DIVISION 024

[KLMkathy]

Welcome to your division.

[lukesgirl]

Lukes an airman, so he's going down to Pensicola, FL to be an AE, but he said there's 3 different jobs that he could get assigned to, the length of training varies though for each; 72 days, ones 90 I think, and the other is 180, if its the 180, then we've agreed its too long to be apart, so ill move down there once he can leave base and find me a studio apt. Or a one bedroom we can afford.
What about 'S', what's his job and do you know where his schooling will be?
Are you attending college now? I can't wait to get back into school! :)
Its nice that you have her to talk to about everything. :) my friend Allie's husband is on his 3rd tour in Afghanistan, but he's in the Army..so things are a little different, but she's been a huge help, someone I can talk to about everything.
Random question..what do you think you'll wear to the graduation? I know its 2 weeks away, but I've already started to think about it..a few girls on this site have pictures wearing dresses, but its going to be freezing outside! :( lol

[Katherine Ship 3 Div. 024]

That's so funny, our friend's husband is at school for Air Traffic Controller in Pensicola now! They found a great apartment overlooking a lake, but it did take a while for him to be able to stay off base. I'm not sure if he is even living with her full time now, but I know at least on the weekends he can stay there. They have to earn their liberty, and it goes in stages.
S is in the Nuke program, he chose to be a Machinist's Mate which essentially works on the Nuclear driven machinery on the ship. His schooling is rather long, almost 1 1/2 years, but he'll be in South Carolina, and since he's Sub, most likely Sub School in Connecticut too.
Yup in College now, I'm premed so it's very challenging, but I'm liking it a lot. Luckily our finals end the day before their graduation so I can make the ceremony. I was so afraid it'd end up the same day and I wouldn't be able to go. So was very pleased when I learned the PIR date was the 17th. Can't believe it's TWO WEEKS today! Seriously thrilled, and with finals the next two weeks it's going to fly for me. Hopefully you can keep busy too so these last few days don't drag on.
Are you going to be staying at our hotel? I saw that S's mom was talking to you about the Springhill?
His mom and I were talking about that too, when she was in Chicago for Thanksgiving she said it was already freezing, and I was watching the weather and it's been in the 30s, so I'm definitely not wearing a dress. We had talked about either nice dark washed jeans and a shirt, or even black pants. As long as you are dressed like Business Casual I'd say you are fine. Wearing a dress with all the walking around Base would be suicide lol. Plus I'm pretty sure that the warehouse the ceremony is in, isn't exactly on the warm side.

[lukesgirl]

Sounds like 'S' has a lot of schooling for his job! That's too bad, but I heard the more the schooling, the better the job basically. :) a friend of mine only did two months of training and he's sits and watches radar screens all day everyday..lol.

I think dark washed jeans is the route I'm going to take, that will look nice in any pictures we take together.
I'm getting all of my driving arrangements made since lukes mom isn't attending the graduation now..its stressful, but my family said they could drive me down so luke and I can fly home together. All I need to find out now, is whether or not the flight was accpeted, and I don't know how to do that. :(
Hopefully ill get a phone call tomorrow from luke and he can let me know if it went through. :) fingers crossed!
Its been only about 19 degrees up here in WI where I live, so it must be a little warmer down there..? 30 something sounds about right. Brrr!
How long is the drive for you or are you guys planning on flying?

[Katherine Ship 3 Div. 024]

They drove for Thanksgiving, 20 hrs it took them, supposed to have been only around 16, but bc of Chicago traffic it took longer... we are from NY. So we are flying (thankfully) for the ceremony. They were absolutely exhausted from the drive, so hopefully everything will just be relaxing and smooth this time around. I was away for Thanksgiving so sadly didn't get to join them. But from what I've been told they had a fantastic time.
I can't believe it is that cold where you are! It's in the 40s during the day here and we all complain! LOL! And I think I'm definitely doing the jeans as well, especially since I'm most likely flying home in whatever we wear that day I want to be comfortable!
I realllllly want a phonecall tomorrow haha! This week was so stressful with all the last minute assignments they've been giving us, I really just want to see how he is doing. He wrote his parents thanking them for their visit on the holiday and mentioned that their week was crazy this week; inspections, and Firearms and you name it they were supposed to be doing it. Battle stations is apparently the last week for them, so they will be "Sailors" if all goes as planned by the Wednesday before the ceremony.
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that we hear from them! =)

[Cindy in Snowy MN]

Hello Gals....can I "help' with the what to wear factor LOL! If you have not read on the PIR 12/17/10 link...please join together to wear RED on Friday 12/17 to PIR...This mom is on a mission to get everyone on the stands to wear "RED" at least on top ;o)! So it is visible to all the NEW SAILORS ...that we support our troops and to Honor and show them how Proud we are of them...

http://www.usdamilitaryfamilies.org/html/red_fridays.html

http://www.redshirtfridays.org/

I am getting the word out to EVERYONE...so please pass the word in your group attending. "WEAR RED FRIDAYS" is just not for this PIR Friday...but every Friday! But what a great opportunity for us to show our troops!!!

