RCU SHIP 04 DIV 741

the good news is you'll both being hearing from your SR's a lot more now in RCU than you would have from regular boot camp. the bad news is you want those calls even more now that they're hurt. i know it's hard but try to have patience and keep sending them encouraging letters. Please let us know if you get calls today!

coastalkat....my son should be shipping out tuesday to finallly leave chicago to go to FL for A School for 2-3 weeks. he's expecting to come home for a visit around thanksgiving. I also plan to be at his A School graduation. So there's more good news...if your SR doesn't have PIR at least they will have an A School graduation which you can also attend.

WestonsMom...  Thanks. You have been a great encouragement.  I am feeling much better about his situation.  You, sbarber, and proudsistah have made this a much easier situation to understand and I greatly appreciate your willingness to share. 2-3 weeks, will that be in Pensacola?  He will graduate before Thanksgiving, then? Where are you from? We are in Georgia, about 6 hours from Panama City.  I can only imagine your relief and comfort knowing he has completed this phase of his training.  I will continue to pray for him.

 

Coastalkat... Love your picture by the way.  So cute!  What happened to your son? Our SR was in Ship 4 Div 823. We will continue to pray for your's as well.

Aaah we all do care about each other and each others recruits as well. This group is a true blessing and full of information and encouragement when the days get tough. And yes they do get tough "westonsmom" put it right for sure not knowing whats happening when they are hurt is the worst and you will want lots of calls with lots of details but thanks to our recruits sometimes that doesn't happen.

paces; you are correct he won't be given more than he can handle and he will handle it just not on his time schedule. He's gonna do fine they take good care of them there but I know the boredom will get to him after the intense training he's been doing keep him busy and keep him motivated. The worse thing I had to do while my son was in RCU was to send him a kick in the pants letter when he started to feel sorry for himself, that's just not allowed :-) things happen and this was his choice and he needed to be reminded of that hopefully you won't find that  letter necessary. Be strong & best of luck.

He was due to PIR Oct 28th so he's extremely disappointed. I only hope he continues to get well & maintains a good attitude. It seems to take the letters about 4 days to reach home so I haven't heard much. He was a little down in his last letter.

He has a fracture.

sbarber ...Thanks so much. 

CoastalKat...Four days is about when we get our letters as well. He writes on Sunday and we get the letter on Thursday. With the love and support from you and your family I know he will.  Mine doesn't do well just sitting.  He is a get up and go type, so I am a little worried about that too.

 

A true blessing is a wonderful way to put it. You have been for me.

the letters I received in the division took about 5 days although the letters from RCU seemed to take 5 days or more. Did anyone get a call yesterday? I have to say I'm very blessed with a son that was writing very frequently. He has been very good at keeping me up to date with his progress as well as filling me in on some of the other SR's I asked about so I could let others know on here.

paces...you're very welcome! I know this group has been a big help to me with keeping some sanity and not completely freak out. lol I'm just glad I could help. Yes, I am very relieved he has finally finished boot camp! (whew!) Thank you for the continued prayers. I do appreciate it. We are from NC right close to charlotte. Yes, he will be going to A School in Pensacola and looks like will graduate and be home right before thanksgiving. :)

sbarber...LOL! I also sent mine a "kick in the pants" letter. I was finally adjusting to the boot camp thing but then he got hurt. He wrote 1st thing when he got to RCU. It was very depressing and made me cry. Then I freaked out! I was worried about him going into depression so I had to send him a letter reminding him that I was still very proud of him regardless of what happens and that he has disappointed no one. And that if he was worried about people at home joking about him not making it...so what? What have they done to try to achieve anything so great? nothing. I think I cried the whole time while writing that letter. I still don't know if it helped or not but I felt like he needed a blunt reminder and I couldn't sit back and do nothing. :)

I didn't receive a call. Did anyone?

I don't know that anyone needs this info, but here goes. My daughter suggested calling the base photo lab about my SRs graduation pictures. He took them with his division the day he was transferred to RCU. Anyhow, they said that the SRs could go to the NEX once a week. The photo lab is next door & they will order & pay by debit card. I told her my SR had a fracture. She said they could come on crutches or the shuttle bus. Just fyi...

Also FYI...my son's pics should be coming this week. He took them last week and he says it takes 4 days to get them. Seems pretty quick but that's what he said. He didn't order the keel since he didn't graduate with his original division. maybe I'll call the photo lab and order that for his graduation gift.

well shoot. I thought I had the photo lab number. Can I get that from you please?

