2

NavyDads Co-Admin, Calvin

Male

Ft. Worth, Texas

United States

Profile Information:

What Is Or Will Be Your Sailor's Rating (Job Classification) - ex. ABE, AM, GM, etc: SO2
Describe A Little About Yourself (your IP address/location will be checked::: Proud Father of 2 daughters, Grandfather of for 5 (1 in the Navy) and Great Grandfather of 7. Married for 48 years (don't ask how I did it). Also have a Son-in-Law a former Marine, Niece in the Navy, Brother-in-law a former Marine and a extended family member in the Marines.
What Brought You To This Site:: my grandson is currently serving
What Were Your Feelings When Your Sailor Joined The Navy:: Proud of what he has done and is doing and scared at the same time.
What Is Your Relationship With Your Sailor: Grandparent
Please Share: How Did You Find Us?: Daughter told me about the site.

Comment Wall:

Load Previous Comments

Frank Barrow

Hi grandpa273, Thank you for your friend request and your emails. I've been real busy and haven't had a chance to check everything out, but I will ASAP. It's good to have people to talk to in these situations. I have mixed emotions. I'm extremely proud of my son, but I also know that I will worry about him. I know he hasn't made through the training yet, but I'm still proud that he wants to serve his country, THE BEST IN THE WORLD, in that way. Your Friend, Frank

Aug 8, 2010
mad dog

Well, we are a day into it! When can we expect another insightful message? Wondering when we might get some intell as well? When will they feel that they have crested and the rest is down hill?
Son mentioned something about an around the world evolution on Thursday. Is this a Bay to the training beach via North Island boat trip? What kind of distance is that? Guess you can tell my mind is on our fine Sailors and I am just making small talk to stay mentally involved.

Thanks for listening

Mad Dog

Aug 9, 2010
Charles J

Thanks grandpa . I meant 284 , I have been so nervous this last week . Glad its over . Talked to my son and he is doing well . Proud he made it ...

Aug 14, 2010
NavyDads Admin (Paul)

I beat you to it last year....look in the video area and you'll see I posted it ages ago!!!

Aug 21, 2010
NavyDads Admin (Paul)

as a matter of fact, you commented on the video on Nov. 30, 2009 and mentioned you had a Mustang......

Aug 21, 2010
floridayankee

Thankyou grandpa for your support and the time you spend on this site ,,its nice to know there is support to be found as his mom and I hold our breath.

Sep 7, 2010
RichardC

Grandpa273 - Thanks for the pointers. All of it makes sense. I'm very new to this and not very computer literate. I'm sure that I'll have questions. SEAL training is tough. I'm proud of my son for taking on this tremendous challenge. All of us owe these young men and women in the Navy, and all of the armed forces for that matter, a debt the Country really can't fully repay. They're giving an awful lot of themselves for the rest of us.

Sep 12, 2010
RichardC

Thanks for the offer of help. It's always good to have guidance from those that have gone before. Our first trip is to our son's PIR. There will be 10 divisions graduating....lots of folks from all over will be heading that way. After that, we'll need to send our son some of his personal belongings at his next stop which he thinks will be at GL....we want to send him his cell phone so we can stay better in touch with him.

I read about the trip to your grandson's SQT graduation. Quite an accomplishment for your grandson....you must be proud and have a right to be proud.

Sep 12, 2010
Harry

Dear Sir, thank-you for your letter. MY son leaves on Dec.5 for boot camp. I'm told that it will be a little different because of this commitment to becoming a seal. We are training everyday and anxiously awaiting his depature date.

Oct 8, 2010
old bubblehead

OK read the faq
Thanx
Hows the grandson doing?

Oct 19, 2010
Chuck

I wanted to tell you that my younger son is working through the recruiting process with the Army. The recruiters have been very positive and have been working toward a waiver for his hands.
My younger son had the urge to visit his brother before his deployment next month. He flew out and Andrew had a week's leave. There is photo of the two of on the beach at Marine Base Hawaii with my photos.
My daughter has set her sights on Navy ROTC and she is considering nursing school. I might end up with all three in service to this nation!!!

