New to this!

[belly's mom 25]

Hello. I just wanted to say I am so thankful that I have found this group. Our daughter was in the dep program about 7 months and left for Bootcamp on Wednesday. I cried myself to sleep after the arrival phone call. I am still tearful two days in . I am very proud but am also so so emotional right now. This is a lot harder than I thought and I didn’t expect to feel so empty or drained. This site is really helping me with all of the tips and camaraderie. I only found you all today but I already wanted to say thank you because it really has already helping me!

[belovedbyHim]

Hi Sandy-- I encourage you to read the information I posted at the top of this thread.  If you use Sandboxx only use it in Boot Camp.  I also mention possible phone calls but B's has also given you that information.  Be sure you also post your questions on the main Bootcamp Moms Page!

[Sandy]

Thanks so much I am a tearful mess.

[belly's mom 25]

Hang in there Sandy. My daughter left 7/21 . I am a mess as well.I  don't think I have ever gone a day without some form of communication with her. I think this "Great Silence"  will be the toughest part. 

[partyofseven]

Hi belly's mom 25 and Sandy,

Sandy welcome. I know this first couple of weeks are hard. We are here for you ladies as you go thru the process. Boot camp is for us as much as it is for our loved ones. We become stronger to. Keeping busy is key and start writing your letters now so when the form letter comes you can mail them off right away.

I remember how I was when mine first left, I was a mess to. That's why when you first hear from them you will be so happy. It is ok to cry when you need to.

Big Navy Mom hugs to you both. 

[belovedbyHim]

Sandy -- When mine first went in (8 years ago) I was a WRECK!! I couldn't stop crying as we we spending our last night together before he swore in and shipped of the next morning.  My husband found this site for me.  I stayed up most of the night reading and absorbing as much as I could!  I owe so much to lemonelephant  She (And others on here) showed me that my feelings were normal and I was not alone! I learned that I could (and should) be at MEPS to see the swearing in and that I could go to the airport to wait with him.  I felt like someone had died and I couldn't square that with my pride in him.  The littlest things would bring me to tears! Thankfully there were some amazing and kind ladies on here who showed me the way.  They encouraged me to put on my big girl Navy panties, they showed me where to find the answers to my questions, They cried with me and they made me laugh!  They were the Safe Harbor in the storm known as Boot Camp.  I came back here to help other moms to see that they too are normal.  That the tears, fears, pride, love, worry and concern are all part of the process.  We are here to help you navigate these unknown waters and show you the way to a safe harbor until you have your sea legs and are able to stand strong in the face of the storms that come with having a loved one in the Navy.  We haven't lost a mom to Boot Camp yet, We won't start with you!

[MissySue71]

Hello! My son did DEPS for 8 months and arrived to RTC on Thursday! I don’t know about you, but the call from my recruit left me empty! I was t expecting it to be a script- he sounded like a robot and then the line went dead! I wanted more and the. I had to lay in bed not able to go back to sleep- my brain was bussing with thoughts! Ugh

[Chipmunk]

MissySue71 - Yes, my son sounded like a robot so much so that I thought I was only hearing a recorded call. Be sure to come over to comment wall area on our BC Mom group page here, look below the discussions and post if you haven't already yet. This is where we share our daily struggles, highs, and lows. 

I did not have this site when my son went to BC but my husband found a different site that showed some of the things they were doing at BC. We have videos posted on the left side of this page that tell about life at BC. It helped me to at least feel a little connected to what my son was going through and how to pray for him or write messages of encouragement to him. 

[belovedbyHim]

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Welcome!! Please read my blog to give you an idea of what the first few weeks may look like.. First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition Up and to the Left is a link to all the Navy Lingo! It is titled Navy Speak and you can find it here. We are here to get you through the “Great Silence” of the next 4 weeks (ish) and the 10 weeks of BC (ish). You will come to learn that No News Is GOOD News and everything is Needs of the Navy. You life will be Hurry Up and Wait and it’s ok to make plans but they are subject to change until after they have happened so it’s best to embrace the Motto: Semper Gumby!! (Always Flexible!!)

The Expected timeline will look like this
Day 0 -- Travel, Arrival and "I'm Here" scripted phone call

Week 1&2
Day 1-14 -- ROM (Restriction of Movement/ Quarantine-- Lots of studying and waiting) Unless they are Fully Vaccinated (2 weeks after final shot) in which case they skip straight to Week 3.

Week 3
Day 15-21 Arrive Onboard RTC and begin P-days (P-days- Initial Processing Days) including 2 days of P-hold (Weekend)
Day 21-- Complete P days. (Initial PFT & Run)

Week 4- First week of training 
Day 22-- Begin training and mail form letter out. Look for it to arrive around 1-2 weeks later

Week 5 -- First inspections and tests (Dental May be this week or next... Not Confirmed)(Form letter/ Personal letters usually arrive this week)

Week 6 -8 -- More training, Drilling (Flags and Marching), Fire Fighting training, Marlinspike (Line handling- How to tie up a Ship to the Pier) and weapons lessons, Confidence chamber( May or may not be happening yet, we don’t know for sure).. Warrior training in here somewhere.

Week 9 & 10 -- Stressful!! They have all their final inspections, PFA, Drills, BS21 and Tests. This is the lead up to the end!!

All of this is assuming no exposure to COVID with additional ROM
Training typically occurs Monday - Friday but we have heard rumors that Saturday’s are now training days as well.
Normal PIR will be 10 Fridays after departure from Home but it can be less by 1 but it can be extended by ???? (lots!!) It just depends on how many times they get caught in the “Ring of Fire” but do not get COVID. IF they get COVID, Once they are recovered they will not be removed from training again even if they are in the “Ring of Fire”. (so there is that small silver lining if kids get sick)
I Hope you’ll come and join us on the Main Boot Camp Moms page: https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/bootcampmoms You may have to scroll down a ways to reach the comments but we’d love to get to know you and answer any questions or concerns you may have or just be a support from others who “get it”.