What a great song. If you google Navy EOD there should be a link on the different classes they will be taking and how long each section runs. I don't remember the order but I know the middle courses are the harder ones.
JackFlash, the best piece of advice I can give is to understand that no matter how tough he says it is and no matter how many set backs he has, being that mom that wants to make it all better you just can't. You have to let that go and just be as supportive as you can to anything he needs. Our group had it rough because they closed the galley and the guys had to pretty much fend for themselves for food. They had a small frig and micro in their rooms, but it got old quick and eating out ($$$$) was the only choice. Send him care packages, anything to let him take a break mentally from the grind.
Hello Marsha, Im glad you found us finally!!! its a great group. Addy62, I did not meet you but obviously ours sons know each other. I do recognize your picture and I loved the shot. Someone calls him giblet because his name is hard to pronounce. Id love to see the pics you have from graduation. I cant post anything, Q has asked me not to.
Cheryl, I couldn't have said it better. My son just graduated from EOD and I needed a Xanax to get me through the graduation. That was before I found out about NAVYFORMOMS. Now I feel like I have people "out there" who know what I'm going through.
Carolina Mom, we seem to have the same background!
Thank you Cheryl and Brandon's mom. I am actually feeling a little better now after your posts. His recruiter keeps saying that the Navy EOD group is the best trained in the world. I do believe that, but I always respond "But it is BOMBS"!! He really wanted to be a SEAL. This horrified me, of course, because I know that those are the guys who go in for the REALLY dangerous missions. But now I am wishing he was doing that...although I would assume that they come in contact with an awful lot of bombs too. I have been praying about it. I have always been a worrier. Really, it is almost funny that he is doing this because I am the LAST mom on earth who needs a son in the military! I didn't let him get his license until he was almost eighteen!! I was thinking that he was in college and in three more years I could stop worrying so much and then BAM- "I am sick of college and I want to join the Navy and be a SEAL"!! Say what??? His eyesight was not good enough for SEAL. Then a few weeks ago I had a "DUH" moment and called to ask the eye docs if they ever make an exception to the 21 year old rule for Lasik...yes they do. Called his recruiter and he told me that he had to have any surgery SIX MONTHS before Boot Camp. If I had thought of asking a while back we could have done that and he could have gotten a SEAL contract.This is a silly rule since now the Navy will have to pay to have his eyes fixed eventually...when we were willing to do it now. They said that the first time he has six months between deployments that he can have it done. I have a feeling that the poor kid will be wearing glasses a LONG time! I am really not sure why that SEALS more safe to me- I know that it most likely is not. Then there is the whole "He will never live in our town again" thing...and "He will probably miss his sister's graduation and other important events.He will one day get married and I will have grandchildren who may live halfway across the world! It is all just a lot to process. Now the good things...He is very excited about joining the Navy. He is doing so well on his PST's..His recruiter calls him a "Star Recruit"...that they are so excited to have him. That he is going to be great...that kind of thing. Mostly, I think he is loving doing something that we didn't want him to do! Haha! He has always loved history and is very politically aware and civic minded. If you could take out the danger it would be perfect! Haha.He NEVER, EVER said a word about joining the Military! Anyway, there is not a thing I can do about it at this point. I act like I think ti is all cool! I am his biggest cheerleader..have a chart in the kitchen of his PST scores and I make a big deal about them every time. He brought home an EOD poster and I had it framed for his apartment (He lives about ten minutes away). I have been buying silver charms to make a Navy charm bracelet...Have bought him some cool old Navy photos on Ebay that I will frame when he is settled in his first place- which I guess will be YEARS from now. He told me that his friend joined the Air force and I said "Air force???What?? The Navy is the place to be"...Basically I am just trying to play along and sound cool! Haha! So, thanks again for your posts! They helped!!
