Delayed Entry Program

[navymom0812]

Hello - My son is a senior in high school and is thinking of the delayed entry program for the Navy.  I would love to get some feedback from parents who have had experience with this during high school and also after graduation (boot camp, etc.).  Happy?  Not happy?  Good experience?  Bad experience?  Help anyone?

[BunkerQB]

http://navyformoms.com/forum/topics/survival-guide-for-navy-for-mom...

Click on the above discussion. There is a link to the NAVYDEP.com site - a site started by Craig specifically for depper (those in the delayed entry program). The NavyDep.com site will be extremely useful for your son - he will have an opportunity to connect with others in the same program.

The same discussion will have links to groups, such as Boot Camp Moms, groups for loved ones with deppers (according to month of departure).

As your other questions, they all have been explored at one time or another. Click on FORUMS in the above menu and use the search function to pull up threads from past discussions.

Your immediate goal should be to get him (yourself and his family) prepared for bootcamp. One thing at a time.

[navymom0812]

THANK YOU! 

[mommaT]

My son did the dep and he loved it. He is now in basic for the job of his dreams. It didnt take to much of his time. I believe he had to leave school once a month for pt and once a month meetings in the evenings. Best of luck

[navymom0812]

Thank you so much for info :)

[CryptoDad]

Our Sailor signed up for DEP just days after her 17th birthday and days before the start of her senior year of high school.

The immediate effect was lifting the curtain of uncertainty regarding her future. Two weeks after her high school graduation she would be off to boot camp and then on to A school for a job that she really wanted. Without worries over college admissions or tuition, she was free to kick back and enjoy her last year of school. We were free to dip into the college savings and take a final family vacation before her leaving home. It was a fun year.

The ten months of DEP gave her time to complete her DEP Personal Qualification Standards (PQS) and prepare for the Initial Fitness Assessment (IFA). Completing the PQS, passing a written test at boot camp, and passing the  PT-Baseline meant she advanced to pay grade E2. Thats an extra $300 a month and a nine month career head start. Well worth the effort.

It also gives DEPpers and parents time to learn everything they need to know about navy life. I feel so sorry for the moms who show up here the day after their kids ship out, totally bewildered by what is happening. Where have they been? Putting the DEP time to good use relieves you of nearly all the worries and allows you be be better prepared for your child's great adventure.

[navymom0812]

That is awesome!  Thank you for sharing this.  I appreciate it tons.  :)

[Kootiebear]

My daughter just went to MEPS last week to sign up for the DEP program for the Navy.  She will be 18 in December.

I agree you could see a weight lift off her shoulder that she had made a decision on life after high school.  This way she can enjoy her very busy Senior year (which started on July 31st).

Her tentative ship date is August 5, 2015.  I am glad I found information for this site at the recruiters office before then.

[lemonelephant]

I left info for you on your My Page.

[J'sstepmom (Ship11/Div 305)]

I agree completely with Cryptodad. Our son is now in BC. He swore in back in November, almost halfway through his senior year. Graduated June 6th and was off to Great Lakes Aug 5th. It gave my husband and I time to do our homework about this new chapter in all of our lives. My husband is a Navy Veteran that served in Desert Storm so he enjoyed mentoring our son about what to expect. He had to check in with his recruiter two to three times a week, attend the monthly meetings. He actually really enjoyed them too since they did get to play a little at the end of the meetings. Going through DEP has helped me in coping with him being gone. I knew what was ahead and ive had tons of support. Good luck to you and your family. May God Bless! 

[navymom0812]

Happy to hear all the positive feedback.  Thank you so much!

[Kootiebear]

My husband is a Navy veteran as well.  He joined just after high school and served for 6 years.  I don't think he will admit it but I think he is proud his daughter is following in his footsteps.  I think he likes being able to still help his daughter get ready for this next step and now they share another bond. I am glad to find this site because I have a non military background, so everytime they talk I feel like I need a decoder ring to understand what they are saying.

[Yorkiefan]

My Son did DEP starting in November 2013.  He was a Senior in HS.  He left on Tuesday 8/12 for Bootcamp.  At the beginning he was unable to make the meetings because of Varsity Swim practice His recruiter would come once a week and meet him to sign his papers.  Once Swim Season was over, he went approx every 2 weeks.  One was a DEP meeting the other was called mentoring where they go over what they need to know in Bootcamp for the tests.  He enjoyed it.  His recruiting station worked with him whenever he had a problem and could not make a meeting.  I really cannot say anything negative about DEP.  Maybe the driving an hour to the meeting in bad weather :(  On the whole it was a very good experience,  Would be happy to answer any questions you may have.