Hi Everyone, I just joined your group. My daughter is very excited about joining the navy. We're handing in her paperwork next week. Her recruiter is great and we love all the support and encouragement we receive there. I am very supportive and excited for her. She is interested in the arts and media, possibly journalism. She is also attending the weekly DEP meetings even though she has not signed the contract. My ex-husband was in the Air Force for 13 years and we had a good life during our time. It's all what you make of it. My son is finishing up tech school with the Air Force in April and will be assigned to Germany.
I was excited to learn about this site. I'm looking forward to learning as much as possible.
Anyone know how to put a fire under my son to get him motivated to be ready for BC? He's not doing enough PT to get ready. My husband and I have bugged the daylights out of him!! He told my husband the other day it's just not hitting him that he's going to BC in 4 weeks!!!!! I keep telling myself not to worry, he'll be okay and they will get him prepared while there. But, I just hate the thought of him getting a delayed PIR date due to not passing his PFA's. ARGH! What's a mother to do?
My other son who graduated on 2/4 had 9 months to get ready. This son only had 7 weeks!!! It all happened so fast for him. He's tall and skinny but doesn't do anything but sit in his room and play his x-box and computer games!!!
Hi Pamela, has your son seen the bootcamp videos that are on this (DEPpers) site? Maybe that might get him motivated. I'm sorry to hear he's not motivated. I feel your frustration. My daughter's recruiting office has a PT program for the DEPpers. They meet twice a week. My daughter attends that as well as works out on her own and with me. Maybe you could workout with your son and be his supportive coach/motivator.
In the end our children have to face the consequences with the decisions they make. You can only be there for support. That is part of growing up. Good luck!
pamela - my son met with his recruiter once a week & worked out everyday esp. towards the last few weeks. he signed in dec 2010 and left 03/11. it helped that he made the decision to sign up - he wasn't pushed to. also, that he was a wrestler & physically fit. i wouldnt worry so much - once he gets to BC they will get him into the rutene. my son ran each day to make the "time" they'd expect of him at BC. his recruiter SHOULD be motivating him.
His recruiter is doing nothing to motivate him! He has to call her every Monday to "check in" and that's all. There is no PT at the office he goes to. They don't want to be bothered with all the paperwork that is involved with it now. So, he doesn't have that either. My other son had it 2 times a week also. He was definitely motivated. I do try to work out with him a couple of times a week. But, even that is a chore for him. It is him who has to suffer the consequences for not being prepared. Hopefully since he's only got 4 weeks to go it will get him started. He's also staying up till all hours of the night playing his x-box. I told him he needs to try to get on a normal schedule. Go to bed around 11 and get up at 8. He's just not having it. He goes to bed around 3 or so and has to get up for work at 8am on Mon. and Wed! He's nuts!!! He came home from work for lunch today and told me he was exhausted. It's because he only got 5 hours sleep last night!!!!! Told him he needs to run today and he just looked at me and said nothing. So very frustrating!!
pamela, hang in there -- he will find his niche. shame on his recruiter! jordan was SO anxious the weeks before he couldn't sleep!! he paced around the house.
Pamela, hang in there! It sounds like you're doing what you can. It's a shame he's not getting the support from the recruiter's office. I'm sure he'll do find at BC. I heard they have six weeks before doing the physical fitness test. Once boot-camp is over, I'm sure you will see positive changes in your son.
He does keep saying, "They'll get me ready in BC." We keep telling him that it's crazy not to do whatever he can at home to make it easier on himself. I did tell him yesterday before he left for work to just come home from work at 4, put on your gym clothes, get your i-phone on and just go. Don't get on your game as soon as you get home. Guess what? He actually listened to me!!!!! He jogged and walked around the neighborhood 3 times. 3 times around is a mile and a half. It's a hard neighborhood though, lots of hills. So, it is hard for him, but I told him walk 2 houses, jog 3 or vise virsa. We are supposed to exercise together when I get home from work today. Hopefully that will happen! I'm not givng up!! Thanks for all the encouragement!! I really appreciate it!
pamela -- yay!! there is a time they have to meet in BC - and it's depends on their age. he should try to at least match that. the navybootcamp website has a link of what to do to prepare. that helped us.
