He's leaving Colorado for Great Lakes on April 8th. Anyone else??

[Vallette Foster]

I just became a member of NavyForMoms... My son goes in for his physical tomorrow morning (April 7th) and then on to Basic Trianing on Wednesday. I've read some of the discussions and feel this website will be a tremendous advantage for me! I'm so grateful I found it! Is there anyone else out there from the Denver Metro area that has a loved one leaving for basic training this week??

What I've learned so far... 1. The initial phone calls will be short and sweet. 2. Tell him to order the pictures!! 3. Write lots of letters - even before getting his address. 4. Send him a pre-paid phone card. Send $ for the photos?? (Not too sure about this one.)

What else? Thanks! -Val

[Linda Jarrett]

Val,

Welcome to the group. Everyone is wonderful here helping each other to hold up. I'm not from Denver but I thought I would write anyways. You've got everything covered as far as what to send. Don't worry about sending money for photos. He's not allowed to have cash anyways. Prepaid phone cards is really all he will need and don't send him but 1 of them. My son took a phone card with him and it had 600 minutes on it. Got it on sale at Target and he only got to use at most 4 of the minutes and it came up missing. I guess someone else wanted to call someone. They aren't able to call home often so a card with an hour will really be all he will need at most.

Linda

[Vallette Foster]

Thanks Linda,

I'm having dinner with him tonight and saying goodbye. His dad (we are divorced) is going to be with him at the airport tomorrow. Thanks for the phone card advise... I'll be sure to get that for him this afternoon! -Val

[Gina M. Young]

Hi, my daughter left for Boot Camp on April 8, 2009. We live in Atlanta, she left from Fort Gillem in College Park , Georgia. We received our late night phone call. I miss her and I am wondering how things are going for her.

[Rana; Cody's Mom]

Hi Gina! How are you holding up? I too, miss my son terribly, and wonder how he's holding up! I'm sure he's fine, and with my head I know this was the right move for him. But my heart is torn in two! I'm sure you can relate.
Cody left 4/7. We received the box with his stuff, but we haven't received the form letter . . . Cody is going to be a Master at Arms. What does your daughter want to do?

Hope you've had a nice Easter.
Rana

[Gina M. Young]

Hi Rana, It was great to hear from another mom out there in cyberspace. We received Jen's box of stuff too. We did not receive the form letter either. I started to worry. My girlfriend's son left from Fort Gillem the week before my daughter did , and her form letter was in his box. Jen wanted to be a Master at Arms also. However, her ASVAB score was a little short of what was needed to go for that job. She is going to be an ABH ....Boatswain Mate. I hope she likes it, since you have to stay in your job assignment for a whole year. My husband and I have encouraged her to still try for Master at Arms once she settles in. I think it might be a little easier from the inside.Easter Sunday was my birthday!! It was a little lonely at the table without Jen. I hope you and I get that address soon.

gina

[Renee G.]

Hi Gina: I am new to Navy for Moms - My son left from Florida April 9th. We received our "box" today. No form letter; but something weird his pants legs on his jeans were rolled up??? Does anyone know what that might be about. My son is going to be a CTR - cryptology. After boot camp his A school will be in Pensacola. Where is your daughter's A school?. Happy Birthday. My husband's birthday is next week and he is sad about our son not being here. Take care
Renee

[Brook]

Renee,

We have a couple things in common. My son Roman left Seattle on the 7th (but that means they'll be in the same graduating class, right?) and he is going into Cryptology (in Pensacola) as well.
And speaking of birthdays, Roman turns 21 in Boot Camp (April 22nd, Earth Day).

Hmmm...surely there's a story behind the pant legs being rolled up...

Brook

[Renee G.]

Brook: Thanks for the response - I am still new to this whole "discussion and forum" stuff. That is neat that our son's will graduate together and head for Pensacola together. Did you receive your "box" yet?? My son is our oldest; so he is the first to leave and boy it is tough. I wonder everyday what they are doing and if he is okay? I understand they may be able to call around week three if they "earn" it. I sure hope so. Good to talk to you. Renee

[Brook]

The package arrived at his dad's house -- within a couple miles of our house -- so I went over and got it.
I WAS able to get his address yesterday from the recruiter. Heading out to mail a couple letters soon. Roman is my oldest son (of 3 boys) but he had already moved out so I was used to not seeing him everyday, but still...its tough.

Roman just called while I was typing this!

I didn't answer the phone because I didn't recognize the area code (847). I was curious because the person didn't leave a message so I Googled the area code. I was sooooo upset when I realized it was the area code for Chicago/Great Lakes. He did get in touch with his dad, and I just talked to him. Apparently Roman needed a couple more references. ?
His dad said that Roman said the food is "pretty good" and we're a foodie family so that makes me feel slightly better. And he said that there is a lot of yelling -- not at him, but in general. Duh. I suppose he should have read that book about Boot Camp that I bought for him a couple months ago. It would have given him a glimpse of what's in store. And he said it is "a little harder than I thought it would be"!
Have a good day Renee :-)

[Renee G.]

Brook: Sorry you missed the call- that really stinks. We received the form letter today. It had two lines on it that allows your recruit to leave a note; ours was great! I was so happy just to see his handwriting; doesn't that seem silly of me. He told us he missed us and loved us but I wish he had said how he was. A quick "I am okay" would help a worried mom a whole bunch. Take care.
Renee

[Vallette Foster]

Brook,

Wow! He's having his 21st birthday in Boot Camp! This will be a birthday he will never forget... I imagine they will treat him terribly... (Wouldn't want to make him feel special or anything!) (Smile.) What is Cryptology?? -Val

[Brook]

Geez I know - I'm not sure if its a good thing or a bad thing that he's having a birthday in BC. His recruiter told me yesterday (when he called with a mailing address) that he offered Roman a chance to start later so he could "enjoy" his 21st birthday with his friends, but that Roman opted to go to GL anyway. Roman said being in BC for his birthday would probably keep him out of trouble ;-)
And the recruiter said "He'll have fun on his birthday anyway..." . I hope that wasn't his idea of sick humor, and that they don't torment him instead ;-(
And Cryptology? I just looked it up and did a "copy & paste" since I can't really explain it on my own, yet!
Cryptologic Technicians Interpretive or CTIs are the Navy’s linguists. They gather highly classified intelligence information using foreign language skills for the Navy’s top-level decision makers. CTIs are on the cutting edge of all foreign Naval developments; they gather the most up-to-date information used for strategic planning and tactical (moving ships/troops, keeping accurate targets) purposes.
Take care,
Brook