groton on date X next year and report for duty do they just assign him to a barracks room on the day he shows up?  He was unsure if he is supposed to check in with someone at the submarine base housing office beforehand while he is on leave or else does he just show up with his stuff and they have a room ready?   

William - I am pretty sure if they know he is coming on a certain date, they already have his barrack room assigned and they will direct him where to go when he arrives.

William, did he get a sponsor (letter with person's name and contact info).. my son has one; sponsors are supposed to help with details of housing etc.

Connie I do not think he got any such sponsor letter, and if he did he probably would have mentioned it.  Would they send it to his permanent address here in NH, or would they mail it to Ballston Spa (he already moved out) or else, would they just hand him the letter with his orders.

But on the other hand I better ask the little knucklehead for sure when I get home tonight Lol.

William - son definitely should make contact before his arrival.  Usually, there is some contact info in the paper orders he'll receive.  Also, on the website of the new command, there's probably a link, "Welcome Aboard," (or somesuch); this is info for incoming transfers.  At last resort, he can call the squadron or fleet office for that info (look at the page, "Command Hierarchy," in the middle column here.

William, I love that we have smart, responsible adult children and we still call them knuckleheads.  :D

Congrats to your son, William!  Ideally, your son has a contact name or can track someone down to contact before he arrives in Groton.  My son has had  2 very different arrivals to Groton, one for BESS and the other for his duty assignment.  For BESS, he had no reliable contact name and was basically flown to Providence airport and left there to figure out the rest on his own.  To make a long story shorter, he ended up being put in a vacant room at the base in Groton that night without a pillow or any other "amenities" until they could get his situation sorted out.  For the second arrival, his mentor picked him up at the airport and everything was all ready for him.  Obviously, you want the second scenario for your son.

Question to Mark - I recently heard something about an "Akin Sub Rider"  I may not have that right but if you have any  idea what I am talking about LOL can you please explain for give me a link to read up on it.  I have this thirst for learning anything about a sub,  It is something about rides out on different subs for 2 years?  Thanks in advance

I couldn't begin to guess what "akin" means either, sorry Nana.  Mary, Norfolk is where the Navy command is.  Newport News is the private (non-military) shipyard that has the construction contract.  That is where the boat (such as it is now) is at.  They just want to check him into Navy-land and get all briefed in on the Navy side before sending him off to the civilians on up the river.

Thanks Mark, I probably have the word wrong, it is something about a submariner that is not assigned to one particular sub and just rides along on various subs for like 2 years or something.  Have you ever heard of something like that?

My grandson is waiting to go before the board to get his Dolphins, he has all his cards signed off after 7 1/2 months of working on them while in dry dock.  I am so proud of him.

Nana, the only people that I'm aware of that would be riding various subs over a couple of years do it for reasons totally different from qualifying on subs.  Crypto techs ride different subs for a month or two at a time; and while they ride the boats, they may do the sub qualification, but it's kinda not really legit (no offense intended to anyone).  It's just that they are so isolated from most of the crew when they're on board, and they are not attached to subs that are in port, so they don't share in the crappy aspects of submarining, just the glory part at the heart of a mission.  There are also senior people that will ride different boats to evaluate their crews and certify them for whatever they happen to be inspecting.

I got the correct word I was looking for they are called ACINT riders.  Has nothing to do with qualifying, just something I heard that I wanted to read a bit about.  I love to read up and learn about things I have heard.

Pat - I agree, with the Miami taking 3 years to repair it only makes sense that they send the guys out on "rides" must be extreme;y hard for them to be in dry dock that long - what a horrible thing that fire was.  I know my grandson is very anxious to go out on his ride sometime in the next couple of months.

My son is also a crew member of the Miami.  He had gone out on two short ride alongs on different subs.  he wasnt able to tell me the name of the sub or when they were leaving.  Also not sure on this one. but i have heard that when they are "ride alongs or ghost riders" they dont have an email on the new subs.  Mark do you know anything about this at all?  thanks.

