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Comment by Anti M on March 7, 2016 at 10:29am

@18gf ... Easter is not a federal holiday, so the Navy does not give any special time off for it.  They can go to services, unless they have duty, but that is the only special liberty related to a religious holiday.

Comment by Anti M on March 7, 2016 at 10:26am

Once upon a time, I was on hold at Great Lakes for ET A school.  This time of year at Glakes is cold, dull, grey and depressing.  Cleaning only takes up so much of your time, and then you have to make do with what is on base.  It sucks, plain and simple.

He needs to understand that this begins to mirror some of the real Navy.  Cleaning, boredom, and hurry up and wait is very much what sailors deal with, as day to day life in the service. The Navy is rarely exciting outside of combat zones.  Even deployments with long days of shifts, training, drills and work  have a lot of drudgery.  Recruiters never tell you this as it is not glamorous.  

What to do?  For you, stay encouraging.  He is still doing his part, even if it is boring and depressing.  

For him?  Stay positive, he is being paid, fed, and housed, more than what a lot of people get in today's world.  He needs to take this into his hands.  Go to the gym, get moving.  Participate in the MWR single sailor activities, even f he thinks they're cheesy and silly.  See if he can get his hands on his PQS stuff for advancement and work on it early.  Make the trek to the movie theater, get OUT of the barracks.  If things are bad, talk to a chaplain.  They are totally confidential, not religious unless he wants that, and can help him see the light at the end of the dark tunnel which is hold time at Great Lakes.

Comment by Allison on March 6, 2016 at 10:03pm

He's under the impression he won't be doing anything during the week, but I'm glad to hear they'll start to keep him busy doing something during the week now that he's done with indock. I think he feels a little useless right now because he's not training in boot camp anymore but he's not jumping into his studies right away. If they're going to make him clean and stuff, I'm sure it won't be long before he feels useful again…and then, I'll start getting calls about how he misses having nothing to do haha. We're both pretty fast paced people and like to keep busy and take on lots of new challenges. I can tell that it's really hard for him to be just hanging around. I suggested he volunteer himself more around the base if possible, and he talked about a group that actually does volunteer work off base on the weekend, so hopefully that helps him too. If things don't pick up though, do they have access to counseling on base? I've heard people avoid it because too many problems and you end up separated, but is it really that bad?

Comment by 18gf on March 6, 2016 at 9:23pm

do they have extra free time on Easter???

Comment by Allison on March 6, 2016 at 8:30pm

I was curious if anyone out there had a sailor who began to show symptoms of depression after leaving the recruit training command and trying to adjust back to "normal" life. I've tried to keep him really positive, I'm working on his first care package with some of his favorite foods and some pictures, and I set up a surprise group video call last weekend after he graduated, but he still seems very down. I think part of it is that his friends that are still in college are starting to go on spring break, and he's on hold for 2 months at Great Lakes (he's ET), so he doesn't have a lot to do. He seemed happier when he finally found people to leave the base with and go into Chicago, but I'm worried about how he's going to handle things during the week when he doesn't have school yet and can't leave the base. I was curious if anyone on here had similar experiences and what resources they knew about that I could suggest to my sailor when he starts to talk about these feelings. Of course, I don't mind being the person he always calls, but I can't always relate, and I want to make sure I'm giving the right advice and that he's getting the right kind of help. Is there anyone who has been at this for awhile and has some insights?

Comment by Allison on March 6, 2016 at 8:16pm

18gf he/she will usually call after completing Battle Stations 21,which can mean they call between a week and I've seen on here as late as a day before their anticipated graduation, for me it was two days before, and whether they pass or fail they will still be allowed to notify their families.

Comment by 18gf on March 6, 2016 at 7:42pm

does anyone know if I will get another call before graduation? my SR graduates on 3/18

Comment by EngagedToANavySailor on March 6, 2016 at 9:25am

Thankyou I didn't want to get him in trouble but they respectable pics lol I also put a few funny 1s in there as well

Comment by EngagedToANavySailor on March 6, 2016 at 1:16am

I printed my fiance some pics I was wondering if it was OK to send him or what just wondering

Comment by Anti M on March 5, 2016 at 8:27pm

Thanks, I need a boost now and then.  Because I have learned a lot of the rules, I often have to tell excited young people, "no, that is not the way it works".   I feel like an evil dream crusher.  I would also like to smack around a few recruiters.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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