Welcome to Navy For Moms- Introduce yourself!

[Navy for Moms Admin]

Though you can click on everyone's profile to learn more about them, I thought I start a thread for people to introduce themselves to the forum community. :)

[Charlene Hutchinson-Jones]

HI,
My son joined January 22, 2008 and left February 21, 2008. I received my first letter last night and am so happy about it. He is in Division 153 Ship 09. I know absolutely nothing about the Navy and was beginning to feel they were very anti-moms, because I had no information or way to find out where he was or if he was alright. I had never spent more than 2 days without seeing him. I had never went 24 hours without speaking to him in 18 years. In the three lines he wrote me in this first letter, he says he's really enjoying himself. I hope he does, but I wish I could visit or something or at least talk to someone that has seen him that can tell me he is ok. *sigh* This has been an awful experience for me so far. I wonder if anyone else feels this way?

[Linda Pierik(Cameron's Mom)]

Charlene, your son is in the same ship-09 and div -153 that mine is in!! I am so excited!! I haven't heard from Cameron yet except for the 3 lines so hopefully we will hear this week. I understand how you feel it hasn't been good for me either. I miss him so much. If you give me his name I will write Cameron and ask him about him. And visa versa! Its so hard to let them go I feel like my heart is broken, and the empty feeling is overwhelming at times. But I am certain it will get better. Let's hang in there together! Linda...

[Charlene Hutchinson-Jones]

HI Linda,
I've written Alex and told him about you. His name is Christopher Alexander Jones. Maybe the boys have become friends and that would be great. I hope to meet you at graduation. We'll have to wear name tags or something so we can meet one another. We will definately get through this together. I'm feeling much better now that I have received an actual letter from him, not just the 3 lines at the end of the Navy issued 4 page statement of the do's and don'ts for mothers. LOL

[Linda Pierik(Cameron's Mom)]

Hi Charlene,
That is great they are in the same div. Cameron finally called and we were thrilled to hear from him I also received a letter last week.. He said he doesn't like boot camp but he is ok. I have made our flight and hotel reservations already so we are good to go. We are staying at the Navy Lodge. I will tell Cam about Christopher. We are arriving the 17th (thursday) they have a parents meeting that night, hopefully we can hook up at some point before graduation. Glad your feeling better I am too, getting the phone really helped. Love Linda

[Jo]

Yes Charlene - I have ahd a hard time too. And I am prior Navy! My son and I were the same way - no matter where I was or where he was we talked every day. But I know that he has made a great choice for his future, that the Navy has a way of teaching discipline and maturity - but in a safe environment. They hold you accountable for your actions. My son is a great kid -- never gave me any trouble through high school. Held down a job, sports, had a girlfriend. But decided that he didn't want to to the college thing. Met a few older guys who introduced him to the bar scene. He broke up with his girlfriend and had a real rough six months. I was genuinely concerned for his well being. I am now at peace and know my son is in a great place, learning good life skills and building a future for himself. You only have to go do the 9 weeks in bootcamp with very little contact - after that - even if they are stationed on a ship or overseas they have so many ways to keep in touch it will be much easier!

[dakotasmom]

Hi, My name is8 Sissy. My son left for boot camp 2/5 and I miss him so much. His PIR is 3/2 he is in div 132 ship 10--anyone else's son in the same? I can't wait to see him but I am wondering how long to book our trip for. He hasn't said anything about Grad N Go so I have booked from Thurs nite to Mon morning--will I get to see him the entire weekend ? I know they have to be back at a certain time. Any info would help. Anyone else Aviation Mech?

[Linda Pierik(Cameron's Mom)]

Hi Sissy, its hard to say sometimes they don't know till after graduation if they go right away or not I have heard

[Lisa Flynn]

Hi Sissy , my name is Lisa , my son is with yours , Div 132 ship 10 , the pir date is 3 - 28

[Ronnie]

Hello Everyone,

My son Alex is in DIV 139 Ship 10. I called his recruiter yesterday and was told that Alex graduates on Friday (always on a Friday), April 11. He said that there is usually a parent's evening the night before so just in case I will be booking my flight for Thursday night. I have no clue on hotels, can someone recommend a couple. I will fly into Chicago and understand it is about a 45 min. drive to hotels near the base. They recommend that on graduation day you arrive on base between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. The recruiter said that we will be able to spend Friday and Saturday with Alex but he won't be able to stay overnight. Not too sure if we can see him on Sunday so I'm making my return flight later in the day. He also told me Alex will ship out to California for BUDS on the 16th, so that blows my hopes of him coming home. Actually I believe this will be preBUDS and it could be almost 9 months before he actually enters BUDS.
Anyway, if anyone knows anything more about graduation if you could share I would appreciate it. I haven't receive any mail in 2 weeks nor a phone call.
I would like to thank the women in these groups because I have been going through a really tough time getting use to Alex being gone. I pretend he is still in college and will be home soom. I'm a fairly intelligent woman and I have to resort to mind games (with myself!!) to get through the day but whatever works.
Ronnie

[Jo]

lol I know what you mean. I keep telling myself the same thing - its no different than if he went to college to be a dr. or a lawyer. I didn't know anything about a parent's night on Thursday and I am driving and won't be getting in until around 11:00 or so - I will be upset if there is something I don't know about. The paper I got didn't say anything about Thurs. night. Does anyone else know anything about this? Normally recruits do not get leave to come home until after their school training and then they usually get two weeks - I think. At least - that's what I had between A School and my duty station. Then they get 30 days of leave a year so they can actually come home quite a bit - depending on if they are deployed or not of course.

[Linda Pierik(Cameron's Mom)]

Ronnie,
I can't believe you said mind games! I do the same thing! LOL! I heard staying at the navy lodge is close and its $62 per night not swanky but good. Thats where I am heading for. My boy graduates the 18th of April. I received a letter from Cameron today and he sounds really good. But he's not getting his mail so I called the recruiter and he said the mail is a week behind so Cam will get a boat load at once. He also told me he's trying for Seals :0( not too happy at that but I won't let him know that. take care Linda

[shell]

Hi Linda,
Did Cam go into boot undecided for a job? I only ask because there is a bonus for kids going into seals. If he isn't aware of it he mite want to ask.
Shell