worried mom HM (SA A School)

That is funny that you say your son would be jealous of Katie being a firewoman...HM is what Katie originally wanted to do.  She was interested in doing physical therapy, but she would have had to wait until the spring to go to BC and she didn't know what she would do in the meantime, so she went back to her recruitor to see what other rates she could do.  If she wanted DC, she could go in October after her high school graduation, so that is what she did.

When Katie was sent to Japan in April 2009, she was sent home by the Navy for about 2 weeks.  Sounds like that is pretty typical for those being sent overseas for 3 years.  Since Katie's current ship is an amphibious assault, when they go out to sea they always stop in Okinawa and pick up Marines from the 31st MEU and then stop back and drop them off and their equipment.  So, Katie has been to Okinawa for short visits.  Hope he enjoys his time there.  Will he be on base or attached to a unit, or don't you know at this time?

Katie likes what she does.  She has come home every Dec/Jan since she has been in Sasebo.  Twice she was home over Christmas and the middle time it was over New Year's.  Her tickets have been $1,200, $1,800 and $2,000.  My son Thomas and I flew over in July 2010 for the Gator Cruise - it was scheduled for 3 days/2 nights from Sasebo to Yokosuka, but ended up being 4 days 2 nights.

Katie surprised us this time and had her brother pick her up at the airport.  We didn't see her until she 'appeared' at her youngest brother's Christmas concert.  Katie and Joe spent the afternoon at a friend's mother's home relaxing.  Saturday she didn't sleep in too much, I was kind of surprised.