Boot Camp Mom's

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Comment by lana riddle on October 20, 2008 at 1:19pm

i got my first call finally. was awoken this morning. greatest feeling ever. he is doing okay. i feel way better after hearing his voice. it is ruff but we knew it would be.

Comment by Katrina/JP's Mom on October 20, 2008 at 12:46pm

I WANT MY CALL! :-(

Comment by Ginger on October 20, 2008 at 12:44pm

Thanks Nicole and congrats to your new sailor!

Comment by Cari on October 20, 2008 at 12:35pm

Thank you Nicole!

Comment by Dora Ryan's Aunt on October 20, 2008 at 12:29pm

Nicole,
You made me cry and before I go to work no less. It sounds awesome I can't wait. Congrats I am so Happy for you.

Comment by Nicole on October 20, 2008 at 11:40am

Good Day ladies, just returned from PIR (10/17) it was magical. I was so proud of my sailor, along with the other sailors graduating that day. For all of you not there yet, it is a long journey but keep your chins up because it only gets better. My son's first phone call home I missed, did not hear phone ring. The second call I was able to talk to him for 41 minutes and he was really down, did not think he could make up so I spent 30 minutes giving him the pep talk, got another call after Captain's Cup to let us know they had won and that the second call home was the call he needed for that kick in the pants, the last call I got was a few hours after I had arrived in Chicago and was sitting in the hotel, it was the "I am a sailor" call. Once you receive that call all the stress and worry seems to melt away. Just remember to keep the letter coming with words of encouragement, pictures and motivational pieces. Talk about what is going on in the neighborhood, it may sound so trivial writing about such small changes in the area where you live but they like to be kept informed because they really have no contact with the outside world. I was lucky that we live in St. Petersburg Florida and our Tampa Bay Rays were in the play offs so I was able to fill a couple of paragraphs with that information.

Once you see your sailor for the first time you will be shocked, I did not even recognize my son, he walked with his head up and shoulders back like a proud sailor. They will talk like men, not like boys with marbles in their mouths. My son held doors, took my arm to help me around places and watched over me like a hawk so that I was safe. He offered to pay for things and was proud that he had hard earned money to spend. Be prepared to be stopped on the streets so that people can thank your child and shake their hands. You will get passer byers that will smile and give you a nod because you will be walking around with the biggest grin on you face. I still haven't stopped smiling. I have been on a natural high since Friday 10/17. This was one of my proudest moments.

I recommend getting a rental car, there are some many things to do in downtown Chicago. There is the train but it could take longer to get to places and you want to make sure you have your child back to base at least 30 minutes before liberty is up. You also have to pay to park so I recommend finding a parking garage that is centrally located and then walking or taking the trolley around town. We went to the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum and military personnel are free. Don't forget to go to the big metal bean located in Millennium Park, it is cool. The Navy Pier is very cool and they have a stained glass museum that has some wonderful pieces and a great place to take pictures of you sailor in front of the glass.

I will stop babbling I just want to make sure and share as much information as possible, this site is a great place to find everything you need to know, if it wasn't for Navy for Moms I would have been totally lost.

Good luck to all the recruits that will be sailors soon. They are all in my prayers.

Lucile you asked about the Econolodge, that is the hotel I stayed at. My sister booked the room and after I read the reviews on line I was a little scared but once we got there it was okay. It is not the Ritz, but it was clean and secure and only 3 minutes from the base. The staff was very friendly and helpful. It is an older hotel and it kind of shows but it was inexpensive and fit our needs.

Comment by Dora Ryan's Aunt on October 20, 2008 at 10:58am

Hey everybody,
It has been awhile since this was posted. I'm posting again for new members it helped me a lot. http://www.navy-info.com/boot_camp_vocabulary.html, everyone should check it out scroll to the bottom and it has all kinds of info.

Comment by Dora Ryan's Aunt on October 20, 2008 at 10:43am

Yeap Ryan's Battlestation is Thursday 10/22 and PIR 10/24 so we will be in the air when we get the call. It really is hard these last few days not knowing for sure. Waiting on a phone call. Please everyone keep 409 and all the other Div that have not had B/S in you prayers.

Comment by Shirley on October 20, 2008 at 10:31am

Lynn sorry to say but you will not know for sure untill after he does Battlestations.. I was in your shoes when my son Graduated we were driving from Montana and I had no idea if he was graduating.. We were there walking around wal-mart when we got the I am a sailor call.. If he has passed everything elsie you can about guess he will pass battlestations.. I figured we took two weeks off and if he had to redue it again the following week we would stay I was not going to miss him Graduate.. Welcome to the Navy :-)

Comment by judy on October 20, 2008 at 9:17am

This waiting is driving me crazy!!! The last letter I received was no more than a quick note. My daughter is due to graduate on Halloween, and its down to the wire. I like to know things "for sure". What are the odds of something going wrong and her not making it through? This is un-nerving folks! Any advise or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

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