Sailor leaving for BC January 14...what now??

[Chewy's Mom]

I am so glad to find a community that can help answer questions and hopefully calm some fears, as well. My son leaves for boot camp in a few short days and I feel such a sense of something I can't even name. Fear, anxiety, sadness... I don't know what to call it but it's making me nuts. I guess I just need to hear from people who are surviving it now. I hope to gain strength and knowledge here! So, with all that said, let me hear it! :) How is it going for your recruits. Any do's and dont's you have learned so far that I can use?

[Ejsmom]

It helped me to feel like there was something that I could do when I looked at the list of things to do in the last 30 days before your recruit leaves. I spent time reading through the message boards, dep leaving for boot camp in January, boot camp moms and such. Hope that this helps. Ask ur sailor if he knows his general orders. So helpful if they know these things ahead of time. Hope this helps!

[Grizzy01]

Happy to say we survived until the end. Our sailor left November 4th and just graduated NY Eve. The first two weeks are the worst but it does get better. My husband and I write a letter every night- our way of having a conversation with him. Mailed them as soon as we got the address. Start planning special things for PIR- door decorating at Navy Lodge, ordered ribbons to wear, registered for Sarge Meet and Greet. Read Navy Moms like a crazy woman to soak in any info I could! Finally when PIR comes enjoy it- what an amazing service!

[rgmac4]

Patience is the main thing you have to have. Patience waiting for the first letter and phone call. My son left of Dec 15th and the first phone call came on Thursday and the first letter came today. Join the group for your sons PIR and also the Facebook page they have both helped me a lot . Write everyday. My son said in his letter to me that he wants to be kept updated on the goings on at home.

[Elizabeth]

I agree with writing everyday, it makes you feel like you are communicating daily. Also, be patient, it was hard for me because I always have to be in control, but being patient with waiting for information is key. It seems like it's always "hurry up and wait" from the time he first left and went to MEPS until he landed at O'Hare. The first two weeks are the worst, then them being away is a "new normal." I was strong and then got letters from him and cried a while, I missed him so much. When the first phone call came I was beyond excited, it was great to hear his voice, but then again I cried after hanging up. One thing that's always good to remember is that it's completely normal to cry and be sad, it's hard. It will all be ok and communication will eventually come. My recruit arrived 12/3, I got the package on 12/8 and his form letter on 12/17, first letters arrived on 12/24 and first phone call on 12/26. I surrounded myself with my fiancées family also, that helps me a lot, makes me feel closer to him. Just know you will always have a support system here too! This site and the Facebook graduation date site has been a huge help!

[Chewy's Mom]

Thank you all for the information. I have been reading the blogs for hours and I just went through the things to do before boot camp list with him. I think that made him sad and scared so now I feel horrible. I know he is scared and I just keep telling him how great he is going to be at his job, even though I want to lock him in his room forever so he can't be hurt! I will have to look into the facebook groups. I will have to figure this all out and I am new to the "forum/blog" world. Thanks again! I appreciate your time and words. They mean so much to me in a time where I feel like I'm going to cry at the drop of a hat.

[Fran]

My Sailor has already completed boot camp. One of the things I learned from the experience was to write, every single day. It was really difficult at times trying to figure out what to write about so mostly I wrote about silly things or just normal every day things. My son said getting mail was truly something they all look forward to so I tried to make sure he got something every day. Also, once you get the PIR date start looking for your hotel room and getting that booked. We stayed at the Navy Lodge, I recommend it. Another thing I learned...don't plan anything for the day of PIR. Truly, they are exhausted and in need of human contact and just being able to talk and decompress and my son just wanted to relax in our room and just talk and that's hard to do if you are out sightseeing. In short, enjoy your last few days together before he leaves, be patient with yourself about how you feel. It's all normal! Oh and like the Navy Recruit Facebook page, we were able to see pictures of our son two different times. I don't have to tell you how special that was. God bless!

[lemonelephant]

Fran, thanks for coming back and sharing your experience. (Check your My Page.)

You don't have to "Like" the RTC fB page to see the pics, but is it nice to do that. The PAO posts random photos randomly at https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand. The PAO does not usually identify the division/s photoed although they did at Christmas, so you have to look through all of them. There is no guarantee that your recruit will be photoed, but it is fun to look at the photos and get an idea of what is happening at the RTC.

[Angie]

The best advice I can give is always, always make sure you tell your recruit how proud of them you are and that you support them. In every letter we wrote ours we said "we miss you!" Followed by "we are so proud of you!" Missing them never gets easier but knowing they are with America's Navy brings a calm and pride! I think 99% of my tears have been pride! Get educated, get on n4m's and read as much as you can. I didn't know anything until I got on this website. You will see when you start bragging to your friends & family, etc. how much pride you
have! It's such a mixture of feelings, but at the end of the day we are still mom's!

[Angie]

We wrote every day talking about sports, weather, work, and whatever else came to mind. I think it was important to keep him feeling the connection of "home". He said it helped. My son kept every letter we sent! We are putting some things in a box including the letters that he may not realize the importance of yet to save for him.

[lemonelephant]

Chewy's Mom, I left info for you on your My Page that will help you prepare.

[deniseMatt'smom]

These will be very hard days for you, I wouldn't want to go through it again...but it gets sooooo much better pretty quickly !!! My son's PIR was 12-21-13 .... That will be the proudest day of your life !!! When those garage doors open and all you can see is marching feet your heart will sink !!! It will be an amazing day which will come faster than you think, check all the info on this site and Facebook, make friends (I met many at Sarges get together the nite before graduation) keep yourself busy :). Once they get to A school you can communicate everyday, even plan a visit !!!! My son is soooo happy and so are we !!!!

[lemonelephant]

deniseMatt'smom, I left info for you on your My Page.