Sub Moms

OkSuzy-Congrats to you!  We're only two weeks into Boot Camp, but he sounded so good on the phone today, I know he will do well in Subs and anything else to which he is assigned.  We do plan on visiting him in Groton...we live in San Diego.  Any suggestions for places to stay there?

So .. what's with The Cake Boss visiting my son's boat? (Missouri)  Does anybody know when this episode will be shown on TV? He said the film crew was not allowed into the reactor area, so he won't be on camera, but it would be so neat to see the show anyway!

Dear LaxDogMom- I don't know when the sailors find out about their travels, but we didn't find out until we got to PIR that our son was having to report back by 11 pm (if I remember right) for a midnight "roll call", then on a bus to the airport for a Saturday morning flight to Groton... We spent the afternoon with him walking around the mall, having lunch and relaxing in our hotel room/ lobby until he felt it was time to return to base. It was still light when we said our goodbyes in the parking lot... but I don't remember the exact time. 

They are all on a path that leads to unrealized talents, maturity and strength, pride..... it is heartwarming and joyous to see this unfold and confidence increase.

Be brave, Moms! Your boys are in the right place at the perfect time for them!!

Thank them all for their service and dedication!

Good morning. To the mom in Groton...my son grad by a holiday and just before grad, the date was changed to Thursday instead of Friday..be open to change...it is the Navy!!!!

Cake Boss, have to look for that one. lol

Barn Godess...I don't think there is a way to know for sure...just be careful what you post.  Better to error on the safe side.  There have been some obvious ones in the past, and sometimes they give themselves away on their own page, ie their pix, or their personal information...but if they are really 'info gatherers' they are good at hiding their own true identity.

Barn Godess, you should assume anyone who wishes the worst for America can read everything that is posted on this web site. You are not just talking to people you hope are for real you are blabbing it to the whole world by posting here.

Saw a few pics on fb of Buddy & the sub cake-very cool! I'll have to remember to keep an eye out this summer for the show! :)

Thanks BJA57.  We'll make our reservations and hope for as much time as we can get with him before he leaves.   When my son called on Sunday, he said that he feels he is right where he's supposed to be :-)  Music to this mom's ears! 

What's the best way to handle cell phone service when deployed... my son is on our plan (much cheaper that way for him) and I'm wondering if he should suspend his service if he's out for many months (that would save him $70 a month). We're Verizon... when he was in boot camp we had his service suspended (military courtesy) ... but will he need his phone if they stop at any ports? What do most guys do?

Hello Sub Moms, my son will be graduating from Submarine School early May.  I'm so excited going to see pick him up and bring him home.  He will be coming home for a week and then leaving to his new home for the next 4 years, which is Point Loma in San Diego.  So Proud of my Sailor!  He is so young and such a big boy (Man).  I'm really going to miss him, while he is gone!

To Connie foaling-lady (Groton), We use Verizon to and my son was on my plan we took him off when he left for his home port. For credit purposes my son decided he wanted the phone in his name. My son is now deployed and was allow to take his phone with him. Most people will tell you that sailors can't take anything that has a camera in it and that's NOT true. There are just certain parts of the boat that they can not have camera devices. They just have to get permission from the COB to take it. Keep in mind every time you suspend service it takes longer to fulfill the contract on that phone. My son opted not to do that because his contract will be about over with by the time he gets back and he is really wanting a new phone. So we just go in and pay his phone service for him. Verizon does not offer international plans that will cover them in most ports. And they will be charged a roaming fee and it varies from each port and text messaging is 0.50 to send and 0.05 to receive. Some people say to use apps that will allow you to Skype and such to communicate keep in mind if your son has a smartphone than it will use up its data really quick that way and there's overages for that. I'm learning they do not need their phone but if you would like to hear his voice at some point it would be wise to take it. And if for some reason he's not allowed to take his phone on deployment don't stress all he has to do is buy a disposable phone when he goes into port. My son has learned that most sailor buy a disposable phone cause it is cheaper than using their own. And so that is what my son does......I will stop with my ramblings and hope this helps. Hope I didn't just tell you a bunch of stuff you already knew.

If you haven't joined there is a great group on facebook! It's call Loved Ones of Groton, CT Sailors. You can get all your questions answered there and faster response time and very supportive.

