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All Hands Magazine's full length documentary "Making a Sailor": This video follows four recruits through Boot Camp in the spring of 2018 who were assigned to DIV 229, an integrated division, which had PIR on 05/25/2018.
Boot Camp: Making a Sailor (Full Length Documentary - 2018)
Boot Camp: Behind the Scenes at RTC
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It really hit me yesterday...
My son leaves in exactly 2 weeks, and it really hit me yesterday that he will be gone. I cried in the car on the way home from work. I know it is the right decision for him - and he will have an amzing future with the Navy - it is just so hard. My brother is also in the Navy (20+ years) and my mom told me she still worries about him, and thinks about him daily - so it never goes away! :-( But I know I should be happy and proud for him. Just hard o hold back the tears...! I just needed to get that out - thank you for listening!
Views: 391
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Phoenixmom on
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Hi Adele, I would like to welcome you to Navy Moms. This is quite Normal to feel this way...actually I was a total mess for weeks when my Son left. I couldn't sleep, eat, cried all the time. I actually took some time off just to get a grip. LOL! My Son is the Baby of the family, he went in right after High school has been in for two Years Now. But your Mother is actually right, the worry never goes away. I will leave you some sites to look at and make sure you have everything in order prior to him leaving. Please join Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) I help out on there and ask any questions you may have and one of us will always answer. Things tend to get a little easier, but I will say your Emotions will be all over the place for the next few weeks. No One will understand your feelings but we will, as us Mothers ect. have been thru it and we tend to Encourage one another. Keep your head up!
Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for....)
Arrival and What Happens at RTC and Ship/Division--How it Works. Phone Cards and Phone Calls.
See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training (FIT).
All Hands Magazine's mini-documentary series "Making a Sailor": These six videos follow four recruits through Boot Camp in the spring of 2018 who were assigned to DIV 229, an integrated division, which had PIR on 05/25/2018.
Making a Sailor: Episode 1 - "Get on the Bus"
Making a Sailor: Episode 2 - "What did I get myself into?"
Making a Sailor: Episode 3 - "Processing Days"
Making a Sailor: Episode 4 - "Forming"
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Permalink Reply by TexasNavyMom on
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My heart goes out to you, it is so bittersweet when they leave. It will get better but probably not till about 3 weeks into bc. Once you start getting regular letters and occasional phone calls to put your mind at ease the time will go faster. Mine graduates the day before Thanksgiving and I’m so excited I can hardly stand it! Sending hugs and prayers your way ❤️
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Permalink Reply by Baker1013 on
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Hang in there, Adele!! I totally feel your emotions...I was a mess leading up to the "Good-bye". I just would cry imagining what it would be like and then it was here and over so fast! It does get a little better. One of my favorite things that I have found on this website (which is a God-send, believe me!) is a slogan that reads "It doesn't get easier, you simply get stronger....US Navy Mom" and it is so true! and you will make friends here on the board that totally get it in a way that your local friends just won't. It is okay to cry, because that is you, and you are going to miss him and he knows that! Just remember to tell him that you believe in him as well!
You found us before he left! You are ahead of the game!! sending virtual hugs......
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That's good I like the pregnancy analogy! I am going to have to use that one.
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Permalink Reply by belovedbyHim on
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Adele-- You are NOT alone in your feelings!! It has been 6+ years since my son went to BC and I still get teary at times!! I was a hot mess when he shipped out and this site was my saving grace!! The first few weeks of no communications are hard but knowing what to expect does help! If you haven't already, Watch the videos on the Left side of the page, Preferably with him!
You have time so... Now is the time to plan for the "Great Silence! Have him leave a voicemail on your phone BUT Don't Listen to it yet!! Wait till you NEED it!!! (Trust me, you'll know when that is!) Encourage him to leave you a note or 12 for you to read during that time as well! His stuff will be stored at GL till he completes BC so he needs to take his Cell Phone AND charger if he has one. Have him call from the airport once he arrives in GL, It's your last "Visit" for a while. The "I'm Here call is scripted and they are very robotic, They can't say anything else so just talk over him and tell him you love him, are proud of him and he's got this! Remind him that he need to have his phone fully charged when he lands in Chicago (Most planes have charging ports) so that it will still have charge after being POWERED OFF before being stored. You can write him a note of encouragement to keep in his wallet (Better if it's on the back of a family picture!!) If you are religious you can send him with a small bible (or similar) and hide notes in that too!! If you have a Navy Federal Credit Union near where you live you can go in and have him open an account (It's not required but it is easier since they have branches all over the world and they look after their Military Members!!) He can add you to his account if he wants so that you have the ability to add $ or manage if for him if he can't. You may want to look into having him fill out a POA. It's helpful if he has a car, large savings accounts or becomes disabled. You do not need a lawyer in most cases but you do need to have it Notarized. You can find the forms for free at https://powerofattorney.com/ If you are a member of a church they may offer that service or you can have it done at a bank or NFCU.
