Ship 07 Div 229 - join the discussion!!

[Brandon's Mom - Ship 07 Div 229]

Looking for SR's in Ship 07 Div 229 to start a discussion group. 

 

 

[Tyler's Mom]

Tyler is a "nuke" and is headed to Charleston, SC.  Still waiting to hear if he is "grad and go" or if he'll be sticking around Great Lakes for the weekend.  Really hoping to have more time with him than just Friday afternoon/evening.

 

Thanks for the info on the ticket situation.  Sounds like everyone will get to go and that will be good.

 

Tyler said they did extensive dental work on just about everyone as they need to be 100% when they leave basic.  There were lots of wisdom teeth pulled, too.  Tyler lucked out and didn't need anything more than a cleaning, but he said he's never been so happy to sit around and wait in a dentist's office.  They went in groups and had to wait until everyone was done.  It was cool and quiet and they got to sleep/chill out for several hours.  It was one of his favorite days. :0)

 

You sure a have a long drive to Great Lakes.  We're about six hours out, so not too bad, but I'd gladly drive for days and days if I had to.  I miss him so much.  Can't wait to give him a hug.  Less than three weeks to go!

[AndreaLynnE]

The dentist was Richard's favorite day as well.  Sitting in the chair listening to music.  lol  Simple pleasures.

[Brandon's Mom - Ship 07 Div 229]

Are you going to the meet and greet at the Ramada Inn in Waugekan?  I might go depending on the time we arrive in IL.  We're leaving late Wednesday night because we have about a 15 hr drive.

[AndreaLynnE]

Are we allowed to use last names on here?  I will be at the Meet and Greet on Thursday.  What are the plans for that?  Are we going to have dinner or just mingle?  I am so anxious, nervous and excited. I am a basket of emotions right now.

 

Anyway, I want to introduce myself.  My name is Andrea and my son, Richard is in Div 229.  We are from Lebanon Missouri. Other members of our family include my husband, Richard and two other boys - Robert and Ryan ages 19 and 12.  We miss our recruit so much.  We are a very close-knit family that puts God first in everything we do.  Richard writes often saying that he feels like he's grown not only physically, but spiritually as well.  He says that for the most part, bootcamp has been a great experience for him and he's glad he chose this career path.  He will continue A School in beautiful Pensacola FL for avionics.  Sounds fun.  God bless you and hope to meet you all in 9 days!!  :)

[Brandon's Mom - Ship 07 Div 229]

Hey Andrea,

 

Nice to meet you!!  I'm not sure what is taking place at the meet and greet.  I just happened to see others talking about it.  I'm going to try my best to make it.  

 

I'm a basket full of emotions also.  I've only gotten one letter from my son but he is writing his wife frequently.  He just got married and had a baby in April so I understand that he is spending his time writing to her.  I just wish I could have gotten more letters.  I still write to him though.  We are extremely close and I miss him so much.  His wife tells me when she gets letters but doesn't tell me everything that is going on.

 

It's awesome to hear your son say he has grown physically and spiritually.  My son wrote to his dad and told him that he found his calling and this is what he was meant to do.  For me to hear he wrote that makes me feel so much better.    

 

I live in Pensacola.  What a small world that Richard is coming here for school.  How long is Richard's A-School?  

[AndreaLynnE]

Brandon's Mom/p>

   I've been looking at pictures of Pensacola online. What a beautiful place; the beaches anyway. His recruiter told us that he would be there anywhere from 16 - 24 weeks, but I haven't heard that from Richard yet. Today, Wednesday, is usually the day I get letters from him, but I guess since the holiday it will push it back a day. I hope that's the case instead him not being able to write this week.  I know they have been go, go, go since June 23rd.  They did weapon simulation that day then live fire the 24th. They also had PT with about 50 senior chiefs, officers, gunnery seargeants from all branches of the military (E7 or higher). He said it was the toughest PT so far. After PT, they sat down with them and told them what to expect at A-school.  The 27th they were suppose to start fire fighting training. June 26th he wrote that he woke up blowing yellow-green snot and that there were many in the division getting sick. Poor guys. They were suppose to have an academic test on Tuesday the 28th.  Richard mentioned that they were the only division that hasn't taken a street or compartment hit (whatever that means, but I know it's possitive) they stand a good chance of making the Hall of Fame which is rare.

