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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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Eddie Gamboa

that would be cool!

Nov 23, 2009
Thomas A. Schneider

Thanks Paul for your welcome! We just received our second letter from Alexa from USS Hopper, she is Ship 3, Div 048 there at RTC, Great Lakes. She is enjoying it all for the most part, has done well with her physical training, and said on her first mail call she received 18 letters! So our family from all around eastern US is writing her, plus her old high school friends. She was very pleased and received comments from her whole group about the large number of letters received. She said it made her night that day. She has been selected for carrying a "stick" in group marching, so she is sure she will be up front graduation day. Thanks again and hope to add to this site in near future, God Bless!n

Nov 26, 2009
Lisa Crews

Thanks for the welcome! My son, Nick, left on Tuesday for boot camp. We had our Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, so I am spending this Thanksgiving day just reflecting and thinking about him. Amazingly enough, I held up pretty well when he was leaving at the airport. My husband, his step dad, has not done so well. They are extremely close and this has all been a very emotional ride!

Nov 26, 2009
Kayde's Dad

Thanks for the welcome. It's been a tough week since Kayde's mother and I left her at the hotel in Spokane. We were hoping to hear from her yesterday(Thanksgiving).

Nov 27, 2009
E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin

Forgot to tell you but we have spent the week at deer camp instead of the beach. Everybody had buck fever so we are hunting instead of relaxing. Michael has an 8 pt, cindy missed a 10 pt and poor me have only seen a spike. It's been killing me not being on this week. I'll catch up Sunday when we get home. My I phone won't let me do much. Happy late Thanksgiving.

Nov 27, 2009
Jim Stram

Paul, thanks for the welcome and the advice. I appreciate it! Happy Holidays to you and family and a special thanks to Kat and Eric for serving and protecting us.

Nov 30, 2009
Mitch Madruga

Thanks for the welcome Paul.

Dec 1, 2009
carolinagurl

Thnak you so much for the welcome Paul :) I found something a dad had posted on N4M's & popped over to see it, it was the Ford commercial (made me cry) but thats how I found you all, I'm gonna get my husband to join this group because I have thoroughly enjoyed the Moms on that site! We have a great time on there !

Dec 2, 2009
Joel A. Ortiz

Paul, thank you for your welcome and comments. I will eventually work throught this site for all its gems and wisdom. I can really use the insights that you all have to offer, especially because this is our first experience and we have no idea what RTC will be like; well aside from 'common' knowledge.

PS. I adjusted my profile so as not to misrepresent myself; but thanks on behalf of my 'daughter's' service contributions!

Dec 2, 2009
Robert Hofmann

Paul, thanks for the warm welcome. My son is graduating Bootcamp this Friday, so we are off to Chicago tomorrow. I am looking forward to future discussions with you and all involved in the site. Regards, Robert.

Dec 2, 2009
Chuck

What's up with your two youngsters???

Dec 2, 2009
katie99

Thank you for this site......It appears that our children have been on the same tours at the same time as Jason was CVN 70, Abe Linc and was on the aircrew during operation Enduring Freedom F14's on the Uss Carl Vinson however the F14s being retired just seemed to break his heart. He is now assigned to the USS Dwight D Eisenhower. I am especially proud that he is a crew leader for airshows, flybys for football games, airshows and has not had a single injury to his crew. WOOOO HOOOO ! I visited his hanger at Oceana and was in awe at the F18A's lined up on the outside in perfect formation. He proudly said" Mama that is my jets". We visited the jet museum and I have a photo of him looking up the back of a F14 that he had himself worked on, and passed it to fly off the carrier. Wow is all I can say......A precious moment and a great love for his country. Who could have imagined how great the Navy would be for my son? As it was hard to let him go, I am so glad that I supported him, went with him to the recruiter and they have my son and I have a Navy coffee mug.....lol I told the recruiter that somehow I thought the trade wasn't fair since he is my only son ! However the rewards have been many for my son, so sometimes a Mama has to let go to let them fly........That was ten years ago......and I have a feeling that my son is Sailor for life.......but that is alright with me.

Dec 5, 2009
Toby Burrell

Thanks Paul and thanks for providing this site and a helping hand.
By the way, I have tried to log on to the web site for RTC Great Lakes and keep getting error messages. Do you have any insight?
Thanks again and regards,
Toby

Dec 7, 2009
Toby Burrell

Thanks Paul.
Here is the web address that I have beeen trying:
www.bootcamp.navy.mil/
Toby

Dec 7, 2009
Toby Burrell

Hi Paul -
Thanks for being so persistent. I have established that the other computers in my house work just fine so I am good to go.
I'll just have to trouble my daughter to use her computer to find out about her brother's PIR in January. Then make plans to be on the shores of frigid Lake Michigan for the weekend!
Thanks again.
Toby
P.S Enjoyed the music while typing - are these your selections?

