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Hi Michelle!! I haven't seen you in so long - and your son is now in Boot Camp? Wasn't he EOD? My son's division also won overall Captain's Cup and was on track for Hall of Fame - just a few points off on Battlestations and they didn't make it except they know they made it in their hearts. I wonder if your son has the same RDC's? My son loved their RDC's...the whole division did. Do you know their names?

Oops, just read below and see that your son did end up EOD. Where do they train for that?

Alright Angie and Michelle our wonderful mother hens, I am going to say adeu to the Deppers group.. I received my recruits first official letter today. Complete with address, PIR date and a lengthy note on the back(she wrote small, got in 6 lines).She sounds great, healthy!!! and upbeat. What more could a mother ask. I want to say thankyou to the many members of this group for the past 6 months of support, question answering and laughs. It has kept me going. JM

This is to let you all know that my son is leaving on nov 17;yesterday we went to the Navy ofc and I told them about the date he was supose to leave,that was the 11th (Veterans Day) and they said everything is closed,so they verified that is the17th.My son asked if he could leave earlier but they said no;he is so happy that he's leaving (and I'm so SAD!!!) of course he doesn't know how I really feel...But this, has been all that he dreamed of,entering the armed forces.I will keep suporting him always;he is a very good son.!!Bless you all!!

Congratulations!! Michelle, I like that HOO YAHHH exclamation; I hear my son doing it and I like the sound.
God bless them all and their families!! Nice day to you all!!

Yes! Congratulations!!
Have a happy and safe trip!

I read that they can take a pocket bible and a pocket address & tel book.
Have a nice day all!!!

Hi ladies... a little setback in my daughter's journey to the Navy, and I hope it doesn't mess any of her plans up. In our last volleyball game someone came down really hard on her foot and broke a bone in the top of it. She's going to be in a walking cast for 6 weeks, and then hopefully we'll be able to start training for rescue swimming again. But my question is this: do any of you know if this is going to be any type of set back for her just to qualify for the Navy? She called her recruiter and he didn't know, he said he'd have to check with his chief. I guess he's never had anyone in DEP break a bone before. Have any of you had any experience with something happening to you DEPper before their ship date? Her ship date isn't until July, so I'm thinking that it will heal and things will just go on as normal. Maybe they will make her take another physical to make sure the injury doesn't affect her ability to be in the Navy. Any insights?
Thanks!

Thanks for the answer Lynn. That's kind of what I had figured out. If it were closer to the ship date, they might drop her from DEP, make her heal and then make her re-enlist. Luckily there is plenty of time to heal up and get back in shape. She had been training very hard for rescue swimming, so she was very strong and in good shape. I understand about the muscles and ligaments being weakened. She's still working on her upper body strenthening exercises, but when the cast comes off she'll have some work to do on getting the lower leg back in shape. Everything happens for a reason right? Good thing this didn't happen 6 months from now or it might be a different story.

My son graduated boot camp a couple of weeks ago and talks about how his active participation as a depper made his experience MUCH easier than what others experienced. I was surprised to find occassionally that recruits were struggling with tests and physical assessments and each time I read those posts I'd worry a bit more about my son. He said that because he had been so active in DEP he was in good shape and had the knowledge he needed. The DEP program really paid off for him!

A few other thoughts/recommendations:

1. Talk with your depper before they leave about how they'd like to handle difficult situations that might come up while they're in boot camp. Find out if they'd prefer to be notified if something happens while in boot camp, or if they'd prefer you wait until they graduate. This will help you know what they would want just in case something happens while they're in boot camp, instead of guessing. I was surprised that there were several situations during our graduation group where moms had to decide what to do.

2. Send your depper to boot camp with their cell phone. If it's an expensive one that you don't want to risk, pick-up a cheap one they could take with them. While they're traveling they might have a chance to call or text at some point, and they can use their own phone to call you when they arrive. Some of the phones at Great Lakes don't work really well, with static and such. If the recruit has their own phone they can use it, have a little bit longer (ok, maybe just a few more seconds) and when they box their personal belongings to send home they'll take the battery out, and send home their phone and battery. You'll find them along with other items they can't keep in their shoes (of all places!).

