Hey everyone!!! I started my own page it is Advice for new spouses. This is to give advice to all the new spouses starting out from the DEP program, to boot camp, and to A school. I just want to support and answer any questions you guys may have. I would love to have you all as members!!! Thank you for the support....
My son went back to MEPS yesterday to sign up for the DEP and they only had NUKE available. So I guess he goes back next week. He wants to be HM. Anyone else have this same problem?
Miamishark - You son must have had some wonderful qualifications to be offered Nuke. Congrats! It's not uncommon to have to wait for what you want and go back a couple of different times.
Hi Miamishark, my son went to MEPS more times than I can remember in the last year. He turned down everything offered because he only wanted Seabees (like his Dad.) He was finally offered Seabees a couple of weeks ago. We helped him stay focused on the preparation to keep his mind off the "hurry up and wait" he was being put through. We encouraged him to run and went with him to the gym to prepare for the hard physical work ahead in boot camp. It helped keep the frustrations low for all of us!
My son went several times to MEPS as well. He is now in the DEP program works out with a crew everyday and on Friday they work out at the beach. Leaves Dec 13th for BC than off to swcc school. Congratulations to all our future sailors!
@Laura R thanks for the encouragement, and yes, he's highly qualified, but he pretty much knows what he wants. and it's HM
@Julie & sboli1 - I'll let him know that it's not the end of the world. his recruiter is almost pushing him to take whatever they offer, scaring him into thinking if he turns it down, the NAVY will not let him join. Joining the Navy is what he's wanted since he was a little kid, wants to be a Corpsman and be embedded with the Marines. he knows what he wants. His mom doesn't want him with the marines, but it's his choice.
@Miamishark, we experienced the same issues with the requiter. Tell your son to stay strong! We even went to talk to a different requiter in another town, which of course got back to the first reqruiter and his Chief. Probably not a good idea in retrospect, but I think it got our sons feelings across, he was not going to accept anything by being pressured into it, and he was determined to get the job he wanted. He even had the Chief call him to discuss the situation. I think this "process" is the beginning of the mind games and waiting games that are the military. I kept telling my son this was his first test of mental endurance.
Good for him Miami. Yep he has to hold out until he gets what he wants.
Julie, we too switched recruiters and boy was the first one pissed. I gave it too him on the phone. He was pushing my son to sign for anything and I wasnt having it. He was making my son so nervous. His new recuiter is nice and seems caring.
Although nuke mat be the only job available at MEPS that does not mean they are offering nuke to everyone who walks in the door at MEPS. It's not like they are serving chili for lunch today and everyone who walks in gets a bowl of chili. Nuke job openings are available because the nuclear ratings are undermanned, and they are undermanned because few applicants are qualified to fill enlist in the nuclear field. Then when they do enlist recruits on a nuclear field contract, a significant number of them will wash out of the nuclear program during boot camp or during A school in other words during their first six to nine months in the Navy.
Except for nukes, special warfare and a handful of other jobs, most Navy ratings are sufficiently manned or are overmanned. The Navy is actually full now and is downsizing, so it is hard to get a job in the Navy right now. If you want a particular job and that rating is overmanned, you may have to wait a long time until a slot opens up for that rating. So patience is very important. It may take months for a rating to become available on the day you go to MEPS. This is where having a motivated recruiter can help a lot,
Miamishark--Your son sounds just like mine! He went to MEPS in March, after a 6 week wait while they reviewed his medical records (he had minor knee surgery from a football injury his junior year) and approved him, and he said they told him there was nothing at all available. He really wanted to be a corpsman and be attatched to the marines, but he was willing to explore other options based on what was available. When they came back with nothing, his recruiter called his chief who called someone, and they actually came up with a job! And guess what the one job they found was...corpsman! He is currently in DEP and leaves Sept. 6. We were really grateful to have a recruiter that went the extra mile for him. I didn't really want him to do what he wants at first, but he is very happy and can't wait to leave. I think it's a calling and now I can't picture him doing anything else. He is doing a lot of reading while he waits, and has found several books your son might enjoy since he wants to go the same route as mine.
If that is what he wants, it will come up eventually. If he doesn't mind waiting, he will get it sooner or later. Good luck!
