Flew out today and is just arriving at Great Lakes

[R.L. Wood]

Well, I'm the Mom of a Navy Sailor as of today after dropping our oldest of three off to the hotel last night. He grew up in the military as his father (also my husband of 21 years) was a lifer in the Coast Guard...so this is second nature to him. Of course I didn't think my heart would break like it did. I haven't felt that since the day my spouse left for A-School in 1988 and then again on his first tour of duty onboard a big white one.

As I write he should be arriving at Great Lakes.
This is quite an adventure and I'm glad I found this board.
I was a member of a Coastie Wives forum for many, many years - but when it's your child leaving and heading out into the world....well, this is just a whole different experience.

Thanks for a friendly place to visit and connect. I will be here often.

[R.L. Wood]

Today we received our son's clothes via Fed Ex. Today is day four.

[BethB]

While I know you were expecting this, as I was, I know it's kind of a tough day, so my thoughts are with you. I kind of had a little chuckel when I finally opened my bos - my son is 6'4 and for some reason the pants legs were rolled up ????? as if he had to wade across some river or something! Can't wait to hear the story about that one! Hopefully you'll find a bright spot in your box.

[R.L. Wood]

SHUSH! No way! My son is 5'11 and his pants legs were rolled up too!!!!!!!

[justme_2009]

Yesterday , Feb 5, 2009 , Son arrived at Great Lakes , he called me
at 11:04pm , for only 20 seconds. I thought I would've to wait longer
for this phone call , but I didn't . I asked him if he's ok , he said Yes.
He talked normal and that makes me feel good. I have to think positive
he will do fine in the Navy .

I will be counting down daily and weekly till the day he Graduates.
This was a decision he made to join the Navy , back in July 15, 2008
but it took him this long to enlist . We will miss him dearly .

We're Proud of our son to serve this country .

[R.L. Wood]

We're on day five and still no address from the recruiter despite two phone calls asking. ARGH!

[Jennifer Martin]

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Yolanda]

Hi Moms, GIL left on JAN 13th , no phone call yet but he has sent 3 letters, their days are very full until 10pm and he said the mail is very slow maybe due to weather. But they LIVE for their mail he said it makes his day, so I sent a letter every day including his uncles, gramma and close family friends. God Bless you all YOLANDA from CA.

[R.L. Wood]

Today is day six and we received bootcamp informational letter (2 pages front and back) with a 2 line note from our boy including his address. WHEW! YEA!

[BethB]

Hurray! I know I was glad to see those few words in my son's own handwriting! Now you can start supporting the US Post Office, just like the rest of us! I hope things turn out well for him. By the way - just wanted again to say thanks for all of your kind words and advice. I finally got my first letter, and from the tone of things, it sounds like he's holding up well, and even mentioned how immature a lot of the guys in his division seem to be. I guess you're quite right, in that growing up hard and having all that responsibility that I heaped on him has him very well prepared for this, and that he has managed to move past any "ghosts" that I had feared. That, plus he was one of 12 (there's 77 in his division) that passed the "practice" physical test! WHOPPIE!! With how you described your family, I know your son has his eyes wide open as to what to expect, and should be a shining example for the others. Keep the Faith! I'm waving my flag now!

[Dianne]

Congrats Beth!!! Enjoy those weekly letters! Now you can start stalking the mail man, like the rest of us did. LOL

[R.L. Wood]

Anyone know if they open every letter that a recruit gets?

[Dianne]

No, they do not open the letters the recruits receive!! They did not open any of my sailors letters.