Posted by Dolores PDL on January 29, 2010 at 8:29am
This sailor has stood the watchWhile some of us were in our bunks at nightThis sailor stood the watchWhile some of us were in school learning our tradeThis shipmate stood the watchYes.. even before some of us were born into this worldThis shipmate stood the watchIn those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of historyThis shipmate stood the watchMany times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing thereNeeding his guidance and helpNeeding that hand to hold during those hard timesBut he still stood the watchHe stood the watch for his years enlistedHe stood the watch so that we, our families andOur fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety, Each and every nightKnowing that a sailor stood the watchToday we are here to say'Shipmate... the watch stands relievedRelieved by those You have trained ,Guided, and LeadShipmate you stand relieved.. we have the watch..."
Read more…
my nephew did not qualify for gunners mate, they offered him seaman title, does anyone know what he will be doing in this position when he graduates from boot camp?
Read more…
Tonight, I received the last call I will receive from Brett for the next three weeks. He got to call to inform us that he had a safe flight and made it to Great Lakes to begin his Navy career. He left a mid-70s Southern California sunny day this morning and arrived to temps of mid-teens and light snow. I will miss him terribly while he is gone, but know he is doing what he wants to do. I know that he will come back a stronger, more determined young man. I am so proud of him.I am sure that he will do well based on the kind of young man he is and the success he had in his years as a Sea Cadet. He was the first in his Sea Cadet unit to make it to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. (Sorry, a bit of bragging by Dad).
Read more…
Posted by Richard Gard on January 6, 2010 at 1:45pm
I am leaving tomorrow for my son graduation on Friday. He is on ship 03 Division 050. Is there anyone else going to the graduation on Friday January 8, 2010?
Read more…
Posted by Richard Gard on January 5, 2010 at 2:00pm
I have been searching the web since my son went off to boot camp looking for information what to expect when he goes off to A school . Then today just 3 days before he graduates from boot camp I got lucky a found this site. I look forward to communicating with other proud navy dads from around this great nation of ours.
Read more…
Posted by Randy Leeper on January 5, 2010 at 9:43am
Comment by Randy Leeper just nowDelete Comment Hi Sub Dads,We had our first visit of our son who is in sub school at Groton, CT. Dave arrived on Dec 28th and returned to Groton on Jan 3rd. It was our first chance to spend any time with him since he left for basic @ GL- August 26th. He was a 'Grad-n-Go' so we only saw him for 45min at the base and 3 hrs at O'Hare. We definitely saw changes with our son (all good). He was more confident and proud of his accomplishments (and so are we).Dave was very anxious to be home, we even brought a couple of his hometown buddies with us to pick him up at BWI. He wore his uniform, which looked great. He got to see all his friends during the week, but we really enjoyed when his buddy from the Air Force Acad. stopped by. It was fun listening to the two of them comparing notes about their service. We received lessons on how to fold tee-shirts and pants, gas mask training, and the best was learning how to eat while seating at attention (AF).One of the most important things we noticed was he is very happy to be a member of the Submarine community. He likes the guys he rooms and hangs with. He likes his location in CT, which is good since he will be there until Aug. '10. He is scheduled to complete BESS in Jan, then stay for A-school for ET Nav. Dave still seems very happy with this choice.I hope all of you had the opportunity to see your sailor over the holidays. We are already looking forward to our next visit.God Bless all those who have chosen to serve and their families!Randy L.
Read more…
Posted by Richter Tibbe on January 4, 2010 at 10:34pm
Is there a St. Pierre mom and dad out there? My son P. Tibbe is on the same ship as him and he wanted me to let you know that they are both dealing with the day in and day out life that they didn't expect at all..... Any how my name is Rich and maybe we will have a chance to meet at there graduation,Take care !
