DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in February

Yes csabdjmom- He is doing EOD- the Bomb squad. This is part of my panic!! 

Carolina Mom - Your son is to be commended for his willingness to do something so dangerous to protect other sailors and soldiers. Tell him "Thank you" from the Moms. Rest assured that he will get the best training available and they will teach him how to do his job safely.

Carolina Mom - I would also like to thank your son for this service.  God will be looking over him and the Navy will train him well. 

There are several with loved ones who will be in an 800 division, the special ops division, and have a contract for SO (SEALs), SB (or SWCC) AIRR, EOD, or ND. The Page, 800 and 900 Divisions, within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) will have some important information for you. It really is not a good idea to be posting that your son or daughter has a contract for one of those ratings.

The default Privacy Setting on N4M is "Anyone." That means that ANYONE with access to the web has access to everything on your My Page. To change that, make change number 3 at the bottom of OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile), While you are there, read the Page and see if there are other changes you need to make.

Yes, the recruits often do get some form of "Ricky Crud" while at BC. They get flu shots and either a gamma globulin shot (the peanut butter shot) or another preventative (for those who are allergic to penicillin) to lessen the severity of anything that they get due to being introduced to germs from all over our great country.

csandjmom, I left info for you on your My Page about HM.

If you need info on your future Sailor's rating (job/specialty), including groups on N4M, you can leave a comment on my My Page telling me the contracted rating and I will get that to you.

Be sure to check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for....

If you have not yet joined Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones), now is a good time to do so and to begin checking out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) starting with OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile) (some of you have changes that you need to make--at least change 3) and Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

TexasProudSailorMom, My daughter leaves from Texas on the 3rd. How are you holding up?

TexasProudSailorMom, I am doing ok. I am very proud of her and completely support her decision, but it has been a long season of "goodbyes" for our family, so that makes it hard. 

I am an elementary literacy coach in public school. I started my career at a private Christian school and loved it. I must say that it is a special calling to teach Kinder!

My son leaves Feb 3, actually leaving on the 2nd to head to Houston to spend the night and swear in and all on the 3rd. I want to go to the swearing in but not sure when or if we can attend. I cant believe its a week from now. he doesnt live here but he will come stay the last few days here before he leaves. he is ready and i am so happy and proud of him.

My daughter will leave us on Feb. 2nd and be sworn in at MEPS on Feb 18th and then off she goes to the R.T.C. We are enjoying her last weeks here but we are not doing anything special just keeping things simple and as normal as possible to not bring on any waterworks on any of us. 

My daughter leaves on the 2nd for Shreveport to spend the night and will swear in and head to GL on the 3rd. She had her melt down today while cleaning her room. I know she is going to do great, I just wish I knew how to help her get through the emotional roller coaster of the upcoming week. 

Oh no Teachermom! I thought that the moms were the only ones who have meltdowns! I hope that she will be fine the rest of the time! Good luck! this is all very hard!

Teacher Mom - my daughter is not far behind yours.  She spends the night on the 4th, and travels to GL on the 5th.  Perhaps they will be in the same division?  Wish your daughter all the best.

Our son leaves goes from SC to NC on the 4th to swear in and heads to GL.  Anyone else on the same time frame?

Southernmom, my son does his on the 4th as well and heads to BC from Indpls that afternoon.  There are several on this thread in the same week!  If all goes well, we should have a great PIR in April!

I just read where this cold has cancelled 500 flights, so I hope anyone traveling is OK this week.   My daughter will go to GL by bus next week since we are relatively close.  I hope the weather warms up for everyone next week coming by plane!

Hello to all the Navy Moms

I don't come on the site as often as I'd like to but when I do, I'm glad to see new things that help me learn more about the military life and what to expect.

My daugther leaves for BC on Feb. 19th. We are from the Chicago area so thankfully she doesn't have to take a flight or bus in from another state.

That date is coming up soon and with just a few weekends to go, I'd like to plan a little going away party for close family.

Any ideas? suggestions? Thanks in advance for your responses.

