Invisible12 - I don't think anything you are feeling is strange, it's a new experience filled with all different emotions. My son is still a depper, but I understand how you say it was a relief the day finally came. He leaves on Oct 4th and will have been in dep a total of 7 months by that time. These last few weeks have felt longer than the previous months combined. While I don't get a chance to interact on this site as often as I'd like, just reading the words of encourage sent to others helps. You hang in there too!
AmyS.....I and we will be here for you when your day comes. Come on as often as you can. The support really carries you through. The waiting for me was horrible.
Thanks AmyS and Invisible12 for the comments about feeling relief when they finally go in. I have been feeling guilty thinking that it will be almost a relief when the day finally comes because the wait is terrible. I know the wait for my son and daughter has been exiciting and stressful at the same time. My daughter will only be in Dep a total of 3 months but my son started all of this in April so he will be in Dep a total of 8 months so it feels as if we have been living this wait forever.
Dang it Craig...I LOVE that video...thanks! Gotta show the family that one.
Well, there is some more stuff I wish I had known. We didn't have a DEP, enlisted and three weeks later he was gone, but doesn't mean we can't take care of it now! Soon as he can (he just got to Gulfport for new "A" school) sending him to legal! Thanks everyone! I'll pop in more often...I really need too as I'm on the PIR groups and usually starting the next one...need to get to know all of you before you get there!
Plus, I can see I need info too! LOL
Craig, BTW...hope this isn't taboo (or better yet doesn't totally annoy you!)...is there anything out there for... Marine moms to get informed? Middle son talking Marines (well Army AND/OR Marines - pushing Marines LOL)
Proudmom - I posted this the other day on BC Moms (sans smiley...I added that for you!) and thought I would repost here.
The relief thing is very "normal" as you can see. It is just ONE of many emotions that you will feel all at the same time! I know it doesn't "feel" good or right like maybe you shouldn't feel it...but it happens, then it goes away. Guess what? They feel that too sometimes!
My husband deployed a while back and I tell you Pre-deployment is h*** on earth! Packing doing, getting, all while trying to carry on with the regular stuff. I felt the relief along with all the other emotions. Funny thing was I heard it in his voice too...we talked about it! Said the usual..."I don't mean this in a bad way because I will miss you but..." LOL! So I am sure the recruits feel some of this too. (I wouldn't discuss it ith them though...it's all SO new...hubby has at least been in for a while!)
...and this on DEP leaving for September, when the moms were saying they felt like zombies right after their recruits left...
Okay...all the zombie smileys were gross...so this is as close as I want to get!
THIS is us when our loved ones go off to BC!
...and finally...this is for all y'all.....
I know...I am an emoticonaholic....hoping I made you smile!
Proudmom - Are you familiar with the comic strip Zits? It's based on the life a teenage boy named Jeremy. A recent one ended with Jeremy's mom saying to him " I can't wait to start missing you when you leave home!" It put exactly into words how I feel some days.
Craig - Ha,Ha...I told my son that one after reading it somewhere else that you had posted it. Also the, M A R I N E S...My @ss Rides In Navy Equipment, one you posted! LOL
So, is that why they have such "pretty" dress uniforms!
When we go buy the recruiting offices we notice that the Marines have the best decorated! The AF one is trying to look "specop'ed"! I can make fun...DH is AF reserves and no...he's not a pilot! Defends'em!
Congrats, Bellachella! Keep us all posted on everything, especially how you're coping! We have another few months to go, as our son doesn't leave until January 10th.
Their date to ship out comes up so fast! We waited almost a year, and then, suddenly, it was off to MEPS and gone! Now he's about halfway through bootcamp, and seems to be doing fine! N4M is a great website - it's been really a great support for me - especially the 'veteran' moms! :)
Britt - Have your husband come over to NavyDEP.com We will pump him up with alot of info and get him really well prepared about going to boot camp. We love "spilling the bean" on what the Navy is about to do. It makes their time at boot camp so much easier knowing that they already know the game plan.
Thanks Craig! I have already sent him over there. I think his name is DenVader. Please fill him with as much knowledge as possible :) He could really use the support right now. Unfortunately his parents are not very happy with his decision, they don't understand that it is his life.
