Important information...PLEASE READ

[Michelle (EOD Mom)]

We had alot of different discussions and I want to combine those so people only have to go to one spot on here for what they need. With the exception of The DEP manual and the Dont forget to discussions I think I may be able to eliminate at lease 3 different discussions.

PLEASE READ ON

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

Yes Ang, if you have a helpful, communicative Recruiter who lets you be involved in your Son's DEP process as much as you -and he-wish and will be available to you after he leaves, then you have found a good Recruiter indeed! However, I would include just a few more items than he suggested...

Let him take his cell phone, though it will be returned in your "kid in a box", most likely battery in one shoe, phone in the other! LOL Do send him with a small amount of cash (though they will get an NEX card upon arrival to buy sundries) plus an ACTIVATED phone card, loaded with lots of minutes and probably an index card in his wallet with important #'s on it. They don't always remember them under stress and since everything is automated these days, they often don't memorize parents cell#s etc. He can also have a small bible if he wishes, just tell him not to put it in the box. Here's a link to another discussion in the Boot Camp Moms Group that you may find helpful to prepare you for the Navy Mom experience:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/bootcampmoms/forum/topics/things-i...

Point #1 there is an important conversation to have before your Recruit leaves. Best wishes to your son and God Bless! :-)

[Navy_recruiter]

this is what ever kid who joins they navy the day they join, and the recruiter should go over it with them 3 days after joining.

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/documents/depguide.pdf

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

Thought this was a clear and informative list of what to expect posted by one of our ex-DEPper, now BC, Moms. Soon to be a Navy Mom of a new Sailor! :-) Note the change in protocol this year in point #3. All bold type, italics, parenthesis, and extra clarification are mine. I spent 6 months repeatedly relaying this info and more to over 30 PIR Groups in BootCamp Moms, so this is just a great summary to have here and prepare you all better...

Comment by Susan H (Div. 942 PIR 9/3) on August 1, 2009 at 2:04pm
Here's what happened with Marissa -

1. We sent her cell phone with her. She used that to give us the 30 second "I'm here" call. Lots of other moms didn't get the call the night they arrived because of 2 reasons - kids hadn't activated their phone cards before they left or they were trying to place collect calls to cell phones. Cell phones will not work if your recruit is doing a collect call from Great Lakes. Have those phone cards activated before they leave for Boot Camp. The best plan is to have them take their own cell phone and save the battery life so that they can call.

Angie's note: It is nice to be in touch along the way. Many have camera phones, so you can see what they do, or send a disposable camera along. Texting and calling may help them pass long times of waiting at the airports and you'll know if there are any delays. Then they can call you when they land in Chicago too. Peace of mind for Mom. :) Our son arrived at midnight, called from Midway Airport, but didn't call again when he arrived at GL. It was three weeks before we heard his voice again! Keep in mind that choosing to do this does determine that they will be sending a Box home! If you want to avoid the emotion, (it's traumatic for some, but not all) don't send the phone and they can donate their clothing instead.

2. The "Kid in a Box" got to me in Utah in 4 days. I've heard it takes anywhere from 2-5 days to get to you. They send it FedEx.

3. The form letter with general Boot Camp information (and address) came a couple of days after the box. They have changed things a little with parking passes for PIR. (Pass in Review, i.e. Graduation) They will have a password in the form letter for you to use on the Great Lakes Recruit Training Center web site to download your own parking pass. It won't be sent out in their "graduation pack" (Tri fold) any more.

4. Call your kid's recruiter soon to get the address so you can start sending letters. Some moms were waiting for the form letter - you don't have to wait. The recruiter should be able to access your kid's address within 3-5 business days. (Usually within 72 hours)

I hope this isn't overwhelming. It would have helped me a lot to know this before she left. Good luck moms/loved ones!

[Michelle (EOD Mom)]

I am looking everything over closely since Craig will be leaving soon...Making sure that I dont forget anything...I am still afraid that even though I have been here and looked this stuff over probably better than anyone (since I am the one that added, deleted, copied and pasted LOL) that I will miss something important...WHEW!!! thats alot to try to remember! Thanks Angie F for the updated info...good stuff!

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

You are welcome Michelle. Here's a great discussion on site about the wisdom -or NOT- of buying a car before leaving for BC, and what overall expenses Sailors actually incur while serving...

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/what-kind-of-cost-to-you-in...

Some good food for thought AND a reality check for young Recruits eagerly anticipating their first steady, "big" paychecks! :-)

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

O.k. folks, just saw this update on the BC Moms Group. Member Sue (Purple Pig) is a civilian who works at RTC in the Public Affairs office: "Newbies: During their first week of training, the recruits will send home a letter with their address, graduation information including the names of the four guests to be included on their access list, as well as a password you will need to be able to download and print a parking pass starting 11 days prior to the PIR.

No further information about graduation is sent; "grad packs" no longer are sent out. All the information you need is sent home in that initial letter during the first week."