Carolina Mom, we tried to keep our son out of the police force because we thought THAT was too dangerous! What were we thinking!!! He fooled us and chose BOMBS instead! Honestly, your post could have been me a while ago. Time goes quickly. Marsha
Dear Carolina Mom, I am going to give you a run down of how EOD works for my son. He has been in the navy for just over 7 years. After bc he trained to be an AT- avionics tech. He was in the fleet, stationed in San Diego and attached to the Ronald Reagan. He was deployed twice. He had to apply for EOD which he did during a deployment. He worked with the EOD guys that were on his ship. He passed the pt test was given orders to report to GL for dive prep which is the 1st step. If I remember right that lasted one month. There is high fall out rate at this time. He reported there in Dec of 2009. He then went to Panama City FL for dive school. Then it's on to Eglin AFB for the rest of the courses they take. If you google Navy EOD you will find a list of the courses and the different subjects that they cover. It takes about 52 weeks to complete unless they fail a course and are sent back to retake it. My son was sent back twice during the nuclear phase and the second time he had to go in front of the board and they decided if he was worthy of staying in the program. They deemed he was which was great news for him and us. This journey has a lot of ups and downs. They finish up with 6 weeks of diving and then they are done. The navy fixed our sons eyes and I was concerned but they had told him not to have it done before he went in. As far as deployments with EOD go my son has yet to be on one. He is with MU8 which is based out of Spain. He has been to a lot of countries for joint training with other countries. He loves what he does. Just so you know they do not wear "the bomb suit" very often. They have 2 robots that they get trained on and they use them as much as possible. They really don't want to put them in the suit. He will have to wear it during school and if I remember correctly they have to stay in for almost an hour. In FL in the summer that can be one hard task. The suit is cooled somehow but when you are in it sweating things tend to fog up! One good thing about EOD if they are stationed in the states there is only 2 places they will be California or Virginia. My son has been in Spain almost 3 years but should be coming back sometime next year. If they are stationed overseas it is for 2 years unaccompanied and 3 years accompanied. Since your son is going in with an EOD contract I don't know if things are different at bc like maybe extra pt. I would tell him now to swim,swim swim. He will doing a lot of that at dive prep and dive school. In FL they do a lot of bay swims which are timed. You just need to give him encouragement. This will be a journey that will be rewarding for all of you. Your son is gaining a family unlike any other. We are proud to be a part of this community as you will be. It sometimes seems like a long road but when graduation rolls around it is just awesome. The pride you feel at bc graduation you can double or triple that for EOD graduation. Please keep us informed as to how he is doing. If you have any questions please ask. Will keep you and your sailor in prayer as you begin this adventure . Karenlee
Hi Carolina Mom, glad your son is doing a lot of swimming and he is right he needs to far exceed the pst requirements. I don't post pictures but I think they can not show name or any ranking do not really know for sure. My son surfed when he was in Cali but not much in Rota. Not enough time- they stay pretty busy. The ceremony in Panama City is short and sweet and then they head to Eglin. We did not go but as far as Eglin- yes,yes,yes. We went about 4 days before graduation and stayed a few days after. The following Monday he left for Ft Benning for jump school. My son is on the underwater demo team now and they just got a new underwater robot that they got to use in Iceland a few weeks back. He said it was Way Cool! Just a little FYI they graduate as a basic tech. In 2-3 years they test to become a senior tech which Ben did in July. His rank is now EOD2(EWS) explosive warfare specialist. The Navy has their own rating in EOD. The next step is a master tech but not sure when that happens. Just when I thought I didn't have any more test to fret over I did again in July.
Keep in touch and hope you have a good weekend also. Karenlee
Hi Moms, thank you so much for posting information in here! My boyfriend is going to be starting EOD A School very soon. We are thinking of getting married sometime during this. I know everyone says he must get permission and it shouldn't be rushed... But does anyone have insight as to when we could get married or live together? Would all of that come after he graduates the final phase of training? I've had a tricky time getting confirmation on whether or not sailors can live with their spouse during a portion of the A School... Any information is appreciated!
Flowers, My sons EOD class from boot camp had 3 guys get married as soon as they graduated. The next day. Their instructors told them not to but I dont think there is anyone that can stop you. You will not be able to live with your sailor at all until he graduates and is at his station. Please keep in mind that even if he is stationed and an EOD, he will be deployed many times and you need to be prepared to live alone for months at a time. I know 4 girls that had very committed relationships when the guys started boot camp. 2 got married and are still together, but both of them were dropped from the program in dive prep so they went to corpsman and were able to move in only after they finished their training and got stationed. THey can also get stationed anywhere in the world and you will be able to move, but you will have to have off base housing and may not be able to work, depending on the situation. the other 2 soon separated from their BF once in dive school. I cant tell you not to get married, but please think of this decision very hard and very carefully before you make that commitment. The EOD program is very long a difficult. My son started BC January 2012 and just graduated a few weeks ago, after being rolled several times and down time between classing up. Please truly educate yourselves of all the possibilities. It can make a very being difference on how you are able to live your lives together. I wish you guys the best of luck. :)
Flowers, my boyfriend is an EOD tech, graduated last August, I've been with him through all of his time in the Navy and it's not always easy but we've managed to make it work. I can give you more info from a girlfriend's perspective if you'd like :)
Carolina Mom, An additional piece of advice I can give you about dive prep, is to have you son master clearing his mask. Being a strong swimmer is not enough. My sons class had 50% of the class dropped because they couldnt clear every drop of water from their mask. It was no joke and they gave no room for error. My son is a certified scuba diver and he said that dive prep was pretty easy for him, while another recruit who was also a certified scuba diver and was dropped because he had a few drops of water in his mask after several trys they gave him.
