DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in February

Kimba - You have just described my daughter w.r.t the bandaids and moleskin.  But sadly we elected no to go up to STL MEPS and she was disappointed in us.  She felt very alone.  I told her to look for KYMom's son, but don't think she ever did.  She was especially disappointed we weren't at the swear in this morning.  Then the shuttle driver evidently asked her if she was a girl!!  I guess this person doesn't have eyes since she is a 34C.

Kimba,  I had some struggles getting the recruiter to talk with me before my son left.  My son had no issues but the recruiter said she was not obligated since by son was 18.  I continued to push and even call Chief since the recruiter wouldn't return my calls.  Funny how receptive she was in November!  Anyway, finally got the EM2 (recruiter) to sit down with us for 30 minutes about 4 days before he left.  And I was so glad I did!  Got a lot of info from him about taking him to the hotel, swearing in, etc that we would have missed because we didn't have the info.  Also, he told me to call him in about a week because he would have my son's address about a week before I get it.  Can't say much about NC1 but EM2 was a great help and made me feel supported!  

In the end its most important for your son to feel good about what you are doing.  Ugh- just not a fun feeling!  Hope everything gets worked out!

The 8 new sailors from Charlotte NC just made it to Chicago.  I like the 9 more Fridays mantra.  I did cry a lot this morning.  Yesterday was much better.  Hope that is not a sign of things to come.

Tenacious Mom

So glad your son and the 7 other SR's made it safely.  There will be more crying days -- but we will all be ok.. PIR will be here before you know it.  Praying that your tears will be replaced by happy memories... You should be getting your phone call within a few hours....

Kimba, we didn't meet my son's recruiter til the day he left as my son, too, has wanted to do this "on his own" since last August.  I was thankful when his recruiter asked if we had any questions at all.  I did have a couple & he was very straight-forward with us.  But it sounds like MomTut was not so fortunate but she persevered.  I'll hope for the best for you.  

And don't be afraid to ask us either!  The mom support on here has been my greatest comfort & resource much more than my son was, who still has some growing up to do, too, but showed me by his actions in our last few hours together that he was listening to me more than I thought.

My son leaves on the 25th and he is on his count down to go.  He does not like the cold I just showed him the temperature and he was not happy.  It will be interesting to say the least.  Can't wait to see what goes on this next 20 days he has already pulled back from us some getting his last play days in.  When we think he should be working out and studying.  Not sure what kind of time we will end up  getting with him we will end, I think its like the rest of the "boys" wanting to do this on their own in their own way.  All we can do is support all of them and be here when they need us to.  Good luck to all the new recruits this week.

Denise Maryland - I was looking at 10 day forecast dreading more snow.  Weather.com says 6.4 inches last 24 hours in Chicago.  If that is right then current SR's are likely shoveling snow.  But at least next 10 days looks clear of snow.

We dropped my son off with the recruiter 4 hours ago.He was suppose to go to fly out today, but because of the weather he leaves tomorrow. He is flying out of Cleveland. I haven't stopped crying since he left. We are looking forward to watching him swear in tomorrow....hoping I'll be able to keep it together for him!

He just called! He was talking so fast the only thing I caught was he can write in two weeks...I think! But it was his voice, it was him! I know now where he is and what's about to begin.  We'll be okay!

Sailor Recruit Robert is at the hotel, delayed because of the weather.  I seem to be kind of okay but I am going on Retreat this weekend to cry in peace.  I have taken time to cry here and there but for my Sailor's sake I didn't want to be out of control.  Today's slow pace was good for my family as we had time to play cards, laugh, ask a few more questions and just be impressed with the simplicity of the military oath.

The Officer leading the Oath said that in a country that cherishes freedom, only .01% of its population enters the military.  Could that be true?

I just got the call.  Yes it was so fast I tried to stop him and ask a question.  That wasn't happening.  I love you bye were the last words.  So today was much harder than yesterday.  I cried a lot this morning and now I am having some anxiety.  I keep reminding myself that this path is so much better than so many alternatives.  We ROCK ladies!! I will survive

I am so glad to hear everyone is getting their "I'm here" calls.  I was prepared for the shortness of the call thanks to this website.  Just remember - only 9 Fridays!  Mine left yesterday for BC and trust me, today was much better for me.  I wrote my first letter today - on a napkin from his favorite local restaurant!  All ready to mail as soon as I get his address!

Yeah southernmom!  The countdown has begun!

Andrew's Momma - our roller coaster ride of emotions has begun! 

Kimba- yes our decision to drive to MEPS was related to weather.  I had such a difficult drive back from Eureka Springs, it is a miracle we weren't wrecked.  A car trying to pass me slid off the side of a hill - it was like something out of a TV show.  Wrecks behind me, wrecks in front of me.  After 8 hours back to Rolla on Sunday, I just couldn't risk the drive to STL on Tuesday.  This weather needs to stop!

Andrew's Momma - I have two sons - 18 years apart so you might say I have two only children!  Keep that positive attitude and start counting Fridays.  9 to go!

Just got the call!!  He is there.  Just the wait for the box and "the letter"!!