Read more…
I was directed to this and it might help those of us who want to know what the hell is going on to our kids an family...netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/pdfs/Recruit_Trainee_Guide_rev_A_July_2009Boot CampBoot Camp. This is where the amazing Navy transformation from civilian to Sailor happens. You’ll report to Recruit Training Command (RTC) in Great Lakes, Illinois. Be advised: RTC is a huge campus, but you’ll never feel alone. On it are hundreds of recruits just like you finding their way to their futures. The skills and the training you’ll get there will set you up for a lifetime of success. In and out of uniform.Boot Camp is 8 weeks of mental and physical training. Expect it to be rigorous and demanding. It’s hard work. Then again, anything worth something usually is. From Boot Camp you’ll emerge as a Navy Sailor in top physical condition astounded by what you’ve accomplished so far and ready for the biggest adventure of your life: Your first tour of duty.Let’s take a closer look.Week 1:Processing Week. Once you arrive you’ll be given Navy-issued clothing, be taught the right way to fold and store your new belongings, and make your bunk (bed). You’ll receive complete dental and medical exams, if you need a haircut, that’ll happen too.As the week progresses, you’ll knock the days down conditioning, swimming, marching, drilling, and most importantly attending Navy classes. Everything you do from week to week is designed to prep you for what lies ahead. You will push your physical limits and achieve higher performance levels than you ever thought possible. In the Navy, you’ll be judged for who you are and how you prove it.Honor. Courage. Commitment. Three words that before Boot Camp probably held little meaning. Here, they’ll become words you’ll live by. These Navy Core Values will become the ideals you and your fellow shipmates live by. What you make of this experience makes you.Week 2.This is a confidence-building week. As such, you’ll be going through the confidence course — a course designed to simulate shipboard situations that you could encounter in an emergency. Be sharp because your life and the lives of your fellow shipmates depend on it. If you haven’t already caught on, teamwork in the Navy and especially in Boot Camp is a driving force.Week 3.Reality check: This week, you’ll board a land-bound training ship. Everything will be hands-on — something your Recruiter told you the Navy is big on. Here’s the proof. You’ll learn everything from ship nomenclature to first aid techniques to semaphore (signaling with flags). All the real-world lessons you’ll need to survive in the Navy world. Classroom studies will focus on Customs and Courtesies, laws of armed conflict, money management, shipboard communication, Navy ship and aircraft identification, and basic seamanship.Step up for the first of two physical training tests — curl ups, sit-reaches, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run. Good luck — but if you don’t pass the first time, your Recruit Division Commander will work with you to ensure you do next time. That’s because success is everybody’s goal in the Navy — not just yours.Week 4.Weapons fire: heads up! If you’ve never fired a weapon before — this week you’ll get your hands on a M-16 and a 12-gauge shotgun. When you’ve proven you know how to properly use both, you’ll graduate to the live-fire range. This is where it gets really interesting.Keeping the end in mind, graduation pictures are this week as well as your second academic test on everything you’ve learned to date. This is about the time you’ll feel as though you’re flying through Boot Camp. It’s all good — because there’s so much more adventure awaiting you after Boot Camp.Week 5.This week is all about you. Where you want to go, what you want to do, and how fast you intend to get there. So you find the shortest distance between where you are and where you want to be. If you’re feeling a sense of accomplishment for making it this far — good for you. That means that 180-degree-life-change your Recruiter told you would come — has come.Week 6.Shipboard damage control and firefighting. Two of the most vital skills you’ll need on board. You’ll learn to extinguish fires. Escape smoke-filled compartments. Open and close watertight doors. Operate Oxygen Breathing Apparatus and carry fire hoses. No pressure: but your life and the lives of other shipmates depend on you mastering these skills. One more test, and perhaps, the most challenging of all: the Confidence Chamber. Inside the Chamber, you and about 100 other recruits will line up, put on a gas mask while a tear gas tablet is lit. You’ll be ordered to remove your mask and throw it in a trash can while reciting your full name and social security number. Relax. Every Sailor before you has mastered it — and so will you. Because if you didn’t know it before, you know it now: You have what it takes. You are Navy material.This week you’ll also have to finish the confidence course — as a team. This is when and where your newly developed self-confidence and self-assurance shines. “If they could only see me now.” You suddenly find yourself thinking that a lot.NTE: DV286Week 7.Battle Stations. Boot Camp’s ultimate test. Here’s an exercise of 12 different scenarios incorporating what you have learned during the previous weeks. You and your team will be graded on your ability to execute the required tasks.Successful completion nets you the ultimate reward — a U.S. Navy ball cap. The cap that tells the world you’re no longer a Recruit, but a full-fledged Navy Sailor.This is pivotal. This is where you and your Commanding Officer recognize what you’ve always known: You were destined to do something extraordinary. For you. For your family. For your country.You’ve done it. You’ve proven to yourself and to the world you’ve got what it takes. Your future is now in full motion.Week 8.Graduation in your dress uniform. Pass the mirror. Stop and stare. Recognize that person? You should. Stand tall. Walk proud. You are a Sailor in the U.S. Navy. After today, your family and friends will envy you. Strangers on the street will thank you. Your Navy family will always have your back. Savor this moment. Not everybody makes it; not everybody should.Navy Swim Qualifications1.Enter the water feet first from a minimum height of five feet.2.Remain afloat for five minutes.3.Swim 50 yards using any stroke or a combination of strokes.
