son leaving 9/3

[Christina]

My son is leaving 9/3 from Iowa just curious what other moms/recruits are going through. My son gets sad about leaving everyone/everything behind while he goes on his adventure. What do other moms do to prepare their recruit for leaving home? What do other moms do for themselves to prepare for their recruit to leave. I spend a lot of time trying to encourage my son, through my own fears. Any thoughts or suggestions? Anything would be great.

[Miss Conception]

My son is also leaving from Michigan on 9/3!
I think one thing I would make sure he does is to pack a bag of clothes and other things he might want while he's in A-school (ie favorite shoes, underwear, clothes, guitar, video games) that way you can bring that bag with you to the airport when you see him off after bootcamp graduation, or have him pack a box you can mail when the time comes. I myself just went through navy bootcamp, and it's really pretty fun. Nothing to be scared of! I had a medium sized Velcro closure plastic envelope that I smuggled pictures of my family, stamps, calling cards, a bank card and a blank check, and important papers in. There is no room for anything else, so no need to bring anything else. Oh maybe moleskin for blisters. You can keep that, and I recommend it :)

[lemonelephant]

Miss Conception, I know you went to BC and are now a Sailor, but don't say "smuggled" for the things you mentioned. Every one of those things was/is permitted at the RTC. See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/pdfs/Required_Checklist.pdf and http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/what_to_bring.asp.

[Miss Conception]

Oh and also to prepare, make sure he knows his chain of command and rank and recognition. All of our inspections in boot camp require you to answer a question about those things, so he'll be a rock star if he actually knows that stuff going in. He'll also avoid a lot of unnecessary push ups, if you know what I mean ;)

[lemonelephant]

For both of you, go through the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for..., together. There is info at the top for your future Sailor to help with preparation for BC and things for both of you to take care of.

For you: Stay informed before and during BC (there is A LOT of info in the Pages of Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and later in your PIR group)--find out if your future Sailor wants you to go to MEPS for the swearing in and to the airport to see him off and get the info needed to do those if you both want that. Stay connected with your son. (He will want to spend time with his friends and will begin to pull away--it's normal--involve him in making plans, don't just assume that he will be there; it will help to prevent hurt feelings and will set the tone for how you will handle things when he is home on leave later as well. You have raised a fine young man; let him know how much you love him and how proud you are of him and how proud you will be when you see him at PIR as a US Navy Sailor. After he ships, start writing letters even before you get the address so they are ready to mail when you get The Form Letter.) Stay connected with those at home. (If you have other children and/or a husband who are still at home, don't alienate them during this time and make sure they know they are loved and special.) Stay connected with others who are going through the same things. (This group is great and so are Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and later your PIR group.) It's OK to cry every now and then; showers are great places for that. (You raised him to leave and pursue his dreams and that's what he's going to do. You don't really want him to still be at home when he's 35 do you? Get in extra hugs now and when he is in BC--and in the fleet--you will hold him in your heart until you can hold him in your arms again. You are placing him in the best hands of all--those of God and the US Navy!) Once he ships, prepare for PIR. (Expect to see him graduate. If you let me know what his contracted rating, job/specialty, will be then I can give you info on that and where "A" School or training will be so you will know how much time you will have with him PIR weekend.)

[Miss Conception]

Well, when you are in that room, packing that box, they are yelling at you what you can keep and what you can't. My person didn't tell me I could keep my pictures. And I was surprised by things that I saw people get asmoed for. One was set back 2 weeks for writing a letter before we were allowed to. I think before that two weeks or so is up, the pictures were iffy.

[lemonelephant]

I understand. We see lots of things get sent back in "the box" that could have been kept (Bibles, wallets, and stamps are the most common) and/or that the recruit needed (SS cards and driver's licenses are the most common) because so much is going on and they hear to put everything in the box and they do. Wallet sized pictures in good taste are permitted from the beginning; even though those are not mentioned on the lists, we have checked with the PAO and a few RDC's in the past and they indicated they are permitted at arrival onward.