Hello out there!  I'm new to the site.  My son is in Groton now due to graduate from "A" school (sonar tech) on July 5.  If anyone has a son at about the same stage or perhaps even in the same "A" school, I'd love to hear from you.  My son was able to come home inbetween Christmas and New Year and I am flying up to see him for a weekend in late May.  We talk or facetime every week.  I'm getting in all I can cause I know that soon communication will be few and far between.  I have found alot of infomative things on the site and am gald to be a part of Sub Moms!

Dear Moms,

I post this comment every 5-6 months, so no one should take it personally :-)

I LOVE this community for being so supportive, cooperative, and positive.  In four years, I've never had to block someone for being inappropriate, controversial, or disruptive.  So, thank you all for the way you "play nice" together!

When posting for newer moms, please remember to use phrases like "...for a boomer," "...in my son's command," etc., etc.  RULES ARE DIFFERENT BETWEEN BOOMERS AND FAST ATTACKS... AND FROM SQUADRON TO SQUADRON... AND CHANGE WITHOUT WARNING.

In our desire to help others, we often give an answer which is true of our own son's situation, but might not work for all personnel.  For example, Navyboy2012 very kindly answered a question about phone usage - and 99% of her answer is correct.  The 1% which isn't is about whether cameras are allowed.

I don't know of a boomer which allows any camera, period (but perhaps there is one).  My son's boat didn't allow anything with a camera.  By adding a phrase to "always check first," we'll avoid passing along incorrect info.

Carry on, Navyboy, you're doing fine!   Hugs, k.

Well hell I'll settle for being 99% correct can't be 100% all of the time. The best way to get correct information is to get it from your Sailor. I've definitely learn that already. I usually never comment on any forum on this site because what is true for one sailor never is for another. My experience with my sailor has been different than most I have read on here, so I take what I can and move on.

And on my sailor's boat they are allowed to take devices that have cameras in them. I also know other boats that have allowed them to. All subs are different and so is each base. That's why I always say to have your sailor check or get permission. Since this is a public forum I do not give out information as to the name of my sailor's boat or what type it is or where he is stationed.

good morning all!!

may God bless you all with a very nice weekend!!!

Hello everyone I'm new to this group my oldest son is on the USS Albany. I'm new to all the Sub lango please help  :)

Welcome Joey and Robert's mom! My son is also on the USS Albany! There are only a few moms from that boat here.

My sailor received his Dolphins this past week. They made a stop in Guam and I did not realize it was him on the phone lol!!!

To all new people: just the right and up a bit is a wealth of info that you should read....I have been around a while and I am still learning a lot...and it is the Navy...things may change in a moments notice!!! Welcome!!!

Anybody know what the planes above in the banner are? Hornets? They're beautiful!

Congrats to you and your sailor tysmom!!!  Great accomplishment.....and now life will get a little easier for him.  You should hear from him more often, if he is the type to communicate with mom!!!  

Welcome to all the new members!

My sailor has transitioned to shore duty recently and won't be on the sub for a few years but is still a submariner. So I will be checking in every now and then to keep up.  He had been on his boat for over 5 years.

My sailor rec'd his 4th NAM while on his last deployment a couple of months ago.  His Commanding Officer added a hand written note to the letter we rec'd telling us of his latest accomplishment.  That was very nice to see.  His previous CO's did not even send us the announcement letter!!!

He will be staying in HI for his shore duty as an instructor at NAST Pac for 2 reasons.  First, because he could not find a job he liked anywhere else and second, he is engaged to be married next year to a girl from Honolulu!  We are excited about attending a Hawaiian wedding!  Of course(!) we will be staying extra days to take a vacation while there!!!

Hope all is well is with you and your sailors. 

Rhonda: We got a letter today from our sons CO! He had nice things to say about him and us and he sent us a Dolphin replica. I am smiling(<:(<:(<:(<: a lot!!!

tysmom - how nice!   What an awesome CO he must be.

My sailor's CO at the time he received his dolphins and 1st NAM did nothing.  We found out from our sailor!

I need information on how to send a "Family Gram" Can anyone help?

donnab, a "FamilyGram" no longer exists.  It was sort of like a telegram form with which families could "sort of" communicate with their sailors, because they only went from shore to boat - there was no communication from boat to shore.

Once the ability to send and receive email to/from the boats, FamilyGrams went the way of the dinosaurs!  BTW, directions for how to send email to a boat  is in the "Pages" area in the middle column here.  Hugs! k.

Hi Everyone

My son is on his first underway and I was wondering if any of you can answer me this.  Are the nubs able to send and receive emails during their first underway before they have earned their dolphins?  How often do you send them emails if they can.  I understand they can only get them at communication depths but was just wondering...

