Vanity: 'Newbie' Military Parent Needs Assistance

Indy Pendance | October 29, 2003 | Indy Pendance

[Indy Pendance]

If you have a moment, please consider this small favor. Being a newbie military parent, where else would I turn to but Free Republic?

Two of my kids will be leaving for the Army in November. Both will have their basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. One is leaving November 6th, has a couple years of college, and intends to complete her medical training with the Army, and is heading for San Antonio after basic.

The other leaving November 20th, has had some college chemistry, is heading into the chemical, biological and nuclear field, and will remain at Fort Leonard Wood after basic. At this point, it's still undetermined where they go after they are done with their AIT training.

During the beginning of the War with Iraq, there was a photo posted on many threads. I'm specifically looking for the photo of the woman pilot from the war in Iraq. IIRC, she had a microphone covering her mouth. Any photos that I could attach to their letters will be helpful. I've searched google and found quite a few great pictures, but I know you all have some great ones that just aren't readily accessible on the internet.

[Indy Pendance]

Thanks again for you time, and any helpful parent tips would be much appreciated.

[steve8714]

FLW is middle of nowhere, 122 miles from STL. Kids will have to be 100% about basic. Fort Sam in San Antonio is right in town and a nice place. I went to medic training there decades ago and had a good time. Training is great, too.

[Tax-chick]

Fort Lost-in-the-Woods is a nice place! If they get a break from training, they can go hiking, or antiquing in the Ozarks. And in the summer, the one who's posted there can go to Lake of the Ozarks for boating and stuff.

As for Fort Sam, I hope they like big bugs! Great food in SA, though, and good bus service if they don't have cars, and lots of opportunities to practice Spanish.

[SandRat]

Just a couple of things to start out with;

Think about joining this organization for additional support. Welcome to Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. We are mothers who have or have had children serving in the military .We are a non-profit service organization supporting each other, our children and promoting patriotism.

Since you'll have two children in the service show the whole neighborhood how proud you are and hang a BLUE STAR SERVICE Flag in the front window of your home.

Congratulations on having two fine young children.

Retired USArmy.

[Consort]

[McGavin999]

I don't really have anything to add to this thread, but I wanted to say thank you for raising two fine children. Be sure to tell them that the American people support and honor them.

[Indy Pendance]

I've looked it up, and you're right, in the middle of nowhere, guess that's why it's called 'Fort Lost-in-the-Woods'. BTW, I was planning on printing this thread out after it winds down and sending it to them. I think they'll get a kick out of it.

[68skylark]

Your kids are doing a really good thing -- you must be proud of them.

I don't know if you've seen all the pictures put on the web by the Army Times, and independent newpaper for the military. Just go to their site for the "Faces of Valor" collection:

http://www.armytimes.com

[Indy Pendance]

Are bugs a problem in February at Fort Sam? She's had spanish all through middle school, highschool and 3 years of college courses.

[jwalsh07]

A thanks to your children and you. God bless you all.

And a bump for 54 MOS's.

[Indy Pendance]

Thanks for the links. Definately will hang something on the house. We already have the 'proud parent' bumper stickers. I'll put them on when they officially start. They've been pestering me about it, but I told them, you have to earn your bumpers!

[boxerblues]

You can search the archive here as well

http://www.defenselink.mil/photos/Operations/OperatiIraqiFreedom/

[Indy Pendance]

Thanks so much for the compliment, I have a younger one still in highschool yet. We'll see what's decided in the next couple of years.

[Tax-chick]

The roaches are a little more passive in winter (if it's cold, which it often isn't), but in those old buildings they are whoppers, and you can never get rid of them all. She'll need to be prepared to seal everything up. Plastic bins, cleaned out coffee cans with secure lids ... everything has to be airtight, or the buggies will be right in there. Take all trash out immediately!

If she's not living on base (and cares about bugs), then you want a newer apartment building, with as few students as possible (they're pigs). I lived in a 1920's building one year of college, and the roaches were as big as my shoes. I think they were the original residents! They don't ever die of natural causes, you know, just get bigger and bigger, like crocodiles :-).

Best of luck to your kids, and congratulations on raising them right!

[Indy Pendance]

Thanks for the link, we are proud, and honored they made this decision.

[Indy Pendance]

Thank you. What's 54 MOS's may I ask?

[Indy Pendance]

Fantastic! Thanks!

[jpthomas]

I'm not sure about where to find the specific photo you are looking for. However, I think I know who was in the photo. I believe it was Capt. Kim "Killer Chick" Campbell. Here are a few photos and a link to a website about her experience:

Air Force Capt. Kim Campbell

Capt. Campbell in the Cockpit of her A-10 "Warthog"

Captain Campbell's damaged A-10

Pilot Survives Dramatic Landing

[jwalsh07]

CBR soldiers.

[68skylark]

These aren't the pictures you asked about, but they are my all-time favorite photos from the war on terrorism. They show soldiers distributing bags of school supplies (like slates, chalk, etc) to Afghan kids, including girls who were previously unable to go to school.

These photos say so much about the character of the U. S. and the U. S. military.

(Thanks to our very own Diogenesis for all the wonderful photos that are posted here.)