Also let him know that no matter how hard he trains before boot camp he will loose about 70% by the time he finishes BC. They just dont give them the time to keep up their workouts, very little sleep and other things that take up their time. THey do have more PT and more workouts in the EOD division of BC, but they will loose it and more than likely he will get sick, as does everyone. I truly dont mean to scare or deter him, but I just want to be honest on what he should expect. I wish I would have known all this before my son went in. Good Luck to him.
QMGsMom- thank you for the information! It is scary and a little overwhelming to think about how our lifestyle will be if we stay together, but I appreciate the insight you've provided. Also, thanks for the tip to Carolina Mom about the clearing of the mask! I'll be sure to pass along that information in my next letter.
ColleenJ- I would love any information you can provide me. Getting a girlfriend's perspective from someone who has just been through what I'm about to go through is EXACTLY what I've been searching for!! I'm going to send you a friend request, so we can hopefully communicate more personally. Thanks in advance :)
Thank you so much for that information. I have relayed it to my son and he said thank you and that he would start practicing to make sure he has it down. We both also appreciate the heads up concerning physical fitness and knowing that most get sick. What a shame that is the case- but I guess with that many people in such close quarters it is bound to happen. Did you have your son get all of the shots that he would need before he went? I have heard that sometimes they can take their records but that they will give them the shots anyway!
I am glad that his date was moved back (once he got the EOD contract) because it is going to be great to have him here for the Holidays. If it had not then he would have been leaving next week! He is ready to go but I think he is also enjoying having some time to have some fun before the "Real work" begins.It also gives me more time to get used to all of this!
If anyone else out there has more advice PLEASE share it!
My son was allowed off base but had to be signed in and out by us. It was a pain as he had to walk the appx 1 mile to the gate to get in the car with us the drive back to the ship to sign him out. We then had to drive him back at night to sign him back in. Not sure how it works after PIR weekend. Strict for at least the first 30 days. They have to be in uniform at all times off base. Timing on classes also varies. My son had PIR 10/11 and starts dive prep 11/5 and they may be held at great lakes for a while after that before shipping to FLA.
My son has family friends in Chicago. He was able to visit them on weekends during Dive School, but had to be back in time for curfew or whatever they call it. He just took the train in.
They cannot spend the night off base. It depends on the new CO as to the curfew rules. Mine had a 10pm curfew but was always back by 9 to be safe. The train is close but takes about 1 1/2 hours to get into the heart of the city and on the weekends comes back hourly - be careful coming back with depart and travel times. Won't know about FLA till they get there and get new set of rules. I have been told to expect 2 yrs total with training due to hold times between each segment.
It's true, he never stayed overnight and had to be back on base an hour early just get across base to his barracks in time for curfew. There is a lot of walking.
Hi All - my soon to be Sailor (EOD) is now leaving Dec. 9, 2013. Thought it was going to be Feb 2014, so now it's really got me down and sad. I can't stop crying and praying for his safety. Any words of encourgagement would be greatly appreciated. My husband is a Navy vet, but this is my oldest son and first to move out. Thanks! :)
Thanks Carolina Mom - Thanks for your kind words. :) Another young man was supposed to go in Dec. and got a DUI a few weekends ago. So lucky us - my son was next on the list and recruiter thought he was ready. Didn't ask if his Momma was ready. :( Praying that we all make it thru the 8 weeks. I've never gone that long without seeing him or at least talking to him on the phone. Not looking forward to cutting the apron strings and cutting them so abruptly. Just praying the 8 weeks goes fast - will look forward to graduation and hopefully letters from my son. I'm sure I'll have my good days and my bad days. Hope my new Sailor has ALL good days at Boot Camp. Trying to get more positive in this situation. Thanks again for your reply.
Oh dear KJT'sMomma I never thought of that! I will have to stress to my son that it would not be an option for him to leave earlier! He has his own apartment and we have so much to do...get his clothes that he will want int he next year and put them back in his old room- so that we can eventually send them or bring them to him...move everything out of his apartment and put things in storage. Does your son live at home? If so, I guess that would be easier to get him ready. Of course, not easier to let him go. Maybe you can have an early Christmas after you enjoy Thanksgiving with him? Go ahead and do the whole thing..pretend the 7th is the 25th?? Did you already have a party planned? I am still learning that the navy doesn't concern itself with our schedules! Haha! This is all going to be very hard for a rigid schedule queen like me! Who knows...the way they seem to delay things- our sons might still end up graduating from EOD training together! I will be thinking about you!
