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miamishark...I wish your son luck in getting corpsman.  That's all my son really wanted, and when he went, they orignally told him there were no jobs available.  His recruiter called his chief, who in turn called the classifier, who looked again and found that one position had come available during that small window of time.  It was actually the only thing that was available at all that day.  He had an open mind, but really wanted corpsman.  I also worked with a guy who joined a few months before my son, and he said at that time all that was available was corpsman.  I guess it just depends on timing. 

Craig...I loved the video.  My son really wants to be a field medic, not a hospital corpsman, so he would have loved seeing this.  I plan to keep the link to show him once he's out of BC. 

New Horizons - Man, I thought you had already gone to bootcamp.  When you leaving?

jackelfan - You have me confused, a field medic is a Hospital Corpsman.  The Navy changes stuff all the time, are you saying the Navy has another rating for a field medic?

Proudmom - What rating did he get?  I'm hoping you will say he didn't enlist.  The reason is I say this is because I think he would meet a weird Navy benefit which would allow him to enlist as a E5 or E6.  I was able to get this for one of the deppers I was working with, and he actually got E5 after only 4 month.  You really need to check it out.  It's called the DPEP program.  

Go to this link, and look at Chapter 13 called 
DIRECT PROCUREMENT ENLISTMENT PROGRAM (DPEP

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/Publications/Directives/VOL%20IV_Programs%...

Per the colored blind thing:  I listed all the ratings that accept colored blindness in this thread...

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/colorblind-1 

Laura - Having a AA isn't that important, it's having the experience that counts.  Certain ratings that require a lot of school usually qualify for DPEP.  One of the most critical jobs, is a Navy mortician.  The reason is the Navy doesn't have mortician schooling for HM.  So, if a civilain decided to join the Navy and just got their statewide license to practice being a mortician, then they would come in as a minimium of E6, they would waiver that and allow them to come in as a E7 because it is soooo critical.

The E5 depper I finally was able to qualify was for the CTN rating.  I almost got him E6, but he was missing one document.  

The recruiter is correct in telling your daughter the highest rate she would get is E3, however, if your daughter had already earned her certificates as a civilian in the nuke field, then she would be qualified for the DPEP program and would go in as a E5 or E6.  Read the link, it talks about this.

The Navy has lots of really weird rules.  Most recruiters are unaware that it exist. 

Laura R,

Also makes sense that you won't have a major meltdown in front of your other kids.  Maybe soon is the time to go to "that" friend's house that gives you space to do what ever you need to do for yourself.  In the old days, I would go spend the afternoon, then later the night, now I am going away on a "return to sanity" trip for a whole week!  LOL,,,,, takes longer to recuperate with age.  

But seriously, you may want to go someplace that you don't need to hold it all together before you can actually let go.   Hugs

Proundmom2 - Have him come over to NavyDEP.com  and read up on what is about to happen to him.  If he doesn't like forums, then at least print out the below list of what happens each day, so he goes in fully prepare, and not like a "deer in the headlights" like most recruits.

http://www.navydep.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433

Laura, I had a similar reaction. The only time I ever cried, including when Chris shipped out to Japan, was when I missed my Thursday flight to Chicago and thought I was going to miss PIR. I was so worried he would be devastated at my absence. I had promised to be there, and imagining his disappointment was too much, and I broke down. I did make it that day thanks to heroic efforts from some wonderful airline folks (though I arrived at my hotel at about 1 am) and was at PIR as promised.

For some, the goodbye is just not a moment for tears. For me, it was a moment of intense pride in the son I raised - that he was now a man, and was going away to do what my husband and I had done at his age - to experience the Navy. I continued feeling that way until it got to the point, about a year later, that it just - was. Still proud, I just didn't think of his being gone was anything but normal anymore.

Thanks Craig, I already printed out the pages and gave them to my daughter(she leaves first and lives at home). I printed out one for my son and will give it to him, to read. I know they both are trying to be as prepared as possible, (mental and physical).