   Well, I just wanted to get you caught up on all the things that have happened in the last couple of weeks. When I hear more, I will let you know. I guess I'm lucky that my son doesn't have a companion yet so I get to hear from him more often. It would be so hard for me not to hear from him, as I'm sure it is for you.  I'm praying for all our boys and their families too.

 

Best Regards,

Andrea

[Tyler's Mom]

Andrea,

I got very similar information from Tyler, although he didn't say anything about being sick, so maybe the bug bypassed him.  He's been SO good about writing me.  I get 2-3 letters a week, now that they can write on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.  Tyler's excited about the "Hall of Fame" potential, too.  Sounds like they are an excellent division.  It's nice that they're working so well together.

 

I'm so excited about seeing him next week and yet a little sad as it looks like we'll just have the one day and evening with him.  I was really hoping for the whole weekend.  We have reservations through Sunday night and I don't know if we should keep them or cancel the additional nights.  I just read another link regarding "grad and go" and one Mom said her sailor's departure changed three times - once while she was en route to graduation.  Bottom line is I guess we'll just know when it happens.

 

Thanks for your update.  Please share more if you get some new info.  I'm still waiting for the mail to come today.  If Tyler was able to write on Tuesday, I may have another letter today.

 

Regards, Laura

 

[AndreaLynnE]

Laura,

I got a letter yesterday and he said that they took some compartment hits and lost their running for Hall of Fame.  They were bummed, but not broken. It was a pretty short letter so that tells me he's been trying to get as much rest as possible while he can.

 

Where is Tyler going for A School?  I haven't heard yet whether Richard is a grad n go or not. Will you be at the Meet & Greet?  I'm so excited, nervous, anxious; a complete basket case.  I'm sure we all are.

 

Quite the Mess,

Andrea  :)

[Brandon's Mom - Ship 07 Div 229]

I hate to hear they lost their running for the Hall of Fame.  :(

 

Thanks for the update!!

[Tyler's Mom]

Andrea,

That is really a shame!  Tyler was so excited about it.  I got a short letter yesterday, but he didn't mention the compartment hits.  It was all about graduation.  We have a crowd of relatives going and he managed to get us some additional confirmed spots via other shipmates who are not using all four of their spots for guests.  We still need a few more, so we'll see how that goes.

 

Tyler is a "nuke" and will be in Charleston, SC for A-school for about 18 months.  He still doesn't know about his departure either.  I read on the site yesterday that regardless of what they tell you, plans can change right up until the last minute.  We have hotel reservations through Sunday night just in case we get lucky and he leaves later rather than sooner.

 

I don't think we'll be at the Meet & Greet.  As I said, we're traveling with lots of family.  Tyler has three siblings, Grandma & Grandpa, aunts, etc.  We're planning to leave late morning on Thursday so we can arrive by early evening, but who knows.  We're taking multiple vehicles and we'll just have to see how it goes.  Plus, we're staying in Gurnee, which is a little farther out.  We're going to Key Lime Cove, the water park hotel, so it will be more fun for the girls.  Tyler's youngest sister is seven.  We'll need to keep her entertained.

 

I am a total emotional mess.  I feel like I'm right on the verge of tears all the time now.  I'm going to need a whole box of tissue to get me through that ceremony.  I might as well skip the mascara altogether that day.

 

If you have any additional news, please share.  Sounds like Richard is taking full advantage of his writing time, too.  I anticipate another letter (Thursday's news) on Monday.

 

Hugs to you ~ Laura

 

[Brandon's Mom - Ship 07 Div 229]

Thank you Andrea!!  I really appreciate the update!!

 

His wife told me in the letter she just received that Brandon said to tell me he's sorry he hasn't written.  He said he barely has enough time to write to her. 

 

I'm sorry to hear that many of the SR's are sick.  Brandon's wife hasn't said anything about that but then again she really hasn't told me anything.  It is very hard not hearing from him.

 

7 days and counting!!!  =)

[Brandon's Mom - Ship 07 Div 229]

Hey Andrea,

 

Not sure if you will receive this message but Brandon has arrived in Pensacola this morning.  A lot has happened in the last few months but he is doing well.  He will be checking into NATTC tomorrow.  How is Richard doing?  If you want to email me you can and I will update you: [e-mail]

 

Donna