Questions

[Austin's Other Mom]

Hi all, we haven't gotten a call yet. What area code do the calls come from?
If they get asmoed, is it temporary? We've gotten several letters and he's progressively doing better.

[dcm101583(ship 14 Div. 269)]

My son is 2 weeks from his first deployment out at sea.  Can someone tell me if we will be able to have any communication via internet...We are told cell phone use is way too costly overseas so I'm guessing we will have to have his phone turned off temporarily. Should we set him up with an int'l calling card?  How often can they receive mail and are they given a schedule of best times to mail things to the ship?? I am full of so many questions... Thank you in advance for any help and advice you may have for me.

[cinder]

Asmoed is a temporary set back he should be able to let you know this has happened so that you can adjust for his PIR.

You can get ship to shore calling cards and they will get a new email address. He will also be able to give you his ship address when he gets to the ship.  Communication by email is sporadic.  You can send mail as often as you want and it usually takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks for it to arrive.  If you know what ship he will be on look to see if there is a group and they will be able to answer even more of your questions.

[Tonya]

Hi Austin's other mom the area code my son called from is 847 and if the get asmoed it could delay his pir he should be able to let u know.

[lemonelephant]

dcm101583, What ship will your Sailor be on? There may be a group on here for it and they would be able to answer questions better.  Fromm what I understand, your Sailor will be able to have internet contact when in port--maybe other times as well, but rarely. Yes, it is good to do a military suspension of the cell phone.  Some use only Skype for phone calls through a computer or iPad (it's $2.99 for unlimited calling to the US) and some use calling cards--you would have to know which one works in the ports the ship will dock in. They do have mail drops, but mail can be delayed a couple of weeks. Make sure that your Sailor gets you set up with the Family Readiness Group (FRG) aos that you will get emails from the Ombudsman with important info.

[lemonelephant]

Austin's Other Mom, as Tonya indicated, the area code is 847, but there are other things that could be indicated on your caller ID as well. (See Phone Cards and Phone Calls within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) for more on that.) Recruits who are ASMO’d are set back in training, typically for failing a training requirement (academic, running, swimming or PFA), medical or disciplinary reasons. If your recruit were to be ASMO'd, he would call you to let you know. The recruit could be ASMO'd to FIT, PASS, FAST, or another division and possibly have a later PIR date. (If any of those terms are new to you, see What does ??? mean? (A Guide to Navy Abbreviations and Terminology).) I see you have joined the PIR 03/01/2013 TG 16 – 6 Divisions (101-104, 914 & 915) group; you may also want to join, or at least check out, Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones), PIR Reference Information, and New Members Stop Here. There will be a lot of great information and support for you in those groups as well as in the PIR group. Be sure to check out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) and Discussions within the groups.

(Group names within this comment are clickable links.)

[Austin's Other Mom]

Thanks so much. Changing travel plans would be very difficult. I am hopeful that he passes everything just a little concerned since none of us have gotten a call. We are working on learning the terms....there's a bunch of them for certain.

[lemonelephant]

You are very welcome. Remember, "No news is good news!" If something happens that would set him back, you will receive a call.  As long as you have not gotten a call, everything is on track for him to have PIR on time.