Ship 5 Moms(Formerly Ship 17)

To nicksProudMom; I hear you, I feel your pain and stress, try to not let it make you crazy (I know easy for me to say) but having no control is maddening. Have faith that everything will work out the way it is suppose to. Sometimes endings are just new beginnings; we just don't know it at the time.

Update on my daughter; Letter received yesterday dated 1/11, she is on LLD and is still with her division she says she will be seperated soon but doesn't  know when? then she will come home.  So no control here either.. sad.... I'm not so sure who is more of a mess me or her? so I have to practice what I preach just have to think "New Beginnings"

ok another update I got a call from my daughter and she has asthma so she will be discharged. she is ok with it and sounds very calm. she is finally seperated and the process has begun whewww! now i know now i can relax and carry on....what a ride ......

Update on my SR, He called yesterday signed the waiver to not appeal and now just awaiting to see Legal. Just wondering how long does it take for Legal to make an appointment with him? and should I call to see when he's scheduled to go cause right now he doesn't know when either. Just playing the waiting game. Sent him a package from Amazon with a couple of books. I just really want him home before 2/8/13 cause that's when his PIR is and it would so depressing to have him still up there by himself.

thank you sixftblnd for your info you have been a great help; actually as crazy as it seems I just feel like I won the lottery yea at least I know what's going on and she is ok so now onto the next chapter yes it sticks for her but she is ok with it .. I guess it was meant to be so everthing will be good and hello missElly we are together on this  :)

There's still such an air of uncertainty still...not until my SR is back in my arms that I will feel better. Yes we know where they are and they're being given 3 meals a day but you're still unable to know anything that's going on and what to expect. I just need to get over this fact...

I feel selfish for being relieved that he's coming home and I can't help it either.

hay MissElly maybe our kids are together hanging out watching movies together sharing stories on how crazy their Mother's are; LOL just kidding I have to laugh because that is my best medicine, and yes soon they will be home and your not selfish your just being a Mom....

Well my SR went to Legal on Friday and got a RE-3 discharge code. Now it's time to play the Waiting game AGAIN. and MC Mama, that would be cool but unfortunately females and males are in separate Compartments and aren't even allowed to mingle xD.

Feeling greatful tonite,  I am grateful that my daughter was able to join and have the experience, grateful that she was diagnosed with asthma before she ended up in a place where she couldn't get the medical help. grateful she is ok and is safe, grateful I had the support on this site, my saving grace... just wanted to say that :)

My SR said he was going to call today and I've waited all day to no avail, there wasn't a phone call. At least there were letters today even though He sent me his name tag which just made me cry even harder. When does this ever get easier. Today was just a perfect day to cry your eyes out until you start to feel better.

To MissElly: hang in there, you are not alone everything will work out, this phase is not forever and I'm with you so we have each other and other great Mom's here, are too, prayers that  things go swiftly. 

I pop in here every now and then just to see how all the moms are doing and to re-assure you that this does get better and everything works out. My son came home in November, it was a huge struggle for our entire family and it took about 2 months for us to recover. However, now he is working and doing very well. He's been exploring his options for school next fall and has even made a few references about opening up his own business in our town. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there. It will be okay.

When is a good time to start freaking out and calling Seps Admin or Legal...lol

I don't know, this emotional rollercoaster is probably making me overreact but I haven't heard from him in a week, not sure if he's even Fit-To-Travel since he's only been evaluated once at the REU for Depression/Anxiety and it's getting so close to his PIR date. He was able to call me every other day last week but this week has had no contact whatsoever.Being strong really is hard work. I don't have any status updates pertaining to my SR. What about you MCMama? or any others going through this with us

my daughter called yesterday morning to say here paperwork is just getting to legal and she has to meet with them next week so she figures she might be home maybe in 2 weeks so right around pir date but that is about right according to time line of SEPS 10-20 business days of processing time so hang in there. I would think he is in good hands making sure he is fit for travel..how long has he been there? my daughter went there 1 week ago so it will take about 3 weeks to process out for her.. she did tell me new recruits have arrived to ship 5 some only had 2 weeks left of bc wow that is tough so hang in there. we are here for you :)

