What Do We Do Now?

[Jane K.]

Hello everyone. I need some advice from other Navy moms because something just happened that has left me in shock. After months of anticipation for going off to boot camp, my son was finally picked up by his recruiter at 3am and taken to MEPS for processing. I thought he'd be at Great Lakes by tonight. We have all made enormous changes getting ready for this. He left his university without finishing his Freshman year. We cancelled his auto and health insurance. He gave up his room at CSUF. Well I just got a call from my son. He happened to mention, after they swore him in, that he had an ROTC college scholarship application pending. The officer pulled him out of line and explained, that he can't go to boot camp if he has an ROTC scholarship pending. And apparently he won't know about the status of that application until May 2009! The recruiter knew about this application and never said anything. If we knew about this rule, he would have stayed in college until the outcome of the application was finalized. Now he has no car insurance, no health insurance and the chance of finding even a part time job in this crappy economy is slim to none. I am absolutely stunned. I don't even know how to get him home from MEPS today, I'm working late. I thought he'd be half way to Chicago by now. Has anyone ever heard of something this crazy happening? Please write, I am exhausted and desperate.

[Jane K.]

I've had very little to laugh about today (sleep deprivation ruins your sense of humor) but your comment did make me laugh. I said the same exact words to my sister tonight. Only not as politely, Thanks for your support Viki!

[Marge D]

Hello Jane,
I just finished reading this post...oh my god....how frustrated you must feel. I have never heard of this happening before. I have been a NavyMom for almost 9 yrs now. I strongly urge that you contact your US Senators and your Congressman Immediately they can and will help you with this most unfortunate situation.
Phone their offices and send an urgent email. Someone made a mistake and you should not have to go through this ordeal without assistance! Please email when you have a moment and let me know how things are.
God bless you and your family and Happy Thanksgiving
Marge D (Jersey City NJ)
[e-mail]

[Jim Gramza]

Jane,
You need to get to the recruiter and make HIM take care of this since he is the one that probably screwed this up. There is also a recruiter over on NAVYdads.com that probably could answer some questions too. I would think that your son could simply step back and put things back together. One thing we have learned with the Navy, is patience!

[Jane K.]

Thanks for this comment Jim. Actually, I have a great nephew who is a Chief and nearing 20 years in the Navy. He is totally on this and helping us figure out what happened. I told my son, at 4am this morning, that maybe the Navy had a reason for testing him by picking him up so early...even though the flight to Great Lakes wasn't until 2pm out of Los Angeles. We had patience for that. We are having a harder time understanding why this great kid, who scored 96 on the entrance test, and who thought he was doing a good thing by mentioning he had applied for an ROTC scholarship, was pulled out of line and sent home. I don't get it.

[Ashley's Mom]

Hello, This is awful . I would call the recruiter.

[Jane K.]

When the recruiter picked my son up at 4am this morning, he offered me his card. He said, if you have any questions, contact me. So, since we heard about this whole thing, I left him a voice mail and email. No response.

[Joe P.]

I've learned the easiest way to tell that a Navy recruiter is lying is to watch his lips, if they're moving there ya go. I spent time with my son in the local recruiters office waiting for his turn and the stuff you hear these folks do to get a body is scarey. I am retired AF and tried to get my son to go that way, or at least get a confirmed job on a contract, but the boys in white convinced him to go "open" and had him at the MEPS saying the oath before we could discuss it. Now the lies have continued as he's tried to get into a new career and take some leave. I would contact your congressman and see how that office can help with getting your son's life back on track. I am hoping that at least the recruiter did the right thing and brought you son home from the MEPS. I wish you both the best and hope he's able to get his life back in line in short order. Happy Holidays.

[Jane K.]

Thanks, this is all excellent advice. No the recruiter did not bring my son home, he dropped him at a friends house because it was closer. It's amazing. My son is being very stoic and handling this better than I am. My nephew (18 years in the Navy) is trying to do his own investigation from the inside. It's really all a terrible shame. I have a great kid who scored almost a perfect grade on the entry test, who was doing well in college...doesn't drink, smoke or do drugs, and never been in trouble with anyone. But they didn't want him over a beaurocratic paperwork snafu and communications breakdown over him applying for that ROTC scholarship. I give up.

[Beth B. Smith]

this is absolutely crazy. I am so sorry that this is happening. I hope there is a happy ending to this. Keep us posted.

[Lynn Winfree]

Hi I will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, my you have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Lynn

[Jane K.]

Thanks so much Lynn. A wonderful Thanksgiving to you and yours as well. I do not understand why this has happened, but God knows everything happens for a reason. I have a great kid and I'm sure it will turn out OK eventually.

[Jane K.]

It might be a while until there is any ending, happy or otherwise. But I will be sure and keep everyone posted. IF there is one silver lining to this whole debacle, it is that I feel like I have many new friends from posting this experience on Navy Moms. Everyone has been so kind and supportive. This is a wonderful website. I have an Internet job and I'm going to tell everyone that this is a great resource. Happy Thanksgiving Beth!