More informed than my SR because of Navyformoms.com

[mommaross CVN77]

Just thought I'd share this with everyone.... My SR had his 7 day meeting at the recruiters this AM.  As he sold his car at the weekend I had to take him and go back for him.  When I got there he wasn't ready so I went into the recruiters to wait for him.  Upon entering the recruiters clapped and cheered me!  I was a little nervous at first - not sure where this was going.  Apparently they had asked my son how I was coping and if he was keeping me informed.  To which he replied "I don't need to keep her informed - she knows more than I do about BC and PIR because she's a member of Navyformoms.com".  The recruiters then quizzed me on a couple of things and I was able to answer their questions.  It was all light hearted of course but after we left the recruiters I took my SR for lunch and he told me over lunch that he was very proud of me for getting myself "in-the-know"!

 

Thanks to everyone for all the very valuable information. 

[SailorV'sWife]

Passing along something I found today in another discussion - go to http://callsforrecruits.org/ and they will send you free phone cards plus extras for your SR to give to buddies at BC that don't have any! 

[frogkisses]

Nice to "meet" you Mom of 2...

This is all new to me. my son is my oldest and first to leave the nest. I have 3 more at home yet. I look forward to getting to know you better as the time goes by.

I am such a detail oriented person, so not having "all the information" is a tough one for me. I am glad I am here. It has helped so much already.

Jen

[mommaross CVN77]

Great to meet you two mom of 2.  My son doesn't believe I've made friends already on here :) 

[Navy for Moms Admin]

This is so great! Thank you for posting!! :)

[Debi]

I know what you're taking about mommaross. I joined this site just as my son was going through his testing because I wanted to know what was going to happen. He's ready to rock and roll and I'm trying to unwind the duct tape from the umbillical cord so he can fly free :) lol  Doesn't help that he's the first to fly the coop but because of Navy4Moms I feel much more comfortable turning him over to our country and watching him grow. My husband and I are already looking forward to our first trip to South Carolina when he's in A School and able to get some of his 'stuff'. 

[frogkisses]

Debi,

My son will be in SC for A school. He is still in his processing days at BC. He just left on Monday. He is also my first to leave the nest. It's a pretty dramatic first step. Much different than sending them off to college. Oh, and he was my kid that wanted to stay home for college when we talked about college at the beginning of high school. What a big change of direction. When did your son leave for BC?

Jen

[Debi]

Hi Jen,

Sorry for the LATE reply. Elias leaves for BC on Feb. 19, 2013. We had a delay in his leaving because he still has his braces and he had a few pounds to drop to meet minimum weight. He made body fat but they wanted weight too. So far he's dropped 45 lbs total. He wants to go another 10 give him him "holiday eating room".  He's itching to leave and a DEP buddy of his leaves Dec. 6 so I'm sure he'll amp up his wanting to get going. One thing I'm really blessed with is another Navy Mom who has 2 sons who are SEALS so she's been a touch stone while things move forward. 

[mommaross CVN77]

Debi, I feel pretty good now.  Just waiting on the box and form letter so I can send the letters to him I've been writing.  I really believe my acceptance and calmness is because I'm so well informed from being on N4M's.  The ladies here know EVERYTHING and if they're not sure they sure know someone who will know.  We are blessed to have this outlet and each other.  You will do great - we're all here for you

[herbgarden(Ship12Div085)]

Hi  Debi, I just joined this site a few days ago, when I found out my daughter joined the Navy. I was upset, and she gave me a pamphlet from her recruiter about N4M. I am like some of the other moms, I feel better with information about what is going on. I have learned a lot from you all already. thanks! She will be leaving for BC in Nov., which I am sure will be here in a flash.

[MOMOFTOM (Ship9/Div266)]

Awesome!  Atta girl!  funny, my SR just said to me today, "is there anything those ladies DON'T know??!!" 

oooh rah!

[Concernedad]

I thought this was a pretty good idea of what to expect at Boot Camp. A bit dated, but certainly descriptive enough

 

http://www.epinions.com/kifm-review-298F-36FD6D1F-3A4A2B1E-prod5?sb=1

[ebigirl]

I just stumbled upon this ongoing discussion and thought I'd add my 2 cents. One mom mentioned sending meds to bootcamp with her son. That is NOT allowed, no matter what kind of meds are involved unless you have received a waiver of some kind.

My son enlisted and entered bootcamp in March of 2011 and PIR'd (graduated) in May 2011. He is currently a Reserve with a Seabee detachment out of JBLM (Joint Base Lewis McChord) in Tacoma WA. Yes, we are from the Seattle/Tacoma area as is one of the other moms. You might be asking why he joined the Reserves. Only because his Recruiter told him that IF he joined the Reserves, he would get into and out of bootcamp faster, and that he could SWITCH to full-time active duty after bootcamp. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. This Recruiter LIED to my son, and now his dream of serving his country is vanishing before his eyes.

His drill weekend was last weekend at JBLM. He was told that MOST of the Seabee Reserves will soon be Admin. discharged as the Navy is dropping Seabee units by half. This is not new news, but is the first time my son has heard that it will effect the Reserve's. He was also told he is not "promotable" because "the powers that be" claim he did not do or finish something in 2009. He did not even enlist until Nov. of 2010, left for bc March 2011 and PIR'd May 2011!!! He was still in high school, 17 and graduated from high school in 2009.

I can't stress to you how disappointed he is right now. He LOVES being in the Seabee's, absolutely loves it!! It was the perfect fit for him. My heart is broken for him. He wanted this so badly, and it's all being taken away from him with NOTHING he can do to change anything. And...he's done NOTHING wrong.

If the other wonderful Veteran mom's know anything different about what I've just posted, PLEASE correct me. I am not out to spread wrong or mis-understood information. I can only inform you about what I have been told by my son. I will say that his experience so far has been the BEST thing that could have ever happened to him. He has matured beyond his age (21), and is now so responsible I have to keep reminding myself that YES, he is my son!!

While he was in bc I thought I was going to loose my mind. I was and still am very thankful to this website and the wonderful VERERANS/moms/wives/dads/husbands that volunteer their time as I do to answer questions and try to put newbies mind at ease. The one thing I can say is your child is in a very safe place, and is being very well taken care of. The non communication was the hardest part for me, but snail mail is better than nothing. IF you are able to attend PIR...you will not be disappointed. Attending PIR was one of the greatest things I have ever been able to do in my adult life. The pride you will feel for not only your child but for your country is priceless!  :-)