I am surprised that there are only us two on here as my daughter told me about 100 men in SEPS and 38 or so in womens SEPS. Too bad their loved ones don't know about this site because it has been a blessing for me... somewhere to ask questions and get excellent information for after they come home. I guess we lucky to find this site and great Moms to help us through it. My daughter has purchased some internet time I'm not sure how much but she took a picture of herself with another girl and posted it on facebook so I was able to see an updated picture of her. They did get some money for bootcamp so maybe he will be able to do the same. I know someone told me the more they go to medical the longer it can take for them to get cleared to be fit for travel. I'm sure you will get a call soon I also know if they are sick for whatever reason they do not call home my daughter was sick on Thursday and couldn't call that day. sorry that is all I know and some of it may be incorrect but I'm learning as I go.

Funny how the Ship 5 website said that they never use Phone calls as a Disciplinary Action but in reality, they can actually lose that privilige.

Funny, the letter I got today complained about the Wannabe "Thugs" who ruined everything for everyone cause they're so loud. He said he's shocked that they're acting like this even when they're still getting paid. Just some people in this world...

My son just left this morning.  He was there 20 days.   The Captain had his paperwork sitting on his desk since last Tuesday.  :(   College classes started this week, so he will have to get approval from the Dean to enroll late.

He had a call on Tuesday, but had not been able to use the computers all week.  I guess they are starting to send large number to Ship 5 again this week.

He said yesterday they had to sit on their bunks for 2 hours without speaking.

He was definitely ready to get out of there.

I have been on here reading up on what all of you have for advice.  I will say that my son did not get a phone call when they moved him over to ship 5.  In fact we did not get to talk to him until after he had met with legal and been told he could appeal at home.  So we were never able to tell him he should stay there to fight it if he wanted to appeal.  

I have a question for all you moms who have gone through this already. When your SRs came home, were there any extra bills that they get after they get SEPd or are there any payments that are owed or charged?

Sometimes it is just hard to let go of an idea, but now is the time to start forgetting the past and start embracing the future pheww... wow maybe I just realized that my daughter would have graduated in 10 days but that won't happen so onward. She thinks she will be home maybe the end of next week so right near the pir date. Sometimes we just don't know how things will work out. I guess there was a reason for her to be home. It is just hard to think what a future she would have had ..a journey an experience I hope she isn't smashed to pieces when she realizes nothing at home changed and she has to pick up and make new plans. Tomorrow she turns 20, welcome to adulthood.. sorry all over the place just venting I guess.....

Thanks sixftblnd I just realized there are 5 stages of SEPS #1 disbelief, what???, how can this be?  #2 confusion/worry, I don't understand, I haven't heard from him/her I don't know what is going on, #3 anger,  If only this, If only that!, #4 depression!  Now what? their dreams are smashed this was Plan C, and finally #5 AHH Acceptance yes everything will work out,  they will be ok and I will be ok, life will move on and they will find a new path.. so whatever stage your in , if any this will not last forever and there is a rainbow at the end of the storm....

I do believe I am in stage 5 but sometimes I fall back into stage 4 but at least I'm on my way I think this whole process was harder on me. On onto plan D good thing she has the whole alphabet lol.... (sorry I have to have some humor in all this mess)

I'm at the stage where I'm ready for this to be over with and just want him home. It's been 2 weeks already, come on! I just got a 5 min phonecall with him saying people are causing trouble and there were fights so He doubts he'll be able to call home anytime soon.

