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NavyDads Admin (Paul)

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Profile Information:

Your Sailor's First Name (Please Do Not Post SEAL Names): Eric
What Is Or Will Be Your Sailor's Rating (Job Classification) - ex. ABE, AM, GM, etc: AM1 (Aviation Structural Mechanic First Class)
Describe A Little About Yourself (your IP address/location will be checked::: Proud single dad of two great Navy kids!! My daughter is a Navy vet and served on the USS Abraham Lincoln as an MC3 (Mass Communications Specialist). My son who is an AM1 (Aviation Structural Mechanic, Second Class) served on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, then after re-enlisting was stationed at the Marine Air Base at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii attached to the "Easy Riders" or HSM-37. He recently re-enlisted, was attached to VAW-125- the "World Famous" Tigertails, had TDY to VRC-40 the "Rawhides" and later returned to VAW-125. Currently he is an instructor at A-school in Pensacola. I've been chief chemist for a number of world-class gold, silver, and copper mines for 40 years and just recently retired. Raised in the Sierra Nevada mountains, graduated from the University of Maryland (class of '77), a confirmed Westerner and Proud Navy Dad !!!
What Brought You To This Site:: My son is currently serving
What Were Your Feelings When Your Sailor Joined The Navy:: proud as can possibly be !!!!!!!!!!!
What Is Your Relationship With Your Sailor: Dad

Comment Wall:

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Gary T.

Thank you for your heart felt comments. I feel we should have all of the members see the video. May be it would be best to place it on the front page or circle it with flags. It should be made to stand out so everyone can share in Mr Blacks wisdom Thank you. Gary

Feb 4, 2009
Gary T.

One final note how do I add Mr Blacks video to my page. I'm lost!!!!!!

Feb 4, 2009
Chuck

Hi Paul,
What's up with your two?
Andrew is settling in and is now attached to a squadron. until he rejoins his. This week he is attending the mandatory indocs and quals. He likes Hawaii, the base and gives the impression that he likes and is "fitting in" with his shipmates.
We are encouraging him to request leave for his brother's high school graduation in June. He has begun working on that. I know his brother wants him to be home for that night. We are still not sure whether or not he will join his squadron in the Middle East.

Feb 5, 2009
Paige

Well, the jerky business is going to be keeping me very busy real soon!! Since the Girl Scout cookies are do to arrive on the 15th I thought I would make all the jerky that weekend and have everything ready for the care packages to go out on that mon. or tues. My goal is to have 2 dozen qt. size bags made. I've already made arrangements to borrow a friends dehydrator to go along with mine so I can prepare twice as much at one time. I know my support group in Kuwait is anxiously awaiting for more to arrive there. It's really good stuff!! I can send you some too if you like? I could always use suggestions on whether or not I need to make changes for improvement.

Feb 5, 2009
Jim G.

Thanks for the heads-up on the AZ group, I have joined now and look forward to getting to know the other AZ parents of sailors.

I am sure my son is wondering what the heck he got himself into right about now, what with it being sub-zero in the a.m. with the wind chill. I went through GLakes 25 years ago, in February, so I know exactly what he is going through!

(Although, back then we had to MARCH to the Chow Hall and wait outside in the cold before we got to eat, now they just head downstairs...)

I appreciate all the info and support from the other parents on this site, and am proud to be a Navy Dad!

Jim G

Jim G

Feb 5, 2009
Paige

No problem, Paul. I have the same opinion as you. Out of all the jerky I've made thus far which is alot, I've never once kept a bag for myself. However, I do have to admit that I will nibble on a small piece or two while I'm making it. You know, I have to make sure none of it is bad before I send it off to them!!!

Feb 6, 2009
Jerry Ireland

Thanks for the site; I accidentally found the NAVYformoms site and set it up for my wife, she and my son's girlfriend have enjoyed the site very much. I am glad I found this site for Dads; it is very informative to me. Even though I spent over 20 years in the Coast Guard I did not know how much I do not know about the Navy Recruit Training and Procedures. I must confess I have missed my son more than I could even imagine and these sites really make a difference!!

