Boot camp

[papajohns]

Hi, I am new here and I am terrified of sending my only boy off to boot camp. Any pointers anyone.?

[Jesmom6]

Hi papajohns, I am also terrified of sending my only boy off. But I have looked at it in a positive way. He is not only doing something for his country, but also for himself. The NAVY will give him focus and direction, responsibility and maturity. While his friends are all trying to figure out what to do with their lives, he has already made the decision to be successful. Whether he stays for the 6+2 years or continues on for 20 years, I know in my heart that he will be safe and will have the best time of his life. It's very hard to think about the day that he does leave (May 6th), but with technology the way it is today, he really will never be far away. As far as boot camp, It's just like going away to college. My daughters didn't want to know we existed for the first half of their semester, and that's the way I am taking it when he goes. 

Hang tight. It will be hard for us at first, but eventually they all do move on anyway, never more than a phone call or e-mail away! And just think how proud you will be when you see him at PIR!

[Nautigator-Ship4Div800]

Hi Jesmom6,

We received our call last night andhe sent a quick pic while he was on the plane!  I have been really emotinal (up and down)  He is the first one to leave.  His Dad and I feel such an overwhelming sense of pride and excitment for him, followed by waves of sadness looking at this room and just missing him already!   You realize that there is no turning back now! LOL   He will be transitioning into another 6 weeks of hard physical training in GL after BC.  Then he is off to A school.  You are right about technology!  We are the lucky parents to be able to use Skype/Facetime!  Just think what it must of been like for parents years ago! 

 

[Jesmom6]

So glad you were able to get a pic! My son's phone died at the airport and he didn't have his charger with him so I had to wait for him to call when he got to RTC. Good thing I was expecting it because it came up with an unknown number! My son's first flight was yesterday and I so want to know how he liked it, but I guess I'm going to have to start writing letters so I remember to ask him these things.

I'm doing laundry now and it's killing me to fold his clothes. His friend came yesterday morning while we were at MEPS and cleaned up his room a little; I guess he didn't want me to have to go in there and clean the mess! 

What is your son's rate when he gets out of Boot Camp? Mine will be AECF. He stays at Great Lakes for A school and then who knows where he will be headed for B and C school!

I had uncles in World War II and I can imagine what my grandmother must have gone through not knowing anything about where her boys were. The hard part is not texting him when I think of something to tell him. But, I guess one day at a time is all we can ask for, Eventually we will be looking forward to graduation!

Stay calm; I'm trying to!

[Anti M]

There is no B school, they skip from A to C.    If he is chosen to be an FC, there are only a handful of places for C school, mostly VA or San Diego.  If he becomes an ET, there are a LOT of C school options.  

I was an ET, enjoyed it a great deal.

[lemonelephant]

Be sure to check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for the RTC, and the other links within it. There is a list of the DEP groups at the bottom by month; join the one for the month that your future Sailor ships. I also suggest you join Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and New Members Stop Here and check out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) and Discussions there. Knowing what to expect will help you to not be so anxious; Arrival and What Happens at the RTC will help with that.  Connecting with others with loved ones shipping around the same time will help you to realize you are not alone.

Stay busy, stay informed, and write letters beginning the day your future Sailor leaves to help you feel connected to him. You can't mail the letters until you get the form letter, but just writing will help you to feel connected as you write about the things that are going on and send your encouragement to him. 

Your future Sailor may want to join http://www.navydep.com to learn the ins and outs from the DEP point of view. Craig runs that and will steer him to some good links on there.

(Group names and the link within this reply are clickable links. To join a group, click on the group name and when the group page opens, click on "+ Join..." in the upper right.)

[judy r]

After the training time my 2 sons went their ways one to haze gray and the other to spec ops. Oldest son called on his 21st b'day and says hey mom guess what?? I'm skiing in the Alps I couldn't have sent him there thanks Navy few years later the youngest son called and said Mom I just finished a tour of the Holy Lands it was awesome.  Again thanks Navy I couldn't have sent him.  Now the oldest has retired with 22yrs in and the youngest is working on his last 5 for 30yrs the places they have gone the things they have seen and shared with me have been awesome.  A part of me will miss the Navy but gotta say she has been a great friend to take me along with my boys on their roller coaster ride. Relax mom, your son is about to take you places you have dreamed of sit back and enjoy the ride.

[MomLovesRyan Ship 09 Div 266]

Hi, I am new here, too. I just sent my only child (boy) off to Boot Camp yesterday. I am a mess! So, I'm looking for the same info/help you are. When did yours start Boot Camp?