Advice from a Navy Mom

[Navy for Moms Admin]

What is your advice?

"One thing I do recommend, if it's all possible. Be sure to try and attend their graduation. You send the Navy a teenager, and the next time you see them, they have grown and matured, and you will be in utter awe. I wish I could re-meet his company commander and tell him about the most astonishing young man that they helped on his way. He's gone from the obnoxious teenager to a man that is so very proud of his leadership skills and knowledge. The Navy was the best thing for him, and it's amazing to see the transformation over the years." – Jean Cabral

http://www.navyformoms.com/profile/navyformomsadmin

[BeverlyStat]

Advice to single parents!!
You will surely think this an awful topic but it will be nowhere near as horrible as what can happen if you do not address this topic with your Sailor. In the last year, here in Oklahoma, we had a military parent whose child's remains were sent to the other parent. Because their address was the one he gave when he enlisted. That address, that state, that community, was not where this young man had grown up and been known and loved by so many. It was simply where he was on his enlistment date. After an expensive court battle with the other parent (how awful), involvement from a few political figures and finally a sworn affidavit from siblings (each parent swore they had the right and that he had wanted to be buried near them) stating the young man had told them what he wanted in the event of his death, his remains were disinterred (again, how horrible!!!) and he was finally put at rest in Oklahoma. I am sure I would actually die if anything happened to Aaron. I really believe my heart would give out. However, my son, after many painful situations has an absolute resolve to never have anything to do with his other parent or their faimly. (Funny they all say they're proud of him now.) At any rate, whether I live to bury my child or not, his wishes mean everything to me. I understand you now need a letter, or better yet, a notorized statement by your sailor to guarentee his wishes.

[Karen Gallagher]

I am so sorry that would happen to anyone. As with any one you need to have a will etc so that the family can take care of your wishes no matter what, There is a JAG with each sub, surface vessel and naval base that can assist with writing your last will and testament for sailor for free or low cost. This is an eye opener for all as just as hard as it is for you as a parent this is a reminder that you as a parent need to talk to your family and child so that they know your wishes. I can tell you from experience that if you are ask to turn off life support for a loved one if you have had those kind of conversations it is easier for you to do what is needed even though it breaks your heart. Again have a will and a living will written both you and your child

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

I have gained so much good advice on this site,
And I really need to talk with Colton about this, The Will, Also power of attorney if he goes oversea's.
Thank you all

[shell]

They told me that just to renew and update my passport for a name change (I got married) that it would take four to six weeks. That is not to say if something unthinkable happens that the red cross can't pull some strings. But with added security now a days I didn't want to take any chances.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html

[Barb Pruitt]

To moms with kids staying in Great Lakes for A School. My daughter graduated in August 07 and had her A School in Great Lakes. As soon as graduation was over we got to spend about 15 minutes with her, she then had to go back to her barracks and pack and move all of her stuff to the other base, check into her new room and go thru all of her briefings. ( They move them out of the barracks right away because new recruits are always coming in and they normally need the space. ) We waited ALL day to hear from her, they did not get a minute to call until almost 6:30 p.m. Don't panic, some get out faster than others, it depends on who their commanding officer is and what they have them doing. We got very lucky once she was done with her briefing she got to go on leave until Sunday Night. All she had to do was call in twice a day. We got to keep her at the hotel with us. I didn't let her out of my sight for 3 days. Some commanding officers if they don't need them until the start of School don't want them around. Cross your fingers you may get lucky. It does take time to move to new dorms so expect to wait. Also once they are on the new base you used to be able to have your kid sign you into the new base so you could drive around. That was really nice for us, my husband had been stationed there, so he was able to show our daughter where things were, it is a good sized base so it helps to get the lay of the land. They have a McDonalds right across the road from some of the dorms ( on base ) so it is nice for the kids to have some normal stuff back in their lives.

[Melissa Greenfield]

Even if they don't stay there for A school they have to move into new barracks . We were lucky our son got back to us in 2 hours.

[Melanie]

I think that varies for whatever reason. Justin didn't move into new barracks. After PIR, he walked back to his barracks to grab his portraits to give me, and he was back within 20 minutes or so. Then we took him over to our hotel, and hung out and went out in town. He had to be back by 8:00 pm, the next morning he called at 7:30 to say he was done with breakfast and was ready to go.That day we took him to Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. Again he had to be back by 8:00. Sunday we hung out with him till 1:00 and we had to get going, our younger son had to get back to school the next day and we had a 13 hour drive ahead of us. I think that time back to room varies because we saw kids in our hotel after 9:30, my husband asked them if they were supposed to be back to base by 8:00, and they said they had the whole weekend off. Not sure why it varies like that, we would have loved to have Justin the whole weekend, but it didnt't happen that way for us.

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

Hello
I am just curious here,
While are children our in boot camp they are SR (name) ( which I think means seaman recruit) when they get to A school what are there initials ? Are they still recruits or are they sailors ?
Whats the progression of titles/initials ?

[Jo]

Molly - the initials will be their rank -- if the are a Seaman E3 it will go to SA (last name) or if they are air navy (as I was) it will be AA (last name). Until they get their designated rate - then they will be a Petty Officer 3rd Class which is designated as their rate - I was a AZ3. The AZ is your job title - mine was Aviation Adminstration -- so that will all depend on your job.

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

Wow Jawona,
Thank you for all the info.
Hey just info for you guys,
Dick Chaney was at RTC today.
Colton thought that was way cool :) He passed battle stations today and called about an hour ago.

[Karen]

Check out Wikpedia. A lot of information to absorb (can't say that I absorbed much) but explains all of this. Pay grades, ranks, uniforms, and a ton more.

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

Thanks Karen,
Geez more to learn !!!
this is not just an experiance for the kids IT is also quite the learning experiance for us :) LOL