3. If knowing some of the details of what your depper will experience during boot camp is helpful to you (which would make sense for most of us on this site), I highly recommend reading "Honor, Courage, Committment - Navy Boot Camp". It's a book that describes the experience of a division that went through boot camp in 2001 and was very insightful and helpful for me. While there have been a variety of changes since 2001, much is the same and it was really cool to read the book and have some insights into my son's experience.

4. Enjoy every moment with your depper before they leave. You'll have TOO much time after they leave for tasks and housework. Have fun, enjoy family experiences, take lots of pictures, and treasure your time. It will give you some wonderful memories to help you through your time in boot camp. And, it may give you some pictures you can send your depper with their letters.

5. Finally...pray, have faith, and keep breathing. Turn to family and friends for support when it gets tough, and to this site when people just don't understand your struggles. It's amazing the similarities in our Navy Mom experiences.

Best of luck to you!

Apparently my son's RDC's were the exception, he said they actually laughed with the recruits at the musical cards. That definitely sounds like the exception though, so strongly advise against anything other than plain white envelopes. I remember reading a post where someone had a baby picture of their recruit on their N4M page. Apparently the picture (in a sailor suit) showed up in one of the power point training sessions. I always figure that I'd better write on here only things I'd be comfortable with the RDC or anyone reading. Better safe than sorry.

Can you use the AT&T card in a public GL phone?
Have a good night.

I have a son living in Orlando Fl and we are planning to go to my other son's PIR,that should be sometime in January.I live in PR and I was planning to go to Fl,to my son there and go by train (I HATE flying,Iget so nervous that I get sick) but the trip is soo expensive and long;the other way leave from PR to Chicago,is a long way too.
By the way if he gets to GL nov 17;is there a way when the PIR will be..
We need some advice please. Have a nice day all !!

PR means Puerto Rico.

Good afternoon
We found a phone card in Walgreens today (thank God) it has 350 minutes the ones they had with 500 min were intl cards.I got him "Lip Medex" for lip protection.
He had his PT test today and he was the first,thank God;they asked theory questions and he answered them all,the recruiter told him that he has really been studying and working out....THANK GOD!!!!!

Hi all. I'm Arwen, I have a Depper who doesn't leave until April (IT), and another son who has applied to NROTC for engineering. We haven't heard yet if he's in or not.

We're in Brookings, Oregon, which is in the back of beyond on the coast. We have to drive 2 hours to the nearest recruiting station for monthly DEP meetings, and MEPS is more than 8 hours away.

I've created an April Boot Camp Families group for those who have Deppers going that month. So I have two members: Me and Myself. I'd love some company!

Kyle's mom...

Kyle can ask to have his date moved up if he wants. My son Chris wasn't supposed to leave until March 21, his report date was changed to January 21, and he gets to keep his school. There's no guarantee they can find Kyle an earlier slot, but it might happen.

Chris just got a call today, they moved up his ship date AGAIN. He now leaves Dec. 16, just a week-and-a-half away!

We were going to start preparing for his leaving after the holidays. Now we start the whirlwind of preparation: packing his stuff for storage, packing what he wants us to send to A school, etc.

We also have to change my vacation days for his new PIR date and more. Phew!

Thanks Angie. It is crazy, with a week and a half to do the packing we thought we had a month and a half to do. I am greatly relieved that I am an old vet. I now realize what I put my mom through, I only gave her three days! Poor woman, LOL.

I thought I was being generous with three days. I had the option of leaving straight from MEPS. My mom was extra shocked, she didn't think I would actually join the Navy, that I would come home and find something "kinder and gentler" (and closer to home), much less leave within the week. She knew I wanted to join the military, I had been hanging out with recruiters for two years. She never thought I would go through with it.

