I am sorry your phone call turned out the way it did.  I totally get how you feel.  When my son made his first call he sounded like he was trying everything not to cry.  Then when he admitted he was homesick, that hit me too.  I too felt down all week after that.  I had all these things going thru my mind about him.  As I told you the other day, our next phone call was better.  But, even after 3 calls, I still feel like he is trying to adjust to the mental part of bootcamp.  He told me in his letter I got Thursday, that he is taking it day by day, meal by meal, and just trying really hard on everything.

Until I hear him say he is positively glad he joined, I still am going to worry.  He has been gone 1 month and I keep thinking it will get better for him.  I also don't know how much of an opportunity they have to talk with the other recruits.  I think this whole process is easier for the older recruits.  My son is just 18 and this is the longest he has been away from home.  I have to think once they get thru BC, things will be a whole lot better.  I will be thinking about you and hope your next call is better!

Hi!  I hope you are having a good day today.  We are having a birthday party for my mother tonight and I will be with one of my brothers who did 20 years in the Navy.  He always helps my spirits by telling me all of his bootcamp stories.  Just hearing those things seems to make me feel so much better for my son. 

My sons biggest thing will be dealing with the recruits that aren't taking this bootcamp serious yet.  He is very serious and wants to have a good division.  He wants nothing to happen that will penalize them from graduating on November 8th.  Sometimes I feel like he is an old man in a little kids body. lol  He seems too mature for his age.  Must take after his father.  :)  Hope everything is going well for your son.  When does he graduate?  Sorry if I am overwhelming you being so chatty.  I just love this being able to talk to mothers in the same situation.  Even though we all don't know each other, I still feel like we are friends.  I guess that is part of the feeling of a "Navy Family".

Got another call from my son tonight.  We were so surprised.. He sounded like a different kid from the call we had on Sunday.  All these mothers that say each call will get better are right.  I have been down all week, and now I can feel a sense of relief.  Of course the whole time (37 minutes) we talked I had a hard time getting a word in.  He was so excited to tell us all that had been going on.  I kinda hogged the phone and his dad didn't get as much time talking to him.  Suddenly I heard that yell and it was time to hang up again.  Keep me posted on how things are going with you!

Hi there.  It's very likely our boys probably do since my husband said they do a lot of team exercises so they are always working with other recruits.  Glad to know there are several people on here that have kids in the same division.  Hopefully we hear from them this weekend.  Keeping fingers crossed.

You are very welcome.

I am actually from Alabama. I have lived in Alaska for 4 years and would not want to live anywhere else. I am hoping that my son's box gets here today. I just don't like the not knowing what is going on.  I think I will be a little more at ease when I get the letter. Hope you are having a great day!

Since your SR has a contract for Culinary Specialist (CS), join CS (Culinary Specialist) Moms. You will also want to check out Joint Culinary Center of Excellence Facebook Page and Joint Culinary Training Directorate (JCTD). The Rating Information Card for CS can be found at https://www.cool.navy.mil/enlisted/rating_info_cards/cs.pdf. That indicates 9 weeks, but "A" School is 5-6 weeks after classing up. Your Sailor may fly out to "A" School in Fort Lee, VA to the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence the day after PIR, but it is not unusual for Sailors who will be going to Fort Lee to be on Hold in the THU at GL after PIR waiting to class up at Fort Lee, so you MAY get extra time with your Sailor PIR weekend just because of that. There must not be extra barracks at Fort Lee for all of those who are not ready to class up, so sometimes Sailors going there are in the THU for 1 to 4 weeks before flying to VA. I suggest that you plan to stay through Sunday night or Monday just in case your Sailor does not fly out right away. Only your Sailor will know how it will work and may not know until just before PIR. See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend to help you know how to plan your weekend.

we don't have much longer with our boys now. I will be praying for you and your son and please return the favor