I’m not sure if this was already shared, I didn’t see it, but I just wanted to pass on some good info on OPSEC.  Sometimes there are questions about OPSEC that get all muddled with all the new technology.  Hopefully this will help some of us as we  try to completely understand what OPSEC really is and what you can do… or not do, so that you don’t violate it.  Below is a slide show that was shared on the MCPON’s Facebook page.  Enjoy!

http://www.slideshare.net/mcponpao/opsec-snapshot-3965572

I tried to embed the video like I did on my other blog, but it wouldn’t post correctly. So I’ve just posted the link. Sorry.

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Life on the homefront has many challenges.  One that ranks #1 is having to give birth while your service member is at sea / deployed.  When I try to wrap my brain around what that experience would be like, my brain starts to hurt.  These women are so brave, courageous and truly an inspiration to us all.

The next time you are in the commissary, exchange or soccer field and you notice the wife who is pregnant, I encourage you to reach out to her….offer a friendly ear, a warm hug and your support.  We all need to remember we are in this life together and together we can get through anything, even child birth!

God Bless these women!  *CHEERS* to you, you make us all proud to be military spouses, who can literally DO ANYTHING!

The heroes in this photo are not just the one’s in uniform, they are also the spouses who stand beside them.

Photo credit:

100423-N-3666S-067 PEARL HARBOR (April 23, 2010) Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) greet their newborn children upon returning to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) after a scheduled seven-month deployment. Hopper departed JBPHH September 14, 2009, for an independent deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup/Released)

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Today we are talking about helping your preschooler get through a deployment with tips from MilitaryOneSource.com. Join Wendy and Marla as they chat about what they’ve been up to since the last show as they share a funny story or two.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/navywiferadio/2009/11/04/military-life-radio-navy-wife-radio

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USS New Mexico on sea trials

I recently read about the USS New Mexico’s sea trials over on Bubbleheads Blog and gosh how I LOVE seeing that NM flag flying in the sail.  NM just in case you didn’t guess is my home state.

The commissioning date has finally been set and will be March 27, 2010.  I am planning on attending and I’m so very excited!  I have never been to a commissioning before and I can’t wait.

In my research of what to expect, I came across this video of the USS New Hampshire being commissioned.

Even though New Mexico has two other submarines, for some reason I am very excited about this new submarine.  Maybe it is because it is called “New Mexico”, vs Albuquerque or Santa Fe.  I’m seriously considering adopting this boat.  Maybe it has something to do with the galley being called “La Posta”, a local favorite in Las Cruces.

La Posta owner Tom Hutchinson said the naming of the galley after his restaurant has “extra special significance” because he served in the Navy from 1977 to 2002. Nine of those years were in active duty. His service was as an aviator, and he worked with Navy submarines to coordinate the tracking of Soviet Union submarines.

Hutchinson said he plans to name a room in his restaurant after the sub.  read the entire article.

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From navy.mil

Future USS New Mexico Completes Sea Trials

12/3/2009

From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Pre-Commissioning Unit New Mexico (SSN 779), the U.S. Navy’s newest submarine, successfully completed its initial sea trials, or Alpha Trials, Nov. 26.

The submarine departed Newport News, Va., Nov. 24 to evaluate its seaworthiness and operational performance. New Mexico’s Alpha Trials included diving to test depth, executing an emergency surfacing, and testing the ship’s propulsion plant performance.

Successful completion of these sea trials is a significant step towards ensuring that New Mexico meets all specifications and is ready for delivery to the Navy, which is anticipated by the end of 2009, following completion of Bravo Sea Trials and the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey trials.

“New Mexico’s successful completion of sea trials is a testament to the hard work of the Navy’s shipbuilding team,” said Capt. Michael Jabaley, Virginia Class program manager. “It is this partnership that has helped get New Mexico to where it is today, ahead of original contract schedule.”

New Mexico is the sixth submarine of the Virginia Class and third that Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding will deliver. Delivery of the ship prior to the end of the year would be four months early to its contract delivery date.

When commissioned in early 2010, New Mexico will join the five subs of its class as flexible, multi-mission platforms designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the Submarine Force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; special operations forces; strike; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.

	Future USS New Mexico Successfully Completes Alpha Trials

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Lt. Jon Sunderland dresses in a Santa suite while directing aircraft operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Christmas Day. [via Navy.mil]

Just when we thought Santa would be recovering from all his travels, here he is having fun on the USS NIMITZ.

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Valentine’s day is one of those special days that you really want to share with your spouse!! But for some of us, our spouses are deployed, TAD, or a Geo-bachelor and are a way from us.  But don’t fret!! You can still share this holiday with your spouse or significant other. 

Send a care package!!!  This is one of the best times of the year to go all out and do a themed care package.  Below are some ideas to get you started, and don’t worry if it arrives a little late. Remember it’s the thought that counts!

Ideas:

-Take an ordinary pillow case and get some iron on photo transfer paper and print out some photos of you and the family!  Add some perfume or your sailor/soldier’s favorite scent and pack it in a Ziploc bag to preserve the smell.  It’s an instant visual and scent memory of home. You can iron on the pictures on the inside of the pillow case if you’re worried about the command wanting the racks to look uniform.