Hi Leach73...I had a party for my son recently. You can go on my page and you will see photos posted under "Anchors Aweigh". Under each photo I wrote a description and told where to find the item. It was a larger party but I think you can get some ideas. I would say that the video that we made was a huge hit...The photo album (that you can pick up at Sam's) was great and I would have some note cards for people to use to write notes to her. You can send them  to boot camp after you get her address. We also had people write an extra note to "Seaman Recruit"..that way you can send them to her with other letters and she can give them out to friends who are not getting any (or much) mail. It breaks my heart to read that there are young people at Boot Camp who are not receiving mail- but apparently that is the case. I will send you a friend request and once you accept it you will be able to access my page. Good luck! Please feel free to send me any questions that you may have. I am happy to help!

Hi southernmom - Is your child leaving out of Raleigh by any chance?

caolila, Thank you for the warm wishes! That would be great if they ended up in the same division...we could meet up at a PIR meet and greet! Enjoy your week and and best wishes to you and your daughter. :D 

Check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for the RTC.

If you have not yet joined Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones), now is a good time to do so and to begin checking out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) starting with OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile) (some of you have changes that you need to make--at least change 3) and Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

Hi southernmom- Just wanted to check! You are welcome. I love to plan parties and this one gave me something to take my mind off of what is coming. Enjoy your last days...they are flying by now!

hi all...my son leaves Sunday for BC...the tears havent stopped....

HI bonnie- codysmom, My son leaves on the 11th of feb…and i'm hysterical now. I can only imagine what you must be feeling. this is a good place to be it seems.

One week from today. Doesn't seem real yet. It is freezing out and he just went to work out - in shorts! He will be inside, but still!!

Big hugs to all of us who have just one more week or less before saying our good-byes.  Let's try and support each other the best we can.  If our children can unite together, so can we, right? 

Amen to that Hoosiermamma ! My son leaves a week from tomorrow...my time is limited. I will be here to support everyone that supports me :) Im really having a hard time letting go !

Making every minute count before he leaves on Sunday. Tears, laughs, smiles, hugs, and everything in between. I'm going to miss him terribly. 

This time next week, he will be on his way to GL.  He's so calm and I am so full of butterflies.  It seems like there is so much to do, what if we forget something? So proud & hopeful for him and the new life he is about to embark on.

A week from tomorrow...I won't dwell on that.  Tomorrow I am going with my FS to a movie and dinner.  He has spent time with Dad and Brother and mom gets to watch...I don't think so.  I am so going to miss him.  

I just read those posts about the emotional rollercoaster and it is making me feel better.  The writer shared how much N4M helped her.  And no, it is not like when your child is in college.  One lady asked me "but you will see him occasionally RIGHT?"  Her daughter (same age) is going to a instate college that is yes over 500 miles but you know she will come home on breaks and the college even helps arrange transportation.  My future is not so certain.  But one thing I know...Love is beyond the here and now, it is forever.  Even when we don't see them...So proud of my son and your children for the sacrifice they make.  And I respect you the family members on N4M because we sacrifice too for this country.

This morning a reminder popped up on my phone:  "Jillian leaving for Boot Camp on Feb 4th."  AS IF I WOULDN'T REMEMBER THAT.  I must have put it in my phone calendar last May when she first told me her ship-out date.  I choked up.  Luckily no one else was up yet so they didn't see the tears...STUPID SMARTPHONE!

Then, I pulled myself together and went to work.  I start vacation tomorrow.  We have several things planned before our daughter leaves for San Diego on Monday and flies to Great Lakes Tuesday.  'So glad to have found this site and all of you.  We are all in the same boat (pun intended). :)

Hi enourager- Someone wrote on my Instagram "Now you will feel my pain as he goes on to make his own way in life.". Her son is a sophmore in college who comes home for vacations and all summer! I wrote "I wish he was just going off to college- that I was prepared for- not going to learn how to diffuse bombs." I hope it didn't sound ugly but REALLY??? Several friends sent texts to me saying "Is she SERIOUS"?? One said "She is a ding- a- ling" I had to laugh. I told them it was okay that I had my Navy moms who understand! I think it is easier for people to understand who have had family members who are in the military. A good friend told me that her dad was in the Navy for 20 years and she understands. I think she does. she said that it will be very annoying for me to learn to deal with the Navy time frame. That the Navy doesn't really care about my vacation plans! Haha! So true! I am hoping that the next few days will be relaxed and happy. My husband and son have to make one more trip to our storage unit and also do a walk through at his apartment. He has packed his small bag that we will bring to PIR. Oh, it is getting too close! Praying for all of you!!

csandjmom- I think it is normal to feel depressed at this point. Try to stay positive- if you really feel yourself getting too sad please be sure and tell a trusted family member. It is normal to cry. Just keep reading Karenlee's comments on this page and it will make you feel better. We are all at different stages. When I read comments that say things like "I am so excited for him...we are so thrilled with his choice" my moth drops open! Haha! But when those ladies read that one of us is so sad and crying all the time their mouth probably  drops open! I think it is just dependent on your point of view at the time. Best of luck and take care of yourself!!

