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.

[Barb Pruitt]

YEAH, he will do great, the opportunities he will receive will last him his entire life. My husband was in for 3 tours and we still keep in touch with the guys and have meet each year with guys from all over the country each year. And it is 25 years later. Take care, GO TO GRADUATION WELL WORTH IT

[Jeannie Holt]

I received my first letter today from my son who is in his third week. He was struggling and feeling very alone with the feelings. It tore my heart out and I can't seem to find any peace with it. I was already terribly sad and worried about him and the letter seemed to confirm my fears. I am just venting because I am hurting for him. He said he asked for an appointment with the chaplain so he could talk to someone. He said he was feeling that he was being targeted and that he had been written up?? on his hard card twice for remarks he was accused of making that he did not. I am assuming that there is plenty of this kind of stuff going on by design to "turn them into a sailor", but as a mother, I can hardly stand to think about it. Ok, thanks for letting me get that out. And thank you for the support. I hope he can get through this ok. Jeannie

[LuAnn P]

Hi Jeannie,
My son went to see the chaplain a few times and he felt it really helped him. this is the harderst thing you will go through, but before you know it you will find out he is going to Battlestations and then it's over! If you have a cell phone, i would recommend that you forward your home calls to it so you don't miss his call to you when he gets the opportunity.
Good luck, and vent all you want, that is what we are here for!!
LuAnn

[Mari]

Jeannie, I know how difficult it must be for you to see that he is having a hard time right now. My son just got there recently and I know they will have their ups and downs. I know that we want to talk to them and comfort them and that is very difficult since we have no contact with them. There is something you can do, Pray, pray lots for him and also ask your friends and family members to pray for him everyday. I see that he asked to see a Chaplain so I am assuming that you are religious.......I can assure you that if you pray and ask others to pray for him he will feel the power of those prayers and they will help him push on. Write him lots of letters and let him know that you and others are praying for him, this will bring him much comfort. I am sending prayers his way and good wishes.

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

Hi again Jeannie. Lu Ann and Mari have given good advise. They know from experience. Your non Navy friends, though they love and care about you and your son, won't really "get it" like the Navy Moms here do. So absolutely, come "vent" all you need to. Hopefully you'll find the reassurance, info, support and encouragement you need so you can turn around and build up and advise your Recruit. I really do suggest that you click on Mari's icon to go to her page and find the Boot Camp Moms Group she belongs to, and join it too. It is such a blessing to find Moms whose Recruits are in the same stage of training- and possibly the same division- as yours, to compare letters and calls and mutually support each other as you go through each stage. There are experienced Mentor Moms there as well who love to answer questions.

Then, once you've done that, come back and clock on my icon to find the Wa/Ore Group so you can lean on Moms from your area of the U.S. too and maybe even meet some soon! BTW, the Chaplains are wonderful, truly the unsung heros of BC. They are the best of the best, men of deep faith, with lots of Navy experience, a heart for Sailors and great, inspiring stories to share :-) God Bless!

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

Well, I'll just save you all the searching, clicking, cutting and pasting Tracy (welcome to you) and Jeannie:

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

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

Lots to read up on and learn; enjoy connecting with all your new Navy Mom friends. :-)

[Kelli S.]

My son is also leaving March 9th. I only found this cite today (evening of March 8th.) and can't stop reading. I am working the graveyard shift at it is now 0251hrs on Monday morning. My son's recruiter has been less than helpful and never showed up for meeting last week. We had to call him when he was already late and he said he was on his way. Then called again a short time later to say he would have to reschedule. I felt like I had so many questions and no answers. What box is everyone talking about getting ? I feel fine now, but not looking forward to the feeling of watching him drive away. My strength is fading fast. I am so glad I found this place. Maybe our boys will be together.

[Mari]

Hi Kelli, the box you are referring to is the box that you will receive about 5-6 days after he leaves. It will have all of the clothes they took with them, everything......shoes, socks, underwear, cell phone (if he took his). The minute they arrive at Great Lakes they are given Navy sweats which they call Smurf Outfits and then they have them put all of their stuff in a box which is then sent home. There are a lot of great groups on this site with a lot of information. You might want to try the Deppers group or the Bootcamp group, all the moms here are great and have a lot to offer. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Ellen]

Hi, thank you so much for this information. My son Curtis leaves Sunday March 8 for boot camp and without this site, I would be in the dark about everything. Now I think I know more than my son. If he does know , he is not a talker so it's hard to get information from him. Is there anybody here that comes from New York? Again, God bless you all. Ellen

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

LOL Ellen, my son actually told one of his "A" school classmates "I think my Mom knows more about the Navy than I do!" =) Amazing the knowledge and understanding you glean from hanging around this site! I let him be the expert on his Rating (job) and didn't let on how much I really knew. However, he began to call or text me to ask me to look up info or ask one of my "in the know friends" a question for him. Being fully engaged in his journey this way had led to many neat conversations and insight into his heart. Hope you find it's the same for you. Connecting with other Moms (we're all very chatty and usually quick to provide answers and info) in the Groups I listed above will help you overcome the info deficit from your "non-talker "son. :)

Oh, and since you asked, here you go. My friends Pat LD, Sue S and many other awesome NY Moms are just waiting to meet you:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/newyorknavyfamily?page=4#comments

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/NYNAVYMoms?page=3#comments

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

FYI to all New Moms: There is a search box on the upper right of this and every page. Use it before you start a new discussion or Group or ask a question. As of Mar 01, N4Ms is one year old! :D So, chances are, it's been answered or addressed before. Also, go up to the Groups tab on the top of the page. There are almost 700 now!! They have a search (box) function. Just type in your State, your Recruit's Rating, your favorite hobby or political affiliation, whatever you are looking for. You will probably find a Group for it and Moms to connect with in your area of interest or geographical region. Lots of our State Groups have started having regular Navy Mom get togethers. Don't miss out! :-)

[Navy for Moms Admins]

Great reply Angie! :) I don't think too many people realize that they can Search on here!

Elle