DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in December

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This group is for N4M members that have a loved one leaving for bootcamp in Dec..I will leave the year open so that even future Deppers leaving in the month of Dec of any year can join...Lets share stories, information, concerns, and questions

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lemonelephant

The Page, What does ??? mean? (A Guide to Navy Abbreviations and Terminology), will help you with many of the new terms you will come across.

Dec 9, 2013
Christie_Okie

Thank you Marksmom91. I am trying to learn all the new stuff. LOL

Dec 9, 2013
lemonelephant

TC Mom, yes, moms and dads can be Liberty Buddies for a new Sailor.

Dec 9, 2013
parentsofSR

Anyone have a SR leave for bc today? waiting on call

Dec 9, 2013
Laurajo

My daughter left today but flight was overbooked and will not arrive to GL now until early in the morning?! Not sure how that will affect her?

Dec 9, 2013
parentsofSR

Got call i guess needed to write post first :)

Dec 9, 2013
lemonelephant

Laurajo, it won't affect anything except what time she gets there. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

Dec 9, 2013
DaniGirl (Mikes Wife)

Can we send pics in letters???

Dec 9, 2013
lemonelephant

DaniGirl695, yes, see Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

Dec 9, 2013
DaniGirl (Mikes Wife)

Should they bring debit or credit cards or only cash??

Dec 9, 2013
A's_momma_Erin

So after I marinated a bunch on the phone call I got Sunday, I remembered my son said calls could come anytime Friday through Sunday and to keep the phone on him. He said all SR's had to purchase a phone card even if they had one. He said we didn't need to send him any. He also said he got mole skin, bandaids, etc any time he needed so no need to send those either. It sounded like they didn't need any $ once there, just for the trip to BC. Cash or their debit/credit cards will work, but that is a personal choice. Anything they need to purchase will be deducted from their pay. He also said no need to send stamps. He was bursting my bubble on sending him some "gifts". He said there were NO caffeinated drinks available! What a shock to some of the kids! He did say the end of week 7 should be down time for Ship 02 Div 911. Not sure if this is the same for others. This is when they could go "off base" to the McD's or Subway, so I will prob send a gift card or two. He did insist that the names on the form letter for PIR are changeable by HIM, so if things change, let him know. I think that is the most current info I can remember...

Dec 10, 2013
A's_momma_Erin

Today I got a letter from the American Red Cross. At first I thought it was "junk mail" It WAS NOT! It had my son's Family Identification Card which didn't seem to have any info I didn't know, but it had important info on how they can help us if we need to contact our kiddos. Anyone else get this letter?

Dec 10, 2013
lemonelephant

Alexander's_momma_Erin, Phone Cards and Phone Calls will let you know the only times when you can be assured that you most likely will not miss a call, but otherwise calls will come any day, any time 8 am to 8 pm CST. Your recruit is getting paid and doesn't need money from you. The things he buys at the RTC are with a NEX card and the cost of that card was deducted from his pay and what he doesn't use, he can use after PIR at any NEX. They don't go "off base" to eat, but get to go to RIcky Heaven, Those places are near the NEX. See Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit for more on that. Yes, most recruits will get to go to Ricky Heaven at least once during BC, often after BST, but sometimes earlier as a reward. He has not submitted the names for the Access List yet, so yes, the names can be changed anytime between now and the last week or so of BC.

Dec 10, 2013
Baby jay's mama

My boy is on ship 14; Division 074

Dec 10, 2013
A's_momma_Erin

Go those getting prepared for boot camp I have an idea for the cell phone. I was worried I would miss calls. I work in a school as a special education aide and am not supposed to use my cell. This would make answering it difficult, especially if I forwarded my home calls to it. I wouldn't recognize a solicitor from my son. Now for the idea..... Plan AHEAD and have the calls come to my sons cell! His friends know he is gone so they won't call (and they mostly texted, tweeted an FB anyway). I can prob get approval to answer that phone if he calls! I still may miss them, but a plan feels great! I didn't know of the military suspension option, so choose what works better for you!

Dec 10, 2013
KJTsMomma

It's not a job . . . it's an adventure! Well it sure was an adventure getting to MEPS in Des Moines, IA on Sunday! WOW! A drive that should have taken 2.5 hours took about 7 hours. Thank God - we made it and so did they (those getting sworn in on Monday). Only a 2 hour delay for flight from Des Moines to Chicago. All in all, it worked out. Got the "I'm here call" at 11:35 p.m. which was earlier than I expected it actually. Now hurry up 8 weeks. :)

Dec 10, 2013
TC Mom

Our SR arrived at GL on Thursday, Dec. 5th. We got "the box" today, and a day early according to the FedEx lady!, No shoes, pants or sweatshirt were included. Must have been donated. No awaiting the form letter with his address. It's getting better every day!

Dec 10, 2013
Jcatherine1981

My son arrived at GL last night around midnight. Already miss him

Dec 10, 2013
roguevalgal

Our son, James,arrived at GL around midnight last night (9th), after plane was delayed in taking off from Portland OR to Chicago. He is going to be starting in SW "platoon" 800 (this is what he told us before leaving), at RTC. Any others with sons/daughters in this division? Also, what does "PIR" refer to? I see it mentioned in several comments. How often should I expect to get a letter from him?

Dec 10, 2013
lemonelephant

check your My Page.

Dec 10, 2013
Christie_Okie

I so want to get the box. Just something of him.....since no call or letter. I would love to go home and there is his box. (My mom is living with us so she would be there to take it)

Dec 10, 2013
Djmom

My son arrived at boot camp on December 5 and I received his box today. I hope to get a phone call this weekend.

