Leave date 9/26

[Kellyd]

My son leaves for Great Lakes on 9/26. Does anyone out there have anyone leaving then?

Also, since my husband did Plebe summer for the Naval Academy instead of boot camp he cannot answer this question. Can my son where a necklace while in boot camp? I wanted to give him a cross before he left but was unsure if he could wear it. Also, what about a watch?


We are having a huge family dinner tonight with his step sisters who want to see him before he leaves. He will be flying back to NH on the 18th in order to be back at his recruiters office w eek before he leaves. He will leave from Maine. So today we start the countdown of t-18 and counting.

I am also looking for a wreat idea to make for my front door that is Navy themed. Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,
Kelly

[lemonelephant]

Join the group, DEP-Leavin for bootcamp in September.  You will meet others with loved ones leaving the same day/week who may be in the same TG and have PIR together.  I also suggest you join, or at least check out, New Members Stop Here.

Your future Sailor may want to join http://www.navydep.com to learn the ins and outs from the DEP point of view.  Craig runs that and will steer you to some good links on there.

Yes, he can have a small cross.  Some are able to keep the chain and some have not been able to, but if it is smaller than his dog tags and silver in color, he will be able to wear it with his dog tags.  He will most likely be able to keep his watch if it conforms to Navy standards--all black or all silver in color generally work.  Sometimes they only let a few in the division have watches because it makes them more dependent on each other.

Have him take a slim black wallet with the following:  his SS card, ID, a small amount of cash ($10-$25), stamps, a few Band-Aids and a couple of strips of moleskin (make sure he knows how to use it to prevent/treat blisters; they can get these from medical but it is nice to start with some), a list of addresses and phone numbers, small photo/s, and a blank check if he is going to use his own bank rather than setting up an account with Navy Federal Credit Union or completed Form 1199A from his bank (I suggest NFCU though because they get paid a day earlier with that).  Slip in a short encouraging note from you and/or others that he can read in the days/weeks before he gets any mail.  You can also suggest to him that he write a note to you before he leaves or on the way to the RTC and slip it in a pocket or shoe so you have something until letters come from him.  He will be able to keep a small Bible if he wants to take one or he can get one at the RTC.  He would be able to keep a small address book, but the list in the wallet is better. Anything he takes that he is able to keep must be able to fit in his "valuable sock" (a tube sock that he will carry) during P-Days.  Everything else will be sent home.  DO have him take his cell phone because he can call you along the way and will be able to make that last call to you from it. (See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/what_to_bring.asp and http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/pdfs/What_Not_to_Bring.pdf.)

My son took a change of underwear that he changed at the hotel and threw the others away there.  He shaved with a disposable razor and used the hotel toiletries.  He also wore his least favorite clothes and trashed them at the RTC rather than sending his clothes home, so all I got in "the box" was his cell phone and a set of keys he accidentally left in his pocket.  If you will be at MEPS for his swearing in, he could have a small bag with the things he takes to the hotel and then he can give that to you at MEPS.

(Group names and the links within this comment are clickable links.)