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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  • Jerome Taylor

    That's great... Thanks Paul!

    Aug 15, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    Are the recruits paid during boot camp or afterwards?

    Aug 16, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    Thanks, this was very informative. How soon will we get a picture of our recruit?

    Aug 17, 2012

  • Sean Kelly

    Paul. Thank you for the welcome. I have already learned a lot and will be back very often. Sean

    Aug 25, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    Hey Paul, just got a letter from my son in boot camp. He mentioned pursuing combat after A school. When I think about combat I see boots on the grounds in a war zone. What does that mean in the navy world?

    Aug 28, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    Thanks Paul, this is great info to have. By the way, he's an apprentice seaman, if that's what you're referring in respect to his ranking.

    Aug 29, 2012

  • Lon Sellers

    Paul,
    Thank you for the welcome and information you sent about NavyDads. I am proud to be a member of this group and I have already found the information and kindness sent to me to make a difference. Having others out there who have been through this before and "know the waters" makes a big difference. Thank you to both of your sailors for their service and commitment to our country. And thank you for the Wecome Aboard.
    Lon Sellers

    Sep 1, 2012

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    BZ Eric and Congrats Paul!! :)

    Sep 2, 2012

  • barbara

    Thank you for the warm welcome!

    Sep 4, 2012

  • Robyn Bova

    Thank you so much!

    Sep 11, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    How soon after PIR are they allowed possession of their cell phone?

    Sep 12, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    How about after he's checked out of RTC, can he have a phone during A school?

    Sep 13, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    Thanks Paul!

    Sep 13, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    Do you know which day of the 7th week the conduct battle station? We're anxiously awaiting to here from our son regarding his PIR on the 28th. We he be allowed a phone call home to prior to PIR?

    Sep 21, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    So, BS21 typically begins the Saturday of their 7th week.... And could go thru Thursday dependent on the amount of divisions?

    Sep 22, 2012

  • Jainz Ship 13 Div 312

    Paul, Thanks for the welcome and all the information! Looking forward to connecting and learning more about being a Navy parent!

    Sep 23, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    Hey Paul, my recruit graduated boot last Friday and it was with great honor. He signed as undesignated Pac Seaman and remains behind in Great Lakes for A school. In his initial meetings, he was advised that he'll perform "grunt" work on the USS Ashland in VA. He's upset because his recruiter advised us that the apprentice program provided flexibility and didn't lock u into a job hat u may not like. How long will he have to remain in the job? Can he strike for a better job? He's feeling really down and somewhat betrayed by his recruiter. I'm trying to keep him upbeat and focused.

    Oct 1, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    Great feedback Paul! After speaking with the (RIC) recruiter in charge yesterday, I had a long talk with him. In fact the RIC summed it up as you did, that they'll all start at the bottom and work their way up. He's feeling better about his outlook. I have no doubt that he will have the right attitude to progress and be successful in the Navy. I really appreciate your feedback, it helps immensely through our transition into navy life.

    Oct 2, 2012

  • Jerome Taylor

    Paul, you're absolutely correct.... It's truly been our challenge to completely release him into his destiny as a sailor. As parents we often times still see him as our little boy. He's now a sailor and no longer our little boy, he's truly an adult. Thanks for keeping it real and in perspective.

    Oct 2, 2012

  • Ron Palizzi

    Hi Paul,

    Thanks for the introduction. I have already learned a lot from poking around the site. My daughter left for RTC on 9/25, we got her box of stuff on 10/1 so I guess they're planning on keeping her. It's real tough on her mother and I not being able to hear from her, but I guess that's part of the plan.

    I had no idea about military life, except my Dad served in the army in the 1950s, he didn't like it much. We met with her recruiter the day before she left for BC and he gave us a lot of good information. We haven't gotten the form letter from the Navy yet with her address, etc but her recruiter gave us her address so we've been sending letters.

    Because of a still unexplained situation our home phone service went dead sometime during the night she arrived at RTC so we didn't get the I am safe call until the following Sunday evening. It was good to hear from her, but it drove us crazy until then.

    Oct 3, 2012

  • Travis Green

    Thanks for getting me started, Paul.  I'll dig into all this.  I have a lot to learn so I can better understand what Mary will be going through and how I can support her.

    This site is going to be a great help.

    Oct 3, 2012

  • Ken A

    Thank you Paul.  I have a lot to read and quite a bit to learn. My family is looking forward to the adventure. Additionally, we have a son serving in the army. Also another son spent a good portion of his summer in a cadet program. 

    Oct 6, 2012

  • Dwayne Severs

    Thanks for the welcome and the "heads up". Our daughter graduated from Great Lakes, spent some time in Pensacola and is now assigned to the U.S.S. Nimitz. Not sure where the Nimitz is right now. Hoping she is okay and is doing well.

    Oct 7, 2012

  • gary gayer

    Hey Paul, thank you for welcoming me aboard Navy Dad's. I look forward to future interactions, & especially being more apart of my Son's experience in the Navy. Thank you again. Take care. Gary

    Oct 11, 2012

  • Richard W.

     Thanks for the warm welcome ! I am looking forward to spending time learning the site.

    Oct 17, 2012

  • Ellen Skogsberg

    Thank you Paul for your welcome.  Will check back as a source as I navigate the military waters (no pun intended).  :) 

    Oct 23, 2012

  • Kirk Brooks

    She's doing well, she's scheduled to get out in March I believe. I was hoping she'd stay in but she seems pretty determined to get out, the election might change her mind though. She's pretty tight lipped about her opinions but she's a Republican and I get the impression she isn't very thrilled with the current administration. Four more years of putting money into her GI bill for college would be a good thing though.

