Son signing up for DEP in a few weeks

[Nicole]

My son is signing up for the DEP in a few weeks. I'm not sure I was ready for this to happen already. He's a Junior in high school so would be leaving right after graduation next year. Worried they might change his graduation date and he won't be able to go to the ceremony (new school and disorganized).

But mostly I'm wondering what all is involed with signing up for the DEP. Is this something I should ask other family to attend. I'm assuming it's something I should go to when he signs up. Is it a ceremony or just a basic "sign here" your done type of thing. I'm really not finding that much info on the DEP here.

It was just 2 months ago he got his drivers license - I thought that was a big deal and now this!

ANY info and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Nicole]

If he signs up on the 23rd tho - he has 365 days to ship out - right? It can't be MORE than 365 days?

I think I'm going to tell him he can't on the 23rd. So, a parents consent is also needed for the DEP? My son was thinking not - but just when he actually enlists.

I just talked to him and he said he's not signing up for the DEP but signing saying he's going in. I'm not sure he knows exactly what is what yet. Guess we should wait for the meeting tonight. I can't go but told him to tell the recruiter that he needs to meet with me soon.

He does pretty much know what he wants to go into. In fact, it was after his ASVAB when they came to him about the nuclear program is when he started thinking Navy instead of college.

Thanks!

[diane {Shawns mom}]

ONe thing...Make sure that his first MEPS trip is not his "official swearing in" it was for my son and his recruiter told me different and as you can see I miss it.
the program is great it will give him a "little" edge on boot camp-My belief is he will be more physcially and emotionally ready. HE will have lots of time to ask ask and ask some more....and for that case so will you..
Good luck
Diane

[diane {Shawns mom}]

NO no...He was in the DEP but is also TAR {totally active reserves} so his first trip to MEPs he did his offical and only swearing in. I did call his recruiter and she said "no need to come" he will swear in again" so when time came for him to ship out we all went to MEPS to watch his swearing in-only to find out "he wasn't" what a bummer!!!!

[Chris from Missouri]

they will not let him go to basics until he has gotten his diploma. Being officially graduated is a high priority with the Navy. Our recruiter had the school send him my sons grade cards.The recruiter will set down with both of you when you fill out the DEP paper work. They can not enter the DEP program with out both parents signatures. My son had his paperwork completed the week before the end of his junior year. He went to MEPS the afternoon of the last day of school. His original day to leave for basics was two months after he graduated. He has moved it now to the end of this month.He graduates on the 17th. His recruiter is suppose to be attending his graduation ceremony. I have kept in touch with the recruiters since the start. In fact I talked to the recruiter before he even did when he first started really talking about joining. So don't be afraid to ask the recruiters questions. I even have his recruiters cell number. We have met with Jeremys recruiter several times. Another place to get info is on MyNavyOnline or NavyParents. Feel free to email me with any questions.

[Robin]

I would suggest your son choose a job he will love not one based on the bonus he will receive. If he isn't into school (not doing homework) he may struggle through NUKE school. My son was offered Nuke but decided to go the Electronics route and he is very happy he did. So, again, choose a job based on what he will enjoy doing for 4-6 yrs.

[LynnDear]

I hadn't a clue what I wanted to do when I was 16. Maybe this will motivate him to investigate the different jobs and study with a goal in mind.

[Chris from Missouri]

I looked up the different jobs on about.com. It gives a listing of the different jobs with descriptions and the ASVAB score a person needs for the job. Heres the link: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/navyjobs.htm
Then your son can look into the different jobs he should qualify for and talk to his recruiter about them.

[Robin]

Oh, I forgot to mention. You don't need to attend the DEP swearing in but you will want to be there when your son swears in for active duty just before leaving for BC. The recruiter will take him to MEPS, however, you can drive yourself there, watch them swear in and take pictures (MEPS is a hurry up and wait kind of day). We were able to take our son for dinner that evening and he flew out early the next morning. You can also go to the airport and get permission to go to the gate with your sailor. We found it easier to say good-bye the night before. If your son has a cell, send it with him and you'll be able to chat a few times along the way of his journey. Once the PO's pick them up at O'Hare though, no more cell calls. If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me.

