tell me everything you know :)

I have a friend heading there soon, and possibly Mike will be going there (we should know in the next week) I know that is where prisoners go from Iraq/Afghanistan/etc., and I know there has been a lot of controversy over it. I'm wondering about how often he'd be able to call and such. And what he'd do there, he's a corpsman. I dont know if he'd be working at the clinic on base, or what. They didn't tell him. I know there are a few ladies with hubbies there and a few that hubbies that have been there in the past.

This is the only way he can stay active duty..some of you might remember my vents in the past about that.

My husband was there from March 2003 until August 2003. He was medical support for the detainees.

He was able to call a couple times a week, but it was pricey back then. I don't know if they have a better phone plan yet - I would hope so. It was something stupid like $.43/minute. They also have an internet cafe and he was online several times a week.

A lot has changed since he was there, but I know a lot has stayed the same. DJ said most of the what's in the media is bogus.

If Mike gets orders, he can email my husband and they can chat. It was a hard six months, but he looks at it as the most rewarding part of his time in the Navy. He even considered getting stationed there, with me.

Britt, thank you so much for the info! If Mike gets orders (I doubt he will) I will most certainly let you know! I think it would be rewarding as well. He just wants to go somewhere. Being at the clinic here on base isn't his thing! Thank you again.

They have an outdoor movie theater and DJ had a "pet" igauna that would visit him when he was watching movies. They'd eat Chili Cheese Fritos together. :lol

They have an outdoor movie theater and DJ had a "pet" igauna that would visit him when he was watching movies. They'd eat Chili Cheese Fritos together. :lol

:rofl Too funny! I love those fritos.

My wife was there a year or so ago. Phone calls VERY expensive, blame this on our government.
one word...SCUBA!!!
Its basically most of what there is to do there, and apparently its incredible.
There is NO leaving the base at all. Period.

If he is PCS'ing there, after a year he can sponser you to come visit. But very expensive plane tickets.

Yeah, DJ and his housemates went out on pontoon boats alot. :)

He can take leave while he's down there. There are flights to some of the other islands. Also, he can come home but like it was mentioned, it is expensive. It costs $200 to get off the island, then you have to pay for your ticket from Jax, FL to whereever, then you have to pay another $200 to get from Jax, back to GTMO. You can TRY and get Space A, but it's so risky, it's better to just pay.

Also, DJ got per diem while he was there. When he got back from his 6 months, a magical $3,000 showed up in our account from the per diem. That was a pleasant surprise. :)

There's a lot of other stuff that I can't really put out there on the internet, but you can PM if you want/need more. :)

That stinks about how expensive it is. He doesn't have many bills or expenses,so hopefully he'd be able to save up to come home if it's allowed.

I have two co-workers who just got to Jacksonville after being there 5 yrs+ each (Civilians). They loved it there. THey said you either love it or hate it. They told me a lot about what goes on with the detainees and that the detainees know that the media is watching them and they provoke A LOT of stuff - throwing human waste at those who work there, etc. But if they aren't on the detainee side, then it can be a really good experience.

I have two co-workers who just got to Jacksonville after being there 5 yrs+ each (Civilians). They loved it there. THey said you either love it or hate it. They told me a lot about what goes on with the detainees and that the detainees know that the media is watching them and they provoke A LOT of stuff - throwing human waste at those who work there, etc. But if they aren't on the detainee side, then it can be a really good experience.

Thanks for the info!

:bump

Kara when will Mike know anything?? Tim called me yesterday and told me he was thinking abuot volunteering to go for six months. ( I told him to go for it if he wanted.) So i'm trying to find out what I can about it also

Kara when will Mike know anything?? Tim called me yesterday and told me he was thinking abuot volunteering to go for six months. ( I told him to go for it if he wanted.) So i'm trying to find out what I can about it also

He's technically out of the Navy Oct.4th so he will definetly know by then. I'm hoping he'll know soon. He's kinda left hanging really bad right now.

For Mike it would be a deployment, not a new duty station..is that what it would be for Tim?

Mike told me yesterday too, is it possible it could be the same one? (Excuse any stupid questions I have LOL) :giggle His command were looking for volunteers, but the deployment isn't from his command. It's from another command I believe.

