I have been reading so many things on this web page. I love it.It's helping me cope with all my emotions. I want to thank all of you sharing your info. I'm very proud of my son for his future in the Navy. As for me....well its an emotional coaster,as I read on I cry,laugh etc... He is my only child, He is not leaving until 20112501. But I know I have to let go, but I'm having a hard time with it and I know this is just the begining...of a long journey. Thanks again, I'm sure I will be on here alot it's nice to see I'm not the only one going thru this,
OK...so what I see of the Deppers mom's... most should be in August... I get lost with all the g roups LOL I love reading the ones in bootcamp, they make me cry, but I think it helps to prepare for what we will be going through :(
Okay ladies, at the risk of sounding like a dork, the U.S. Postal Service has issued a sheet of stamps called Distinguished Sailors Commemorative stamps. I had to order mine through the website because our post office already stopped selling them. The thing is they are issued in 2010, the same year our children have signed up. The post office issues about 15 new stamps a year and most of the time you can only go back about a year to still get some of them. Then they become unavailable. If you don't feel a need to save them with all the other memorabilia from this time in their lives, then it's a great stamp to attach to all the letters you are sending them. You can go to usps.com, click on the "for education" tab, then "stamp release archives". It should already have the year 2010 in the box then hit "go".
Okay, I admit it I am a dork or maybe all consumed by the Navy, I just rediscovered the sailor on the Crackerjacks box, and the Navy Beans can in the grocery store jumps out at me when I'm going down that isle. I don't even like navy beans. Oh and did I mention, my 11yo son told me I was a N4M junkie. Who knew?
@Proudmom: Yes, there is one female Depper at my son's station. The new female recruiter does plenty by the book. He is doing things that the two prior recruiters didn't have the guys do. He is doing fine with it, he is the type that adjusts to anything. I think it will help all of them though, they need to know certain things by the time they leave and she is making sure they know what they need to know. Nothing wrong with that, the only thing is that he could walk in anytime and shoot the breeze with the guys and now he really can't. I am sure it will work out just fine for all the recruits.
Tisha - thanks for the stamp info. I have some sheets of stamps for other things my girls have done. I'll order some stamps, I did not know about these.
My family wants to start a support group & take my computer alway from me. My name is Claire & I'm an N4M junkie......
I know some of your loved one's haven't even gotten to boot camp yet, and some of you are still waiting for your form letter to arrive telling you what division your recruit is in, but I wanted to let everyone know about this.
Grad & Go update: If your sailor is a G&G, please read this!!!
The Navy doesn't do this often, but I wanted to prepare you guys just in case! One group of sailors in PIR 7/23 were on a Chartered Flight. Those are different from regular flights, as they don't go into the airport and check in like a normal passenger. Which means that their parents never saw them in the lobby and were not able to say their goodbyes or hand them their cell phones. The weather was also very bad in Chicago yesterday, so there were lots of delayed flights. Those sailors who were on normal flights were able to spend more time with their families at the airport because of those delays (so that was good!), but the experience with the Charted Flight group was NOT pleasant. Please go to the Grad & Go Info group and read the recent posts and a new discussion to prepare yourself. Knowledge is not only powerful, it's calming too. Click on the hyperlink (blue underlined words) to get to that group.
Lesson learned: Always say goodbye and I love you each day, because you never know if you will get to see your sailor the next day. Of course, we should do that with anyone who is special in our lives, not just our sailors!
Yes, our recruits can take cell phones to bootcamp, but they are shipped back in the "kid box" the night they arrive - but it was so good to be able to talk and text my son until he had to put it in the box. That phone will come back in two pieces because it is always safer to remove the battery from any electronic device before mailing it - so look for them in strange places, like their shoes or a pocket. Don't just throw their clothes into the hamper or washing machine!!
Send your recruit with at least two phone cards and some stamps. Writing paper and envelopes are provided to them. Also, YES, they can bring and keep their wallets at boot camp, just don't send a lot of cash ($25 or less). YES they can bring and keep a debit & credit card. Yes, they can have photos in their wallet (and they will look at them all the time, so add some new ones for them!). Put a small piece of paper in their wallets with all your contact numbers. Most kids don't know our work number or cell number by heart - because they are programed into their cell phones, so if they have these numbers handy in their wallets, they won't go blank when they finally are able to call you! Surprise you recruit by slipping a note into their wallet before they leave - so many have written to their moms saying that little note keep them alive while they waited for their real mail to arrive.