    Oct 27, 2012

  • Sharen Muller

    What a great video, Paul and what a great web site.  Yay!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

     

     

    Nov 1, 2012

  • Paul Lewis

    Paul, thanks for the welcome. As a Navy veteran with a son who has just joined the Navy. I appreciate all of the efforts made by you guys to keep us informed.

    Nov 2, 2012

  • David G. Basile

    Hello Paul,

    Thank you for the warm welcome and all the great info and advice. It is very much appreciated. I wish I have more time to spend on the site, but I just wanted to get back to a few of you guys and say thanks to you and your kids for your service to the Navy, its families and our country.

    Nov 7, 2012

  • RICHARD CHASE

    Paul,

    The welcome across the board from the website has been amazing.  Thank you for the orientation to the website.  Thank you for your service to the Navy Dads of our brave Sailors.

    Nov 9, 2012

  • Jeff Adams

    Thanks so much for taking the time to welcome me... I am looking forward to seeing my son in a few weeks...

    Nov 9, 2012

  • Hal Hoadley

    Paul, Thank you for replying to my inquiry. I'm looking forward to my trip to Great Lakes this week. I'm proud of my daughter, Amanda. She is smart and agressive and the military way of life suitd her, I think...
    She's listened to my stories about the military when I joined and she even likes wearing my old fatigue jackets and such.
    I like that the Navy is keeping parents and grandparents informed. I believe I'm going to like the Navy Dads site too. I will post every so often and check in to get the latest info.
    Thanks for responding.

    Hal Hoadley

    Nov 11, 2012

  • Charles Wescovich

    Thank you for the welcoming words.  I am looking forward to visit this site often.

    Nov 12, 2012

  • Jose Perez

    Hello sir I want to thank you for helping me know more of how the Navy has made me so proud to be an American and to know what my son is going to become in the near future.The NAVYDADS web site has made me see things more clearer and I hope to see you in GL during graduation at the end of the month until then bravo Zulu

    Nov 20, 2012

  • Daniel E. Kline Sr

    Thanks for the warm welcome.  The site is already a huge help.  Dan is our first born and life seems to be running to fast for us.  I just retired this year from the Pa State Police as a Trooper and was looking forward to making up for lost time. Now Dan Jr. is stepping out on his own and the Navy seemed to be the right fit for him.  I am a bit confused though.  He left last Wednesday.  We got the call when he arrived, however, have not received a letter from him to date?  Is this normal?  Thanks, Dan.

     

    Nov 22, 2012

  • John Rotz

    Dying to hear something from my son. It's been 3 weeks. Is this normal or is my son stuck in solitary confinement? ;)

    Nov 23, 2012

  • Sonny

    Paul,
    Thanks for all the helpful information. I belong to several other Forumd, and have been a member of of these Forums for a couple years now. And in that time I have never received the Welcome thatI have gotten from all of you.

    I greatly Appreciate all the Welcome Aboards, and the useful information. I look forward to getting started. Thank you again.

    Dec 4, 2012

  • John bachetti

    Sir, my son is finishing up at BUDs and I was wondering if he will be allowed to wear contacts as a SEAL? I thought about ordering him prescribtion Oakley sunglasses.

     

    Thanks for your help.

     

     John 

    Dec 6, 2012

  • JDScott

    Thanks for the welcome. A lot of information here this is great. My son Cameron left for boot on Tuesday they somehow missed their first flight and didn't arrive in Great Lakes until very late we got our 'I'm here' call at 11:30 pacific time. I had been reading on Navy4moms while he was in DEPS trying to educate myself and I was glad to now find a site for Dads.

    Jan 11, 2013

  • Greg Albery

    One of my sons is going to be an AM too. I have a question for you. Do they get to take a C school right after A school? Could you list your son's duty stations since he's been in. One more  question, did he get to fill out a dreamsheet in A school where he wanted to be stationed?...did he get any of his top choices?

    Jan 11, 2013

  • Greg Albery

    Your son joined in March 2008 and he made E-5 already? That's pretty good!

    Jan 11, 2013

  • Greg Albery

    This has nothing to do with my son, it's my curiosity since I was in too.

    How long did your son reenlist for and did they give him any incentives

    (cash, rank, etc...)?

    Jan 11, 2013

  • Greg Albery

    Good for your son. He's well on his way to Chief.

    Jan 11, 2013

  • Greg Albery

    We all wish we'd stay in. My wife was in the Navy too. The reason we got out was we couldn't be stationed together.

    Jan 11, 2013

  • Arturo Diaz

    Thank you all for the great advise it is very informative, I have no military experience and I am clueless of anything on here so it will take me a bit of reading to familiarize myself with this information. it is greatly appreciated.

    Jan 13, 2013

  • JMBrouPTBSSGN

    Hey Paul. By the way, my first name is Joe... we got a call from ou son a little bit ago, we heard different division won the Captain's Cup, but he said his division, 076, got Hall of Fame, & heard that is a high honor? Can you confirm please? Thanks!

    Jan 19, 2013

  • JMBrouPTBSSGN

    Yeah I had a good idea what the Captain's Cup was. Hall of Fame will be a big deal though since it is overall performance.  I mispoke earlier, my son said they are up for Hall of Fame but did not win it yet. But they have a good shot.

    Jan 19, 2013

  • Kevin

    Paul looking forward to seeing all the interesting posts and items on this site.  its a great site for new parents of seaman recruits....

     

    Jan 24, 2013

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Thanks for the heads up bro!

    Jan 25, 2013