I dont have much time to write today, but I wanted to pre-examine my upcoming doctors appointment. This will be my first time using my brand new Tricare plan. It is still Standard at this point, so there might be a co-pay and they dont accept my state insurance. My Tricare Prime doesn;t kick in until June 1st.
I am hoping this goes smoothly. I think that all I need to take is my new military ID! I do think its sort of silly that I have to go and have an appointment with my "primary care manager" (your general doctor assigned by tricare) just so I can be referred back to my normal OB/GYN. It seems like OB's should be outside the scope of referals since they are integral to womens health. But whatever; visits to my PCM are not out of pocket and its a couple of hours of out my morning.
Eh. I have nothing better to do. I think I might consider rearranging my bedroom so its layout is more condusive to have a newborn. I still have two months to go, but I am "nesting". I dont like that term, although I can see how it was coined. I feel the urge to clean and prepare, but I dont have the energy to! I start doing a task and suddenly I am so exhaused that I can barely keep my eyes open.
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Seeing a Base for the First Time
This last friday, I finally got enrolled in Tricare and got my military ID. It was a two week process of me harassing my husbands recruiter and it was a pain in the butt. Eventually, the recruiter called and we set a time to head up to the closest base, Fairchild Airforce Base.
Now, I have absolutly no background with the military so my first time on a base was, of course, a topic of interest for me. I didn't know if I should expect huge walls with armed men patroling the edges. I was also expecting the car to be searched; security was a big deal as far as I knew.
We drove up the "gate" and the recruiter flashed his military ID and the guy in camo just waved us on through. I am assuming its because we were in a military car, but I could be wrong. Maybe the guard just knew the recruiter.
Then we are on the base. And it looks like a town. A normal, busy town. There were sections of housing and then building with signs for various purposes. No scowling men with menacing guns. It felt like suburbia to be honest.
So we wound our way through the buildings to the one that was specifically for getting your military ID's. Walked in, put my name on a waiting list (like the DMV) and waited until we were taken to a cubicle. Very organized. The man behind the desk looked over my documents, took my picture, and handed me my ID right then and there. It wasn't a hassle at all.
Then we drove over to the base hospital. Not much of a hospital in my opinion, but I doubt they are doiong much brain surgery there. We were sent to an office specifically for Tricare where a very nice man got to work right away on enrolling me.
Overall, a very hassle free and pleasant experience. The hardest part was probably waiting in line for the ID, but even that wasn't so bad since there was a TV playing the news.
The base, overall, was very simple. Sprawling and busy. Not very well organized in my opinion, but I am OCD and lack of symmetry bothers me. The houses didn't look very nice, but the recruiter says thats just Fairchild AFB. He said that Pendleton has the nicest base housing out of everywhere that he has been.
I bet the waiting list for base housing is enormous at Pendleton. Its a shame you can't get on the housing lists until your husband/wife is stationed there.
So, if you are wondering what a base is like, its pretty normal. At least as far as I saw. The only difference between a town and a base is the workers are wearing camo uniforms instead of business suits. And the giant fence surrounding the base.
Now, I have absolutly no background with the military so my first time on a base was, of course, a topic of interest for me. I didn't know if I should expect huge walls with armed men patroling the edges. I was also expecting the car to be searched; security was a big deal as far as I knew.
We drove up the "gate" and the recruiter flashed his military ID and the guy in camo just waved us on through. I am assuming its because we were in a military car, but I could be wrong. Maybe the guard just knew the recruiter.
Then we are on the base. And it looks like a town. A normal, busy town. There were sections of housing and then building with signs for various purposes. No scowling men with menacing guns. It felt like suburbia to be honest.
So we wound our way through the buildings to the one that was specifically for getting your military ID's. Walked in, put my name on a waiting list (like the DMV) and waited until we were taken to a cubicle. Very organized. The man behind the desk looked over my documents, took my picture, and handed me my ID right then and there. It wasn't a hassle at all.
Then we drove over to the base hospital. Not much of a hospital in my opinion, but I doubt they are doiong much brain surgery there. We were sent to an office specifically for Tricare where a very nice man got to work right away on enrolling me.
Overall, a very hassle free and pleasant experience. The hardest part was probably waiting in line for the ID, but even that wasn't so bad since there was a TV playing the news.
