New Nuke Mom

[ekuk]

Hi everyone. My son is leaving to boot camp today. I'm not doing so good. I read everything about it but I never imagined would be so difficult. Its nice to be able to read comments from veterans to try to make it easier for me....

[PaulaKylesMom (JapanNavyMom)]

Good morning! My son has been gone since August 21 so I know how you feel. Today won't be easy for sure, I won't lie but hang in there. The day my son left I held it together until the drive home. I have never been as proud of him as I was that day. He was so excited, I had to keep it together for him. The call you will get when he arrives is very short and generic. I did manage to get in I love you and I am so proud of you! Here if you want to chat. Not a pro at this by no means , I still have rough days.

[bethr311]

Ekuk, I'm a nuke mom too. My son's PIR is Friday. He left July 11 and that seems like a long time ago. I held it together for his sake at his swearing in at MEPS but believe me, I cried the entire rest of the day.

I started writing him a daily letter that day, and that helped a lot, even though it takes a while to get an address so you can mail them. Just number the letters so when he does get them he can read them in the right order.

By the time you get the form letter with his graduation/PIR date, some of the angel/genius veteran moms will have formed a group for that date. Join it, it will help so much. Then count Fridays till PIR, it makes the time seem less.

Once you get the form letter, keep your cell phone with you ALWAYS. He may get a three week call, no guarantees, but I missed my son's because I didn't know he might get one. He didn't get another one till his "I'm a sailor" call after battle stations.

It's hard but the time does pass and in a few weeks, Lord willing, you'll be reaching out to the heavy hearted new Navy moms.

[jbkbmom]

Ekuk, hang in there. My nuke just left too, (will fly to GL today from MEPS in San Jose, CA) so our guys will be there together. My son's recruiter said there were usually only around 20 or so nukes in each bc group (division?) so I'm sure they'll find each other. They'll do fine...and so will we, I trust! Glad for the chance to connect with other moms...take care today...you aren't alone! =]

[wonders520]

Ladies, my son left Aug 14 to MEPS, and left for BC Aug16.  He is my baby of 5...there are good days and downers days...I received the 31 sec I am here call the night he left.  got a surprise 3 min call on the first Sunday and nothing since.  Except the box and the form letter....but no calls and no letters yet.  Yesterday I set myself up for a phone call, thinking its a holiday they will be rewarded....didnt happen so it was a sad day (mostly evening).   Today is a new day, so maybe a letter? If not, I have to believe they are working hard and need my silent support and prayers here at home.  The greatest thing is this website....reading about other SRs and supporting each other is very comforting.  There are so many great videos and informational things to read.....that will keep you busy for a while....Bless our SR's  have a good day Nancy

[PaulaKylesMom (JapanNavyMom)]

Nancy... I did the same thing. I was way to hopeful about a call since it was a holiday, I ended up having a rough night because of it... Couldn't sleep! I was told mail went out on Monday's for them so I don't expect a letter till end of the week. I'm going to try to not get my hopes up. That way everything will be a wonderful surprise!! Haha. This is way harder than I thought!

[JackieD]

Hang in there!  My son graduated boot camp in March.  The first couple of weeks will be tough, but hang in there.  He's in a safe place and no news is good news.  If he has his cell phone, he can keep in touch with you until he arrives in Chicago.  Then a few hours later or when they're told to, you'll receive the 30 second call to let you know he's arrived.  You'll get his box a few days later, then the form letter with his address and graduation date. 

When you get the form letter letting you know his division, join that PIR group on Boot Camp Moms.  You'll be able to chat with others who's SR is in the same division. It's an amazing support system. 

You'll get his first letter around the 3rd week and a phone call around the same time.  It'll be a relief to hear from him once a week through his letters.

You can start writing to him now and send him all the letters when you get his address.  I numbered the envelope so that he knew which one to read first.  My son said that the letters from home helped get him through boot camp.

