Unprepared

[mum Z]

16hrs since I received that scripted phone call from my son. Unaware of the "scripted" part and or length of phone call (48 sec). I could hear stress in his voice. Also unaware of being able to have accompanied him to his recruiter meetings for preparation on what to expect after final swear in. Maybe he thought I wouldn't have been as supportive had I attended. Definitely unprepared for this journey. Never been away from my three children. My heart feels heavy. Experiencing detachment with my children becoming adults and leaving NEST that's been built with a strong foundation with walls insulated with ADT security. Now not even being able to communicate with my middle child and only son. I feel as if I'm grieving or had a loss. Emotions from PROUD, SAD, UNCERTAIN, EXCITED for his journey, and LONGING to hear him say "I'm going fishing". Never thought it would be so hard to fold his clothes, walk past his door, pick up his shoes, or not hear his car crank. Wondering if there are other navy moms who have experienced these feelings? Today only cried once and here I am writing without tissues thanks to the support from another navy mom (whose ex navy chief).  

[rhonda/ship 13 div 102]

Wow, you and me both. My son leaves Jan 7th...It feel like such a loss for me.. all I've done is cry.

[madismom]

I'm right there with you ! It has been 6 days and I have cried everyday! I am so happy she is there...I just miss her being around. I grab the phone to call my daughter multiple times a day to tell her random things:). We are here for you !

[Sheree]

Hi, just read your posting. My son left yesterday. I have been feeling the same way. He signed up in march. I probably cried every day. Still am to this day. I too am proud but so sad and empty. I miss the messes he makes, the sounds from upstairs and also the sounds his car makes. I keep pictures very close to me. I know this is a great experience but you cannot take the nurturing out of the mom. I feel you.

[Richie's Mom]

Mum Z, you are not alone!  I cried for days...going through mourning in essence, but even though I am going through a number of other things in addition...divorce and a move right after my SR left.  His "scripted" call to me when he got there was only 22 seconds long and I really needed to hear his voice.  his first phone call came last saturday, which I was not expecting so soon...only a week and a half after his arrival at RTC.  I missed it.  Hang in there...I suppose it gets easier, but at this point I am not so sure.  Before he left, I bought him a St. Christopher medal, which he must be wearing because in his box I found his gold cross that he usually never took off.  I am wearing it now.  For some strange reason, it makes me feel closer to him.  

[Mary...Brittsmom]

I had to close my daughters door. After almost 2 years her door is open and and I can look in her room without a feeling of emptiness. I went through every emotion that you speak of. And to be honest still have days that I miss her terribly.

My husband and I purchased a dog and a couple of corvettes! Haha my daughter thinks we are crazy but they pass the time and give us a hobby.

Hang in there, we are all in the same "boat"

[lemonelephant]

"A" Schools shut down around Chrstmas and the New Year, so yes, your then Sailor will have th opportunity to have leave at some point onver the holiday stand down at the "A" Schools.

Join Sailors In Pensacola, FL For A School....Corry Station too!! and Parents of A School Sailors in Pensacola. What is your SR's rating (job/specialty) going to be? There are groups for most of the ratings wth "A" School in Pensacola.

[lemonelephant]

Also, join Air Traffic Controller Moms and check out Airman Family and Friends. The Rating Information Card for AC can be found at https://www.cool.navy.mil/enlisted/rating_info_cards/ac.pdf. Your Sailor will most likely fly out to "A" School the day after PIR. See PIR Day and LibertyDuring PIR Weekend to help you know how to plan your weekend.

[karenceubanks]

I got the call from my son today!!!  He had been in FIT for 4 weeks for not passing his running.  There were 70 other males there with him!  The stress of him leaving and being away in bootcamp was doubled by the stress of having to hear that he failed several times.  He made it by 2 seconds.  I will continue to pray for all of your recruits that their time in bootcamp goes as it should and all of you still waiting for your recruits to come out of FIT - you will get "the call" soon!   Know that they are helping them, coaching them, and giving them lots of opportunities and coaching in FIT.  Unless they choose or agree to quit, they will make it.  Keep your chins up and send your recruit love. My recruit said he had lots of support and was being pushed all the time to do better and make it.  I will finally sleep sound tonight.  The pride in his voice was all I needed to hear.  After making sure we all knew he loved us and he missed us....he made sure I would send him his iphone!  LOL!  This has been more of a journey for me than I had any idea it would be!!!

[Richie's Mom]

Oh dear, the wisdom teeth.  I had Richie's taken out about a month or two before he left.  I hope he has an easy time with them.  

[lemonelephant]

Your SR will do well with the wisdom teeth removal. The Navy only does dental work that is needed. The dentists at the RTC consider if there may be a problem in the future and remove one, two, three, or all four of the wisdom teeth if needed. If it is determined that the recruit does need to have one or more wisdom teeth removed, this is scheduled at a time that will be the least disruptive to training and often several in the division have it done on the same day so they are recovering together. The recruits have 2 days SIQ and have someone who checks to see that the recruits are taking their pain meds and drinking plenty of water as directed. They then have at least one day of LLD and must be checked before returning to full training. We often hear that recruits have the wisdom teeth removed on Thursday or Friday (as your son will), so they have the weekend to recover when no new training takes place. This is similar to the recovery time given in the civilian world. They are well taken care of and there have been recruits who were happy to have the time to rest and others who didn't have to have the teeth removed who wished that they had once they saw how their shipmates were treated while they had to clean the head or do other jobs in the compartment and continue with PT.

[Sailors mom]

My son has been in the Navy 2 years, but ocassionly I come back to this site and read the post because my heart aches for all that are going through what I did 2 years ago. Believe me you are not alone and you are not crazy. I rember thinking am I am the only one who feels this way and then I found this site and was over joyed to know that there were others that I could relate too. It felt like a grieving process, but I will tell you all it does get better and there will be more phone calls and he/she will get leave to come home. Don't get me wrong I miss my son terribly sometimes but I can tango video chat and I can talk to him via text or phone call. Just remember to be strong for your sailor and give them the support they so need. I think I bought every card that walmart had when mine was at BC I sent a card everyday and wrote him if it was just a poem or funny pictures I spent a fortune in stamps and enevelopes but it some how made me feel closer to him. He said he had so many letters and cards from me and his family and friends that his top on his cabinet wouldn't close and oh yea send lots of pictures. Take care and God Bless all of our sailors.

[Tajecora]

I totally understand how you feel, it has been 2 years since my son went to boot camp and I still remember that feeling when I got the box of his belongings.  18 years and "thank you for playing" we will take it from here, was one of the hardest things I have ever been through.

I promise you it gets better and easier! You will go from walking by his room and crying to being so proud you tell everyone who will listen, what he is doing! 

Hang in there mum_Z!