I do have a question for you as well... We live in the Los Angeles, Ca area and I know he has to go to MEPS in San Diego to do his swearing in and thats where he will depart from. If his ship date is 5/8/12, which is a Tuesday. What day will he need to be in San Diego? And how does the whole swearing in thing usually work? I would just like to know ahead of time so I can request time off work to see him swear in and so I can let my parents know as well so they can be there.
hi all - so as of this morning I am no longer a mom of a depper - my son swore in this morning and will fly out tomorrow. Exciting and sad time. I will get to see him one more time tonight for dinner so at least I will get another hug and kiss.
Britt - All of his last medical things will be the day before May 7th. On May 8th, he will swear in. He is considered in the Navy on that day. All of his pay raises that are based on longevity use that date.
If I were you, I'd find out which which hotel the Navy uses for departures and rent a room there also. This will allow you go out with him for dinner and have your last minutes of romance. You want to be close to the MEPS station so you can be there for his swearing in. It's a must see, and shows that you are supporting his future. Without your support, he is totally screwed in boot camp.
Remember, after he swears in, you need to know when he will fly out. And you need to rush to the airport to get an Airline Gate pass. You will be allowed to go to the actual gate and watch the flight pull out and fly away. This is actually really good for you because it gives you closure, and you will know that his life in the Navy just began. Here is the TSA rule for greeting and departure of military personnel.
see para labeled "Accommodations For U.S. Military Personnel"
He needs to remember that the deppers that he is leaving with mean nothing. More than likely they won't be in the same boot camp ship anyways, he needs to spend those last minutes with you.
Per the parents. I'm actually really good with this part. I have helped deppers for years. The reasons parents don't like their kid decision is because they haven't a clue about the Navy. They just rather just stick their head in the sand, rather than research the actual data that supports their son/daughter. I want you to read this thread.
Focus on the parent part, and focus on the benefits. Most of these sailors will actually make more money than their parents within 3 years. It may not seem that way because on bottom line of your 1040 it doesn't show tax-free money. Have him ask his parents if their company pays housing allowance, food allowance, medical & dental, education, Heck, I pay $460 per year for medical, my co-workers pay the same payment on a bi-weekly basis (ie 26 times per year).
Have him keeping fighting for until they breakdown and understand how our pay is calculated. He will win!
Sorry for this post being so long, but I'm very good with changing parents views, and getting them to move to the same team.
It was about 4 1/2 hours from when he landed that we got the 'I'm here' call also. He flew in with 2 other recruits and we figured they had to wait for the bus to fill with others coming in. Our call came at 7:35 pm, I really wasn't expecting it that early, so I missed the call. They did let him try again and he called my husband's phone the second time and got his 30 seconds with him.
Sending hugs and kisses to all of you whose SRs are leaving or have just left. I've become addicted to N4M and couldn't get through my days without it. Hang in there!
They become sailors after passing battlestations which is around week 7 or so sometimes the beginning of week 8 even though they are going to leave that week
The time they spend at the airport is the last truely relaxed time they get. Recruits generally stop at a pizza place to use their meal vouchers, sit and eat for a half-hour to an hour (they have to agree to do this as a group). Then they report to the USO lounge, where they can continue to relax until the bus with the RDCs arrive. The stress doesn't begin until they get on the bus.
Some recruits don't realise they don't have to go straight to the USO. If they happen to report to the USO immediately after arrival, and there just happens to be a bus there, then they can end up doing the 1 hour 15 minute thing. This is a VERY bad idea, because most don't get lunch before getting on the plane, and that stop at the restaurant at the airport is the last time they will get to eat until the next day (sometimes for almost 24 hours), and sometimes they don't get to sleep for 72 hours. So they need to nap and eat as much as they can.
"Recruit" means not yet a sailor. They become sailors after Battlestations 21 (final exam) at the Capping Ceremony (graduation) about a week before PIR.
Seaman recruit is a rate (most people call it a rank, the Navy calls it a rate), the lowest ranking individuals in the Navy.
All recruits start as Seaman Recruit. At the end of boot camp, when they pass Battlestations 21 they gain the rate they earned through the DEP program, college credits, their school program, or for something else they did to earn a promotion.
Most new sailors will not have earned a promotion so early. They retain the rate of Seaman Recruit for 9 months from the day they entered boot camp.