Hi Carolina Mom - My son still lives at home, which could make it harder. But he currently works 2nd shift so I don't see him a lot, but usually connect by phone several times a week to just catch up. My whole family will be home for Thanksgiving & we are having family pics taken. It's been 12 years since the last "Big Family Pics". Looking forward to that holiday. Not sure our exact plans for early Christmas. Gave KJT his Christmas present early - IPOD so he can Face time his Momma. :) after boot camp that is. Wanted him to figure out if he needed any accessories so my family could get some for his Christmas gift from them. I'll keep you and your son and family in my prayers too. Us Momma's have to stay strong for our young men. :)
ok moms, i have been seeing a lot of questions asked lately. My son is currently at jump school. It is a VERY hard contract to get and even HARDER to complete. He had 88 in his division at boot camp. about 50 of them had EOD contracts. When my son graduated from EOD school there were 7!! there might be about 10 that got rolled back and he got rolled back once also. boot camp is hard. not contact is the worse part. they break them to build them. I got two phone calls the whole time. We went to graduation and spent the weekend. He had a curfew and was extremely tired. he then went to pre-dive school. this is the first time they try and weed out the ones who really don't want or need to be there. the next place is panama city, they get to become a group, they start building friendships and brotherhoods. this is also a next step in working them hard and pushing the limits. if your sons want it, this is a testing ground. they get to go out more and this is the first place we went and spent the weekend again with him. the next step is the BIG one. EOD school at Eglin. He was there for about a year. They are given tests A LOT. if you fail one you get one more chance at it. then it is over.
i know this is alot of information, be positive with your kids, they will need it. My son was rolled back once for sinus issues at dive school. so it happens, he got over the issues and joined the next class. I met his EOD at graduation and they were awesome. They need to swim and get their run times down. Be positive and tell them that it is hard but if they want it, then they will make it.
My son was with the PIR 10/11 group and after a 3 week wait started dive prep this week. He has an EOD contract. It is tough and they have kids dropping each day. Make sure your son can clear his mask and tread water with a weight belt. They also tread with tanks. They say 50% drop out of dive prep.
My son recently made it through Dive School at Panama City and is now facing all those seemingly unending series of tests. You pass one and there is another staring you in the face. No resting on your laurels.... they constantly challenge these guys. So proud of all of them!
I have to agree with Cheryl. My son graduated over 2 years ago but it was a long haul. He was rolled back twice and the second time had to go before the board and they determined if he was worthy of staying in the program. Not sure if things have changed in regards to rollbacks. It took him 16 months to complete the course including dive prep at GL. He has been at his duty station since July of 2011 and is loving every minute of "living on the edge"
Brandonsmom, they don't post often but when they do it about gives me the apoplexy. They post pictures in them doing dangerous things and then ask 'what was your favorite of this exercise'. Eeek!
A Dad's perspective-- but my son loves gadgets.... I got him various Dive Knives, Multi-Tools and things like that. His favorite is a Go-Pro helmet camera... which is fun, because he sends videos of things they do at various times. His Boot Camp Grad gift to himself was an Apple Air Book laptop.
But then again... when we see him he does like to go clothes shopping with his mommy. ;-)
Very sad to hear of an accident involving 4 EOD personnel at Camp Pendleton today. Prayers for the families of the four members who were killed. This hits far too close for so many of us.
Prayers out to the EOD family. Carolina Mom, you never stop worrying. My son was a premie and I have always worried about him. I know this is not a comforting thought but when it's their time it's their time and they are doing a job that they enjoy very much. I am a mother that believes in the power of prayer and Saint Barbara is the Paton saint for EOD, fire fighters etc so I do rely on prayers to her to keep all the guys safe no matter where they are in their journey.
CarolinaMom, I am in no way a veteran. My son PIRs tomorrow. However he lived in a remote village in Nicaragua for two years while serving in the Peace Corps. He was alone, there was political unrest, disease and little communication. Karentee is right you never stop worrying but prayers help you come to some level of acceptance that allows you to get up and make it through the day. Stay connected to this site. It helps more than I can express.
Great to see some of the newer people on the site. Lot's of us with sons together or only a few short weeks apart in the program. I'm quickly discovering that this is a nerve-wracking adventure. They are under constant pressure to perform with make or break tests coming one right after another. It's all new and none of it is easy for them... there isn't a day that I don't whisper a prayer for him to have calm nerves, steady hands and a clear head-- despite the cold, rainy weather they sometimes have to endure while training and testing. --Pretty real world.
