DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in February

Just dropped our daughter off at the recruiters to travel to STL, then on to GL tomorrow.  It is snowing heavily here.  She didn't take gloves or a heavy coat.  I hope they aren't stuck on the road somewhere.

Sorry for being AWOL yesterday and most of today.  Delivered son to hotel yesterday, had a wonderful dinner last night, went to see the enlistment ceremony at MEPS this morning and saw him off on the bus that will deliver him later today to boot camp.  Let me tell you folks, I thought I had my emotions in check.  That was before yesterday.  What brought me to tears was when he said good bye to each of our three dogs.  The finality of it all set in.  Today, I held back the tears until the bus was headed away from MEPS.  Let the journey begin!!

caolila - I have been advised by my son's recruiters the rule of thumb is to count 9 Fridays.  But as everyone has advised, it is best to wait until the form letter arrives.

hooosiermomma - I wish we could have gone to STL to have dinner with her as planned, but alas, old man winter has intervened.  Glad you had fun with your son. And thanks for the underscore on the 9 weeks rule of thumb.

we're all in this together caolila!  Our kids will be getting through BC together and we Moms will get through it as well sticking together! 

If anyone would like to add me to face book feel free to do so. I will take all of the support I can get. www.facebook.com/terri.palmerstrodtman

I just saw how bad the weather is. My daughters flight out of miami, fl was cancelled and she said they foudn another flight leaving at 9pm. it will be a very long day for her. Hoosiermamma I am with you, thought I had it all under control until i walked in the door last night realizing she wasnt coming home. Im very distracted at work today and my 11 year old is going to be smothered with love because im a hot mess.. 9 fridays huh I can handle that.....i hope lol

Just got the "I'm at boot camp" 7 second call.  During it he promised to write!  Things are looking up!

We watched our sweet boy to swear in this morning.  All I could see was the little blonde haired boy with the surfer haircut raise his right hand and repeat the oath.  We shed a few tears while he proudly finished and then his 5 year old sister lost it.  That made me and his 21 year old sister lose it.  We were doing pretty good until then.  He let us know we weren't allowed to go to the airport with him,so we came on home.  Got home and it hit my husband that he is gone.  We miss him already!  None of this is different than any of your homes, I know.  Now he's at the airport and we will wait and see if he gets there.  Earlier his flight was delayed 2 hours.  We will wait on our call.   So starts the countdown...bring on Friday #1!

supermom1820 - It sounds like a very LONG day for your daughter, not to mention the climate shock! 

Terri~Nathan's Mom - will be sending a facebook request your way soon!

Dropped my son off last night at the hotel and went to see him swear in this morning.  Didn't think I would have such a tough time holding it together...  Thought going into work this afternoon would be a good idea- WRONG!  Almost made it through and ready to just sit tonight.... and wait for the "I've arrived" call.  hoosiermamma- you gave me hope that you already have received your call.  He's ready for this ride- I guess I better get myself ready.... :)

Well, we got our son off to St Louis about an hour before the wintry weather set in.  Its freezing rain out there now & ice is beginning to weigh down the trees.  He left a few minutes early, we allowed him that last drive across his hometown and met him at his recruiter's office.  He stopped to buy me a red rose.  I held on pretty good til our parting hug.  And you should see what he left on his bed, a folded US flag lying on top of his Navy shirt & hat.  Needless to say, the tears start everytime I pass by.  Otherwise, I just feel numb.  

You did make it through MomTut!  Let's start counting from 9 to 1 Fridays as a group!  KYMom59 - I completely understand every emotion you are feeling.  Your son left a great present for you. 

KYMOM59, Wow your Boy is AWESOME !!!!! Hang in there...Nathan leaves tomorrow.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3831368358131&set=a.205...

supermom1820 - is your daughter a NUKE rate?  If so, our daughters might be together.  I see your daughter might be interested in nuclear medicine.  I was mentioning that as a long term option to my daughter also. 

Howdy!!! My husband left home yesterday and received my short call at 00:34... I'm actually browsing several websites and threads to check for more information of what's next :)

A warm hello chuska.  There is a group - Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) that you will want to join if you haven't already.  I have found this website to be a plethora of information!

Does anyone else have a child leaving out of San Diego ?

My son took the active duty oath today in Charlotte NC.  Flights cancelled today hopefully they will get there tomorrow.  Wanting to connect with Moms for this bootcamp that starts this week.

