I'm New To This & Have A Few Questions?

[Kelly]

Hello,

My name is Kelly, and I'm a new boot camp mom. My son went to boot camp on St. Patty's Day. So he's working on his 4th week right now.

It's been pretty tough, but at I read more and more... obviously I'm in with the best of the Navy Mom's! We're all going through the same thing.

I'm actually doing pretty well at this point. I try and stay busy to keep my mind off it and I have a younger daughter that keeps me hopping. My son and I have an on going joke that we try and find our Happy Place during difficult times. And when writing that's what we've both talked about.. :)

I've done a little research on graduation and such, and still have more to do but hoping someone might be able to answer a few questions for me. Does anyone have recommendations for hotel accomodations for that area? And my other question is concerning something I read about being able to purchase a video copy of the graduation ceremony. It stated that the recruit may order one ahead of time and to check with them, which of course I've sent through a letter about this... but haven't heard back yet. And, if this is the case... how much are they? Will they also have their professional military photos made during this time? And, how much? I'm on a budget, and want to be prepared.

Thank you so much for your help with this, anyone. I appreciate your time. :)

Kelly

[Teena O.]

Hi Kelly!
My name is Teena, and my son, Jonas, just graduated bootcamp on the 10th, so maybe while it's still fresh in my head, I can answer a few of your questions. We stayed at the Hampton Inn is Waukegan, it was nice, they had a good free breakfast every morning. My only complaint was no microwaves, or fridges in the rooms, which we could have used! It is about 8 miles from the Base, and the front desk people were very helpful with directions. As far as buying a copy of the grad ceremony ahead of time, I don't know. My son never mentioned it, but in the packet your recruit will receive with his pictures, there is an extra order form where you can order a DVD or VHS video of the ceremony for $29.00. They only have a limited number of DVD's, so they will substitute the VHS if your order doesn't make it in time.They don't except checks or credit cards, either, it has to be a money order. As far as picture packets go, there is only two packages, pkg. A is 1-11x14, 2-8x10, 2-5x7, 24 wallets and 1 Div. photo for $117. The B pkg, is 1-8x10, 2-5x7, 16 wallets, and 1 Div. for $107. Then you can purchase single reprints for $11, or $17, depending on size. Your recruit will have to pay for the pics, it will come straight out of his check, because they don't wait until graduation to let you view them and order. Your recruit will have the pics he ordered on grad day for you to take with you, then you can reorder from there. I haven't gotten the yearbook, yet, which my son ordered with the pics, so I can't give info on that.
I hope you and your son are both doing well, he's at the half-way point, so it should be all downhill from here! lol Take care and you're welcome to write back anytime!
Teena

[Kelly]

Hello Teena,

Thank you so much for the great information. It was very informative, and helpful. This helps alot, with knowing what to expect.

I should receive a letter from him this week, that maybe he will write about the picture situation and such.

I made a reservation at the Ramada, I'm hoping that it's nice. It seemed on the internet to be a nice place to stay. They do have microwaves and fridges in the room. I have a younger daughter also, and thought it would be nice for her to have a pool to play in... when were back at the hotel.

Congrats on your sons graduation, I hope everything went well and that it will go well for the future.

Yes, it's definitely half way through now, and I feel like it's downhill from here. He's been gone 5 weeks today, it doesn't seem possible.

You take care also, and thank you again. I really appreciate everything. :)

Kelly

[Kris Shortridge]

Hi Kelly
First of all, hang in there, it will get better. My son has been in almost a year now and is currently deployed to South America. I find that boot camp was still the hardest part. At least on deployment, we can email daily. OMG, how do I describe graduation from boot camp. I still tear up even thinking about it. It will be the proudest day of your life and of yor sons life. I cried all thru it. We stayed at the Ramada Inn and they have a shuttle that will take you to the base and pick you up after it is over. That worked out great for us. We didn't have to worry about parking on base. I think we paid about $60 per night and that includes a large breakfast. You can purchase the video, but I have heard from other moms that it isn't that great. We took our cameras and got some great shots on our own. As for the military photos, they will be given to your son at that time. They will take them around the 4-5 week and it is deducted from his paycheck. No charge to you, unless you want to reimburse him. Mine did not want to be reimubrsed, he wanted to give them to us.

[Kelly]

Hi Kris,

Thank you so much for writing me, I appreciate it. I love this site, and wish I had found it sooner... but at least I'm here now. :)

I do feel a little better this week, as it's getting closer to graduation and feels real. We have less than 3 weeks to go.

Wow, South America! That would really make me anxious. But, like you at least you can chat daily through email and I'm sure that's a great comfort.

I made a reservation over this past weekend to stay at the Ramada also. It looks like it's a nice hotel. I have a younger daughter and thought she might enjoy the indoor pool on our down time there. I'm so glad to hear that they have a shuttle to the base, that will be very helpful.

They are probably taking photos this week, I would imagine. Today, he's been gone 5 weeks... so I'm hoping he got my letter concerning this and that he does what his Mama told him too. :)

I'll go for now, but thank you so much for writing and God Bless Your Son!