Counting the days until we get to see him at Christmas. It's hard to believe that a year ago at this time he was having Thanksgiving Dinner at the VFW while still in Boot Camp! Time stands still for no one.
Happy Thanksgiving to all. Glad that everyone's son is doing well. Boy, I do not miss all sweat and tears from when Ben was in school. Cheryl, I too vented rather loudly but the journey is well worth it and yes the EOD family does become their second family. They are a tight knit community especially when they get to their unit. Hoping that my sons new orders will bring them back to the States. Won't know until after the new year but my happy dance shoes are ready. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday). God Bless our EOD.
Any moms that have a sailor in dive prep? How's it going? I am so thankful that he can call me in the afternoon and I can hear how it went. When he describes what they did it makes me nervous. He tells me which ones he hated and which ones are 'fun'. FUN? Perhaps he was switched at birth.
JackFlash
Thanks Karenlee.... That is much appreciated.
It's a long road...
Oct 7, 2013
Karenlee
Oct 7, 2013
QMGsmom
JackFlash, the best piece of advice I can give is to understand that no matter how tough he says it is and no matter how many set backs he has, being that mom that wants to make it all better you just can't. You have to let that go and just be as supportive as you can to anything he needs. Our group had it rough because they closed the galley and the guys had to pretty much fend for themselves for food. They had a small frig and micro in their rooms, but it got old quick and eating out ($$$$) was the only choice. Send him care packages, anything to let him take a break mentally from the grind.
Good Luck to your son!!!
Oct 7, 2013
QMGsmom
Hello Marsha, Im glad you found us finally!!! its a great group. Addy62, I did not meet you but obviously ours sons know each other. I do recognize your picture and I loved the shot. Someone calls him giblet because his name is hard to pronounce. Id love to see the pics you have from graduation. I cant post anything, Q has asked me not to.
Oct 7, 2013
NJNavyMom
Hi Q's mom! Sorry, I don't remember your name. I'm so happy you told me about this site! Thanks!!!
Oct 8, 2013
NJNavyMom
Just watched It's A Long Road! Great song and video!
Oct 8, 2013
NJNavyMom
Cheryl, I couldn't have said it better. My son just graduated from EOD and I needed a Xanax to get me through the graduation. That was before I found out about NAVYFORMOMS. Now I feel like I have people "out there" who know what I'm going through.
Carolina Mom, we seem to have the same background!
Marsha
Oct 10, 2013
Liberty
Thank you Cheryl and Brandon's mom. I am actually feeling a little better now after your posts. His recruiter keeps saying that the Navy EOD group is the best trained in the world. I do believe that, but I always respond "But it is BOMBS"!! He really wanted to be a SEAL. This horrified me, of course, because I know that those are the guys who go in for the REALLY dangerous missions. But now I am wishing he was doing that...although I would assume that they come in contact with an awful lot of bombs too. I have been praying about it. I have always been a worrier. Really, it is almost funny that he is doing this because I am the LAST mom on earth who needs a son in the military! I didn't let him get his license until he was almost eighteen!! I was thinking that he was in college and in three more years I could stop worrying so much and then BAM- "I am sick of college and I want to join the Navy and be a SEAL"!! Say what??? His eyesight was not good enough for SEAL. Then a few weeks ago I had a "DUH" moment and called to ask the eye docs if they ever make an exception to the 21 year old rule for Lasik...yes they do. Called his recruiter and he told me that he had to have any surgery SIX MONTHS before Boot Camp. If I had thought of asking a while back we could have done that and he could have gotten a SEAL contract.This is a silly rule since now the Navy will have to pay to have his eyes fixed eventually...when we were willing to do it now. They said that the first time he has six months between deployments that he can have it done. I have a feeling that the poor kid will be wearing glasses a LONG time! I am really not sure why that SEALS more safe to me- I know that it most likely is not. Then there is the whole "He will never live in our town again" thing...and "He will probably miss his sister's graduation and other important events.He will one day get married and I will have grandchildren who may live halfway across the world! It is all just a lot to process. Now the good things...He is very excited about joining the Navy. He is doing so well on his PST's..His recruiter calls him a "Star Recruit"...that they are so excited to have him. That he is going to be great...that kind of thing. Mostly, I think he is loving doing something that we didn't want him to do! Haha! He has always loved history and is very politically aware and civic minded. If you could take out the danger it would be perfect! Haha.He NEVER, EVER said a word about joining the Military! Anyway, there is not a thing I can do about it at this point. I act like I think ti is all cool! I am his biggest cheerleader..have a chart in the kitchen of his PST scores and I make a big deal about them every time. He brought home an EOD poster and I had it framed for his apartment (He lives about ten minutes away). I have been buying silver charms to make a Navy charm bracelet...Have bought him some cool old Navy photos on Ebay that I will frame when he is settled in his first place- which I guess will be YEARS from now. He told me that his friend joined the Air force and I said "Air force???What?? The Navy is the place to be"...Basically I am just trying to play along and sound cool! Haha! So, thanks again for your posts! They helped!!
