MEPS swearing in questions

[bethr311]

Hi, my son goes to MEPS Tuesday July 10. My family is going Wednesday morning to watch his swearing in. One of our family is 12 years old. Will she need a photo ID to get onto MEPS? Will we be able to talk to my son after his oath?

I am being supportive and strong - as a longtime single parent I've got that part down - but I'm freaking out on the inside. He's my only child. I have joined the empty nesters group but have been mostly lurking here. There's a lot to take in. Thank you all for your support!
Beth

[ibmom]

Your situation my be different depending on when he will leave to head out to Great Lakes that day, but our son left on June 20th to head to MEPS.  We were able to meet up with him that afternoon and take him to supper.  Then on the 21st, we were able to go to see him swear in.  After that, they were given about an hour to eat lunch at the Federal building's cafeteria.  We got to go with him and visit with him while he ate his lunch.  They were to leave MEPS at noon and were sworn in at 10:30am.  Hope that helps but I'm sure ever MEPS is a little different.

[Maggs]

You can follow him to the airport after he is sworn in. You will have time to talk to him. Be prepared for the Save arrival call, all 30 seconds off it. Then it will be a few days for the "kid-in-a-box" to arrive. He will send you his stuff. His pants will be rolled up, This is due to the computerized shoe sizer. While you are waiting, write him an "Atta boy" letter. This will be hard for you, so take a few days, Get stamps, print out address lables,Then when you get his address, send the letter right away. even send him return address lables. This will save him time, when he writes to you. He will only get to write on Sundays. Get members of the family to send him letters etc. Only White envelopes, no photos, however, ypu can print them , from a computer onto regular paper. You will get through this!  Good luck!

[harpist mom]

There were children from another family present at the swearing in ceremony; however, I do not know whether a photo ID was required. I was required to go through a security line similar to the airport when I entered the downtown Houston MEPS center.

My son was sworn in around 10:30. The families were allowed to speak to their sons and daughters after the ceremony, and many of us took pictures of them (with us) in the room with all the flags and plaques in it. At some point they were required to complete some paperwork and then they were taken to the back of the building to board vans taking them to the airport. I was not given the option to meet up with my son at the airport, but it sounds like other families have done that. He ate lunch at the airport with the other "kids." His plane didn't leave Houston until around 6:30 p.m., and he arrived in GL around 10:30 or 11:00 that night. I didn't get "the call" from him until 1:15 a.m., and it was VERY brief.

 

[Tina (4/9/12)]

hey beth, if you are on this site you are in good company. we have all been there or are going there.  my son graduated 6/1/12 and is now in CT.  he is my youngest of three and it breaks my heart that this was what he chose to do. i just got back from the store and i was looking around for him.  (for a split second)   i don't cry as much now but anything can set me off.  i always try to be up beat in my letters, phone calls and now when i am able to skype him.  the best thing to do is keep busy and take one day at a time.  i wish you and your family all the best.

[ohcheet (nuke MM3)]

Hello and Welcome!

My (only child) son left on July 3. He spent the night at the hotel the night before, and we arrived at MEPS around 9 that morning. I believe it may depend on WHERE he's swearing in, as to who they will need ID from. At ours here in SC, only one of us had to show ID (me) and give the name of the SR we were there to see. I saw many other families with young kids, and they all had on visitors passes. I'd say take a school ID if they have one, otherwise, probably not a problem.

Be prepared....they have a number of processes going on at once. We were told to wait in chairs and then directed into the swearing in. It was short, and then we had a few minutes for pictures before they went in to get travel info. According to the front desk clerk, they were then going to be bussed to the airport where they would wait for their flights. We weren't told about the option to go the the airport and wait until after we'd said the tearful goodbyes at the swearing in...by that time, we were so exhausted emotionally we decided it best to leave the good bye we'd already said as the last one.

You can expect a very short phone call, unfortunately, there's no way to tell what time that might occur. It will only be about 30 seconds..."I'm here, safe. Expect my belongings to arrive in a box in about a week...I love you." Mine barely sounded like my son, and it was 3 a.m....so I knew he had to be exhausted...that was the worst part.

Do join in on conversations, and feel free to "friend" people that you feel a kinship with...it's been a world of support for me here...I'm also on the empty nester's page.

Peace and blessings!
L.

[harpist mom]

My MEPS experience was similar to ohcheet's. Please feel free to "friend" me, Beth, and I will be glad to share any of my experiences that may be helpful to you. The terrific moms on this site really helped me so much re: what to expect from the Boot Camp experience and esp. Boot Camp graduation. Their advice and wisdom helped me through some very anxious moments. These ladies are so kind and generous with information. My heart goes out to you when I read that he is your only child. I have another child; however, my sailor is my oldest child and only son. I will be honest: I shed some tears at the swearing in, especially when I said goodbye to him at the van and walking to my car afterwards. It was a very emotional day for me.

Ohcheet, I was in your shoes 6 months ago, and I get tears in my eyes now while I am thinking back as I am writing this message. My heart goes out to you, too, when I read that he is your only child. It is really tough to have such limited contact with your child during the 8 weeks of boot camp, many ups and downs, as most of the moms will tell you. My son is now in A school in Pensacola, finishing up the initial CTM course (basic electronics). He will transfer to Corry Station in Pensacola at the end of the month for the next course. We visited him on Memorial Day weekend and were impressed with the Naval Base there and his barracks. I'm glad that I can call or email him regularly now.

Wishing you ladies all the best!