Here is a link for the Trainee Guide for Basic Military Training. It appears that this is the guide they receive in boot camp...great study material for those that really want to be prepared. Last revision was July 2009. I have not found one more recent. No information in this guide is classified. It's 476 pages long so I don't suggest printing it.http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/pdfs/Recruit_Trainee_Guide_rev_A_July_...
Pamela~ My son FINALLY went to work out last night. He leaves 8/8/11. We got him a membership at 24 Hour Fitness and everyday I bug him to go. Last night my husband offered to go with him (as a guest)and LO and BEHOLD~ my son was so excited! They worked out for several hours and are planning to go again tonight or tomorrow night (and the hubby is going to join~YAY!). I think it helps when they have someone to work out/run with. Maybe there is someone in your son's DEP group that will run with him. Hooray for him going on his own! That is cool! Hopefully both of our boys will keep at it!
just a bit of info. for your son, my son just graduated boot, if he doesn't get in shape before he leaves he will be hurting at BC. it is in his best interest to be " fit", mile and a half in 11 min. 40-50 push ups, 60 sit ups in 2 min. etc......
Hi, my daughter is scheduled to leave for boot camp on June 29th. She is going in as an MA. This site has been a wonderful resource for me. I have learned so much and it is great to know that there are other moms/wives/girlfriends out there that are out there going through the same as me. I am so proud of my girl. She truly wants to be a sailor and the determination she has shown to get there shows me what a great sailor she will be
Hello Everyone! I just swore into the Navy this past Tuesday and am scheduled to leave for bootcamp on October 7th. I know that date is a ways away, but would love to hear from anyone who is scheduled for that date too!
I am very excited to officially be apart of this family (I have a LO in OCS at the moment) and my mom is proud to be a Navy Mom!
well my son's schedualed leave date changed from April 13th to September 28th as he signed a contract for the Nucular Power Program. I am happy to have him home for the summer and excited for his wonderful opportunity
Linda D - Congrats on your new Nuke....my daughter is also going Nuke. Make sure you check out the separate Nuke sites here. We both have found them very helpful in setting expectations.
Linda D - She ships 9/7 so while they won't be in the same bootcamp classes, they will be in bootcamp around the same time and likely, depending upon their ratings, that they start A school around the same time.
You'll learn so much from the other moms on the Nuke site, lots of great info!
@tashaes my son is scheduled for MEPS on the 4th of April, but his recruiter told him to expect to go to BC in October. So maybe you'll ship out the same day and be in the same bootcamp. that would be cool
just thought i'd update everyone and you know my recruit FINALLY after being delayed at the airport for 4 hours today! Called me from the airport and it was the BEST 3 minute conversation. Much better than a 5 second call from Great Lakes :)
As of today I'm down to one child at home. I dropped Sean (younger son) at college dorms today, the semester starts Monday. He was doing distance courses, but that was a disaster and a half. While we were there we dropped in on his recruiter. Hopefully Sean can drop the 40 pounds by late summer, so he can start MEPS processing soon.
Anyone who lives in the VA Beach/Norfolk area. There is a group of us planning on meeting one day for lunch (shooting for Thursday) the last week of April. I will be there that week for spring break. We would love to meet as many other moms/families etc as possible for lunch one day. If you have a sailor or a recruit there and they could possible come that would be awesome. If you are in that area and would like to join us please let me know. Send me a private message with your name and number. We will keep the time and place in private messages as well.Thanks
Once your son/daughter went to MEPS how long was it before they left for boot camp or will be going to leave? I am going with my son next week to the recruiter and they will set him up to go to MEPS. I am hearing it is taking about 6-8 months before they leave.
My son was going to be a Navy Seal. Passed all physical and academic requirements and even waited 10 weeks to have the metal plate in his leg cleared. At the last minute he changed his mind and is now going in as ABF then Rescue Swimmer. Am I disappointed? Heck no! I am very proud of him that at 18 he took the time to carefully analyze everything and make one of the biggest decisions of his life. No matter what your child does in the Navy be proud it's a great service to our country and I thenk them all. Peace
katydid61 my son went to Meps and signed his contract in June 2010 and left for boot camp this past Monday so it was 9 months. They will have plenty to study before they leave to prepare for bc and there are at least monthly Dep meetings with some areas having them more often.
It definitely depends on their rate. My daughter is a Nuke and she has to wait 13 months, her boyfriend is a Corpsman and his wait time was 11 months. That said, there are moms here on the site recently whose children only had to wait less than 2 months.
