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Comment by Lion55's mom on June 15, 2010 at 12:06am

Steph, my head was so far in the sand that I didn't realize that I could go to see him sworn in at the hotel until it was too late, like days later. probably best because I was mess at the recruiters office. I can understand your husbands feelings about one good bye is enough. Hang in there and PIR will be here before you know it. Spend lots of time here. It really helps and remember, No news is good news!

Comment by TxNavyMom Ship 06 Div 940 on June 15, 2010 at 12:01am

Hi Moms. Its is almost time for my son to head off to boot camp June 22, 2010 it right around the corner, I can't tell you how each day it is an emotional rollercoaster, I am very proud of my sons decision, but its not easy letting go, its very hard for a this single mom, I to have been writing him letters for him to take with him, an also to send to him when I recieve his information. I hope the emptiness goes away.

Comment by Lion55's mom on June 14, 2010 at 11:59pm

Grace, Yes my sailor son will start power school in goose creek after he finishes A school in July. I am actually in SC right now. My parents live here (his grandparents) and I am here all month. Congrats to your sailor for finishing power school. I understand it is pretty tough but I know my lion can do it. All it takes for him is discipline and the Navy has a boatload of that!

Nikos mom - hang in there. What an advantage you have. Did both you and your husband boot camp in Great Lakes? Get on the boot camp moms group as soon as you have ship and division and put out the call for other moms it will be your life line. Word spreads like wild fire here so if one mom in the group has spoken to her son or daughter, then she can pass along info, especially after battle stations!

Comment by Lion55's mom on June 14, 2010 at 6:11pm

Dear Grace,
So your son is now 2 years into service? My son is about to graduate A School and then he will start power school. You are the first mom that has responded to me about the emotional calls from boot camp. That was the worst for me. The letters would be upbeat but then those two calls, he was homesick. God is faithful and I have a peace that my son is where he is supposed to be and he too told me "no regrets"

Comment by Mikesmom22 on June 14, 2010 at 2:40pm

Hello all! I just wanted to leave my comments in the hopes that your experience will be as good as mine has been. This is long, so I apologize in advance but I hope you are encouraged by my story! The Process, The Party, The Departure
THE PROCESS - My son enlisted in January and just left last Wednesday June 9th. I thought I would be sad but my excitement for him is overwhelming! I can’t be sad because I am so very proud and happy for him. Since January my son faithfully attended his DEP meetings and studied his book while working and waiting to leave. The date came all too soon where once we were saying "in a few months" and it became "in a few days . . . " My son's recruiter was great! Ask questions if your son/daughter isn't giving you enough detailed information to satisfy you. The recruiter made an official visit and said that they were obligated to do so since my son was still living at home while in DEP status. It was a lot of information all at once but I’m grateful that I took the time to ask questions during our meeting, read the posts on this website, and read the information on the Navy’s website .
THE PARTY - We had a bon voyage/21st birthday party for him last Saturday with over 85 guests. It was AWESOME! My brother took pictures and created a video - precious moments! The party fell on what would have been my late father's 75th birthday. I had white roses in a vase as a silent memorial (only the family knew what it was for) along with two cakes - one that said Happy 21st birthday and the other that said Bon Voyage with the Navy's official seal (I got them from the bakery at BJ's). My son and my Dad were very close (his first grandson) and they always celebrated their birthdays together since they were 2 days apart. At the party I posted 8 pages representing the 8 weeks of boot camp with a summary of what occurs during each week. I had pre-printed 5x7 sheets called "Notes From Home" with leading sentences to be completed (Ex, Week #, By this time you are . . . You're probably wishing you could . . . Next week you will . . . Always remember . . .) I had the guests pick a number from 1-8. After that, they were to read their week and complete a note for my son based on what he would be doing that week. I will combine their answers on one sheet and in addition to my letters, he will get notes from his family and friends who were at the party. It was a great sendoff and a huge expression of love and support.
THE DEPARTURE – On Monday my son turned 21. It was a quiet day after a weekend of house guests and celebrating. My son told me that he wanted to pack up his room in preparation for when he would officially move out of the house. Well, after 2 years of college I was used to him leaving but this was different. He was really preparing to leave. So I did what any supportive mother would do. I helped him. I helped him do laundry and bought bins for him to store his clothes until his return to move them. I can’t tell you how proud it made me to actually see my son planning for his future. The next day, Tuesday, he packed his overnight bag (according to the list of items allowed) and we took him to the recruiter's office who then took him to check into his hotel. Fortunately it was early when we dropped him off, so we were told that we could pick him up from his hotel, go to dinner and spend a little bit more time together. We had to have him back before his curfew. Wednesday June 9th, we got up early and headed to MEPS at Fort Gillem in Atlanta where he would be sworn in. He was there when we arrived. We waited for hours but it was worth it. He was sworn in and we took pictures afterwards. A few more hours later, we said our good-byes before he boarded a bus for the airport. My son was smiling and so I was too.

