New Navy Mom

[daubersmom]

Hi all,
This is all so new to me and happend so quickly my head is spinning!
My son took his ASVAB 2 weeks ago, was taken to MEPS last week, passed his
physical,  signed up for Hospital Corpsman(which was a total surprise
considering he wanted MA or Gunners Mate) and was sworn in(DEP). He leaves
07/2012 for boot camp. Now that I have had a couple days to recover from the
shock I have some questions.
I have spent most of the morning reading the
posts on here, (at this rate not much is going to get done today) and am very happy to learn that all my
emotions are very natural. I never knew you could have so many at one time! And
I know it is going to get worse before it gets better(as he is my baby and the
so called empty nests sets in on top of this) but now I can hopefully prepare
some what before he leaves for boot camp.
Does anyone know much about this
job he selected? Is he going to be more likely to be on a ship or land? How long
is A school after he graduates boot camp?
My sons recruiter also said that
my son will have to report to the Navy recruiting station once a month while he
is waiting to go to boot camp. Does anyone know why? Will he be reimbursed for
this?(gas, food)
Thanks to whoever started this site, I am so glad I will
have somewhere to go to know that I am not alone on this rollercoaster of
emotions ride!
And I really apoligize for first sending this in a message to the whole group!! Hopefully I will get the hang of this! LOL

[Craig]

Welcome....  

Since you have alot, I will break it down in sections:

1.  Does anyone know much about this job he selected?

Go here to find what HM's do....  (Hospital Corpsman).

http://www.navydep.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=36

 

2. How long is A school after he graduates boot camp?

See #1, they have a PDF file the shows this on page 2

 

3.  Is he going to be more likely to be on a ship or land?

Go here to find the break down for HM.  Yours will be on page 77

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/organization/navmac/manpowerp...

 

4.  My sons recruiter also said that my son will have to report to the Navy recruiting station once a month while he 
is waiting to go to boot camp. Does anyone know why?

He's a depper.  He needs to start learning about the job.  I'm quite surprised they are only doing it once a month, in almost all cases it's once a week.  He will learn the basic about the Navy, like how to salute, stand, addressing higher ranking people.  If he gets all of his Personnel Qualifications Standards (PQS) done, and passes the test in boot camp,  then he could be promoted to E2 or E3.

The Navy also keeps tabs on these deppers just to see if their is any legal problems, law enforcement items, drugs, or pregnancies that will keep them from shipping out. 

 

5.  Will he be reimbursed for  this?(gas, food)

Nope, it's all on him.  It's part of joining.  You find a way to get to your appointed place of duty.  Whether he makes friends and they give him a ride, or he drives himself, takes a bus, or walks.  If you live in a rural area, they can waive him not going to the meetings.  However, now a days, if a depper doesn't show up for the meetings, they will end up discharging them.  The Navy really doesn't want someone that isn't committed.  There is just too many people waiting in line to take that position/job.  So it's much easier for the Navy just to give them the boot....  He will learn all of this a his 1st dep meeting.  

 

More info about HM:

https://www.cool.navy.mil/enlisted/hm.htm

 

More info about DEP and the Navy:

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/documents/start_guide.pdf

[ReneeBC]

 daubersmom,

 I cannot answer all of your questions, but I'll attempt a couple.

As far as your emotions, just knowing other parents at N4M are feeling the same and are willing to listen has been huge for me.  I hope you find the same solace.  Another comfort was reading a book written by a Navy mom, R. Lynn Green, called, When the Eagle Invades the Nest  (Amazon). We sent a copy to our oldest daughter as well, since she, too, is emotional about her baby brother's enlistment and has a fear of the unknown.   

My son attends Dep meetings once a month, but they manage to have him schlep up to the recruiting office for something or another every week.  (I equate this to the "Jump. How high?" military boot camp game.)  He also has to call in every Monday. He is not reimbursed for anything, however, what he does gain is a feeling of belonging.  He will also be learning in advance some of what he is expected to learn at RTC, making it a wee bit easier on him at basic.

Hang in there and remember the more you know the less you fear. Keep reading and writing! :)

[daubersmom]

Craig- Yes, thank you for answering my questions and correcting me in another post, I am sorry I asked so many.

Renee- Thank you for the book suggestion, I will be sure to get it.

I am sorry it took me so long to say thank you, dont want to seem like I am ungrateful. I really appreciate you all taking the time to read and answer my many questions.

Thanks again..

 

 

 

[KIM756]

Hi there and welcome!

I know exactly how you feel.  My son told us in February that he was gonna join.  Took us off guard because he never talked about it before.  So in April/May him and his best friend joined.  I am so happy and proud of them!  His best friend left yesterday for bootcamp and my son leaves on Dec. 6th.  The time flies by way too fast.  Enjoy every second with him now because in July you'll be going "wait he just signed up!"  My son is a Corpsman also which was not a suprise.

To answer some of your questions using my experiences so far:

A Corpsman can be many things in the medical field, it sounds like they train them in everything and they choose a specialty from there.  Not positive on that though.  A school is 14 weeks in San Antonio, TX and C school could be anywhere.  My understanding is they get to come home for 2 weeks after A school unless their C school starts right away.

My son also is required to go to the recruiting office once a month for what they call a DEP meeting to get them prepared for whats ahead.  He also goes twice a week to work out with other Deppers so they are all in shape and ready for the work out at bootcamp.  They aren't required to do this but are encouraged to.  I think its a good thing so they are prepared.

Good luck over the next 8 months or so if your experience turns out like mine in those 8 month you'll talk about him leaving and talk about him leaving and thats all it feels like, is just talk.  But then WHAM! time to leave is here before you know it.  I cried like a baby when my sons best friend left so I am in big trouble when my son leaves.

Take Care!

[daubersmom]

Thank you so much Kim, I will take your advice and spend as much time as I can/he will allow..lol

 

 

[happyfeet(ship 09/Div 288)]

I am soo glad to see that you are here...

[daubersmom]

yeah, I am still here.. it was a rough week for me when all this happened and maybe I just took some things wrong.. still dont think I will ask any more questions though.. we need to" friend" each other since our kids are leaving so close together..I also found Navy mom's on facebook and really like that group, if you have a facebook you should look them up..the recruiter came over Monday and told us what he and the Navy expects from my son.. sounds like he will have alot of interaction with them before he leaves..