My boyfriend just left for boot camp 2 days ago!

[Briana1233 (Ship 14 div 333)]

I'm new to this site but I decided to join because I have a thousand questions and need some support. My boyfriend just left for basic training, we've been together for a year and we spend every day together. It's hard to go from everyday seeing each other, falling asleep together, talking on the phone all the time, we even work at the same job, and now there's nothing. No communication, how do you deal with that? I find myself crying out of no where, because everything reminds me of him. I'm curious to how others deal with this and copes with all the emotions. I also want to know how does this work. How long will it be until I hear from him again, how often are they allowed to talk on the phone, when can we send letters, or what is graduation like? I just want to know it all, and I want that comfort of knowing that I'm not the only one going through this.

[NavyEOD88]

Hey Briana! I completely understand where you are coming from. My boyfriend left for boot camp on July 2nd. We went from actually living together and spending all of our free time with one another to absolute isolation. My best advice for you is to write letters. Not only are they important for your boyfriend to receive but it's the only way I have been able to unwind at night and to feel less stressed. It is okay to cry, let it out! The first couple of weeks are really difficult. Each day gets a little easier. Just keep yourself busy. Make plans with your girlfriends, go out to dinner, go to the gym, read books. Do anything that will keep you busy.  Are you in school, do you work?

It was about 2 weeks before my boyfriends family received his address so we could send him letters. Recruits are only guaranteed 3 phone calls, however they can earn phone calls by getting a perfect score on a test or performing their job duties correctly for the day (which they make it really difficult to achieve). You may not receive a phone call from him until the 3rd or 4th week. I had my boyfriend leave a nice voicemail so I could listen to it between our phone calls. If you have any voicemails from him, replay them, they help.

The days can be long, but the weeks are short. My boyfriend graduates boot camp in 2 weeks and I honestly can't believe how quickly the last 6 weeks have gone by. If you want to talk more feel free to message me. Stay strong, stay busy, and write letters as often as you can. Your boyfriend will need them for motivation and support.

[LoveMySailor (Ship 02 DIV 944)]

Welcome Briana! I would say first thing you do is try to keep busy! My boyfriend left to boot camp on July 17th, it's been a month and this is the first time he called me (for about 10 mins) - made my day for sure! It might seem like forever, but you or his parents will get a form letter with his address about a week after he left. From that day on, you can send him mail everyday (he will really need your support!). I got my first letter from my boyfriend about two weeks after he left. It felt like forever, but a week after that I got three more letters, it gets better! Just remember when you send him letters, use plain white envelopes, don't put any music cards or anything that will cause too much attention. They do enjoy getting pictures though :) And most of all you are not alone! May I ask if you're going to school this fall? because if you are, then focus on your studies and his PIR day will come sooner than you will know. I just got a second job, and school is starting for me on Monday so I will keep myself busy. Of course, everyone gets a bit sad from time to time, but think of this as a great experience from him and something very positive for you guys' future :) Best of luck to you! You can always message me if you need anything! Stay strong :)

[newnavywife2012 Ship 09 Div 283]

Not to correct anyone here but I must let you know that they are not guaranteed three phone calls. The only call that is highly likely you will get is the I'm a sailor call. I received the im here call but I was extremely short and scripted. My SR did not get a three week call bc he was in dental. The SRs that were in dental or on watch were supposed to get a make up call but they didn't. Know I am just looking forward to the I'm a sailor call in 2ish weeks. :) I am not trying to rain on your parade, I just dont want you to expect calls you may or may not get. Better to not expect and be surprised!

[briana&isaiah forever]

Hey Briana,

Well first off we have the same name! Haha thats pretty cool. But you sound exactly like me! My boyfriend and I have been together almost a year as well. He's been at bootcamp for about 3 and a half weeks now, and it has been very hard on me. I still find myself crying when I think about how much I miss him. Much like you and your SR we spent everyday together, spent the night together, texted and talked all the time, and even had the same job. We were both servers at restaurants. Me at Chilis, him Ruby Tuesday lol. And now its almost like he disappeared off the face of the earth! I finally got my first letter yesterday and was devasted to hear that he hates it. I know that its a big adjustment for him and I feel so bad that I cant be there to comfort him. But at the end of the day, I know I have to stay strong for his sake. You will be fine. There will definitely be hard days. I cried my eyes out all day until i felt sick after reading that letter. But today I had to get back up, dust myself off and keep going because he needs me, and you will learn to do the same. God bless you and your SR, I wish you the best of luck and please feel free to friend me and private message me if you need to talk. Youre among friends here, and us Brianas gotta stick together, lol. Best wishes!

