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Son ships out to boot camp 6/13.
Hello All!
First time on this site. My youngest is shipping off to RTC on 6/13 and I am a mess! So proud of him, but really having a difficult time letting go. Been reading everything I can, but I’m not so sure that helps! LOL!
Any advice on how to keep it together for the next 8-9 weeks?
Views: 815
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by lemonelephant on
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For now, "Don't start missing him before he leaves." There is plenty of time for that once he is gone and crying only makes you and him miserable. Help him prepare by going through Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for the RTC with him and getting his wallet ready (and include a little note for him telling him how proud you are of him) and discuss how to handle bad news and who he wants to have tickets for PIR (3 or 4 depending on the size of the TG).
You will get used to the new normal. Yes, something will hit you (sometimes the smallest of things will bring tears) and you will miss him, but if you then think of the pride you have in him and remember that he is pursuing his dreams, then it won't be so bad. You raised a fine young man although he will always be your little boy. We raise our children to grow up and to be independent and leave and follow their dreams, but any change is hard. You really didn't expect him to be living with you when he's 35 did you? He has to leave sometime and soon is his time.
You raised an amazing young man who is pursuing his dreams. Once he leaves, stay busy, take care of yourself, stay connected with others going through the same thing (I left groups on your My Page and join your PIR group as well once it has been created), stay connected with the ones who are still at home by being involved with them, stay connected with your recruit by writing encouraging letters even before you have his address (see Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit for ideas), and stay informed about what is going on with your recruit in BC (there's a lot of info in the Pages in Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and later in your PIR group) and what to expect at PIR and after (if you give me his contracted rating (job/occupational specialty) or field, I will give you info).
Yes, it's fine to fall apart every now and then. (Showers are great places for that.) Just don't stay there. You will get used to the new normal and getting the form letter so that you can send letters and then getting that first "real" letter around the third week may help (remember though that the first letter from a recruit may indicate things aren't going so well--don't worry; it will get better as the recruits learn to work together and to do things the Navy way instead of their own way).
(((((hug))))) that's a cyber hug from one Navy Mom to another.
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Permalink Reply by BoogiesMom on
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Thank you for the info lemonelephant.
Was very helpful. We leave tonight to take him to one last meeting at his Recruiters office, and then we will take him to the hotel and have dinner with him. Tomorrow morning, we will meet him at MEPS for the big day.
Very emotional time for us, but we are SO PROUD!
HooYah! ❤️
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You are very welcome.
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Permalink Reply by Smoothsailing on
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How are you doing so far? Did your son just graduate from high school? Do you have other kids at home with you? Stay focused on how proud you are.
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Hi there Smoothsailing,
Yes, he graduated and turned 18 on the same day about 3 weeks ago. He did all 4 years of high school in the NJROTC Program, so this was something he's wanted to do for awhile. He actually DEP'd in back in March.
He is my youngest, so my two older kids are out of the house already. They do live in our same town though.
I'm doing "OK", so far...it's literally hour by hour. Super PROUD of him, though.
Thanks so much for checking on me! :)
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Permalink Reply by Phoenixmom on
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Welcome Boogies Mom, My Son also did all 4 yrs in ROTC. Your Son will be fine, Yea easier said than done Right? I know it can be an Emotional ride, But as LemonElephant said stay busy, she helped me along the way Last Year, I was a Mess! very Needy! LOL! just know you are never alone ok, there is always someone here for you. Next month will be a Year My Son has been in and I am barely getting used to it. He has already went and experienced his first deployment on his Carrier. So it does get easier as the time flies by. Stay strong and focused as your Loved One will need to do also. Reach out anytime to me, and know you will never be alone. May you have a Great Weekend! I help out on Boot Camp Moms come join there is alot of info, sometimes to much! But reading everything you can get your hands on is good, actually you will know more than your Son and what he will be going thru than he does, Serious!
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Thank you so much Phoenixmom. I’ve been reading so much in the last few months, and you’re right. It does help. I feel like I need to know what he going through. This website has been so amazing too. I’m grateful I found it. All of you are incredibly helpful and most of all, you UNDERSTAND.
Please thank your Son for his service and you have a great weekend too!
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You are very Welcome, Get some rest tomorrow is another day, just know he is busy working hard to accomplish his Dreams!! he will sleep and eat 3 times a day. they make lack sleep a bit because they have very long days days begin around 4 am and end between 8 and 10 pm. so Let me know if you need anything.
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I'm right there with you. My daughter shipped out on 6/11. I'm a mess as well. August can't get here fast enough. I find myself becoming an information nut on boot camp.
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Duana, welcome to the journey.
I left info for you on your My Page.
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Hi Duana, you should be recieving the box soon, just know the Box comes fed ex and someone needs to be home to recieve, or you can get with your Local Fed ex and see if they will leave it at the door. But nowadays thats not a good idea. they will leave a slip and they can either resend or you can pick up. Just to beware. to stay busy maybe you can start researching where she may be going to A school, or even thinking about decorations you may want to make for PIR. Hang in there Ma'am these weeks have been flying By! Know you are never alone and you can reach out anytime if you have concerns/questions.
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On about their fifth business day at the RTC, the new recruits are tested on the 1.5 mile run of the first Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) at boot camp. The initial run standard for male recruits will be 16 minutes 10 seconds and 18 minutes 7 seconds for female recruits. See Navy Sets New Physical Fitness Standard to Start Boot Camp. Those who pass continue with BC. Those who do not pass are moved to FIT and will be retested in 48 hours and must pass in order to continue at the RTC. See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training ... for more information.
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