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katiegail , whatever it is im sure it will all work out it is fantastic that he chose to do this he is assuring all of you with a brite future !!! Good for him AND it is something he will be able to use as a carrer when he gets out !!! Glad we have eachother on here to get us through !! have a good day !!

Only six more days until my first born leaves for boot camp.:'(

How often do they move the date up? My son graduates from HS at the beginning of June. Im wanting to plan a last family trip but dont know what the chance of it is.

Diane, if he's still in high school chances are they won't move his date up unless he graduates early. Usually recruits have to request a move-up date to get an earlier school. Some recruits make the request without their parents' knowledge, then tell them "the Navy did it." They don't want to hurt their parents' feelings, don't want to tell parents that they want to leave earlier than scheduled.

HI, just stepping in to say hello. Time is moving quickly. My son leaves for BC in November. I am just trying to reconnect since I have been out of the loop for some time.

Hi Catherine, It is nice to have you here again. My son ships October 25th and time is flying for me. Kathy

Hi everyone. My son spent some time today on the local base with a navy seal who put him and 4 other recruits through the physical training that they will encounter at BC. I have to say it was a real wake up call for him. He thought he was in shape but found out quickly that he is not in navy shape. It was a great experience for him and I hope other DEPper's are doing this.

Hi everyone,
Well I just wanted to say hi. my son Ryan went and did some physical training today, he said was really easy. He is in good shape. He told me he is going to start running every day until he leaves next month. Of course it is 110 degrees here but he is use to the heat.
As for Ryan's Dad. I dont think he told him yet that he is enlisted in the Navy. Oh well, I figure if he wants him to know he will tell him.
Diana

Hi Ladies... I was here, not too long ago and wanted to share a story that I did with the August Deppers... my daughter left August 9th and I miss her like crazy... please feel free to friend me to either see the pics I took or just to talk! :) Hang in there... time will FLY by fast... cherish what time you have! :)OK... short story made long (if you know me, when I write, I don't shut up!!)

For those who have not sent their kids off to MEPS or the Hotel yet.. go look at my pics on my page here. TIffany and I did this to our cars the nite before she left. When she got to the hotel, we were in the elevator and one of the girls asked if she was Tiffany, we said yes and she said her dad felt bad because he didn't have a bumper sticker and thought he could have done this. Then at MEPS when Tiffie was being processed, the lady asked if her mom drove a suburban, she said yes, and the lady said, I Love your car!! She was proud of herself for coming up with the idea, we even did the "NEW" boyfriends car (he leaves for Navy on Sept 7) I have not washed my car, I don't know when I will.

Today, driving to the Post Office to mail 30 cans of Pringles to Iraq for my other daughters boyfriend, a man was honking at me...I was like "What does that lady want from me?" My daughter was like "Mom, that is a man and he has a bumper sticker that says "Navy Dad" I was like...OHHH he looked like a girl to me (whatever... who can tell now-a-days!!) So, He kept trying to keep "down" with us, I drive slow! LOL and Brittney was like hurry up... I don't want him to make me roll my window down.... finally he went one way, we the other. :) NOW.... about the Pringles.... Pringles cost: 25.00.... shipping to Iraq... 37.00 That is the most money I have ever spent on stupid fake chips!!!!!

They will love the pringles and the happiness of receiving the chips will be worth the cost of shipping them. My daughter and her friend used to bake homemade cookies to send overseas for the troops. They would make at least 30 dozen of all types from scratch. It would take them all day and several days. Then we would have to pay for the packaging and shipping. Can get costly but when they arrived they were gone within minutes. This was the highlight for these soldiers.

@TiffsMom: THANK YOU for the awesome idea for the cars! I will be doing this too!! I was just thinking of what I could do that would be special and you posted this message. Too Cool!!

Found out today that our son's male recruiter has been reassigned and we don't know why. The staff at this office has been totally changed over the past two months. They placed a female recruiter in this office last month and she hasn't been very nice about things. There have been three male recruiters and now they are gone! Today we find out there is another female. The guys have worked with the male recruiters for so long and now there are two females and they don't know the guys and will be doing the testing. It is a bit upsetting to make these changes when our son only has one month left as a DEPper. I am not sure why all the changes have been made. I can only pray that it will so smooth.