HI All, My son was just sent to Ship 5 last Thursday...his PIR date was 2/8/13.  He was so close to graduation.  I am so upset and frustrated for him.  He had symptomatic asthma when he was 3 years old.  After he had his tonsils, adnoids and ear tubes done he never had another attack.  He listed his asthma on his paperwork to enter DEP. We had to take him to doctors and get certain tests done to prove no asthma.  He had a lung function test done and the doctor said he felt my son never had true asthma as his lungs are actually a bigger and better capacity level then most adults. 125%.  He was going to be a rescue swimmer, so we jumped through the hoops and everything was done and filled out and signed by MEPS for him to go to bootcamp on 12/13.  So he passes everything in bootcamp with flying colors.  No asthma attacks was chosen to run the relay in the Captains Cup for this next weekend.  Then he calles on a Thursday and says I have a medical appointment on Tuesday to do a medical waiver for asthma. I told him don't they have the medical waiver that was already done in DEP and approved by MEPS.  He said he would talk to the doctor.  The next call we got was Thursday. MOM DAD I am being transfered to ship 5 for medical discharge.  They said he has possible dormant asthma and are afraid that after paying for training it could come back and he would not be able to do his job.  They told him he would get just a regular medical discharge and he can come back in 3 years next time taking the "asthma test" at meps before being shipped to boot camp.  I am just so frustrated, more because he worked so dang hard for this.  He taught himself to swim in 3 weeks time and passed his pst (swim 500 meters/situps/pushups/pullups/1.5mile run" the very first time he took it and was "picked" up in the spec ops lottery his first time in it.  Never once has he had an asthma attack or even acted as though he were trying to hide it.  I wonder since he has not gotten "sick" while there if they will just send him home quicker.  He is not going to fight the decision.  He has asked us to stay out of it as he does not want to be held over there and still not allowed to join.  He is an adult (19years old turning 20 March) but I am afraid like all of you that they will take advantage of his young age and inexperience.  He seems in good spirits but has always been the type to just accept things and see the good..."Mom they can take this away from me but they can not take away what I have learned"...Sorry this is so long but as I said I am just so frustrated!

@Kat...

So deeply sorry to hear that happened. After all the tests showed he was clear and had better lung function tests and capacity then most adults... I would fight tooth and toenails. I know ship 5 is no picnic, our son was there for stupid paperwork issues. But after all you did, after all the hoops, after all the PT tests he passed the first time... wow... I know about how your son feels... our son will be able to re-enlist after 6 months and he is going to... but he did not want to fight the issue having to stay on ship 5 while fighting it. I'm sorry he was slapped like that. He's more physically fit than half or more of the people in his division!

Well, I'll tell you this, once he gets to legal, thats half the battle. Going to see the legal dept is something he has to go thru since he and the Navy have a contract. Your son has held up his end of the contract and now the Navy has to honor their end by giving him his options for re-enlistment and "dotting all the I's and crossing all the T's". If they did not, the Navy would be in breach of contract and that would not go over well at all. There is no set timeline as to when he will go to legal. It's when ever they call his name to go. Some SR's are in ship 5 for a month and have not been to legal, and  some (in our son's case) are there a couple of weeks and get called to legal. It's just a luck of the draw.

Anyway, you have come to the right place... there are lots of us who have our son's and daughter's home from S5 and still come here to share our experiences with new comers to S5.  There are many shoulders to cry on, many ears to listen and lady... when you need to vent... this is the place to do it.

One thing you will find out is (unfortunately) you will go thru more emotions in such a fast rapid pace that you will not think it's humanly possible. VENT!! We all have and have words of wisdom from our own experiences and are here to share, console, advise and pray for you and your son.

This place is where you will find a true and deeply caring Navy family.

@ TxNavyDad, Thank you for the shoulder to cry on!  It is tough but mostly because he was so close to PIR and us seeing him.  Now we have been extended there for an unknown amount of time.

@sixftblnd2002 thank you for the information.  I will make sure that when filing for FAFSA that we do this for him.  This is a ray of sunshine in this whole situation.  At least he is getting something more than a month and a half at bootcamp.

to Kat I am so sorry :(  I think the closer they are to PIR the worse it is... however this site is full of support and we do feel your pain. your angry, sad and worried all rolled together and that is alot to handle all at once. It sounds like your son is level headed and is a hard worker so... he will be great at whatever he does sometimes things don't work out for a reason and we don't know what the reason is. Hang in there my daughter is also on ship 5 PIR 2/8/13  she is doing ok also SEP for asthma we never knew she had it either so onward we go..

