Ship 5 Moms(Formerly Ship 17)

JimG - can they stay and appeal any re-enlistment code that they are given?  Or do some codes not allow them any option but to come home.  I talked to my son just now, and he is talking about "fighting it."  He meets with legal on Wednesday.  He was 1 1/2 weeks from PIR, and was sent to Ship 5 due to a medical record when he was 12 years old (ADHD and possibly another diagnosis, I don't know what the MD had in the record).  He was passing everything in Boot Camp, was the education petty officer and in charge of the bathrooms for his division.  It is so devastating!

So sorry Nicole.  I think this the most stressful time of my life, and I know it is for you, as well.  I hope you hear something soon.  I think they have to let you know if they get moved to Ship 5.

Thank you Sara and Hank's MOM...your empathy is much appreciated! My son called from the hospital a couple of times. He is very beaten down and emotional. It seems to be just getting worse. He is recently turned 19. He's never been away from home and I have always been extremely close with my kids. So he is struggling a lot. Sara how long has your daughter been in Ship 5? I'm just wondering the average on a timetable for being there to time they are discharged. As his emotional state is not good.

Hank's mom....is your son or daughter also at Ship 5? So sorry for the stress you are feeling...I know all too well what you mean. Are there only certain days that SRs are moved to Ship 5?

Encourages them to go to church services... this will help them a lot!  My daughter went to all sessions to comfort herself.  Hank's MOM,,, they can appeal if they are informed,, some will have the option to appeal while staying others will come home and wait the 6 months.  Some codes can not re-enlist at all.  If you have the correct code,, they are listed above on this page.  SR's can be moved at any time.  From the time they meet with legal until they actually get home if that is what is happening,, could be 3 to 6 weeks.... PLEASE encourage them to go to church services..

Yes, my 21 year old son is on Ship 5, and has been since Wednesday.  Read back on comment wall, page 3, for our story.

What is acceptable to send to your son/daughter while on Ship 5? Are books acceptable or is it the same as in bc...just what fits in a standard envelope?

Just what can fit in a standard envelope.  I wanted to send books,  They said no packages. 

LoriM

Why did you daughter go home the first time?

Sara - did you ask at Ship 5 about the mail?  I wonder if a large envelope, like an overnight envelope would be OK.  My son received Christmas cards from my nephew's 5th grade class, which I figure were in a large envelope.  I don't want him to get in trouble!!

Daughter came home the first time due to her run,, she had a lower respiratory infection the first 3 weeks(recruit crud) and then had a issue with her foot. She also was only 2 days away from PIR,,,,So she never got back to passing the run.  She was there a total of 91 days!  She came home,, went right to her recruiter and said I want to go back,,,during the 6 months she ran and ran a lot!  Got her waiver and went back and kicked butt.  She graduated as a Honor Recruit,, there are usually only about 8 out of over 800 people!

As far as mail goes,,, anything that can fit in a legal white envelope is fine. Not manilla,, white envelopes that are a little longer than a standard white envelope.  You can not send the whole book but you can send a few pages at a time.   I sent crossword puzzles printed off my printer for them to work on together.

Thank you for the mail info, LoriM.  Also, the story about your daughter definitely shows perseverence!!  I know you are proud of her!!

How are you today, Sara and Nicole?

Hank's mom,

  just waiting for my son to see the doctor tomorrow. He has called several times from the hospital and has had a few friends call him there. He is always more upbeat talking to his friends, but his emotions show a lot more when he speaks to me. He is just anxious to get the process going and not prolong his wait. So time is moving slowly , I  just keep giving him positive input and prayers. How are things for you?

Hi Hanksmom,

Im doing good today.  Her from my daughter today and she is sounding much better day by day.  How are you and how is your son?  Did you make any decisions yet? 

Hi LoriM.

Your daugther's story is amazing.  Good for her!!! Unfortunately with my daughters code she will not be able to ever re-enlist.  At this point I know she is okay with it, I just hope it doesn't bother her down the road. 