The base, overall, was very simple. Sprawling and busy. Not very well organized in my opinion, but I am OCD and lack of symmetry bothers me. The houses didn't look very nice, but the recruiter says thats just Fairchild AFB. He said that Pendleton has the nicest base housing out of everywhere that he has been.
I bet the waiting list for base housing is enormous at Pendleton. Its a shame you can't get on the housing lists until your husband/wife is stationed there.
So, if you are wondering what a base is like, its pretty normal. At least as far as I saw. The only difference between a town and a base is the workers are wearing camo uniforms instead of business suits. And the giant fence surrounding the base.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Finally, Some Results!
There is a God! After two weeks of calling and emailing the recruiters, there is finally a plan!
The Power of Attorney has been recovered, I found my Marriage Certificate, and the plan is to head to Fairchild Airforce base tomorrow morning. Fairchild is the closest military installation, so thats where I have to go to get enrolled in DEERS. Which is what allows me to be eligable for Tricare.
I am so relieved to finally have this situation getting wrapped up! I have been trying to limit stress since my last OB appt and this whole thing has just been making me super stressed.
If you are reading this, and don't know what DEERS or Tricare is, look at my list of page links and there will be a few useful ones for you.
If you are in the same situation as me, and are trying to figure out what needs to be done, here are some tips:
"Just keep swimming!"
The Power of Attorney has been recovered, I found my Marriage Certificate, and the plan is to head to Fairchild Airforce base tomorrow morning. Fairchild is the closest military installation, so thats where I have to go to get enrolled in DEERS. Which is what allows me to be eligable for Tricare.
I am so relieved to finally have this situation getting wrapped up! I have been trying to limit stress since my last OB appt and this whole thing has just been making me super stressed.
If you are reading this, and don't know what DEERS or Tricare is, look at my list of page links and there will be a few useful ones for you.
If you are in the same situation as me, and are trying to figure out what needs to be done, here are some tips:
- Get your PoA and DONT let it out of your sight. Keep it safe.
- Gather all of your documents. Picture ID, Birth certificate (yours), Marriage Certificate, and SSN Card.
- Make sure you know your husbands SSN. The Husbands recruiter didn't mention that I would need it, but I have read in lots of other places that if your spouse is in the military, you had better learn those nine numbers by heart.
- Make sure your spouses recruiters KNOW that you want to get this taken care of. You don't need to be rude, but I definetly got more results after I made sure they knew I was getting impatient with the waiting games.
"Just keep swimming!"
Sunday, May 6, 2012
I Dont Have Much Faith in Recruiters
Before my husband left for San Diego, he filled out a power of attorney, a document which allows me to fill out paperwork on his behalf. Very important to have if you are trying to enroll in Tricare. For those who don't know, Tricare is the insurance of the military.
Anyways, he filled one out the day he left for San Diego. We had it notarized by a family friend and gave it to Danny's recruiter. I must have had a lapse in sanity; why on earth did I let that paper out of my sight? The recruiters are not very reliable.
This wasn't the first time we have had trouble with one.
Danny's first recruiter (who was reassigned I think...) was incapable of keeping track of time. I can think of five different instances where we had to call him to remind him of meetings we had scheduled. He was a nice guy, just didn't seem to be very focused on his job.
The second guy is also very nice! He is very helpful and hasn't really messed up. The problem is that he doesn't seem to know what the heck is going on with the PoA. He says that I should have it. Which made me a little bit upset. The last time I saw it was as Danny was walking into the recruiters office to leave for MEPS.
So that means that either the recruiters have it and misplaced it or its lost at MEPS. Either way, I am very upset. It was a lot of work to get that PoA signed and notarized. How could they just lose it?
Not just lose it, but make no efforts to correct the situation. Come on guys, I am seven months pregnant. I really need insurance! They have been trying to figure this out for a week and still nothing. If I dont hear from them by monday morning(tomorrow) I am going to the office and demanding that they fix this. I dont know how they are going to do it.
I hope it doesn't come down to having to call San Diego and have danny sign the form again and fax it up here. I doubt that would look good to the DI's.
So my recommendation: Dont trust the recruiters to keep track of anything. Dont leave any important papers with them (anything!) and make sure you keep them aware.