Feb 7, 2009
Cindy

You are so welcome..I am glad you have those memories. We have had fun with him go read what I wrote to Cindy what Jessica just did... He is having a tough time in this house..haha.Take care

Feb 7, 2009
Chuck

Thank you for remembering to reply. I know that this site is growing. You guys are doing a great job. Please continue the "labor of love".
Andrew surprised us on Saturday he sent a text that read check your email. He found a car! So we went back and forth and made some insurance calls for him. He met the seller. He thinks the car is really clean and nice. He is working through the financing and the other Navy admin stuff today. We checked the car prices in our area and the price is right for a 2008 Chevy Cobalt with 7000 miles. We will see how this plays out.

Feb 9, 2009
Craig

Ahoy Paul!! I'm thinking you win the prize for having the most info on your page!! My poor old Compaq takes a while to scroll down to get here to write...N4D's has 400 now? OMG...thats amazing in its own right...

Feb 10, 2009
Craig

good grief...i need more memory here....

Feb 10, 2009
Craig

it's definitely a love/hate thing w/ me....my HP laptop's m-board decided to leave on its own...still waiting for damage control on that one...had to bring out an older Gateway for office...(which also needed add'l ram)..I don't know why IT ppl are so calm natured!!

Feb 11, 2009
Chuck

Thanks for the prayers!! Will update you on the mission status as we progress to the acquisition phase of operation wheels.

Feb 11, 2009
Frank D Coon

Talk about coincidence - my son was on the Lincoln about 10 years ago and was on the Roosevelt in '01 & '02. He's a Lt. now, finally accepted a commission in 2000 - started as enlisted in '86 and was on the Bremerton from 88-92 (was in Persian Gulf during Desert Storm launching missiles into Kuwait & Iraq). He's in the nuclear Navy - is a Nuclear Engineer. And YES, I am very proud of him!!

Feb 11, 2009
Frank D Coon

While my son was on the Roosevelt, they were part of the 1st strike force in Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom. During Enduring Freedom they were at sea for about 140 days with no shore leave and launched about 18,000 missions. When you do the math, that's a plane leaving or returning to the ship every 3 minutes, 24/7. And they kicked the snot out of them!!! Some of the photos on my profile are of his return from Enduring Freedom. What an awesome experience that was!!!

Feb 11, 2009
Chuck

Operation Wheels has had the breaks put on. The car was sold to another person. Reorganize and reestablish the search phase of the operation.

Feb 12, 2009
Chuck

Cardinals.........really??

Feb 12, 2009
Chuck

I live outside of Pittsburgh. This situation makes me sad. I will just dry my tears on my terrible towel.

Feb 12, 2009
Frank D Coon

In trying to read the balance of your message, I inadvertently deleted it. Can you re-send it, please? It was the messsage about coincidents & the TR. I have not yet figured out how to bring up the balance of a message that shows on the Common Thread page. there is nothing really obvious to me in the way of a place to click on to do it - and I am probably looking right at it. Can you help with that also??

Feb 12, 2009
Frank D Coon

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. This time the entire message did show. I need to take some more time to get better acquainted with the ins & outs of the site, I guess.

Feb 12, 2009
steve

Thank you paul for the welcome.I saw the vids and it kinda gave me an idea of what his life is gonna be like for the next 8 weeks.I am sure he will handle everything they can throw at him except maybe for the running.That will be my only concern.He is a fairly big boy.(farm boy) Well thanks again and i am sure i will be in and out of here quite a bit!
steve !!!!!!

Feb 12, 2009
Bob Ash

Hi Paul,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write an e-mail to me. I think that it is a wonderful opportunity for our kids to be in the service.

Bob

Feb 17, 2009
NavyDads Co-Admin, Calvin

Is there a way to IM, PM or email through NavyDads so we can talk off the public side? SFO has a problem with public know what is going on and I think we need to have a way to talk. I may have miss something and this already exist.

Thanks and have a Great Day.

Feb 17, 2009
Tony

Paul, Thanks for the heads up about crypto. I went and deleted my public posts.

Tony

Feb 17, 2009
Retired NAVY Dad

Paul, thank you for the prompt reply. Congrats on having your two young adults serving in our countrys finest NAVY, I'm sure you are quite proud of them as I am of our son. Since our son's graduation from bootcamp, I havent done my part on continuing the activity on NavyDads website; I guess I need to make it a priority to help other parents who do not know what to expect of their "childs" new step into adulthood and the service to our country.

Let me know if may be of assistance, and I look forward to talking to you and the rest of the Navy family.