Another thought for you moms - I sent my son with a small blank note card and a pen.  I asked him to write me a little note about how he was feeling and what he was thinking on the plane to Chicago.  Then all he had to do was stick it in the pocket of his pants and I would get it with his box.  Given that he left on 8/9, and I recevied his first letter over 3 weeks later - it was a great little note to have.  It didn't say much, but it was mine and while everyone else was wishing for letters, I had one already.

Arwnen - like you, I just couldn't cry when my son left.  He hugged me hard and told me not to worry, this was his choice, his dream, his life, his job.  That's what I remember, and now I can't wait until our PIR.  However, I would lose it completely too if somebody told me I might not make it because my plane just left!  So glad they were able to get you there. Great story.

ROFL Craig. The things parents do that totally horrify their offspring...

Craig - it just shows the depths of a mothers love!  Wish I had thought of that.  :-)

IC is a great rating.  Glad to see she's moving on, and about to leave...  She sounds prepared, so she won't have any problems...  

If she wants to know any info on IC, I have a wife who's husband is a IC on my website, just have her talk to Sarah (asailorwife).  They are now stationed in Japan and having alot of fun.

Amy - Remember, this is the Navy, you can only base your time at Great Lakes on the majority of sailors.  

The majority, will be in boot camp for 8 weeks.  The "P" days do not count.  They are not "training" day.  Some recruits are stuck in "P" days up to 2 weeks while their division are being formed.  

Some recruits will be in a "push division".  A "push division" gets through boot camp faster, they get "pushed up" in training by a week or two, graduating immediately after battle stations instead of doing more training. Some graduate in 7 weeks instead of the usual 8, or occasional 9 or 10 weeks (for those who were stuck in processing for two weeks).  

I had a gal that was immediately put into the Fundamental Applied Skills Training (FAST) program when she got there.  From the time she went, until she graduated, it was 15 weeks.  I know you'll ask,  

FAST is for usually for foreign citizens who can't speak English well.  But I've seen people living in gang areas go through it because they only talk the gang language.  Basically, Native English speakers (the gang guys) complete a three week course of instruction: two weeks of Navy Reading Skills and one week of Study Skills. Some non-native English speakers (if your of foreign citizen) experiencing particular difficulty with English complete a four-week course of instruction; three weeks of Verbal Skills and one week of Study Skills. In very rare instances, a fifth week of instruction for non-native English speakers is warranted.

If you can't swim (float), you will be in boot camp until you do, or until you give up or pass the 5 month mark.   After 5 months, the Navy will wash their hand of you.  

I always have to 1st say, this next part isn't a racist comment, it's fact from what I have seen working with soooo many deppers over the years.  I've found for some reason "black" people are the ones who have a real hard time in bootcamp because they can't swim (float).  So anytime I talk to a black depper on my website, I let them know that they really need to go to the pool to prove they can float for 5 minutes.  In fact, everyone should try it.  It's so much easier to learn to swim while you're still at home, instead of boot camp.  

My son was in a 200 division this summer.  He arrived on a Thursday and waited a full week for his division to fill.  Then they were a push division to finish in 8 weeks.

Being flexible here is  really an advantage....  Because of the delay filling his division, we did not get his address or form letter for 18 days.  tough wait!!!

Dodie & navymommo - thank you.  Good to know that the form letter may be later than I had expected.  But as least now I know why and won't worry about it.  And I've been told no news is good news, I will remember that too :)

My sons leaves for Bootcamp in 6 days and my tears are already starting to flow.

Our son wants us to bring him down to MEPS the night before and watch him get sworn in the next morning.  I thought I would cry at his high school graduation this spring, but didn't, so hoping I can do the same again this time.

Sheba - If you haven't already, you should join the Boot Camp Moms group.  My son leaves in 3 weeks and I joined the other day.  They have all kinds of helpful information, and like all the groups, are full of encouragement.  As the days near for my son to leave, I find myself tearing up a little at the oddest times, but am able to hold it together in front of him.  He's so focused and excited about leaving that I don't even feel sad when we are talking about it.  Hang in there.