Dec 7, 2009
Doyle robbins

Thanks, check mark function did not show up on iPhone. Is that better?

Dec 8, 2009
BK Mundy

Thank for your welcome. I have been reading items from the site for some time now, as well as getting info from the Navy Mom's site via Kyle's mother. There is a wealth of information on both, but more I find the kindness and communication reassuring to a father whose son has flown the nest. I am sure that Ship 10 DIV 074 is busy and I look forward to 1/29/10.

Dec 11, 2009
Tess

Paul, thank you for your welcome. You must be so incredibly proud of your kids. Congratulations. The information you gave is both helpful and supportive. Letting go isn't easy; this site makes it a little easier. Hopefully it's a little warmer in AZ this morning than what I have in MSP... minus 18 degrees. Brrrrrrrrr. Take care.

Jan 3, 2010
Mark

Paul,
Sure thing. Now that I've been there, I want to give back. Help anyone who needs it- just like so many helped me.

Jan 4, 2010
Edward D. Cookenham

Thanks Paul. Re: your OPSEC comments. My wife who is part of the Navy COmbat Stress Control Unit, sent me so info earier today. I tried to post but I see I'm limited to 2000 words so I am refering you to Navy For Moms - OCS Graduates Group for the long entrys by "Leanne" posted a few hours ago. Don't know if you can post it here or not but it sure would be worth it!!

Think OPSEC -- Keep your sailor alive!!

Jan 7, 2010
Anthony David Harding

Paul, thanks for your welcome. I know you must be proud of your two children. We received a letter from Tyler today and he is doing well. He said even though its tough he feels like he is where God wants him to be. Thanks again for all the information, God bless you and your family.

Jan 8, 2010
Eddie Gamboa

OH YEAH, it sure did. I can't wait to see my son friday. He has done very well, I'm proud to say. He is the leader of his division. I'm just wondering if they had BS (Div. 058) already. But yeah, in beginning, it was tough. But once I heard his voice on the phone, I felt a big weight disappear on my chest. Also, having Navy Dads to turn to.

Jan 11, 2010
ron ritts

Thanks for the welcome Paul. My son is in bootcamp week 6 I have recieved a letter and a phone call he sounds very positive.I was wondering how I can find other parents from his division, ship 14 division 090.Thanks

Jan 19, 2010
Eddie Gamboa

I'm still high off the ground......pir was great. thank you and navy dads, for helping get through this. i am a "navydads.com" for life!!

Jan 19, 2010
Dan Burch

Paul, thanks for the welcome. My son has a good friend on the Roosevelt. We were just in Norfolk and Newport News a few weeks ago and had a great time. We missed all the below zero temps at home. I'm so proud of my son! He's only been on ship 1 month and received a Bravo Zulu which I understand is rare to get. Two of the other guys who received one have been on ship for almost 4 yrs and were more excited for John as they are getting out in a few months and couldn't believe he got one this early in his career. He's very proud of this accomplishment and rightlfully so. Go Navy

Jan 21, 2010
Bill S

Hi Paul, Please, do use my posting. I think my experience is just one of thousands. I would love to hear of others. Maybe you could set up a page or link for others to post to. Thanks for the honor and allowing us to contribute to the great site! GO Navy HOOYAA!!

Jan 22, 2010
Luis

Hey Paul, hope that all is well with you. Finally, I have internet service at home so I am back for good. I sent you a couple of messages a while back from the local library but I don't think that the computer would allow to send messages.

My son is now stationed at the Jacksonville Naval Base where he will work with the P3-Orion airplanes. He starts school in February and then gets assigned to his squadron. He seems to be doing good, I see him much happier and his Chief Petty Office is impressed with his work ethic which he got from his parents. We are four hours away so we are so blessed. As for our situation, I am counting down until someone else occupies the White House and makes life better for everyone. It is sooooo good to be back. Take good care and God Bless.

Luis-Navy Dad & DAMN Proud!

Jan 23, 2010
Chuck

Hey Paul,
What up with your two sailors?
We have pretty much firmed up plans to go see Andrew this spring. With the weather here in PA forecast the weekend I wish we could go tomorrow!
Andrew is working through the day to day stuff. He is nearly done with flight line quals. He has been think about some options as his rating is very overmanned and promotions are few and far between. He tells me that he is in a good place and is very fortunate to stationed on shore. He knows that his turn will come to be deployed. They flew him to another island to help fix a plane to get it back to base.
What’s up with you?