Fair Winds, Dave USN (1983-2003 retired)

Feb 20, 2009
E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin

Thanks for the link Paul. I'll have fun looking at them. As you know I've become a video maker.LOL Their are a ton of pics I would like to steal to go into my videos. I added about 6 or 7 of them in my last video but I won't do that again. I want all the pictures in our videos to only be our Sailors pics and pics that they have taken. Call me crazy, especially when their are some many great Navy photos out there on the web.

Feb 20, 2009
Chuck

What's up with Eric and Kat??

Feb 20, 2009
Chuck

I hear you on the taxes. I have everything to do Andrew's except the USN W2. Still waiting as I requested him to print it out and mail it rather than email.
Andrew has been trying to schedule some leave for some family events in June and July. We have been after him to schedule early. He has been working on it between long days and weekend work. He went to check on his leave balance and they told him that only had 6 days left. He past one year of his enlistment in early Feb. He has been on leave twice for a total of 14 days. I did some rough subtraction and came up with minimum of 14 days left on the books out of 30 with out knowing the plus minus of check in times. Andrew counted days and got 12 – 12.5. He of course had to speak with one particular person since there was an apparent problem. He ran into…in a conference…gone for the day… off base for training. He finally got to see the right person yesterday. Get this! At Whidbey Island he was to graduate C school Dec 19. His orders were written for that date. The weather forced the base to close down just before Dec 19. On Dec 24 the school was opened and a haste graduation service was held. Orders were handed out and the guys were told they could start their leave on Dec. 26. When Andrew reported in to his squadron in Hawaii the orders read that his leave started Dec. 19 instead of Dec 26. I think he is now on track for getting this leave restored. I am hoping that this goes smoothly.
Our family has an advanced degree in MURPHY”S LAW!!!

Feb 20, 2009
NavyDads Co-Admin, Calvin

BUDs Class 275 has been secured and Hell Week is over. The numbers I have heard are 111 started the week and 70 finished. Great Job Class 275, we are Proud of you. HooYah Class 275

Feb 20, 2009
Brandon Willey

Thank you, he completed hell week yesterday. Spoke with him today. 74 completed, we knew he would barring injury, very dedicated. We pray for all of them.

Feb 21, 2009
Chuck

I am looking forward to reading Kat's article.

Feb 21, 2009
joseph whiting

thanks for the quick response. caqn you direct me to anyone who knows more about FMF training. My son graduated from dental school and will be stationed at camp lejune in NS for training and perminate assignment. Thanks for building this site.

Feb 22, 2009
Chuck

Andrew purchased a new cell phone to replace his Tracfone this past weekend. He got it in the NEX with free activation plus a 15% military discount. Now will he make us one of his five favorites????

Feb 23, 2009
Chuck

REALLY!!!!! You think Mom and Dad rate that High???????

Feb 26, 2009
Tom B

Thank you for welcoming me to this great site. My son Buck just left for bootcamp 2 days ago and this site has already been a wealth of great information. It looks as though many things have changed since my wife and I went through basic training 25 years ago. The biggest being I was at RTC San Diego, and she went RTC Orlando, both of which are now closed.

Feb 27, 2009
Jim Lacey

Thank you for your welcome abord, my son , Alex is on his frist deployment on the IKE gone for 7 mounths. Got a big scare Thursday when were found out a sailor fell of the flight deck. he was not hurt saved right away. had to wait to see if it was Alex, thank god it wasnt.and that no one was lost.

Feb 27, 2009
Chuck

Andrew tells me that he is getting the leave problem fixed. Good deal!

Feb 28, 2009
kevsdad

thanks for being here. A person to talk to. Our son is in divison 167 at boot camp now. It was sad to see him go. We are so proud of him making this commitment to the Navy We can wait to see is Graduation. thanks again

Mark

Mar 2, 2009
Cindy

Paul!!!! I need to know how you got your background. I love it and want it for mine. How's that my friend! I know you are a friend of Michelle's and I had a very brief cell text with her. She wanted you and whoever else to know that she's really not MIA. She has enrolled in on-line college so has been very busy with that. Couldn't figure out how to get it out there to everyone...I'm not near as computer savvy as you...so you get to be special and get a personal msg. Hope all is well there in AZ and with your kids. By the way, do you happen to know if there is a site Army parent support site?

Mar 3, 2009
Cindy

Hmph...is this your way of saying forget i? Well, I never....! Don't blame you. Sounds a lot like what I went through when I had my 'myspace' page. In thinking back on it, the pic you have looks a lot like the one I had. Gee, it might've been fun to see what the page would've looked like if you had made it to the liquor cabinet!

