My Son is leaving for Boot Camp Nov 18th...anyone else?

[Grasshopper]

After my son joining the DEP program last December the day is almost here. He is scheduled to leave for BC on November 18th. He is the youngest of three boys for me and this is going to be so hard not having contact with him for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Looking for other Moms out there for support!!!

[Toni (Ship 12 Div 086)]

I know how you feel! I have one graduating this Friday Nov. 6th. He is grad n go see he won't be here for Thanksgiving or Christmas. He is the youngest of my three boys as well. I also have three girls. My second eldest son received a call from his recruiter telling him he may be leaving for bootcamp November 16. He has been in the DEP program for about 6 months. He was not scheduled to leave until March. I had hoped to have a little time before his bootcamp to save up some money again but oh well! What I have learned from my son being in bootcamp is as soon as you get their address write them as much as you can! Send stamps! No news is good news, that's the big thing to remember! I have had a hard time with that!!

[mother_hen_deb]

I was wondering about the stamps thing do they not get to buy stamps there?? I will mail some to my daughter asap. When you say no news is good news that is sooo very hard to deal with. I havent heard from my daughter for 10 days I keep thinking there should be a letter in the mail but havent gotten one yet. Makes me worry so much more. Thank you for writing!

[Grasshopper]

I'm not sure about stamps. I sent a bunch with Philip. I finally got his form letter on Saturday and it was metered mail so he didn't have to use a stamp. He left on 11/18 and I finally got that on 11/28 so it was 10 days I had to wait. Definitely the longest 10 days of my life. The bottom of the form letter only gives them about 4 lines to write but at least I got to hear something from him in his writing. Even though he said BC "sucks" I could hear the pride in his note so I feel better. Hang in there...hopefully yours will come today.

[mother_hen_deb]

thank you for the info. I cant wait for the mail to arrive everyday. I live in oregon so I am farther away then you are. Is the form letter info on graduation?? Did they give you a date that graduation should be if all goes as planned?? I know what you mean by the longest days. I have been marking them off one by one. I hope you get a full letter soon also. Take care!

[Grasshopper]

The form letter does have information about graduation. Philip's PIR is 1/22/09. I'm hoping you got your form letter yesterday! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will get a real letter today.

[mother_hen_deb]

nothing yet! I live oregon maybe that is why its taking so long. What state are you in?? I guess some recruits have been able to call if they do well. I think the whole group has to do well to earn the phone call. I will keep my fingers crossed for both of us!

[Grasshopper]

Thanks for the words of encouragment! I have a cousin and her son graduated BC a year ago so she's also been helping me prepare for this day. She's the one that told me about this site. It really has helped to read from so many others going through the same thing and to know what I am feeling is normal!! I never knew I could feel so many emotions at one time! I am so proud of my son and yet I am going to miss him so much. I cry at the drop of a hat these days...I can't imagine what I will be like on Nov. 17th when we have to drop him off.

[pinky7(PROUD mom of a SAILOR)]

Hi Grasshopper, My son left yesterday (11-18-09) too! He was my oldest but I have three sons too. I agree! It is very hard not having contact with them for Thanksgiving and Christmas, although I hope by Christmas they can call home. It is very nice to see that I am normal! I guess it's better I don't talk to him! I would spend more time crying than talking! Well, at least I'm getting my sinuses cleaned out (LOL)! Take care!

[Grasshopper]

Hi Pink7...Was you day as bad as mine? I did decent earlier in the week but today I have done NOTHING but cry! I know it will get better but it just hurts so much right now. When he called last night I just wanted to ask him what the weather was like, what they had done so far.

Philip is planning on being an MAA...what about your son? Maybe they will meet each other.

[pinky7(PROUD mom of a SAILOR)]

OK! My husband is gong to have to make the phone call to the recruiter! It's getting easier, sort of! I'm not crying every day, just parts of the days! My cousins have kids that entered the Marine Corps and the Army. I told them "I not worried about Jack, he'll be fine! How am I going to make it through Boot Camp?" It was nice talking to them, since they had already done this. My son has a Seal contract. So he will stay at bc another 8 weeks (HA, HA! He has friends, that also have Seal contracts, that went in before him and are still in Great Lakes!) but at least he is coming back to California for Seal Training (somewhere in the distant future!)

[baffyusn]

Hi grasshopper, My daughter is going to school in TX to study Master of arms. Is this the same thing that your son is going for?? I hope all is well with you and your family--- I have not gotten any letters or any more phone calls from my daughter, but I do not expect to hear from her for a couple of more weeks. Happy thanksgiving.

[Grasshopper]

Yes, my son is going to MA school. I got Philip's box this past Monday but still have not gotten that first letter. I was hoping it would come today and was a little disappointed when it didn't come. Tomorrow is going to be tough without him. Thanksgiving was Philip's favorite Holiday. He said it was the one time of year that you got together with all your family and friends and didn't have to have the stress of gifts. Do you have your daughter's division yet? Maybe they will end meeting between BC and A school.

I hope you and your Family has a great Thanksgiving!
Cathy