Friday, January 28, 2011
It won't be easy...
...to leave all my friends here in Texas. As a JAG family we will move alot. This could be a good thing if we are in a place we hate (which I don't see ever happening for us b/c we always try to make the best of everything) but it could happen I suppose. I LOVE my friends here and Germany is sooooo far away! I am having one of those days where I am trying to enjoy every second a little more because I won't have these wonderful people to be with much longer. I know when I move I will make new friends and new bonds will develop but it is sad to think that the people I am surrounded by now will just become memories. Do you ever wonder how you can be so close to people and then in a matter of a few years hardly talk to them? I know life moves on, new friendships, new priorities arise. Distance plays a big role too. There will be those few that stay life long friends but overall these thoughts are making me sad today. Tomorrow is my birthday! Tonight we are going to dinner with 5 other couples and then playing charades at a friends house! It will be bitter sweet.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
What is Dining Out?
Dining out is a traditional, formal event after completion/graduation of COT and there's another one after JASCO. I did not attend. I had zero interest in flying to Alabama on my own dime. Top Gun said there were some spouses there and all he remembers of the events was that there was a luncheon for spouses one day. Not very helpful huh? He didn't really pay attention to what the events were. Sorry, I can't be of more help. I remember receiving emails and letters in the mail inviting me to COT graduation so look out for those and it should give you more information as to what will happen the week leading up to graduation. I do remember Top Gun giving them my email address right when he arrived at COT so they could contact me with information about graduation weeks' festivities.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Dining Out at the end of COT and JASCO
Hi Eileen!
Do you mean what is the dress for you or for your husband? Your husband (if he's not going to the May COT class) will wear Servicemen Dress. It is soooooo stinking expensive and they don't wear it much. You could say it is equivalent to a tuxedo. They will wear it to any formal military event, including Dining Out.
Top Gun went to COT in the summer (May's COT) with all the "gonna be" doctors. That COT class didn't have to purchase the Servicemen Dress because they figure after medical school all the doctors would not fit in it by the time they actually started working in the Air Force. Which only meant Top Gun got to wait a few more weeks before he had to purchase it while he was at JASCO.
As to what you should wear, well it is a formal event. Usually that means a long dress but if you have an elegant short dress I would say that would be fine too. Good luck and HAPPY SHOPPING!
Do you mean what is the dress for you or for your husband? Your husband (if he's not going to the May COT class) will wear Servicemen Dress. It is soooooo stinking expensive and they don't wear it much. You could say it is equivalent to a tuxedo. They will wear it to any formal military event, including Dining Out.
Top Gun went to COT in the summer (May's COT) with all the "gonna be" doctors. That COT class didn't have to purchase the Servicemen Dress because they figure after medical school all the doctors would not fit in it by the time they actually started working in the Air Force. Which only meant Top Gun got to wait a few more weeks before he had to purchase it while he was at JASCO.
As to what you should wear, well it is a formal event. Usually that means a long dress but if you have an elegant short dress I would say that would be fine too. Good luck and HAPPY SHOPPING!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Weight Limits for Moving/ AM's Q's
Am, I am SOOO happy for you and that you are headed to the UK!! Be patient with me as I try to get you more information and to answer your questions. There is an attorney that was in our office who moved to Mildenhall over the summer.
In regards to your moving questions. As a 1st LT, you will be allotted 12,500lbs w/out Dependants and 13,500lbs with Dependants. Which means the Air Force will pay up to that number of poundage to be moved. If your total house goods way more than that then you would need to ship them abroad on your own dime or store it at a friends house for 3 years ;) As a family of 4 we didn't even come close to 13,000lbs!! Because you are moving abroad you cannot do a DITY move, the AF has to move you.
I have heard several people say they leave a lot of their electronics and kitchen items that plug in, behind in storage when they move overseas because they use a different plug system, wattage or something to that effect over there. Like if you try to plug in your hair dryer it will explode unless you buy special adapters for every single item you plug in. U.S. stuff isn't compatible over there. I wish I had more knowledge on this but I don't. I do know my friend when she headed over there was able to buy a toaster, hair dryer, blender, etc for dirt cheap b/c everyone that goes there needs it and then at the base thrift store people leave it there when they're ready to come back to the States.
I would suggest that as soon as you get orders to have your stuff shipped overseas. It will take roughly 3 months for your goods to be shipped overseas. The AF can load your stuff up from a storage unit, but you will have to be present and they will unbox EVERYTHING and then re pack it. Silly I know, but they are reliable for the items so that is their protocol.
In regards to your moving questions. As a 1st LT, you will be allotted 12,500lbs w/out Dependants and 13,500lbs with Dependants. Which means the Air Force will pay up to that number of poundage to be moved. If your total house goods way more than that then you would need to ship them abroad on your own dime or store it at a friends house for 3 years ;) As a family of 4 we didn't even come close to 13,000lbs!! Because you are moving abroad you cannot do a DITY move, the AF has to move you.
