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Comment by Cindy on October 29, 2009 at 2:54pm

Apparently my son's RDC's were the exception, he said they actually laughed with the recruits at the musical cards. That definitely sounds like the exception though, so strongly advise against anything other than plain white envelopes. I remember reading a post where someone had a baby picture of their recruit on their N4M page. Apparently the picture (in a sailor suit) showed up in one of the power point training sessions. I always figure that I'd better write on here only things I'd be comfortable with the RDC or anyone reading. Better safe than sorry.

Comment by Cindy on October 29, 2009 at 3:05am

My son graduated boot camp a couple of weeks ago and talks about how his active participation as a depper made his experience MUCH easier than what others experienced. I was surprised to find occassionally that recruits were struggling with tests and physical assessments and each time I read those posts I'd worry a bit more about my son. He said that because he had been so active in DEP he was in good shape and had the knowledge he needed. The DEP program really paid off for him!

A few other thoughts/recommendations:

1. Talk with your depper before they leave about how they'd like to handle difficult situations that might come up while they're in boot camp. Find out if they'd prefer to be notified if something happens while in boot camp, or if they'd prefer you wait until they graduate. This will help you know what they would want just in case something happens while they're in boot camp, instead of guessing. I was surprised that there were several situations during our graduation group where moms had to decide what to do.

2. Send your depper to boot camp with their cell phone. If it's an expensive one that you don't want to risk, pick-up a cheap one they could take with them. While they're traveling they might have a chance to call or text at some point, and they can use their own phone to call you when they arrive. Some of the phones at Great Lakes don't work really well, with static and such. If the recruit has their own phone they can use it, have a little bit longer (ok, maybe just a few more seconds) and when they box their personal belongings to send home they'll take the battery out, and send home their phone and battery. You'll find them along with other items they can't keep in their shoes (of all places!).

3. If knowing some of the details of what your depper will experience during boot camp is helpful to you (which would make sense for most of us on this site), I highly recommend reading "Honor, Courage, Committment - Navy Boot Camp". It's a book that describes the experience of a division that went through boot camp in 2001 and was very insightful and helpful for me. While there have been a variety of changes since 2001, much is the same and it was really cool to read the book and have some insights into my son's experience.

4. Enjoy every moment with your depper before they leave. You'll have TOO much time after they leave for tasks and housework. Have fun, enjoy family experiences, take lots of pictures, and treasure your time. It will give you some wonderful memories to help you through your time in boot camp. And, it may give you some pictures you can send your depper with their letters.

5. Finally...pray, have faith, and keep breathing. Turn to family and friends for support when it gets tough, and to this site when people just don't understand your struggles. It's amazing the similarities in our Navy Mom experiences.

Best of luck to you!

Comment by Jill (ATO Mom) on October 27, 2009 at 5:45pm

Thanks for the answer Lynn. That's kind of what I had figured out. If it were closer to the ship date, they might drop her from DEP, make her heal and then make her re-enlist. Luckily there is plenty of time to heal up and get back in shape. She had been training very hard for rescue swimming, so she was very strong and in good shape. I understand about the muscles and ligaments being weakened. She's still working on her upper body strenthening exercises, but when the cast comes off she'll have some work to do on getting the lower leg back in shape. Everything happens for a reason right? Good thing this didn't happen 6 months from now or it might be a different story.

Comment by Jill (ATO Mom) on October 26, 2009 at 6:41pm

Hi ladies... a little setback in my daughter's journey to the Navy, and I hope it doesn't mess any of her plans up. In our last volleyball game someone came down really hard on her foot and broke a bone in the top of it. She's going to be in a walking cast for 6 weeks, and then hopefully we'll be able to start training for rescue swimming again. But my question is this: do any of you know if this is going to be any type of set back for her just to qualify for the Navy? She called her recruiter and he didn't know, he said he'd have to check with his chief. I guess he's never had anyone in DEP break a bone before. Have any of you had any experience with something happening to you DEPper before their ship date? Her ship date isn't until July, so I'm thinking that it will heal and things will just go on as normal. Maybe they will make her take another physical to make sure the injury doesn't affect her ability to be in the Navy. Any insights?
Thanks!

Comment by mother always on October 13, 2009 at 8:46am

I read that they can take a pocket bible and a pocket address & tel book.
Have a nice day all!!!

Comment by mother always on October 12, 2009 at 10:30am

Yes! Congratulations!!
Have a happy and safe trip!

Comment by mother always on October 11, 2009 at 12:09pm

Congratulations!! Michelle, I like that HOO YAHHH exclamation; I hear my son doing it and I like the sound.
God bless them all and their families!! Nice day to you all!!

Comment by mother always on October 6, 2009 at 10:53am

This is to let you all know that my son is leaving on nov 17;yesterday we went to the Navy ofc and I told them about the date he was supose to leave,that was the 11th (Veterans Day) and they said everything is closed,so they verified that is the17th.My son asked if he could leave earlier but they said no;he is so happy that he's leaving (and I'm so SAD!!!) of course he doesn't know how I really feel...But this, has been all that he dreamed of,entering the armed forces.I will keep suporting him always;he is a very good son.!!Bless you all!!

Comment by JM-ISmomx2 on October 5, 2009 at 8:08pm

Alright Angie and Michelle our wonderful mother hens, I am going to say adeu to the Deppers group.. I received my recruits first official letter today. Complete with address, PIR date and a lengthy note on the back(she wrote small, got in 6 lines).She sounds great, healthy!!! and upbeat. What more could a mother ask. I want to say thankyou to the many members of this group for the past 6 months of support, question answering and laughs. It has kept me going. JM

Comment by TexasMomof2 on October 4, 2009 at 6:10pm

Oops, just read below and see that your son did end up EOD. Where do they train for that?

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