Bootcamp

[marlena]

My son left for bootcamp on Wednesday and I've been crying off and on ever since.  I feel so lost not beling able to call him, FB him or contact hm in any way.  I never thought it would be this difficult.  I'm really struggling. I'm not worried about his safety, just feel so disconnected, like he's gone forever.  He is my firstborn too, maybe that's it?   I don't know, but he reached this milestone that I feel like I wasn't prepared for.  Anyone else feel like that?

[mnozell48]

I got his box on Monday and the hardest thing in it was his school ID's esp the ones from 9th grade when he started high school. Sorry the clothes didn;t get me until the pictures of him did. Weird mom!  We have two puppies that he just loved and I gave his shirt to them  and they just sat there and put their noses in it and wanted to take it away....

still hard to see clothes 

phone in his shoes 

my son was such a nontalkative kid only texted with that phone

[Leslie,proud mom of Aaron]

Our son left yesterday from Jacksonville FL. He is also my firstborn.... My heart has to halves. One side is FULL of pride and the other side is broken. But I know that pride side will seep over to the broken half and fix it.

[callieahoy]

My son also left on 1/9/11 and I too cried and cried.  He is my first born also.  I know exactly how you feel.  You are sad, scared, lonley and proud all at once.  Hang in there.  You will always miss him.  Any encouragement I can give I will.  You are not in this alone!

bootcampmom in FL

[erbmagick]

My son also left on the 1/8/12!  We are from Cocoa Florida! He called us 1/8/12 for like 15 seconds to let us know he got there safe!  He is also our 1st born :)  

[Yvonne-Michigan]

Yes, I feel like you do (crying off and on) and my son doesn't leave until 1/17/12. Joshua is my middle son and I can't differentiate him from my other two sons because they each have their own unique personalities. I know that when Joshua actually leaves I will miss him and the void that I will feel only God will be able to fill the void and give me the comfort that I will need. Joshua's birthday is 2/21 which is the day before mine and we usually celebrate our birthday's togeather. Not only is his enlistment a big milestone but he will turn 21 in the Navy! Just remember in time the difficulties your are feeling will become easier as each day gets closer to his graduation (I have to remind myself of this also). W. Bloomfield Michigan Mom

[AmyN]

My son left Tuesday. I am having a hard time as well. It seems as though the time is creeping by. I just want this 9 weeks to be over, so I can hug him again. Of course, then he will be going somewhere else and we don't know where yet, but at least I will be able talk to him. Even if I could just text him. I just want to know that he is OK and not unhappy. This site and also the RTC facebook page have helped me a lot. I am looking forward to a letter. I am hoping I will feel a little better when I hear from him......Sad mom in Mississippi. :(  

[jennyemt713]

My daughter made it to BC on Tuesday. We are from Michigan. We received her quick call Tuesday around 8 pm. It was nice to hear her voice - even though it was brief. I have gone almost 24 hours now without crying. It is very hard when you are used to being able to text or call them on a regular basis. It will be nice when I am able to send letters to her- that will help.

I definately agree, this site and the RTC facebook page help. It is nice to have others that are going through or have gone through the same situation. Take care!

[Bernice Proud NAVY mom]

My son left Dec 13th. I have received letters now the last two Wednesdays. The letters sound like he is doing great. He said he is in a horrible division they get in trouble all the time. With that said I set my heart that I would not be getting a phone call since that is a privalige. I still craved to hear his voice. Last night I got a call. He sounded so sad and depressed and very quiet. He said that every couple of weeks it is mandatory they call home. He also called my nephew and cried. Told him he is so homesick. The girlfriend missed his call. But her letters have said the same he is homesicek. We all have been writting every day but he has only received 5 letters total. I am sure all of this is normal. I just wasn't ready to hear such a sad voice  on the other end. It is just heart breaking for me.

[AmyN]

Oh dear. This is definitely not good for me to hear. I don't like the thought of my baby being unhappy. :(  If I get his first letter and it says he is miserable, I don't know how I will be able to handle that. If he is able to call in 3 weeks and he sounds sad, I don't think I will make it. Ugghhh. This is not getting any easier and it's only day 2.  

[baylorbear]

Hello to everyone.  My daughter left on Nov 1st.  I felt the same as most of you.  Cried, Cried and cried.  Wanted her out.  It was the longest 8 weeks of my life.  I wasn't able to talk to her for 3 weeks.  My daughter was in Div 907.  Once the letters started I would get them weekly and 4-6 at a time.  I would always rush home on Thursdays as this is the day they would come in the mail.  The most important thing I can tell you, is to write them.  Stay positive and try to keep them built up.  Because bootcamp is hard and so many want to quit.  It takes a very emotional toll on them.  So, even when they call, keep everything positive. I never cried when she called the phone calls are very limited.  One call we only got to talk for 2 minutes.  The divisions earn priveleges and one of those are phone calls.  But one person can mess up and it will cost the whole division.  I'm not sure how many of you plan on going to PIR but that is a day you will remember the rest of your life.  There are some very nice hotels..I stayed at SpringHill Suites and it was very reasonable.  Everyone was very nice.  I had a taxi service Juans Taxi Service  8479804537 and he went above and beyond meeting our needs in travel and rates were very reasonable.  The morning of graduation we parked at the train station across from the base and when the gates opened we walked right in. It cost $2.00 to park.  Just make sure you get a ticket after parking.  At first we couldn't send anything,  FYI- Don't send singing cards......they will make them do intense training the duration of the song over and over.  I didn't send anything until I got the okay from my daughter.  They could later start receiving things towards the end of the 8 weeks.  Small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotions, toothpaste.  They have 1 small draw to keep everything in.  She always wanted me to send pictures from home.  Do not send any magazine or newspaper clippings. (This will get them in trouble also) I would get online and right the recent news happenings around the world.  She loved that.  It was a way for them to keep up with the outside world.  The one thing I could tell you to stay busy.  RIght them and once you get your letters they will be ready to mail.  Keep them going, you don't want your recruit to be at mail call and not receive anything.  Its awesome to be a Proud Navy Mom. 

[bpa1955]

You are definatly not alone in your feelings.  I am so tired of everyone telling me to stop acting like this.  Especially the ones who have never had children.  I am proud of my son's decision but it doesn't make me miss him any less.  I just feel like a a part of me is missing, and it is!  I have cried alot also, but I have also prayed alot and I know that we will be ok

[leesa421]

I GOT MY SONS ADDRESS!!!  I called his recruiter this morning and he gave it to me!  I am soooo happy that now I can mail this pile of letters off to him! He is in Division 914, anyone else out there that their kid is in 914??  I'm so glad that I am actually doing something, instead of just sitting around waiting!!!!