Sub Moms

My Son is scheduled to arrive at Pear Harbor mid April and will be on the USS Tuscon.  So excited for him!

Good morning to all!  I've checked everywhere I can click and have not found something that I would like info on if anyone knows.  My son is going for Yeoman-Sub and leaves in July for BC.  We are trying to be as prepared physically as possible for BC.  Does he have to pass two swim exams or just the first one? Any information will be greatly appreciated!

Mary(MMnukesmom) same here with my son.  He loves the water but I think his worry is the proan float(?).  I had to look up what it is but that seems to be his only concern.

hello all!!

my son took the swim test six times while in bc before he passed it.     he isnt a great swimmer.     they will work with them.    i was always worried abut he not being a good swimmer and joining the navy!   i still worry!

Lisbeth, THANK YOU .. husband and I just watched the video. Made me feel immensely better about seeing our son for the last time before he's underway.  I'm still a bit blue, but puffed with patriotism!

Lisbeth - thank you for posting the video!  Although mine hasn't left for BC yet, it calmed my momma fears so much!  Thank you thank you!!!

LOVE LOVe LOVE that video!! Thank you, Lisbeth!

As a new sub Mom, I came across the website below that offers great information on emails etc from the silent service. Thought you all might like it if you have not seen it: http://berkutsystems.com/modified/

Latest news on the Miami

http://www.navytimes.com

BigBlue my son has been in over 5 years now and is getting ready to go on his last boat ride (that is what I call it) then he is getting resigned for 3 years of shore duty.  I think I worry more about my son when he is back on shore than any thing.  Next time someone ask you where your son is tell them he is doing donuts out in the sea some where on a sub and that you can't give out that info or you are going to have to kill them. lol  But really just tell them he is doing donuts out at sea some where on a sub, and your really are not allowed to give out that info.  It just makes his job look good that he is on a sub and it is very important work.  They always tell the wives to count the pay checks and that makes the time look shorter.  What I mean is that they get pay twice a month on the 1st and the 15th if he goes out of 3 months that is 6 pay days.  Doesn't 6  sound better than 12 weeks or 90 days.  

I spent some time in the Army and sent my ex off to 2 wars I am kind of use to the life.  I have seen a lot of wives and mom that don't even know what there son or daughter do in the military or where they are at or even what branch they are in.  So at least you are ahead of the game.  So hang in there and just send him a lot of emails when he is out at sea I do.  

Yolanda - I sent you a friend request.  My son is on the same sub as yours!!

N4M's group for the USS Tennessee

USS Tennessee SSBN 734

List of all the N4M groups associated with ships

N4M GROUPS: Listed By Name of US Naval Ships (actual US Naval vesse...

My son is on the USS Bremerton.  I did find a site on FB 'Loved Ones of Hawaii' and did find 3 other Moms whose sons are also on the Bremerton.  

I am new to this group although my son has been in the navy for 1 1/2 years. He is on the Dallas and will be leaving on his first deployment in the near future.  Can anyone give me any info on the resources available to parents regarding deployment e.g.  are there any send off ceremonies, we would like to be there (Groton CT) when he leaves.  Any info would be so appreciated, thank you!

Andrea the day and hour submarines go to sea is kept under wraps and could even be in the middle of the night. They do not have a big bon voyage ceremony as you see on an aircraft carrier with a big sendoff. I think a regular visit with your son before then but not on the day of, might be better. Parents are welcome on the base but must be escorted your son would just meet you at the gate with his ID and get you a visitor pass for the day. Everyone was very friendly when we visited.

Thank you guys that helps. My son is on the USS Dallas. We are 7 hours away, we were trying to figure out how to see him off. I think it is a better idea to be there when they come back. :0)

Henry M. Jackson  ( SSBN 730 )

  now has a group on  Navy for Moms

Click Here to visit the HMJ ( SSBN 730 ) Group on NFM

HMJ Mom,

Great. Just added your group to the list.

www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/groups-listed-by-name-of-us?

Thank you everyone for the info, I always assumed there was a ceremony.  I should have realized I wouldn't get specifics on their departure, especially after experiencing all the delays when they go underway - it is so frustrating! But, who am I, they are the United States Navy - I guess I won't be calling to complain lol. Jam's Mom, I noticed you are 7 hrs from Groton, so are we only about 50 miles from you in Steuben County.  I think My son has mentioned your son.  Again thank you for all of the advice I guess we will be planning a trip to CT in the next month. Hopefully spring will actually have arrived by then , we have visited 3 times but always in the  cold months.

Andrea09-338  yes we are about 60miles from  Steuben County. Maybe we will meet when the Sub comes back from there long deployment.

good morning all!!

i pray everyone has a glorious day!!