Oct 21, 2010
Carl W. Harris Jr.

Thanks. My he is actually a she. My daughter is just beginning her journey toward being a navy diver. Any insight you may have on dive prep school would be appreciated.

Dec 9, 2010
Sr

Thank you grandpa273, I'm very proud of my son and also proud of all the man and women that are serving are country.

It was very hard seeing are son leave for Navy on Dec 09, My wife is very proud of him but was unhappy to see him go as well. especially with the holiday around the conner.

Dec 9, 2010
Mary Rose Hildinger

I am sorry that I dont have the experience that you are having with your grandson. I was extremely proud of my son for graduating from boot camp and going to Nuke school, but my family has been lied to since we found out that he passed away. I was wearing my Navy Mom shirt the day they came to tell me. I knew it would be hard for him but I didnt know they wouldnt take care of him. I am discouraged and very sad at this point. The run around they are giving me and my family is dicouraging. I do however support the young men and women who are there fighting for our country. My son did. The Navy did not support him.

Jan 6, 2011
Sr

Grandpa273, I don’t know if you know the answer to this question but if Jr goes in to bud and drops what will happen to him I’m sure he will like it very much but I’m curious if changes his mind.

Thanks Sr

Jan 10, 2011
Randy Grimes

Thanks for the welcome and advice . I will keep everyone posted on how Chris does.

Jan 12, 2011
Gingerman357

Grandpa,
I've been told by Jim, on MCPON Group, that you are the guy to talk to about a problem my son has, and naturally enough, doesn't want my interference in, but ain't that my job?

Anyway, my son is a baby sailor, one year in. I'm writing back channel, because his rating isn't for publication. He's ground intel, meant to support and deploy with SEALs. He's also reserve. He's the only non-returnee in his class at Dam Neck, and the only, and newest in his command. I take this as him being damned well thought of. In fact, the Master Chief at Dam Neck went out of his way to tell me so.

All this sounds good, but being in reserve makes him a one weekend a month guy, and this isn't enough to keep up the PT or the academic part of the training he's had. He's frustrated as hell. He didn't know he'd like the Navy, and found he loves it; he never dreamed he'd like doing sit-ups with a log, but he did.

He mainly never thought he'd like or need a team, but he does. Now he has a team two days a month. It's just not enough, especially to keep up the physical side. For three months, he's sat on his ass.

As you can imagine, a regular Reserve unit has NO idea about NSW. Even the intel command he's in is opintel mainly it's not keeping up with the requirements of Groundintel, which is to try to keep up with SEALs.

I'm writing to see if you have any suggestions about the immediate need for physical conditioning, and/or getting involved with the SEAL community. We're in the DC area. I don't feel it would be right to say what his command is, but right now, he's got lots of time.

As you can tell, I'm ignorant (that's good) and concerned. As the CO at Dam Neck said when they graduated, these people were running to the sound of the guns (that scared the crap out of me) but it's true. It's tough to see the Navy tripping him up. Maybe I to be told to let it go, but I feel there must be some other solution. It's tough to see his guy waiting tables.

Jan 13, 2011
chuck p

The response to this was great. I never expected to have a welcome like this.
My son Wyatt is still in the very early stages of entering the Navy. He will go to his physical test and final enlistment next month. He hopes to be headed to bootcamp right after his high school graduation. Im am very proud of him. He was looking at going to the Coast Guard for the last couple of years. One of his football team mates enlisted in the Navy last year and came home a month ago and told Wyatt what he had seen and done. That was it for him, the Navy was his choice. He is very intrested in the SWCC or a Master at Arms. I think he is wanting to follow in the Law Enforcement area after the Navy. We will see.

Thanks again for the warm welcome.