Im just going write what comes to mind right now....while I know my son leaving for boot camp isnt the end of the world ( I know this logically ) but it sure does feel like oit to me emotionally. I cant believe in a week my one and only " Baby " will ship off to some town he doesnt know with people yelling at him that he doesnt know....I know he is a " grown man " as people keep telling me but when I look at him I see a young sweet little face that has no idea what the future holds, I know he is scared even though he wont tell me he is,,,I can just see it . I know he has a lot to look forward to and he is making a good decision for his future but as a mom I just want to know that he is ok...it bothers me that he will be nervous and scared ...it breaks my heart to be honest. I never thought this was going to be so difficult heck its 12;15 am and I just start crying when I think about all of it...then I think about the title of this group " Leaving in February " well its almost that time...he will be leaving soon...what is a mother to do ?

I also have to agree with the college comparison...the 2 are NOTHING alike !

My SR told me last evening I won't be getting "the kid in a box".  He's giving me his cell phone when we say our good-byes after his enlistment ceremony and going to trash his clothes when he gets to GL.  And he also gave me his backpack, already filled, that I am to bring to PIR.  He's showing great preparation for this next chapter.  And of course, in his eyes, I am still the silly Mom that has bought bandaids, moleskin and phone cards for him.  Little does he know I have already passed out general occasion cards already stamped with a date in pencil when to mail that I am going to give family & friends to send him once I get his mailing address.  One of my co-workers even gave a couple of the cards to some of HIS relatives to send out!   

hoosiermamma - my SR has laid similar plans but being female they are quite different.  Having her final haircut today, hoping to avoid a 'bad cut' at GL, final laundry and sorting out old clothes I can donate to charity. Range practice with her Baretta, and some gym workouts. Yesterday was Wednesday to her only to be corrected at dinner with a smile- she's already living days ahead in her mind in anticipation of going.  Last night an entire bag of raspberry filled oreo's vanished....can you really eat so much of your favorite food that the taste lingers for 8 weeks?   This weekend we're going to America's most haunted hotel as she loves ghost adventures.  I am sure her 'kid in the box' will be filled to brim with sports bras she can't keep, her cell phone, etc.  But girls are different than boys and I will probably be glad to receive that box as I will be missing her!

caolila - I truly believe they can eat something and have the taste linger.  Enjoy your weekend at the haunted hotel.  I do love watching Ghost Adventurers too!

My son has already taken his clothes to Goodwill and a local mens shelter.  He surprised me Monday with that.  As was posted earlier.  Our kids can make it through this, so can we Moms!

Enjoy Caolila! My son wants to see a movie and go out for lunch on Friday. Saturday we are having his going away party with the family and close friends. He's looking forward to seeing everyone before he leaves on Sunday for MEPS, then to GL.

I went to the basement last night and noticed that he had a large tote filled with his clothes (just thrown in it and overflowing). My first thought was "I should donate some of those clothes" then my second thought was "I want to keep his clothee!" Then I realized that I sounded like someone who had just lost a loved one. Oh what a rollercoater ride this is! My daughter has dibs on his bed....

The reality is....he is not coming home to live with me again. Hits me like a lightening bolt. And the water works begin...again.

It sounds like everyone's FS are preparing, haircuts, filling backpacks for PIR, devouring Oreos. Mine is playing video games on his DS and watching all the Dexter shows on Netflix. And working out. It's just too darn cold to do anything else.

hoosiermamma - your son sounds like a natural leader and my guess is he'll be in command quickly!    I will let you know if we see a ghost.  DoxieMom I hope your party is a lot of fun and that everyone takes lots of pics!  6 days to go!

caolila - how did the haircut turn out?    I hope everyone that is spending the last weekend with the Depper get to make it something special.  From the plans that have been listed here, it sounds like "Job Well Done"!!!