We experienced something simular when our daughter went in last year. In the time she was in the dep program she has a total of 3 different recruiters. I left the Navy, 1 was denied reupping on his contract so we just got moved to a 3rd person. Very frustrating and things fell through the cracks. Make sure you ask questions.

My son was sworn in on Monday for the delayed entry program. He will be leaving Aug 2011. He has talked about going earlier if he can after he graduates from high school in the spring. My other son joined and left quickly so I did not have the time to think about him leaving. I have a whole year to stress about him being gone. He is really kinda of excited I do not know if he realizes what he has done yet. His recruiter has already told us he probably will be gone before my son is next year by a couple of months.

Tiffs Mom laughing about the Pringles - that will be me sending to my son if needed. He loves his Pringles Still waiting for letter and box. Driving me crazy waiting.

@JM. Thanks. My son left today to spend a few days down in Hilton Head with his girlfriend. She will be heading to college on 01 September and they wanted one last summ er vacation. He will see how things go when he gets back and he has to go through his final physicial and fitness testing. He lets things roll off his back, but still...........he doesn't like what has happened in this recruiting office and to have these guys gone when they were a great support and encouragement is just sad.

My son's recruiter showed up today with his waiver and nuke contract. His new ship date is May 3rd, 2011. It seems so far away but I know the time will fly by.

*hugs* to all

Well, It is official. My son got the order yesterday that he leaves for Boot Camp on Sunday. We have to have him at the office by 9:00 AM.

By the way is there a Navy Call. A friend of mine is an Army mom and they holler "Hooah" so I was wondering what the Navy moms say.

The Navy call is "Hoo-ya"

Marines= Hoo-raah
pronounced: who-rah 2 sylables

Army= Hooooah
pronounced: houuuh 1 sylable

Thank you Arwen.
No I can cyber holler back to my friend.

Our son always used the word, "aye" when he was little. We don't know where he came up with it, he just started saying it when he started talking. It was so cute, there were times that he would say, "ayyyyyyyeeeeee mum." Sure brings back a smile on my face. Now, to think that he will be saying it as an adult. Memories.......

dee-Good Luck, your ex's statement brought tears to my eyes what a great way to think about it. For whatever individual reason our children feel the need to serve. God Bless all of them!

Congrats Dee! I hope that I can be that strong. I tear up just reading everyones posts. God Bless our Children and Go Navy!

Dee - you do not know me but I loved what your ex had to say. I look at my son and think this time last year I did not think you were going to get your head screwed on right and do something and then he signs up and what your ex said is exactly how I feel about my son today.

"Aye" is still used. It means "heard and understood." Usually it follows a repeat of the original instruction, ie:

Bridge officer: "Bring the ship to full speed."
Sailor: "ship to full speed, aye, sir."

dee, it will be more like 4 weeks to get the first call. It happens at the end of the Week 3 of training, and the first week (P-week) doesn't count toward that three weeks.

It's common for them to let recruits to use their cell phones for the "I'm here" call. They have a limited number of phones, and many of them are in poor condition. So they ask any recruits who have their cell phones to please use them.

The best part of the recruit having their cell phone on the way to boot camp is that you can talk to them at the airports, so you can follow their progress until they actually get on the bus to Great Lakes.

They send the phones home in two parts. They put the battery in one shoe, and the phone in the other to keep the phone from shaking around in the box. So be sure to check the shoes for cell phones or other electronics!

My son went for his 30 day today. I've been through it before but is is still nerve racking. 1 month left.

@JM, feeling for you as we are less than 30 days. Diego has been in S.C. for the week and will do his 30 Day exam next week. It is nerve wacking for me right now, I just feel stress every day. I just want everything to work out for him.

What is a 30 day? Our son (Lin) leaves Sept 28th so he is almost at 30 days.

