When will/ how will I have contact with my son?

[Darlynn Tracy-Oberg]

My son Kurtis left our house with his recruiting officer on December 15th. I saw him off at his swearing in on December 16th, in Boston MA~ MEPS building...thought we were going to go to Logan and have a 'last burger' together but was informed that was not OK....so we all said our goodbyes there. He has been gone for 5 days now. Shipped out to Illinois/Great Lakes for Boot Camp...How will I know how to contact him? Will there be some sort of contact made by him? Is there a place I can find an address to send him letters?
This is my first visit to this site and I am trying to load it up and read what I can, but frankly...am computer 'challenged'...LOL
Thanks for any advice...Darlynn out in Princeton MA.

[Karen Wilson]

HI DEBBIE,
SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO RESPOND. I'M REALLY CONFUSED AS TO HOW TO USE THIS WEBSITE.
I'M JUST NOW ATTEMPTING TO TAKE DOWN CHRISTMAS DECORATION! HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE MOOD.
WE'VE BEEN GETTING LETTERS FROM JACK AT LEAST ONCE, SOMETIMES TWICE A WEEK. NO PHONE CALL THOUGH. HE'S DOING WELL ALSO. SAID HE'S IN CHARGE OF THE STARBOARD SIDE OF HIS SHIP. [WHATEVER THAT MEANS...LOL] HE ALSO HAD HIS WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTED LAST WEEK. DON'T KNOW WHY?
YES, JACK IS A BIG STEELER FAN. HE WANTED ME TO TAPE ALL THE GAMES FOR HIM.
ARE YOU GOING TO GRADUATION ON FEB. 13? WE ARE. CAN'T WAIT! THREE LONG WEEKS TO GO.
WHAT PART OF PITTSBURGH ARE YOU FROM? WE LIVE IN NORTH HUNTINGDON. JACK GRADUATED FROM NORWIN. THANKS FOR SHARING. KAREN

[debbie]

Hi Karen, Can't wait for graduation. My mom and younger son and myself are going. I say nothing will keep me away. Before we know it, that day will be here. keep in touch. I told Jimmy about you and Jack and he said there was a boy from Pittsburgh so he was going to introduce himself. Actually, we are from a small town in eastern OHIO called Toronto and the whole population of 5000 are Steeler fans. And some of those fans are coming to Tampa for The Super Bowl. Jimmy said in one of his letters that February will be the greatest month because the Steelers will win the Super Bowl and he will become a sailor... We moved to Tampa bay area 8 years ago. Jimmy has called twice and the letters come weekly. He sounds so much older and prouder than the day he left. Of course he complains about the weather, they say your blood thins when you move south and I believe that...by the way Jimmy is an aviation machinist mate ... Hope to hear from you before graduation Debbie

[Karen Wilson]

Hi Debbie,
As you see, I'm not much better at doing this...lol We are flying out of Pitts. on Thursday morning. Staying at the Ramada Inn. Can't wait to see Jack! Haven't gotten a letter in a week. No phone calls at all! Jack wants us to bring the Super Bowl dvd with us so he can watch the game. I've already started packing. Have a safe trip. Maybe we'll get to meet soon. Karen

[Elisa]

Thank you for your questions..we are having our goodbye party for our son tonight and he will be leaving Thursday! What a flood of emotions. Not sure what to expect, how to feel or what I can do to best support him. It's good to hear of others that are at different stages. I hope to learn and grow along with our son during his new journey. I think the reality of it is sinking in!! Probably a poor choice of words!! Do you know if it is customary to have the parents come to their boot camp graduation?

[Elisa]

By the way, since I am so new to this the abbreviations are confusing. What does PIR stand for?

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

Welcome Elisa, you need to go join this group right away:

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

not only will you learn that PIR stands for Pass In Review (Navy speak for graduation), but you will also get to know other moms, some with the same PIR date and even some perhaps whose Recruits are with your son in his Division. You'll compare letters, celebrate phone calls and the passing of all kinds of tests too. You'll find LOTS of info on where to stay and what to do there in GL (Great Lakes) and Chicago in our PIR forum, (use your search box too.) because it is absolutely the highlight, after 7-9 weeks of Boot Camp and little communication, to attend your new Sailor's PIR. It's an amazing experience!! =) Best wishes to your son. Buckle up for an emotional roller coaster ride! His journey has only just begun.

[Lisa Mullen]

If the weather is good and you can go yes try to go to graduation. We could not go because we are in California and it was the morning of Christmas Eve. But our son got to come home. Also the weather was very, very bad. Take lots of pictures before he leaves! I looked at going away type pictures that we took almost everyday while he was gone. On my phone I added my son's picture so that when he calls us (from A school in Florida) , I see his picture come up. When I would really get down I would go in and lay on his bed or drive his car to work. Everyone thought I got a new car!! Little things like that helped me. Just remember they will get through it and they will be stronger and so much more grown up. Hope this helps you. One last thing. If you believe in prayer, I had my whole family over the morning my son left and we all prayed together. My son told me he remembers that the most. Be strong!!

[Missing my Son]

My son also left on that same date. He called me for the first time today. Maybe yours has called before now. I hope they have. Anyway mine was not good news. He called to say that he is put off another 3weeks for graduation. I would like to know what i could do to help him. All I know is pray. Is there anything else?