OR maybe I am just unlucky. Maybe most recruiters rock and have superb track records and I got the irresponsible ones.
*sigh*
Anyways, he filled one out the day he left for San Diego. We had it notarized by a family friend and gave it to Danny's recruiter. I must have had a lapse in sanity; why on earth did I let that paper out of my sight? The recruiters are not very reliable.
This wasn't the first time we have had trouble with one.
Danny's first recruiter (who was reassigned I think...) was incapable of keeping track of time. I can think of five different instances where we had to call him to remind him of meetings we had scheduled. He was a nice guy, just didn't seem to be very focused on his job.
The second guy is also very nice! He is very helpful and hasn't really messed up. The problem is that he doesn't seem to know what the heck is going on with the PoA. He says that I should have it. Which made me a little bit upset. The last time I saw it was as Danny was walking into the recruiters office to leave for MEPS.
So that means that either the recruiters have it and misplaced it or its lost at MEPS. Either way, I am very upset. It was a lot of work to get that PoA signed and notarized. How could they just lose it?
Not just lose it, but make no efforts to correct the situation. Come on guys, I am seven months pregnant. I really need insurance! They have been trying to figure this out for a week and still nothing. If I dont hear from them by monday morning(tomorrow) I am going to the office and demanding that they fix this. I dont know how they are going to do it.
I hope it doesn't come down to having to call San Diego and have danny sign the form again and fax it up here. I doubt that would look good to the DI's.
So my recommendation: Dont trust the recruiters to keep track of anything. Dont leave any important papers with them (anything!) and make sure you keep them aware.
OR maybe I am just unlucky. Maybe most recruiters rock and have superb track records and I got the irresponsible ones.
*sigh*
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Pneumonia
So I got a call from The San Diego Naval Hospital today. A lady with a heavy spanish accent informed me that my husband has been admitted and that I need to call them back. Or rather, she tried. I was making the yardsale routes with my family and missed the call. I didnt get the voicemail until an hour later.
I panicked. I thought he must be dying. Why else would he be in a hospital? So I tried to call the missed phone number, only to have it make the strangest clicking/beeping sound no matter how many times I hung up and redialed. I then began an incredibly panicked search on the internet for a working number to the hospital. I eventually found one and got connected to a person. Only to be transfered to another location, then put on hold while my husbands nurse was found. Now keep in mind that I STILL had no idea what was going on. The nurse was SO helpful (can you sense my sarcasm?). She gave me the phone number to my husbands room. I then proceeded to call the private number.
Ring...Ring...
Ring...Ring...
Ring...Ring...
Ring...Ring...
Nothing. You can guess what I did next . I called the nurse back and demanded they go to his room to find out why he wasn't answering. The phone wasn't freaking PLUGGED IN! The most basic part of a working telephone, and it wasn't connected.
Finally, I got in touch with my husband. Who has pneumonia. Pretty badly.
But God was it good to hear his voice. I could barely stop crying to ask him about his condition. He says he is okay, but his cough says otherwise. He could barely talk, but he talked to me for a few minutes, doing his best to comfort me, even though he is the sick one. He was very interested in how the baby is doing.
Eventually he had to get off the phone because the doctor came in to do some tests. I called him back about an hour later, but he was only able to talk for about 10 minutes before he told me he needed to go. No explanation, but I assume he was exhausted and needed to sleep.
I am such a mess right now. How am I going to survive being cut off from him again once he is out of the hospital? It is taking every once of my willpower to not drive to the airport right now and jump on a plane. For the last three years, I have been taking care of him and it is agony to be 1500 miles away and not able to hold him while he coughs. To ease his pain.
Plus, if he is sick for long enough, he could be "recycled" meaning that he would have to start bootcamp all over again. I am praying thats not the case.
I panicked. I thought he must be dying. Why else would he be in a hospital? So I tried to call the missed phone number, only to have it make the strangest clicking/beeping sound no matter how many times I hung up and redialed. I then began an incredibly panicked search on the internet for a working number to the hospital. I eventually found one and got connected to a person. Only to be transfered to another location, then put on hold while my husbands nurse was found. Now keep in mind that I STILL had no idea what was going on. The nurse was SO helpful (can you sense my sarcasm?). She gave me the phone number to my husbands room. I then proceeded to call the private number.
