DEPPER's..In but not yet

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Comment by Michelle (EOD Mom) on December 10, 2009 at 5:53am

Arwen posted this in the DEP mom question of the day...Thought yall might be interested :)

Recruits do pay for their initial uniform issue, but they are reimbursed later. It takes a few months for that reimbursement to come through and their first paycheck is severely depleted.

That first reimbursement will be $1,157.21 for men and $1,371.69 for women.

After that they get a smaller amount each year to replace worn or damaged uniforms.

http://www.dfas.mil/navy2/militarypay/clothingallowance.html

Comment by Angie F.- WA: HM mom on December 9, 2009 at 4:31pm

Michelle, we love you AND your long posts! No apologies necessary. Sometimes things I type can come out garbled and complicated. Everyone here shares their knowledge, we pass on what needs to be to those behind, really a much better system then asking a clueless Recruiter! (We're educating/informing some of them as we go to) LOL You now have the experience to back up your info, so the extra clarification from the Admin of this Group is great! :) Ramble away dearie...

Comment by Michelle (EOD Mom) on December 9, 2009 at 3:55pm

I just have to say sorry for all the long posts...Well.... no Im not LOL ...I love to talk :)

Comment by Michelle (EOD Mom) on December 9, 2009 at 3:54pm

ItTXsmarty...Dont send anything unless he is already wearing it LOL and believe me it will come back....They will provide everything they need as far as things to wear (of course he will have to pay for it...comes out of their check). They will provide undies (whitie tighties LOL) and what ever they need for cold weather..

I will stress again LET THEM TAKE THEIR CELL PHONE!!! Craig texted me all the way to Great Lakes...They sat in the eating area of the airport waiting for other recruits to arrive and he texted me the whole time..He called me from his cell for his 30 sec call and then they packed it up and sent it back..Everything that was in his wallet stayed with him so if you pack it full of phone cards and visa cards or gift cards it will stay with him/her..We were also told by the recruiter that he couldnt take the cell and I told him that I happened to know several folks from N4M's that sent a phone with their child and no one said a thing ...He said ok then send it LOL...

No matter what if you send something and it cant stay rest assure they will send it back...LOL...So it wont hurt to send the cards ...If they come back then mail them again...I was told that they will send back pictures but Craig put his in his bible and they didnt come back ...Once I got his address I sent a regular envelope with a bunch of snap shots including one of the Georgia sunset..LOL his RDC ask him what the heck that was and Craig said "Home"....Anyway Im rambling LOL...Im sorry LOL

Ok gist of it is this:
1. Your Recruit CAN take Visa card (either for their bank or prepaid), gift card, phone cards as long as they fit in their wallet
2. Your Recruit CAN take their CELL and is encouraged to do so. It will be sent back in the box but will be well worth it to be able to talk or text while in transit.
3. Activte all phone cards and practice using them (Please send phone cards! They will need them!)
4. DONT send anything that he isnt wearing for the trip up there...He will not be able to keep it as in thermals or hand/feet warmers
5. They CAN have a Bible
5. They Can have a religious necklace

That kinda sums up what we have already been talking bout...If you havent already read it go up and read "Dont forget to___________ before he/she leaves for bootcamp, A school, C school, or duty station." and "Important information...PLEASE READ"

Michelle

Comment by ltTXsmarty on December 9, 2009 at 1:56pm

Thanks Angie for your info. I had read that in your previous comment and also on Michelle's and wanted to make sure that I understood it correctly. Getting a little different info from Chief at the recruiting office. Was previously informed that calling card couldn't be sent until they were in GL and would need to be mailed to them. Will make sure family buys him Prepaid Visa cards and calling card for Christmas. Would love to send him with body warmer if possible, but since he doesn't leave for another 41 days and it's a little chilly here in Texas today maybe it'll be O.K. and he'll be able to acclimate without to much trouble. Thanks again for all your help, I'm sure I'll have more questions as the time gets closer.

ltTXsmarty

Comment by Angie F.- WA: HM mom on December 9, 2009 at 11:29am

ItTxmarty-I posted this to the other michelle below:Sorry, you can't send him with hand and feet warmers or long undies. They will issue everything he needs. When he graduates, if it's still cold, then you may want to send him some things.:)


Also, I'll extract and highlight this from Michelle's long post: Tell folks if they don't want to get something especially for a particular store they can get a prepaid Visa card that will work anywhere...

Also long distance phone cards are a wonderful idea as well. Make sure that if it has to be activated that you do that before they leave and teach them how to use it...Practice with them so that they don't waste precious time trying to use the thing LOL

I know they want to travel light to BC and that's good, but he must take his wallet, so these things can be tucked in there too. Also, we highly suggest that he does take his cell phone, especially during winter. There can be unexpected flight delays and emergencies. He stay in touch and then can use it later to tell you he has arrived safely at GL and you won't have to wait for a late call from a pay phone that may not ever come because there are too many Recruits and not enough time!

Comment by ltTXsmarty on December 9, 2009 at 8:21am

Dear Michelle,
Thanks so much for the great info. I've got 41 days to get ready and keep checking with John if there is anything he will need for Basic. I feel like a Mom sending my son to Summer Camp and wanting to make sure he has his socks and clean underwear packed. He just tells me to relax, he's only taking the clothes on his back and that he will get everything he needs when he gets to Great Lakes. I'm aware that he can't have things like his iphone, ipod, or laptop but can he arrive with phone card/Prepaid Visa? Like you I'm very worried about John being in Great Lakes during the winter as he is also a southern boy (from Central Texas), should he pack some thermal underwear? Thanks again for your help and/or any others who help out.