PM'd you OkSuzy.  There is a small ceremony, apparently.

Barn Godess, my son's on the Missouri. And you're a horsewoman .... I can see we'll have lots to share in the years to come! My son has started his re-enlistment paperwork and is eager to get going on a deployment, too. He called my husband tonight to warn (after a deployment briefing) that I am NOT to email him while the boat is out with news of every foal that's born, ha ha. Only "important" stuff ... hmmm. ..guess that means no cat news, either!

Just stopped by to say hello.  My sailor has transitioned to shore duty and is in training for his new job, Instructor at NASTPac.  Naval Submarine Training Pacific.  This is where all sailors go for training, not just submariners, but my sailor is a submarine instructor.
He is looking forward to being on dry land for a while after spending 5.5 years on the sub. 
He also just got engaged last month to a girl from the island.  I will be attending the wedding there sometime next year.

Barn Godess, ditto on the 21st b'day while underway. And I have a halfway package made, but am heeding son's warning to "not bug" the ombudsman. My entire family lives in Florida ... geez, we DO share a lot! Foaling wise, still have 20 to go.

On a somber note, moment of silence for the USS Thresher, 50 years ago today.

Hey, Rhonda... good to hear your son has a shore duty!  After 4 yrs on a boat, my kid just moved in January from Kitsap to be an instructor at Ballston Spa - HE'S SO HAPPY!  Wife and baby girl are, too.  It's nice for all of us to have a "regular" life for a while (except for that pesky shift work).  Also, they're only 12 hrs away now (vs. 3 days!), so we can visit for important events - like granddaughter's first birthday this month!  Enjoy... k.

There is a Hawaii N4M group and there is helpful info by some seasoned N4M there especially about visiting., where to visit, where to stay, etc.

My sailor is officially deployed and running silent....still can email him. Someday he will get them, but I keep it short. I am also keeping a journal of other items that he does not need to know while he is out. Maybe you ladies with the babies could do that...keep a journal. It may make you feel better!!!

Kaye S. - Congrats!  Just knowing that they are on the same piece of dry land makes it feel really close!  I hope you get to visit often.  My son is still in training right now and what he is learning is SOOOOO different from what he knows as a Nav/ET that he is finding it a little overwhelming at first.  Once he gets to the teaching part he will be fine as he knows his job well.  It is just what I call the "HR" stuff that is confusing to him.  He will get it, he is a smart man!!! 
I was hoping he would come back to the continental US for shore duty, but there were no jobs available that interested him.  Oh well, maybe by the time he has children he will be closer.

News from the Navy...a fourth sub will be forward deployed to Guam soon.  Check out the article on Navy Times online.

www.navytimes.com/article/20130410/NEWS/304100029/Deputy-SecDef-4th...

A nice pix of seven of the SSN 773 crew posting colors and Guam harbor attached.

Ya think I should send him golf balls and clubs (nerf) for a golf game???? I am just giggling thinking about them playing golf in the hallways of the sub!!! lol

Happy 113th birthday to the U.S. Submarine Force.

Pat, thanks for posting the link.  The Cheyenne (pictured) will be my son's sub in June.

Another fun activity submariners do is a variation on "pinewood derby."  Each division builds a "car."  The starting line is at one end of the walkway between the missile silos.  The sub then climbs or dives, forming a ramp the cars race down.

Son says engineering always wins because they have the best "resources!"

Linda-That sounds like they had fun on halfway nite. Our sailor shares none of that. I'm gonna have to shake him up next time I see him! :)

Congratulations Cheri - My grandson earned his Dolphins while under way in February.  I have a Dolphin "coin" for him when he comes home.  He is still out there somewhere on his ghost ride

Cheri, YIPPEE!! Love those fish!!

SusanK  cool, I hope they have an awesome time.  I didn't know there was a submarine ball in Seattle.  I have another grandson in subs and he is up there in Seattle I wonder if he went.

Good morning everyone. Mt son should be getting his Dolphins about now or did already.Within a short time after deployment he was going to get them. Sometime I will find out.

So, should I send a derby car to put tog in a halfway box???? How about a Nerf basketball set? Any other ideas? My son would expect something fun (ny) from me anyway.

Congrats on all those "fish"!!!! They are now official submariners!!!

Question from an almost new Sub Mom...my son's PIR is 5/24/2013 and then he is off to Groton.  I've heard that most leave for Groton on Saturday following PIR, however, with a holiday (Memorial Day) weekend, is he still likely to leave GL on Saturday?  Going to Groton, do they use one airport (O'Hare v Midway) more often than the other?  We're working on plane reservations and have several options.  Thank you to all of you more experienced Sub Families.