DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in May

Okay Lady's my water works have begun : (   I am so thankful for all of you and all the information and support that you provide.  Does anyone know if I can call my son tonight at the hotel? 

Eric's Mom, yes.

Yes, all future Sailors stay in a hotel the night before going to MEPS to be sworn in before leaving for the RTC. Be sure to check out Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for.... There may be some things you can take care of before your future Sailor ships.

Thank you navy moms for helping me understand that it's ok not to go to the airport to see my son leave. He told me last night that it would just be so hard to say goodbye there and prefers to do it the night before. If it wasn't for everyone else's thoughts on this I think I would be very hurt. I will admit that for just a minute though I was thinking I could go and just watch him walk into the airport and not let him see me but then I would probably want to jump out of the car and run and give him one last hug. I won't though but how tempting is that. Anyone else feel that way?

2boysandamom - Wait until the first time he's home on leave and you find yourself peeking in the bedroom while he sleeps just to see him some more... We ALL know how much we want to hold on for just a moment longer, but THEY are learning to trust themselves and we Have to go along and help them. Praying for all the moms who say good-bye this week (my week is coming).

Whoa - May is running way too fast. The 11th will be here before I can blink. Even after doing this with my eldest who is a Marine, it isn't any easier the 2nd time around!!!!

My son called me early this morning from the airport, they were waiting for some others to arrive then they were heading out to BC.  It was so great to hear his voice, he sounded good.  He had a long day traveling yesterday, lots of delays, but he's at least in Chicago now so that's a good thing.  Congrats on all the phone calls from your kids, it's wonderful to know they're ok isn't it.

QUESTION?? What are 800 and 900 divisions? (Watching a PIR online and not sure what it is referring t.

Wendy - since obviously our SRs will be together, it's nice to connect. Mine will be at GL early on the 12th... hope he doesn't get too bored all week waiting for Friday. (We live within 2 hrs of base.) We COULD drive down to Waukegan on Monday to see him arrive, but THAT seems way to 'out of bounds" LOL!

We finally got the scripted call, well his dad did.  At least he's on base now so that at least makes me feel better.

Shaula I'm glad you got your call and feel good about it.  It does help to hear that confidence in their voice.

Carla, I feel exactly the same way.  I get sad knowing I can't just pick up the phone and call or text him.

One more week before I join the Boot Camp moms... Wow, this has gone fast. I am trying NOT to miss him before he actually leaves on Sunday. Hanging on.

My son`s recruiter took him to a hotel near MEPS this afternoon. He called me at 3:30pm telling me he was on his way. He will get a mini physical and swear in tomorrow morning. He is bunking with a gentleman who has enlisted with the National Guards. He sounds tired.

When I came home from work, his room door was open and it was immaculate! I knew this was final. I cannot phantom not speaking to him everyday. I `am so sad! I asked him to call me in the morning before he leaves for MEPS and when we is on his way to the airport.

Tough Day for us today, my son left to go to the hotel for his swear in tomorrow... I think the hardest part is knowing I can not speak to him everyday, his younger sister and brother are torn up about him leaving... Ugh this is harder then I thought.

Our son just left for Great Lakes this afternoon. Let me just say it was incredibly difficult and we shed many tears. Looking forward to hearing from him tonight when he lands.

Hang in there Tammym. My son leaves Sun/Mon. Everytime I look at him, I see that little boy barely walking (and he's 22!). I know the mixed emotions right now... we will do this - for them!

Our son arrived in Great Lakes last night about 9 pm PST.  I was shocked it was so early, I was expecting it to be much later.  He was lucky to be on a nonstop flight from Sacramento to Chicago.  Said he slept the whole way :-)  He called me from Chicago and said it would the last call :-(  The scripted call was tough but I did slip in an I love you and he was able to say I love you back albeit kind of quiet.  I said everything ok.  He said "yep".  Had a tough time last night.  Didn't sleep much.  Finished his laundry out of his hamper today and that was tough.  Room needs cleaning but I'm not there yet.  Hope everyone else is doing ok.  

My Son also arrived in Great lakes last night, he flew out of Sacramento but had a lay over and we got the call around midnight that he made it there safely. I also got a text from his recruiter today with a mailing  address and a graduation date for him.. Not sure how accurate that is? all the things that I have read say not to believe it until it comes in the letter. My Son was able to text us during the day and keep us informed of his day, he made a phone call on his walk to the bus and then we got the call when he arrived. Tough night for sure.  

Our son arrived at Great Lakes late Tuesday night.  He had not slept much before he left, so that was his biggest concern.  As soon as they were met they were told they would be up all night. He sounded good during his scripted call.  He kept telling me not to worry.  I miss his crazy sense of humor.  I really miss being able to tell him random stuff I come across during the day.  I'm praying for our boys and for all of us.  We've got this! 

I received my call at 1158 Tuesday night. My son sounded a little tired.He left his room immaculate. That told me he knew he would not be there a while. Normally, he is a slob! 

We stayed in contact Monday when he left for MEPS until Tuesday when he arrived to the airport. My next to the last call was in Detroit during a stop over.

I washed his clothing that were in his hamper. Trying to get used to him not being here. I`am at a point when the box and the letter comes, I deal with it. I want him to get through boot camp! I know everything else will be alright!

Well, tomorrow is the day. Since we're fairly close (less than 2 hour drive from RTC), he won't be calling when he arrives. Tomorrow the recruiter comes, Mon. AM we'll watch him be sworn in and mount the bus for Gurney, IL. I really thought this would be easier this time - 2nd son serving, 22 years old (not 19), US Navy - NOT Marines. Gotta say, it's no easier. Oh, I know this is the best for him, it's what he wants... just harder on Momma than I expected.

therevbev, I hope that he does call. If he takes a cell phone he will be able to make the "I'm here!" call. The info in Arrival and What Happens at the RTC will tell you what will soon be happening.

Silverlyn, there is info for you in Recruit Petty Officer Positions. High ASVAB scores and/or perfect scores on the PQS multiple choice test are often how recruits are chosen for REPO.

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) and Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

Happy Mothers Day to all of you wonderful Navy mothers. To all of you who now have a son/daughter in boot camp, just know they are in good hands! We Navy moms rock! Celebrate and enjoy the Navy family as we have so many Navy sisters who are awesome!  :-)

Wendy, Sorry to disappoint, but it probably will delay him.

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.

Well, he's enlisted. It was great to see him sworn in this AM. It did NOT feel like 7 years since we had done that in the same place with his Marine brother!!! He and one other from MKE are probably on their way south to Illinois. God bless our future sailors.  See you in the Boot Camp Moms....