DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in May

jacksmom, the recruiter will let your future Sailor know more as the time gets closer. Your future Sailor will have a 30 day check and a 7 day check and recruiters often give the details at one or both of those. Either the recruiter or you will take him to a hotel the night before he ships. You will be able to meet him at the hotel and have dinner with him and spend some time that evening, but not in his room and he will not be able to go to your room if you have a room in the same hotel. He must be in his room by a set time that evening. the next morning he will be transported to MEPS along with the others who are also shipping that day. You will be able to meet him at MEPS and see him sworn in. Be prepared for a long day. Most are told to be there some time around 8 or 9. You will be able to go to the airport and MAY be able to get a gate pass to wait with him until he flies out. (Some airlines consider the orders to the RTC as "Enlisted service member under orders" and allow loved ones past Security and others do not.) See Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for.... There are additional links there that may help you.

jacksmom and Rhonda, my son also leaves 5/05.  He is going today (?) for his 30 day check.  I've heard the same things as lemonelephant stated.  But my friend's son, who lives near me, was picked up in the morning and taken to MEPS. His parents met him there to see him sworn in, then they left and he was on his way to the airport. Whichever way they take my son, we will be prepared.  We are taking the day off from work and hope that we can stay with him at the airport, that part I am not counting on.  I just can't believe that he has less than 1 month to go.  Bless them all.

Check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for..., and start discussing some of the things there with your future Sailor such as how to handle bad news and who will be put on the Access List....

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; 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.

Our son leaves on May 19th.  It is hard to believe that time has gone so fast and there are just 3 weeks until he goes.  Working hard to get in some family time before the big day.  We will have an Anchors Aweigh BBQ the weekend before he goes so the big extended family and friends can see him.

Our Son leaving May 19th.. Bittersweet

After a long journey, my daughter is finally off to boot camp today.  She was initially supposed to leave in June of last year and broke her ankle 2 months before taking off.  That delayed her leaving to November.  After finally getting to change her rate (it was like pulling teeth and actually told her recruiter she wanted to drop out of DEP before he took her seriously), today is the day. Her younger brother graduated boot camp January of last year so both kiddos are gone I couldn't be prouder of both of them choosing to serve our country!  I'm proud of all who have chosen to serve our country!

awesomemom:  It was amazing what my daughter went through to change her rate. Her recruiter told her she couldn't change jobs...period. Little did he know her brother is in the Navy and he told her what form to ask for the change. He changed his rate so he called his recruiter and asked what she should tell hers. After that, he gave it to her and said he turned it in. Come to find out, a few months later, he never turned it in then told her it was too late. She didn't want to get stuck with a job she didn't want, so she told him she was dropping out of DEP. My son never went through that with his recruiter. But they were in different state so I don't know if that makes a difference. My daughter actually wanted to go Coast Guard to begin with ultimately ended up going Navy.  I agree, it doesn't matter what branch...they are part of the less than 1% that have chosen to serve our country!

Amy - I am sorry!  My day is coming... it seemed so long ago that he started DEP and now he leaves in a little more than a week.  You have found a wonderful, helpful community of like minded moms (parents).  I can guarantee that you will find comfort here... I sure have...

amjae, Check out https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand. The PAO posts random photos randomly. The PAO does not usually identify the division/s photoed, so you have to look through all of them. There is no guarantee that your recruit will be photoed, but it is fun to look at the photos and get an idea of what is happening at the RTC.

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.

amjae, There are no updates on your recruit until you get a letter or call from her. Remember, in the Navy "No news is good news!" She is doing fine or you would have heard and that is NOT a call you want to get.

The box came today.  That was fast.  Now, only if the 1st letter is just as quick.  I already have 3 letters to mail to him.

My son leaves for boot camp on May 13th.  I'm trying to make sure he has all things in order.  I'm confused about the need for the phone card and what kind/brand to get.  Any comments would be appreciated.

I purchased 3 AT&T phone cards.That's the only way he will be able to call you.  If he has his cell phone, his 1st scripted call can be made on that.  That will be sent home and then he needs to rely on phone cards when he's able to call.

