NEW MOMS READ FIRST

[Barb Pruitt]

It just dawned on me that most moms, have alot of the same questions, so I thought I would put this out there it might help. First go to this site, it has GRADUATION DATES http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/family/upcominggrad.html it will update just about weekly sometimes they get busy and get behind. Spend some time on this site, you will find answers to alot of questions.

PHONE CALLS: you will get one right when they leave that says hi mom I am here Click. Very short but you know they are safe. You will get another around week 3 or so ( this varies on the command ), you may get a third right at the end.

ADDRESS: you will get their address about two weeks in. Remember to be writing letters while you wait for it, that way you can send a bunch right in the beginning.

GRADUATION PACKET / INFORMATION: around week four you will get a packet from your sailor/command, verifying grad date, and some information for hotels, a pass for your car window.

PICTURES: This is just a suggestion from me. When your sailor first leaves remind them what kind of pictures you want, also order video ( of graduation ) and a copy of the keel - yearbook, I have had two kids go thru bootcamp the keel is hard to get after the fact. Really a cool book worth the money.

Hopefully this will help a lot of moms upfront. Don't worry your not crazy. We all have had a hard time with our kids leaving, I can say it does get WAY better once they are in the navy. My kids call me ALL the time. You will find your sailor will appreciate family alot more when they are on their own. Good luck, if you ever need a shoulder this site absolutely ROCKS, the moms are very helpful and you won't feel so alone. Take care, Barb

Added note, I started this discussion it seems like years ago, when either my daughter or son went in I can't remember it has been so long. Its been we are on year two with our daughter. I know many of you new moms and dads are really worried. Happy thought for the day, I remember when I was crying EVERYDAY just like you probably are right now. It does get so much better, we have gone thru injuries, our daughter has met and married another sailor, and they are due in the spring with their first, our son has gotten the base of his dreams and is going to be married before the first of the year. Two years ago I would never have thought I would be at peace with this. And, I am a ex navy wife of many years. Have faith, so far 8 weeks of bootcamp may have been the worst 8 weeks of my life where my kids were concerned. It is almost as hard on us as them, in different ways. But looking back, its gets so much better and their adventures are just beginning. Good luck and god bless you all. For sharing your kids with us. They are well taken care of and the will make friends for life. As a footnote if anyone wants to get a reply or speak directly to me, please send me a comment as this discussion has grown so big I don't have time to read everything. God bless all of the parents out there that are sharing their kids with the rest of us. The adventure is just beginning.

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

Toni, here's a discussion posted in the Boot Camp moms Group that might be helpful to you:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/bootcampmoms/forum/topics/what-to-...

Cheryl's right, no such things as silly questions around here! If you are wondering, someone else probably is too. Use your search button often! Trust us, PIR is worth any drive! :-)

Jennifer, our usual advise is not to book your flights until you know his Div # ( it will come on his form letter with his address) and the date for PIR (graduation) is official posted, and/or until you receive his "grad packet" around week #4. That will be the for sure date for the TG (Training Group) and his Div to graduate, BUT things can always change with an individual Recruit due to illness, injury or failure to pass a final PFT. If you can find a refundable or exchangeable ticket that isn't much costlier, do so. Otherwise, make your plans and be prepared to pay a little extra IF things change. Be sure to join our two NY moms Groups here. Many seasoned Moms there to guide and support you too! Oh, here's a Group of families with that same Jan 02 PIR date:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir02jan09

I

[Jennifer L.]

I am grateful for all of the information provided on this site. Our son, Nicholas left for basic training on 11/5 and will tentatively graduate on January 2nd. It all seems a little overwhelming, wondering how he is doing, looking forward to graduation, but wondering about travel, where to stay, what to do .... This site will definately help navigate our way. thanks so much for everyone who has made this site available ...... Jennifer.

[Cassie's mom]

My daughter isn't leaving until July, but I am already wondering about all this too. What is the box, it sounds very scary. Thank you for such a great sight. I keep asking my daughter and she says "I don't know" now she said "ask them your questions (this site) they will know more than I do."