They receive mail 6 days a week at bc, but they won't get any for at least 2 weeks - please prepare them now for this! Once mail service begins for them, then it takes about 7-8 days to receive a letter from home, but we get their letters in about 3-4 days. So date your letters, and put the date you mailed it on the back of the envelope. That way, when the mail does catch up with them and they have 15 pieces of it in front of them, they will know which letter to read first!
What is this addiction thing you are all talking about? I am not addicted at all. I can go away on a trip and wonder what is going on. I can come back and pace around until my children will get off the computer. I can log on to my email and umm cant wait to see if anyone has commented on this website. I am addicted. What time are those meetings? Who cares this is the best addiction and I am not giving it up!
Becky (jakesmamma),
I'm a silent junkie most of the time, lol. I'm mostly on my PIR group 9/2 and bootcamp moms group now that my son has gone. I try to step over here when I can. JessicaB and Sobe are awesome in giving out information to all the groups. One of them suggested reading from groups ahead of yours to get a heads up on what to expect, come on over, we're a lively bunch.
When does Jake leave?
Just wanted to say hi...just found this group and my husband leaves for GL on Sept 8 and we're both very excited. This group has great discussions and information. :)
@Proudmom, you can "ramble" anytime you want to. I like reading what you write. My son just graduated high school and will be going "Nuke." He will be 18 on 07 August and it just doesn't seem possible. He was just born and now I have to let him go.............that is a tough one. I don't think real hard about him going, I will cry if I do so for right now I don't., I can talk about it, just not think about too hard. I know that he will do awesome, just having a hard time letting him grown up. He has been doing things and not being home much, I do know that he will come home. Then in less than eight weeks, he won't be home for a while. It will be very strange, my other two K's will truly miss having him home. To think what our golden retriever will do, she loves him so much. She walks around and around when he is not home, so what will she do when he leaves for BC? We will get through it as the other moms get through it.
I read that there is an online course on www.nko.navy.mil through the Apprentice Technical Training program for DEPers who are to go to AECF after bootcamp where they can study for the classes in AECF. Does anyone have knowledge of this? I told my son to ask his recruiter. see below:
By Susan M. Koerner, Training Support Center, Great Lakes Public Affairs
GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- The Apprentice Technical Training (ATT) program, available through Navy Knowledge Online (NKO), is providing the opportunity for Delayed Entry Program (DEP) Sailors who choose advanced technical fields to get a head start on training for their Navy careers.
The ATT core school at the Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Great Lakes is the first stop for Sailors in technical ratings after boot camp. Once they complete the school, they will go on to “A” School, depending on their rating.
“This [program] offers future Sailors who aren't in the Navy yet, a chance to get a head start on their schoolwork," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Roger Hanson, an instructor at ATT who provides technical and curriculum assistance to students in the DEP Program.
"An added bonus to the program is that it saves the Navy money because the total time to train is reduced once the student reaches ATT.”
Hello everyone. My son just signed his DEP, but I'm not new to the Navy or to trying to adjust to separation pangs. I was a Navy wife for twelve years, he was born while we were stationed in CT and his dad was a nuke. His dad and I divorced when he was ten, but I feel like I was always a single mom.
When my son graduated high school three years ago, he had a full scholarship and when I sent him off to college I thought he was set. He surprised me by flunking out and losing his scholarship after three semesters. He's been drifting through life since and I feel like his decision to join the Navy is a step in the right direction (finally).
He's living with me now for the first time since he left for college and it's hard for me to adjust to the changes in his behavior and our relationship. I have a year or whatever until he actually ships out for BC and I feel like I need to use this time to get to know the person he is now just to have to let him go all over again. Bah lol.
Ok, so that's me and where I am at this moment. I'm glad this site is here, it reminds me a lot of the phone trees and support of the wives when our guys were out to sea. Happy Friday!
I recently saw that someone posted information about the picture packages offered at the RTC for BC. Does anyone know where to find this info? I looked at my daughters and can't find what was available in package A. Help please.