Talked a few minutes to my son yesterday.  He wanted to make sure that I had gotten our airline tickets taken care of (got a paper travel voucher good for the amount for 1 year), wanted his girlfriend's phone number since he was at recruit heaven, wanted the application for the community college he is interested in attending for an Associate in Fine Arts in Drama, and wanted all the NFL play off scores sent to him.  He sounded better, and told us he is still thinking about fighting.  Now, I am worried about what code he will be given!  I have some questions for Legal about the whole process, and am going to call tomorrow to get the answers.  I want to be fully informed and ready for the call after his meeting with Legal on Wednesday.  Still can't believe this is happening.  How can it be that he does fine at Boot Camp and gets sent out for a "diagnosis-happy" psychiatrist he saw at age 12.  He also had records from a counselor and another psychiatrist that did not disqualify him!!  I think about it every minute of everyday....even dream about it at night (or should I say have nightmares!).

As hard as it is, we have to try our best to be positive and supportive (even if we want to scream!).  I'm sending positive vibes your way.

Hanks mom,

I never actually got to speak with legal after their meeting.... She said he was going to call me the next morning but he never did.  I tried and tried even left messages but he never got back to me........   She told me she signed the waiver for them to talk to me too.  Im hoping your son does not get an RE4.  He has gone too far and deserves this.  Just remember whatever is meant to be will be.  Its for a reason.  Hang in there : )  Its pretty good he is already making plans if this doesn't work out. 

Well, I've got the day off Wednesday to be available.  I am going to call all day tomorrow to get my questions answered including whether I wll get to speak with someone on Wednesday.  I hope he does not get an RE4 either, but I am worried about these "multiple diagnoses"???  I wish I could drive to this psychiatrist and the get the records, but I would need hs signature!!  I am proud of him for saying a one point he wants to fight and at another point he is looking at his options.  I cannot change anything, so I just have to wait, accept, and move on!

Do you know what any of the diagnoses are?  That is true too.  If a child goes through a stage of hyperactivity and a mother wants to have it checked out the script would say to check for ADHD which could lead from one thing to another if the person entering things into the computer were not careful.  I work for a therapy department, PT, OT, ST we specialize in pediatric OT.  Even when the patient is not ADHD when we put in into the computer to register we have to put the ADHD code in even if they find the child is not. 

Since all of this, I am actually scared and am going to talk to our hospital regarding this situation.  It could ruin a lot of hopes and dreams just by the diagnosis codes we enter.  Once the evaluation is complete it would say whether or not they actually thought the child is ADHD but that code never goes away and is never changed.  Its part of the record but yet the evaluation would say differently.  You might really want to check into that or have your son sign a release of authorization form and you would be able to get his records for that particular doctor. 

I am an OT in home health....is that crazy or what?!  Trying to think back on our visits with that psychiatrist, she probably put ADHD and oppositional defiance disorder (I think there is lots of opposition and defiance with a boy at that age!!).  I don't know what else.  The psychiatrist that he had before that one never wanted to put down anything other than ADHD for the fact that it could stick with them forever.  Sounds like he was overrun with psychiatrists eoesn't it?  But it was only about a year worth of time, and the first one left the practice and he referred us elsewhere.

Hi just wanted to give a little incite it's been almost a year my son left for bc Feb of 2014 was adhd without waiver recruiter knew and told not to disclose was going to be an IT taken meds through school stopped after grad and been off over year even his doc thought he'd be fine and thought would be good for him before leaving navy recruiter knew this all before and why he was there less than probably 36hrs moment of truth he stood up and disclosed he adhd was immediately removed from company and sent to ship 5 for seps was seen over at reu for series of test doctor was willing to waiver but took meds after age 14 couldn't help him because he failed to disclose was sep'd with fraudulent enlistment re8 so I am guessing maybe why your SR was allowed to proceed with bc stopped meds under that age cut off if something came up on security background check that has happened to numerous kids and I know one even stayed and appealed spent over 3 months on ship 5 only to be denied similar situation adhd off meds prior no waiver and was sep'd some kids get caught up on security back ground check being performed for top secret jobs others moment of truth and have been few with waiver for adhd and navy still seps them also if you haven't on facebook and think it may be helpful there is ship 5 a closed group with allot more info files and parents who have all been through and can be very informative sorry for this having to happen things happen for a reason sometimes different path open up my son is doing pretty well figuring all that he went through with the navy and ship 5 he did not want to reapply after 6 months working and pursing a career in the fire service as I have been last almost 20 yrs and a navy veteran myself good luck my thought and  prayers to all of you