We lived in Colorado from 2002 to 2008, so snow and sub-freezing temperatures shouldn't be a problem for Chris. I remember trick-or-treating in 5°F temperatures, slogging through six inches of snow one year.

We even have snow in the forecast (an uncommon but not unheard of thing) here (Oregon coast) for tomorrow night. However we never get more than an inch or two of slushy stuff. I miss snow. :~(

As I understand it, you can rent a room in the same hotel, but once they are in for the night they can not leave the room, and they cannot have anyone in their room with them.

You can meet them the next morning, then see them off at the airport, but "free contact" ends when they enter their recruiter's office on their way to MEPS.

Brandy, don't worry about me. The only thing I'm fretting about right now is that it is too early to get him packed. LOL. I'm hugely excited about this and vaguely jealous.

We're mostly getting stuff he can use later for his new portable lifestyle. He loves to read but hauling books around isn't easy, so my parents got him a Kindle, and we loaded it with 200 books in his favorite genre. He can get familiarized with it now, then use it after he hits A school.

We also got him a new iPod and other small, portable electronic devices that will allow him some mental escape time when he needs it.

Would I do it all over again? YES!!! It was an amazing adventure.

44 hours and counting until I turn Chris over to the recruiter.

My other two kids came down with fevers last night and still had them this morning. We're isolating them from Chris. This would be a disastrous time for him to come down with a fever. At least we know it's not the flu, we already suffered through that H1N!, and he's vaccinated for seasonal flu.

Chris made it to MEPS hotel tonight and ships out tomorrow. He's feeling fine.

Well, thank you everyone for your support... and I'm off to the Boot Camp group!

Fair winds and a following sea!

From a mom who's been there, one more thing to do - teach your sons and daughters how to address an envelope, and how may stamps it needs! My first letter from my son had 5 (that's FIVE) stamps on it. It was a lightweight, small envelope. He didn't know how many were needed and didn't want to take a chance on not having enough postage.

We forget that we're dealing with a generation that grew up on email -- free delivery and no limit on weight or size.

Fairiegirl1, I am feeling exactly like you reguarding your son. My son goes to MEPS Tues, 26. HIs Dad and I take him to the recruiter tomorrow. We only got the call that his date was moved up Thursday. I too am trying to be strong and not cry at least not til he's on his way. Our dog Sophie will miss him a lot. They are very good buddies. I will follow your advice and try to breathe and remember he's a good kid and will be fine. I just worry.

Well looks like I am back, almost like a dejavu moment for me. I joined N4M last march when my girl was going to BC in Sept of 09. Didn't expect it, still trying to work through the emotions but now our only son and youngest will follow in his sister's footsteps almost to a year( actually a year and a week later). He too will go into IS and be at VB for A and C school. I guess there is some advantage to having been there done that. While I don't feel as anxious about BC and the Navy, I am still trying to adjust to having 2 kids in the Military.

Hello All,

Well my twin sons are sworn into DEP as of yesterday. They both received HM as their rate but the recruiter will be turning in a DAR next week. They are scheduled to take the DLAB on Tues. and are nervous about it since we have heard it is a difficult test. They came home last night so excited and we are SO proud of them! But I am going to have my only kids leaving at or near the same time. Our house will be empty all at once! Thanks to everyone for all the info on here and I look forward to being a Navy Mom!

Jennifer - That is too funny. The boys both want a CT job. Thanks for the wishes.

Little brother is saying no to puffy but I just might do a picture things that includes his gf and a bunch of his friends. That way he will still feel connected. By the time he gets to Dam Neck for A school his sister will have already left. He will just have to deal with the instructors who knew his big sis. Should be fun, just like it was in high school.

Don't forget the medical POA also know as the Advance Health Care Directive. We also have a document called the HIPPA which grants us control of medical documents if necessary. Hope that helps.

Having passports up to date is helpful too. When they are deployed out of the US is helpful to be able to leave on a moments notice. So I would advise parents and or wife have theirs up to date.