Thanks for the info.I am one who likes to budget plus I wanted to put the photo money in her account so she would order the everything when the time comes. What is the keel/ cruise book?
By the time my son got his pictures done, he'd had two actual paychecks, and there aren't a lot of opportunities for them to spend it. By the time he graduated from boot camp he had $1,700 in his account after paying for pictures, yearbook, DVD and division t-shirts for the whole family. So your son should be fine.
kk, recruits do not buy their uniforms. They get a "uniform allowance" when they join of $1,100 - $1,400 to pay for the uniforms. They never actually see it, it is deposited into their account, then immediately removed. It covers all of their uniforms. I broke the whole thing down (with details of exactly they receive for that allowance) in a discussion post in the section above.
Recruits only pay for non-uniform items, including underwear, tennis shoes, shampoo, etc, which pretty much eats up their first paycheck. They don't get a real paycheck until the end of their second pay period.
If they paid for their uniforms they wouldn't get a paycheck until their fourth pay period (just before PIR).
Hi Guys...
My daughter just shipped out today! It has been a day and now I feel kinda numb. She is excited and now I am already just waiting by the phone.
Not ready to leave this group though. while mostly I am a lurker, I have found some great information and great people on this site. My other daughter is DEPping in soon....
Yall are so sweet to stay with the deppers a little longer :) My girl leaves Monday, so I guess I have to graduate to Boot Camp moms, which I follow and love, but I want to be held back LOL it's like kindergarten to first grade, I don't want her to go (or grow up) You gals are the best.... thanks for all the wonderful posts I read!
What a whirlwind the last two weeks have been. Seby just finished his last bowling tournament. Brought home the Gold in Teams and the Silver in Individuals. So proud of him. We had his going to the Navy party on the 31st. What a great night. His childhood best friend and family came from NY to be with us until the end. Thank God, I will not be alone. I know that this is the next step of his journey in life and he is so ready but Mom not so ready. I guess I just have to hang on tight.
Im studying my general orders and books now just to make sure and im not sure about pt... Im not a big runner but from what I heard by the end you will pass =]
Hi kimbob... you go girl!! My Tiffany is making flash cards for her ranks and whatever else yall have to learn. Where are flying out of?? We are all very proud of you :)
Brandon got a good job with a construstion Co building horse stables down the street from our house. He really likes it and is learning alot, he does not know anything about construction. He is now thinking that he would like to stay untill his the contract date he has now March 29 and not go early. He thinks he could save a bunch of money between now and then. We will see, I guess it is up to him. Hope all is well with all the other DEPers. Danielle
Well, Seby just received his call from the office. Final DEP meeting and PT test before he leaves on the 10th. He is exhausted! His best friend has been here from NY with his family for a week and well you know how it goes - NO SLEEP. So happy they are here so I don't have to face the departure blues alone.
I am flying out of texas. Im getting really nervous. Im ready to start my second life but very nervous about pt. Im not a big runner. Im not completely out of shape but hate running lol. How are yalls daughters doing?
kimbob my Tiffany has not been allowed to excersize... her recruiter wants her to put on weight, so she's been lazy all summer, I think it's going to hurt her :( She is flying out of Houston on Aug 9. I think the pt for you guys will be ok, like you said earlier, you get there in the end :)
kimbob my daughter runs 6 miles almost everyday plus jumpsrope and other exercise. She will have to slow it down because she has lost 2 pounds and her body fat lost is almost where they say is too low. My daughter is already small and cant afford to lose anymore weight. She is getting close to the min. weight. The good thing is she eats alot .lol Stay positive. You wil be able to run the 1.5 miles with encouragement from the other recruits and you will not be the only one.
My son, who has always been athletic has been training with a Velocity coach 3 times a week. It will help with his stamina, not only for the runs they have to do but for the IT they end up doing too. Our daughter who went in a year ago went to a personal trainer who whipped her into shape. Said it was almost too easy but not enough warm up and cool down at BC.
