Ship 02 / Division 933

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Anybody else out there with this Ship/Division?

[annev]

Just got 2 letters - one was my "questionnaire" and the other a personal one. At least I got some of my questions answered.  Still trying to figure out when to fly back home! He hoped to get orders this week, but don't know when I will find out.  I definitely don't expect a phone call until after Battle Stations from what he said - didn't do well enough on a couple of things to earn them.  Oh, and for those planning on taking their stuff to them, he did indicate that we could get the bag at NEX and to wait until we got there for it. At least I won't have to worry whether what I get is okay or not. Sounded good but still being worked hard.

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Annev - Thanks for sharing that info.  I found a really nice back pack at Office Depot (by Targa) with very little decoration (the logo can be blacked out) and it has a padded laptop pouch built in.  It is $35.00 - sort of expensive, but might be worth the extra expense.  I will let my SR decide.  We can always run to Office Depot after PIR if he opts for that one over the one available at NEX (probably way less expensive).

As for return flights, I suspect that we aren't going to get any information about our SR's departures before PIR.  I heard that they don't give them that info (boarding pass) until the evening before PIR.  I went ahead and made my return for Sunday 7/3 because whether or not he gets to stay, that is the date and flight I wanted.  I highly doubt they'll be there longer than Saturday and I wanted to be home for the day of the 4th to get ready for the week ahead.  The Navy is training me to not expect to be able to plan in advance.

[annev]

Capricorna, My problem is we went ahead and made plane reservations (got a good price)  through the 4th to make sure (and originally thought he would be in GL for A school so there was a good chance of getting to see him all weekend.) I would be surprised if they stay past Saturday, unless something different is going on with the 4th. I don't want to wait too long to change our flights (it is going to cost us, but we will save the same amount on our hotel we aren't using.) But I would hate to change to fly out Saturday night, and he stays longer. We are just going to have to go ahead & make a decision.

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

That's a tough call, but like you say, you're just going to have to go ahead & make a decision.

If you fly out late Saturday night, you will have at least had time for a decent visit with your son even if he stays longer.  He might even enjoy the liberty time with no one to please except himself and be relieved to have a little time to himself. 

Just don't forget to build in time for travel to the airport, return of the rental car and arrival 2 hrs before flight.  That's why I opted for a Sunday afternoon return rather than try to squeeze it all in on Saturday, just in case he doesn't leave first thing Saturday.  For example, if your flight departs at 6 pm, you will need to head towards the airport by 3 pm (or 2 pm if you're going to Midway!).

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Here's what I sent to my SR with my last letter:

*********************************

Dear ________________, 

Once you have your plane ticket, complete the answers below and then take it with you to PIR and hand it to us after the ceremony (do not mail it): 

Airport_______________________________ 

Airline________________________________ 

Flight #___________________________ 

Flight time_________________________ 

First destination (if more than one flight) _______________________________

Time the bus leaves RTC_______________ 

Are you on a special "chartered flight"? ____  if not, we will meet you at the airport and stay with you as long as possible!

**********************************

They will get their boarding pass (usually before PIR) and will be able to do this.

They have to get to airport early for security reasons. Their flights could be early in the AM or late afternoon.  Just don't miss their flight if you don't want to get there as early as them.

You will also need your sailor to go to the airline ticket counter with you so you can get a military family gate pass.  This will get you through security so you can wait at the gate with your sailor.  So, its probably best to get to the airport when your sailor does.

 

USO is before security at O’Hare and after security at Midway.

[IndyMom02/933 PIR7/1]

Hi Ship 02 Div 933- I received a letter today.  Sounds as if all is well, and yes they do know when battlestations will be.  I'm not sure if it's okay to put that out here?  Some of the blogss i read post and speak to the dates and others say they do not want posted...who knows.  Most of there tests are completed, and they've done well.  They were to have gas chamber this past Tuesday (yesterday), I had asked in one of the questionares.  Captians cup is the weekend.  And he told me Friday is last mail day, so not to write him after this Friday.  I'm sure you'll be getting something this week too, but wanted to pass along what info I had gathered from today's letter. Oh, and he said next time they called it would be after battlestations, which i had pretty much given up hopes of another call anyway before battlestations.   Said this week is last of everything, and next week will be getting ready and practicing for graduation. 

 

Let me know what you hear when you receive you letters. 

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

IndyMom - Thanks so much for the letter report!  You got great info there!  I am hoping for a letter either today or tomorrow.  My ex-husband got a really short letter yesterday but it was only 1 paragraph long and said the weather was great and he aced a test.  Hopefully, he will answer my last questionnaire and provide additional details.  I will be sure to share if/when I hear from him.

We're almost there!  A week from tomorrow we get to meet!  Can't wait!

[annev]

Thanks for the info! Mine confirmed Battle Stations as well and think it is what everyone else has said - but I too saw we weren't supposed to make them public.  As far as Friday being the last mail day - so if we mail something today and it doesn't get there until after Friday they won't get them?  I have been saying in my letters this week that I am assuming he won't get them until after BattleStations!  I hate to quit writing if there is a chance they will get there.

 

I was hoping for another letter today, but there wasn't one, so maybe we will get one tomorrow. I had given up on calls too based on what he had said, and was actually hoping not to get one since I figured at this point it would only be bad news! 

 

I know we are all consumed by 7/1/11 - I have already looked at the 10 day weather forecast for Chicago and they show sunny,  high of 79!  I know you can't put any stock into the forecast that far out, but lets pray for that to hold.

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

I agree, Annev, it is hard to stop writing not knowing whether or not they might still get mail... At this point, I am going to compose one last letter today (#50) and explain that this is the last - not to expect any more.  I know it takes his letters a minimum of 4 days to arrive here, and I assume it is the same in the other direction, plus an extra day if a Sunday is part of the 4 days.  Based on those assumptions, the letter I mail today would be delivered there on Monday, 27th of June.  I figure he can live without mail for the last couple of days.  They'll be busy and excited.  Letters the last few days don't seem so important.  They've made it!  Anyone have a different view?

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

ZBMom - how's your son doing?  Is he over the strep?

[IndyMom02/933 PIR7/1]

I think what he was saying we not to mail anything after Friday, so drop your last letter on Friday :)  Annev- where are you located?  I'm in indianapolis, so its 2 days on mail time when they mail out on Mondays, i get letters on Wedensdays.  If i drop my last letter on Friday, they will probably receive at RTC on Monday.

[annev]

I am in NC, and it seems to be taking at least 4 days for a letter. Got some on Monday dated the 14th, and usually get them either Thursday or Friday when he writes on Sunday! So I will keep writing through this week just in case!  Thanks.