I know what you mean about not keeping up with your friends. Between this site and n4m's, plus the groups I'm in. If I wasn't careful, I'd be spending all day on here. I know you are putting in a lot of hrs on this site and I also know EG appreciates it very much. Not to mention his lovely wife...Cindy. I gave her a buzz last night and she mentioned how much you've been doing.

Regarding the Army site, I'm not sure how much time I want to put into it. I've been talking to a new bc mom on n4m's and she mentioned her best friend's son was heading for Army bc. I told her I'd ask around on this site.

So...even though you don't have much time to chat with friends...how's things going for you and the sailor?

Mar 4, 2009
Chuck

Paul,
This web site might be of use to a lot of folks who would like to order Boot Camp Division tee shirts. When we were there they were out of a lot of divisions. From what I read on one of the Dad's pages they are not even sell them at PIR any longer.
This is the Great Lakes MWR web site that has a Division tee shirt order form.
http://mwrgl.cnic.navy.mil/gen_info/rtc_graduation/rtcgraduation.htm

Mar 5, 2009
Chuck

I thought that the folks here at Navy Dads would be very interested. Andrew would not have a tee shirt if I would not have stumbled on this web site while looking at Navy stuff in general. There is also also a place on the main site to view the Naval Training Center's newspaper.

Mar 6, 2009
E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin

Well if you feel better it was your idea. A screen shot and better explaination though might still be a good idea.

Mar 6, 2009
Hal

Paul,

Thanks for the welcome and the kind words. I am ejoying the site and I appreciate the work it takes to keep it up and running. And thank you and your son and daughter for your service.

Todd is in Div 153, USS John F Kennedy. I got a treat last night, Todd's first call from Great Lakes. He sounds great and is doing very well. He, like several others I have been reading about, got his wisdom teeth taken out a few days ago.

I am looking forward to attending the PIR a month from today, April 10 is the date.

See you online.

- Hal

Mar 10, 2009
Chuck

I just told what I knew to be true. My wife is having some trouble with our first born being 5 thousand miles away. I am able to think of Andrew's situation from a "having been there" point of view. What my wife does not understand is that I share her frustration. Maybe even more so because I know so of the things I would do having been a sailor.
I spoke with Andrew last night and he is working on a situation over some leave this commimg summer. I am trying to give encouragement and sugestions...not orders and commandments. The best words I can give him are "I can't see all of what is in front of you, but I know you and what you were give by your family, your church famiy, scouts, and your friends. I trust you to use your best judgement"

Mar 12, 2009
Chuck

Paul,
How are your two doing in the fleet?

Mar 16, 2009
Bob

Thank you, Paul, for your warm welcome! I'm glad to be part of NavyDads. -Bob

Mar 17, 2009
Chuck

Good to hear that you’re two are doing well. It seems to be one thing to know that they have been equipped to succeed and another to actually see them be successful. It is good for Mom and Dad. Especially since we are a home schooling family, it all seemed on the line when Andrew went to Boot Camp.
I talked to Andrew last night he finishes his training today and tomorrow he will sit for the E-4 exam. He passed the last time he took it, but there are only so many billets (places or openings) to promote into. The Navy’s web site had several articles about early outs for those near retirement or those wishing to get out at the end of the current enlistment. Maybe that will loosen up the promotion potential and give all our kids a chance to move up.

Mar 18, 2009
seth farash

hello paul: my son is 2 months into his first sea tour on the Stennis CVN-74 he keeps in touch via e-mails and the occasional call. He is a EM4. I know he is doing his quals now and is having a great time. They are doing a 7 month in the western pacific. He is the first to serve. I didnt come from a military family and I myself wasnt drafted . He said he was taking the E5 tests for second class but the billets for second were pretty filled so he figures to have to take the test a few times till he can advance. He has 4 years to go and might be thinking about upping another 2. best regards seth

Mar 18, 2009
Luis

Hey Paul, I go into NavyDads everyday to add more friends and check to see if I get any messages. My son is doing good, he was picked for a 900 Division and was made a section 3 leader. I write to him every single day and I am just counting to see him when he graduates on 04/17/09. I am just praying that everything goes well so that there are no problems for him graduating. But so far things seem to be going well for him. Thanks for keeping in touch. Luis

Mar 22, 2009

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