Suez yes I got his official letter today in the mail.  just a form letter with his PIR date and our 4 names.  Yes it is confirmed his PIR is 3-15-13.  Made hotel reservations just now at residence inn because we need the extra rooms.  getting excited to get a real letter or even a call but probably not till the weekend.  I am surprised the others have gotten calls so soon. 

 

Sorry but one more thing...if he wears a cross or something like that for his religious beliefs they will allow that to remain around his neck but that's the only jewelry allowed. He may also bring a bible....but that's it!

Yes, send a phone card with a lot of minutes because every time they place a cal the phones there soak up 30 minutes immediately...so long as the call connects. Then it uses minutes normally. Also on this site is a gentleman who gives out cards for recruits. Recruitcallingcards.org? That may be the site if not let me know and I'll get that's website for you. He will give you a photo copy of front and back of calling cards and they can use them. I sent my son with eight of those and told him to give them to recruits who don't have calling cards. Believe me there are NO silly questions here! The only thing they allow them to keep is birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, calling cards and bank account information. I suggest he have a navy federal account before leaving, it just makes it easier...but they'll set one up if he doesn't already have one so don't worry! My sons A school is in Great Lakes so he will get liberty (free time) all weekend. He does have to be back every night at 8pm but we are allowed to go back and pick him up and keep him all day! Oh man I can't wait! Prepare yourself....the I'm here safe phone call is horrible. They sound soooo sad! But they're ok, believe me. Then you'll receive "the box" which is also very sad. My sons pant legs were rolled up (from being fitted for boots) shirt half inside out and thrown in box and any unnecessary paperwork that he had on him just thrown in too. My son wore old sneakers and he threw them out instead of paying to ship them home. The shipping comes out of their first paycheck! Oh yeah and his cell phone was also in the box. I suggest taking the cell phone because he can speak to you right up to the RDC's picking them up on the bus. And then about two hours after that you'll get the I'm safe call....also from his cell phone but it will be EXTREMELY BRIEF and sound almost robotic....my son sounded horrible and the call was 23 seconds. It goes like this: hi I'm here safe, you'll be receiving a box with all my stuff in in and in about three weeks I might be able to call...I said Hun? Are you ok? His response....yeah but I gotta go...I love you and then click....phone hung up!! So my biggest advice is prepare yourself for that call because it devastated me! And I got that call at 1:08 am. Sorry I got off course...lol....so we're staying until Monday, because his liberty ends 8pm Sunday! So if your child is staying in Great Lakes for A school, that's my suggestion of what to do, but if they go to another state for A school...you will only have graduation day and most likely he will fly out the next morning to get to his A school to check in there. I know that was a ton of info but I wish I would've known these thing prior to my son leaving! Any other questions feel free to ask! Lots of luck to you!!talk to you soon!!

So the times coming close when your son will be leaving! Hang in there and be strong. Well, you've done this before but each times always something different. My sons graduating soon, 1/11/13....cannot wait. Make sure as soon as the group for your sons PIR is available, you join. That will be your complete and total support system! Plus I've been through it recently so any questions feel free to ask me! Lots of kids this ti e around we're sent to ship 5 which is to be sent back to civilian life and its difficult but my friends son went through that so I'm experienced in that as well, god willing this will not be info you'll need. Best if luck to you, your future SR and the rest of his supportive family!

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Suez, I was hoping my son would've went in after the holidays but that wasn't the case. He left before thanksgiving, will be there for Christmas and new year...plus his 22nd birthday! So sad! For us because he's perfectly fine with it! Wow, you have another in the marines, huh? That's tough! Poor you! Yeah I'll be around when you get emotional! Lol