Ring...Ring...
Ring...Ring...
Ring...Ring...
Ring...Ring...
Nothing. You can guess what I did next . I called the nurse back and demanded they go to his room to find out why he wasn't answering. The phone wasn't freaking PLUGGED IN! The most basic part of a working telephone, and it wasn't connected.
Finally, I got in touch with my husband. Who has pneumonia. Pretty badly.
But God was it good to hear his voice. I could barely stop crying to ask him about his condition. He says he is okay, but his cough says otherwise. He could barely talk, but he talked to me for a few minutes, doing his best to comfort me, even though he is the sick one. He was very interested in how the baby is doing.
Eventually he had to get off the phone because the doctor came in to do some tests. I called him back about an hour later, but he was only able to talk for about 10 minutes before he told me he needed to go. No explanation, but I assume he was exhausted and needed to sleep.
I am such a mess right now. How am I going to survive being cut off from him again once he is out of the hospital? It is taking every once of my willpower to not drive to the airport right now and jump on a plane. For the last three years, I have been taking care of him and it is agony to be 1500 miles away and not able to hold him while he coughs. To ease his pain.
Plus, if he is sick for long enough, he could be "recycled" meaning that he would have to start bootcamp all over again. I am praying thats not the case.
Friday, April 27, 2012
There really is a God!
Today, as I was writing Danny, a letter finally came. Almost three weeks after I dropped him off at his recruiters, I finally hear from him. It was like someone upstairs finally heard my prayers.
Honestly, I think this might be the best feeling I have ever had. Its such a beautiful feeling to hear from your loved one after so long. Believe me when I say that this is euphoria.
For the last two weeks, I have been watching the mail like a hawk. Every single day, I waited at home until the mail came, desperate for any communication from my dear dear husband. So of course, when I actually saw the half size envelope with the globe and anchor on it, I immedietly burst into tears and ripped into the envelope like a wild animal. I dont think I have ever moved so fast.
Unfortunatly, the letter wasn't very long, which was not very suprising considering how strapped for time he probably is. He expressed how much he missed me and how bootcamp is not what he was expecting. He of course inquired after the baby, as though he had no idea what was going on. I find that suspicious because I have been writing him huge letters everyday. Supposedly mail isn't supposed to be withheld for any reason, not even for disciplinary reasons.
Also, he asked that I send him Vitamin C tablets and protein bars. He wasn't very descriptive so I had to call his recruiter and ask how many protein bars I needed to send (aka, enough for his entire platoon). Him asking for Vitamin C worries me because he didn't include any other information. Is he sick? Does he need anything else?
I read in a couple of forums that recruits might appreciate being sent moleskin to help ease the pain of blisters, which I guess can be pretty common. The husband specifically requested that I not send him anything besides the two items, so I am still on the bridge about the blister help.
Oh, just for clarification, if you choose to send your recruit cookies or something, you absolutly HAVE to send enough for his entire platoon. However, that is not the case with protein bars. You only have to send enough for your person of interest. However, if the DI's feel it is necessary, they can pool all of the protein bars sent by families and distribute them as needed. So that doesn't mean dont send the protein bars that he is asking for. If he is asking for something, chances are that he really needs it.
Always remember that the recruiters are not only resources for your recruit, but also for you. Not just spouses, but parents to. You might have to be persistant with them, but they are usually willing to be helpful. My husbands was very kind to me today, asking how I was holding up. I was pretty choked up on the phone still, but he was very graceful under fire. Very few men seem to be able to handle a crying woman.
And if you are reading this before your recruit has shipped for basic, take this information to heart. That first letter is going to take a while. It is agony to wait, I know, but just keep writing to him. Even if he isnt getting them all quite yet, its also therapeutic for you, especially if your a spouse. It is very hard to go from having a constant companion to being alone for this long. So just write. Write about what you do everyday or about the funny article you read. Just write. If my husband really has been having his mail withheld, then he is going to have the largest stack of mail that the DI's have ever seen. Remember that it is up to you to be postive and to make sure he doesn't feel like his whole world is pain, exhaustion, and stress. He has to have a reason to continue.
(Please note that I say "he" because my recruit is my husband. Its just a mindset thing.)