Does anyone know what the hotel the recruits in Dallas will be at? I would like to make a reservation to stay the night before my recruit leaves but I haven't had any luck in getting the info from the recruiter.....
it's getting close...My depper leaves sooo soon! Aug 22nd. I am not ready yet! He has been a depper since Nov of last year. We are going to Chicago this weekend to the Great Lakes celebration and Navy Mueseum along with Six Flags, Navy Pier and few other sightseeing tours. Taking a little mini vacation before he leaves. can't wait. Happy 4th all.
Congratulations! Start writing the letters now so you can send them as soon as you get the form letter with his address on it. The time clock starts now for you both. Remember we are all here for you on this most difficult journey in your life. My son is 2 weeks away from his PIR (pass in review) Graduation.
WOW reading the posts are making me anxious, I think Oct 26th is coming quick, and your SR is leaving this month. It's true we are here for each other. I will need everyone of u come the fall.
For the newbies wanting to know about what happens on "P" days. I made a PDF file that gives a really good description. You might want to have a look...
My son is less than 11 days from graduating from boot camp. So here is my tip of the day. Write your child a letter for their journey to boot camp. whether it be by plane, train or automobile, write them an encouraging, uplifting letter, this will help them get through the first couple of weeks until you are able to start sending them letters daily. And that will be about 3 weeks into boot camp when you get the form letter with their address on it.
Hi Everyone! New to this..thanks for starting this group. My son leaves in 8 days. Bittersweet, for sure. My husband and I have no military experience, so it is all really new. Thank you for the letter tip, kathleen10 ..I will absolutely do this. May be a bit cathartic for me, as well.
Regina - That would be the minimum I would bring to bootcamp, but you really should read the list of items that you really need to bring to boot camp with you:
Beau - Just go to NavyDEP.com and send a pm to kforbs126, she's a AECF sailor. She took the ET route and is on a ship in San Diego. She's a great person and she can tell you the entire picture about AECF.
Visiting Great Lakes while in DEP? My son is going this month to visit bootcamp with his recruiter and a group of recruits. Anyone else doing this? Maybe it's because we're so close - 2 hours or so away. I'm excited for him to see what it's like there! He leaves in mid-September, by the way.
I posted this question up in the "What do recruits pay for themselves" but I didn't get an answer. I am very curious as to who pays for the recruits' bedding? I see pretty much everything addressed except for bedding. My father-in-law heard that the recruits have to pay for it. Strange?
Sparkeys - how weird - my son (leaves for BC at the end of Sept.l) just found a copy of the Bluejacket's Manual that he had been given some time ago from someone and is so happy he has it. He's been reading it the last few weeks and he's been watching Carrier through YouTube. He calls it "his show" and has probably watched some episodes way more than one time. I'm pretty sure that your husband and my son aren't the same person - LOL! Anyway - I second everything you said.
Got the Blue Jacket for my son many months ago (he leaves on 8/8) and he has read it. I have also enjoyed reading much of it. I would say to be sure and get the current edition. There are many older editions out there, but this is the most current. Well worth the $.
I guess we are lucky. My son's DEP group is very active. Lots of meetings, special events (like the DEP Olympics that families are encouraged to attend), group PT (until it got too hot-we are in TX), Navy Awareness events and volunteer opportunities. They also have a very active FaceBook page. My son's recruiter even attended his high school graduation in May.
William~ I knew my son would be issued a Bluejacket Manuel at boot camp, but I think it has been beneficial for him (and me!!) to read it beforehand. When he leaves I will have it to refer to.
crisanthomom - Tell your son about NavyDEP.com. That website revolves around new deppers and people that are in the 1st years in the real Navy. What happens is all the Deppers ping off of each other, and get really motovated to go to boot camp. Lot's of information, and answers he needs for boot camp.
I actually made this PDF file for the member of NavyDEP, so they have an idea of what Great Lakes is all about. Have him check out these PDF files, I posted them here on N4M's too...
On NO!! Slow down! My son is supposed to leave 8/9, and his recruiter just called and said 'hey - can you leave on Thursday 7/27?', which means our last dinner would be tomorrow!! My son smartly said 'Let me get back to you on that.' Can I say no? His sister is out of town until Sunday, we have family pics planned for the 3rd and party planned for the 6th. I need more time, but will it hurt him to say no?
