Very Proud of my two Sailors and future Marine

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads CoAdmin Jim Gramza on September 10, 2022 at 4:31pm

Most excellent news! Bravo Zulu to your sons!

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Permalink Reply by Eric Austin on October 2, 2022 at 5:14pm

One of my two Navy sons is stationed in Japan. He is an AD. As one best in his squad he was chosen for a special exercise to fly over to one of Japan's friendly neighbors. It was a 9 hour trip by helicopter, but he got to come back on the C 130. He sat in the flight Engineers seat for most of the ride back to Japan. He said it was super awesome trip. 

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Permalink Reply by Eric Austin on October 3, 2022 at 12:43pm

Two stories from sons in the Navy. One a bit serious, the other pure coolness of being overseas. 

Story 1 

My 21 year old is and AC ( Air traffic control) based in Southern CA. He is just a few weeks away from qualifying as a Tower Supervisor. This story occurred last week. 

If you are training to become a Navy pilot, you start in a Turbo prop single engine airplane. If you make it past that, you are upgraded to a T-45 jet engine airplane and begin your IFR training. This training is learning how to fly only by the gauges in the cockpit when vision is obscured by clouds or whatever. This training is done in Pensacola FLA where the weather is really good most of the time. 

At a certain point you will fly out to Southern CA to practice carrier landings among other things. Last week my son was in the tower when 6 T-45's were coming into land at his field after training. As anyone who has been to CA would know, it is common for a marine layer or ocean fog to develop and come onshore. This day the marine layer was thick from ground level to 700'. In all commercial airports, they have what is called ILS. This instrument landing system is a digital signal pilots use to guide your flight directly to the runway even if the pilots cannot see the runway. However, on most military airfields they do not have this system. My son explained that this is due to security.  

So, when conditions like this happen the tower control must "talk" the pilot all the way to the runway using radar vectors to give them very precise instructions. Typically, not a big deal at all with experienced pilots. However, the 6 pilots in the T-45 were quite fresh. 

On the first attempt to guide them to the runway all 6 came in off course and had to do a go around. Not a big deal happens all the time. The problem came when they all were on their FIFTH attempt to land. All 6 of them missed the approach! At that time all 6 of them declared a Low Fuel Emergency, they had one last chance to land. My son saw that the fog was slightly lifting at the end of their other runway. They typically do not use this runway as much since to line up on it Navy pilots must fly through a commercial airports Bravo airspace. My boy made a quick call to the large airport's tower and told them of the situation and got emergency clearance to talk the 6 pilots through the Bravo to get lined up. At this point he could hear the 6 pilots were absolutely panicking. As one could imagine, they only had 2 - 3 mins of fuel left. 

The result.... all 6 planes landed safe on their final attempt. I was very proud of my son for keeping his cool and being able to land 6 very stressed pilots who were seeing their lives possibly flash before them. 

He said it was by far the most intense day he has had so far in the Navy. 

Story 2 

My middle son is based in Japan. He absolutely loves life over there. Being that I used to work for a Japanese company and have been to Japan well over 40 times, I can understand why he likes it so much. 

His favorite thing to do on his days off, is to pick a place on the map, get on trains and go check out this area. 

I cannot remember the name of the town where this story takes place, but best described as a very small place where giant mountains meet the ocean. There is very little land area so this town has about 500 residents. He said as the train travels to this spot, as he is approaching the towns station, he is the only person left on the train. It is that remote. So remote in fact that the owner of the single small hotel was waiting to greet him outside as he walked up.  

After settling in, he wandered out to find a place to eat a have a couple beers. The place he choose I can only describe and like " Cheeseburger in Paradise " on Maui, HI.  If you been there, this was similar. Over hanging the ocean with a beautiful view of the setting sun.  