Dec 10, 2013
Christie_Okie

DjMom....seriously????!!!???! Oh man.... I am happy for you!! I wonder why some get theirs sooner than others. Grrr.....!!!!!

Dec 10, 2013
Djmom

I know right. There was one mom who received a phone call and her son arrived at boot camp December 2.

Dec 10, 2013
boo_PIR1_24

Djmom - I think the Ship02 Div911 recruits all got a phone call on Sunday. I believe my son was one of the last in that division so he got lucky to get on the tail end where some of the other kids had already been there for a week waiting. I think a lot of it has to do with timing and what ship/division they are on. I definitely count myself lucky, but totally understand how anxious and sad you feel waiting and wondering. Patience is definitely not one of my strong suits!!

Dec 10, 2013
Christie_Okie

Guess what? I received both of their boxes today. Son left on the 3rd and DIL left on the 4th. I am happy happy happy!!!

Dec 10, 2013
lemonelephant

Remember, calls can come on any day, not just on the weekend. See Phone Cards and Phone Calls. That Page even tells you times that you can relax and know that you most likely will not miss a call from your SR.

Dec 10, 2013
mikesmom

My son left today for BC. I'm anxiously awaiting his phone call.

Dec 10, 2013
Djmom

That makes me nervous about missing his phone call. I work at night in a hospital and I sleep during the day and I just hope I don't miss his phone call. I have started laying the phone on a pillow next to me. Maybe it is a good idea to designate phone duty.

Dec 10, 2013
Stephen'sMom

Wow ChristieMomof3....must be a little devastating to send off 2 loved ones at the same time...

Dec 10, 2013
Amy

My son left today for the hotel and flys out tomorrow. I work during the day and I worry about missing his calls. I talked to him from the hotel tonight. I can tell he is a little nervous. My tears come and go. Tears of pride but also missing him very much.

Dec 10, 2013
Christie_Okie

Ladies....I just orderd this for myself. It is on sale for $10.00http://http://www.inspiredsilver.com/p7648_navy-mom-dog-tag.html?gd...

Dec 10, 2013
Huskies

ATexMom, my son will also arrive at GL tomorrow. He will be going to A school in San Antonio. We live in PA. Your son is very smart to pick steak and Lobster! Mine wanted wings!

Dec 10, 2013
Christie_Okie

leave the extra http:// off. Sorry.

Dec 10, 2013
lemonelephant

http://www.inspiredsilver.com/p7648_navy-mom-dog-tag.html

Dec 10, 2013
Christie_Okie

Thanks, lemonelephant!

Dec 10, 2013
Christina

Foursons1angel, my son arrived to GL last Wednesday, December 4th and he also will do his A school in San Antonio.

Dec 11, 2013
Ridgegirl

My son arrived safely in GL last night and will be in the 800 Div. Looking forward to PIR!

Dec 11, 2013
lemonelephant

Christina and Foursons1angel, your SR's have contracts for MA and will go to Lackland AFB. ATexMom's future Sailor will have "A" School at Fort Sam Houston for HM. (I gave all of you info on the ratings.)

Dec 11, 2013
Huskies

I said goodbye to my son today and it was so much worse than I thought it would be. I have a way of putting things out of my head by focusing on other things. With all the parties and visits and dinners I always had some event to think and plan for. We even went for breakfast this morning. (Bad idea - no one could eat). On the way from the restaurant to the recruit station I started to panic. Reality hit! I hardly ever cry but when my son went in the back at the station the flood started and thanks to the humor of one recruiter I was able to recover before my son came back. It was a very difficult day. I wonder if tomorrow will be any better.

Dec 11, 2013
Christina

That's so neat he will be at Lackland. Before officially signing up for the Navy he was looking at Air Force and that would have been his bootcamp at Lackland for the Air Force.

Dec 11, 2013
lemonelephant

If anyone needs info on your future Sailor's or SR's contracted rating (job/specialty), leave a comment here or on my profile page and I will go to your My Page and leave a comment for you with the Rating Information Card and groups on N4M.

Dec 11, 2013
Christina

Foursons1angel, I'm thinking that is part of the recruiters job when us moms walk in, is to keep is from crying. My sons recruiter and all the captains in the office that morning did the same thing with me. They saw my years coming and got me thinking about something else. I'm glad they did, for my sons sake, because he worries about me and his dad and how we will be without him around. Being an only child is not fun at times.

Dec 11, 2013
Christina

He saw my tears coming, not years.

Dec 11, 2013
SoCalMom

My son arrived to GL Dec 4th, and I got The BOX today, it just brought tears to my eyes, I just miss him so much.....

Dec 11, 2013
SoCalMom

Thanks lemonelephant!

Dec 11, 2013
Christina

SoCalMom, my son got there the same day. I received his box yesterday and boy was it nice to see his stuff even if it was dirty.

Dec 11, 2013
Christina

Jcmmmc, I was trying to reply to you in the chat and it would not send. Don't think I can use the chat from my iphone. I didn't know there was a chat on here also, that is neat.
Anyway, I'm doing okay, thanks for asking. How are you doing?

Dec 11, 2013
ATexMom

Thanks lemonelephant! Unfortunately, I could not get off work today for MEPS. But I was texting with my son at 4 am this morning. I couldn't sleep & knew he was up & getting ready to leave. Hope everything goes smoothly for him today!

Dec 11, 2013
MariaNJ59

We received our letter and my son is graduating Dec 24th...I booked a room at the Days Inn that is right by the RTC....I have a few questions...can family who are not going to the graduation come to the base and spend time with the graduate? can the graduate go off base...like to Chicago for some fun? and...around what time do they fly out the next day for the A school they are attending? any input so I can make plans would be great!!!

Dec 11, 2013