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[SharonsMom]

Hi!

So, my daughter was sworn in yesterday.  She ships out on 4/5/2011.  How do I find out all the info all you other mom's seem to have, ie division, etc.  Just trying to learn the lingo, etc.  Looking forward to chatting with you all and having a support group!  Faith

[Kat (MM Nuke)]

Hi Sharon,
Well, lets see.....you won't find out division number or PIR date (graduation date) until your daughter actually gets to bootcamp. They will send a formal letter home to you about a week or so after she gets there that will have her address on it with ship number and division number and PIR date. Once you know that then you, or someone else in that same PIR date, can start a discussion forum for everyone else who has the same PIR date, plus you can start a forum for each individual division number. When you get that info., change your name on your posts so that it shows like mine is with the ship number, then division number, then PIR date. This helps everyone identify you right away so they know when, where, etc.
I hope this helps. It's a long wait, I know. My son was waiting for 11 months. He now has 2 weeks left and hopefully will be graduating on time. He has terrible shin splints and hasn't passed the running portion of the tests yet, but has his last chance to do it next week. if he doesn't pass then he has to stay there until he does pass. Yikes.

Take care.

[JM-ISmomx2]

Sharon, I would suggest you start with the DEPPERs group and also join the leaving for BC in April group, this is a good place to start learning much of the things you will need to know. It will make the ride smoother and less stressful. Knowledge is power. This is my second time through and while I know the facts the emotional part is almost as difficult. I have a daugher who has been in 1 year and a son currently in BC. You can friend me if you have any questions you want answered or ask any of the other Moms, they are all very helpful and very willing to give you the support, friendship and encouragement you will need. JM

[Mrs.B_Div 302_Ship9]

My husband just finished Boot Camp and is in A-school right now.

One piece of advice: don't listen to the recruiters information that they give. They mean it all in good will, but over half the time they do NOT get the information correct. The best thing to do is relax and wait until you get all the form letters in the mail about 1 1/2 weeks after your daughter has made it to boot camp.

The first 5-7 days is spent in what they call "P-Days". They get their uniforms, fill out ALL sorts of paper work, do many medical check up things (dental, physical, etc) and then after all that, they finally make it over to the boot camp side. I am in Great Lakes area and there is a P-days side and a Boot Camp side. Once she makes it to Boot Camp, she will start getting her mail. Don't be worried if you get a letter from her saying, "Mom, why aren't you writing me?" The first letter I got from my hubby broke my heart because he thought I wasn't writing, when in all actuality, two days after he sent that letter he got the 12 letters I'd already sent.

As soon as you get the form letter giving you the address to write at, start writing. She will NEED the letters. From what I was told by my husband and many other people in his division/ship they would NOT have made it through without letters. Those letters are like gold to them and they look forward to "mail call" every single day. If you can, try to send a little note every day. You'll be surprised at how much she will appreciate them and need them.

Boot camp is hard. It's not made to be easy, simple or fun. But the best advice I can give you for her is this: tell her to keep her chin up when times get hard, smile through the tough times, make the best, the BEST of every opportunity, when she is feeling upbeat, tell her to encourage her fellow friends around her, and when she is feeling down, tell her to find a friend and unload on them, ask for a hug. The best way to get through Boot Camp is to smile, smile, smile. The first 2 weeks are the hardest and it gets easier from there. Trust me, there will be tears, there will be times she will feel like giving up and just going home, but tell her she can do it! She's doing something awesome for the USA and we ALL appreciate her and her desire to serve her country.

Blessings~
Mrs. B

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

Welcome....go to your profile page and scroll down to read comments left for you on your comment wall. I've left you a greeting message with links to groups and other info that may be helpful to your and your dtr.