Individual Augmentees/Global Support Assignments

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Comment by Nancy Jean on May 16, 2009 at 12:32am

Hi all. Nancy Jean here. My son Derrick (PO2 Gunnersmate) has started his IA training in TX. We were able to see him in San Diego a couple weeks ago to get all the 'Legal' stuff done prior to playing in the sand. The attorney's 'Flag question' was the hardest one for me. Never thought about that even though I've seen the pictures too often.

But, like other Gunners out their, he's enjoying his new piece except when there's forty pounds of other stuff on his back and they're hiking a short 7 miles in the heat for a warm up. He gave a quick 5 minute phone call. It was so much like BC. We stayed quiet and let him talk. Arabic class tonight!

Oh, what an adventure!
Nancy Jean

Comment by Janne Mac on May 15, 2009 at 3:26pm

no problem and best of luck to you and your son. If you need anything else or shoulder, just let me know. I have gone through this and my son is actually thinking about doing it again.

Comment by Lisa on May 15, 2009 at 3:15pm

Thank you very much!!

Comment by Janne Mac on May 15, 2009 at 2:59pm

My son had too much to take, he ended up having to ship some stuff home before he even left. If I were him pack light, you can always ship it over. I sent my son's electric guitar and foot petals once he was in an area that he was going to be. He was stationed at one location. Also they will have to use what is called eagle cash, it is like an ATM card for the where they are located.

Phone cards are cheap, I think it cost like 20.00 bucks for like 50 or 60 hours of talk time. That is why we decided to just go with the pay phone route. It was cheaper than buying a cell phone over there. My son was in a really remote area. and that is why skype did not work well.

He also found out that the phones in the office sometimes they were able to use to call home on for free. Just depends on the command they are working for.

Good luck to you and your son.

Also I found out that mail to my son got delivered rather quickly compared to the ship delivery. So I got in the habit of sending packages once week to him. Flat rate military rate at the time was cheaper by a few dollars as long as you ask the post office for the military pak.

Just remember that they are given most everything they need to go over, except personal items. I was sending soap, face wash, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, sun block, on a regular basis.

Also Amazon will ship to an APO address.

Comment by Lisa on May 15, 2009 at 1:09pm

Did it cost anything to use the phones on base? After deployment on a ship and only receiving a call once a month, 20 mins. a day would be great. Do you have any other tips regarding things to take or ???? Thanks for all of the information -- it is truly appreciated.

Comment by Janne Mac on May 15, 2009 at 12:36pm

My son also took his laptop, but it died on him overthere, so he bought one at the px. He also tried skype, but was in an area that the connection was too frustrating. he would call and talk for a few minutes and then it would cut in and out. Just like the old cell phones. So he decided that it was better to just use the phones on base. He was allowed to call everyday but only was limited to 20 minutes per day.

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on May 15, 2009 at 12:03pm

He had a couple laptop computers--one for gaming and movies. That's just him. There's so much dust that he had a second for a backup. It depends on where your son will be and what he's doing regarding computer service. My son bought the cell phone there because ones from here won't work. Your son will find out when he gets there about what's available for phones. My son bought one of his computers in the PX at Camp Phoenix. Just a warning--it had Sim City on it as a game. When he brought it home, it wasn't licensed for the US and we got notified he was breaking a copyright law. We communicated with our service provider and the company; not a big deal as he just deleted the game.

Comment by Lisa on May 15, 2009 at 11:48am

How is your son doing since he has returned?

Was the cell phone prepaid or did he sign up for a service? I bought an iphone just to have skype on my cell phone, but I wasn't sure if a computer would be available on a regular basis. Did your son take his computer? So sorry for all of the questions -- I just want to know what to expect.

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on May 15, 2009 at 10:56am

Almost everyday, sometimes three times a day! He had internet (he paid, but it wasn't expensive), so he could call us on Skpe. He also had a cell phone he bought there.

Comment by Lisa on May 15, 2009 at 10:54am

Ruth,
My son is leaving shortly for training and then across the ocean. He was assigned to an aircraft carrier which was a little easier on me. I communicated with him via email at least 5 or 6 times per week. Was your son able to communicate with you on a regular basis?

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