- Take some handkerchiefs and iron on pictures to them, or have the kids make hand prints or paint pictures on them with fabric paint.  Your sailor/soldier can carry these around in his pocket, something he doesn’t have to worry about incase it gets wet or something!  You can also send these in a Ziploc bag with a scent on it. 

- Of course candy, cookies, chips, cracker, cake snacks, etc!!  Just beware of items possibly melting or spending a long time in a holding area before getting to the sailor/soldier.

- Make a mixed CD or thumb drive (if they have their own computer), remember in school how you made your own  mixed Tape or CD of your favorite songs (is that still big, lol.  I’m starting to feel old and I only graduated 9 years ago).  Make a theme of love songs and songs that you two as a couple liked to listen too.  I used to draw silly pictures on my tapes and CDs to personalize it!

- Send little toys and trinkets that represent Valentines Day!  Everyone still loves to play with toys, come on you know it!! Send stuff that can put a smile on their face and that they can share with others.

- Don’t forget Cards and letters, in today’s email crazy time a good handwritten letter can mean so much.  And if you send one it is like a ‘wink and nudge’ to your spouse and you may get a handwritten letter back (note: you may actually have to spell it out in your letter that you want a hand written response…. Some guys just need the ‘wink and nudge’ explained to them. LOL). 

- Make a list of why you love your spouse, or what makes you smile about them.

- If you have time find a place that can put images on insulated coffee cups, and have it personalized in addition to the picture.

- Send something that is specific to what your spouse likes, for example a PSP Game, or a New CD from his favorite artist

-And last of all instead of using packing material to make the box secure inside use socks, boxers, and t-shirts to make the box tight (take them out of the packaging and use a pair or two to pack, its ok if you don’t use a whole pack just set the rest aside for the next package you send).  No matter where your sailor/soldier is deployed they can always use new CLEAN socks, boxers/underwear, and t-shirts.

I hope that his has gotten you started!! Please share your additional Ideas!! 

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We are looking at options; options for the future.

So there is a possibility that if you go this route, you may never get underway….again? I asked my beloved.

Well, possibly, he replied.

I mulled this over. On the surface it sounded spectacular and many a wife would gladly hear those words. Still, I know, in my heart, that he loves being at sea. When we started dating, I will admit, I fell in love with the romantic notion that he’d go out to sea, and I’d wait lovingly until he returned. It wasn’t forever, I told myself, and always been an independent woman. I could do this. I would do this. I’ve been doing this.

I knew from our first date that I wanted to spend eternity with this man. I felt like Brandy, watching his eyes and listening to his stories of riding the ocean waves. I could feel the power of the storms and smell the salt of the water. While I knew he’d always be in my heart, I knew also that he had a passion for the great deep blue. I never thought he’d choose it over me, but I know he has always been drawn to it, and I respect that. In turns he respects me and always discusses a new billet with me before jumping in head first (that’s if he has a choice). In a way, I think it’s his way of reassuring himself that I’m okay with this life. I’m sure he struggles with it. Who wouldn’t? You love being at sea, but you love your family waiting at home too.

So, what’s a girl to say? A teeny tiny part of me wants to say “Yes, stay ashore. Be home to watch the kids grow.” Still, I’m a believe in allowing him to make his own career decisions (without too much nagging from me). We talk about the family first. Obviously, with children and school and housing matters, family often throws a wrench in the mix. Still, after we talk about ideal places for our family. I let him go from there. I can work almost anywhere so that doesn’t concern me. So, I encourage him to think about his career advancement and getting the most out of educational and training opportunities. I want him to look back on his Coast Guard years and feel satisfied.

Why is this so important to me? Well, I’m glad you asked. When I was in the service, I didn’t take advantage of a few opportunities that came my way. I felt I was young and had all the time in the world. In addition, I never envisioned getting out as soon as I did. I had my goals set on a 20 year career, at least. So, I have a few regrets. I wish I had taken that overseas tour. I wish I had gone to that school in D.C. I should have completed my Bachelors when I was still active. I could go on and on. Still, I did get to experience a lot of great things and establish some solid connections, and for that I’m grateful that I wasn’t a complete dunce.

Back on topic though, I don’t want my husband to look back with remorse over things in the years to come. So, what do you say to your husband when he’s asking you about no more sea duty? Well, I told him, I support whatever decision you make. Either way, the future looks pretty bright, no matter what route he chooses. I just wish I had a crystal ball to show me what the ultimate decision will be. Until then, I’ll hand over the looking glass for him to have a tête à tête about which road to travel.

So, what does a landlocked sailor do? I’ll let you know if and when I find out. ~

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080718-N-4879G-372 NORFOLK, Va. (July 18, 2008) A Sailor assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) hugs his family during the ship’s return to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment. Cole was deployed with the British Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and was the first U.S. Navy ship to sail under the command of a foreign battle group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman PatricK Grieco/Released)

I just love homecomings!

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A year ago he was on our couch playing xBox for hours and hours.

Today for the first time he stepped aboard a “big deck”. Im not sure he’d be happy about my blogging about it, his dad has already emailed his CMC and some others Im sure of it…..

(deep breath)

They have text messaged this morning and it is just so exciting and scary at the same time.

Being a Navy mom is REALLY starting to sink in…

He said he has already gotten “lost” and had to find someone to show him how to get back to the galley.

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Not very often are there cameras on the pier capturing Homecoming. How wonderful for these USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) families. Darn Gold Crew!

Welcome home

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