Oct 10, 2013
NJNavyMom
Carolina Mom, we tried to keep our son out of the police force because we thought THAT was too dangerous! What were we thinking!!! He fooled us and chose BOMBS instead! Honestly, your post could have been me a while ago. Time goes quickly. Marsha
Oct 10, 2013
Karenlee
Oct 10, 2013
Karenlee
Keep in touch and hope you have a good weekend also. Karenlee
Oct 11, 2013
mpl
Hello Everybody, My son left Mississippi tonight and is on his way to san diego he is the mobile unit 1 will be working with eod
Oct 12, 2013
flowers
Hi Moms, thank you so much for posting information in here! My boyfriend is going to be starting EOD A School very soon. We are thinking of getting married sometime during this. I know everyone says he must get permission and it shouldn't be rushed... But does anyone have insight as to when we could get married or live together? Would all of that come after he graduates the final phase of training? I've had a tricky time getting confirmation on whether or not sailors can live with their spouse during a portion of the A School... Any information is appreciated!
Oct 12, 2013
QMGsmom
Flowers, My sons EOD class from boot camp had 3 guys get married as soon as they graduated. The next day. Their instructors told them not to but I dont think there is anyone that can stop you. You will not be able to live with your sailor at all until he graduates and is at his station. Please keep in mind that even if he is stationed and an EOD, he will be deployed many times and you need to be prepared to live alone for months at a time. I know 4 girls that had very committed relationships when the guys started boot camp. 2 got married and are still together, but both of them were dropped from the program in dive prep so they went to corpsman and were able to move in only after they finished their training and got stationed. THey can also get stationed anywhere in the world and you will be able to move, but you will have to have off base housing and may not be able to work, depending on the situation. the other 2 soon separated from their BF once in dive school. I cant tell you not to get married, but please think of this decision very hard and very carefully before you make that commitment. The EOD program is very long a difficult. My son started BC January 2012 and just graduated a few weeks ago, after being rolled several times and down time between classing up. Please truly educate yourselves of all the possibilities. It can make a very being difference on how you are able to live your lives together. I wish you guys the best of luck. :)
Oct 12, 2013
ColleenJ
Oct 12, 2013
QMGsmom
Carolina Mom, An additional piece of advice I can give you about dive prep, is to have you son master clearing his mask. Being a strong swimmer is not enough. My sons class had 50% of the class dropped because they couldnt clear every drop of water from their mask. It was no joke and they gave no room for error. My son is a certified scuba diver and he said that dive prep was pretty easy for him, while another recruit who was also a certified scuba diver and was dropped because he had a few drops of water in his mask after several trys they gave him.
Also let him know that no matter how hard he trains before boot camp he will loose about 70% by the time he finishes BC. They just dont give them the time to keep up their workouts, very little sleep and other things that take up their time. THey do have more PT and more workouts in the EOD division of BC, but they will loose it and more than likely he will get sick, as does everyone. I truly dont mean to scare or deter him, but I just want to be honest on what he should expect. I wish I would have known all this before my son went in. Good Luck to him.
Oct 12, 2013
flowers
QMGsMom- thank you for the information! It is scary and a little overwhelming to think about how our lifestyle will be if we stay together, but I appreciate the insight you've provided. Also, thanks for the tip to Carolina Mom about the clearing of the mask! I'll be sure to pass along that information in my next letter.
ColleenJ- I would love any information you can provide me. Getting a girlfriend's perspective from someone who has just been through what I'm about to go through is EXACTLY what I've been searching for!! I'm going to send you a friend request, so we can hopefully communicate more personally. Thanks in advance :)
Oct 14, 2013
mpl
Hello Ladies my son is now in san diego he is attached to eod he is mobile unit 1 can some one please tell me about his job not to sure where they go
Oct 15, 2013
Liberty
QMG'smom-
Thank you so much for that information. I have relayed it to my son and he said thank you and that he would start practicing to make sure he has it down. We both also appreciate the heads up concerning physical fitness and knowing that most get sick. What a shame that is the case- but I guess with that many people in such close quarters it is bound to happen. Did you have your son get all of the shots that he would need before he went? I have heard that sometimes they can take their records but that they will give them the shots anyway!
