Need Some Advice and Help - Son shipped out on 4/23/13

[Alex's Mom]

My son left for Great Lakes on 4/23/13, the catch?  He left angry with me..........I am hoping that someone else's son has the same ship out date so I can keep informed here on N4M.  Any help will be appreciated from you.  I know I need to wait for my son to reach out to me when he grows up a bit but still want to be part of what he is doing here.

Hey he does not need to know:)

 

Ingrid

[lemonelephant]

Yes, the names of those the recruit intends to list on the Access List are included in the form letter as well as the address and PIR date. (You can find a copy of the current form letter at 3. The Official Form Letter from Boot Camp.)

[Alex's Mom]

Very good info, thanks for all these wonderful links.  I believe my SR's date will be 6/21 for PIR.  I was told that bootcamp is 9 weeks which includes the processing time.  Is that correct?  I thought it was 7 weeks?  If an SR goes in on 4/23 when do you believe his PIR will take place?  Thanks for your help. 

[lemonelephant]

You are very welcome. Boot camp according to the RTC is 7 to 10 weeks, including Processing.  The typical time is 8 1/2 weeks, so count 9 Fridays to ge the most likely PIR date, but if a recruit arrives early in the week and is placed in a division from the week before, it could be 8 Fridays, OR if the recruit arrives late in the week and there are too many for that TG, then the recruit may be among the first for the next week's TG and be at the RTC 10 Fridays. The actual training time after P-days is 6 weeks for all recruits. Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) gives more on that.

So, for a recruit arriving on 04/23, the most likely PIR date is 06/21/2013, but because the recruit arrived on a Tuesday, it could be 06/14/2013 if he was among the last to fill a division from the week before and is in a Push Division. You will just have to wait to find out the PIR date or Division number to know.

[Concernedad]

Can you go visit the recruiter's office and talk to him in person? I didn't catch what your son's age is? The military is very big on considering the sailors adults and therefore protective of their information, but perhaps if you talk to this person directly, they may be willing to help you to reach him.

Is your son just typically an angry person? This tends to not go over too well in Boot Camp.

 

[Alex's Mom]

Hi Concernedad, my son is 18 and I am sure he insisted that his recruiter not share with me.  I am in contact however with his Officer whom knows him through DEP and he said he will try his best to give me an address to write.  Alex is not typically angry, it seems 90% is just geared towards lucky me, the person he feels the most comfortable with.  He is in as an E3 Hospital Corpsman from his years as a Sea Cadet.  I have a very bright, passionate young man who needs to figure out that his anger really should not be towards me.  I think he will do fine in the NAVY, he has wanted this for as long as I can remember and he could have gotten a full scholarship to any college.......I am just crossing my fingers he will soften and I will get an invite.  I raised him myself and we were very close until the hormones kicked in, lol.  Have a great day.  Will be back on later.

[Concernedad]

Well I can only share my own personal experience. My son wasn't angry, but he certainly was adamant he didn't need us any longer. His last words were, "Don't bother coming to my graduation".

However, at PIR (of course we went anyway), we were up on the top row and we could see him looking all over for us. He admitted it was much tougher than he expected, and was very happy to see us. For what it's worth, I wrote him regularly and only got two letters in return.

My suggestion to you would be, stay on the recruiter to get his address, although there is a pretty good chance you will be receiving it in the mail soon. Write him often. Stay upbeat and let him know you miss him. He's still a kid, and kids have to learn at their own pace.

[Alex's Mom]

May I ask how you attended his PIR without an invite or did you get one?  My son is so stubborn, lol.  He is the type that will cut off his nose to spite his face.  I am sure deep down he wants me to be there but I have to get that invite.  I am still waiting for his address and hope it comes.  I believe as long as I can get his division and ship number, then I can write to him.  I made French toast this am and cried as that is one of his favorites, oh boy.  Not easy and I appreciate your advice, it does make me feel better and I hope you are right that he will come around.  I realize he is just a kid but I do have to give him his space so that he will come around.  Have a great day!  Hoping when I get home today from being away a few days, I have something in the mail.  Will keep you posted.

[Concernedad]

We were on his list of invites. However, at that time, someone else could also add you to theirs. From what I've heard, this has changed now though.

[lemonelephant]

That is correct; no one can attend now without being on the Access List and other recruits cannot put names on the Access List of people they do not know because the RTC considers it a breach of security.

[Alex's Mom]

I did not receive a letter:(  I need to let go as I feel it is going to take him time, but as soon as I find out his division and ship, I will certainly write to him.

[Alex's Mom]

Thanks for your words of encouragement, have not received a BOX or letter, very sad as my SR does not know how to let go of anger.  Going to stay positive.

[Kim~Made it to the fleet!]

Hi Alex's mom.... How are you holding up?   Have you heard anything yet from your son?   If not maybe it's too soon and he is staying focused on what he has to do in BC.  Praying that you will hear from him soon!