Ok Ive officially become a stalker LOL Ive been on the PIR 8/6/2010 group reading every post and crying just about every other message Its so emotional even reading other mom's posting about their child trip through boot camp I guess I do have a personal interest in that group as my son's friend is in div 269 which goes through Battlestations tonite I went out early this week and even bought a blue candle to burn tonite for her
I just imagine what a basket case Im gonna be since my son doesnt even go to bootcamp until Feb so PIR wont be until April 2010 HooYah
Hi All,
Brand new here. A few weeks ago my son signed up for the DEP program. He has his job (hospital Corpsman) and his ship date is 7/2011 about 2 1/2 weeks after he's due to graduate high school. 11 months....I can not even begin to descibe all of my emotions. I'm a single mom and he's my only child. Proud doesn't do my most constant emotion justice. It's been him and I agianst the world. Just wanted to introduce myself and I think I will be coming here multiple times a day LOL.
He's very excited and has been reading everything they gave him at MEPS. He's almost 18 so of course knows EVERYTHING about everything and doesn't listen to my advice. Fun times are going to be had by all over the next 11 months...*sarcasim. LOL.
I"m pretty logical, and I"m not a cryer, but I have been finding myself getting a little teary the last week or so, especially when I started reading the posts here.
Part of me is so excited for him, so proud of him and what he choose as his job. Part of me is wondering what I am going to do once he leaves home, the house will be so quiet. The last part of me, the mean part, can't wait for him to get a taste of what the Navy life is going to be. It's going to be a very rude awakening for him, but I know that he will take to it like a fish to water once he gets use to it. He has told me countless times how he will get to have 8 hrs sleep in boot. I laugh and have learned to just nod and say "Ok".
Our relationship is very good and I am so glad for that, but with it comes a certian amount of "Passionate Discussion". We are a family with very strong opinions with little fear of expressing said opinions, couple that with a very wide stubborn streak and things can get heated. LOL.
Are there any other single moms with only children going in or that have already left?
I apologize if my post seems a bit disjointed, but that's kinda where I am at the moment, disjointed LOL
I got 2 letters today =] My fiance is doing great. He has been in a month and says its easy after the first couple weeks. He says the tests are hard so study study study.
kimbob, you are going in and you also have a fiance in? WOW!
Janet, I cannot imagine doing it all over again (and I've yet to begin) I am sure you are one very proud momma!!!! Congrats on raising some good kids.
kk I was a single mom for awhile and I brought my kids up spoiled (not in the monetary form, but the no responsibilities form) they take everything for granted, I still do all their laundry, dishes, etc.. they are 21, 18 and 16. They only clean their room if they have a friend coming over... they are spoiled rotten, I am happy for my daughter to get this dose of reality, yet scared to death for her because I did shelter her as much as I did. My kids have no responsibilities, they each have a car (used not new LOL) they get spending money for everything, they have it made. MY stupidity, hopefully they will grow up.... and I think it will be my Sailor Girl who will be the most responsible of all!!! Good luck to all of you!
lol yes i know its alot and im not going to lie im stressed all the time and my head is always going 100 to 0 thinking about bootcamp and my fiance and then how were going to get married... Its crazy lol but god keeps me going even though i have those days where i feel like i want to give up
kbfx1
Jul 23, 2010
Tiff'sMom (Sharon)
Jul 24, 2010
Tiff'sMom (Sharon)
Jul 24, 2010
Fleur de lis Mom
Jul 24, 2010
Tisha Div 290 PIR 9/02
Okay, I admit it I am a dork or maybe all consumed by the Navy, I just rediscovered the sailor on the Crackerjacks box, and the Navy Beans can in the grocery store jumps out at me when I'm going down that isle. I don't even like navy beans. Oh and did I mention, my 11yo son told me I was a N4M junkie. Who knew?
Jul 24, 2010
Sharon ~ K's Mom
Jul 24, 2010
Fleur de lis Mom
My family wants to start a support group & take my computer alway from me. My name is Claire & I'm an N4M junkie......
Jul 24, 2010
Tisha Div 290 PIR 9/02
Jul 25, 2010
SOBE,PIR 6/4/10 IT Mom, Italy
Grad & Go update: If your sailor is a G&G, please read this!!!