Yes, but as an OT is in you to be proactive.  And yes, I see a lot with the diagnosis of oppositional defiance disorder and think to myself its no different than me and my mom when I was that age! LOL!! I know there a lot of issues with peds that are diagnosed correctly but I see everyday ones that are truly not and just a rebellious child or a parent that does not know the proper way to discipline.  Its like you want to do the right thing by having them checked but if you do something like this could happen,  Damned if you do and damned if you don't.  Just know that whatever the outcome it all happened for a reason.

Thank you xsubman.  Nice to hear someone talk about what happens after and that things do work out.  : )

Thank you xsubman for the insight.....so many situations, so many stories, but the outcomes seem generally the same.  I thought I found the facebook page and clicked to join, but haven't heard anything.  How do I find it?

For whatever reason our children chose this path, it was meant for something, whether they make it or not.  It will lead them to the direction they were meant to go.   I couldn't be more proud of each and everyone of them for their courage and bravery in trying.   

That is the truth!  I wrote to my son that if he can go through boot camp and go through this situation, he can DO ANYTHING!!!

xsubman - do you know of any situations in which SRs have actually won an appeal after staying on Ship 5?  I have read 60 pages on the Comment Wall, and didn't see any.

LoriM's daughter did.  Which is amazing and kudos to her.  I think in most of our situations though it is more what they are calling mental disorders or depression etc.  I believe in her case she was not R4 and it was the not doing the timed running the first time around.  She stuck it out and succeeded, most would not do that, pretty amazing : ) 

My daughter will be coming home next Wednesday. She sounded so happy. I hope all is going well with all of you : )

So glad to hear that, Sara.  Are you going to get her, or is she coming home on her own? 

My son has met with Legal, and he has a code of RE-8 (temporary medical condition).  He is meeting with a JAG lawyer on Monday, and based on those recommendations will decide to appeal there or come home.  He still wants to be in the Navy, but is looking at other options if he comes home.  He still wants to re-enlist, but I am not sure of the chances of that being possible.  I am so proud of him for navigating the situation and for his determination. 

How are you and your son, Nicole?

Good luck to your son Hank's MOM, I hope everything works out for him. And glad you are getting your daughter home Sara, I'm sure you are very happy. My son was just moved to SEPS yesterday morning, so I haven't heard from him except that he is there. So now our waiting game begins. Prayers for all our kids there, for all different reasons. Different roads but we all want the same for our kids... to be happy and healthy.

Hanksmom  that's great!! hope he gets whatever he chooses!! So happy for you and your son.  If its meant to be it will happen.  Nicole - Its not as bad as I read, Im actually thinking its doing her a lot of good. She is with people going through the same thing.  They are helping each other.  I was so angry at the beginning but in reality I think they may need this process to heal.  I wish your son to have what my daughter has found there.  And for hanksmom I hope it someone gives him the will power to fight!

Although we have not really been able to talk about anything but business, my son has said nothing negative about Ship 5 since his first morning there.  I do think that he has found others there that are helping him through this.  I wish that for all of them that are going through so much.

Hi All, I have read through many of the discussions. I have been able to gain some insights.

My SR has been in SEPS Ship5 since his second day. The short of if is that he has only given me bare info and just told me via email last night that he is being told  "Fraudulent Enlistment." He also plans to fight it at this time. I am really concerned for him.

My son was recently sent home after being separated for following the lead of his recruiter and not disclose that he was on meds for ADHD.

He got to boot camp and was honest.  They put him through several medial evals, which he passed, and promoted him to be petty board officer, guidon, and yeoman of his division. 

