DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in February

My son left today 2/2/16 for bootcamp.  I was doing ok until the last hug before he got on the bus.  I know this is what he wanted and I am trying to be strong.  This site has been extremely helpful and I look forward to what comes next.

I just had my first 'welcome to the Navy-way experience'.  My son was to report to MEPS this morning and ship out tomorrow.  He had a text that he was postponed until tomorrow because of the weather here in Colorado.  1.5 hours ago, he had a call saying 'be here in 1 hour!  LOL.  He's on his way to the hotel and we are headed out to take him to dinner.  We'll be at MEPS tomorrow morning for his swearing in.  The panic attack has finally subsided.  AMOm :-) Here we go!  I'm holding your hand tight ;)

Yesterday was a tough one.  I was able to text with my son up until he arrived at the USO at O'Hare.  He seemed in good spirits and said he had slept on the bus, in the airport and the whole flight.  I waited up until 11:30 MST and received 'the call' at midnight sounding good but controlled.  Relieved this part is over!  I've printed out all the good wishes from my FB page and will add them to my first letter which I'm off to write right now.  Hooyah!

JulieTimsMom that is a great idea. I will print the messages from FB and send them to her. Her brother wants to send her song lyrics in his letters. I just keep telling myself if I stay positive and encouraged, she will too!

The waiting is killing me! 3 whole weeks without talking to him. We have started writing letters. 

When will we know when the PIR dates and groups we an join ?

HrsDiva23, most moms get the form letter with their Recruit's official address and PIR date about 10 days after arrival at RTC.

Don't mail anything until you get the official address.

My boy ships on 2/16 and I plan to take an all day course on 2/27, do you think I will get a phone call before then? My phone wont be allowed to be on during the class. I am not sure if I need to find another date for the class or if I will be ok. Any thoughts?

@blondefaith,  What I have read the I am here phone call will be the day/evening he gets to RTC. I would at least put my phone ringer off. Good Luck, our son leaves Tues. the 9th.

@Blondefaith, my son shipped last Wednesday.  My 'I'm here' call came at midnight.  He told me I would get another call in about 3 weeks, so I'd say your second call will be after 2/27.  Leave your ringer on the night of 2/16 thru 2/17.

@Trisha, great minds....I was just thinking about that myself :)

@Trisha, your box came so fast!  I'll hope for Monday.

Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) will let you know what is happening and what to expect.

Any wives with husbands leaving February 24th for boot in Great Lakes?

I am trying to be strong for him and myself for today and tomorrow.  My husband is dropping him off this afternoon and I will see him at MEPS tomorrow morning.  These next few days will be so hard. I thought saying goodbye to my husband when he left for his 6 months for hard, I believe this might be a little harder. He will be taking a piece of my heart with him. But we have another son who is still at home who will need me and I know he would not want me to be upset.  I will be counting the days until PIR.  I know he will do great and we are very proud of him. Good Luck to all the parents who is sending their s/d off tomorrow.  :)

My son leaves for MEPS in one week and his ship date is Tuesday, February 16th. This is the last week for so many weeks before I will get to see him again and my heart aches. He is not as tender as he was last week or the weeks prior, which makes me think he is trying to disengage a bit to prepare himself for what is ahead. Love and peace I am sending to all of the parents and their future Sailors that will be embarking on such a huge adventure. If anyone is on the West side of Indy and has a recruit leaving next week, I am all about chatting.

Although I am certain my son is staying strong and brave and is very stoked about starting this new journey, I am moving in slow motion and cant seem to process the reality of an empty nest next week and the absence of his laughter and the incessant noise of his video games.    

my son leaves on Wednesday the 10th to the Great lakes. This weekend finished up his room, just good family time. Just worried that he just got a cold and hope he can shake it off. I hope he can get throught the Great Lakes Weather being that he is from Florida but I know he can do it. . I can't wait for his first 2 sec call and his box, Thank you all, now I know what to expect. All kinds of emotions but I know he will do great, I have my tissues ready and a big smile to send him off.

We watched our son swear in this morning and said our goodbyes.  He just texted me that he's on the plane and flying off to Great Lakes now.  Trying to stay strong and positive, sending out positive vibes to him and all the other recruits heading out.  Best of luck to all!

We just received our form letter from our SR. He arrived at Boot Camp late on 2/2/16. 

Ship 14, Division 134. PIR 3/25/16

We did not expect to get the letter so soon. Hoping this means that he started his training. So glad to get that first letter even if it's just the form letter. Hoping more will be receiving theirs too.

I've let ellon and FTLW know to get the group up, Keep checking PIR 04/01/2016 TG 21 and join when it is up if you have a recruit in that TG.

@Robertsmom my daughter is leaving on the 10th too & we are from sunny Florida also , going to be an interesting rollercoaster ! 

Yay! My husband just called and said her box is there! I told him don't touch a thing until I get home LOL! One step closer to seeing my SR :-). 

If your future Sailor has yet to ship, 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 (especially if you have a recruit at the RTC) 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; make change 4 if your profile pic includes your future Sailor or recruit) and then go on to Arrival and What Happens at the RTC

I have left info on some of your My Pages about your recruit's (or future Sailor's) rating (job/specialty) and "A" School. If anyone else needs this info, leave a comment on my My Page with the rating or field and I will comment back on your My Page. I have info on every rating and field. I also have that info for the PACT programs.

If you have a future Sailor (or recruit) who is going to be in an 800 division, let me know in a comment on my My Page or in a PM (or comment in a friend request) and I will connect you with others with loved ones who will later be in the same division. DON'T openly post your future Sailor's contract or division number. Those with a future Sailor (or recruit) in a regular division or 900 division can post the division number and can post the contracted rating or field unless it is for one of the Spook ratings, but those with a loved one with a special ops contract should NEVER post that openly. See OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile) and 800 and 900 Divisions.

AMOm, DIV 133 is in the 03/25/2016 TG.

Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) will let you know what is happening and what to expect.

Received the box today :)  Not sure why it was so exciting except that it means the letter will probably come this week!