Read more…
My son has been in the Navy now for just over a year. Even though there are alot of people there to make friends with there is that lonesomeness of the true opposite sex contact and that need to want a relationship. Well my son got dragged into that mess and i am really writing this so if and im sure there are other parents in this same situation. My son met this girl through one of his roommates while living on base. She lived in Kentucky and every couple weeks I found out that he would make weekend trips there to see her. After 4 trips, he was in love and wanted to be with her all the time so he decided to move her from Kentucky to Great Lakes Naval base. She lived off base at one of my sons frineds homes where she had a room to sleep in. She never got a job, she never did anything. Well my son first told me that he was in love with her but that he was going to give her a friendship ring. I was floored. The next week I talked to him it was an engagement ring, and yes, your thoughts are right, the next week they were planning a wedding before he got his next station assignment. This was she is put on his orders and the Navy pays her way also plus they get more money being married. I was devasted, hurt, blown away, and other feelings I just could not describe. He was talking about having 5 kids with her and Im thinking to myself, you have got to be nuts. I tried talking to him over and over again about not doing this, telling him that he is married and he is married to the Navy! I even tried to talk to my ex wife who lives in Chicago to help try and talk him out of this but it was no use, she had no back bone to get him to call it off. They planned the wedding for the last weekend in October and it was going to be at the justice of the peace. THe day before the wedding at about 2am Pacific time I get a text from him that the wedding is off. He told me he was on the phone with his mom and he would call me when they were done. I was so happy to know it was not going to happen. i was in for a rude awakening. I did not get a call from him. I tried calling him the day of the cancelled wedding and could not get ahold of him. I tried his mom and could not get ahold of her too. At about 5pm pacific time I finally got ahold of his mother and she told me that after all the commotion the night before and things being so called cancelled they did get married and I was more devasted then ever. They have been married for 2 months and i fould out within the first month they were already talking about divorce but from what my ex wife told me they made up. My son got his orders and they were not what was expected. He was expecting San diego but instead he got Dam Neck Naval Base also known asNAS Oceana's primary mission. This is to train and deploy the Navy's fighter/attack squadron—the F-14 Tomcats and the F/A-18 Hornets. They got to Virginia Beach on 12/30/09, foudn an apartment and signed a lease on 12/31/09 and at 1pm pacific time he called me to let me know that he got there and that they are getting a divorce. Now he committed himself to a 1 year lease and he claims that he talked to the management company and they wont let him out of it. I am over 4,000 miles away and im hoping that I can talk to this management company to try and get them out of the lease. Getting this news on New Years Eve just leads me to tell me that 2010 is not going to be a good year at all. I dont cry much buth through the past 3-4 months i have cried many timesIf there is anyone that can help me with legal issues of what can be done I would be most appreciative. If i were well off I would just get him a good lawyer and get this oever with but I am permanatly disabled and on a fixed income.This is for the benifit of others to watch out for his your son or daughter is going through this.Sincerely,Charles Strauss
Read more…
