My son leaves for boot camp in January

[Wendy Joes Mom]

My son leaves for boot camp in January, he will be going to Great Lakes, IL What can I do now to prepare for graduation and his send off?

Wendy

[Lynn and Art for Cody (Div 059)]

Patty, do you know anyone that will adopt a recruit for Chrismas day? We are in Texas and our son Cody said Thanksgiving was the saddest thing he had ever seen, not one smile. He said he can't even imagine how hard it will be for them all to be away from family for Christmas. He is very good with small children and he does not want gifts, just a family. I think that would be the case with all of them. Lynn

[Caroline]

Hi Wendy,
Make him feel loved...and tell him expect to be homesick. Our son has wanted to be in the Navy since I can remember...He's a NUKE and thought he knew it all...pretty macho. He said he cried at night when he read our letters...Wow, hard to imagine. And there were times when he arrived at A school where he was sure that he had made the mistake of his life. Now as he's getting ready to leave Charleston, it sounds as though he will miss it....weekends on the beach, bonding with a lot of other guys who were pretty far from home. There were times when he thought he wouldn't make it, being incredibly sick for the first three months doesn't help ( they all seem to get sick as they're being exposed to people from all over the country in pretty tight quarters ) If you're going with family ( more than 2 ) I'd recommend the Homewood Suites...Lincolnshire... for graduation. It gave us a place to all be together without having to go out all of the time, and a place where our son could get on his laptop and email and call everyone he knew from his cell ( just getting reconnected to the world is vital to them ). It's been a year since Patrick first left for bootcamp and it is only now that it is starting to feel really like home to him. I don't worry anymore and we "skype" him on weekends which really helps....of course it will be a while before you're able to do that, but keep it in mind, it really helps...feels like a visit.

[Caroline]

Oh....and write ALL of the time.They say it keeps them going.

[Becky (Max's Mom)]

My son also leaves Jan. 22nd for boot camp and is already worried about the money he must spend on uniforms and such. He has a truck payment and plans for me to make that for him while he is gone, out of his account. Realistically will he have enough money after expenses to do this or should I just plan on it out of my account? He probably should sell it, but he loves his little truck. He can't wait to get to boot camp and on to his new life, but this is his only concern.

[Chris A.]

Becky, he will have to pay for his uniforms etc. but keep in mind that for 2 months he won't have much else in the way of expenses. There won't be any eating out or paying to go to the movies. He'll be given a chit book to help with personal expenses like soap and shampoo, razor blades etc. so much of his paycheck will go unspent. My son and I went to the bank and got me put on his account so I could take care of his bills, I do it all online and that way I can check and see how much is left in his account and if there's enough to pay the bills.I had to lend him a little here and there but he was able to pay me back after a while. Your son won't be able to use his beloved truck until he gets to A school.

[Maureen]

Hi Wendy! My son PIRD on 7/25. Looks like you've gotten lots of great info. My advice is to take lots of pictures now, and up until he leaves. Talk about everything under the sun, and don't hold back. Also, do any and everything that you always wanted to do, but never made the time. Your son will be a changed person! That little boy will be gone, and that Mom son relationship will be gone. He'll be a mini man when you see him at PIR. A changed young man. Enjoy as much of that boy now, while you still have him. This is my advice to all of the Pre Navy Moms. ENJOY HIM 100% NOW!!!! Create any and every memory that you can now. Make the holidays extra special this year. Pull out all of the stops. CELEBRATE!

[Simone]

Wendy, It's very exciting that your son is getting ready to leave for boot camp. He will be just fine. How amazing this will be for him. What a great Navy Mom you are already making as you are preparing for boot camp. Also, think about what you will do. Make plans that day with a supportive friend. Go out to lunch or have tea at Starbucks. Bring Kleenex. Do something after he leaves. Don't stay at home unless you have a plan (a movie, someone coming over). At the very least go for a walk. When our kids leave, it always hits us by surprise. Having a plan for that day will ease it a little and make things more comfortable if that is possible. If the tears begin to flow, remind yourself what an amazing job you did for him to choose the Navy. This is the beginning of something truly good! And as the old saying goes for us Navy Moms, you are not losing your son, you are gaining a sailor!!

[Debbie]

Hi Wendy, My son went to boot camp during July - August, 08. It was his first time totally away from home and was pretty rough on the both of us. What helped us out was writing. I wrote a letter everyday even before I could send them. I expressed my thoughts about everything I was feeling and then when I got his address, I sent him all my letters (about 9 of them). The funny thing was ... he was doing the same thing. He was writing down each night his feelings (emotions and all) and getting rid of any angry moments through writing. Yes, he told me if caught he could get in trouble, but the guys all looked out for each other in boot camp and he never did get caught writing. It was like his own little journal. Each night he would write a few lines or more just to get the day behind him. I believe his journal is what helped get through basic because we only received 2 short calls during his 2 months there. Hope this helps. BTW. this is a great site. Lots of information from members. Enjoy the holidays with your son to the fullest.

[Viki]

Debbie, your son only got to call you twice?

[Debbie]

Yes. We got the quick call of course when he arrived in Great Lakes, but that only lasted 3 seconds so I don't even count that one !! It was closer to the end of basic for him. At one point he could have called but he had some dental work done and was "sick" (confined to bed) so that call he couldn't make. About the sixth week he finally called on a Sunday afternoon and then the following Sunday. After that, we were in Great Lakes for his graduation. But the letters kept coming so I knew he was doing "ok".

[Viki]

My daughter also leaves for the 6th. I guess if they don't know how proud and how much we love them by now, they never will. Think of this as only a job promotion and they need to learn the ropes.

[Linda]

My son just had a preliminary "swearing in" this past weekend. He doesn't leave until August 10, 2009. He is really excited about it, but I'm very scared. I'm glad I found this website, because all of the info so far has been very helpful.