»» Welcome to the MEPS and DEP group ««

Thanks for all the support.  He completed MEPS on Wednesday and his assignment is ABH.  I feel better now that we know the assignment and departure date.  WHEW!!

Aren't our kiddos supposed to be easier as they get older... I would take him back to kindergarten in a minute!! :)

FF3577 That's great news! I agree with you in a minute about it suppose to get easier as they get older...A mother's dream! My son always reminds me he's grown now (18) but you know in our eyes as mothers they will always be our little ones.....I'm glad that you were able to get the information you were needing.

Hi, 

We were also in DEP mode since April 2017. That's when my son joined the Navy. He will be shipping out on Monday. I am proud of him but also worried. I know he will be ok. He is my baby. And to the other moms you are right we never stop being a mom to our children. 

Hi,

My son is leaving today and I am so sad. I can't wait till I hear from him the first time. 

Partyofseven, praying for your son, you, and your family.  

Kelly4ryry when your son gets ready to leave I made sure he left with a calling card and a book of stamps, put in his wallet. you also can get permission to meet up with him at airport until his flight leaves. That night make sure you have either your cell phone or home phone close because you will get the I'm hear and safe call. I recieved mine at 11:30 at night. they cant talk it is a scripted line they have to say. then once he is has arrived it is processing time. it will be at least 3 weeks before you here from him again. Believe me you will be on a rollercoaster of a ride. all us mothers have endured very emotional days and on this website you have a whole lot of great Mothers with advise, it helped me very much to know I wasnt the only mother feeling the way I was. so I encourage you to please write in with any questions concerns you may have. there are alot of knowledgeable people on this site to help you thru. Best wishes to you and you family and also you SR.

Thank you Phoenixmom! Hi Kelly4ryry, My son leaves October 4th as well.

Phoenixmom- I am confused about calling cards. Are there only pay phones to use? I have to laugh as I know my son has never used a payphone!( reminds me of using one in the dorm on the payphone in college- circa 1984!)

LOL! Where do you buy calling cards? CVS? WalMart? 

Thank you!

libramom I just had this conversation with my son last night about the calling card. He had me laughing because he just had no clue what a calling card was and how to use it, lol. Told him that is what I used when I was in college, way before cell phones existed. He said I was old ( I am only 45). We had a good laugh though. I got a Penny Talk card at CVS pharmacy. They had $10, $25, or $100 cards. I just got the $25. That can get him started until he gets to the NEX. He leaves on Tuesday the 19th. I did see a picture somewhere that showed the "calling room". It was just a bunch of pay phone type phones on the walls and it had two centers in the middle with several phones. I forget where I saw that at. 

According to my son he said they have a bunch of phones on a wall yes pay phones and that is where they make their calls he had to move around a few times because bad reception. when you get the calling card some have different ways of use. they have pin numbers some you just call the number he is calling. Reading on it was quite confusing for me, but he got the hang of it. CVS, Best Buy, Walmart, CVS. he chose to take stamps and write because he said he would have more of a chance to write than call, which indeed he did. hope that helps.

Thank you all for the help! Kelly4ryry I am in MA. 

Can we send them with stamps?

Jaredsmom

Your comment on the calling card made me laugh - my son said the same thing when I told him I was getting him a calling card.  He said what's that?? Makes you feel old - kids these days are so used to electronics that they don't know what life was like before cell phones!

Hi!  I'm new to the group.  I am here to learn everything I can to support my godson/nephew, Matthew, who will be leaving for boot camp in November.  I have to admit that I come to this group with the perspective of an Air Force mom as I have a son who has been in the AF for 2 years now.  When my son joined the AF, I had no experience there, either, and set out to join groups and learn as much as I could.  When Matthew joined the Navy, I knew I needed to do the same.  I have already done some research, and know that there are similarities and differences.  One big difference is the PIR.  In the AF, it is 4 days of ceremonies, festivities and liberty.  In the Navy, it is only 1 day and very limited on who can attend.  Even Matthew's entire immediate family won't be able to attend (parents + 3 siblings).  So, I here to learn.  Please educate me!  Thanks!!

My son leaves tomorrow for Basic Training. I am immensely proud of him for achieving the goal he set for himself nearly two years ago when he was a Junior at University. Looking forward to deciphering his penmanship!

Congrats to your new SR gwyllion and welcome to the site.

Missomd here is a link for Texas,

 Texas' Moms and believe me my son was babied by me and he did fine, as long as he worked out he shouldn't have any problems.

Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for the RTC.)  Arrival and What Happens at the RTC and Ship/Division--How it Works. here are some links with info.

Missomd He will be fine, he will be so good at doing laundry and folding, you will be amazed. It may be a change for him, but I am sure he will catch on quick. Don't worry or stress yourself out to much, he is good hands.

momprenueroof3 yes anything that would fit in his wallet he could take phone card, stamps small address phone book. if he took his phone more less that will be in the box with his clothes, also they can take up to 20 dollars  in cash. Congrats to you and your new SR.

thanks for information!  I am making a small laminated card for his wallet with addresses and a book of stamps plus a phone card. I was not sure how much $$ he could take.

here is a site that will give you more info

What to bring to Boot Camp and what NOT- Females Stuff Only

http://www.navydep.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1647

What to Bring to Navy Boot Camp - Navy Cyberspace

here is another site that gives good info

Navy Boot Camp Guide

Thank you for your help!  I will pick up a phone card and a few stamps.  My son is insisting I don't make a big deal out of him leaving.  It's hard not to as I am very proud of him!

Ladies don't stress to much on the calling cards because they do have a NEX store on base where they also can purchase one, its just a nice gesture to have on hand and make sure it is activated beforehand. here is a site on calls.

See Phone Cards and Phone Calls.