Jtm - 30 day is just what it sounds like. It is a comprehensivs check in, 30 days before they are expected to report to their recruiter to leave for MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). They are checked over and even given a drug test, it is just a final check to make sure everything is still on track to go to BC. This is a repeat trip for us as our daughter went in almost exactly 1 year ago.

Son doesnt leave til Feb 2011, how can I meet people who will be at great lakes the same time? Where can I go to become more informed on Navy lingo?

Charley, a new retiree-greeter at Wal-Mart, just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean-shaven, sharp minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their "Older Person Friendly" policies.

One day the boss called him into the office for a talk.

"Charlie, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang up job, but your being late so often is quite bothersome."

"Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it."

''Well good, you are a team player. That's what I like to hear. It's odd though your coming in late. I know you're retired from the Armed Forces. What did they say if you came in late there?"

''They said, "Good morning Admiral, can I get your coffee, sir?'''

Arwen................I LOVE IT!!!!!

Arwen - I needed a laugh this morning. Thanks.

Please pray for my son he has been staying at friends homes that last week. I just want him to come home. He does not go to boot camp untill march. He thinks he is 18 he should be able to do what he wants and not respect our rules. I want to have a good relationship when he leaves. We love him so much. thanks

Brandon'smom -We will keep you all in our prayers. We recently went through this past summer what you are experiencing with you son now. Our son felt he was 18 & could do whatever he wished. It took a while but our son finally came around. It's hard but be patient- there is light at the end of the tunnel.

thanks he is here now but is not acting like he wants to be here. It just makes me very sad. All we want is respect for our home and our rules. I love him and tell him that every time I talk to him. Thanks girls!

When people get ready to leave, whether it's for boot camp or for a deployment, they tend to try to distance themselves from their loved ones. They pick fights, become royal a-holes, and generally become unpleasant to be around. Like your son, they may begin to spend all their time elsewhere, often with casual friends rather than close friends.

Why? It makes the day that they leave less painful. It's easier to not say goodbye because you've been fighting, or to have an angry distance between you when it's time to say goodbye. It's a self-protective reaction to impending loss.

My son is home on leave, getting ready to go to Japan for three years, and he's doing it. He has his headphones on all the time and is simply less "engaged" with the family than he was for the first two weeks of his leave. He's yelling at his sister and arguing with his brother. He just about went ballistic Thursday when he learned his brother is meeting with the Air Force recruiter rather than the Navy chief who was his recruiter.

A week or two after they are gone, that pain of separation and the anger they manufacture is past, and they again crave contact from their loved ones. Letters, phone calls, any kind of contact, they all become precious, and the reunion is joyous. Then the cycle starts all over again.

Good Morning everyone !!! My son also is ready to go !!! he is a senior this year and def. has senioritis , He has always been an "old soul " so to speak and his sisters are older than him (he is the baby) He said everyone at school are idiots and just dosent want to be engaged in anything school related , I told him to slow it down a little he is NEVER gonna get to have this experience again and someday he is going to wish he had gotten involved especially when he reaches my age lol !!! So now believe it or not he has taken my advice he is now saying he will go to prom BUT will go stag because he does not want to get involved in a relationship THANK GOD !!!! That is the last thing he needs at this point in his life , I told him he does not need a girl to bring him down right now and he is listening go figure !! I can only hope he keeps listening !!! I told him right now in his life its all about him !!! Have a great day everyone =)

@HowiesMom, I had to chuckle reading your post. My son, Diego aka Kyle just graduated from high school and I so relate to your message. Diego just wanted to be out of school, he was very bored. He played football and baseball, did NHS and some other things and graduated with high honors, was awarded many awards. All of them didn't really matter, he just wanted school to be over. He too is an "old soul" and was excited to get out of school. He has been a DEPper since last fall and will leave on 21 September and has a "Nuke" seat. He is ready to go, though will miss his girlfriend of one year. She is going to college in MI. where we are from. Diego is ready to go to BC, but I know that I will have a hard time. Tell son to enjoy his senior year, it will go by so fast. He will look back on things next summer and he will be thankful and grateful for his senior year and his high school years. Continue to support him and encourage him to do everything he can in this last year of high school. He won't pass this way again and he will be proud when he graduates. I like the fact that he will go to Prom and go alone, which is fine. Many kids do that and they have a blast!! Good Luck to him and to you!!