Have a great day, stay warm and stay smart!
ltTXsmarty

Comment by Michelle (EOD Mom) on December 9, 2009 at 7:20am

Good morning my friends! Well Great Lakes is under a blizzard warning today and I worry about my southern boy. I think he will be fine but cant stop a mom from worrying LOL.

I agree with Angie...If your child is leaving soon...Gift cards for Christmas is a wonderful idea...Along with the other restaurants Angie mentioned there is a Pizza Hut as well and they have gift cards also...

Tell folks if they dont want to get something especially for a particular store they can get a prepaid Visa card that will work anywhere...

Also long distance phone cards are a wonderful idea as well. Make sure that if it has to be activated that you do that before they leave and teach them how to use it...Practice with them so that they dont waste precious time trying to use the thing LOL

Another thing I found out recently portable DVD players are great for after BC! If your child is like mine and ended up waiting after BC for A school to start then they will get bored very quickly! The only thing Craig does right now is PT, duty, and watch...He goes every Thursday night to whats called Heritage...it is where they learn of the history of the Navy.

Small electronic devices like portable DVD players, Ipods, small electronic games like poker or yatzee...Those things are great! You will not be able to leave them with your child at graduation but the post office has boxes that are fixed rates and the small one for $11 will fit the smaller electronic devices..

.Once you have an address of A school you can send it and it will get there with in a few days.

OHHHH THAT REMINDS ME....Craig said not to send anything Fedex or UPS or any of the other shipping companys....He said to always send thru the post office....The other shipping companys go to another building and it takes longer to get to your Sailor...Just a suggestion...

Bens mom...I dont know about the other divisions but Craigs division was told that the only thing they could buy (besides food lol) while on liberty during graduation weekend was a watch. LOL I guess thats so that they get back to base on time LOL

Michelle, Our graduation was PACKED but Craig told me that the week before it was even more packed...He said that there were people turned away at the door even though they were on a list...Get there EARLY to get a seat and only bring those that are on the list ...Like Angie said the others can wait at the hotel...They will have all weekend to visit...Also a laptop is a great idea! Yes once out of BC they will be able to have a laptop...You will have to ship it though since you cant leave it graduation weekend..Be sure if you mail anything to get insurance on it :)

Gayle check the Walmart website..I looked on the web site but couldnt find it :(....I will keep looking.....I got Craig an anchor necklace that has a ships wheel and the cross part of the anchor has Jesus on it...They can keep one religious necklace during BC and he told me it was very insparational...Also there is a Navy bible you can purchase that is a wonderful idea...The bible is small and has alot of information in it about the Navy. As well as the bible itself...Craig loved his! Another book that is real nice for those that are leaving soon but not to soon is Honor Courage and Commitment....Its a great book about BootCamp...Just remember it is an older book and some of the things about bootcamp has changed but the idea is still the same.

Craig loved bootcamp also...One of the things that will make it easier is for your DEPPER to understand that this is the way it is....All Recruits go through the same thing and not to take it personal...Its only 8 weeks long....Its very important to encourage team work....thats what one of their goals are for bootcamp...Tell your DEPPER to not draw attention to themselves and practice ALOT of teamwork...There will be difficult people there and I am not talking about the RDC's lol.....Let them know up front that some of their team mates will be difficult people...Sit down and explain to them that you are not trying to scare them but that you want them to be prepared...Trust me LOL they will not believe anything you say and will tell you "I got it mom"...At least when you get a letter from your Recruit telling you about this one particular person that makes it hard on the rest of them...you can smile and think to your self..."I told him so" ROFL!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Michelle

Comment by Angie F.- WA: HM mom on December 8, 2009 at 2:38pm

Thanks for the heads up Teri. Michelle and Elle will let you know if something is inappropriate. I wish your friend all the best success in his efforts. :) So many of our families are touched by all kinds of cancers!

Oh, Arwen, thanks too for the heads up on the Kindle! Don't know where I've been, but that was a new discovery for me. (Now I want one!) My Sailor is an avid reader, but portability and storage are always issues. Love it! Was thinking of a camera for Xmas and a few other items. Might save (um, save up for) the Kindle for his Bday in March.

Ben's Mom, since he can take his wallet to BC, stuff his stocking full of gift cards. On base there in Ricky Heaven there is McD's Taco Bell, Subway and I think KFC. Also don't forget they can shop at the NEX, so go to Nex.com and purchase a gift card they can use for anything. (some like to buy watches or Navy rings/jewlery for instance) Send him with at least one activated Calling card too. Religious gifts like a cross or patron St. medals, as well as a small Navy Bible are allowed and appreciated comfort items. Remember, BC only last 8 (long for mom) weeks, then they are off and running. So, by all means, get him the digital camera, new cell phone, IPOD, laptop (don't forget the lock too, electronics are notorious for "walking off' and disappearing, even on a Navy base!) or Kindle etc. You can send it to "A" school once they are settled in. Just don't ever waste money sending these items overnight and always use USPS!!!

Lisa, you might want to get your daughter a Navyrackpack if she's headed for a ship sometime in the near future! Glad to hear she's done so well. Thanks for sharing your encouraging thoughts here. :)

For more advise from experienced N4Ms check out these discussions from last Christmas: http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/1971797:Topic:916868
http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/what-do-you-give-a-sailor-who
Also, take a gander at what I found for my newly graduated Sailor/Corpsman last year!: http://www.camosock.com/ For all military branches, Too cool! :D

Comment by Arwen on December 8, 2009 at 2:01pm

Would I do it all over again? YES!!! It was an amazing adventure.

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