jboysmom

HI jboysmom, I am commenting on the "Grad n Go" question. Our son PIR'd on 3/20/09. His division 818 was grad n go. It was written on the letter and brochure we received 3 or 4 weeks ahead of time about PIR. What happened was that we saw the guys after PIR for about 30 min. THen they went with their instructors to the bus, all checked out and were checked into the next place, not under boot camp command. It was across the street. They all called us, around 4-5 pm when then were settled. The best part was: since they were no longer in boot camp they all had leave for the whole weekend, and could stay with their families in the hotels. Our son didn't even want to return long enough for a change of clothes. They were all so happy and surprized about the weekend leave! We brought his laptop, phone, a couple of outfits, sneakers, a back pack to put it all in -( IT MUST BE BLACK ONLY). And we were able to give it to him right then. .Oh, the brochure tells you how to stay in navy lodgings, they were nice, close by and a bit less costly than the other places.

Hi Lisa, you are great - thank you so much for the form letters. It's appreciated because my son and I BOTH know he will never write letters. When my oldest son was at Boot Camp in 2007, he wrote great letters. But this youngest one of mine, he will not write but he said he will do it this way. And, my mind is not very creative right now so I appreciate you sharing your's! Best, Kerry

Ah the story was an email I had gotten from another. but gound so much truth in it.

Hi - Katie e-mails pretty regularly. I still write her letters since she likes to get mail. We have only had cell phones for emergency/family phones, but Katie did have a cell phone and texting when she was in A school, but cancelled it since it would n't work in Japan. Since she has been there she did get a cell phone, but it is for keeping in touch with those on base while she is living on the ship or currently in barge barracks. You have to be an E-4 or 5 before you can live on base in Sasebo. I know other sailors have different more expensive plans, but then they can't always call unless there are somewhere in port. Of course, one Mom posted how her son bought an i-phone and then was charged over $1,000 in roaming charges, so.....do you know where your sone will be going? It is probably too soon for that. Since June I have only heard from her 4 times by phone and that has been on the ship phone with a card. When there's not a lot going different I still hear from her 3-4 x a week. Once in a while I catch her on IM and spend time with her that way. I know a lot of sailors/families have Skype, but she hasn't signed up for it and I don't know if she could access that when out to see. I know there are restrictions when out to see as to what she can access. When they were deployed to Australia for 2 months, she could only use her navy.mil e-mail and not her home one, so she couldn't check facebook until she returned back to base.
My oldest is away to college at the northern tip of Michigan in Sault Ste Marie, so I am use to having a daughter away, but it still doesn't make it any easier. Sometimes I think it is better when you don't hear from them everyday- it helps you get use to it and not expect it. Once I didn't hear from her for a week and was worried, only to find out there was nothing new so she didn't write since she didn't want to e-mail the same old thing. Kaie even said "I don't know what you want from me"? Wasn't sure how to respond. Just told her that I was so use to hearing from her more often. I told her that as long as I heard from her 1-2 times a week I would be fine. Even if it's just a response to my e-mail saying 'nothing new', or something like that.
Knowing we probably can't get over to Japan while she is there, it is hard. If she was in the states, we could at least go visit her. But, I try to make the best of it.

Hi, jboysmom. I would be willing to bet my last nickel that they are in school together. Their PIR was on the same date. Jake arrived in Pensacola on 8/9 and your Jacob arrived on 8/10. Jake tells me that the classes are not real easy. His grades are pretty good, but he has to work for it. He said they just finished the unit on air conditioning, and next is engines, which should be easier for him. Jake is also taking a martial arts class on base. He said it is for the Marines that are there, but the AS guys get to participate as well. Does any of this sound similiar to what you're hearing from Jacob?

I was looking at yur pics noticed the Midway College shirt my niece will be starting there next month!

Thanks for the info on Norfolk. Sam is still in Pensacola, issue with her orders. She is the last person from her class to still be there. I am hoping that she'll be leaving there soon to start a new journey. It would be amazing if she gets shipped out on her one year graduation anniversary from boot camp.