Military Moms: Sept/Oct 2010 - Page 9

[Soul-O]

Katie ~ My DH thinks it would be possible to drill in one state and deploy with his unit from another state. Your DH would "volunteer" to deploy with his NY unit. I will also ask a friend who went from AD as a 1LT to GA Nat'l Guard, and is currently in the process of moving to VA.

[Soul-O]

Katie - Here's the answer from my AD to Guard friend:

He should be able to "split" drill. He would need the OK of his home unit, and the OK of the "receiving" unit, but it's done enough that it shouldn't be complicated. This would be a temporary fix... when he gets settled in VA/MD, it would... probably be in his interest to switch states. If he's MI, he might be able to take advantage of the Low Density Recruiting Program. I don't know enough about it really- just that it exists, and MI qualifies. As for deployments- there is usually the need to fill some slots with volunteer individual augmentees from across the Guard. I'm not sure to what extent that requires the permission of the home unit. I hope this helps... I've been in the Guard for nearly three years now and have never managed to get a good handle on how those things work. I'm glad to be done in December.

[MaerynPearl]

Ah life as a military wife.

Today is no fun. My kids are back home for my brothers wedding and I am not. Instead, I am sitting here... upset with my husband... and being bugged by my ENTIRE family about how AWESOME it would be if I had Mae today.

Like its all up to me. If it were up to me I would have had her back on my birthday!

[WifeofAnt]

Okay I don't normally even stalk here but my DH is in the army and we're looking to move. I really hate Texas. Its too hot and too far from our families (who live in Michigan). If you don't mind me asking, where have you been and where would you recommend?

[Soul-O]

Originally Posted by WifeofAnt

Okay I don't normally even stalk here but my DH is in the army and we're looking to move. I really hate Texas. Its too hot and too far from our families (who live in Michigan). If you don't mind me asking, where have you been and where would you recommend?

If Texas is too hot for you, might I recommend Ft Lewis, WA? Lots of rain, fog, cool weather, and beautiful summers. This is a very large post, so there are lots of different MOSs here because of the many types of units. My DH is branched MI, so we were initially assigned to an integrated signal/intelligence/Ranger BDE, and are now moving on to a Stryker BDE (for breadth of experience). We are about 35 miles from Seattle, and there are a lot of outdoorsy activities nearby. COL is high, and the housing allowances are not necessarily in line with available housing (depending on what you are looking for), but there are nice areas with good schools within a 20 mile drive of the post.

We've also been to Ft. Gordon, GA and Ft. Benning, GA - wouldn't recommend either if you don't like Texas and want to be nearer to family.

Good luck in your search!

[WifeofAnt]

thank you but Fort Lewis would be further than we are now...

[gagin37]

Dh passed his PT test this week No more Saturday morning PT! No orders yet either. Now they are saying we won't know until next month.
R. and I have been visiting my family, and only got back home today. I really hate being stuck so far from home. I hate that my family is missing R. grow up. And that he's missing out on them. I guess in a way, we're lucky to be close enough to make the drive, but 8.5 hours in the car is just gross and I'm all bummed out by having to be back in Fayetteville tonight.

[WifeofAnt]

Okay just a rant to people who might understand.

DH has just spent the last 7 days 'in the field'. They were supposed to come home tonight but somebody messed up so they're staying ANOTHER day. Oh well, whatever, its the army.

BUT I just got a text from him saying they are not going to allow cell phones and laptops to NTC this year. WTF? Some people have families with children and WIVES GETTING VERY CLOSE TO THEIR DUE DATES!! So what if first time moms usually go late? Its not a guarantee! How am I of all people going to live alone and without contact with DH in my last month of pregnancy (they're "scheduled" to return when I'm 39 weeks)?

And as mad as I am, you should hear it from DH. He's already pretty much told them to kiss his .

[MaerynPearl]

DH was initially told (when I was around 30/32 weeks) that although the week I was due he would have to be in the field without his cell and not be able to get home if I had her.

Slowly they started changing that, to the point that the day BEFORE they went out in the field they told him he only had to go out for part of the first day to help set up his job and then could just go back to his regular job the rest of the week.

Hopefully the same happens for you.

[MaerynPearl]

Looks like we will be having a devil puppy today or tomorrow!

IM IN LABOR FINALLY!

[gagin37]

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl

Looks like we will be having a devil puppy today or tomorrow!

IM IN LABOR FINALLY!

hope everything goes smoothly!

[~Adorkable~]

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl

Looks like we will be having a devil puppy today or tomorrow!

