Boot camp

[Bcedab]

My son left on Oct 6, letting him go was the hardest thing I have ever done. I find myself crying all time.....can someone please tell me this will get better. Does he come home after graduation?

[lemonelephant]

Yes, it will get better.  Stay busy and write letters so that you can mail them once you have his address.  No, he will not come home right after graduation. There is no leave until after A School--except for those in the Christmas PIR group.  He most likely will be able to take leave over Chirstmas when his A School shuts down for the break.

Join New Moms Stop Here and check out the Pages and Discussions there.  Once you know your SR’s PIR date, go to GROUPS: Listed By PIR Date - Pass In Review (Boot Camp Graduation) and click on the date and join the group for that to connect with others with loved ones who are training with your SR.  Two other groups you may wish to check out are Boot Camp Mom's and PIR Reference Information.

[radtech]

My son left October 26th 2010 and I felt just as you do now. Believe me when I tell you it will get better. The hardest part is the unknown which is what this website is good for. The second hardest thing is waiting for some kind of contact with them which should come soon in the form of a form letter which will provide you with an address for your son, graduation date some basic information about emergency contact and best of all a short note from him. After that it seems to go faster because shortly after that you should receive your first phone call. You will start to cry less and just feel that amazing sense of pride. feel free to ask any question and I will try to answer to the best of my ability. Thank your son serving for me.

Sincerely ,

Carla

 

[icalldoovers]

My daughter left Oct. 6 as well. Felt as though a part of me died. I had no idea it would be this hard.  I know exactly how you feel and I am so sorry for you. I took time off of work and just cried and cried. Trying so hard to keep myself busy. I found that, even though there's no contact for the first little bit, it has helped me feel a little better by writing her. I was lucky enough to get her address the day after she left and have written her a 3-4 page letter every day since she walked onto that plane. It will get easier with time. I also try really hard to focus on being proud of her for what she has done and not dwell so much on her being away from me. This is the first time we've been apart. This website is amazing! I have learned so much here. Everyone here has felt or is feeling your pain right now. To be able to connect with folks like this is priceless. Good luck to you and your son. Be very proud. It takes a lot of guts to do what they've done.

[Bcedab]

Your right having contact with other families does help, there is strength in numbers. Thank you all so much, just knowing I'm not alone does help.

[laura h]

It does get easier! It is okay to cry as much as you want. My son PIRd on 7/29 and left the following morning for his A school in TX. We attended PIR (don't miss it if you can help it!!- simply amazing!!)..but also don't expect a lot of time with him after grad. unless you are in the holiday group. We only got 4 hours with him before we needed to bring him back to the base. We realize now WHY you do not have a lot of contact with your recruit while at GL... if they had every opportunity to call/text/email you, they would probably come across as discouraged (especially the first couple of weeks).. better not to have outside distractions from family & friends. The Navy is teaching them all over again.. and believe me when I tell you that my son is a changed "man".. more respectfull, polite, NEAT and confident. My husband and I will hopefully travel in 4 weeks to his A school graduation in TX.. this will be the 2nd time we will have seen him since PIR.phones, computer, etc.GOOD LUCK!!   Hope this helps.

[Bcedab]

Thank you so much, it does.

[LucasMome]

My son left on October 4th and I couldn't stop crying even though he said to stop.  Now I am crying again reading your letters.  I have found it very interesting here to see what they are doing each week and that others are like me.

[Bcedab]

Well I really understand what your feeling and we have to keep each other strong our young men and women like that.

[dsmcgee30]

Hi Bcedab...My daughter left on Oct. 5th.. What city and state did your son leave from? and btw this is the 1st time I have written on here...just got approved yesterday..lol! so Im not to familiar with this, but Im trying! :)

 

[Bcedab]

Hi dsmcgee30

My son left from Clinton Md. Well today is the first day I was able to walk in his room and not cry, I can even hold a conversation about him and not get emotional.

[dsmcgee30]

Hi Bcedab,

My daughter flew out of San Antonio Tx...we're from Austin...I still walk in her room and cry so hard and I wish I didn't get emotional when I talked about her but unfortunately I still do...LOL! Was your son in J.R.O.T.C in high school? I still haven't received her form letter yet but I did receive "THE BOX"... very sad for me when I got it...I smelled her shirt and I sleep with it...This is so hard for me to deal with, so I hope we can help each other on here..this is my 1st day on so Im not to familiar with everything yet so bare with me!

[Bcedab]

Hi dsmcgee30

My son left a week ago yesterday and today is the first day I can look at his picture or walk in his room and not cry. Yes, he did 4 years of J.R.O.T.C in high school. I was told by one parent that has been through this already, when you receive your letter and it tells you the date of graduation to make your reservations as soon as possible fight, hotel and car. Most hotels do have shuttles but the are expensive.