Sharon and mommy-hunt so glad to hear that were in the same boat !!! hahha boat just got that !!! anyway we dont now when graduation is yet (can u believe it ??) but he ships out 6-14-11 so we will only have maybe a week after graduation till he leaves for boot YIKES !!! Thank u for your input I appreciate it very much so , have a great day ladies !!!!

KK- Congrats to you and your son.

kk - what a great profile pic....congrats and I am glad you got to see your SAILOR for a little while.

Last I heard the required score was now 50.

When I last talked to Sean's recruiter (who was his brother's recruiter) they're really only looking at new recruits with AFQTs 60 or higher whose line scores match with specific jobs. They're getting really, really picky.

Sean got a 93, and the recruiter is in no hurry to get him in. Sean needs a knee waiver and to lose weight before he can actually go to MEPS, and there are plenty of recruits with similar scores who don't have minor health issues.

It's easier to get into a good college these days than join the Navy (or Air Force). One of our local Coasties told me a couple of weeks ago that the CG isn't even taking on new recruits.

It doesn't surprise me that the CG isn't taking new recruits. Not long ago, neither was the Navy. Well, our recruting station anyway. I also have heard that the Air Force was letting enlisted go after two years saying their job was no longer needed. Now, I don't know this to be true myself, only heard it from someone else. Our son scored quite high and going "Nuke" so that is good for an 18 year old. We are so proud of him!! The Armed Forces can be quite choosy these days and there are so many wanting to enlist due to the economy. They can be picky.

Well Brandon went to stay with by brother and his family for 10days. He will be working for my brother in his wood shop. My brothers boy goes to BC next mth. It will give them some time to spend together. Praying that he will come home with a better atitude.

Hay,
My name is Ashleigh. I am shipping from Charlotte, NC. I have been in DEP since may. and am also leaving october 25h. I am an HM (corpsman) my A school is across the street from basic. haha. I am also really worried about it being on christmas, and am prayin for the later dates. my whole family is getting together this christmas in ft. lauterdale Florida. and id hate for my parents and grandparents to have to choose between me and christmas with the family. not somthing id like to live with. haha but i guess only time will tell. and prayingggg... alot. haha i passed the IFA yesterday at the recruiters first time, so im pretty siked :) and i have dep call today. my boyfriend of 3 years, just graduated from the airforce in august, and is now in mississippi for training. so i am an emotional basket case, haha but i think the hardest part is just boxing up everything i my room, knowing i will never live at home again :( I am so excited to be apart of the navy, and i hope all your children are excited as i am.

sincerely,
Ashleigh

Ashleigh - my name is Carol. I am a Mom of a DEP that leaves for BC in February then off to San Deigo for Seals training after that and he is totally pumped! Just like you. We have a 2nd home in Northern Wisconsin that now that our son is older & joining the Navy he hardly ever makes it up there & is always busy at home that we hardly ever see him. As parents we know that you will all grow up & one day leave the nest. As difficult as this may be for all parties it is exciting for both the children & the parents to see what journey your lives will take. We will always miss our children whether they move to a new apartment across town or go off & join the Navy. Congrats to you & your boyfriend. Enjoy your journey!

Brandonsmom - with some of the kids waiting up to 6 months to leave for BC it can almost make them think that they have no responsiblities until they leave & somewhat lost. Just wondering what Brandons Petty Officer might be doing to help. My son doesnt leave for BC til February but the Navy has him goiing constantly. They have constant meetings, workouts and are always appointed to helping out someone in the community. The other day my son & another fellow DEP had to go help a woman with a local pet store and unload 5300lbs. of cat and dog food. Even though he hasnt left for BC he is definately feeling a part of the Navy and that he is contributing. Maybe his Petty Officer can help?