Chuck

Jan 13, 2011
Kevin L. Bradley

Test msg at kcbradle7@AOL.com

Jan 16, 2011
Kevin L. Bradley

Correction: kcbradley7@AOL.com

Jan 16, 2011
Guðfinna Gísladóttir

Hi and thank you for adding me,I am so happy to have been accepted. I just heard from my son,who says his class was just offered their picks and that he got his first pick,he is going to Camp Pendleton for two years with First Marine division CA instead of a clinic in Italy. I am very proud of him,and also know its going to be tough,but that is what he wants so I am happy for him.This wont be thoug until he has graduated corpsman school. I look forward to learning how to navigate here. Hooyah for now,and thank you agein,By the way my name is Finna for short version of my name :)

Jan 17, 2011
Guðfinna Gísladóttir

Jim ,we speak icelandic in Iceland,which is its own language,more like old Norwegian,but still a germanic language. Than you is like "þakka þér fyrir" thakka thier ferer I think the pronounciation sound like that, if I am not wrong :)

Jan 17, 2011
Steve Garcia

Thank you. My son is deployed with the U.S.S. Germantown on a hull swap with the Harpers Ferry. I will be going on my first "Tiger Cruise " when they return.

Jan 18, 2011
Timothy Kearney

TNX for welcome note. My son went thru ROTC at Notre Dame from 02-06 and received commission in 06. After 2 years of flight school and a year of further training on the MH-60R platform, he was assigned to HSM-77 Saberhawks on North Island in SD. He is currently deployed...expect to see him sometime in April.

Jan 23, 2011
David Hettinga

Thanks for the welcome aboard. Cant wait to see my son as its been almost a year since we have seen him last and he is on his first long deployment. Waiting on info for the tiger cruise which is how I found this site looking for more info.

Jan 23, 2011
Mark D. Chapman

She's currently attending A-School at Great Lakes Naval base. She's set to be Hospital Corpsman. Set to finish March 8. Recently recieved travel orders to Japan. We'll (I'll) keep you informed.

Thank's My New Friend,

Mark

Jan 24, 2011
Fred Stansbury

Thank you sir for the response and I will check out the sites. My son went to boot camp back in April 2010. Thanks Go Navy

Jan 25, 2011
Guðfinna Gísladóttir

Thanks Grandpa,both you and others members have been so extremely helpful,and I hope I havent been too agressive in my inqueries,it is just so tempting to ask all the questions that come to mind when you have such exsperienced and knowledgeable and friendly people to answer them.

The best to you and your son too

Your friend

Finna

Jan 28, 2011
Craig Gaines

Thanks for the welcome Grandpa! I look forward to sharing my daughter's experiences as she makes her way through ODS, her commissioning and then finally on to her ultimate duty station, the Navy Medical Center San Diego. As for me, I spent half my life serving in Navy myself so am very well aware of what to expect and all that she has to look forward to...:) I only hope that my sharing my experiences and knowledge of the Navy have helped to minimize her anxiety of what's to come as she enters this new and exciting chapter in her life. Stay tuned!Delete Comment

Jan 28, 2011
Dave

Thank you so much! My son Jon just left for boot camp almost two weeks ago. My wife and I have tried to educate ourselves the best we can with the military so we can better understand our son's endeavour that much better. After basic training Jon will begin A-school for Operations Specialist which is also at Great lakes. My wife and four other children will be visiting Jon March 18 to see him graduate.

I have an 21 year old son who will be graduating college this Spring- who will be attending law school next fall. I have a 20 year old daughter who is also in college. My 19 year old Jon is the one who just entered the Navy. I have a 10 year old son who in 5th grade and a 3 week old infant son! One big family and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Jan 30, 2011
Dante Storme Hellsing

You said I could contact you via pm? Forgive me, but what is that? Personal Message?

Feb 1, 2011
John B

Thanks for the note, grandpa273. I know I will find great value in these pages.

Feb 6, 2011
Michael E.

Thank You for the response. With two sons in the Navy and being a single Dad it is good to find a resource like this. Both of my sons are dong very well ONe is in Japan on the Mustin and the other is in Nuke School in SC.