Colten got his keel book it came to me last week and it is an amazing book. He is in all the group pictures. I have really enjoyed it.

@westonsmom: the # is 847-578-6205 and helloooo there :-) my son had the same situation and he got the keel with his original unit as they were the one's he started with and its really a neat book.

 

sbarber...thank you!

coltens mom...what's the latest on colten?

WestonsMom and sbarber ... You both are so right.  I cannot imagine how anyone could be critical of these guys and girls.  They step out and do what most would run away from. I really never realized the intensity of what they are required to do.

CoastalKat  We didn't get a call.  I sure was hoping for one.

Does anyone know how many are in RCU?  My students want to write letters, but I don't want to send them and not have enough for everyone.  I know it changes regularly, but a rough estimate would be great?

paces...i'm not sure if there's any way to tell how many are in RCU. I do know that FIT is also housed with RCU recruits. My son had a bunkmate that was in FIT. I'm not sure but I think you have to have a name to whoever your students would be sending the letters to. Maybe your SR can give you names of some of the recruits?

Colten is in a DIV finishing up Boot Camp. He will PIR on 11/4. I have not heard from him since he went to the new Div.

My son got ahold of us today.  It is official... he is a sailor!!!!

thcntryangel.....CONGRATULATIONS!! I know you are so happy! Do you know where he's going for A School?

@ thecntryangel: Congratulations :-) That's another our of RCU and on his way I know your so happy.

Weston just left the base at Great lakes and on his way to the airport!!! YAYYY! Good bye boot camp!!!!

 @WestonsMom (FL A School); Yeah!!!!!!! He's on his way and you get to see him soon, so happy for you :-)

Did anyone know their "dress blues" are actually black? lol

Congrats that is AWESOME! These boys who have endured RCU I believe are much better prepared for the Navy. Also it is a true testament of the kind of people they are at the core. Ladies we have been blessed with these amazing individuals. There are not enough words to describe the over powering pride I have for these kids. I love y'all and I am so blessed to have had y'all during this very trying time. Thanks!!!

Colten'sMom;WestonsMom;@thecntryangel...  It has been a pleasure talking with you and I thank you for all your support.  You are so right about the challenges that these boys have been through.  They will be stronger for the trying times they have had.  God truly has a purpose for all He does, though we seldom recognize it at the time.  I am so happy for you all and will be praying for continued success for your guys.

Heard from my SR today! Hooray! Sounded good & has been moved up to Phase II. Seems like they all keep getting sick with other stuff. Had the flu & an abscess. Anyhow, made some pretty good friends in this group. Also said the chief & petty officers are decent to them.

@ CoastalKat : Wow a call on Thursday you must be special :-) glad he got phased up sorry he's sick, that seems to happen alot there. My son said the same thing about the crew there, he said they treat you as you treat them as long as you do what your told and keep your nose clean. Hope your son is feeling better real soon.

Everybody have a great weekend. Its cold and snowing here UGH to early for this mess.

@ CoastalKat...  I know hearing from his was wonderful.  We got a letter yesterday. He is still in Phase 1. His spirits are low and everything you all have shared, he is saying.  He did say there are some in much worse shape than he and he is trying to be supportive for them, but it is hard when he feels so helpless himself.  He is a bit older than most there and is really missing the training. Before he went to Great Lakes, he was training 6 or more hours a day, so I know he is really bored. He is going to physical therapy, but said they won't let him do anything much.  Praying for continued progress for your son and so happy to hear he is improving.  Have a wonderful weekend.

 

sbarber... so sorry to hear the snow has come.  We have been in the 40's in the mornings and 75 (ish) in the afternoons.  Today it is raining and will only be in the 50's. We have had perfect Fall weather except for the lack of rain.  We have been very dry here this summer. Not sure I could handle the snow.  Have a wonderful weekend. So glad it is here.

Oops! I'm sorry if I made it sound like it was a phone call. That's just the way I talk. I received a very long letter. I meant "sounded good" as compared with the last one I received when him when he first arrived at RCU. He was very depressed.

Definitely no phone call. Hopefully we'll get one this weekend. I'll try to compose my sentences a little better in the future!   ;o)

Anyone get a call today?

CoastalKat... No call.  Phone call or letter, it is just good to hear from them.  It is so long from week to week.  We usually get our letters on Thurs. I can't wait for Thurs to come each week.  Your sentence was fine, you had just been hoping for a call so badly, I just assumed.