Sorry ISH-MOM, I don't.  I can do some informed speculating though, and that would be that it would vary from boat to boat and also with the seniority of the person holding the email account.  The priority of the email system on the boats is so that senior members of the crew (officers and chiefs) have a convenient way to communicate informally with shore commands and squadron; believe it or not ;), communicating with family members is an afterthought, not a priority.  So, a junior enlisted guy would be at the mercy of whatever individual had the side duty of setting up email accounts.  There is no real reason why a rider would not be able to get an email account, it's just a matter of whether of how aggressively they pursued the matter, and how cooperative the person is who would have to set up the account.  As in many things, your mileage may vary.

My son is on a ride along while his sub is in dry dock.  He does have an email address but we have only gotten about 5 emails.  He has been very busy qualifying.

THanks Mark for your input.  You never know with the Navy and rules.  lol. 

Twark- your lucky then.  when my son was out he never emailed. he did call wen in port though.  so i will take that! :)

Seahorse thanks for the link on ACINT wow what a taxing job but oh so very important.  Funny I had just happened to find that link also as I Googled ACINT riders, what would we do without Google

Kim Daino-I posted a link for you to find the Ombudsman of your son's boat. Here it is;https://ombudsmanregistry.org/?m=login. Click on the link and it should take you to a page titled "Ombudsman Registary". On the left hand side in the middle of the page is a paraghaph titled 'Contact Your Ombudsman'. Under the paragraph is a link you can click on (the link is also titled contact your Ombudsman). The link will take you to a page with the map of the United States. Click on the map where your son is stationed at, then follow the directions.

Or if you choose you can call the  Ombudsman Coordinator at the Fleet & Family Support Center at (860) 694-4740.  

It is possible that if this is your son's first deployment that he did not know he had to contact the Ombudsman to get you on your son's contact list.

I mentioned this because it happened to me. If this turns out to be the case for you, it is not a problem. For example, While on deployment my son contacted the Ombudsman and requested for my husband and I to be put on his contact list,and she did. Once you are on the contact list you should receive e-mails with updates on your son's boat (no details are given do to security reasons). I hope you find this helpful. =)

just joined!  super excited!  any other members with a sailor at BESS in Groton?

Your welcome Kim. I'm glad I could help. 

*This group has been so helpful and supportive to me...especially when I needed it the most. I'm glad I could be of some use. =)

Just wondering if any of you moms have a son or daughter on the USS Wyoming? I read the the 1st female submariner received her dolphins. Just curious how the co-ed subs are working out.

Hi sweetjoe, I think you're supposed to not use last names on N4Ms for security reasons. You can delete your comment by clicking on the x in the top right corner of your comment. Anyway, so glad you've joined! My son will be headed to Groton after Christmas break.

opps!  thanks Connie!  new at this!

@MY3SONS:  Short story - the Co. that administered the NEX gift card program lost its contract, and another Co/contact hasn't been secured (it's been months now!)

BUT , cards purchased through AAFES.com (run all PX & NX stores) are good at any NEX worldwide.  Here's the link for buying calling cards AND gift cards:   http://www.shopmyexchange.com/.  In the blue band at the top of the page, place the cursor on "Community," then click on "Support Your Troops."

FOR EVERYONE, FYI:  The link I just posted, for buying calling cards and/or gift cards from the NEX, is permanently available (24x7) on the 'Page' titled "Halfway Boxes & Mail Drops" (main page, middle column).

I am new in this community, my son will be at Groton on Dec 14 after culinary school.

He will come home from dec 20 to Jan 6, to Miami. Is there any Airline that is better than other, or any special instruction to buy tickets??? do they get disccounts??

*Thank you Kaye S. you are a Life Saver with all your helpful information.

Welcome Miami-Mommy.  I'm sorry I can't really help you out. I don't have the slighest idea which air line is better than the other. I do know that Airlines do give discounts to our military personal.  I believe you can contact someone at what every airline you or your son chooses, and ask them how to apply a military discount to the fare. 

Can anyone else be more helpful for Miami-Mom? ...since I'm lacking. lol

I live in CT and a lot of people around here say that JetBlue is the cheapest option to Florida (I can't speak to their service, I've never flown with them).  I know they fly from Bradley Int'l in Hartford to Fort Lauderdale.