When moving overseas the AF will pay to ship ONE vehicle, which is not included in your pound allotment.
I have heard several people say they leave a lot of their electronics and kitchen items that plug in, behind in storage when they move overseas because they use a different plug system, wattage or something to that effect over there. Like if you try to plug in your hair dryer it will explode unless you buy special adapters for every single item you plug in. U.S. stuff isn't compatible over there. I wish I had more knowledge on this but I don't. I do know my friend when she headed over there was able to buy a toaster, hair dryer, blender, etc for dirt cheap b/c everyone that goes there needs it and then at the base thrift store people leave it there when they're ready to come back to the States.
I would suggest that as soon as you get orders to have your stuff shipped overseas. It will take roughly 3 months for your goods to be shipped overseas. The AF can load your stuff up from a storage unit, but you will have to be present and they will unbox EVERYTHING and then re pack it. Silly I know, but they are reliable for the items so that is their protocol.
Monday, November 8, 2010
November is THE month
It has been too long and I am sorry. November is here and that means this is THE month we find out where we will be stationed next. Let me back up a little.
There is a new T JAG and he decides how things are ran. Well for the past, recent years it has been fairly standard that new JAG's stay at their first base for 2 years (if they are state side). All JAG's after their first assignment move in the summer months. So obviously if you come in October to your first base, you'll leave in the summer months and not quite be at your first base for 2 full years, same if you get to your new base in say, March, you'll be there for a little more than 2 years, get it?
Well the new TJAG is moving toward keeping new JAG's at their first assignment for 3 years. Years ago it use to be like that but new TJAG's can change protocols if they please. We've been under the impression since we first arrived here that summer 2011 would be our move date to our second assignment. Not anymore. Now there is word that we may be staying an entire year more. They did ask us if we cared and we said we didn't have a preference. BUT November is THE month. We should find out in a matter of days, weeks, where we'll be heading this summer or if we will be here another year. We are still keeping our fingers crossed for overseas...cross them with us!!
There is a new T JAG and he decides how things are ran. Well for the past, recent years it has been fairly standard that new JAG's stay at their first base for 2 years (if they are state side). All JAG's after their first assignment move in the summer months. So obviously if you come in October to your first base, you'll leave in the summer months and not quite be at your first base for 2 full years, same if you get to your new base in say, March, you'll be there for a little more than 2 years, get it?
Well the new TJAG is moving toward keeping new JAG's at their first assignment for 3 years. Years ago it use to be like that but new TJAG's can change protocols if they please. We've been under the impression since we first arrived here that summer 2011 would be our move date to our second assignment. Not anymore. Now there is word that we may be staying an entire year more. They did ask us if we cared and we said we didn't have a preference. BUT November is THE month. We should find out in a matter of days, weeks, where we'll be heading this summer or if we will be here another year. We are still keeping our fingers crossed for overseas...cross them with us!!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Living on base
Marylese,
When you read information about your base I would take it for what it is, someones opinion or point of view of their experience at that particular base. Our base and I believe most bases have different housing for Officer's compared to Enlisted. You may be reading enlisted members experiences of their homes when it comes to critter's etc. Although, some bases do have really old base housing. I know the Air Force on a general spectrum is in the process of building new homes on bases throughout the world. The Officer housing where we are stationed is brand new, but the enlisted homes are very old and have all kinds of critters roaming in them!! Check out your base website. You should be able to access base housing photos.
Some con's to living on base:
-The military member can feel like they don't escape work. We haven't found it to be a big problem but that can be a valid argument for some.
-Restrictions on what you can do to the home you live in, although you potentially face that problem if you lived off base and rented too.
-Only military members are your neighbors. Sometimes, I miss having a little more diversity and stability. We just lost 4 of our neighbors over the summer.
When you read information about your base I would take it for what it is, someones opinion or point of view of their experience at that particular base. Our base and I believe most bases have different housing for Officer's compared to Enlisted. You may be reading enlisted members experiences of their homes when it comes to critter's etc. Although, some bases do have really old base housing. I know the Air Force on a general spectrum is in the process of building new homes on bases throughout the world. The Officer housing where we are stationed is brand new, but the enlisted homes are very old and have all kinds of critters roaming in them!! Check out your base website. You should be able to access base housing photos.
Some con's to living on base:
-The military member can feel like they don't escape work. We haven't found it to be a big problem but that can be a valid argument for some.
-Restrictions on what you can do to the home you live in, although you potentially face that problem if you lived off base and rented too.
-Only military members are your neighbors. Sometimes, I miss having a little more diversity and stability. We just lost 4 of our neighbors over the summer.
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