The Navy doesn't do this often, but I wanted to prepare you guys just in case! One group of sailors in PIR 7/23 were on a Chartered Flight. Those are different from regular flights, as they don't go into the airport and check in like a normal passenger. Which means that their parents never saw them in the lobby and were not able to say their goodbyes or hand them their cell phones. The weather was also very bad in Chicago yesterday, so there were lots of delayed flights. Those sailors who were on normal flights were able to spend more time with their families at the airport because of those delays (so that was good!), but the experience with the Charted Flight group was NOT pleasant. Please go to the Grad & Go Info group and read the recent posts and a new discussion to prepare yourself. Knowledge is not only powerful, it's calming too. Click on the hyperlink (blue underlined words) to get to that group.
Lesson learned: Always say goodbye and I love you each day, because you never know if you will get to see your sailor the next day. Of course, we should do that with anyone who is special in our lives, not just our sailors!
Jul 25, 2010
Fleur de lis Mom
Jul 25, 2010
SOBE,PIR 6/4/10 IT Mom, Italy
Yes, our recruits can take cell phones to bootcamp, but they are shipped back in the "kid box" the night they arrive - but it was so good to be able to talk and text my son until he had to put it in the box. That phone will come back in two pieces because it is always safer to remove the battery from any electronic device before mailing it - so look for them in strange places, like their shoes or a pocket. Don't just throw their clothes into the hamper or washing machine!!
Send your recruit with at least two phone cards and some stamps. Writing paper and envelopes are provided to them. Also, YES, they can bring and keep their wallets at boot camp, just don't send a lot of cash ($25 or less). YES they can bring and keep a debit & credit card. Yes, they can have photos in their wallet (and they will look at them all the time, so add some new ones for them!). Put a small piece of paper in their wallets with all your contact numbers. Most kids don't know our work number or cell number by heart - because they are programed into their cell phones, so if they have these numbers handy in their wallets, they won't go blank when they finally are able to call you! Surprise you recruit by slipping a note into their wallet before they leave - so many have written to their moms saying that little note keep them alive while they waited for their real mail to arrive.
They receive mail 6 days a week at bc, but they won't get any for at least 2 weeks - please prepare them now for this! Once mail service begins for them, then it takes about 7-8 days to receive a letter from home, but we get their letters in about 3-4 days. So date your letters, and put the date you mailed it on the back of the envelope. That way, when the mail does catch up with them and they have 15 pieces of it in front of them, they will know which letter to read first!
Jul 25, 2010
tks4
Jul 25, 2010
Tisha Div 290 PIR 9/02
I'm a silent junkie most of the time, lol. I'm mostly on my PIR group 9/2 and bootcamp moms group now that my son has gone. I try to step over here when I can. JessicaB and Sobe are awesome in giving out information to all the groups. One of them suggested reading from groups ahead of yours to get a heads up on what to expect, come on over, we're a lively bunch.
When does Jake leave?
Jul 25, 2010
Brooklyn
Jul 26, 2010
Cathi
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir9172010
Jul 27, 2010
Arwen
Jul 27, 2010
Sharon ~ K's Mom
Jul 28, 2010
Cathi
Jul 30, 2010
chew92
By Susan M. Koerner, Training Support Center, Great Lakes Public Affairs
GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- The Apprentice Technical Training (ATT) program, available through Navy Knowledge Online (NKO), is providing the opportunity for Delayed Entry Program (DEP) Sailors who choose advanced technical fields to get a head start on training for their Navy careers.
The ATT core school at the Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Great Lakes is the first stop for Sailors in technical ratings after boot camp. Once they complete the school, they will go on to “A” School, depending on their rating.
“This [program] offers future Sailors who aren't in the Navy yet, a chance to get a head start on their schoolwork," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Roger Hanson, an instructor at ATT who provides technical and curriculum assistance to students in the DEP Program.
"An added bonus to the program is that it saves the Navy money because the total time to train is reduced once the student reaches ATT.”
Jul 30, 2010
Moliana (1142T)
When my son graduated high school three years ago, he had a full scholarship and when I sent him off to college I thought he was set. He surprised me by flunking out and losing his scholarship after three semesters. He's been drifting through life since and I feel like his decision to join the Navy is a step in the right direction (finally).
He's living with me now for the first time since he left for college and it's hard for me to adjust to the changes in his behavior and our relationship. I have a year or whatever until he actually ships out for BC and I feel like I need to use this time to get to know the person he is now just to have to let him go all over again. Bah lol.