I am glad that his date was moved back (once he got the EOD contract) because it is going to be great to have him here for the Holidays. If it had not then he would have been leaving next week! He is ready to go but I think he is also enjoying having some time to have some fun before the "Real work" begins.It also gives me more time to get used to all of this!
If anyone else out there has more advice PLEASE share it!
Thanks so much!
Oct 21, 2013
phxsusan
Carolina Mom - my son just graduated from boot camp on 10/11 with EOD contract. If you have questions I can help with let me know.
Oct 21, 2013
phxsusan
My son was allowed off base but had to be signed in and out by us. It was a pain as he had to walk the appx 1 mile to the gate to get in the car with us the drive back to the ship to sign him out. We then had to drive him back at night to sign him back in. Not sure how it works after PIR weekend. Strict for at least the first 30 days. They have to be in uniform at all times off base. Timing on classes also varies. My son had PIR 10/11 and starts dive prep 11/5 and they may be held at great lakes for a while after that before shipping to FLA.
Oct 22, 2013
NJNavyMom
My son has family friends in Chicago. He was able to visit them on weekends during Dive School, but had to be back in time for curfew or whatever they call it. He just took the train in.
Oct 22, 2013
phxsusan
They cannot spend the night off base. It depends on the new CO as to the curfew rules. Mine had a 10pm curfew but was always back by 9 to be safe. The train is close but takes about 1 1/2 hours to get into the heart of the city and on the weekends comes back hourly - be careful coming back with depart and travel times. Won't know about FLA till they get there and get new set of rules. I have been told to expect 2 yrs total with training due to hold times between each segment.
Oct 23, 2013
NJNavyMom
It's true, he never stayed overnight and had to be back on base an hour early just get across base to his barracks in time for curfew. There is a lot of walking.
Oct 23, 2013
KJTsMomma
Hi All - my soon to be Sailor (EOD) is now leaving Dec. 9, 2013. Thought it was going to be Feb 2014, so now it's really got me down and sad. I can't stop crying and praying for his safety. Any words of encourgagement would be greatly appreciated. My husband is a Navy vet, but this is my oldest son and first to move out. Thanks! :)
Nov 1, 2013
KJTsMomma
Thanks Carolina Mom - Thanks for your kind words. :) Another young man was supposed to go in Dec. and got a DUI a few weekends ago. So lucky us - my son was next on the list and recruiter thought he was ready. Didn't ask if his Momma was ready. :( Praying that we all make it thru the 8 weeks. I've never gone that long without seeing him or at least talking to him on the phone. Not looking forward to cutting the apron strings and cutting them so abruptly. Just praying the 8 weeks goes fast - will look forward to graduation and hopefully letters from my son. I'm sure I'll have my good days and my bad days. Hope my new Sailor has ALL good days at Boot Camp. Trying to get more positive in this situation. Thanks again for your reply.
Nov 4, 2013
Liberty
Oh dear KJT'sMomma I never thought of that! I will have to stress to my son that it would not be an option for him to leave earlier! He has his own apartment and we have so much to do...get his clothes that he will want int he next year and put them back in his old room- so that we can eventually send them or bring them to him...move everything out of his apartment and put things in storage. Does your son live at home? If so, I guess that would be easier to get him ready. Of course, not easier to let him go. Maybe you can have an early Christmas after you enjoy Thanksgiving with him? Go ahead and do the whole thing..pretend the 7th is the 25th?? Did you already have a party planned? I am still learning that the navy doesn't concern itself with our schedules! Haha! This is all going to be very hard for a rigid schedule queen like me! Who knows...the way they seem to delay things- our sons might still end up graduating from EOD training together! I will be thinking about you!
Nov 5, 2013
KJTsMomma
Hi Carolina Mom - My son still lives at home, which could make it harder. But he currently works 2nd shift so I don't see him a lot, but usually connect by phone several times a week to just catch up. My whole family will be home for Thanksgiving & we are having family pics taken. It's been 12 years since the last "Big Family Pics". Looking forward to that holiday. Not sure our exact plans for early Christmas. Gave KJT his Christmas present early - IPOD so he can Face time his Momma. :) after boot camp that is. Wanted him to figure out if he needed any accessories so my family could get some for his Christmas gift from them. I'll keep you and your son and family in my prayers too. Us Momma's have to stay strong for our young men. :)
Nov 5, 2013
addy62
ok moms, i have been seeing a lot of questions asked lately. My son is currently at jump school. It is a VERY hard contract to get and even HARDER to complete. He had 88 in his division at boot camp. about 50 of them had EOD contracts. When my son graduated from EOD school there were 7!! there might be about 10 that got rolled back and he got rolled back once also. boot camp is hard. not contact is the worse part. they break them to build them. I got two phone calls the whole time. We went to graduation and spent the weekend. He had a curfew and was extremely tired. he then went to pre-dive school. this is the first time they try and weed out the ones who really don't want or need to be there. the next place is panama city, they get to become a group, they start building friendships and brotherhoods. this is also a next step in working them hard and pushing the limits. if your sons want it, this is a testing ground. they get to go out more and this is the first place we went and spent the weekend again with him. the next step is the BIG one. EOD school at Eglin. He was there for about a year. They are given tests A LOT. if you fail one you get one more chance at it. then it is over.