Thanks all for the responses. We have a family vacation planned late July and my son really wanted to go on this last vacation. The recruiter told him to wait until then if he wanted to, and then go to MEPS. But, it seems like it is taking so many months that he is thinking about going ahead in about a month and taking the chance that more than likely he won't go for several months. Hopefully in a month or so I will have an actual "depper!"
Katdydids61, One of my sons was in DEP for 9 months and the other only 7 weeks!!! A job opened up for him so quickly he didn't know what hit him. He leaves on April 14th. It just totally all depends on the job and the slots.
You are so right Maggie about making plans. He is pretty open to a lot of things. His main interests have been in mass communications and intelligence specialist. He likes electronics and anything with the aircrew. I know he doesn't care for the medical or nuke areas. He is just restless at this point working two part time jobs. Yet, he does not want to give up that last vacation at the beach! I will keep you posted. And Pamela, 7 weeks? Wow. You just never know.
Hey ya'll, this is my first time on and i just had a question. My daughter is schedualed to leave for BC in december but has just been given the option to leave in july instead. Should i push for july??
Jessicasmom - From my point of view the sooner the better. My daughter's been depped since last July and doesn't leave until this September. The wait has been very difficult for her and she has commented on several occasions (and has even signed up to leave earlier but hasn't been called) that she thought the extra time would be good, but now doesn't think so. Says "my life is on hold". As a mom, the idea of more time with her is great, but she is having a hard time.
My son took the ASVAB today and got a 99! I already love this site, and even though you don't know me yet, I really wanted to share my pride and excitement. His recruiter called me to tell me, and I then called my son. He was so happy.
I hope everything goes well tomorrow with the physical, etc. I'm about as excited as I've ever been in my life to hear what happens with the classifier.
Hi all, my son was in dep for a year, but thus was mainly because he was waiting on his High School Graduation. He is now a MM on the U.S.S. Maryland & will be leaving for his 1st deployment soon. My daughter enlisted in Feb & will leave for bc on Oct 6 as a GSE. She is hoping that a corpsman billet will open up in the mean time. As far as asserting their independence goes, she just got engaged to a Corporal in the Army.
UGGGG... the july option was not the one my daughter picked so i guess Great lakes in december is what we have to deal with. She is at rhe recruiter now doing papers to roll up to see if she can get a date just a little farther off than July. I kinda wish they would call and say come now instead of giving her the choice. The sooner the better i think.
JessicaB sailor mom, Thank you I really needed to hear that. I am really hopuing for an early release date so she doesn't make any bad choices that could damage her future with the Navy. thanks again
I can officially join this group now! He signed yesterday for AECF, but they said the nuke contract will be done soon, and he'll leave in December. He was so proud, and had a really good time at MEPS.
nayyboundkid: Congratulations, AECF is a good field to be in. The verbal promise about "future nuke contract" makes me nervous though.
If your son signed a contract specifying AECF, not a contract that says Nuclear Field on it, then he is most likely going to enter the Navy in the AEC field; it would be unusual for them to change it to nuke later. When you go to MEPS the to sign the active duty contract there is a form you sign where you declare no verbal promises were made to you and that only what is in the written contract applies.
I always advise people that if you are intent on being a nuke DO NOT, I repeat, do not sign ANY enlistment contract including a "DEP contract" that does not have all of the following on it spelled out in black and white a) NF, b) a ship date, c) enlistment at pay grade E-3, d) the current enlistment bonus which is $12,000 for those entering DEP program on or after March 21, 2011.
An AECF enters the Navy at pay grade E-1 and there is no enlistment bonus paid. A NF enters at E-3 and is eligible for a $12,000 enlistment bonus when he finishes schooling.
Also if a person in the Navy changes his rating during the DEP program he DOES NOT get the enlistment bonus for the new rating; he keeps the same original enlistment bonus (if any) as when he signed the first DEP contract. So even if your son were allowed to change to NF he would not get the $12,000. Quote:
IF A SAILOR CHANGES RATING, SKILL, PROGRAM, OR SHIP DATE WHILE IN THE DEP, THE ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE MESSAGE AT TIME OF ENROLLMENT INTO THE DEP REMAINS APPLICABLE TO THAT SAILOR. DO NOT DISCHARGE AND REENTER A SAILOR FROM THE DEP TO INCREASE AWARD LEVEL.
