Another Newbie!

[AmyB508]

I've been lurking in the shadows, reading all your posts! I can now make my own post because my son will be shipping off to Great Lakes this Thursday. It has been quite a roller coaster these past few weeks not knowing if he was staying or going. As of yesterday, he's still going! I look forward the friendship in this group. 

How do you say goodbye to all of your family when practicing social distancing? I had a nice going away party planned for him that was supposed to happen today. Unfortunately, that's not happening! I will be taking him to see a few family members (older brother, dad, grandmother) but there's no hugging and we're not going in any houses. Knowing that there is no graduation ceremony & not having any idea as to when I will see him again after I drop him off with the recruiter on Wed has this mama a little nervous! His A school will be a little over an hour away from home so that's my only comfort right now. 

[ShipOfDoodles]

Welcome AmyB508! Congratulations to your son on his commitment and wishing you all the best on the journey ahead for both him and for your family!

If his phone has the capability, I would suggest making a video to send in a group text, to family and friends. Try to get him laughing about the whole experience of having to say goodbye (for now) in this manner. Hopefully, many of them can respond directly to him before he turns his phone over the night of his arrival. He most likely have time at the airport, on the flight (or bus) to receive messages back. This should boost his morale considerably and all his loved ones will have a video of him to save. Trust me, this is a time you will look back on with an odd sort of great fondness--crazy as that may sound. 

My son took off September 4 and was able to graduate when things were still "normal." I am eternally grateful, as I will miss his graduation from A-School coming up in a matter of days. These kids come out of boot amazingly confident, strong and independent--so please rest assured that with the help of the wonderful moms (and others!) on this site, we will help you on your own journey!

Stay safe. Be well. Blessings to you and yours.

[Tammy⚓️Girl]

AmyB508, congratulations to your son leaving for boot camp.  I can't imagine the stress added with the current state of affairs with social distancing.  My heart goes out to you during this uncertainty.  But lucky you that he'll only be an hour away in A-school.  That's exciting.  Keep us updated throughout this journey.  Stay safe and many hugs.  My son's PIR seems so long ago now, it was on 12-14-18.  He's now stationed at Naval Medical Center in San Diego. 

[partyofseven]

Hi Another Newbie- welcome to our group. The ladies on here are very knowledgeable and wonderful. Post on the main pafe as well. Check out the main page as there is a lot of infomation on there. I know with this crisis we are going thru uncharted waters concerning PIR graduations. Seems like the restrictions will be lifted sometime in May. But this is the Navy and things can change at a moment's notice. A good rule to follow is "No news is good news". It sounds like your doing the right thing regarding saying the goodbyes to your family. 

Will u be going to MEPS with him? 

That is good that his A school will be close. 

[AmyB508]

He is in DEP and completed MEPS in January. We have not received an answer yet regarding any outside attendants to see him sworn in for active duty before he heads to the airport. Both are in Boston which has a lot of positive COVID-19 exposures. It's a hard call. We live in a 2 family home with my parents and my mother has a weakened immune system. I wouldn't want to risk anything. 

[AmyB508]

My son's 14 day quarantine will be complete today. Since I've had absolutely no contact with him, I am assuming that everything went well. Should I expect the my first call in about 2 1/2 weeks? From what I've calculated, his PIR would be the 2nd week of June. Am I correct in my calculations? It will be over a month since I've heard from him & I can't wait to hear his voice :)

[ellen0502]

You may get a call sooner than that. With everything going on it appears the recruits are given a little more contact with home. Not a whole lot more, but enough for reassurance.

Your date calculation may be right on, but with the "unknowns" it may be different than can be calculated. No worries about it though, it is all situational.

[Francis]

Sounds like our son is probably in the same group as yours.  On Wednesday we got a quick call from him although it was not an "approved" call.  Apparently they were moving their personal belongings to another location in preparation for exiting quarantine and a few of them slipped around the corner and turned their phone on.

He said that quarantine was boring and everyone was very anxious to start "real" boot camp.  They were mainly exercising and cleaning.

Hope that helps a little.  Reality is that no news is good news.  When I saw it was my son calling, my heart sank that there might be a problem.  Son was on Ship 7, division 988

[AmyB508]

I'm happy that you received a call and all is well! I know my son was anxious and more than ready to start boot camp when he left. Cleaning was not his strong point & I often joked with my mom that "the Navy will straighten him out" in that department. I'll just hurry up and wait.