My son is being sworn in on Feb 14th at Ft. Hamilton in New York and then leaving for the Great Lakes.  He's going to be a nuke.  Is there anyone else in the same boat and hopefully from this area whose son or daughter is leaving too?

My son is currently in seperations waiting to be sent home. It's a huge loss to the Navy. He has a strong military belief system and his grandfather who is a major in the army was able to swear him in. His whole life was planned around being in the Navy. How do you pick up the pieces once they get home to an economy where there are no jobs and the colleges are so understaffed that you can't even get the classes you need. My heart goes out to all recruits that want to be there and are sent…

I feel really supported - getting texts and other messages from others on this site (with similar experiences).  I miss my SR so much! I got a little teary eyed on my way to work, but I am glad that my colleagues were all really understanding and asking about my bf.  I also blog about my running so I did that today and it helped me keep focused on where I am today.  With my running I never look at more then once month at a time, because if I look at my mileage as a whole it is really…

Can't believe my so is graduating nuke A School.... it has been a crazy ride. He has lots more schooling ahead of him, but this is a great achievement! 

http://sonandsea.blogspot.com/2012/02/half-year-later.html…

It's been about 2 1/2 weeks since our son left for bootcamp.  We got the "I arrived safely" call the first night, and his box of clothing arrived a few days later.  From what I've read at this site, we probably won't hear from him at least for another week. 

It has been a great help to read posts from other moms so that we know what he has been experiencing during the first couple of weeks and what to expect in the coming weeks.

Yesterday was one week. Eight more to go. I have had a variety of emotions I have gone through in this past week, sometimes I'm doing better, today I cried off and on all day. This is such a good thing, such a good opportunity for Tori, I just cry for the distance between us. I am so used to giving her support though all her hardships, or at least telling her how I handle the same situations. I hope for her she has made some friends, I wish there were other moms from the same ship on here so…

michael just had his first mandatory meeting today (dep) i think its called he was laughing and said everything they talked about his papa already went over with him lol his papa is retired CW3 in the Army. Michael couldnt believe how much his papa knows even though he is Army lol. Gotta love the bond a grandfather and grandson share i know i do. When Michael leaves I wont be the only one upset luckily he has his other grandson Joseph still here he starts high school in the fall.

This has been a long week waiting on my form letter. I have been writing my daughter Jes many letters, to keep he up with what is going on here at home. One thing that has helped me with her being gone has been that i still have everything here that is familiar. Our home, family ,friends and surroundings. She is off beginning her new life with nothing familiar. She is a strong young woman. The thought of what she is doing is making me strong for her. It is amazing how strong a mothers love…

My son is leaving on March 26, 2012 to boot camp, can anyone fill me in on what to expect?  I am so proud for him but also scared and not knowing is the worst part. I have read only 4 non-military can attend the graduation but can more than 4 stay at the Navy Lodge and have access to the base to visit? 

I said goodbye to my boyfriend last night.  He swore in this morning and is waiting to get on a plane in a few hours. I am pretty upset, which from what I am reading is totally normal now.  He is my best friend and this is the best (most positive) relationship I have ever been in.  We are both 33 years old and have been living together.  I am trying to figure out some sort of a new routine and figuring out what goals I would like to set for myself over the next 8 weeks.  I am an artist and a…

It is day 7, after my kid has left for boot camp.  I don't have any 'calls' yet.. so that's good news.

my son left for the navy great lakes with the recruiter from shrewbury this afternoon...of course i am excited for him as he begins his new life ..he wanted to be independent...but its also hard to let go and the worst part is that his little brother is heartbroken..he wants to know what is he suupposed to do?  he is crying...i hope one of his friends pull through and invites him to a super bowl party or something

From Bunker QB

My son left for boot camp in Great Lakes, IL and I am very proud of him.  I am so proud of him and I wish I could tell him that but believe it or not, he called me on Wednesday and I missed his call.  All I want is for him to know I love him and I'm proud.  He is so very special to me and I miss him dearly.  Son, I look forward to seeing you at your graduation hopefuly March 16th. I love you!!

Well we have reached the half way mark on this journey, assuming that the graduation date is still the same. It's been really hard dealing with the fact that he's away and Im not there to help him, but I guess thats the whole point of training. I have gotten mail, but they arrive almost always 6-7 days after they were sent so I never know if he gets my mail until much later. In my letters I try to sound strong and happy, because I never want him to blame himself (which he has a habit of…

All day I keep thinking to myself or saying out loud to my husband " I wonder what Victoria's doing right now" "I wonder if she already ate yet"." I wonder if she likes the food" At 8pm I know she is going to bed because of the two hour time difference.

I had already written her three letters when I got her address and sent those off today.

Even six months ago I couldn't say my daughter would live away from me. She hadn't made the decision to join the military and even when she…

My son Michael turns 18 this month wow it went by so fast. He has his first DEP meeting Tuesday not sure what to expect he is excited but a little nervous about it. We also have lots of scout stuff this month with his younger brother who talks about following his brother into the Navy what a life we live in gotta love it.

Last week my son signed his contract for the navy nuclear propulsion program! I am so proud of him!

He doesnt leave for bootcamp until october 23, 2012. He wont turn 18 until August so not too long past that he leaves. I am both excited and of course scared of what he will be doing, but will support him all the way.

I do hope he will be able to follow his plans to go to college in the STA21 program later on. He does want to become an officer at some point.

I hope to get…