Leaving for Boot Camp the Week of October 25th 2010

[KLMkathy]

I thought it would be nice to start a discussion for our children leaving the week of October 25th 2010.  Welcome everyone.  Kathy   

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Ladies, I know this can be a highly emotionally charged and intense time for the Recruit's and their families, but this forum is intended for mutual support and encouragement, not family drama. FYI: As creator of this discussion forum, kimcarl has the ability to delete any inappropriate comments, or to help you if you can't delete one you wish to. I've seen these dynamics before onsite, and the way they tend to play out, especially on these public (viewable on the world wide web) pages, benefits no one, least of all your Recruit. (Remember that his RDCs and Commanding officers will have equal access to these pages as well.) Please, refrain from further antagonistic postings that are contrary to the purpose of this Group and discussion page. We ask that you keep it between you two at home, or on the comment walls of your personal N4Ms pages. We are not interested in reading your name calling and finger pointing. Thank You.

Thank you too teachergirl for doing your best to be classy and respectful in your reply. It is unfortunate that each Recruit is only allotted 4 guest slots for PIR (children under the age of 12 not counting towards those) and one parking pass, as obviously these days, there are often divided families, with two sets of parents who both love and support their (Future) Sailors! The Navy however, has good reasons for limiting the amount of guests per Sailor.

Welcome N2fitness, your personal expertise and passions could be very helpful to some of our DEPpers who are trying to be well prepared for BC, both in this Oct Group and elsewhere in our other DEP/Future Sailor Groups. Again though, I would just ask that if you do participate in any discussions onsite, especially with other brand new Moms and Recruits, that you keep your posts positive, clean and encouraging!

As you said, there is plenty of room here for you both, to receive support and information. My best wishes to your "J"! :) It is all about him now. It's important that he be able to focus only on his preparation and BC training. Both now and in the future, it will be crucial to his overall wellbeing, and his success as a Sailor, that he does not have to dwell upon or worry about what may be going on at home.

[N2Fitness]

Exactly! And when my children read posts on several public forums making comments not in a positive manner regarding their mother it does upset them. This website is great for support for those whose children are about to enter a new world for themselves as their familes. Jordan is the third of 5 to be leaving the nest and at this point doesn't feel much different than sending one of our kids off to college. I'm sure emotions will change as he gets is orders in the near future. Best wishes to everyone and may God keep the recruits and their families safe.

[teachergirl]

I am sorry,Angie, that you all had to see this. I will withdraw from the site. I can only go with what I believe to be true at the time. Sorry for any discomfort here, folks.

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Teachergirl, I am sorry that you feel you have to withdraw, either from our "Leavin'" group, or the N4Ms site altogether. With over 35,000 members onsite and many Groups, there should be plenty of room for two moms who love future Sailor "J". I should point out that you were a member here before N2Fitness. I wouldn't dwell on what happened here. The other Moms have moved on (if they even saw or were bothered by these comments) and are focused on other things. Just wanted to remind you both of the group member guidelines and expected protocols. We do hope you will both allow each other some room, and respectfully continue to take advantage of the useful info and great support here onsite!

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

N2Fitness, my son went to college for 2 years before he enlisted. He lived on campus the first year, and then in a duplex with a roommate the second year. Although he crashed with us now and then, and visited often, (Sunday dinners and laundry trips mostly!) he never moved back home. So, I was probably in better shape emotionally than most Moms when it came time for him to ship out to GL. My son was already a full adult.

HOWEVER, I will say that the two goodbyes were very different, and sending your child off to college is nothing like sending your son or daughter off into the military! (Especially in light of the fact that they have enlisted during a time of war.) You are right, your feelings may change as your experiance with all this progresses, maybe not, time will tell. Just keep in mind that college kids can call, or come home, anytime they choose. They can quit anytime they want, with no real penalties except possibly a bad grade, a grumpy prof (or parents) and some loans to pay. You maintain some control over their choices and what happens when, you can make the arrangements for holidays and other special events work as you wish and need them too. None of this is so once your child raises his right hand and swears that final oath at MEPS the day before shipping out.