LtTXsmarty - That is great for your son getting CTN. There are few if any CT jobs but MEPS said there are 70 slots for CTI. We have to get the DLAB over. If they do not pass the DLAB they do want CTR or CTN. Both of them are colorblind so they can't have CTT or CTM. The colorblind thing really limits the jobs to about only 20% of all jobs in the Navy and that just stinks for them. They had checked into the Air Force but you can't even have the medical job they have now if you are colorblind.

Angie I was looking for the group with Moms that have more then 1 sailor in and I am having difficulty. Any suggestions. I did find one that was called multiple military but that is with all branches.

I wish my son had taken a phone. I have no idea if he got out of Tampa or not. He could be anywhere! Im not worried. He is 25 and has lived on his own for years. I am just being a mom and wishing I knew something!

Thanks Jackie, that is great he has others with him. Not sure how many were with mine. No others from Tampa. I wish we had known they could keep their phones with. That would have been a comfort for me

I suggest she gets her hair cut short, has to be off the collar the entire stay a BC. At least if she gets it cut on her own it will have some style to it. At BC they just whack it across.

My daughter went to BC last Sept. If you go to the pictures on my page you can see a picture of her cut and how short she made it so it wouldn't need to be cut again. It turned out cute. She was in Vegas just before she left and someone asked if she was a model. Had to laugh because she is such a tomboy and actually blushed about it.

Initial fitness assessment. Has to be passed before they leave for boot camp.

A little concerned here as well. My son was to go in in May as he was going to be a Nuke. Asvab scores high, nuke test high scores, but now they have him listed as going for IT in March. ~supposedly,"they" are waiting on a waiver because he is supposed to be a Nuke, and paper work got fouled up.~ Any suggestions, comments, help from a parental standpoint?

Susanx2. I know how you feel. My first went in last Sept. who was my middle daughter. And now my youngest of 3 and only son will go in in Sept. Not sure if he is going for the right reasons, but we will support him no matter what. Tested well and will go into Intel like his big sis.

Son called last night and what a snafu. He never recieved "the packet" with all the info he was supposed to memorize, was never told that he was suppoed to check in on Mondays, wasn't told until Wed morning that he was supposed to go to PT once a week until BC. This is a kid who is so detail oriented that it was hard for me to believe he didn't have all the information. Bottom line, one of the recruiters messed up, he got his paperwork for Nuke resigns today. His recruiters are trying to get it so he can come back to Indiana ( Indiana wants me, Lord I can't go back there whew showing my age!...) until he goes to BC. Long story short, things are working out! Yeah!

Teachertoo - Our son will be our second child going into the Navy. We told him that we would be packing up his room to store both his and his sisters' things but that the room would be available for whomever was home. His sister packed up her things the previous year. Not thrilled but has accepted our plans. We aren't short of rooms, just practical in using them. Will also work for visiting family instead of "borrowing" on of the kids rooms.

Read an interesting tidbit in an "ann Landers"type column. A couple said they told their children upon high school graduation that each child would have 10 years to remove their belongs from the parents house before the parents would start charging a storage fee. But all things needed to be packed up. Each child had their "stored belongings" cleaned up and out before their 10year "lease" was up.

I have purchased plastic containers for my two boys to start putting away the stuff they really want to keep. But when I go see my parents my mother still gives me a box or two of my stuff to take home. And I am 43 years old!

Ladies you will laugh about this one too. Our son has done sports since he was 4. Year round he had something going on and with Honor and AP classes into high school we felt he shouldn't get a job. We have paid for car payments, insurance, gas and his phone. Well when he finally got a job after high school he took on the job of paying for both his car and insurance, but knowing that with just a part time job he still couldn't pay for everything we still paid for his gas and phone.
We had a heart to heart today and said that once he went to Boot Camp and started getting a full paycheck he would be taking over his phone payments and gas too. You would not believe the incredulous look on his face to realize that he really would have to be responsible for his own bills. The joys of being an adult, they will be growing up fast.