I know it stinks just waiting and worrying but just know they are being taken very good care of. It's hard as a mom just waiting to hear something when you know something is going on with your child and your not able to be there to supervise their care. It was a tough 7 weeks for me and I think the worst part for the wondering how he was. Hold tight to the fact they will call just as soon as they are allowed they want to talk to you as much as you do them just keep those letters flowing and full of encouragement. Hope you all had a good weekend.

sbarber...Thank you for the encouraging words.  We did.  We had our first 30 degree days.  How have you held up with the snow? Sounds like it is pretty bad.

@ paces: Hey it's all good here now LOL 72 today and beautiful LOL this weather is gonna make everyone sick. Hope your weather bounces back quickly like ours not sure where you are but.... any letters from SR's with any news? Keep positive they are gonna make just like my son and lots of others. Have a great evening.

sbarber....  No letters yet.  We are in middle Georgia. It is in the 40's this morning will be around 75 this afternoon.  Pretty normal for this time of year.

Well as of yesterday I now have a SAILOR!! It has been a long road but we have finally reached the intersection. PIR on Friday!!!!!

Congratulations, Donna! The news I've been waiting to see!

Thanks Val!!!!!

Congratulations Coltens Mom!!! You finally get to see him! That's really good news!

where did you say colten's going for A school?

Charleston SC for Nuke school!!! I can't wait to see him. He sounded amazing yesterday!!!!!!

Congrats Colten's Mom. Are you going to PIR?

Congratulations Colton's Mom.  I know you are so proud and happy. Great to hear the good news. Thanks for sharing.

Received a nice long letter from my SR. He did say the division had their phone call privileges taken away right before he got to RCU. He's hoping they'll get to make calls this weekend. Cross your fingers!

Wonderful!!  I know you were glad to hear from him.  No letter for us today.  Hoping it will come tomorrow.  How long has he been in RCU?  I would love to get a phone call. Feeling a little down tonight.  Fingers and toes crossed!!

Dang that stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somebody did something real stupid to get phone calls taken away......... I bet they are kicking themselves in the butt right now. Hold tight to the letters and keep them going their way. I will say a special prayer that some RDC hears his mama tonight in his sleep telling him to let those reecruits call home :-)

RCU was supposed to be able to call every other week when my SR left a couple weeks ago. Did RCU get in trouble again?

sbarber...LOL @ the RDC hearing his mama in his sleep!!

@ WestonsMom : Shoot you know how these kids can be when they get bored LOL bad boys, bad boys whatcha gonna do :-) And about that RDC thing well anything to help out.....us mom's have to stick together you know.

Received a letter today. Good news and bad.  Good news is he may get out of his brace on Tuesday and begin physical therapy.  He has been given the choice of completing bootcamp in RCU or re-joining a unit.  The problem is that noone seems to be able to answer his questions.  Even the people who are supposed to know can't give him the answers he needs.  He wants to make the decision that will allow him to keep his Spec Ops contract for EOD.  He doesn't know how finishing in RCU will affect that. We also don't know exactly where he will have to re-enter the unit and if his leg will be strong enough. Does anyone have any information or experience they can share?

@ paces: The only positive about completing BC in RCU is they will be monitoring his leg and the reinjury is less likely to occur, if he goes back to a unit and is reinjured he will be discharged medically so he needs to keep all of that mind. I don't believe that his contract can be taken back unless he is proven unfit for service or fails to hold up his end of the bargain. When my son re-entered with a new unit they had already meshed as a team it was hard for him to fit in at first but that can happen at any change of duty station as well. The new unit was close to where he was in training, they try to get them back in where they dropped off at.  Lots of kids just do BS21 out od RCU and go on to their A school it happens all the time. If he's concerned about the leg then he probably doesn't need to go back out to a unit. Hope that helps some. Ultimately it is up to him he's a man now and he knows his body better than anyone. Hopefully he gets to call you this weekend.

Seeing my sailor was absolutely AMAZING!!!!! It was better than I ever could have imagined. I stood in the stands trying to see him while everyone was on the floor he spotted me walked passed my entire family that was there and came straight to me and we hugged and cried for 10 min. it was amazing!!! He had watch today from 12- 2 then we had him the rest of the day. We will meet him at the airport in the morning and stay with him until his plane leaves at 0930