After that, Ma Navy calls the shots! Just thought I'd share that POV. A lot of Moms tell us that their non military friends don't "get it" and try to sympathize with and reassure them by saying that they know how it is, because they just sent their child off to college. You let us know how it is for you. :)

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Hi Britt's Mom, actually, they have had Boot Camp graduations (i.e. PIR-Pass In Review) on the day before Thanksgiving AND on the day before Christmas for the past two years that I know of, maybe more. You'll know for sure when you receive your official Navy form letter, about a week or so after she leaves! Nothing like trying to plan when Ma Navy is in control of our calendars and calling all the shots! :-) Start writing everything down in pencil.

BTW: I had a fellow WA Statemate friend who tells a tearjerking tale of her daughter's struggle to pass her final PFT so that she would be able to do Battle Stations with her Division shipmates, pass, officially become a Sailor and graduate on time with her DIV/PIR Group. It was a week before PIR and all that hung on a 20 second deficit to her run!! So, please tell your girl that we urge her to keep working at her times and cardio now, do her best and even improve at BC (they really work with the Recruits) and neither she nor you will have any worries about her being able to pass that PFT or graduating on time! She sounds like a smart, determined and level headed young lady, Bet she'll thrive and excell in BC-and beyond! =)

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Whoops, slight correction Britt'smom, the BC graduation I was recalling was only on Christmas Eve of 2008, not last year! We'll have to wait and see what they decide this year.

[TysMomKY]

Sounds very familiar, Brittsmom. We should communicate!

[Aim]

Hi I just joined this group :) My name is Amy and my son Ryan leaves Oct 26th, we are from Cleveland. His rate is Logistics and he goes in as an E3 as he did 4 yrs NJROTC in HS. He will be going to Mississippi for A school. His recruiter told me today that based on the current time line his PIR will be Dec 24th. That will so suck :( Since only 4 people can go we were worried but we found out his nephew (will be 2 Oct 24th) can go but needs an ID. I am not comfortable getting a photo ID for a toddler that seems kind of silly to me. Is anyone else having this concern? Also if PIR is the 24th do they come home then since its Christmas? This also seems silly to me to PIR on Christmas Eve. We have a large extended family with steps and such. Any advice and shared experiences will be great :)

[twosilvatwins (ship 03 div 024)]

I would love to know this info as well... My son left today also on oct 26th from Albuquerque. I have 4 other children and I hope we can all attend. Two of the kids are 5 years old. Let me know if you find out about the ID thing.

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Hey ladies, I just left a reply to Sara about the topic of Christmas PIRs on the main comment wall. Yes, A schools do stand down (close) for the holiday. Last years' 12/24 crew really made it special! They had a great time at their Meet and Greet and celebrating the graduation together! Think at least one Div of Moms all bought and wore Santa Hats. Great pics. Very festive and fun! :) Don't knock it 'til you try it. LOL You'll definately experiance a white Christmas there! =)

Btw: all Recruits technically enter BC at an E-1 paygrade, they are all considered SRs-Seaman Recruits. If they have previous ROTC/leadership experiance, college credits or have helped to Recruit a couple of others who sign up, they can qualify to earn an upgrade in the paygrade. :) That is why your sons expect to be an E-3 kimcarl and Aim, which if they passes everything in BC, they will be awarded prior to graduation and then be paid during A school and after as an E-3 . The tests for E-4 (PO3-Petty Officer 3rd Class) are given twice a year, so they may have a chance to take it next spring. :D

Drew'smom, excited AND sad, yep, very normal! :-) Being a Navy Mom is to often experiance simultaneous opposite and conflicting emotions such as bittersweet, pride and dread, happy but fearful etc.

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Again, amend my statement above to 2008's crew had a special time at PIR on 12/24! :)