Honestly, I think this might be the best feeling I have ever had. Its such a beautiful feeling to hear from your loved one after so long. Believe me when I say that this is euphoria.
For the last two weeks, I have been watching the mail like a hawk. Every single day, I waited at home until the mail came, desperate for any communication from my dear dear husband. So of course, when I actually saw the half size envelope with the globe and anchor on it, I immedietly burst into tears and ripped into the envelope like a wild animal. I dont think I have ever moved so fast.
Unfortunatly, the letter wasn't very long, which was not very suprising considering how strapped for time he probably is. He expressed how much he missed me and how bootcamp is not what he was expecting. He of course inquired after the baby, as though he had no idea what was going on. I find that suspicious because I have been writing him huge letters everyday. Supposedly mail isn't supposed to be withheld for any reason, not even for disciplinary reasons.
Also, he asked that I send him Vitamin C tablets and protein bars. He wasn't very descriptive so I had to call his recruiter and ask how many protein bars I needed to send (aka, enough for his entire platoon). Him asking for Vitamin C worries me because he didn't include any other information. Is he sick? Does he need anything else?
I read in a couple of forums that recruits might appreciate being sent moleskin to help ease the pain of blisters, which I guess can be pretty common. The husband specifically requested that I not send him anything besides the two items, so I am still on the bridge about the blister help.
Oh, just for clarification, if you choose to send your recruit cookies or something, you absolutly HAVE to send enough for his entire platoon. However, that is not the case with protein bars. You only have to send enough for your person of interest. However, if the DI's feel it is necessary, they can pool all of the protein bars sent by families and distribute them as needed. So that doesn't mean dont send the protein bars that he is asking for. If he is asking for something, chances are that he really needs it.
Always remember that the recruiters are not only resources for your recruit, but also for you. Not just spouses, but parents to. You might have to be persistant with them, but they are usually willing to be helpful. My husbands was very kind to me today, asking how I was holding up. I was pretty choked up on the phone still, but he was very graceful under fire. Very few men seem to be able to handle a crying woman.
And if you are reading this before your recruit has shipped for basic, take this information to heart. That first letter is going to take a while. It is agony to wait, I know, but just keep writing to him. Even if he isnt getting them all quite yet, its also therapeutic for you, especially if your a spouse. It is very hard to go from having a constant companion to being alone for this long. So just write. Write about what you do everyday or about the funny article you read. Just write. If my husband really has been having his mail withheld, then he is going to have the largest stack of mail that the DI's have ever seen. Remember that it is up to you to be postive and to make sure he doesn't feel like his whole world is pain, exhaustion, and stress. He has to have a reason to continue.
(Please note that I say "he" because my recruit is my husband. Its just a mindset thing.)
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Just something I am going to miss
My husband got paid this morning and I got to wake up to the best thing ever; a twinkie. He woke up super early, went to the store and got me a twinkie, all before I even cracked an eyelid.
Possibly the sweetest man in the world! I love twinkies and we usually only buy them when we have a bit of extra cash, but he set aside money this paycheck to buy me a treat.
So now I am curled up on the couch watching him play Mass Effect 3, a video game series that he just loves, eating my twinkie. I think I might be the luckiest woman in the world!
On a more sad note, my sister made me watch this music video by Carrie Underwood, "Just a Dream". It made me pretty sad and I teared up. But I can understand why she wanted me to watch it. Her fiance is considering joining the airforce, so of course she is super worried about him and what could happen. I hope she is doing okay, but she doesn't really get gushy about her feelings.
Well, I am terrified about what could happen to my husband, but I comfort myself with the thoughts that he gonna look really freaking handsome in his dress blues! And maybe since he is in communications, he might not ever do anything to dangerous...(I might be a little bit deluded)
Give me the effing twinkies...
Possibly the sweetest man in the world! I love twinkies and we usually only buy them when we have a bit of extra cash, but he set aside money this paycheck to buy me a treat.
So now I am curled up on the couch watching him play Mass Effect 3, a video game series that he just loves, eating my twinkie. I think I might be the luckiest woman in the world!
On a more sad note, my sister made me watch this music video by Carrie Underwood, "Just a Dream". It made me pretty sad and I teared up. But I can understand why she wanted me to watch it. Her fiance is considering joining the airforce, so of course she is super worried about him and what could happen. I hope she is doing okay, but she doesn't really get gushy about her feelings.