Kelly

[Jeri L. Davis]

Kelly,
Welcome to Navy for Moms! I too am new at this. My son left on April 8th for Great Lakes. I have really enjoyed this site. Everyone is very helpful with sharing of information and such. I have heard from other moms that the Ramada is very nice, and that they have a shuttle to the base for graduation, which saves you the security check of your vehicle.

How long was it before you started receiving mail from your son? We haven't gotten anything but the form letter with a few comments from our son on it. I have been sending him letters or a card daily. They just posted his graduation date on the RTC site. It is June 5th. I can't wait.

I wish you the best and definately thank your son for choosing such a path in his life! Calm seas...
Jeri (Proud NAVY Mom to John)

[Kelly]

Hi Jeri,

Thank you so much, and welcome to you also! Whewww, you just started... I know your so anxious, as I was.

You should be receiving a letter this week. Mine generally come on Thursday's. The first few weeks, they only let them write on Sunday's. I received mine last Thursday and my son stated that they were able to finally write on Thursday night of that past week, but it must have a very short amount of time. He complained in the letter that they were being yelled at to do something and he would finish it up on Sunday. Which he did and then sent it out. So, they must start getting more privileges as it progresses.

I'm not promising or anything, but you might be getting a phone call next week also.... So pay special attention. That was about the time period that my son got to call and I looked at the calendar for your dates, and it looks like that for you. They have to earn it though. And he called at a weird time of day, it was about 3:30 in the afternoon... and of course I wasn't expecting it. I was gone to the store and was so upset. He called and left 3 messages and said that he was sorry he missed me. I was tearing up when I was listening to the messages and the phone rang again and of course it was him!!! Yeah... :) But he only had about 4-5 minutes more to talk and they said to get off the phone. I could hear yelling in the background. It's was startling to me at least, because I just wanted to go up there and kick some butt. LOL!! And take him out of there. I got over it soon though. I'm like a tiger mom, I don't want anyone messing with my cub. :)

I don't have very much information like the other mothers on here. He's been gone 5 weeks today, and it finally feels like were on the downhill slide. I'll be happy to answer anything that I possibly can for you.

Good luck to your sailor also, and thank him for his choices also! We're from Arkansas, where are you from?

Take care and chat soon,

Kelly

[Dawn Morgan]

Hi Kelly My name is Dawn and My daughter just left April 14 I am going throught the same thing but only the 14 was My oldies one Birthday and the same night We had to put oour dog down of 8yrs I can't tell her this until after boot camp it hurts my feelings to go up there on grad and watche her grad and then tell her the sad news about our dog Lady .People think I need to write her to tell her but I won't because I need her to focus on what is going on up there what do you think shoould I tell her in a letter or wait until after grad.

[Janis Kay]

Oh Heavens, Dawn! WAIT TO TELL HER!!! You are 100 % right NOT to tell her in my opinion. They go through so much at boot camp and it gets much better for them once they start A school. Give her a fighting chance at boot camp. I had a discussion with my son before he left and we agreed that I would only tell him bad news if it was something that he could do something about. Otherwise, I would wait until I saw him next to tell him. I think it's a good idea for the entire time that he is in the navy.

[Kelly]

Hi Dawn,

I'm so sorry to hear about the family dog. I sure know how that feels... :(

Yes, Please don't tell her during basic training. They have to go through so much stuff there, and it will only distract her. I know it's terrible to tell her at Graduation also, but there really is never a great time to do this. But I just think it would go so much smoother for her, if you waited.

My son, and I had a family pet for years and it was hit by a car while he was in high school. I called him up while he was out with some friends to tell him. It was a mistake on my part, mostly because I was so upset. I should have waited to tell him in person... and he told me later that he wished that I had of waited.

Hang in there, you'll feel better about this as time goes on with your decision... I promise. Personally, I always try and think about what's best for them, and not myself.... if at all possible. But of course, we have our moments and make mistakes. But, I do think you should wait.

Your daughter is only getting a few hours of sleep in segments each night right now, and probably this week she will bump up to about 4 a night. That's what my son has told me. He's in his 5th week right now and I think they are giving them 1 or 2 more hours at this point. He told me that they will wake them up to do watches, and or iron clothes... all sorts of stuff, during that first few weeks. My point is, that her mind is probably just in survival mode at this point and this would really throw her.

Sorry I wrote so much... I'm a chatter... :)

Please take care and if you need to write again, please do so.

Take care and God Bless your daughter in her journey!

Kelly

[Dawn Morgan]

Thank you for understanding my part in doing it this way Got a letter yesterday from her and she loves it she gave me her address and now I can write her.she is in DIV 930 (what does that mean) .Can't wait to write to her
thanks again
Dawn

[Kelly]

Oh, your very welcome Dawn.

I'm glad that you've heard from her and that she's doing well.

My understanding is that the DIV# is their group that their training with.

Have a good day... :)

Kelly

[Kelly]

Thank you Deborah, I'll look that up. Congrats on your Rebecca's Graduation!

God Bless to you also. :)

Kelly