not sure what to do

[nightingale cvn72]

My husband left today for basic training. He and I haven't been apart for more than a week or two since we met and started dating. We are newly married, just married December 18, and I don't know what to do. My emotions are running rapid and I have no idea what to do with myself. Can't find a job, have tried so many places, and I'm going to continue trying. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I have to friends nearby to even ask for help, so I'm lost....

[KIM756]

Mrs.Krueger, Hi! Just want to say that you have taken the first step, you joined Navy for Moms! Keep coming here everyday, multiple times even. Everyone here is so helpful and understanding! Ask all your questions, vent if you need too we are here for you. My son is graduating this week! The first couple weeks are really hard and you will cry a lot, it's ok, cry away. Keep watching for the milestones, the box, the form letter, the first real letter, the first real phone call... As time goes by it really does get easier and before you know it you will be in Great Lakes watching him graduate! When you find out what division he's in, look for that group on here and join it! If you are on Facebook connect with ladies there too. I am part of a wonderful group of ladies from our division, we have grown very close and have helped each other through a lot! I finally get to meet them tomorrow!
My next suggestion is that you change your profile name because they don't want ANY last names on here. When you pick a different name and know what division your husband is in it is helpful for others in your division to find you if you add the ship/div to your name.
Hang in there, you will get through this! I'm here if you need me. ((hugs))

[Jane]

It is difficult!  My eldest left his soon to be wife for Iraq in 2003.  And has been deployed since. 

But, I'd like to share with you what my brother wrote with me when I asked him how sailors who were almost done with their enlistment should apply to the company he works for. 

This was for a specific company......but........good advice for any company. (and he was typing to his sister so didn't do spell check!)

"

Once the person is in the system they can apply for any job in the system.  The job discretion will show all the requirements for that job.  "Remember that they requirements may be a we'd love to have that skill, but not always a must!"  The only for sure thing that is required, at least in the NW, is a EMT certificate.  Years of service etc. can and is considered and reviewed.  The key is using "KEY" words in your resume for data mining programs. 

A potential hiring manager may ask the system to only show me the resumes that contain EMT, Structural, Confined Space, etc.  Then the say 600 resumes may be narrowed down to a manageable 50 or less.  So the "KEY" words need to be there.  How you do that is use the job description to help you taylor your resume.  Make sense?"

 

It does make sense, although I did not know they used key words.  If you can, get the job requirements......contact FRG....and between all of you you can figure out what key words will make you stand out.

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Hello! I am a "veteran" mom on the PIR (Pass-in-Review - the ceremony that family and friends attend to see their new Sailors on the last day of Boot Camp), groups. I am a 27 year Air Force Reserves wife (2 deployments) and a new Navy Reserve Mom , 10 months. Our son Became a Sailor in May of 2011.

Did he go to MEPS today? Once he arrives at RTC - Recruit Training Command, he will be allowed a very short phone call...we're talking 10-30 seconds...enough time to let you know he arrived safe and that you will be receiving a box with his personal things, clothes, cell phone (make sure you check the shoes and pocketsbefore you wash anything!...sometimes they have them take them apart and take the battery out), if he chose to send them home. This will arrive by FedEx in 5-7 days.

Then you will receive a form letter with his address, PIR date and other info for PIR. This will arrive seperately by USPS. Do not throw this away! It has a confidential password on it that will allow you to print a gate pass for you to be able to drive a persoonal vehicle onto RTC. Do not give this password out to anyone. The gate pass access is available 11 days before PIR and we can explain that more to you on your PIR group.

PIR group - This is the group that will be forming soon for your PIR date. There are other veteran moms on there like me ready to help you and answer any questions you have. Also, to cheer you on and lend a shoulder if need be! If you would like a peek at a PIR group here is the most current one:

PIR 03/16/2012

The above is a clickable link. On the PIR groups I post a lot of discussions with info gathered from this site for the members to read. I post the current groups regularly on BC moms and the DEP monthly groups.You can also find them here:

Groups Listed by PIR Date

Here is another group run by a young lady that was in my own PIR group back in May:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/advicefornewspouses

They may be able to help and lend support also.

Here is a N4M Survival Guide:

Navy for Moms Survival Guide

Lastly...yes, like KIM said we are not allowed to post last names of recruits/Sailors...so you will need to change your username. Here is how:

To change your username on here.

Just go to "Settings" which is in the list in the far right hand column of this page...under where you sign out of N4M's.

Your profile page will open.

Under "Profile" Username is the third item down.

Clear the info and type in your new username.

Once you do that make sure to click "save" at the bottom right of the page.

 You are more than welcome to "friend" me also! You're not alone on here and we "get" you!

[KathyMmom]

Hi Mrs. K (change that name now as FTLW has encouraged - we will still recognize you! :-) ) Welcome to the Navy family. I know it's hard and all of these ladies are giving you great advice. I'm going to veer from what to do about missing your sailor and planning for PIR and talk about jobs. I run my own company and have a bit of experience with hiring and such. You can private message me if you like and I will try to help you with some ideas as well as steps to follow. I know job search is difficult, but given that your are going to be there without your hubster for a bit, it will be really good for you to be working. You are not lost and you are not alone - lots of great ladies here ready to help you and support you. Hugs coming your way!

Oh and start writing letters now, just number them on the outside so he knows the order to open them. I mailed one every day once I got my sailors address. He loved it. The first mail call they were able to get I think he said he gor 12 letters! I wrote letters about anything and everything - even one from the dog, and somebody had a great idea on sending a fav recipe which I adpapted for my son.

[TorisMom]

Mrs. Krueger-My daughter left on Monday. One thing I can suggest is reading posting from others in your situation. Do a serch for Boot camp wives. or Newlyweds in Boot Camp.

[jackiequeen/ship09div076]

Mrs K...just remember you are not alone. You can get through this, it is really a short time and the weeks will go faster and faster! I would say the first three weeks are the most hard. After you get that first "real" letter, it gets easier because you will have a day that you will designate as mail day...I get my letters on Wednesday. And you will look forward to that day to hear from your SR. Keep writing him. Maybe do some journaling...it will help to get your feelings out. And keep coming back here for your virtual hugs!  Slow down and breath.