Thanks for that. We discussed it quickly and told him it's his decision, his career. We would adjust the other schedules accordingly if needed. Fortunately, even though he drove right down to the office and agreed to go, somebody else took the spot. He was a bit disappointed but then recovered saying that he would have not been happy to leave without saying goodbye to his sister, so we are all set again for the 9th. whew.
kgobble
Jun 22, 2011
SailorJsMom
Nope, mine leaves even later, not until January 10th, 2012!!
Jun 22, 2011
lishiyloops08
Jun 22, 2011
SailorJsMom
Jun 22, 2011
skell456 (AO wife)
Jun 23, 2011
Miamishark
Jun 23, 2011
sboli1
Jun 23, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Jun 23, 2011
hsjsmom
Jun 23, 2011
sboli1
Jun 23, 2011
Miamishark
@Laura R thanks for the encouragement, and yes, he's highly qualified, but he pretty much knows what he wants. and it's HM
@Julie & sboli1 - I'll let him know that it's not the end of the world. his recruiter is almost pushing him to take whatever they offer, scaring him into thinking if he turns it down, the NAVY will not let him join. Joining the Navy is what he's wanted since he was a little kid, wants to be a Corpsman and be embedded with the Marines. he knows what he wants. His mom doesn't want him with the marines, but it's his choice.
Jun 23, 2011
hsjsmom
@Miamishark, we experienced the same issues with the requiter. Tell your son to stay strong! We even went to talk to a different requiter in another town, which of course got back to the first reqruiter and his Chief. Probably not a good idea in retrospect, but I think it got our sons feelings across, he was not going to accept anything by being pressured into it, and he was determined to get the job he wanted. He even had the Chief call him to discuss the situation. I think this "process" is the beginning of the mind games and waiting games that are the military. I kept telling my son this was his first test of mental endurance.
Jun 23, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Jun 23, 2011
dragon7
Jun 23, 2011
sboli1
Julie, we too switched recruiters and boy was the first one pissed. I gave it too him on the phone. He was pushing my son to sign for anything and I wasnt having it. He was making my son so nervous. His new recuiter is nice and seems caring.
Jun 23, 2011
William in Nashua
Although nuke mat be the only job available at MEPS that does not mean they are offering nuke to everyone who walks in the door at MEPS. It's not like they are serving chili for lunch today and everyone who walks in gets a bowl of chili. Nuke job openings are available because the nuclear ratings are undermanned, and they are undermanned because few applicants are qualified to fill enlist in the nuclear field. Then when they do enlist recruits on a nuclear field contract, a significant number of them will wash out of the nuclear program during boot camp or during A school in other words during their first six to nine months in the Navy.
Except for nukes, special warfare and a handful of other jobs, most Navy ratings are sufficiently manned or are overmanned. The Navy is actually full now and is downsizing, so it is hard to get a job in the Navy right now. If you want a particular job and that rating is overmanned, you may have to wait a long time until a slot opens up for that rating. So patience is very important. It may take months for a rating to become available on the day you go to MEPS. This is where having a motivated recruiter can help a lot,
Jun 24, 2011
jacketfan24 (corpsman mom)
Miamishark--Your son sounds just like mine! He went to MEPS in March, after a 6 week wait while they reviewed his medical records (he had minor knee surgery from a football injury his junior year) and approved him, and he said they told him there was nothing at all available. He really wanted to be a corpsman and be attatched to the marines, but he was willing to explore other options based on what was available. When they came back with nothing, his recruiter called his chief who called someone, and they actually came up with a job! And guess what the one job they found was...corpsman! He is currently in DEP and leaves Sept. 6. We were really grateful to have a recruiter that went the extra mile for him. I didn't really want him to do what he wants at first, but he is very happy and can't wait to leave. I think it's a calling and now I can't picture him doing anything else. He is doing a lot of reading while he waits, and has found several books your son might enjoy since he wants to go the same route as mine.
If that is what he wants, it will come up eventually. If he doesn't mind waiting, he will get it sooner or later. Good luck!
Jun 25, 2011
Kjnh0521
Jun 28, 2011
ZZsMom
Jun 29, 2011
Philly5 (Justin's proud mom)
Jul 1, 2011
motheroftwo (ship 07/div 340)
Jul 1, 2011
Philly5 (Justin's proud mom)
"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~Elmer Davis.
I thought i would share this one, love it!