The following assumes a recruit graduates boot camp without having earned a promotion:
E-1 Seaman Recruit (9 months)
E-2 Seaman Apprentice (9 months)
E-3 Seaman (6 months, then they can take the exam for PO3)
Peggy - Per your question of "when they become sailors?" You may want to look at this link, and go towards the bottom of "Battle Stations Part 2 of 2". It will give you a visual of when they become sailors.
Secondly, you asked "I wonder if his head is shaved yet????", here is a day-per-day routine that I had the deppers I worked with make. It is pretty accurate (within a couple days).
Rexy - Just noticed your son will be an IS. I hope he has warned the neighbors that a bunch of people with badges will be around asking questions. He needs to let them know that it's not that he's in trouble, but because he's going into the Navy. The investigators will also contact his school.
Renee - IS is an Intelligence Specialist. The IS and CT (Cryptologist) actually do the same exact security clearance thing, and work in the same spaces on the ship.
Most neighbors only think people with badges means bad things, it doesn't even cross their minds that there are good things too (ie joining the Navy). Thus why it is good beforehand to give them the info that the investigators will probably be talking to them.
We live in such a rural area that we can't see our next door neighbors. We will run to help put out field fires or catch a neighbor's runaway horse, but we don't know eachother well. Too busy working, farming, and travelling to talk across the fence. They would likely respond with "huh, who?" when asked about our son, so a heads-up may be in order. LOL
Just an update about this group. I have tried to find the other admin for this group for along time now, but haven't been able to contact any of them, So I went ahead and added myself as an administrator to this group to keep you guys well informed about the Navy, and what it has to offer your future sailor.
I really want to help you guys to understand the Navy, and more importantly, your depper. I actually run my own website that only deals with deppers, but it always helps when the family members understands it too. So......
I will made a couple minor changes to this group by adding some "Trivia" questions to make it interesting for you, as I do with the deppers on my own website.
Just a little background, I am a retired sailor who still works with the Navy, my son is an active duty sailor, my two nephews are also active duty. I am also an N4M adviser to the "New Navy Moms Stop Here Group" (these ladies know their stuff!) and the administrator for the Cryptology section here at N4M's.
So there you go... Just want you to know why the page looks a little different.
Yes, the Navy does get on, and they do look. However, they cannot make comments. Let's face it, if you were an RDC wouldn't you want to look at what is happening in your own division? I would.
The bottomline is it's ok to talk about alot of stuff on an open forum, but when it comes down to private matters, they you should move it off to facebook or something else. The joys of joining a PIR group when your recruit is in boot camp is totally awesome. Everyone should do it. It's is soooo much fun. But always remember, these posts are seen around the world. There is no privacy. The bad guys are looking too.
btw: I don't work for the Navy, I am a contractor. The only reason I started my own website is because my son had sailors calling me at all hours of the night with questions. Instead of answering one, I had them post it on my website so 1000's can see it. It cut the phone calls down alot. Again, I just like helping new sailors. It's part of my payback for those that helped me.
One thing no one ever thinks to pass on to the new recruits -please pass this one on to yours.
Boot camp isn't about creating a perfect sailor. It's about building teams, and molding team players. The Navy is a force made up of specialists, each speciality has an important role but cannot make a difference without many, many other specialists doing jobs that complement that task.
When a recruit as difficulty in boot camp, the RDC will come down hard on, not the recruit, but his/her rackmate, and his/her division.
This isn't to punish the recruit who is having problems, but to try to get it though the heads of the other recruits that each individual recruit results mean nothing. It is the effort of the group that counts.
So when that "perfect" recruit gets his/her bed perfect, and his/her rackmate is still struggling with hospital corners, or something just isn't quite right with his/her folding job, they should NOT sit back and snicker. Unless they have been specifically instructed to not help another, they should help their rackmate, their divisionmate, their shipmate by either showing them how to do it, or simply pitching in to assist.
Because in the end, that's what the RDCs want to see - a recruit who, once s/he has done his/her job right, turns to help another get it right.
Someday, learning that habit may just save the ship, and save their lives.
peggy - Cool... Just wondered. I'm actually trying to copying some of the info I put on the Cryptology page over to this one. That way we can pump up the ladies in this section with lots of good info. They're going to learn more about boot camp than the deppers going to their weekly DEP meetings....
