My son is leaving for Boot Camp on 10/27/11.

[Barbara]

My son is leaving for boot camp on 10/27/11.  I just read about putting a phone card in his wallet (great idea).  Are there other people who have someone leaving on that date, too?  Are there any other good, last-minute tips?   Thank you!   Barb

[spontino]

Just the phone card, some stamps and like $25 to use in the airport if they need it...I didn't know about any of this so I sent them after I got his address and it worked out fine also.  They are given some Navy stationary to use but it runs out so I did send some paper and envelopes towards the middle of his time there (he asked for it). Good luck to your son!  My son is graduating this coming Friday and it went by much faster than I expected!

[dimper1207]

yahoo!!!!

[jodia-Proud Mom Of A Sailor!]

Moms.........Activate those phone cards before your kids go off to Boot Camp!  And have them practice using them.  Phone call time is short & it would be a real shame if you & your SR's missed out on your rare visits!  Good Luck!  I got my son a 700 or so minute card & he still had it long after Boot Camp.  It's probably still in his wallet! 2 years later!  ;0)

[CeliaSews]

My son is heading to Great Lakes tomorrow, October 24.  I got him the phone card, two sheets of stamps to put in his wallet and some blister bandages that he can fit in his wallet as well.  A few wallet size family photos along with his cash and debit card, too.  He has his address book and he will be taking his cell phone and iPod for the plane, but that's about it.  Since he's staying at MEPS tonight, he'll have his toiletries for the morning, but I guess that will all come home in the "box".

I can't believe the day is here.  We will be dropping him off at the recruiter's office at 2:30 this afternoon.  We plan on attending his swearing in in Brooklyn tomorrow morning, then it's good-bye for 8 weeks.  I hope his PIR is on Dec. 16th...that means he'll be eligible to participate in the Adopt-A-Sailor program for Thanksgiving Day.

[Batmansmom531]

My son leaves to Great Lakes on 10/26. He was given several phone cards (which I am activating thanks to the advice of amazing moms) and stamps. My understanding is that everything except their wallet, religious medallion comes in the dreaded "box"  His recruiter will pick him up on 10/25 at 9:30 and we will drive down to Tampa for swearing in ceremony on 10/26.  I guess our sons will be at PIR on the same date?   Adopt -a- sailor?  What is that?  

It's nice to meet another mom, who has a son shipping out the same time frame as mine. The support, encouragement will be much needed until that "1st letter" arrives...I hear it can be as long as 3 weeks. 

Congrat's to your son and your family, and my thanks to him for his service.

 

[CeliaSews]

There is an Adopt-a-Sailor program for Thanksgiving. Only the SR's in the groups for PIR on 12/2 and 12/16 can participate. They get to go with a family or to the VFW for Thanksgiving. Here's the link. Hope it works. You might need to copy and paste in your browser.

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/if-you-are-interest-in-the-...

[Rosalinda(MAA MAMA)]

Hello i was here 10 months ago when my son went to BC know i am back my nephew will be leaving wednesday Oct 26.....hope to make more NAVY family friends i will be the link for my nephew till his mom gets it toghter it has been hard on her as well as it is on all moms to let go but here we all get support and by the time we know it we will be planning for graduation.....

[Batmansmom531]

Good Morning Navy Moms.

My son left with his recruiter about an hour ago, and I just broke down. I held it together pretty well, until I saw him walk out the door.  It reminded me of his first day at kindergarten with his back pack....such fond memories, and now a new chapter begins.  Tomorrow we see him one last time for swear in ceremony, then he's off to the windy city.  Praying for strength and for the next weeks to fly by.

[llarmour]

I know how you feel! I didn't breakdown when my son left with the recruiter or at the airport when he got on the plane but when I got that first letter, I totally lost it and cried for hours! Stay strong and pray much! My son has PIR this Friday and I cannot wait! I have been a phone and postman stalker for the last few months!

 

 

[RuthL]

I has the same "first day of school" feelings when my daughter got on the bus yesterday.  We went to MEPs with her and it was so wonderful to see her swear in, but when she got on the bus I lost it. 

[Batmansmom531]

We went to see my son swear in today, after driving 2 hours and waiting just as long, he told us he wouldn't be leaving today.....when his date was moved up, someone neglected to book his plane ticket. The look on his face broke my heart. My 6 year old said "mommy, he looks so sad, can we take my brother home;, he cried when we had to go home without danny. I tried not to cry on the drive home, because although he is set up to swear in tomorrow, and I have spoken to several people who assured me that he will be on the plane....i will probably not be able to drive four hours roundtrip again. I picked up a bunch of bananas and cried, heard one of his, favorite songs...cried....he's still in the same state n I'm a basket case. Friends n family are great about asking how he and I are holding up....but if one more person says "he'll be fine " or " he'll be home before you know it" I'm going to scream.. I don't mean to sound like a loony mon, but unless you have felt what we moms here have felt you can't possibly understand....thank you for listening.

[smou]

I know how hard it is to let them go.  We had almost the same problem, only he was sent back home for 2 weeks.  I enjoyed having him a little longer, but had to go thru the letting go again.  Mine left today, his flight left about an hour ago.  Your not a loony mom, heck my dad just told me to cut the apron strings.  I cant even walk in his room yet...and I know he left dishes in there.  I know I will still worry for the next 8 weeks, but hopefully it will go by quickly