Southernmom yes we were in the last ceremony.  I am Melanie and my son is Dillon.  I was at the front of the room doing a video.  What is your son;s name?? I will go back and look at my video.  SO excited to find someone in our group.  I went to the hotel tonight and took extra toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Yes we were!!! How funny.  What is Michael's MOS?? I feel like they will get there on the flight in the morning

Hi everyone, 

So as i read through your posts my heart goes out to all of you. My son is leaving for BC on the 11th and I'm crying constantly and catching hell from husband for it because he thinks it will cause my son mental anguish…but anyway i'm concerned because some of you posted that you were not allowed to go the airport…the recruiter told me that technically we aren't allowed but if we show up the can't do anything because the airport is a public place. that we just can't follow the bus. so I'm curious as to how many of you were able to be there at airport with your loved one. and if so how far were you able to get. Can you go to the gate with them? i know it's a stretch, but i want every minute i can get. 

No airport for us today.  We were told after the swearing in at MEPS to say goodbye and leave.  Funny thing is that the flights were cancelled and I had to take things to hotel tonight.  Have your special family time before he goes to MEPS.

Thanks Tenacious Mom, I had my heart set on videoing his take off …

did you get to spend time with him tonight since his flight was canceled…or was it just a drop off of items.

Yes I could have stayed at hotel.  He was getting ready to eat with his new friends and I am mentally exhausted.  So we had a quick time together and I left to come home.  My Dad said it best tonight "I can't do another goodbye"

Thats great! I'm glad he has new friends already…that didn't take long. They seem to adjust far better then we do. :-) 

haha tenacious mom i was just thinking at the rate this weather is going our sons may leaving the same time…lol 

I have looked at it for tomorrow.  Supposed to get less than an inch in Chicago so they should make that flight.  I sure hope so they will already get extra yelling for being late

New York is getting more snow so Rob may be delayed in his flight out as well.  We will be there for the swearing in ceremony at MEPS and then I will have to see.  My heart's desire is to travel to the hotel and we can have dinner.  I will follow what THEY want me to do.

Hang in there Supermom1820 I guess I will be prepared to get a middle of the night call sometime tonight.  Encourager let us know when Rob gets a flight.  New York is getting slammed today

Thanks for the words of encouragement hoosiermamma!  Got our call at 7:40 last night.  Definitely a prompted call- not his personality at all!  I'll bet there are a whole bunch more "changes" in the works.  Does anyone know if the box comes USPS or another form?  We both work so no one will be here to receive any packages- need to plan how that will work.  Thanks!

My husband told me that when he asked our son how he was doing before he left he said he was doing ok.  Figured he could leave the tears up to me- I could take care of the crying for all of us!  Weird- I'm usually not this emotional.  Guess we are all changing!

Just 9 Fridays to go!  :)

Kimba, I believe your son will do MEPS again, and be sworn in again.  My son did MEPS and was sworn in in July, but that was for DEP.  He will be doing it all over again on February 18th.  So I believe you will get another chance to see him sworn in if you like. 

You're welcome, Kimba.  His recruiter always told me that I could ask any questions, and I am going with him this week to ask the recruiter about specifics on watching him get sworn in, and if I can have dinner with him at the hotel. It's coming up really fast now!

Thanks for the info, BusyMom13!  Looks like that is going to be a busy day for us!

RTC has a facebook page....this may be helpful to all.

http://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand

Good morning, Moms!  You have all been in my thoughts as well as my son.  He was able to post on FB last night that he was at the St L hotel & doing well.  I slept a little better last night, & my head is somewhat clearer & my feet are closer to the ground this morning after all of this.  Have located my bifocals, still hunting for my watch.

caolila,, thank you for that FB page, I was hunting for it & not having much luck finding it.  

Kimba, my son's recruiter was great with my questions and I am a very shy person about things like that too.  My son wasn't very forthcoming with answers either, and honestly, I've gotten most of my information from N4M & his recruiter (and I haven't been steered wrong on anything).  I'm sure one day our sons will finally understand that just having that information is not just a comfort but also valuable in assisting us to be more supportive to them.

My son left me a mountain of laundry, I really don't mind.  It will give me something to stay busy & distracted with.  I tried to encourage him to sort through things in the months leading up to his departure, but then I saw how he just needed things to stay as normal as could be & it became more important just to spend our time better with our sailor to be.  Hoping for the "I'm here" call soon.  He wouldn't take his cell with him, just the clothes on his back.  He didn't take the bandaids, but he did take the blister pads, lol!  He loves me after all!

MomTut - congratulations on your call!  It is a relief to know they get there.  From what I have read here, the "kid in the box" comes FedEx.  I am so glad you have adopted my mantra - only 9 Fridays!  I am glad KYMom59 you were able to sleep a little better.  I had to chuckle at your laundry notation.  I had completed a load of blue jeans last evening and had to hang up two pair of my sons.  It made me feel just a bit closer to him.