i know this is alot of information, be positive with your kids, they will need it. My son was rolled back once for sinus issues at dive school. so it happens, he got over the issues and joined the next class. I met his EOD at graduation and they were awesome. They need to swim and get their run times down. Be positive and tell them that it is hard but if they want it, then they will make it.
good luck
audrey
Nov 5, 2013
narob01
Nov 5, 2013
phxsusan
My son was with the PIR 10/11 group and after a 3 week wait started dive prep this week. He has an EOD contract. It is tough and they have kids dropping each day. Make sure your son can clear his mask and tread water with a weight belt. They also tread with tanks. They say 50% drop out of dive prep.
Nov 8, 2013
JackFlash
I guess that's why we are "Living on the Edge"
My son recently made it through Dive School at Panama City and is now facing all those seemingly unending series of tests. You pass one and there is another staring you in the face. No resting on your laurels.... they constantly challenge these guys. So proud of all of them!
Nov 8, 2013
Karenlee
Nov 8, 2013
NJNavyMom
Did anyone here join EOD Facebook? Is it very active or kind of quiet? Not sure if I should join...
Nov 9, 2013
narob01
Nov 9, 2013
Karenlee
Nov 9, 2013
NJNavyMom
Thanks narob01. I think I'll stay away from it!
Nov 10, 2013
NJNavyMom
No Karenlee, my son just finished Airborne.
Nov 10, 2013
phxsusan
Carolina Mom - I brought my son his cell phone to PIR and have had the opportunity to speak with him daily. He enjoys dive prep and it doing well.
Nov 10, 2013
NJNavyMom
The cell phone was such a great relief! We could finally talk to our son. Facetime is great!
Nov 10, 2013
JackFlash
A Dad's perspective-- but my son loves gadgets.... I got him various Dive Knives, Multi-Tools and things like that. His favorite is a Go-Pro helmet camera... which is fun, because he sends videos of things they do at various times. His Boot Camp Grad gift to himself was an Apple Air Book laptop.
But then again... when we see him he does like to go clothes shopping with his mommy. ;-)
Nov 12, 2013
JackFlash
Very sad to hear of an accident involving 4 EOD personnel at Camp Pendleton today. Prayers for the families of the four members who were killed. This hits far too close for so many of us.
Nov 14, 2013
Karenlee
Nov 14, 2013
narob01
CarolinaMom, I am in no way a veteran. My son PIRs tomorrow. However he lived in a remote village in Nicaragua for two years while serving in the Peace Corps. He was alone, there was political unrest, disease and little communication. Karentee is right you never stop worrying but prayers help you come to some level of acceptance that allows you to get up and make it through the day. Stay connected to this site. It helps more than I can express.
Nov 14, 2013
flowers
Anyone in this group with sailors about to start Dive Prep School? Send me a private message or friend request, please!
Nov 19, 2013
phxsusan
My son is finishing up Dive Prep School this week
Nov 20, 2013
JackFlash
Great to see some of the newer people on the site. Lot's of us with sons together or only a few short weeks apart in the program. I'm quickly discovering that this is a nerve-wracking adventure. They are under constant pressure to perform with make or break tests coming one right after another. It's all new and none of it is easy for them... there isn't a day that I don't whisper a prayer for him to have calm nerves, steady hands and a clear head-- despite the cold, rainy weather they sometimes have to endure while training and testing. --Pretty real world.
Counting the days until we get to see him at Christmas. It's hard to believe that a year ago at this time he was having Thanksgiving Dinner at the VFW while still in Boot Camp! Time stands still for no one.
Nov 27, 2013
NJNavyMom
Thanks, Cheryl. That's good news to hear. My son is still in MS training. He will be stationed in Virginia Beach.
Nov 27, 2013
Karenlee
Nov 27, 2013
narob01
Any moms that have a sailor in dive prep? How's it going? I am so thankful that he can call me in the afternoon and I can hear how it went. When he describes what they did it makes me nervous. He tells me which ones he hated and which ones are 'fun'. FUN? Perhaps he was switched at birth.
Dec 11, 2013