I am a mess!

[rhondaz5]

My 18 year old son left December 12 to head to Chicago. Since then, I can't seem to get it together! I close my eyes and I have visions of him being mistreated at boot camp. I feel guilty everytime I start to eat because I worry he is going hungry. I don't know how to get through this!

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

AntiM's words are an encouragement as she has been through it. Hey AntiM...I found this and know you like the BLues Brothers! Iadded it to my blog...so this is for you!

[Anti M]

Love it, FTL!  Thank you!

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

And of course...you Moms are always great! Hang in there new moms...when we get the new PIR group going you will get lots more info about Boot and help from other veteran Moms!

[SR TMom Ship 11 Div 067]

@FTLW:  I have followed your input in the groups!  Thanks for all your input.  And Snoopy has always been encouraging throughout the years.  Always has a nice smile.... =))  Thanks for everything!

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Thank you!!

[SR TMom Ship 11 Div 067]

@rhondaz5:  found something else that I have been looking for-for four days...and I found it off your page.  It's the group new moms stop here.....  go on that group and scroll down until you find the link http://navyformoms/group/newmomsstophere/forum/topics/what-is-your-son-daughter 

it won't link here in my reply. don't know why but please look at it.  It's 2009 information but it gives you week by week what they are doing.

FOOD??  On one of the videos I watch, they stated that the government makes sure they are served three meals a day.  It shows the buffet.  They are probably eating better than you and me.  Running yourself down isn't helping anyone and your son wouldn't want that for you...not in a million years.  I was tormented by my imagination too-can't blame you...but remember the "services" is important business and they have to get their points across...better chiefs guiding our loved ones then the US enemy......well, enough from me tonight.  My thoughts and words are to help; never to harm you.

I had to get my head around this too...and I'm glad I'm stronger and you will be too!  Trust the system....

[Mary321 (ship 4 div 806)]

Are you feeling any better yet?  It is very hard but I am only surviving because I am keeping super busy.  I know they are fine and are growing stronger daily!  hang in there!

 

[momofSR03/071]

My son arrived there the 12th also. All i have received is his box of belongings so far.I did see the menu for Christmas dinner and it looks good. It seemed to be a lot of food on the menu. I dont think they are starving them. They do Have to have them keep their energy up (at least i hope so) they say they feed them 3 meals a day!!! I am constantly wondering what he is doing all day long. I just keep thinking that being in the navy is what he wanted to do so it gives me a bit of comfort knowing he is doing what he wants to do. My son is a couple years older thn yours. He already went to firefighting training and became state certified. The same with EMT. He had a years worth of paramedic school to do when he decided to join the navy. He was supposed to leave the 28th but got moved up to the 12th. I cried for weeks before he left.

I am sure he is uncomfortable and tired at times, but it makes me smile to know hes now making his bed everyday:) it just took about 20 years for that to happen. Hes a real team player & already going thru fire & emt training hes probably ok. If someone is struggling my son would try to help if he can. Maybe your son is in the same ship/division as mine. He always did the same during football& baseball with his team mates.

[Anti M]

I had a couple shipmates who gained weight during boot camp.  Females, but still, that chow hall food is really quite good and you learn to eat fast.  You'll see when you have your next meal with your new sailor!

[CatHandcuffs]

My 19yo son arrived at Boot on Dec 9th, and he has a PIR date of Feb 10. I got a phone call from him last night, very unexpectedly, as he is only in week 2. He got a 15 minute phone privilege as a reward, and he was able to tell me a few things. First of all, they get plenty to eat. In fact he eats more now than he ever did at home because he needs the extra calories. No worries there. He told me that some of the RDCs seem to enjoy screaming at recruits more an others, but no one is being physically harmed in any way. That is stuff conjured up by Hollywood, not reality. There are guys with varying levels of maturity as you would expect in such a diverse group, but they take are of each other. He has taken to counseling some of the more homesick recruits in his section (he is Port Section Watch Leader), as he is personally feeling pretty comfortable/confident. His exact words to me were, "Mom, I love the Navy so far, its the greatest thing I have ever been a part of". Understandably, not every recruit will "love" the experience. The key point is that all recruits are given the same treatment, the same environment, the same food, etc... The only difference is each man's perception of it all and their ability to mentally deal with the lifestyle change. Keep encouraging your son in letters, odds are that he is doing fine and that he will end up encouraging YOU. Keep your head up, after hearing my son talk, I believe the recruits have already matured significantly in the last two weeks!!!

[momofSR03/071]

They posted a couple of photos of different divisions (my sons was one of them) on christmas day on the facebook page. It made me realize that he isnt alone, hes not hungry, he looks strong& healthy. It was a huge comfort to me. You should be getting a call in the next couple of weeks. letters should be arriving for us soon.

Good luck.

 

[Mum4Bn]

My son left Nov. 19th (5 months earlier than planned) and I have also taken it very hard. Things like "Are they getting enough to eat?", "Are they warm enough?" do go through your mind. And my son sounded pretty homesick during the one phone call we've had so far, however his follow-up letter said he'd been much better since talking to us. I knew it would be a stressful experience for the SR's, but I didn't have ANY idea how hard I would take it! We have to give ourselves a break, we haven't been farther than a text message away from them since CONCEPTION, and then suddenly we're cut off. This is a growing experience for both of us, I think.