Congrats to all the sailors who recently got their dolphins! That's what I got on to tell ya'll-our sailor is underway & he got all his work done & thinks he should get his pinned this week! We are so proud! At last, he's a real submariner! Bravo Zulu to all these fine young men & the parents who raised them!

P.S. We must have an outstanding Ombudsman & CO-they gave us instructions about how to email, etc. from the get-go. Many thanks to them for all their help!

Please know that the only subs which are capable of receiving cards/letters are those which make ports 'o call.  Boomers, and other subs on special missions, don't make port calls and therefore can't receive "real" mail.

I am a new mom to this site. My sailor just graduated from boot camp on 4/19.

He is excited about starting his new school in two weeks. I am so proud of him and can't wait to visit him!  God Bless all you wonderful moms!

Hi Nikki K.,  welcome to the roller coaster ride that comes with being the mom of a Nuke.

It will be almost two years, or even more, before he knows if he will actually be going to a sub. Over 90 percent of my son's class volunteered for subs, but almost 50% of them were sent to Carriers.

I sent you a private message with a link that should help you see just how "deep" you are into the world of "Nukes" :)

Hello all!  Do not add many posts but saw the one about family grams.  My sailors sub only lets us send family grams.  They are never able to receive or send emails.  I can send only so many family grams at 50 words or less each time he is gone.  I know each sub is different.  The ombudsmen of the boat tells us how many , address to send them to and the format they have to be in.  Just thought I would put my 2 cents in!

BeckyP... Thanks for that info - I've been at the for almost 7 years now, and you're the first person who's ever said they use family grams!!!  I stand corrected! k.

What class, k! ;) That is interesting; I'm glad the tradition survives on some boats, there's something a little romantic (cough cough) about getting one of those underway.  I wonder what circumstances might cause a boat to use them still.

BTW, Mark... we're flying to Albany (NY) on Thur for the "big 1" bday party!  It'll feel strange seeing the kids and not visiting somewhere with you, too!  Hugs, k.

My son reports to his boat today, a "Boomer".

Apparently the boat has been out on patrol for some time now, and will remain out on patrol for some time to come.

Is it likely he will be taken out to join the boat on patrol ?

Since it will be his crew that will be returning with the boat, is it likely he will go out with the other crew when they take it out next ?

NF Mom - I answered the first part over on 'Nuke Moms', the answer to the last question is yes, sometimes members of one crew will go out with the other crew for back to back patrols.  My son did that, and I know Kaye's did as well, at least once - Happy B'day to the little smurf, Kaye!

Thanks again Mark.

hello all!!

dotsy--really happy for you!!  enjoy and give him a hug from all of us. 

Hi Kaye and Mark!  He is on the Jimmy Carter.  On most missions no emails can be sent to him and never is he able to send any out.  We are told by the ombudsmen how many family grams we can send per mission.  They must be 50 words or less and in a very strict format.  Try to say what you want to say in 50 words or less! !!  But I think I am pretty good at it now. And at least every mission I get to send a halfway box for him plus every mission I send cases of items to the ombudsmen to use in other single sailor boxes as well.Talk to you all later.

That makes total sense, Becky.  If there is one boat in the fleet that would still use familygrams, that would be the one. 

Wow...I'm impressed about learning that a sub uses family grams and how "strict" the format must be. To tell you the truth, I have always questioned the "simplicity" of being able to send emails back & forth during deployments. 

Hi Gaileann, We do not get preprinted sheets for the family grams.  Once the boat is gone the ombudsmen contacts us to say how many we can send and the email address the family grams are to be sent to.  The subject line has to be very specific.  Never have asked him how they come to him.  If they are hand written onto cards or if they just print out the short email.  I just always know than when he goes it is going to be a long while before his return and we hear from him.  I love packing his halfway boxes.  I have gotten pretty creative on what I fill it with.  It is a shoe box we can put together.  He is a Nuke and I will say this much,  he loves serving aboard the Carter.  Happy Sunday to All.  Prayers for all our Sailors when I go to church today.

Hello all.  I am new to the group.  My SR graduates in 36 Days.  Why does that seem like forever?  His A-school will be in Connecticut which is so much closer to home. I can't wait for PIR.  Miss him so much.. as he said in his letter home.. he won't be my little boy anymore.. but we moms know that no matter how big they get even when they outgrow you by a foot.. they will always be our little boys..

Exactly, SMLMOM! Mine did outgrow me by a foot (see the picture), and he'll always be my little boy!

Welcome!