William - My daughter originally depped in as Corpman and signed her nuke contract almost 2 months later. When her contract we rewritten it DID include the bonus of $15k, E-3, etc. Perhaps things have changed this fiscal year, but last fiscal year there were no issues.
Josie, Jordan's proud mom
Mar 12, 2011
Josie, Jordan's proud mom
Mar 12, 2011
WandaG
I was excited to learn about this site. I'm looking forward to learning as much as possible.
Mar 12, 2011
Pamela
Anyone know how to put a fire under my son to get him motivated to be ready for BC? He's not doing enough PT to get ready. My husband and I have bugged the daylights out of him!! He told my husband the other day it's just not hitting him that he's going to BC in 4 weeks!!!!! I keep telling myself not to worry, he'll be okay and they will get him prepared while there. But, I just hate the thought of him getting a delayed PIR date due to not passing his PFA's. ARGH! What's a mother to do?
My other son who graduated on 2/4 had 9 months to get ready. This son only had 7 weeks!!! It all happened so fast for him. He's tall and skinny but doesn't do anything but sit in his room and play his x-box and computer games!!!
Mar 13, 2011
WandaG
In the end our children have to face the consequences with the decisions they make. You can only be there for support. That is part of growing up. Good luck!
Mar 14, 2011
Josie, Jordan's proud mom
pamela - my son met with his recruiter once a week & worked out everyday esp. towards the last few weeks. he signed in dec 2010 and left 03/11. it helped that he made the decision to sign up - he wasn't pushed to. also, that he was a wrestler & physically fit. i wouldnt worry so much - once he gets to BC they will get him into the rutene. my son ran each day to make the "time" they'd expect of him at BC. his recruiter SHOULD be motivating him.
hang in there!!
Mar 14, 2011
Pamela
Mar 14, 2011
Josie, Jordan's proud mom
Mar 14, 2011
WandaG
Mar 14, 2011
Pamela
He does keep saying, "They'll get me ready in BC." We keep telling him that it's crazy not to do whatever he can at home to make it easier on himself. I did tell him yesterday before he left for work to just come home from work at 4, put on your gym clothes, get your i-phone on and just go. Don't get on your game as soon as you get home. Guess what? He actually listened to me!!!!! He jogged and walked around the neighborhood 3 times. 3 times around is a mile and a half. It's a hard neighborhood though, lots of hills. So, it is hard for him, but I told him walk 2 houses, jog 3 or vise virsa. We are supposed to exercise together when I get home from work today. Hopefully that will happen! I'm not givng up!! Thanks for all the encouragement!! I really appreciate it!
Mar 15, 2011
Josie, Jordan's proud mom
pamela -- yay!! there is a time they have to meet in BC - and it's depends on their age. he should try to at least match that. the navybootcamp website has a link of what to do to prepare. that helped us.
you're a good mom!!
Mar 15, 2011
monkeymind
Mar 15, 2011
WandaG
Mar 15, 2011
SonandSea
Pamela~ My son FINALLY went to work out last night. He leaves 8/8/11. We got him a membership at 24 Hour Fitness and everyday I bug him to go. Last night my husband offered to go with him (as a guest)and LO and BEHOLD~ my son was so excited! They worked out for several hours and are planning to go again tonight or tomorrow night (and the hubby is going to join~YAY!). I think it helps when they have someone to work out/run with. Maybe there is someone in your son's DEP group that will run with him. Hooray for him going on his own! That is cool! Hopefully both of our boys will keep at it!
Mar 16, 2011
nikosmom ( CVN 70, Seaman )
just a bit of info. for your son, my son just graduated boot, if he doesn't get in shape before he leaves he will be hurting at BC. it is in his best interest to be " fit", mile and a half in 11 min. 40-50 push ups, 60 sit ups in 2 min. etc......
Mar 16, 2011
nikosmom ( CVN 70, Seaman )
Mar 16, 2011
Sam's_Mom
Mar 17, 2011
tashaes
Hello Everyone! I just swore into the Navy this past Tuesday and am scheduled to leave for bootcamp on October 7th. I know that date is a ways away, but would love to hear from anyone who is scheduled for that date too!
I am very excited to officially be apart of this family (I have a LO in OCS at the moment) and my mom is proud to be a Navy Mom!
