No Letter, No Box

[Dori (Damien's Mom)]

My son Damien left for BC on Oct 8th, I have not yet recieved the form letter or his box of things. should I be worried. Thanks for your support.--Dori

[beachmomma]

You should receive the box before you get the letter, but you may receive them the same day. I wouldn't be too concerned yet. If you don't have the box by the end of next week then I would start to be concerned. I believe it was a little over a week when we received our box.

[Alanna W]

My son joined a little over 3 years ago. I believe it took 3-4 weeks to get his box. You will get it. The Navy as well as he will send you information on his graduation as well, so expect that within the next few weeks. Date, time, how many are allowed to attend, then I think you need to respond on who will attend the graduation ceremony. I would strongly suggest attending. It is a great feeling to see them graduate, a wonderful ceremony. Something you really don't want to miss if possible. Plus, they REALLY want to see you at that time too. They've been through quite an experience and really want and need to see family at that time. Also, I would suggest writing him too...as much as possible. They get no information on what's going on in the outside world while in BC. That's one thing my son said he appreciated, was the letters, photos newspaper clippings that he received from friends and family while in BC. Also, you may get a phone call from him towards the end of his BC. But they are only allowed maybe 5-10 mins. to talk.

[NavyIsHisLife]

Alanna,

You are so right about attending the graduation!! My son had changed sooo much in such a short time! No slouching-he finally naturaly stood at 6'1(he's taller now). His attitude was a 360! He graduated from Great Lakes but in the winter uniform. We were in the car, he was in the back seat and I turned around and commented on how black the uniform was, that I expected it to be Navy Blue. He said it was blue, then of course I said it was black. He looked me straight in the eye with a straight face and replied, "If the Navy says it's blue, then it's blue!" I nearly fainted!!! I had never heard him talk like that.

Plus, you just can't describe the pride you feel when you see them in their line-up, uniform, the entire ceremony is fabulous! That was MY son!!! Gosh, I haven't thought about those memories is a whle...thanks for taking me back.

Tori4Josh

[Cynthia (#410)]

LOL - about the "Navy says" comment - my son says that if the Navy doesn't issue it the he doesn't need it. My son, too, now stands straight and tall - all 6'4' of him. He used to slouch because he was the tallest in his class at school. And you're right about the attitude change - my son's favorite saying now is "I'm in the Navy. I can take care of myself now." Whoa - reality check!! :)

When did my little boy grow up? One day, he's toddling around the house in a diaper and the next he's learning how aircraft carrier engines work. The time went by all too fast but I am so very proud of him.

From Houston,
Cindy

[Johnna,Lynettes Mom]

I received my daughters box about 5 days after she left for boot camp, she had put our post office box address on it so fed ex called for me to pick it up at the airport because they dont deliver to p.o. boxes

[Sue]

Hang in there. I think it was a little over 2 weeks before we received his box and letter. As someone else said, you should a phone call toward the end of BC. It's the most wonderful thing to hear they're voice! Sometimes they even get to call more than once!!! Hang in there!

[Tamie (mom of Michael)]

call his recuriter, he will have his address by now, the box will come soon. my son's arrived one week into boot camp.
Tamie

[Cynthia (#410)]

depending on the recruiter - for us, the recruiter was great while we were trying to find out about joining the Navy but after my son arrived in GL, the recruiter was non-existant - didn't have or want to find out any info for us and eventually quit taking/returning our phone calls. It was about 2 good weeks in before we got "the box". I was glad to get the stuff back - mostly because he went up in March with a very nice leather jacket - but it was a little disconcerting at the same time. The first letter you get is a form letter. After that the recruits can only write letters on Sunday. They can get mail everyday but only get to write home on Sundays.

I must say that boot camp is the toughest time I ever went through in my life! I have a very good relationship with my son and not getting to talk to him or check on him/his progress in any way was just torture for me. If it hadn't been for NFMs, I'm sure I would have been in therapy - hee hee - NFMs was/is my therapy.

Hang in there, Mom. It will all be over before you know it. Then things get a LOT better because the lines of communication are openned up again.
Hugs from Houston,
Cindy

[Tamie (mom of Michael)]

my son is graduating from A school in GL, he is a corpsman, I am really excited he gets to come home for a couple of weeks before going to his next orders. He will be going to San Diego.

[Sherri, Proud Mom of Brandon]

my son graduates on Friday (10-24) & I just got a letter from him Friday (10-17) & he said he changed to be a corpsman & would tell us all about it when he called Friday (10-17) but he never called! He went in to be a search & rescue swimmer, I don't know what happened to change his mind, he had been passing all his physical stuff...his letter said that being a corpsman he could be an RN when he gets out & make big bucks...I am very anxious to talk to him. I called his recruiter & he said that he would have 12 weeks of school in GL & then off to San Diego...sounds like he'll be following your son...

[Laura]

DONT WORRY YU WILL GET IT.AND WHEN YOU DO YOU WILL SET DOWN AND BAWL LIKE A BABY..IT KILLS YA FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND THEN YOU FEEL GOOD ALL OVER WITH NOTHING BUT PRIDE. MY SON MIKE GRADUATED BOOT CAMP 9-7-07 AND IS NOW AT OKINAWA...HOORAH NAVY CORPSMAN

[Karen (KC's mom)]

I received my son's pkg about a week later after it was sent. And I did cry when it had arrived after opening up the box and going thru his belongings. That was the toughest time when he left home and going through basic training. I think the form letter came about four weeks after he left but don't remember exactly.

And for Laura just above me here...my son also graduated on the very same date as your son. My son is stationed in Washington.