((Hugs))) thanks gals!!

Cindy

[Katherine Ship 3 Div. 024]

Hey Ladies! I got a letter today! My SR had good news to report for the Division; it seems the IT has finally slowed down, he said they don't really get "beat" anymore because they are "coming together as a division". He said the Petty Officers are starting to be really cool to them and are very funny. This wasn't dated, but he said they had the fire arms training, and had a uniform and weapons turnover inspection prior. At the time he said Drill Inspection was soon and he was hoping that they would flag; it seems they have every flag possible, except for the Academic ones lol. Their motto he said is "we may be stupid, but we're strong as...."! Made me smile. Overall he seemed to be in good spirits and very excited about what they had coming up. So soon now! Thankful he's doing so well. Hope this helps!

[stewfam]

Yep, it definitely helps - I haven't heard from my son "R" since we went up there for Thanksgiving - - so every little thing on here that I read helps - - but it is really great to hear that they are coming together as a division - - my son had been very upset about that and I know he really wanted to get some flags - - I know I read on here somewhere that they have at least two now. And the motto made me LOL -- that's great - - I am hoping I get a letter at some point this week -- this no communication stinks! Thanks for sharing the info on the division - - much appreciated! I cannot believe it is only nine days !!!!! I have been in search for the perfect red shirt to wear - - am thinking I might need something warm !
Again, thanks for sharing!

[lukesgirl]

That's awesome Katherine! I'm happy you've heard from him..still no word from Luke..I may not go to the meet and greet, but maybe we could meet up at our hotel, I got a reservation for the Springhill Suites. :)
Ill send you my phone number in a message later today, if you want to talk/text. :)
I'm driving down with my aunt now to graduation, and I'm hoping they let her into the ceremony in case I can't find Lukes dad and brother.
I'm trying to keep busy with Christmas shopping and getting the apartment spotless. :)
Did you say if

[Katherine Ship 3 Div. 024]

Absolutely! I'd love to! Especially since the 16th is my Birthday, I'd love to be social with someone haha! I'm sharing a room with S's sister and should be getting into Chicago by 630pm on Thursday! I know so thankful it's so soon!! And he comes home with us the night of the 17th and leaves for SC on the 26th, since he has to report by the 28th and they are driving. This is only my second letter from him, and I didn't see him on Thanksgiving so don't worry about Luke, I'm sure he's doing well! Hoping Saturday for a call, but if not we will get one next Wednesday upon completion of Battle Stations! YAY can't wait!

[lukesgirl]

I can't wait for this weekend! I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but its a little hard not to at this point lol.
My number is 6518906759, ill be in waukegan by 5 I think, but you can text or call me whenever if you just want to talk.
Its nice getting to talk to someone who's going through the same thing. :)
That's awesome that S gets to come home with you too! Luke will be flying to fl on the 26th as well, not looking forward to another goodbye, but I can't wait to have him home for those 9 days! :) do you guys have a lot planned while he's home? Will you be celebrating your bday? I'm trying to come up with something wonderful for lukes on the 18th, but well see if it works out :)

[Katherine Ship 3 Div. 024]

S is kind of a "go with the flow" person, he doesn't like plans, haha I'm the planner. But knowing him he'd really like to just rest up and see friends and family. And to be honest I would'nt want it any other way. Especially since he has such a structured schedule right now, I'm sure not having to do anything is going to be a great break for him. As far as my bday, I'm not really a big bday person, especially since it's right around Christmas I'm used to the holidays being the focus for the time of year. I'm going to be spending Christmas with him and his family for the first time ever, so I'm really excited. But other than the holiday plans, we are most likely just going to be catching up and seeing his friends etc. He has a pretty tight knit group of ppl so I'm sure we will be seeing a lot of them.

I'm so excited he gets to come home, I thought he was going to be a Grad and Go, and have to report straight to SC from graduation. SOOOO thankful that he will be home for a little time, and I may even try to see him at SC before his classes start. They just have to report there, but won't actually have school start until January since the whole NAVY shuts down. But we will see how things turn out. I will txt you at somepoint today so you can save my number as well! We are getting so close!

[lukesgirl]

Lukes the same way! I'm the planner lol. :)
What do you mean they shut the navy down?
Will you just stay in a hotel then with him til classes start? I wonder if I could do that with luke..that would be amazing! And then just fly back when his classes start.
Can you let me know when you text me please? :) thanks!