Jan 28, 2010
Mr. Fleetwood

where is all the don'ts at? about talking to sailors and where they are going

Jan 29, 2010
Cindy

Hello Paul! Checkin in to see what you are up to these days. How is AZ? ...Did you go to the Fiesta Bowl? It was a great game.

Jan 30, 2010
Richard B.

Thanks for the welcome, Paul. The site has been very informative and helpful for the short time I've been on. Not coming from a military family background, my learning curve is pretty steep. Our son is the first in the family to serve in the military since the civil war, and we are very proud of him! I look forward to being a member of this site.

Feb 2, 2010
Cindy

Hello Paul ~ Received your email regarding the site. Ummmm, as I'm computer illiterate, would you please tell me where I might find what I need in order to make the change? I really am that bad. Hope all is well with you and your sailors.

Morgan is now a married man. Still seems strange to say! He'll be leaving soon on his first deployment. Wish it were to a better place, but Mom's don't have a say. Will be tough, so I'm sure you'll see more of me on this site. Will need all these dad's common, tell it like it is (with kindess), comments.

Good thing high school tennis season is starting soon. I'll have my hands full with 'the sons I didn't know I had'. It keeps me very busy and I love it.

Feb 13, 2010
Luis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvEQwzXaLQY

Feb 15, 2010
Luis

Hey Paul, I just came across this video in youtube. I don't know if this was your idea but I wanted to say thanks. It brought tears to my eyes. God bless you my friend. Luis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvEQwzXaLQY

Feb 15, 2010
E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin

Thanks Paul, for some reason I felt like the man in the pic. I'm getting old!

Feb 16, 2010
greg delany

Paul,
Loved the tiger cruise posts. Wish that oneday my sons will be on a carrier so I can experience the same trip. Thumbs Up!!!
Greg

Feb 17, 2010
greg delany

Paul , where did you find that video?

Feb 17, 2010
Jen

Thank you Paul hope ladies are welcomed.....lol. This is a great place and thanks for having it and for the service you families provide.

Feb 18, 2010
Jeff Jones

Thanks, Paul! Watched, learned how to navigate the site. Great place to connect.

Feb 19, 2010
Tim Hanes

Thank you very much for the Welcome Paul I will explore the site --- glad I stumbled across it !!! Again, many thanks.

Tim

Feb 20, 2010
Gerry

Thanks for the welcome Paul. Jeff will be starting A-school soon as he graduated Boot camp on 2/12. I have another son Jim in the USCG (8 years) based in a MSST Deploy-able operations Group Anchorage, AK. He is a coxswain for a Defender security boat.

Feb 20, 2010
sansarov

Thanks Paul. I'm a MCC but I don't think that I have met your daughter.

Feb 25, 2010
Chuck

Hey Paul!!!
I see Kat is headed out to sea for the last time. Is she still planning to attend school in the northwest? What's up with Eric lately?
Andrew dodged the tsunami bullet last Saturday. Helped to tie down the planes and they sent the guys back to the barracks.

Mar 1, 2010
Mary, Proud Mom

Thanks for the Chung Hoon photo - it's a nice one. I do need to upload some photos soon but preparing for the arrival of our son in law...he's been in Iraq since October so we are consumed with him this week.

You've done a great job with the site!

Mar 5, 2010
Guillermo Trejo

thanks for the info

Mar 8, 2010
Mr. Fleetwood

It was so good to have my son home for my mothers funeral, he also got to meet his daughter for the first time. My mother left before she got to meet her, but it is okay. I will make sure she knows her.

Mar 8, 2010
katie99

Paul.
If your children are in aviation they had better start looking at options. Seems not their higher ups decided what happens to AV maintence anymore but a computer decided whether or not your sailor,regardless of awards, sailor of the year, whatever rewards that they have accomplished doesn't matter because they are outmanned 126% and this computer decides all about their career in the Navy.My son is one of the ones that it decided he could not renlist...so he has to cross rate to another position which leaves his shop and crew in a mess. He is over the shop and the F18 superhornets maintence and was set to deploy with them in May. He has resubmitted his paperwork and is awaiting their decision. In the process his higher ups are rocking all the way to the pentagon. IT is a shame that our country has been reduced to this and the safety of our sailors are put at risk because a computer says so. Pray for them all....

Mar 11, 2010
Kirk Brooks

Paul, just ck'd out the videos. Thanks for the link, I love seeing what the ship is up to.

Mar 12, 2010
Paul C

Paul, thanks for the welcome and the 'what to read' advice. I have all ready looked at some of it and I am sure I will return to it as the PIR day nears.

Thanks,

Paul

Mar 14, 2010
Paul R Herrick

Thanks for info I'm sure it will help .Different kind of proud now, not just Dad proud

Mar 18, 2010

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