Hugs to you!

[rnterry 04/817 PIR 7/27 alumni]

Nuke Mom - There is NOTHING easy about the emotional roller coaster you have just been thrust upon.  It totally sucks for the next couple of weeks.  Do nothing, do everything.  Stay busy, sit and stare at the walls.  It is all correct, your emotions are very valid and everyone of the is OK. 

My heart aches everytime a Mom writes about their Son leaving.  It is so surreal.  The most important thing is to know that after the first couple weeks it starts to get better, then you get to plan for PIR, that will come and go in a flash but it will all be worth it when you see your Son and the changes in him.  He will be a Man!  That makes it worth everything you are about to experience.

Come to this site often, say whatever you need to, we get it! We'll be thinking about you.

[William in Nashua]

Good luck ekuk.    My son is in the final stage of nuclear field training which is nuclear prototype, he is scheduled to graduate the day after Thanksgiving, or in 11 weeks.  He is an Electronics Technician, the guy who actually operates the nuclear reactor.    It will have taken him just under two years in the Navy to complete the training and qualify.   Right now he works 12 hours per day, seven days per week on a rotating shift that includes noon-to-midnight and midnight-to-noon shifts. After 7 days on they get 2 days off, to recover and switch to the other time shift.   I go longer between phone calls from my son now than I ever did during boot camp.

The key thing at every stage starting with Nuclear Field A School is to STUDY STUDY STUDY.  There is no substitute.  A lot of them will get weeded out, even starting in boot camp.  My son's division in boot camp started with 11 nukes and graduate boot camp with 8.

Boot camp seems like a big thing but in the grand scheme of things it is a tiny thing.  It is only 8 weeks long.   A school was 6 months long.   Nuclear Power School was also 6 months long.  Prototype is also 6 months long.   

So, we are comparing 18 months of grueling training, to just 8 weeks in boot camp.   Boot camp is not hard, everyone in the Navy passed it.  Just remember:  Boot camp is not the Navy, it is just boot camp.  This too shall pass.  The real fun begins when your sailor starts A school.  Best of luck.

[fraser mom ship 12 div 347]

My Daughter left on 8/29. I'm new to this site and don't even understand all of the lingo.  I wished I would have joined this before she left so that I knew what to expect.  I was completely unprepared for all of these emotions; sadness, pride, scared, excited for her future.  A day hasn't gone by that I haven't cried.   I wonder when that will stop?  When she first talked seriously about the Navy I didn't give it too much thought.  (I really didn't think they would take her - she's 4'11" and weighs about 100 lbs!)  I know she is confident in her decision, but the time she spent alone in the hotel the night before she shipped left a lot of time for her to second guess her decision.  That was a tough  night (ALL NIGHT) on the phone.

 

 I received the box today, the note she scrawled in marker on the inside flap did bring a smile to my face.  I want to the get the address so that I can mail the 3 letters I've already written to her.  I can't help but wondering, "what is she doing?" and "how is she feeling about the decision she made? " 

 

I only hope this gets easier.  This site is definately a blessing!

 

[PaulaKylesMom (JapanNavyMom)]

Good morning! Im sorry you are having such a hard time. It will get easier, once you get the form letter and are able to write to her and plan for graduation. My son left 8/21 and I still have my moments. I try hard not to let it affect my whole day because I know that's not what he would want me to do. I write a lot about things going on at home. After I received the box it took about a week to get his address. We all understand what you are going through! Paula

[fraser mom ship 12 div 347]

Thank you Paula!  I got my letter today!  I'm so glad that I can be in contact with her now.  PIR is Oct 26.  Gonna start making travel plans!  Thank you again!   ~Michelle

[PaulaKylesMom (JapanNavyMom)]

So glad you got your letter. That is always a relief!! Good luck to you and recruit!! Kyle graduates the Friday before. :). We all still have a ways to go but I'm thankful to have the site!!