 

[Anti M]

Everyone hates boot camp in the first three weeks.  Perfectly normal.  It should start to click for him very soon.  Teamwork doesn't  happen overnight, takes some time for recruits to learn to be shipmates and pull together.

[EmilyNicole98]

Hi Briana! :)

My boyfriend left July 9...it's been six weeks and it's still hard, but it definitely got easier for me after the first three weeks. Getting that first letter is hard, but it also makes things easier because it reminds you that he's thinking of you just as much as you're thinking of him. I got one phone call about three and a half weeks in and it lasted for 13 minutes. He got a make up call because he was sick when everyone else got to call. He wrote and told me there was a chance of another call this week, but that didn't end up happening. The calls seem to come in the afternoon (I've heard typically 3-6 EST although mine was 8:15), just a heads up. :) 

I would write him letters every single day if you can. I send several out a few times a week and I've sent pictures a few times as well. Some people advise to not spray perfume on letters, but I did it once and he absolutely loved it. He'll tell you the letters are what keep him strong and keep him going. Don't be discouraged if he seems to hate it at first, it'll get better the longer he's there. :) 

There are going to be times where you doubt EVERYTHING, so it's good to find friends on here who have gone through this or are currently going through it....they'll help keep you sane and remind you that he's missing you even more than you miss him.  

Just keep busy and you'll look at the calendar one day and be shocked that so much time has already passed. Working on a scrapbook for him while he's gone might help, too. :)

[Navy wife and proud]

hey mine graduated bootcamp on june 15th it does eventually get easier,as the days go on. eventually u find yourself counting down til u see him again i know that actually helped me get through it all. write all the time and send pics but be tasteful :0 if you dont want your parents to see it dont send it! he will get in trouble. but keep busy, think of fun times and eventually you will c him before you know its graduation day and its a blast you smile and cry as you watch your recruit become one with the best in the world THE UNITED STATES NAVY! HOOYAH! 

[CourtNavyWife]

Hey Briana !

Well first off as you can see you're not alone here. No matter how hard your days may get know that you can come on here and we are all here for you to vent to and we will listen. I already have made such great friends on here and the support has been one of the biggest things to keep me going strong. Me and my Sr have been together for about a year and a half now. We actually got engaged before he left and im currently 17 weeks pregnant. This is a very hard life style change to get use to. It isn't an impossible readjustment though. Not only will this experience strengthen him but it will make you realize strength in yourself you may never have thought was there. We were attached at the hip 24/7, lived together, never spent a day away from each other so  I understand that initial shock of whered he go feeling. It does get easier at times but you will have rough days. My advice let it out cry listen to a few sad songs watch a love movie. And then the next day keep your head up and try to smile as much as you can. We all deserve our time to cry because this is a very emotional time for us all. I got my first letters thursday and actually got 16 of them! it was the best feeling in the world and luckily he was in good spirits and im telling you bootcamp takes our boys and makes them men it is a crazy thing to experience so quickly ! He is going into his fourth week starting this week and i have yet to get a call but i pray everyday for one and when it happens if it does ill be so grateful! Keep your head up hun. to answer your last question you are not alone. We are all here for you whenever you need it . Friend request me message me ill talk to you or listen if you need it. We are all going through this experience together just like our boys are. You are strong and you will get through this and it will fly by trust me !

[Briana1233 (Ship 14 div 333)]

Hey everyone, I just want to say thank you for all the replies, it's nice to know I'm not the only one! Each reply gave me more strength and a bit of happiness. Even though I'm missing him like crazy, I can finally be at peace with myself, they're less tears and more joy, thanks to everyone of you. I've gotten the best advice from you all, people around me just don't understand. So once again thank you all, you've helped me really much! :-)