Finally have "The Talk"-- No not about the other sex but about the "What if's", What if something happens to you, to his grandmother, to a friend..... Who does he want to know about and when, Given that other than for Parents, Siblings (except in extenuating circumstances) he most likely would not be allowed to leave.
You may want to put this information somewhere in your phoneRed Cross 1-877-272-7337
When contacting the Red Cross, be prepared to provide the following information.
Service member information: Full legal name,Rank/rating, Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard),Social Security number or Date of Birth, Military unit address (Great Lakes Boot Camp- Ship and Div Number),Information about the deployed unit and home base unit (for deployed service members only)
Information about the emergency:Name and contact for the immediate family member experiencing the emergency (could be spouse, parent, child/grandchild, or grandparent),Nature of the emergency, Where the emergency can be verified (hospital, doctors office, funeral home)
This is a roller coaster of emotions for sure!! The advice you have gotten is SPOT ON!! No News is GOOD News, Answer the phone no matter what (I have had moments when I was not so kind to telemarketers but man the venting sure felt good at the moment!!) and it does not get easier but you DO get Stronger!! He's a strong young man to make this choice which means you are a Strong woman who raised him that way!! We haven't lost a mom to boot Camp yet and we won't start with you!! You both got this! -
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I feel for you. I have felt lost without my son. I didn't hear from him in 4 weeks when he left for BC and I was just about to seriously lose my mind with worry. Then Friday came and i got a letter and then Sunday he called me at 5:35pm and he sounded amazing. Confident, happy, talkative, appreciative, etc..... it was a weight off my shoulders. I also knew this was the right now for my son but after 4 weeks of nothing I started doubting myself. Point being...... I will always miss my son but as long as that I know he is safe and happy - I can deal with the distance.
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Hi Adele & Other ladies! You are definitely not alone. I am feeling the same way. My son leaves on 12/5 and I'm so emotional every day. The closer the date gets I swear I'm break down even more. We are having a farewell brunch on 11/24 & I know I will be a mess.
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Hang in there Regina126, When that time comes we will be here for you! You know My Son knew I was having a Hard time so the night before he swore in He called me once we took him back to Hotel, and he said Mom I don't want you to worry. I will be fine....And you don't need to cry ok. So the next day he swore in and I was just fine until the swearing in was over and everyone was with there Loved One when I turned all these Moms were crying then I lost it.....He hugged me and said Please Mom remember as soon as I can I will write you and call, I got this. It was still hard for me as He is the Baby. It's never easy letting go, My Son has been in two yrs and its still hard to see him leave when he comes to visit. But you do get stronger, never easy!
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Thanks Phoenixmom! I'm trying to hold if together & I'm so thankful for all of you. I will definitely be leaning on y'all tremendously in the upcoming weeks.
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Regina126, when we had the "ship out" party for my SR, we bought a box of blank note cards and I put a good friend in charge of going around to each of the attendees to write some words of encouragement to him. I had them put their return address on it but left the front blank until I got his form letter. At the time he was like "don't send ALL OF THOSE to me! I don't want to be made fun of." My thoughts were that I would have something to send him that wasn't a continuous "I miss you and love you, Mom" card. I am so happy we did this because we have since heard from him that he LOVES getting mail.
Just a thought for you.
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Permalink Reply by KimZ on
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@Adele my son left 9/25. this morning I found his graduation while doing paperwork for high school photo and had a food cry. Comes in waves.
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Permalink Reply by JazzyHeffa on
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As I say it’s a happy but sad feeling. Once they are gone it’s a wave a new feelings. My son gave me giant dog with his shirt to wear. He called it a seat filler. If you have to go somewhere and cry and get it out do it!
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