To MissElly 2 weeks down he is more than halfway there so soon he will be home yea!

O thank God. I got a call around 8 pm from my SR saying he's on the flight for tomorrow to come home. Does anyone know how they'll be dressed when they come home?

It's been a long 16 days. I will be praying for all you that still need their SRs home and if any one have questions I'll be sure to ask my SR.

Hi- new to the site, although I should have joined much sooner- at the start!  In my research, I always find this site and it has been extremely helpful.  My sister, who is 10 years younger and we are very close, left the Monday before Thanksgiving.  It has been extremely hard and we all miss her so much.  She was a week from Graduating (Her Graduation was the 18th of January, 2013), and she was diagnosed with a Stress Fracture.  Moved to Ship 4.  She was so bummed and depressed, she had a panic attack.  She met with a therapist there and told them that she has experience anxiety before.  She has never been diagnosed with anything.  The therapist told her she had to go home and work herself out.  Now, she's moved to ship 5 and has met with Legal.  They gave her and RE-8 Code (?)with Fraudulent enlistment.  I guess my questions is how will this effect her in her future and how soon will she be home?  She is so upset and feels like she failed, but at this point, just wants to be home and is done with the Navy.  She is excited to go to college and get back in school.  Thanks for any input:)

Sixftblnd2002-  Thank you for comment.  It really feels good to know others are going through the same thing.  She actually just called and said that Legal just called her back this morning- it was changed to errenous (sp?).  I'm assuming that's way better because she was thrilled:)  I can't wait to have her home.  I feel so bad for these kids because they are just sitting and waiting-  Already dealt a huge blow and then it just stares them in the face.  Glad your son is home and good luck with the asthma testing.

My SR is now safe and sound at home. Taking a very long hot shower BY HIMSELF. First thing he wanted to do then now we're off to the buffet so he can eat anything he wants. I thank so much for this wonderful website, I would of never been able to go through this alone and especially love the people who make this website the support web that it is. Ready to close the cover on this book.

@MissElly... That's so awesome to hear!! Our son wanted the same thing. A PRIVATE SHOWER then to hit his favorite steak house. So glad he's home. Thanks for letting us know he's home safe and sound. If you need anything else, just HOLLA!!! ;D

yea!!! missElly sooo glad for you there is nothing better ... you will sleep like a rock tonite so bless him and your family you have been thru hell and back and survived so keep us informed on his progress.. for me my daughter has also seen legal she got a 3?? not sure what that means but hopefully she will be home soon.. yes there is a rainbow after this storm :)

sorry RE-3 Code: and to Sister you are a good sister to be so supportive, your sister is lucky to have you,  this is a true family, here to support you, and you will find alot of good information to pass on to her.

@MC Mama... RE-3 code is the same as our son received. It means he has to wait 6 months then he can re-enlist if he so chooses. Our son was seped because he didn't have the "Official" college transcripts with the college seal and presidents signature. He was going for CTI (linguistics) which requires a top security clearance. Since his transcripts were unofficial, that's what got him seped because ALL his paperwork HAS to be correct from the start. You don't have to have a college degree for CTI, but if you submit one, it has to be correct. A college degree also helps with rank.We found out that 2 different areas dropped the ball on this one.. His recruiter and MEPS. His paperwork gets forwarded from MEPS to the appropriate security agency who gets everything checked and verified for his security clearance. Since his paperwork was not correct, back to square one. They would NOT accept a fax or mailed copy of his transcripts. Mad as hell!!?? You bet. But, we had him for Christmas and New Years, so there was silver lining to that cloud.

