Graduation from Great Lakes

[LukesMom]

My son just went to Great Lakes to go to bootcamp. He joined as a Corpsman. First of all, I know nothing about what to expect. I would appreciate any advice I can get. Secondly, I live in a remote part of Alaska and need to start my travel plans very soon to attend his graduation. He said he does not know when graduation will be but that I will receive a letter from the Navy informing me when that will be. I don't even know what to ask, or who to ask. Can anyone help me out here? Thank you!!

[lemonelephant]

Go to the Boot Camp forum and the PIR forum and look around. You will find lots of good info. By the way, welcome aboard. This is a great site.

[LukesMom]

Thank you all very much for the good info! I am very glad I joined this site! =-)

[Kirsten]

Hi Lukesmom,
welcome to N4M's :)) you will find a lot of info here trust me, lol.
You will get first the box (kid in the box) with all his clothes a few days later a form letter will arrive. It will have his DIV # and SHIP# from there you can go here >>>> http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/family/upcominggrad.html
check here for graduation dates they update every friday. So in about 3 week you should see his DIV on there. But remember things could change for graduation date to change (injury, not passing his running test etc. ) make sure you write a lot of letters and tell him to let you know if everything is ok :). There are also video's on this site (go on video tab up top) and look for Bootcamp 1, Bootcamp 2 they pretty good and gives you an idea what theyare going through. Plus they have a Battlestation Video also ( you can find that one under my groups if you click on my name) there also Graduation Videos :)
hope that helps ;) If you need more info just ask away or sent me a message ;)

[LukesMom]

Wow! That is some great information! Thank you. I will definately check those out. It seems so sad that I am going to receive a box with his clothes in it. =-(... It is beginning to sound like it's pretty likely that the grad date will change. that worries me... it's not easy to make travel arrangements from Alaska in the winter.

[Paula]

Hi Lukes Mom,
First, welcome & CONGRATs on your sons decision to become a US Sailor. PIR is a day like the day our kids were born. It is a day to remember, make sure you have a camera with a distance lens and a backup. I bought a brand new camera for this & it broke in the middle of the PIR. You will meet lots of women on here that will also become like family. I absolutely Love & Adore the moms I have met and speak to on a daily basis.

Yes, you will get paperwork stating when alon with a pass for the base. If you can, try to fly where you have the choice of changing your arrangements. Reg ins. does not cover so do not get sucked into paying for that. My son was supposed to be a Grad & Go. 2 days before he calls saying Mom, I am now staying in GL for a month. It cost me over $600 to chg my flights (hotels in GL will bend over backwards for you) but I had to do what I had to do due to I wanted to be with my son and I refused for him to be by himself except for a day. Worst comes to worse, you make a mini vaca if you find out he is a Grad & Go. That way you have the basis covered. The family's do a get together the night before, called a MEET & GREET. Don't miss it, these people will be your support system throughtout Luke's career. If you ever need to talk, cry, yell or BRAG & laugh about your s, feel free to PM me.

Again Welcome!
Paula, Brett's Mom

[LukesMom]

Hello Paula,
Thank you for the reply! It is very reassuring just to know that there is a place like this to go where you can talk with women who are feeling the same things I am. I think my biggest obstacle right now is that Luke was afraid I was going to try to talk him out of joining so he didnt give me alot of information before he left. I guess at first I was kind of stunned about his joining so it may have seemed like I was unhappy about it... I was really more shocked at the fact that he did it without talking to us. I'm glad he did. I think it will serve him well... I just wish I knew more about what was happening and will happen.
What does your Brett do? How long ago did he graduate? Do you know how long it will be before I receive any information about when Luke will graduate?
Thank you again for replying! Alice =-)

[marinaicp]

I loved the box of dirty clothes I received, Even though he's belongs to the Navy now, I'm still the Mom. (even so, I had to cut my Michigan Avenue shopping trip short because the Navy said he had to be back by 6pm). But that would be my suggestion, if you have never been there, make time for Chicago, beautiful even in sub-zero temp. We even found a little Mexican food restaurant where Mark could get his fill. Which was good, because he was thin.