You just need to be patient.... my husband went to MEPS 4 times before he got a job and signed. He started the process in March and was told he needed to lose a little bit of weight. He did and in May he went back to the recruiter he originally had seen near our home and the guy wasn't willing to help him. He found a recruiter about 15 miles away that has helped him a lot. I know it is a frustrating process, but you just need to be patient : )
JustaMom the Navy is full now and they are actually downsizing, they are going to get rid of 3,000 sailors. Of course the Navy still needs recruits but just not as many as it once did. In the Seabees, they are actually cutting two whole battalions. But, there are still jobs to be had so keep at it. There are only certain ratings that they are always hiring.
Justamom - It's really not up to the recruiter to find a job for your son. The recruiter's job is to get your son to appointments with the MEPS classifier, who is the one in charge of finding an open job.
The problem is that even if the recruiter is on the ball and hears of an opening, it could be taken by ANYONE in the US who qualifies for it before your con can get to the MEPS office to sign for it. Generally jobs are taken within 10 minutes after they appear on the system. It's a matter of pure luck. My son just happened to be at MEPS for the first time when an opening appeared. By the time they got to the next guy in line, who had been there four times already, there were no jobs. There is no saving jobs, no reservations. It appears on the computer system, then is taken first-come, first-serve, in competition by all 56 MEPS locations in the US. If it appears in the morning, those on the east coast have an advantage, since the western MEPS aren't open yet. In late afternoon, the west coast has the advantage.
Openings can be created by:
*the Navy, when those in charge of such things determine more E-1 through E-3s of a certain job classification are needed;
*by DEPpers dropping out of the program - their jobs are reassigned to new DEPpers;
*or by a recruit/student failing out of boot camp or A-school.
Hi all. I am a new (well soon to be) a DEP mom. My sone takes the oath in January, graduates high school in May and it looks like ship out date sometime in Oct 2012...but we will know for sure in January. Although I knew this was coming it is so hard. It has been just the two of us for so long. I am going to missssss him soooooo much. I am am proud of him. He has wanted this for so long and his dreams are finally starting to come true. So let me ask the moms out there....when do the tears stop LOL.....I feel like everytime I turn around my emotions get the better of me. Is it possible to be so happy for them and so sad at the same time?
AmyS
Sep 16, 2011
Invisible12
Sep 16, 2011
Proudmom
Sep 16, 2011
FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW
Dang it Craig...I LOVE that video...thanks! Gotta show the family that one.
Well, there is some more stuff I wish I had known. We didn't have a DEP, enlisted and three weeks later he was gone, but doesn't mean we can't take care of it now! Soon as he can (he just got to Gulfport for new "A" school) sending him to legal! Thanks everyone! I'll pop in more often...I really need too as I'm on the PIR groups and usually starting the next one...need to get to know all of you before you get there!
Plus, I can see I need info too! LOL
Craig, BTW...hope this isn't taboo (or better yet doesn't totally annoy you!)...is there anything out there for...
Marine moms to get informed? Middle son talking Marines (well Army AND/OR Marines - pushing Marines LOL)
Have a great day everyone!
Sep 17, 2011
FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW
Proudmom - I posted this the other day on BC Moms (sans smiley...I added that for you!) and thought I would repost here.
The relief thing is very "normal" as you can see. It is just ONE of many emotions that you will feel all at the same time! I know it doesn't "feel" good or right like maybe you shouldn't feel it...but it happens, then it goes away. Guess what? They feel that too sometimes!
My husband deployed a while back and I tell you Pre-deployment is h*** on earth! Packing doing, getting, all while trying to carry on with the regular stuff. I felt the relief along with all the other emotions. Funny thing was I heard it in his voice too...we talked about it! Said the usual..."I don't mean this in a bad way because I will miss you but..." LOL! So I am sure the recruits feel some of this too. (I wouldn't discuss it ith them though...it's all SO new...hubby has at least been in for a while!)
...and this on DEP leaving for September, when the moms were saying they felt like zombies right after their recruits left...
Okay...all the zombie smileys were gross...so this is as close as I want to get!
THIS is us when our loved ones go off to BC!
...and finally...this is for all y'all.....
I know...I am an emoticonaholic....hoping I made you smile!