thanks texas Dad, right about now  I feel like the cloud on the Jimmy Dean Sandwick commercial lol sorry nothing left but humor at this point umm?  I think I figured out why my daughter is still at ship 5... she is really good at cleaning bathrooms so she is still there cleaning their bathrooms OMG i have lost itttttttt 

well last night at 11:30 pm was a SURPISE! my daughter walked into my living and said HI MOM! I almost fell over I had no idea my husband picked her up at the airport when I was at work she wanted to surprise me and she did. wow it was so good to see her she lost some weight and had her blue sweatsuit on with a trench coat and combat boots she sure looked Navy. She said people at airport thanked her for her service. She felt bad... but today she seems alittle lost she was just watching a boot camp video from utube I think she misses it but doesn't say anything. I think this will be a transition wish us luck. :)

My son just called...He had seen legal this last Thursday. They are giving him an RE-8 for the asthma.  He seems to think that seeing legal means he will be home soon... possibly released next Friday.  That only makes him in ship05 for two weeks.  Can any of you tell me if it really happens that fast?  Is seeing legal the finality of ship 5 and ship out happens soon after?

@Kat.. HALF the battle is getting to see legal. Once that is done, his paperwork goes to the CO's desk then to transportation. Once transportation has it, he will get his departure date and you will get the phone call he's coming home. Usually the call comes the day before he is to depart. Breath a little easier... like I said the longest wait is getting to see legal. Once our son went to legal, he had his departure orders the following week and was home that week on Friday. So... he's coming soon. YAY!!!

@MC... S U R P R I S E ! ! !  That's so awesome... Kinda makes your heart skip a beat.. but hey she's home. THAT's what is important. When we picked our son at the airport, I told him that a couple of other SR's had done the same thing surprising their parents. My son said "Ya.. I thought about that, but knew you would hit the roof, so i didn't". Well, I would have been a little irritated, but only cuz I didn't get to see him first at the airport. I wasn't gonna tell him that cuz then he wold think I was getting weak... HaHa.. but he's home and has decided he's going to re-enlist.

So happy for you and your family she's home.

Hi MOM!!! LOL... I can imagine your face and jaw dropped.... :O

Thanks so much from the both of you, TxNavyDad and sixftblnd2002.  I am finally at a point that this is not just totally stressing me out.  I am ready for his return and he is ready to come home and start the next leg of his journey.  When we spoke to him we asked a couple of questions that his recruiter had.  1. Did he want to list the recruiter on his medical papers to speak on his behalf.  (he said no already seen legal signed everything) 2.Recruiter wanted to know if he was offered a second job, as according the recruiter that is the rules.... (Jake said no I was not offered, legal told him that asthma was an automatic release from the Navy).... the thing that I find funny in this situation is that my son put on his recruiting paper that he had asthma.  He also supplied medical records along with a bunch of new testing that we had done to prove he no longer had it.  Completing a medical waiver with MEPS before busing to Great Lakes.  I am confused why they would take him to Basic knowing he had an automatic diqualifier medical issue pay him while he is there, feed, house and insure him... seems like a waste of taxpayer dollars to me.... but oh well.  He's coming home with a plan forward and that is what matters.  I had to laugh because he said "Mom remember when you used to tell me that I had plenty of time to get things done and I would always say no I don't... well one thing I have learned from the Navy is if you get up in the morning early there are a lot of hours in a day to get things done, so many more hours than I ever remember having before."

Glad your loved ones are home:)  I can't wait for my sister to be home, but the daily phone calls are def. helpful:)  Since her "Official" code was changed, she seems to think it'll be another week:(  She said the list will go out today if she'll be leaving Wednesday, tomorrow for Thursday, and Wed. for Friday- 2 business days in advance, but when she met with Transportation on Friday, they said they didn't even have her paperwork yet.  It's been 2 weeks since she met with legal- over 3 weeks since being at Ship 5.  I'm so done.  Ready to have her home. My 5 year old, ny sister and I used to have girl night at a local Mexican Rest.- my daughter- around 3 when we started, calls it "going to Mexico"  lol  We are so ready for a girl night at Mexico!