Unfortunately, he was still sent home.  Isaiah is living in a Discipleship House now and doing local mission work.  He is working full time and going to school for music production in the fall.

Hang in There!!  I know it feels like your whole world is falling apart but God has his hand on everything.  Isaiah had initially thought that he would try to re-enlist, but the situation had a large impact on him than he originally thought.  He has been so strong and we are very proud of him.

Your children will get through this!!  When it seems like your dream is gone another comes along.  God blesses us with the strength not only to go on, but to thrive.

Thank you, zaipai. We really need to hear about the "aftermath," both positive and negative.

I can only support my son from a distance and pray that God's hand is on him and the Holy Spirit with him as he makes himself very vulnerable.

Thank you also: Nicole, Hank'sMom, sara, Jim G, xsubman and LoriM. You have all helped just by allowing yourselves to be a bit vulnerable and sharing your/your child's stories as they unfold.

Zaipai.....good to know your son is doing well. It gives the rest of us encouragement to know everything happens as it should and to trust the process. Heidimom.....I know how you feel about your son being there. All we can do is support as much as we can with our phone conversations, our letters and of course prayers. If God lead our children there, they are learning a lesson that will benefit them down the road,,as are we. Being vulnerable is how we connect with one another. I appreciate all on here who have shared their stories, it has helped me tremendously. And hopefully our kids are making connections with others there to help them also.

If any of you have any questions, let me know.  I will try to help as much as I can by drawing from my situation.

Zaipai....how long was your son in SEPS from arrival to departure? What was your son's and your experience of it?

Nicole-My son was sent to SEPS on 11/6 and we picked him up from the airport on 11/21.  So just a day over two weeks.  He said that it was hard because they couldn't train and basically spent all day watching movies and cleaning.  He took advantage of all of the classes that they offered on careers and college and said that they were helpful.

Isaiah did say that some of kids were hard to deal with because they house all SEPS together even if it is for a psych reason.

Thanks for the info zaipai. I haven't talked to my son except to say he's arrived, he's just anxious to get home and talk to one of our colleges in town and move forward. 

Heidi - We all know how you are feeling, and you are not alone.  There is nothing like that phone call that tells you they are on Ship 5 and separation planned.  I don't know if I have even been so sad, depressed, unsure, worried, etc. in my life.  My son has been there a week yesterday, and was supposed to PIR tomorrow!  I can finally write and talk about it without crying.  It does get better, as you find out that they are coping, as you get some answers, and as you begin to look forward.  Hang in there, and keep relying on our support.  We are all here for you.

Zaipai - Your son's story sounds like mine.  I start to think more positively, and then I hear another story that brings me back to the reality of the fact that he probably has a limited chance of staying/being in the Navy.  My son never had any medical evaluations, they just kept him in boot camp until hs medical records arrived.  They then decided to separate him.  As I said before, he hopes to appeal, but the meeting with the lawyer on Monday will help him decide that.  How far did your son get into boot camp before they decided to separate him?  Did he meet with the JAG lawyer and/or consider staying on Ship 5 and appealling?

Sara - I hope she gets to fly home.....that would be a very long haul on a bus!!  I read about one that took buses to California and had 5 stops and 2 long layovers!! 

Oh no, really?  I asked lemonelephant and she said normally if they fly in on a plane they will fly home on a plane.  They say they cannot tell me anything until Tuesday....the day before.  Its awful because even if they fly her into where she left from it is 2 hours from us in another state.   I was originally thinking of flying there and coming home with her but already the flight is over 300 each way and if I do it the day before it will probably be even more.   I simply cannot afford thousand dollars to get her home. 

Never in my wildest dream did I even think of things like this happening when she left.  I was so worried about the physical part of things.  I watched video after video.  Never once did I ever even hear about ship 5 or what happens if they don't make it.  All of these things she but put out there so we can at least prepare if it didn't work. 

Now there is another thing to worry about, and be unable to prepare for!!  I am hoping for the best for her travels, and for yours.  It would not make sense for you to go get her..... you should rely on the Navy to get her home.