Mar 17, 2011
WandaG
Mar 18, 2011
tashaes
LO is code word (among a Navy Facebook page) for Loved One. :)
And Thank You!! I am very excited.
Mar 18, 2011
Linda D
Mar 19, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Mar 19, 2011
Linda D
Thanks Laura R, I have just joined the Nuke Group and I see there is a ton a great info to be read! Has your dtr started school yet?
Mar 19, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
You'll learn so much from the other moms on the Nuke site, lots of great info!
Best of luck to you and your son.
Mar 19, 2011
Miamishark
@tashaes my son is scheduled for MEPS on the 4th of April, but his recruiter told him to expect to go to BC in October. So maybe you'll ship out the same day and be in the same bootcamp. that would be cool
Congrats on your Great Decision
Mar 21, 2011
amandarenee84
Mar 23, 2011
Arwen
Mar 26, 2011
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons
Mar 26, 2011
katydids61
Mar 27, 2011
monkeymind
Mar 27, 2011
Donna (Christopher's Mom)
Mar 27, 2011
jdmom
Mar 27, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Mar 27, 2011
katydids61
Mar 27, 2011
Pamela
Mar 28, 2011
katydids61
Mar 28, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
what options does a parent have if a child decides to start acting up. while waiting for ship date and graduation. What can the recruiter do to help?
Mar 28, 2011
Jessicasmom
Hey ya'll, this is my first time on and i just had a question. My daughter is schedualed to leave for BC in december but has just been given the option to leave in july instead. Should i push for july??
Mar 28, 2011
Jessicasmom
is there a good reason i could give to push her in this direction???
Mar 28, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Mar 28, 2011
navyboundkid (Class 1210MT)
My son took the ASVAB today and got a 99! I already love this site, and even though you don't know me yet, I really wanted to share my pride and excitement. His recruiter called me to tell me, and I then called my son. He was so happy.
I hope everything goes well tomorrow with the physical, etc. I'm about as excited as I've ever been in my life to hear what happens with the classifier.
I think I'm going to cry!
Mar 28, 2011
SonandSea
Mar 28, 2011
My2Sailors
Mar 29, 2011
navyboundkid (Class 1210MT)
Mar 29, 2011
KellynKaty(corps-Mom)
Mar 29, 2011
Jessicasmom
Mar 29, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
Mar 29, 2011
navyboundkid (Class 1210MT)
I can officially join this group now! He signed yesterday for AECF, but they said the nuke contract will be done soon, and he'll leave in December. He was so proud, and had a really good time at MEPS.
RebeccaM, I am going to look for those books!
Mar 30, 2011
William in Nashua
nayyboundkid: Congratulations, AECF is a good field to be in. The verbal promise about "future nuke contract" makes me nervous though.
If your son signed a contract specifying AECF, not a contract that says Nuclear Field on it, then he is most likely going to enter the Navy in the AEC field; it would be unusual for them to change it to nuke later. When you go to MEPS the to sign the active duty contract there is a form you sign where you declare no verbal promises were made to you and that only what is in the written contract applies.
I always advise people that if you are intent on being a nuke DO NOT, I repeat, do not sign ANY enlistment contract including a "DEP contract" that does not have all of the following on it spelled out in black and white a) NF, b) a ship date, c) enlistment at pay grade E-3, d) the current enlistment bonus which is $12,000 for those entering DEP program on or after March 21, 2011.
An AECF enters the Navy at pay grade E-1 and there is no enlistment bonus paid. A NF enters at E-3 and is eligible for a $12,000 enlistment bonus when he finishes schooling.
Also if a person in the Navy changes his rating during the DEP program he DOES NOT get the enlistment bonus for the new rating; he keeps the same original enlistment bonus (if any) as when he signed the first DEP contract. So even if your son were allowed to change to NF he would not get the $12,000. Quote:
IF A SAILOR CHANGES RATING, SKILL, PROGRAM, OR SHIP DATE WHILE IN THE DEP, THE ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE MESSAGE AT TIME OF ENROLLMENT INTO THE DEP REMAINS APPLICABLE TO THAT SAILOR. DO NOT DISCHARGE AND REENTER A SAILOR FROM THE DEP TO INCREASE AWARD LEVEL.
Mar 31, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Mar 31, 2011