Adrienne and I both had Dh's go to Gitmo. I've even been. Its beautiful there. Phone calls are expensive. I think they are less than $.43 from there though. You can get internet, etc. through Phoenix cable and use internet phone. The diving down there is fantastic. Beautiful blue water and lots of gorgeous fish. The base is like a small town you can never leave. And all the stuff about plane tickets is true. Plus, those $200 tickets are on some of the rickety-est planes you could ever fly on for three hours. Mine went right through a storm that had me praying until we could see the airport in Jax. Not to mention, there are no bathrooms on those planes (I even had a chief that was with us on the plane tell me that he never wanted to do that again.)

He's technically out of the Navy Oct.4th so he will definetly know by then. I'm hoping he'll know soon. He's kinda left hanging really bad right now.

For Mike it would be a deployment, not a new duty station..is that what it would be for Tim?

Mike told me yesterday too, is it possible it could be the same one? (Excuse any stupid questions I have LOL) :giggle His command were looking for volunteers, but the deployment isn't from his command. It's from another command I believe.

I think its the same thing, it wouldn't be a permanent duty station, he said it would just be a deployment/temporary duty assignment and that they are looking for volunteers which he is all for b/c he hates his ship. Is the one Mike talking about leaving around the end of the year?? If so it might be :) Tim also said they were looking for volunteers to go to Iraq.. luckly he's not interested in that

I think its the same thing, it wouldn't be a permanent duty station, he said it would just be a deployment/temporary duty assignment and that they are looking for volunteers which he is all for b/c he hates his ship. Is the one Mike talking about leaving around the end of the year?? If so it might be :) Tim also said they were looking for volunteers to go to Iraq.. luckly he's not interested in that

I wish Mike asked more questions. His master chief just came up to him and said "I'm putting you in for a deployment to Guantamano that would keep you on active duty" and he just said "Thank you". His contract is stupid (National Call to Service) and won't let him stay on active duty any longer, he must go straight to a reserve unit. But this deployment may be the key to let him stay on active duty!! So we're happy. I know it's relatively soon. When I find out more-i'll update you. Is Tim positive he's going to do it?

ya, he said he was going to talk to his chief today about it, so as long as they let him( which is the hard part, b/c his chief doesn't like him at all...), he'll be gone shortly after thanksgiving. If I get more details I'll let you know

ya, he said he was going to talk to his cheif today about it, so as long as they let him( which is the hard part, b/c his chief doesn't like him at all...), he'll be gone shortly after thanksgiving. If I get more details I'll let you know

Oh dear, that's so soon. Mike's brother just left for marine bootcamp, graduates November 30th. Mike probably won't get to see him for God only knows how long if this works out..oh well. They are both military, it's expected.

But in any case, we'll keep eachother updated. A 6 month deployment is not bad at all, I'd feel so grateful to only have him gone for 6 months.

Oh dear, that's so soon. Mike's brother just left for marine bootcamp, graduates November 30th. Mike probably won't get to see him for God only knows how long if this works out..oh well. They are both military, it's expected.

But in any case, we'll keep eachother updated. A 6 month deployment is not bad at all, I'd feel so grateful to only have him gone for 6 months.

I know how you feel. I told tim this was the perfect time for him to volunteer for something b/c its just us, and i'm so involved in school that it'll give me a chance to focus on that 100% without him feeling shorted, plus he'll be back just in time for my graduation so it all works out lol

I know how you feel. I told tim this was the perfect time for him to volunteer for something b/c its just us, and i'm so involved in school that it'll give me a chance to focus on that 100% without him feeling shorted, plus he'll be back just in time for my graduation so it all works out lol

I couldn't agree more. I feel the same way. I enjoy having most of my time devoted to class work. And they'd be here for summer still...sounds perfect to me!

Update: I talked to Mike and he did say it was a 6 monther and leaving around December. So it's probably the same one.

:bump

:bump In case anyone has anything to add:)

Kara.. any news yet??

Not yet Shannon. He was told by his master chief that "it looks good". But who knows..no offical word yet! How about you?

Not yet Shannon. He was told by his master chief that "it looks good". But who knows..no offical word yet! How about you?

Nope.. with Tims ship being gone all week I havn't talked to him except for the day that he told me he was going to volunteer

Bump :bump

Anyone else about to face or currently dealing with a Gitmo deployment?

Yup.. Me.. Next month.. heartbroken.. sad... lonely.. and wow....

Yup.. Me.. Next month.. heartbroken.. sad... lonely.. and wow....

:hugs

tnx girl.... i feel so alone..

I believe Green~Mammy and Coastie's Grrrl both have SO's over there. :dunno I could be wrong, but that's my thought. So :bump in case they see it.

Yup.. Me.. Next month.. heartbroken.. sad... lonely.. and wow....

Then we can help each other through it!