Son leaves for boot camp on Nov. 2!

[Central Coast Mom]

Any advice, tips or... ? I'm heading to the store now for a mini address book, phone card and pocket Bible.  Anything else he can take with him?

Can't believe the time is already here. I know I'm gonna cry like a baby. He leaves Monday morning for L.A. and then Tuesday hops the plane for Great Lakes.  Words of encouragement welcome too!

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

Sounds like you are about ready! How's your rct? Go to your page and scroll down to read messages left for you. Both N4M admin and I have left you a greeting message with links and other info that should be helpful to you and your rct.

Make sure you activate the phone card and he knows how to use it. Instead of an address book just write addresses and phone nunbers on a piece of paper and put it in his wallet. Make sure he knows to leave messages if no answer on your phone...give him cell phone as well as work #'s too.

[Central Coast Mom]

thank you!

[BunkerQB]

Dear Central Coast Mom,
There is not a group in your area. However, there are families from your area in a several CA groups. Check these out.
SF Bay Area Navy Families
Central Valley CA Navy Moms
Northern California Navy Moms

or for general support
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/safeharbor
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/newmomsstophere

[AmyB]

Hi,

My son leaves on Thursday November 4 from Pittsburgh to Great Lakes. Have you found a forum just for November BC? I only found a December.

[BunkerQB]

Here is the link to the "Leaving For Bootcamp in November" group. Just click on the link and click JOIN. Later someone (maybe you) will set up a group for all families with the same PIR date. Be on the look out for that. Good luck to your son. And thank him of us.
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/leavinforbootcampinnovember

[AmyB]

Thanks! I joined plus found the Boot Camp Depper and EOD Groups.

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

AmyB Also, go to your page and scroll down to read comments left for you on your comment wall, The N4M admin and I have left you greeting messages with links and other info that may help you and your rct

[Kris]

Hi Amy,
My son left November 2 for Great Lakes. Got his 14 second phone call last night. You joined EOD, is that what your son is going into? Mine is also.

Kris

[AmyB]

Kris,

sorry it took so long to reply. I'm just figuring this site out. Yes my son is doing EOD. Just got his box and letter. He is Ship 04 Div 802 PIR 01711. They started a group for that PIR so you should join. Also on that site I started a discusssion for those with the same ship and Div- when you find out about your son join

Amy

[proudmom89 PIR 11/12 Ship 11 Div]

I hope you are hanging in there. I did not see this post before today or I would have told you to get him a book of stamps to take. You can always put some in one of the letters you send to him. I also sent my son with $25 cash. Not sure if he was able to use it but felt better knowing he had it. The next few days are going to be really rough for you if you are anything like I was. I felt so overwhelmed with this sense of loss that I could not explain to anyone. It does get better! I think you have to let yourself feel those emotions. When you get that "I'm here, few seconds call," that is when it really sinks in that the journey has begun. lol.... I can tell you that writing all the time has helped me. Please do not get upset if it takes a few weeks to get a letter. I think it is around the 3rd or 4th week that most people get a letter. Sometimes they do not get your letters for that long as well. The other thing is just do not let what other people post on here upset you. For the most part this is a wonderful support system but I find that it gets very frustrating when you see one division getting to call home often or moms talking about all the letters they are getting when you are not hearing anything from your child. That is because every division is different and those in charge of the divisions vary in how they chose to do things. It does not necessarily mean that your child's division is a bad one or someone elses is better. It just varies and the one thing I have heard over and over is that no news is good news! You have to just prepare yourself for the fact that these next couple of months are all about your son and him learning what he needs to learn the Navy way. It is not about us lol.... We did our job, now it is the Navy's turn and we have to let go and let it all happen. Pick someone on here that you feel a connection with and email back and forth or get a number and even chat when you are having a hard time. I find the one on one approach is much better because on the general posts, it seems like your concerns are not always addressed like they are when you are talking directly with someone. If your son has wisdom teeth, expect that around week 3 or so, they get those teeth pulled out. That was when my son actually got a minute to first write me lol... There are really 3 calls unless something goes wrong or they are just fortunate to have a division where they are given more calls. I find that is rare though. There is the call when they get there, the call about half way through BC and then the call after Battle Stations 21 which lets you know they are now a Sailor. Anything other than that is really not common. I am certain you are going to be just fine :) Just hang in there and take it one day at a time. I could not walk into my son's room the first 2 weeks. It does get better, I promise. My son's PIR is 11/12 so I am getting very excited. I have learned that things change very quickly where the Navy is concerned so always expect that. It really does help to train yourself to think that way. The other thing I would say is, if you get a letter from your son, be careful about what you post on here as far as things he is telling you. He may not want everyone to know what he is confiding in you and the other thing is that it upsets other moms when they hear something, they get excited and then it does not play out. (for examples someone telling you that the division is going to be calling home and then they don't.) Anyway, I hope some of this info will help you. It is not easy being a mom and letting go but it will all be okay!!!! My son wrote me that he takes great comfort in going to church on Sunday. I think the guys that have a faith based foundation will rely on that greatly to get them through all of this. Well if you need anything at all, please feel free to friend request me and send me a message anytime.

[Central Coast Mom]

Many thanks -- I'm actually feeling at peace about most everything right now. And folks are so supportive. It's all good...eventually. :) Thank you for taking the time to help me get to know the "ropes" -- so to speak.
Counting the days until January! Best wishes for your PIR Novemberf 12th!

[Central Coast Mom]

many thanks! such a great support network. we'll get through it, right? :)