To Boot Camp on July 3rd

[Sam'sMom]

This is my first post.  I have been reading posts for about 3 months now and appreciate all the information!

My son Sam is 22 years old and decided last fall to join the Navy.  He went through the police academy and was excited about becoming a police officer but no one was hiring and most departments were laying off.

He ships out on July 3 (Tuesday) for boot camp and I couldn't be more proud.  He will be a Machinist Mate on a submarine when all is done.

He is my only child and my best friend and I will miss him terribly but I am so excited about the decision he has made.  He actually is more worried about me that I am of him (at least I let him believe that).

I have always been able to answer any question my kid has asked until now which is a little frustrating.  I will continue to read everyone's wonderful and informational posts and try not to be a pest as I feel a bit helpless right now. 

I am always open to advice and support from those of you that have been there done that :)

[Txnavymom(Ship7DIV259)]

My son is starting his first week at bootcamp and is also on the path of training as a Machinist Mate on a submarine. I received his box of personal items that he left to boot camp with yesterday in the mail but have not yet received information regarding his address and where to send letters. I can't wait to receive a letter from him. Relinquishing control and communication is so hard.
Anxiously awaiting word from him:)

[Sam'sMom]

Sam is not a big letter writer so I don't expect much from him, which is OK.  He will be getting one for every day once I get the address information :)

I hope you hear from your son soon, I understand the first few weeks are the toughest and then they actually start enjoying it! 

I just need to remember this is not about me, it's about him and his new life.  I am ridiculously proud of my kid!

[Concernedad]

On this website somewhere are some questionaires you can print off and send to Sam. My son is also not a letter writer, but he was quick to answer the questionaire. This way, he doesn't have to think of things to say.

Make sure you put a number on each envelope. They don't necessarily pass out the mail in the order it gets there.

[Sam'sMom]

Thanks!  Great idea numbering the envelopes.

[Sam'sMom]

Thanks!  I joined them all.  I will forward the DEP link to Sam. 

I appreciate your help.

[Jodi-alumni Ship 4]

My youngest son is also leaving on July 3. He has a contract for rescue swimmer. His best friend Luke, who lives with us, doesn't ship out until 9/11.  Luke will be training as a Machinist Mate on a sub like your son. I was able to learn quite a bit about the rescue swimmer program from the navy moms on the rescue swimmer site but I really haven't figured out exactly what Luke will be doing as a Machinist Mate-that site is kind of quiet.

It seems like the days are flying by. They both graduated high school June 5. Now the two of them are trying to get everything that my son wanted to do this summer crammed into a week so I really haven't seen much of them. I too have been on this website reading posts for a long time but it still seems like I'm forgetting to do some things and now I'm running out of time!

[Sam'sMom]

Wow, you have got a lot going on!  Rescue swimmer sounds amazing!  You must be very proud.

My son's recruiter is is a submarine guy.  He wasn't a Machinist Mate (he was a Nuke) but he did have good things to say about it.  I think Sam is going for the Weapons Machinist Mate, of course.

You are right about time flying by.  Sam signed up the first of April which seems like just yesterday.  He is also trying to cram everything in to the point I'm afraid he's going to get hurt before he goes.  I fear for him this weekend :)  I don't know what he can take with him.  His recruiter, who is just 24 himself, is not real forthcoming with information.  I have really been trying hard to follow the posts here, they are very helpful. 

I figure he will be in good hands and since he is a bit older, I know he will do what he needs to do.

I dread Tuesday morning (for me), but I am very excited for Sam.  I wish I would have done something like this when I was his age.

Good luck.  I hope you get more time with him this weekend.

[Jodi-alumni Ship 4]

Josh has been in DEP since late last fall so I've had a few months to get used to the idea of him leaving. Still, these last few weeks seem to be speeding by.

Josh and his friends went camping at a lake near us. I guess they had rings etc. across the lake. Josh said he's very sore from using the rings & he got sun burned  so I understand your worry about Sam hurting himself this weekend.

 Josh still has to make the rounds saying good-bye to everyone. He's going fishing with his dad and his big brother on Saturday which they haven't had a chance to do in quite a few years (his brother has lived out of state for over 6 years so I am kind of used to having a son gone-but Josh is my "baby" so that means an empty nest). Josh leaves on Monday afternoon to spend the night at the hotel near MEPS. Where does Sam swear in?

[Sam'sMom]

Sam leaves on Monday for Columbus, OH where he will swear in.  I'm going up on Monday night with my sister to spend a little more time with him and then watch him swear in on Tuesday.

We had our big family and friends party last night so everyone could say their goodbyes.  That's when it hit me :(

I wish Josh the best.  It's going to be weird without my 'baby' here but I wouldn't have it any other way.