Mightymouse, there are phone cards available at many retailers. Just be sure that it can be used at a pay phone and be sure to activate it before your future Sailor ships and be sure that he knows how to use it. One with 200 to 400 minutes will be enough since your then recruit will get a phone card at the RTC as well. See Phone Cards and Phone Calls.

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.

You can actually get a "virtual" calling card for military online.  They start out at 5.49 cents/minute for 182 minutes (don't confuse with $5.59) and 4.9 cents/minute for 400 minutes. You don't get an actual card (because it's virtual) but you get an 800 number and pin number.  I did this for my son when he went to boot camp a year and a half ago and again for my daughter that just left. It's also rechargeable. It was the cheapest, most convenient "calling card" I found. It worked great and absolutely no issues. It will tell them the balance when he calls or you can go online and check the balance yourself. You can check it out before he leaves to make sure you don't have an issues with it. Here's the link https://attprepaidcard.amssupport.net/ just click on Nave or google "calling card for military".  It tells you how it works.

Sorry, click on Navy, not Nave :(

My son leave on May 19 also fron Indiana. I got a calling card from Walmart. 500 minutes for $25. I already tried it and it works and he is going to visit his dad in a couple days so I am going to have him take it to call me so he knows how to use it.

My son leaves tomorrow to start boot camp. I am so proud of him and am very grateful for this web site. I only wish I had researched this earlier. Thanks for all the valuable information.

Is the need for a phone Card if they cannot use a Cell phone at times?

Gigi, during BC, they cannot use the cell at all.  It gets shipped back to your home along with his clothes that he/she wore up there

Thank you. I knew it would be shipped back. I thought it meant after Boot Camp. Thank you for your response.

From the FB page of GL RTC...U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command  They posted PHOTOS today...(Unfortunately, we are having technical difficulties and are only able to post half of the photos we are trying to upload. We will post the remaining half either later today or first thing Monday morning.)

To all the Navy moms, the staff at Recruit Training Command wishes you all a Happy Mother’s Day!

While there is no possible way that each of the 6,500+ recruits would be able to march to the phone center to make calls in a single afternoon today, do know that they are all thinking about you today, just as they do every day of training.

Trish, it's too early for a call. See Phone Cards and Phone Calls.

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.

Trish, things will get better when you have his address so you can send those letters you've been writing. (Check your My Page.)

MIghtymouse, my son leaves tomorrow (5/12).  He's leaving today for MEPS.  Maybe our kids will cross paths! :)

My son leaves today for MEPS. I just read somewhere on this site that there are no longer payphones in the receiving area at RTC so recruits without a cell phone won't be able to make the 10 second, "I made it here safely" call. I'm disappointed, but glad I found that info today and not after I waited and worried for hours/days! My son wants to travel light to RTC and not send anything back.

Christine - my son left his phone at home and threw away his clothes (no box for me). He STILL had to make the call. Either they borrow a phone, or the Navy pays for THAT one call. You should get it, anyway. (Mine didn't even want to call since he was only 2 hrs from home - he wasn't given that choice)

therevbev, Thanks for this. We'll still keep the phone by our bed then!

I've let ellen and FTLW know that form letters have been received for the 06/26/2015 TG. Join PIR 06/26/2015 TG 33 when it is up.

CarrieT - While you can "count" Fridays (8 or 9) to get an estimate, the Navy can dicker with the final dates. You won't know exactly or for sure until you get the form letter from your son. This usually arrives 2 weeks after they leave Meps. The first week is getting into a division, then about a week to get the info and fill out the paper work. Then it mails. This is also the first time you will have an exact address to send letters to. (The recruiter MAY have an address, but it is sometimes wrong or changes). Wait for that letter. I know it will seem long, but it WILL have the right information.

My son swore in yesterday May 12th. He went to airport and then they canceled his flight. 9 of then were trying to fly out. He flew out tonight . Waiting on the call that he got there safe. Not sure when that will be.

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, which will tell you what is, or will soon be happening, and what to expect.

Hi everyone, I am still waiting on the form letter.  My son left May 5th.  I'm anxious to finally receive the letter and find out what Ship and Division he is.