Countdown has started ~ Things to remember

[MJsproudmom]

Hi..My son is on the countdown to boot.  He leaves December 4th.  Other than what has been posted to do the last 30 days, is there anything else or is there something I really really don't want to forget to do?  As usual, I am being mom.  I am wanting to make sure everything is done and that my son doesn't leave without everything he needs.  I really don't want to over think it, but I don't want to forget anything either. 

Thank you everyone for your help, support and suggestions. 

[Lennette]

I had my son pack up a small tote and one just a little bigger and mark them A And B...this way when he is out of boot...I can send him what he deems important :) he ended up keeping his phone until he got to Chicago and that came back in "the box." He originally was not going to take it..but his flight didn't leave until the day after his swear in.

It will be cold so a sweat shirt at least. Other than that....I hug from you and a ton of encouragement!!!

[belovedbyHim]

Have the discussion about if he wants to be told bad news  and about whom, also apply for a passport before he finished A school.  My Sailor was told he wouldn't need one but he is stationed overseas and cannot visit other countries without one and the American embassy is not very close to the base.  Frustrating because we would have done it while he was on hold or at A school but didn't know.  If you are getting a calling card activate it and have him practice using it.  Spend lots of time making memories and see if you can get a video message, phone message and have him leave a note to you in his pocket while he is on the flight to Bootcamp.  Oh and plan to go to the Airport and MEPS.  He's not bonding with his new Navy buddies yet.  He may never see the guys he ships with after they get off the bus at Great Lakes until he's in the fleet if he even sees them there.  {{{NMHugs}}}}  You'll survive this as will he!!

If you haven't yet go look at http://www.navydep.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433 It helps to know what they are doing every day!

[Vickie360]

Mine leaves Dec 3rd. Someone said to get a passport but we haven't done that.

[Barbie (Tommy's mom)]

My SR left a month ago... We're on the downhill slide to PIR!! I put a book of stamps in his black wallet. I also wrote a note for him to read prior to receiving any mail. He still hasn't read it...he said he's keeping it in case he has a really rough day. A Bible is allowed if you want one. (A family member gave my son a "Sailor's Bible" and that's what he took.)
We actually bought a virtual phone card from AT&T. I typed up the info and put that in his wallet too...that way I can add minutes from home if needed. Hope this helps! And...it's ok to "be mom". That's what we do! :)

[belovedbyHim]

Vicky360- Passport can be done while they are in A school too.  You have time to start the process now however.  They do not need one at BC or while in A school but if they get a duty station overseas they'll want/need one and there just isn't enough time to get that taken care of between the time they get their orders and the time they ship out.  My DH was Navy and didn't have a Passport but was never stationed overseas (Deployment is different)  My Son however is stationed overseas in Europe. He didn't get his passport before he left and no cannot visit other countries until he does.  Sadly the US Embassy is not close to where he is stationed so he has to take leave, rent a car, and get a hotel room in that city to get his passport so he can travel while he is there.  It's a huge hassle!! Oh and we had to send his Original birth certificate to him which makes us all nervous since anything can happen to that!  Better to save the grief and do it sooner rather than later.  Doesn't hurt to have it.

[MJsproudmom]

I work at a school and the Navy came in today to talk to our juniors.  I was able to chat with the recruiter one on one for about 45 mins.  I got some questions answered and I feel a lot better.  The info you all gave me he confirmed.  He mentioned not filling out the direct deposit form because of identity theft in the event of it getting lost.  He suggested instead a "post it" with routing and account number and affixed to the back of my son's DL.  He said they have the direct deposit forms at RTC so why take the risk by filling it out a head of time..  Recruiter said that my son will get a tote type thing that will have stationary, envelopes and stamps.  When I suggested sending him money and stamps, he said "Don't do that, your son has a job now and he can buy that stuff himself."  Of course I just chuckled cuz I am a mom and that won't happen.  LOL!  What he did tell me is that when my son gets his ID card, that card will a chip and the chip will contain his medical records and and $300 on the card to use at RTC to buy things he needs during boot.  If there is a balance it will be cashed out prior to PIR.  Have you all heard this before?  I feel I am better to handle stressful things if I know most of the unknowns.  

[Dee]

 Hi Vickie a pass port is nice but not totally needed,it is more important that you have one, the sailors can move around country to country on military ID. My son is in Japan and has traveled to many diff countries on military ID. Truthfully it is more important that you have one so if he gets hurt or sick over sea's and you want to go see him you willl have the passport already. Hopethis helps. The Navy is awesum and they take good care of their own. I am very proud of all the work the sailors do and the leadership they follow. Good luck on this journey with your son.