Sep 17, 2011
FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW
...well it would be nice if I could spell..."with" not "ith"
This would be me (go to 1:46 to "Uh-huhhhh) or watch the whole thing if you like the Rascals! Spanky is little and adorable...eenie,meenie,miney,moe!)
Obviously "in-a-mood" going to go now!
Sep 17, 2011
Craig
FireTeam - Hey, I'm all for the Marines, since they are still part of the Department of the Navy.... The women's department....
http://marinefamilynetwork.com/
Sep 17, 2011
AmyS
Proudmom - Are you familiar with the comic strip Zits? It's based on the life a teenage boy named Jeremy. A recent one ended with Jeremy's mom saying to him " I can't wait to start missing you when you leave home!" It put exactly into words how I feel some days.
Sep 17, 2011
FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW
Craig - Ha,Ha...I told my son that one after reading it somewhere else that you had posted it. Also the, M A R I N E S...My @ss Rides In Navy Equipment, one you posted! LOL
So, is that why they have such "pretty" dress uniforms!
When we go buy the recruiting offices we notice that the Marines have the best decorated! The AF one is trying to look "specop'ed"! I can make fun...DH is AF reserves and no...he's not a pilot! Defends'em!
Thanks for the link!
Sep 17, 2011
Arwen
Sep 17, 2011
Craig
Sep 17, 2011
FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW
Wonder what he's going to do with them? She forgot to tell him!
Sep 17, 2011
Proudmom
Sep 18, 2011
Invisible12
Sep 20, 2011
SailorJsMom
Sep 20, 2011
Proudmom
Sep 20, 2011
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Sep 23, 2011
Jenn (Proud AO Mom)
Sep 23, 2011
SheilaD
Sep 26, 2011
Craig
Sep 28, 2011
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Thanks Craig! I have already sent him over there. I think his name is DenVader. Please fill him with as much knowledge as possible :) He could really use the support right now. Unfortunately his parents are not very happy with his decision, they don't understand that it is his life.
I do have a question for you as well... We live in the Los Angeles, Ca area and I know he has to go to MEPS in San Diego to do his swearing in and thats where he will depart from. If his ship date is 5/8/12, which is a Tuesday. What day will he need to be in San Diego? And how does the whole swearing in thing usually work? I would just like to know ahead of time so I can request time off work to see him swear in and so I can let my parents know as well so they can be there.
Sep 28, 2011
Jenn (Proud AO Mom)
Sep 28, 2011
Craig
Britt - All of his last medical things will be the day before May 7th. On May 8th, he will swear in. He is considered in the Navy on that day. All of his pay raises that are based on longevity use that date.
If I were you, I'd find out which which hotel the Navy uses for departures and rent a room there also. This will allow you go out with him for dinner and have your last minutes of romance. You want to be close to the MEPS station so you can be there for his swearing in. It's a must see, and shows that you are supporting his future. Without your support, he is totally screwed in boot camp.
Remember, after he swears in, you need to know when he will fly out. And you need to rush to the airport to get an Airline Gate pass. You will be allowed to go to the actual gate and watch the flight pull out and fly away. This is actually really good for you because it gives you closure, and you will know that his life in the Navy just began. Here is the TSA rule for greeting and departure of military personnel.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1880.shtm
see para labeled "Accommodations For U.S. Military Personnel"
He needs to remember that the deppers that he is leaving with mean nothing. More than likely they won't be in the same boot camp ship anyways, he needs to spend those last minutes with you.
Per the parents. I'm actually really good with this part. I have helped deppers for years. The reasons parents don't like their kid decision is because they haven't a clue about the Navy. They just rather just stick their head in the sand, rather than research the actual data that supports their son/daughter. I want you to read this thread.
http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/i-want-to-enlistbut-my-family
Focus on the parent part, and focus on the benefits. Most of these sailors will actually make more money than their parents within 3 years. It may not seem that way because on bottom line of your 1040 it doesn't show tax-free money. Have him ask his parents if their company pays housing allowance, food allowance, medical & dental, education, Heck, I pay $460 per year for medical, my co-workers pay the same payment on a bi-weekly basis (ie 26 times per year).
Have him keeping fighting for until they breakdown and understand how our pay is calculated. He will win!
Sorry for this post being so long, but I'm very good with changing parents views, and getting them to move to the same team.