He was dropped off at the airport but his flight didn’t leave until later that evening. Good thing he had his cell phone. We talked/texted until he left. He called when the plane landed in Chicago. He was traveling with 6 other Navy recruits. Even though we had already talked, I still wanted that “Mom I am here” call from RTC (Recruit Training Command). Surprisingly, he called me from his cell phone to tell me he was at RTC, to expect his box in about 2 weeks, and that he would call again in about 4 weeks but that was not guaranteed. (From all accounts, I hear that the additional calls are earned.) No one was yelling and he said that was because he brought his cell phone. He sounded good, but he couldn’t talk long. I could already tell a difference in him. My son is laid back in his speech and his demeanor. This time he was concise and direct and had a little volume to his voice!
When I hung up the phone that night, I felt reassured. My son and I are very close. He is my only child. It’s hard to let go but it becomes so much easier when you realize that the child you were blessed to nurture and develop has become a responsible adult who can make wise decisions for himself. I am proud of him and I hope that each of you Moms out there can replace your own sadness with this same perspective. Be proud of your children, be happy for them, and be ready to celebrate! GO NAVY!

Comment by Lion55's mom on June 14, 2010 at 10:08am

I am covered in chill bumps tobi!

Comment by Tobianne on June 14, 2010 at 9:55am

I too will take my daughter to the hotel tomorrow... her best friend and my younger girls are going we are going to stay the night and watch her be (officially) sworn in. Then for the tearful ride home. This is just the first of my good byes this year for the Navy. I have mentioned my oldest is also going, he leaves in Sept. This one is hard on me though, she is my first baby girl. I want so much for her to become the young lady I know that she can be. She is a fighter and will do what it takes to survive. I am so proud of her, and my son also but for some reason I smile so much more when I say "my girl is enlisting in the Navy". You see females in the military but you hear so little about them.
For all of you moms, I feel every pain as you do and I know we all love our sailors to be. Good luck to you and your kiddo's as the enter in as a child and emerge a wonderful adult.

Comment by Lion55's mom on June 14, 2010 at 9:07am

TJ's mom, You will not believe the change you will see in your son at his PIR! That is a Navy acronym for either Parade in Review or Period in Review. You are going to have to learn a whole new language pretty soon. Any way, PIR is his first "graduation" and it is a big deal and soooo much fun. I get chills thinking about it. I got through my son's bootcamp with the motto of "no news is good news" I got a total of two phone calls from bootcamp. Some get more some less. As long as he is there and you are not hearing otherwise, everything is going well. Remember that. My son was also very emotional when he did call home so be prepared for that. Again, some others were and some were not. But just let him talk when he calls. They say he will call late at night when he gets there, but my son didn't call for a couple of days. Again, no news is good news! Buckle up and hang on, it is quite a ride! Listen to your heart and thank your son for me! He will soon be a United States Sailor!

Comment by diannep on June 14, 2010 at 6:57am

nidosmom: Good luck to your son. It is quite a journey...which I'm sure your husband has shared with him.
jennifer: Congrats on having 2 in the Navy! I very much admire these girls who are becoming sailors. I can't help but think it will equip them so much better for life than women of my generation were (i.e., more self sufficient).

Comment by TJ's Mom on June 14, 2010 at 6:56am

Well tomorrow is the day I take me son to the recruiter stations around 9:00. He will stay in Raleigh NC Tuesday night and fly out to BC on Wednesday. He is so excited and ready to go. I have done so much better than I though so far. My mother in law (not his grandmother) told me to think as if he is going away to college. I am sure TJ is going to do wonderful he has had a great attitude.
I know in my heart this is the right thing for him to do. Keep telling myself 8 weeks and then he will be a man. That little boy I raised is all gown up. BUT he will always be my baby boy!!!

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