Feb 6, 2011
Christopher Wood

Indeed, this is a great site for those of us with no direct military servive, hence the lifestyle of our sailors.

The video of life was great to better understand the Recruit experience since the letters and very brief phone calls can't give as good a perspective.

Thanks for reaching out.

Feb 6, 2011
Mark

Thank you sir. Everyone who has logged on to welcome me today has been most helpful. We are getting close to the end of recruit training and I decided to get on to get a better understanding of what comes next. We are very excited about PIR and being able to see him.

Mark

Feb 7, 2011
Allen

Thank you. Certainly this is a journey for us as well. We have entrusted Aaron to a great institution, but carry all the typical fears for him. I look forward to the end result of this.

Feb 10, 2011
Allen

Thanks for comments on opsec. I have removed last names. Would suggest initial profile page only ask for new member's full name. I missed label for only recruit's first name. My understanding is that Aaron is going in as an E3. He has two years of college under his belt.

Feb 10, 2011
Mike

Thanx a lot! He just arrived at Boot and as he approaches PreBuds I'm sure I'll have a question or two if I dont see the answer already on this site, and which has already answered a lot of my questions!

Best Regards

Mike

Feb 11, 2011
WILLIAM

I think I've got my profile as you requested now. Please let me know it you have any suggestions for me and your help was very much appreciated...

Feb 12, 2011
Steelroy

Thanks for the advice. I found this site the other day and after reading some of your post I decided to join. Son is only getting started but we are very proud of him for his decision.

Feb 12, 2011
Mark

He stays at Great Lakes. He is AECF so from my reading, I guess it will be awhile before it is determined if he is ET or FC. Seems to be based on his first school.

Feb 13, 2011
Michael

Tjanks for the update. Where do i find out about posting on the NSW site?

Feb 13, 2011
Shawn Conlon

Awesome, thanks for the note. My son is in his third week of Basic Training, and his mom and I are waiting to get a letter from him again. I live in the Chicago Suburbs so I am one of the luck ones that is near by. If I can help direct anyone around the Chicago area, please feel free to contact me via. Navydads. Thanks again for your support, and God Bless our Sailors and Soldiers

Feb 20, 2011
Gary M. Isabelle Sr

Thanks, we are so proud of our son. This site si great! I wish that this site was available when our son was in Basic Training. Again, thank you for welcoming me aboard!

Feb 24, 2011
Davaughn Wistrom

Thanks so much grandpa273!! My son just arrived at boot camp yesterday. He and I are very close so it's been pretty rough for the last couple of days. Learning everything he's gonna be going through helps ease the pain a little bit. By the way I'm also a proud grandpa myself of nine grandchildren. My SR is my youngest which I had later in life. I also have a grandson who's heading to Army boot camp in a few days. My friends call me Butch. Again, Thanks!!!

Feb 24, 2011
Paul W Williams

Thank You

Feb 26, 2011
Rick Reincheld

Thank you for the warm welcome. My son went to boot camp 1n November 2008, his PIR was in January 09. In July of 09 he went to Yokosuka, Japan and is an OS on The USS Stethem DDG63. I've been a member of NAVYFAMLIES, but it seems like thats mostly mothers, so this site suits me better. Thanks again for the welcome.

Rick

Mar 1, 2011
Jerry M

Hoo Yah!

Mar 6, 2011
patrick h broedel

thank you for the welcome-my son graduates in 4 days-my wife and 2 other children-mother and father in law and my sis in law and husband along with my dad who is 87 yrs old and a purple heart recipient from world war 2 are all going-this is one of my proudest moments as a father-he has alot of schooling ahead-hes going to be an et on a sub-unless things change-i was never in military and am new to how things work-my wife and father-in- law are both retired from navy-also his division won the captains cup -in boot camp-being a former athlete myself-sounds like thats bragging rights

Mar 7, 2011
Mike Adams

Thank You!

Mar 7, 2011

2 members like this