Well, I am terrified about what could happen to my husband, but I comfort myself with the thoughts that he gonna look really freaking handsome in his dress blues! And maybe since he is in communications, he might not ever do anything to dangerous...(I might be a little bit deluded)
Give me the effing twinkies...Wednesday, March 14, 2012
53 Days until Basic
So this is Wednesday and according to my online countdown timer, it is 53 days until my husband leaves for basic in San Diego, California. That means that it is 142 days until my husband graduates, recieves his globe and anchor, and gets 10 days of leave.
It doesn't feel very long when I look at just the numbers. But then I think very hard about how long that actually is. Less than two months till he is gone and almost five months before we are no longer 100% separated. Well that is assuming that his job school is longer than six months, and it is one that I am allowed to go with him to.
Yeah, I found that out last night. When Danny finally enlisted back in December, the recruiters and his mother (a retired marine) made it sound as if I was allowed to go with him, as long as he was stationed somewhere for 6 months for longer. Last night, Danny says that there are certain job schools where I am not allowed to go with him, regardless of the length of the school.
WHAT?!?!?!?!
Deep breathes....Deep breathes....
I can handle this. I know I can. Once he is a Marine, he could be deployed somewhere for a year or more. I knew this was possible when we first talked to the recruiter.
Interesting though how quickly I got over it. Before Danny brought the military into our lives, I had no patience and I reallllly didn't like situations I couldn't control. Now that I have heard the phrase "Hurry up and wait" I have really noticed a change in my control issues. At the time, I didnt take it seriously. But now, with the recruiters constantly changing PT schedules and no one telling us anything specific about basic and when it will be over, I think I am getting used to it. I may just have to stop being my pushy, controlling self and let Danny and his recruiters handle everything.
So I am doing the only thing I can do; find a job. I haven't been employed for three months and its down to crunchtime. I HAVE to find a job before Danny leaves for basic, otherwise, I wont be able to support myself or pay for plane tickets in August.
Deep breathes...deep breathes...
Well, I will be back tomorrow. Danny has promised me he will call his recruiter and ask some questions about job school for Communications. We dont know his specific MOS yet, but maybe they can offer some ballpark figures as far as job school length and location. I just really hope its not some awful place in the slums of california. But if it meant being with him, I suppose I would be willing to live in a shack.
The Husband with his kitty
It doesn't feel very long when I look at just the numbers. But then I think very hard about how long that actually is. Less than two months till he is gone and almost five months before we are no longer 100% separated. Well that is assuming that his job school is longer than six months, and it is one that I am allowed to go with him to.
Yeah, I found that out last night. When Danny finally enlisted back in December, the recruiters and his mother (a retired marine) made it sound as if I was allowed to go with him, as long as he was stationed somewhere for 6 months for longer. Last night, Danny says that there are certain job schools where I am not allowed to go with him, regardless of the length of the school.
WHAT?!?!?!?!
Deep breathes....Deep breathes....
I can handle this. I know I can. Once he is a Marine, he could be deployed somewhere for a year or more. I knew this was possible when we first talked to the recruiter.
Interesting though how quickly I got over it. Before Danny brought the military into our lives, I had no patience and I reallllly didn't like situations I couldn't control. Now that I have heard the phrase "Hurry up and wait" I have really noticed a change in my control issues. At the time, I didnt take it seriously. But now, with the recruiters constantly changing PT schedules and no one telling us anything specific about basic and when it will be over, I think I am getting used to it. I may just have to stop being my pushy, controlling self and let Danny and his recruiters handle everything.
So I am doing the only thing I can do; find a job. I haven't been employed for three months and its down to crunchtime. I HAVE to find a job before Danny leaves for basic, otherwise, I wont be able to support myself or pay for plane tickets in August.
Deep breathes...deep breathes...
Well, I will be back tomorrow. Danny has promised me he will call his recruiter and ask some questions about job school for Communications. We dont know his specific MOS yet, but maybe they can offer some ballpark figures as far as job school length and location. I just really hope its not some awful place in the slums of california. But if it meant being with him, I suppose I would be willing to live in a shack.
The Husband with his kitty
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