Sep 28, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Oct 4, 2011
Craig
Oct 4, 2011
Arwen
Oct 5, 2011
Craig
Oct 5, 2011
AmyS
It was about 4 1/2 hours from when he landed that we got the 'I'm here' call also. He flew in with 2 other recruits and we figured they had to wait for the bus to fill with others coming in. Our call came at 7:35 pm, I really wasn't expecting it that early, so I missed the call. They did let him try again and he called my husband's phone the second time and got his 30 seconds with him.
Oct 5, 2011
Invisible12
Oct 5, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Oct 5, 2011
Lvemyabej
Oct 5, 2011
Arwen
The time they spend at the airport is the last truely relaxed time they get. Recruits generally stop at a pizza place to use their meal vouchers, sit and eat for a half-hour to an hour (they have to agree to do this as a group). Then they report to the USO lounge, where they can continue to relax until the bus with the RDCs arrive. The stress doesn't begin until they get on the bus.
Some recruits don't realise they don't have to go straight to the USO. If they happen to report to the USO immediately after arrival, and there just happens to be a bus there, then they can end up doing the 1 hour 15 minute thing. This is a VERY bad idea, because most don't get lunch before getting on the plane, and that stop at the restaurant at the airport is the last time they will get to eat until the next day (sometimes for almost 24 hours), and sometimes they don't get to sleep for 72 hours. So they need to nap and eat as much as they can.
Oct 5, 2011
Arwen
"Recruit" means not yet a sailor. They become sailors after Battlestations 21 (final exam) at the Capping Ceremony (graduation) about a week before PIR.
Seaman recruit is a rate (most people call it a rank, the Navy calls it a rate), the lowest ranking individuals in the Navy.
All recruits start as Seaman Recruit. At the end of boot camp, when they pass Battlestations 21 they gain the rate they earned through the DEP program, college credits, their school program, or for something else they did to earn a promotion.
Most new sailors will not have earned a promotion so early. They retain the rate of Seaman Recruit for 9 months from the day they entered boot camp.
The following assumes a recruit graduates boot camp without having earned a promotion:
E-1 Seaman Recruit (9 months)
E-2 Seaman Apprentice (9 months)
E-3 Seaman (6 months, then they can take the exam for PO3)
E-4 Petty Officer 3rd Class
E-5 Petty Officer 2nd Class
E-6 Petty Officer 1st Class
E-7 Chief Petty Officer
E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officer
E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer
Oct 5, 2011
Craig
Peggy - Per your question of "when they become sailors?" You may want to look at this link, and go towards the bottom of "Battle Stations Part 2 of 2". It will give you a visual of when they become sailors.
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ctratemoms/forum/topics/boot-camp-...
Secondly, you asked "I wonder if his head is shaved yet????", here is a day-per-day routine that I had the deppers I worked with make. It is pretty accurate (within a couple days).
What happens at bootcamp - Day-per-Day? (Up to week #6)
Oct 5, 2011
Rexy
Oct 6, 2011
Craig
Rexy - Just noticed your son will be an IS. I hope he has warned the neighbors that a bunch of people with badges will be around asking questions. He needs to let them know that it's not that he's in trouble, but because he's going into the Navy. The investigators will also contact his school.
You would benefit reading this post:
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ctratemoms/forum/topics/security-c...
Oct 6, 2011
ReneeBC
Oct 6, 2011
Gcjp
Oct 6, 2011
Craig
Renee - IS is an Intelligence Specialist. The IS and CT (Cryptologist) actually do the same exact security clearance thing, and work in the same spaces on the ship.
Most neighbors only think people with badges means bad things, it doesn't even cross their minds that there are good things too (ie joining the Navy). Thus why it is good beforehand to give them the info that the investigators will probably be talking to them.
Oct 7, 2011
ReneeBC
Craig,
We live in such a rural area that we can't see our next door neighbors. We will run to help put out field fires or catch a neighbor's runaway horse, but we don't know eachother well. Too busy working, farming, and travelling to talk across the fence. They would likely respond with "huh, who?" when asked about our son, so a heads-up may be in order. LOL
Oct 7, 2011
Craig
Hey all,
Just an update about this group. I have tried to find the other admin for this group for along time now, but haven't been able to contact any of them, So I went ahead and added myself as an administrator to this group to keep you guys well informed about the Navy, and what it has to offer your future sailor.