I have a question.  My son was supposed to go to boot camp today.  He went to MEPS and had his physical this morning.  He was told that he will not ship today as he has to go to the doctor and get medical clearance for migraines (which have never been medically diagnosed) before he can ship.  Has anyone else had this issue and if so what are the odds he will actually get to follow his dream and join the Navy?

Navy Mom I have been reading some sites, he will need to get the waiver or medical clearance signed. for some reason he must of answered yes to some questions in regards to headaches.

https://www.thebalance.com › Your Career › US Military Careers › Joining the Military

Navy Mom I will pray for your son, I'm sure it's nothing. Prayers to you also.

Those of you with kids heading for boot camp in January will want to read this:

Navy Sets New Physical Fitness Standard to Start Boot Camp

Beginning Jan. 1, Recruit Training Command (RTC), the Navy's only boot camp, will require recruits to pass an initial run standard before they may commence basic military training.

The initial run standard is evaluated on the 1.5 mile run of the first Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) at boot camp. The initial run standard for male recruits will be 16 minutes 10 seconds and 18 minutes seven seconds for female recruits.

If a recruit fails to meet the initial run standard, they will have one chance to retest within 48 hours. If they fail the retest, recruits will be discharged from the Navy with an entry level separation, which allows them to reapply at a later date with a waiver from Navy Recruiting Command

There are going to be a number of moms and Sons/Daughters blindsided by this new physical fitness standard when their kids are discharged in the first week of boot camp.
Get a stopwatch and start them running daily.

My son arrived yesterday.  We received "the call" and know he is safe.  Does anyone know if he will be able to call Christmas or will it be up to his drill instructor?  And since he arrived yesterday 12/7 I assume the new fitness standards will not apply to him.

That is Great to hear Ali, For Christmas they should be able but again whose to say, I know that they will be having a nice dinner for them. the new standard is for those going in BC the 1st of Jan.

Hi Ladies this site will be good for those that are coming or haven't shipped yet to BC. Much info.

Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for...

I just dropped off my son at the career center to be taken to MEPS. I have heard so many things about MEPS and what to expect from “he’s going to be handed a plan ticket to it’s going to take another 3 months before he’s off to RTC.” Regardless, I sat in the car as I saw this young man confident and ready, and just wanted to bawl my eyes out BUT I could let myself. I have no idea whether this will all pan out so I just can’t! But I wanted to call someone, talk to someone, someone to cry too, that would understand....after a very long and rocky past few years, I am both extremely excited for his mature and confident  decision to join the Navy, and can’t wait for him to get started, and overwhelmed with knowing it could actually happen, and very soon! My mom, my husband and even my closest friends would t understand this. I believe only another mother whose child has had a similar experience and who’s now heading off to MEPS, would understand. I’m grateful for a place to share the “sea” of emotions! GO NAVY! 

Hi Lisa welcome to the site, you have come to the right place, all of us Mothers have gone thru what you are feeling just know that this is Normal. and it is ok to cry. while he is home spend as much time with him as possible kiss him hug him and just have a good time with him. Your Son is choosing a Great thing to do, I want to give you a site for you and him to read so that way he knows what to expect when arriving at BC because they have changed the fitness standard.

Navy Sets New Physical Fitness Standard to Start Boot Camp

Welcome again and please post any concerns or questions.

Can recruits take anything to BC with them?

Recruits should go with what they have on their backs, their cell phones, and not much else. (See Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for....)

What will the first day be like at BC?

See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC and Ship/Division--How it Works.

How long is the "I'm here!" call and when will s/he be able to call again?

See Phone Cards and Phone Calls.

here is good info what to expect what to bring what not to bring.

www.bootcamp.navy.mil/

Phoenixmom - THANK YOU! 

Good Morning Ladies, wishing you all a Great Day!

US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois

Here is the link to follow to read about the new standard:

Navy Sets New Physical Fitness Standard to Start Boot Camp

In a nutshell... starting January 1 of 2018, ALL Recruits will be required to pass an initial run standard BEFORE they commence basic military training. If they do not pass the initial run standard they will be given one more chance within a 48 hour period to retest and pass. If they fail to meet the requirements for the initial run standard they will be separated from the Navy with an entry level separation, which allows them to reapply at a later date with a waiver from Navy Recruiting Command.

Please read the article in the link for more details.

Good morning moms. I got a text at 6am to let me know he is good by into MEPS and turning off his phone. I missed his text by 2 minutes...I could have texted him right back saying “I love you”! I sent the text anyway. My husband said I’d be a wreck today and he was right. He hadn’t even sworn in, or left for BC! He’s just 20 minutes from home! I am so concerned that they are going to find something medically that will hold up his process. My husband told me an army buddy said if they do they’ll send him to a Navy doc and take care of whatever needs to get done to get him ready to leave for BC. I think I must have woke up about every hour to pray for him. Is there anything I should expect when he’s hone from MEPS today? I think I’m just about clueless as to what they actually do today at MEPS. I’m so grateful for N4M!

So Lisa gone to Meps, is he at the Hotel? When will he swear in, You are able to go see him swear in or should be anyways. you are allowed to take pictures and or video it. Once he swears in then after he is bussed to the airport with others and wait for their flight to BC. they are going over paperwork, doing drug test and physical and checking into Hotel. Usually a few hours after that you may be able to pick him up and have dinner with him then he will need to go back to Hotel, they will get briefed before he leaves but he is able to come out with you and dad.

Lisa here is a site you can look over.

What Happens When You Go To MEPS to Ship Out? - The Balance

What, in your experience, is the best way to purchase airline tickets that can be easily changed up if the PIR date gets changed? Someone mentioned Sandboxx. Does anyone have experience with this or other advice about booking plane travel without breaking the bank? Special deals for military families? Thanks!