IM IN LABOR FINALLY!

heres to a smooth happy birth

[MovingMomma]

OMG, M!!! That is great news, but so funny b/c I was thinking of you this morning. 4 years ago today my DD2 was born 10 days past her due date! She didn't come out until I gave up on it ever happening. I just decided I'd be pregnant forever & then she finally came out! LOL! Sending you smooth labor vibes!

[~Katie~]

Add me to your list of stalkers, so excited for you MP!!!

[justKate]

Originally Posted by gagin37

Dh passed his PT test this week No more Saturday morning PT! No orders yet either. Now they are saying we won't know until next month.
R. and I have been visiting my family, and only got back home today. I really hate being stuck so far from home. I hate that my family is missing R. grow up. And that he's missing out on them. I guess in a way, we're lucky to be close enough to make the drive, but 8.5 hours in the car is just gross and I'm all bummed out by having to be back in Fayetteville tonight.

I'm feeling the same way. We're in TX and the fam is in Maryland. My parents are great gparents, and they're missing out on the first one's first three years. And we're missing out on their help. And I'm feeling torn--I know my place is with my husband (don't flame me, that's what I feel), but I'm mourning the loss of the extended family involvement with DD that I always looked forward to.

Originally Posted by WifeofAnt

BUT I just got a text from him saying they are not going to allow cell phones and laptops to NTC this year. WTF? Some people have families with children and WIVES GETTING VERY CLOSE TO THEIR DUE DATES!! So what if first time moms usually go late? Its not a guarantee! How am I of all people going to live alone and without contact with DH in my last month of pregnancy (they're "scheduled" to return when I'm 39 weeks)?

And as mad as I am, you should hear it from DH. He's already pretty much told them to kiss his .

W/could his CO make an exception? I was in a car accident when DH was away with strict no-cell phone rules, and he basically just said "an exception has to be made" and it worked. Seems like the last weeks of a first pregnancy would be a big deal....

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl

IM IN LABOR FINALLY!

C'mon Mae! The world is waiting for you!

[~Katie~]

I'm pretty sure they can discuss it for safety concerns but usually CO's have their cell phones and you can be given contact information should there be an emergency, or everyone can use their cell phones during certain hours.

Originally Posted by WifeofAnt

Okay just a rant to people who might understand.

DH has just spent the last 7 days 'in the field'. They were supposed to come home tonight but somebody messed up so they're staying ANOTHER day. Oh well, whatever, its the army.

BUT I just got a text from him saying they are not going to allow cell phones and laptops to NTC this year. WTF? Some people have families with children and WIVES GETTING VERY CLOSE TO THEIR DUE DATES!! So what if first time moms usually go late? Its not a guarantee! How am I of all people going to live alone and without contact with DH in my last month of pregnancy (they're "scheduled" to return when I'm 39 weeks)?

And as mad as I am, you should hear it from DH. He's already pretty much told them to kiss his .

[MommaKitten21]

Go, Mae, go!!!!!

Cant wait to hear updates!!

[~Katie~]

MP is a mama! Congratulations again!!!!

[~Katie~]

Things just keep getting better and better on my end

DH spoke with the s2 today in his NY unit. The guy flat out asked him "So, did you think you were deploying with us? What exactly did you expect to do during the deployment?" One would expect that this person would know these details but apparently not. The short end is that DH is not supposed to deploy with them, does not have a job at all with them, period. The long of it is that some MAJ has the final say. Presently he will not deploy with them, and does not have a position in any unit, but that could all change should they decide to do something with him.

Tabitha - I did look up the whole switching to another NG unit process and it seems pretty straight forward, there's a certain person DH needs to get in touch with. I think the next step is going to ACAP and determining exactly what jobs he's eligible for and getting the rest of his resume together.

[MaerynPearl]

Katie I really really hope this all works out in the best way possible!

AFM - Mae ended up choosing her own birthday... which ended up being the most perfect.

I did mention that it was going to end up raining the day she was born and yesterday had to have been the RAINIEST day of the past month...

Googles 12th birthday = nerd baby

the day after my brothers wedding so Aunt J was already legally her aunt (she met our family for the first time just weeks before I got pregnant with Mae but we all adore her, shes a good addition)...

the same day DHs one cousin flew home from Colombia with the daughter she just adopted last week and today both MIL and DHs other cousins mother are making trips to either coast to meet their new grandchildren (DHs other cousin had her boy about a week ago) ...All from the same grandparents.