I went to my sons MEPS swearing in and oath - it was a lot of hurry up and wait, but so worth it!  It was great to see that, and say a last good bye!  My son left 8/23.

Definitely join 'Boot Camp Moms'!

MomAnt - The forms shown on NavyDEP, are the offical Navy forms used by the entire Navy.  Yes, there are a few forms that are Japan only, but those are there just ask examples. I don't have an actually Navy HIPAA form, because they (the Navy) hasen't approved it when I posted that.  

As I said earlier, you can go to any military base and go to the legal office and they will give all the POA you need for free.  Your son is a depper and they will allow him to do this.

However, since you're not near a base, just retype the legal stuff and take out the info that doesn't apply (ie the Miltary ID card).  The wording on those form have proven themselves & have been tested time after time.  They are legal to the core.  The government spent a lot of your taxpayers money on those just to make them dead-on perfect.  Do like most high school kids, plagiarise the crap out of them.  

You could pay an attorney to do it, but to me, I'd just cut and paste the document in MS Word, or, scan it in, then in MS Paint wipe out the areas that don't apply.   

Bottomline, don't sweat the small stuff like this, focus on having a great time with your sailor before he goes.  Your days of seeing a boy are almost gone, the Navy will return to you a man.   That is where the time is well spent...

I think it's time to play the video again... 

"Bottomline, don't sweat the small stuff like this, focus on having a great time with your sailor before he goes.  Your days of seeing a boy are almost gone, the Navy will return to you a man.   That is where the time is well spent..."

Thank you Craig! Your final comment made me burst into tears. I'm a wreck! You are absolutely right and thanks to your help and explanation of how to use these forms, you've relieved me of a huge obstacle to being able to follow that advice. Thanks so much!

I found a Hipaa form SOMEWHERE (?) and printed it out. Who would you suggest I list as the "medical information holder"? Just U.S. Navy? It doesn't have a place for the notary info either. I guess I could add that. Would I be better off with a more basic release of med. info form? Thanks again to everyone!!!

MomAnt - Remember a POA is only as good as those how will accept it.  Not everyone has to, however most do.  

The deal with the POA is to let those know what your sons wishes were.  If you had a problem, and had that form notarized, then any count would side with you because it was your sons wishes.  What you don't want is some legal person to say he is an adult and we can't release that information.  With a legal copy, they wouldn't want to fight it in court, they know they will lose.

Again, I've seen this before (ie the sailor who slipped on the ice),   Had the family just took the time to get a POA made, then they would have save 100's of hours of not knowing.  Any bank can notize something.  They are not there to look over the legal stuff, they are there only to swear that you signed whatever form it is.  In fact, you could just fold up the top part and say it's private, and only have the notarize area shown.  

Bottomline is if someone doesn't want to notarize it, then there are 1000's people behind them that will.  Just like car insurance, you hope to God that you never have to use it, but when you do, it make things alot easier....

Jenn - Thanks for that.  I totally agree that the notary is there to verify who the person is, and not to be the paralegal to see it the i are dotted and the t are crossed. 

MomAnt - Per the sailor I know that slipped on the ice, had the POA been there, the parents could have discussed the sailors health.  However, since he was alive at the time, they couldn't.  It was only days later that he started to go down hill, then died.  Only then, after the Navy did their investigation could they discuss things with the parents and only because they were the next of kin.  

How many hours do you think the parents wanted to know answers, but couldn't be told?  100 hours is this case since it was 4 day when he passed away.  

Again, God is the only one who knows when our time is up.  He has a purpose for all of us.   As sad as it is, I must believe he is doing the correct thing and has something more for us. We can't understand it now, but it will all make sense when we finally meet the man upstairs.  

Hang in there Bellachella and take a deep breath, try to enjoy the weekend and hug her often. Im already getting nervous and my daughter doesnt leave until nov 8th. I can only imagine what you are going thru.

Just a follow up on the notary thing. Im a notary as well and Jenn is exactly right we are only there to make sure who is signing the document is that person or persons. Easy!