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Comment by diannep on April 6, 2011 at 1:47pm

Kelly, is your SR staying in GL for A School?  If so, then they usually move over to the GL A School base right after PIR.  You will pick them up later in the day and then have them for the weekend usually, but not overnights.  If they are flying out on Sat or Sun, you can have airport time with them.  Sunday fly out is rather new.  So I would imagine that if they are scheduled for that, you would have Fri and Sat with them, then airport time on Sun.  Unless they are on a charter flight...then no airport time with them.  When they leave is determined by their job(rate) and the A School they are going to.  They will know about this usually about 2-3 weeks before the end of bootcamp.

Comment by KellynKaty(corps-Mom) on April 6, 2011 at 1:43pm

Thank ya'll. Do any of you know how long we will have our new sailor with us.I just want to spend all the time I can with him. Is it just Friday? Or is it the weekend?

Thank ya'll

Comment by diannep on April 6, 2011 at 1:37pm

Brandis makes good points....so if you are flying Southwest, I would go ahead and make those now if you want to.  But other airlines charging change fees (usually $150) ---well, you might want to wait a bit before your make those.  Don't get nonrefundable tickets as the form letter will say. You will pay a fortune for those...still cheaper usually with the added change fee.  I would go ahead and book the hotel now though.  The larger suites fill up....so for sure book now if you need one of those (Residence Inn Waukegan has 2 bdrm 2 bath suites in addition to studios).

Comment by Brandis_Mom on April 6, 2011 at 12:59pm

My husband and I already made our reservations, most hotels have excellent cancellation policies as well as car rental agency's and if you have to get to Great Lakes by flying, I would suggest Southwest Airlines due to the fact that airlines that offer you the really discounted airfares will not let you change dates or cancel the flight, well Southwest will let you change dates without a extra charge the only extra charge would be is if the airfare goes up then you have to pay the difference in the ticket prices.  Some say wait until the very last couple of weeks to make reservations, but me, I like to know that everything is already planned and paid for that way, I am not scrambling at the end and getting myself all upset over nothing.  But in the end, the decision is up to you on when you book reservations, some choose to do it early to avoid frustration, some wait until the very end to make sure their loved one does not get set back for any reason.  Hope my little advice helped, I know I have found this forum to be very helpful with the emotional turmoil I find myself in at times, everyone has something to contribute in some way or manner.

Comment by KellynKaty(corps-Mom) on April 6, 2011 at 12:01pm

Hi Ladies, I was just wondering when a good time is to make reservations for flights and hotel rooms.I am a first timer for all this. Any info would be great..

Have a great day..

Kelly

Comment by diannep on April 6, 2011 at 11:54am

Tricsious:  They sell the phone cards at CVS and Publix( our grocery stores,) down here.  Good idea for all of you to try and find one to mail to your SR.  They can buy them at the NEX also, but of course have to spend their own money.  Be sure to get one with at least 500 minutes on it.  They use alot of those minutes connecting from the pay phones each time.  So they go through them pretty quickly.

Comment by CorpsmansGirl08 (station:GL,IL) on April 6, 2011 at 10:06am

AHHHH first letter!!! i cant wait to get mine! im hoping its here waiting for me when i get home from work tonight... I miss my bf sooo much a letter from him with his handwriting on it, that i knew he had held in his hands and wrote to ME! would make me feel AWESOME! I hope everyone starts receiving their first letters soon too! My SR left on march 22nd..... cant wait for may to get here already!

Comment by amandarenee84 on April 6, 2011 at 10:05am

LaLa -- ur post made me choke up and hold back tears. Had it not been for the fact i'm at work..i think i'd be crying right now. It was very touching.

Comment by Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons on April 6, 2011 at 9:42am

The first letters can be very hard. They are unsure of what they have gotten themselves into, they are homesick and they are tired. I am sure they wonder if they made the right decision. The first letter I received from my daughter took me over 2 hours to read it. The first line said " I cried myself to sleep the first night" well I was already crying just because I had finally gotten a real letter and when I read those words I was balling, I couldn't read any further, every time I tried I couldn't see the paper let alone the words. I just wanted to hop in the car and go get her. After 2 hours of trying to get past that first line I was finally able to read the rest of it. The first night was extremely hard. She said so many were crying and some were lined up to try and get out of the Navy and go home. (They won't let them) They had been awake for more than 36 hours and were both emotionally and physically exhausted. But then she went on to say that each day got a little better. She didn't cry anymore and now that she had been there a week she thought she was going to be fine and was glad she joined and I should not worry. Yeah, right lol. As the weeks passed every letter that arrived was better than the last and she liked it more and more each week. The RDC's went from being complete and total a-holes to being very cool and really caring about them and their future in the Navy. By the end of boot camp she loved it, she loved Battle Stations and would do it again and the gas chamber wasn't nearly as bad as she had anticipated. Now, she is finished with school and is an AO with her squadron in VA. She loves it and is very happy with her decision to join the Navy.

So hang in there, The first few weeks are the hardest for them and for you. It really does get better and this time will pass much faster than you ever thought possible. Come here and vent and share your feelings. That is what we are here for. We really do understand what you are going through and it will get easier.

Comment by Tricsious (07/174) on April 6, 2011 at 8:26am

@ccross132- I am so surprised to hear you received a phone call already.  Did he say why he was getting the call?  My heart breaks for you.  I feel like I am constantly on the verge of tears.  This lack of communication is so difficult and to hear her down would just break me.  We have to be strong for them, but its easier said than done.  I am sure you gave encouraging words as I would try to do also.  I am just praying for a letter sometime soon!  Maybe today will be the lucky day!  Did he say he was having a difficult time?

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