Im Scared!!!!

[sonj]

My son I has decided to join the navy and Im trying to get prepared. He haas yet to meet with the recruiter but I want to be prepared so I know what he\she is talking about. I want him prepared and I mostly because I want to be a good support gor him. Is there any place that can put this in a package so I dont have to search so many places to get so many different answers? I am a single divorced mom and have read many forums and am looking forward to having all your support as my son goes forth with his endeavor..
As a mom He is my only and I am also looking for help and support during this time... Any help would be great.....

[Paula]

Hello, unfortunately no their is not one location for all your answers. Knowledge is the best thing so you will have to do the research. Although you can get a lot of good responses here, go to the US NAVY sites, talk to the recruiter, remember he SHOULD NOT sign on that dotted line for ANYTHING until he is sure. Some recruiter's can be sweet talkers, that is their job to sell but the majority of the recruiters are their for you, your son and the Navy. Start writing down every question that pops in your head, make the appointment to see the recruiter, (ours came to our home) and my son did not sign up before he spoke to the USMC & the ARMY. Ultimately it is his decsion but you can help him by having all the facts. Is he willing to work hard? Does he want to see the world at a young age? Does he want to get an education that someone else will pay for & teach him? Does he want to make friends that will be more like family than his real family. They make life long bonds with other sailors, who everyday watch each others backs. It is a big step, I am glad & Proud of my son, I think this is the best decision he ever made. Now you on the other hand, I am also a divorced Mom too and it was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done. Brett is one of 3 boys but he is my first born. Guess what, we are all here for YOU!! You will also make friends on here that become more like family than your own. If your sons joins, you also just became a part of Navy family, Navy for Moms. I am here along with many others to help answer your questions. Their is a wealth of information from so many different people on here it is wonderful. I wish you the best of luck to both you & your son.
Paula (PROUD Mom of Brett)

[carolinagurl]

Your son has made a great choice ! Mine graduated boot camp on 8/17 & in pre-buds right now. I am very proud of him for what he is doing with his life. I know it's scary for you, but he will be in good hands. The Navy really takes great care of their own. If he goes into the Navy he should take advantage of the delayed entry program. That will get him better prepared for what lays ahead for him as far as the physical part of it. Anymore ???????????'s just ask, I will help you as best I can.

[Hisbiggestfan]

Hi carolinagurl~ My son is in BC now. He arrived last Thursday 8/13. After bootbamp, he'll leave for pred-buds also. My question to you is how does that work after graduation? Did your son have any time with you after graduation before leaving for pre-buds? And is it in Coronado or in Great Lakes? Any info will be great!

[carolinagurl]

He won't get to come home but, yes you will get to spend time with your sailor. Friday after Grad. then Sat. & Sun if he doesn't have duty . He will have to be back every night tho'. whenever they say he needs to be back. It is very important for them to be ON TIME! Otherwise it will delay in him getting leave on the following day. Mine got set back on hour because some guys were late & they messed it up for the whole group. Make sure to drop him off @ gate 1/2 hour before leave ends so he'll make it on time. Right after bootcamp he will go across the street for 2months for pre-buds training. It is so much better over there, they will get weekends off to go explore Chicago. They can have phones, computors,civilian clothes. Trust me you WILL get a list of what he wants. LOL.Then they go to Coronado after that. Are you in the pre-buds group yet?

[Hisbiggestfan]

Great- thanks for the info. I just joined a few mins ago in a SEALS group, but maybe I should check out the pre-buds group. I am still new to the site. I feel good now knowing that we will at least have him for the weekend. Are graduations usually held on Fridays? We are looking into our arrangements now. I received some great info from this site on airports and hotels.

[carolinagurl]

Not a problem, you should join pre-buds as well, I am on SEAL moms too so I'll see ya over there!

[Christine]

Ok, I keep seeing this "pre-buds", I was never told about this. What is it? I was told he would go straight to Nuke school right after bootcamp. Can someone fill me in?

[Jacqueline Manning]

Pre_buds are Navy seals only. Your son is a NUKE so this has nothing to do with his job.

[Christine]

Oh, ok. Thanks! I was begining to think I was out of the loop...LOL

[Sara AKA JayandJeremysmom]

I was like you.. scared and didn't know a whole lot about the Navy. So when I saw the Navy for Moms commercial I got online joined and started asking questions.
Now I know more and have started making friends and most of all getting my questions answered and having my fears quelled along the way. My son hasn't even left for BC yet but when he does I know I won't be alone and neither will you!
Good luck and welcome!

[JeriLynne]

My son had his PIR on 8/7 and is in GL awaiting his A school to start. My son wanted to join the navy after 9/11 when he was 12 years old! We live in an area where no one goes straight into the military and so he had no support from his teachers, guidance counselor ect....I supported him and let me tell you...it is the BEST thing he ever could have done. Seeing him on liberty he is a man. Not my baby anymore and he is happy as hell! Good luck to your son....just your love and support and asking of questions will be great. Again, ask a TON of questions. You will feel more comfortable...and when he leaves for BC make sure you join the PIR group on N4M so you can cry with the rest of the moms! It really helps.
God Bless...Go Navy!

[Donna Moynihan]

I'm not a single mom, but my son decided to enlist at the beginning of the year. He is "my baby" and the thought of him leaving is sometimes overwhelming. He is in the delayed entry program and is leaving the last part of Jan 2010. Sometimes it helps to take a step back and look at him and see what a GREAT job you've done. There is a lot of support here on this site from bootcamp basics to what to expect after graduation.
Just trust in your self that you have done a good job raising him. There is NO greater profession than defending this wonderful country of ours. God bless to you and your son. Talk to his recruiter, talk to other parents on this web site. You will get alot of helpful insite.
Again, God be with you both.