Hi everyone. I have been reading your posts on my phone while we were out of town but was unable to post anything. My son took his oath around 9:45 am on Tuesday and they all left for the airport around noon. He was the only one leaving for the Navy the entire day from that MEPS! We had a nice drive there on Monday and a nice dinner with him. When they finally gave him his flight info he said that since he was leaving at 3:05 that there was no need for us to go to the airport.. he was right because by the time we parked and found him there would not have been much time together. Since we had so long (since late March ) to accept all of this we had said all that needed to be said. We took a few more pictures and gave him some last hugs and off he went. He texted us from the van and I asked him if he was sure that we shouldn't come and he said that we should go have a nice lunch. So that is what we did. We took his things back to our room at the hotel and went to a nice long lunch. I had cried on the way to MEPS...in the waiting room...through the Oath ceremony (quietly and we were in the very back behind the recruits)...cried while waiting in the waiting room until about 11:30 and then I think I was just cried out! Haha! So when he left I smiled and hugged him. I did not cry the rest of the day and I think I am okay now. I was quite anxious until he told us that he had landed and then so anxious that I wouldn't go out to eat! We ordered room service instead! I thought that t would be very late when I got a call that he was at GL but he called around 9:15- so that was a relief! We had been talking to him and texting until he checked into the USO club at the airport. He sent a text at 6:15 that said "We are going out to the bus now" and then he called at 9:15. He said "I got here fine but can only talk for one minute because I am letting another guy use my phone to call his mom". I held the phone out and told him that his dad was listening too and that we loved him and knew that he would do great. He said "They told me to tell you that I can call in three weeks". I told him that was fine and to take care of himself. He really sounded fine. So, as much as I was dreading him leaving I was glad that he didn't have any flight delays and got to go as planned. I hope that all of your sons and daughters get there safely. Please post when you get "The Box" and I will do the same! I am going to write him a lot of letters and try not to think about what all he is doing - if possible! I worry about the cold weather but I know that they won't let him freeze! I trust that he prepared himself for this and other than praying there is nothing that I can do. He is almost 21 and he is doing what he wants to do.He has worked out twice a day since early April and had a determination that was inspiring. I am going to try to learn to "Let it be". I hope that all of you are well!!! 

Good news to all of those that got their "I'm here" call.  Love feeling the support we are able to get and receive from one another. 

Waiting for the "Box"   Not sure how I am going to handle getting it, but anxious to get it.  It is like a tug of war.  Now I am worried there is too much ice on the driveway and the porch for him to even bring the box up to me.  That would be so sad.  My husband shoveled it yesterday and the wind and rain made it all wet again and now it is back to being a frozen mess.  Can't wait for Spring!

Good morning ladies! Haven't been on here for awhile because my first son joined almost two years ago. Now my youngest just left to BC yesterday. Got the I'm here call last night. So weird relieving the moments again. Hoping to find loved ones in his division.

Bonnie-Codysmom - I am doing "okay".  It has been difficult.  The worst part is the "unknown".  We can guess what they are going thru and pray that they are holding up ok.  After all the years of being there for them when they needed to talk or needed encouragement, now at a time when they could use our support, we have to be silent.

My kiddo left yesterday, much like you Carolina Mom mine was the only one leaving from his MEPS. But in Montana...that means he's the only one leaving the entire state that day. He did ok, sounds like he was txting his sister that it didn't hit him until he was waiting for his connector in SLC that this was real. Just hoping that he makes connections quickly with people & finds that "battle buddy" (sorry....Army family) that helps make the transition a bit easier.

Justine - Glad he arrived safe.  The phone call was a relief for me too.  I had so many questions I wanted to ask but knew he couldn't answer them.  I am anxious to get his first letter.  I started writing and am holding the letters until I get his address.  I really like the questionaires that are posted on this site.  It seems like a great way to ask questions and make it easy for them to answer.

Justine - LOL!  My son has a cat that has been crazy since he left.  She comes into my room at night and wakes up all the other animals (which wakes me up).  I had to lock her out of my room last night. 

Are any of you moms of a daughter who was nuke and went to GL this week?  I would really like to connect with a mom of a nuke daughter.

its day 4 since he left and i miss him so much.  its go great to be able to talk to you ladies as we are all going thru the same thing.   i to sleep with his pillow every night just to feel closer to him.  it does help even though it might be crazy..lol.  i am praying daily for all of us along with our babies at BC.  

Bonnie - We are going to get through this together!  It may take a lot of tissues and a lot of support.  I try to keep remembering our children are learning how to make it through BC leaning on one another just like we are. 

D-hunterMom - my son left 2/4.  Emotions were very raw that day.  Yesterday, I went to hang up laundry in his room and I can say I felt great pride in what he is doing and just being in his room made me feel closer.

my son left yesterday for bc.  it was pretty rough for me as i was with him all alone and then after he left i had to fly home.  it seems so unreal still.  yet when i got the 45 second call that he had arrived there i lost it.  my eyes are so swollen today and my body feels weird.  (if that makes any sense)  i miss him so much.  he has been living in a different state for the past 6 months but this...this really hit home.  i am so thankful that there was another mom there with her boy who gave me a hug when our boys left.  i don't think she will ever know just how much that hug meant to me.  thank you darkarl so very much!!!  i hope to see you again soon.  does it get eaiser????

Got the 'Box" today.  Have not opened it yet.  Being nice and waiting for my husband to get home so he can open it with me.  But its very hard.  I want to just tear into it!