Jul 1, 2011
boilermom
Jul 8, 2011
Kathleen10
Congratulations! Start writing the letters now so you can send them as soon as you get the form letter with his address on it. The time clock starts now for you both. Remember we are all here for you on this most difficult journey in your life. My son is 2 weeks away from his PIR (pass in review) Graduation.
Kathleen
Jul 8, 2011
IFD4sPROUDmom
Jul 8, 2011
Phil's_mom
Jul 8, 2011
julieb1019
Jul 9, 2011
Craig
Hey all,
For the newbies wanting to know about what happens on "P" days. I made a PDF file that gives a really good description. You might want to have a look...
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ctratemoms/forum/topics/boot-camp-...
Jul 9, 2011
William in Nashua
Here is a pretty good description of the Navy nuclear power program for people who might be interested in joining the Navy.
http://www.navydep.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=162&d...
Jul 11, 2011
Kathleen10
Hello Ladies,
My son is less than 11 days from graduating from boot camp. So here is my tip of the day. Write your child a letter for their journey to boot camp. whether it be by plane, train or automobile, write them an encouraging, uplifting letter, this will help them get through the first couple of weeks until you are able to start sending them letters daily. And that will be about 3 weeks into boot camp when you get the form letter with their address on it.
Jul 11, 2011
Regina
He only needs his ID and SS card and banking info. He will get navy issue things at bootcamp.
Jul 11, 2011
firewife5
Jul 11, 2011
Deborah (CTT son)
leightonsPROUDmom - my son also leaves on July 27th but from California. Only 16 more days! Looks like our sons will have the same PIR.
Jul 11, 2011
Craig
William - Since you're talking about Nukes, you missed the most important thing they do in "A" school. It is learning how to write checks...
Jul 11, 2011
Craig
Regina - That would be the minimum I would bring to bootcamp, but you really should read the list of items that you really need to bring to boot camp with you:
http://www.navydep.com/forums/showthread.php?t=676
Jul 12, 2011
SonandSea
Jul 12, 2011
Beau.B
Jul 12, 2011
Craig
Jul 12, 2011
navyboundkid (Class 1210MT)
Visiting Great Lakes while in DEP? My son is going this month to visit bootcamp with his recruiter and a group of recruits. Anyone else doing this? Maybe it's because we're so close - 2 hours or so away. I'm excited for him to see what it's like there! He leaves in mid-September, by the way.
Jul 13, 2011
Invisible12
Jul 15, 2011
William in Nashua
Jul 15, 2011
Invisible12
Jul 15, 2011
Jenn (Proud AO Mom)
Jul 18, 2011
SonandSea
Got the Blue Jacket for my son many months ago (he leaves on 8/8) and he has read it. I have also enjoyed reading much of it. I would say to be sure and get the current edition. There are many older editions out there, but this is the most current. Well worth the $.
http://www.amazon.com/Bluejackets-Manual-24th-Thomas-Cutler/dp/1591...
Jul 18, 2011
William in Nashua
Jul 18, 2011
SonandSea
I guess we are lucky. My son's DEP group is very active. Lots of meetings, special events (like the DEP Olympics that families are encouraged to attend), group PT (until it got too hot-we are in TX), Navy Awareness events and volunteer opportunities. They also have a very active FaceBook page. My son's recruiter even attended his high school graduation in May.
Jul 19, 2011
SonandSea
Jul 19, 2011
Craig
crisanthomom - Tell your son about NavyDEP.com. That website revolves around new deppers and people that are in the 1st years in the real Navy. What happens is all the Deppers ping off of each other, and get really motovated to go to boot camp. Lot's of information, and answers he needs for boot camp.
I actually made this PDF file for the member of NavyDEP, so they have an idea of what Great Lakes is all about. Have him check out these PDF files, I posted them here on N4M's too...
Boot_Camp_for_Dummies
Jul 19, 2011
KathyMmom
Jul 25, 2011
KathyMmom
Thanks for that. We discussed it quickly and told him it's his decision, his career. We would adjust the other schedules accordingly if needed. Fortunately, even though he drove right down to the office and agreed to go, somebody else took the spot. He was a bit disappointed but then recovered saying that he would have not been happy to leave without saying goodbye to his sister, so we are all set again for the 9th. whew.
Jul 26, 2011