Ok, so that's me and where I am at this moment. I'm glad this site is here, it reminds me a lot of the phone trees and support of the wives when our guys were out to sea. Happy Friday!
Jul 30, 2010
JM-ISmomx2
Jul 31, 2010
tks4
Jul 31, 2010
lovinmyfuturesailor
Jul 31, 2010
JM-ISmomx2
Jul 31, 2010
Arwen
Jul 31, 2010
Arwen
Recruits only pay for non-uniform items, including underwear, tennis shoes, shampoo, etc, which pretty much eats up their first paycheck. They don't get a real paycheck until the end of their second pay period.
If they paid for their uniforms they wouldn't get a paycheck until their fourth pay period (just before PIR).
Aug 1, 2010
MandE'smom(Hi, I'm Mary)
My daughter just shipped out today! It has been a day and now I feel kinda numb. She is excited and now I am already just waiting by the phone.
Not ready to leave this group though. while mostly I am a lurker, I have found some great information and great people on this site. My other daughter is DEPping in soon....
Hugs!
Aug 2, 2010
Tiff'sMom (Sharon)
Aug 3, 2010
kimbob699
Aug 3, 2010
kimbob699
Aug 3, 2010
Kat Q
Aug 3, 2010
kimbob699
Aug 3, 2010
Tiff'sMom (Sharon)
Aug 3, 2010
OMG hes a Sailor (div180)
Aug 4, 2010
Kat Q
Aug 4, 2010
kimbob699
Aug 4, 2010
Tiff'sMom (Sharon)
Aug 4, 2010
kimbob699
Aug 4, 2010
kimbob699
Aug 4, 2010
tks4
Aug 4, 2010
kimbob699
Aug 4, 2010
JM-ISmomx2
Aug 4, 2010
Angie (Dan's Mom)
I just imagine what a basket case Im gonna be since my son doesnt even go to bootcamp until Feb so PIR wont be until April 2010 HooYah
Aug 4, 2010
kimbob699
Aug 4, 2010
roxx7777
Brand new here. A few weeks ago my son signed up for the DEP program. He has his job (hospital Corpsman) and his ship date is 7/2011 about 2 1/2 weeks after he's due to graduate high school. 11 months....I can not even begin to descibe all of my emotions. I'm a single mom and he's my only child. Proud doesn't do my most constant emotion justice. It's been him and I agianst the world. Just wanted to introduce myself and I think I will be coming here multiple times a day LOL.
Aug 5, 2010
roxx7777
Aug 5, 2010
roxx7777
Part of me is so excited for him, so proud of him and what he choose as his job. Part of me is wondering what I am going to do once he leaves home, the house will be so quiet. The last part of me, the mean part, can't wait for him to get a taste of what the Navy life is going to be. It's going to be a very rude awakening for him, but I know that he will take to it like a fish to water once he gets use to it. He has told me countless times how he will get to have 8 hrs sleep in boot. I laugh and have learned to just nod and say "Ok".
Our relationship is very good and I am so glad for that, but with it comes a certian amount of "Passionate Discussion". We are a family with very strong opinions with little fear of expressing said opinions, couple that with a very wide stubborn streak and things can get heated. LOL.
Are there any other single moms with only children going in or that have already left?
I apologize if my post seems a bit disjointed, but that's kinda where I am at the moment, disjointed LOL
Aug 5, 2010
kimbob699
Aug 5, 2010
Tiff'sMom (Sharon)
Janet, I cannot imagine doing it all over again (and I've yet to begin) I am sure you are one very proud momma!!!! Congrats on raising some good kids.
kk I was a single mom for awhile and I brought my kids up spoiled (not in the monetary form, but the no responsibilities form) they take everything for granted, I still do all their laundry, dishes, etc.. they are 21, 18 and 16. They only clean their room if they have a friend coming over... they are spoiled rotten, I am happy for my daughter to get this dose of reality, yet scared to death for her because I did shelter her as much as I did. My kids have no responsibilities, they each have a car (used not new LOL) they get spending money for everything, they have it made. MY stupidity, hopefully they will grow up.... and I think it will be my Sailor Girl who will be the most responsible of all!!! Good luck to all of you!
Aug 5, 2010
kimbob699
Aug 5, 2010