[Tatiana]

It all gets easier as you get closer to the date. Little by little you'll find out everything you need to know.
The box is a box with the things she won't be allowed to keep with her when she gets to boot camp. It usually includes her clothes, shoes, dirty socks, cell phone and cell phone battery ( they are forced to put them apart) usually inside one of the shoes. The problem with the box is that it arrives about 5 days after they leave and you are very sensitive to anything that has to do with them. Moms have said that it feels like the definite separation from the previous life she had before Boot Camp, and in a way it is. When I received mine I cried even before I opened it. Then when I finally did I found a note he wrote on a piece of paper from his new navy shoes that said "Mom I love you and I miss you", that box and everything in it laid on my living room table for two weeks. It just felt like he was here too.

[Ronda]

That website is not valid

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

Which one Ronda? I just clicked on the two I posted the other day and they took me right to it. What are you having trouble with? Here's another couple that might be helpful:

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/greatlakes/index.htm

http://www.navy.com/about/during/bootcamp/

[Tina ( Justin and Joe's Mom)]

Thanks for all of this information. My youngest son just left yesterday, and this is really hard. My oldest came home from college after 3 years and joined as well and leaves in Feb. I am very proud of them but this is extreamly hard to be an empty nester all at one time and to have them so far away. I

[Joanne]

Tina,

I feel your pain. My son leaves for BC in January and I am a mess!!! But, from everything I hear, it will get a whole lot better in the next few weeks. Hopefully that's true!!! Good luck!

[Joanne]

Thank you so much for the information you have provided. Mainly I am happy to hear that I am not crazy. My son leaves for BC in January. I hear all these Moms who are so thrilled that their child is in the Navy and all I seem to be able to do is cry. Now, having said that, I must also add that I am very proud of him. I know that once I get used to the idea of him being in the military, I will be one of the fanatical Moms who will not miss an opportunity to brag about him being in the Navy. But for right now I am a mess!!! I dread the day he leaves for BC. I am already looking forward to traveling to GL for his graduation in March!!! I know I will be on this website constantly looking for help to get me through the next few months. Thanks again!!!

[Boone'sMom--(Lori)]

My son left on 11/11 and it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I cried all the way home after he left. We got the box last week and got 2 letters this past saturday. I have only gotten one short phone call that was very upsetting to me. He was not happy with the way things were going and told me that he had made a mistake. I tried to be as encouraging as possible and did not cry while I was on the phone with him. I know that some of the kids feel this way at first ,but I cannot help but be worried about him. One of the letters he wrote said that he would "set this right and hoped to see you soon". Not sure what he means by that , but it alarms me quite a bit. I've written to him and so has his father. A lot of his aunts and uncles have written also, but I am afraid the letters won't reach him for a while. I am such a mess right now worrying about him! I see that I am not alone and I am so glad I found this site. I can't help but wonder what is going on with him though.
Thanks for all the info and sharing on this site!

[LuAnn P]

Hi Boon's Mom,
Please don't let your imagination run away with you. My son was also very discouraged at times. Most recently he was struggling in A school and was ready to give up. We were sick to our stomach, but we held firm and told him we knew he'd be fine, after all, he had made it through boot camp, right??!! Eventually he became more positive. This whole journey will be the hardest you have taken...and the hardest he will have taken! Keep your chin up and stay on this site, it is a wonderful place to find support.. Good luck, and God Bless.

[Alma Castillo]

Hi Boon's Mom,
My son felt the same way he question it? and wonder if he had made the right choice and i cried and cried morning and noon and night I prayed and hope that he be alright and at time it alarm me. I would say tol my husband that I was realy worried and concern about him. I then thought positive.and knew that my son is very capable of doing it and that he will do just fine. My son was and he still is very home sick but I can tell that he got a lot better. the only thing you can tell him is that boot cam is not the Navy and that it will get better. Always reassurehim that it will be ok. My son graduates this friday and I'm still a mess! I'm glad you found this website its great! Good Luck my prayers to you and your son :)