[LuAnn P]

Hi Nicole,
My son joined the DEP (delayed entry program) in December. All we did was go in and sign on the dotted line because he was only 17 1/2 at the time. The recruiter he has is wonderful and came to our house to answer our questions. I cried like a baby when I walked out after signing off on him. I spent my whole life protecting him from danger and I was signing him over to the US NAVY !! As far as graduation, my son asked to leave after graduation. They do have set dates each month for the recruits to go off to basic training, but my son even asked to wait until after the 4th of July because it's a big family celebration for us. After that he went to MEPS to take the ASVAB. As I finish writing this I see that others have said similar things. This site has been a great way to find out information for newbies like you and me. Good luck, Nicole.

[Sheryl Standifer]

My son, Joe, is in DEP. He's going nuke and will be leaving at the first of the year. Joe has to call his recruiter (who is GREAT!!) every Monday and attend meetings the first Saturday of the month (0600-1400) and every two weeks on Thursday. While there they work on everything! Push-ups,
sit-ups, running, verbal training. Yesterday they were taught how to fold clothing and pack a seabag! They work on a lot of Naval history as well as rank and respect. Joe will be 19 in November and we have been discussing his entry since around age 15. A prouder mom you will never meet! (Isn't that what we all say!!!) His recruiter also keeps me involved in the process which he doesn't technically have to do, but it really is nice.

[Diane H.]

DEP or delayed entry program is what my daughter signed up for in her junior year. They made her date to leave August 5th which is after her graduation and all. Your son can ask for what he wants or he doesn't have to sign up til he gets it. She requested a corpsman job and got it. They have DEP meetings once a month they go to at the Navy office where they practice marching, the sailors creed, etc. What they do is you will have to sign for him if he's under 18. He takes a placement test at the office, finds what jobs are available and what he wants. They do alot of paperwork. My daughter went to MEPS last summer. They do a drug test and physical and they swore her in then. The family doesn't go. Only the recruiter and other recruitees. When she goes Aug 3, she'll go to MEPS and do the final thing and then off to Great Lakes for 8 weeks of boot camp and her corps school is there also. I was really excited at first and probably told everyone. But, in the last 6 months, I have to admit I have become very depressed. Every time I see a Navy commercial, I cry. When I see soldiers killed overseas, I end up crying for the parents. Knowing it could be me in their shoes and imagining their pain. I don't want her leaving. I know it will be good for her but I feel selfish. I want her here. I feel heartbroken about it which probably makes me a freak. She just turned 18 and I wish I hadn't signed for her. I tell her if something happens to her I'll feel like it's my fault for signing. If you have any doubts at all, it wouldn't hurt to have him wait til he's 18 and an adult so he can make sure it's what he wants and that it's best for him because once he's sworn in, even as a minor, he can't change his mind or get out of the contract. It's a done deal. Even tho my daughter has been sure for years, I'd rather have had her sign all on her own at 18. I went to meetings with her, talked to the recruiters about questions and wrote to a few of her myspace friends that have finished boot camp and school asking them all the questions I had. That eased my heart alittle.
From sad mom.

[Susan Boblitt]

My son also signed up for DEP in 1986. He graduated from High School in 1987, and was 18 years old a week later. The next day, the Recruiter came to pick him up to take him to Great Lakes for Boot Camp. I had cried for months, not because of what his choice had been, but for my own loss. I knew that our life would never be the same. I have never been so proud of anyone in my life, as I watched my son graduate from Boot Camp, and head for the future. He had decided ahead of time that he would take advantage of everything that became available for him, and he more than succeeded. Today, he is a Lt Commander, and Chief Engineer aboard the USS Leyte Gulf. He has a college education, thanks to the Navy, and is working towards his Masters. The last 20 years have been hard on me, as I have not been able to visit Chris and his family wherever they live, but the times that they come home are so special. If your son is doing this because it is his choice, and he is willing to work, "The sky will be the limit for him". Good Luck