As he walked through the door the only 4 people in the place turned and he said the look on their face was the same as if an alien had just landed and walked in. There is absolutely Zero tourist in this town, especially not a 6'2 blonde, blue eyed American. As he sat at the bar and ordered a beer, one of the 4 Japanese people sitting there asked him ( in broken English ) " Where are you from? " He replied " America " Then they asked  " what state are you from? "  He replied " Texas "  The group of 4 eyes lit up and with a big smile he said " We are a Japanese Blue grass band do you know Blue grass music?"  He replied " Of course I do and I play the guitar" 

As soon as they handed him a guitar, 4 great friends were made along with jamming out, singing, and of course a lot of drinking. They played for hours and hours.  They even invited him to come see their concert the next day a few towns over. And he went. 

He told me this story over the phone and said " Dad, this had to be in the top three best experiences I have had so far in Japan" 

Anyone else have some cool stories from your kids in the Navy? Love to hear them! 

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads CoAdmin Jim Gramza on October 5, 2022 at 12:33pm

Those are two great stories! Good outcomes for all involved! Bravo Zulu to both of your sailors!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Nor Cal on October 16, 2022 at 2:01pm

Congrats!  You should be very proud!

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Permalink Reply by Eric Austin on November 22, 2022 at 4:59pm

Just got off the phone with my Oldest son ( 21 yrs old ) He is Air traffic control in San Diego ( AC ) He told me is going up for Sailor of the Year again ! He won it last year and got promoted to E5. However, if he wins it again this year, he cannot get mapped to E6. But, still gets another NAM medal. And it just goes into his file. 

I trained for my private pilots license many years ago. I was so nervous about him going for AC rate as it is one of the hardest rates in the Navy. Was I wrong to be nervous. He was the Honor Graduate from A school, two years in he is an E5 ( un heard of ) Tower supervisor ( unheard of ) and up for sailor of the year for the second year in row ( not sure if that is unheard of ) 

Take away... Convince you teenagers to join a branch of the military and see them rise to heights you've never imagined. 

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads CoAdmin Jim Gramza on November 22, 2022 at 6:03pm

You have two amazing son's! Keep those great stories coming!

Eric Austin said:

Just got off the phone with my Oldest son ( 21 yrs old ) He is Air traffic control in San Diego ( AC ) He told me is going up for Sailor of the Year again ! He won it last year and got promoted to E5. However, if he wins it again this year, he cannot get mapped to E6. But, still gets another NAM medal. And it just goes into his file. 

I trained for my private pilots license many years ago. I was so nervous about him going for AC rate as it is one of the hardest rates in the Navy. Was I wrong to be nervous. He was the Honor Graduate from A school, two years in he is an E5 ( un heard of ) Tower supervisor ( unheard of ) and up for sailor of the year for the second year in row ( not sure if that is unheard of ) 

Take away... Convince you teenagers to join a branch of the military and see them rise to heights you've never imagined. 

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Permalink Reply by Eric Austin on November 23, 2022 at 10:18pm

Thanks Jim! 

I hope I am not being to proud.... I just cannot believe how awesome my boys have done so far in the Navy. 

I think I just want to give hope to people and inspiration to other parents that may get on this forum. I want them to know, that their kids joining the military is tough, but probably the best decision of their lives. They can do it and rise to higher levels. However, the admin told me this is a place to brag. So, I have done it. 

Will keep updating this thread as cool stuff happens! 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Nor Cal on December 11, 2022 at 3:00pm

Will your boys be able to come home for Christmas?  I am fortunate that this year my son will be able to come home for a week.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Austin on December 11, 2022 at 3:21pm

YES !! My oldest in San Diego gets in tomorrow and is going to be here until the 26th. My middle son that is in Japan is coming in on Friday and will be here until Jan 2. I have not see him in 2+ years. So, needless to say it's going to be a great Christmas. 

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads CoAdmin Jim Gramza on December 11, 2022 at 6:29pm

Pictures!

Eric Austin said:

YES !! My oldest in San Diego gets in tomorrow and is going to be here until the 26th. My middle son that is in Japan is coming in on Friday and will be here until Jan 2. I have not see him in 2+ years. So, needless to say it's going to be a great Christmas. 

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Permalink Reply by Eric Austin on December 11, 2022 at 6:46pm

Absolutely !! Post up soon.  Thanks!! 

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