Son arrived at GL 8Apr2019

[YC911#15]

Hi Boot Camp Moms (& loved ones),
My son arrived at GL on Monday, 8Apr2019. Received the call at 2301 last night. The only thing I could hear him say over the voices yelling in the background was that he was there and to expect a package in the mail in the next 3 weeks. Can’t wait to get that package. 8 weeks and counting.
Anyone else with their recruits arriving this week?

[Jo Anne]

Same here! My son called last night.  Lots of yelling in the background!!!  This is our very first family experience with boot camp and my nerves are pretty unsettled.  Glad to be able to talk to others that are experiencing the same.  :)

[YC911#15]

Thanks for your added input, Jo Anne. This is also my first experience with a child going in the service. I’m anxiously awaiting to get the package and letter with his contact information. I’m sure I’ll have a calendar to cross off days until graduation.

[Johnswifeee]

Hi Moms, my son also arrived Monday, the 8th.  He called at 0052 Tuesday.  Fedex just delivered his box today with just his things.  Our first family experience as well.  Glad to have this forum, and have learned so much from it!

[Zacks mom]

Hello all! My son arrived at Great Lakes April 9 th and I’m so happy/nervous for him and so sad- he is my last little duck as his sisters already moved out. It’s hard to let our kiddos go and so exciting to see them choose a path and go for it!!! Can’t wait to get his address and bombard him with letters of love and support!!! Lol. Glad to have other moms to talk to who are going they the same thing!

[AbbyGail]

Hi everyone, my son arrived at Great Lakes April 9th as well. He's my youngest and these past few days have been so hard. I wasn't prepared for this. I'm so proud of him and of the courage it took to join the military but as a mom, it's so hard to let go. I read that other moms are also struggling. I'm not alone in this. So glad to be a part of this group!

[Jo Anne]

It is harder than I thought it would be!  My son arrived 4/9 as well. 

[Jo Anne]

So cool to connect with you and others whose sons arrived same day 4/9!

My son hasn't been the one that handled authority or structure well. I hope this is life changing for him - he needs it!  It was hard to let him go, but so excited for him if he will embrace it and run with it!

We got the box, but no form letter yet as of yet.  We should be getting that this week, right?  Can't wait for that letter - needless to say I'm trying to be patient, but its HARD!  Have you got yours?

Thanks :)

[Brenda]

Hello Ladies

My son arrived at GL 4/10 and I'm so glad that I found this group. I've been glued to my computer just trying to read all the info on here. Its great to read what other moms are feeling and going through because I feel like my friends don't quite get it. I am so grateful to my son who in a weird way prepared me for this. From the moment he told me he was joining the Navy he started explaining everything that he was going to be doing in bootcamp and A school. His 2 best friends just finished boot camp, Nov 2018 & Jan2019 in GL and are currently almost done with A school. They told him everything that was going to happen while in boot camp day by day. So even though I don't get to talk to him everyday (like I was used to) it brings me comfort to know what he might be doing that particular day. I remember my son prepping me for the dreaded 15 second scripted call word for word weeks before he even left. Im never going to forget it. I remember telling him, you better sneak in an "I love you" before you hang up. LOL  

Well, when he called I was prepared and the call was word for word just like he had told me it would be and he snuck in an I love you and catch me in June at graduation.

Im planning on staying home all day today because I suspect I might be receiving his box today and I don't want to miss FedEx. LOL 

I can't wait to get his address to start sending letters and hear from my son.

Glad to have MOMS to talk to that are going through the same thing.

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

Hi Brenda - we're neighbors - I'm in Riverside.  It's nice that your son prepared you for each step of the process ;-D

Don't forget to sign up for USPS Informed Delivery - sign up and receive an email from the US Postal Service showing what mail you will be getting each day (if available in your area).  

USPS Informed Delivery

[AbbyGail]

I'm also glad to be part of this group. I just finished going through my son's box. A part of me just wanted to fall apart and I wished that my son was also sent with the package. Missing him a whole bunch and worrying (as mother's do) if he's okay, if he has second thoughts, or if he's really giving his all. I'm trying to hold it together and praying that the days would just fly by. I guess I'm happy and scared at the same time but praying each day that he is well. I didn't get any letter just his clothes and some items he took with him.

[AbbyGail]

No, I haven't gotten my form letter as of yet either. I thought I read somewhere that it will arrive in 2 or 3 weeks after getting "the box." But, ladies please let me know if that's correct. I've already written him a letter but I'm saving it until I get the form letter with the address. I can't wait to hear how it's going! I try not to think too much about him being away and life changing because it gets me depressed. I simply look forward to seeing him and hearing from him soon. It may sound silly but watching clips of funny movies helps me a bit. I enjoy watching Madea. It's my way of coping and having this group is so helpful. We'll get through this don't worry. As many of the moms have said: it doesn't get easier, we just get stronger :-)

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

AbbyGail - you are correct - the official letter should arrive about 9-14 days after arrival.  Keep writing your letters in the meantime - just # them in the bottom corner so your SR knows what order to open them in.  As soon as you get the address you can mail them all at once!

Count Fridays rather than individual days - it helps the time go by faster.  Hang in there!