I really want to help you guys to understand the Navy, and more importantly, your depper. I actually run my own website that only deals with deppers, but it always helps when the family members understands it too. So......
I will made a couple minor changes to this group by adding some "Trivia" questions to make it interesting for you, as I do with the deppers on my own website.
Just a little background, I am a retired sailor who still works with the Navy, my son is an active duty sailor, my two nephews are also active duty. I am also an N4M adviser to the "New Navy Moms Stop Here Group" (these ladies know their stuff!) and the administrator for the Cryptology section here at N4M's.
So there you go... Just want you to know why the page looks a little different.
Oct 9, 2011
Craig
Yes, the Navy does get on, and they do look. However, they cannot make comments. Let's face it, if you were an RDC wouldn't you want to look at what is happening in your own division? I would.
The bottomline is it's ok to talk about alot of stuff on an open forum, but when it comes down to private matters, they you should move it off to facebook or something else. The joys of joining a PIR group when your recruit is in boot camp is totally awesome. Everyone should do it. It's is soooo much fun. But always remember, these posts are seen around the world. There is no privacy. The bad guys are looking too.
btw: I don't work for the Navy, I am a contractor. The only reason I started my own website is because my son had sailors calling me at all hours of the night with questions. Instead of answering one, I had them post it on my website so 1000's can see it. It cut the phone calls down alot. Again, I just like helping new sailors. It's part of my payback for those that helped me.Oct 9, 2011
Craig
Oct 9, 2011
Arwen
One thing no one ever thinks to pass on to the new recruits -please pass this one on to yours.
Boot camp isn't about creating a perfect sailor. It's about building teams, and molding team players. The Navy is a force made up of specialists, each speciality has an important role but cannot make a difference without many, many other specialists doing jobs that complement that task.
When a recruit as difficulty in boot camp, the RDC will come down hard on, not the recruit, but his/her rackmate, and his/her division.
This isn't to punish the recruit who is having problems, but to try to get it though the heads of the other recruits that each individual recruit results mean nothing. It is the effort of the group that counts.
So when that "perfect" recruit gets his/her bed perfect, and his/her rackmate is still struggling with hospital corners, or something just isn't quite right with his/her folding job, they should NOT sit back and snicker. Unless they have been specifically instructed to not help another, they should help their rackmate, their divisionmate, their shipmate by either showing them how to do it, or simply pitching in to assist.
Because in the end, that's what the RDCs want to see - a recruit who, once s/he has done his/her job right, turns to help another get it right.
Someday, learning that habit may just save the ship, and save their lives.
Oct 10, 2011
Craig
Oct 10, 2011
ReneeBC
JustaMom> Where are you located? This is so far from our experience that I am truly saddened by yours, especially for your son.
Oct 18, 2011
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Oct 18, 2011
William in Nashua
JustaMom the Navy is full now and they are actually downsizing, they are going to get rid of 3,000 sailors. Of course the Navy still needs recruits but just not as many as it once did. In the Seabees, they are actually cutting two whole battalions. But, there are still jobs to be had so keep at it. There are only certain ratings that they are always hiring.
Oct 18, 2011
Arwen
Justamom - It's really not up to the recruiter to find a job for your son. The recruiter's job is to get your son to appointments with the MEPS classifier, who is the one in charge of finding an open job.
The problem is that even if the recruiter is on the ball and hears of an opening, it could be taken by ANYONE in the US who qualifies for it before your con can get to the MEPS office to sign for it. Generally jobs are taken within 10 minutes after they appear on the system. It's a matter of pure luck. My son just happened to be at MEPS for the first time when an opening appeared. By the time they got to the next guy in line, who had been there four times already, there were no jobs. There is no saving jobs, no reservations. It appears on the computer system, then is taken first-come, first-serve, in competition by all 56 MEPS locations in the US. If it appears in the morning, those on the east coast have an advantage, since the western MEPS aren't open yet. In late afternoon, the west coast has the advantage.
Openings can be created by:
*the Navy, when those in charge of such things determine more E-1 through E-3s of a certain job classification are needed;
*by DEPpers dropping out of the program - their jobs are reassigned to new DEPpers;
*or by a recruit/student failing out of boot camp or A-school.
Oct 22, 2011
Lizdcf
Oct 24, 2011