Received "I'm Here" call last night...my son started bootcamp last night! WOW!!

[hooyahbz]

Well, we got the call saying he was there and that we would receive his items in about a week.  So many mixed emotions but I can honestly say I am so proud of him and can't wait to see what he does with this opportunity.  My husband is a retired Navy officer...so we have lived the military life as my son has.  Once he graduates from bootcamp he is off to pre-BUDS, and as long as everything stays as planned, he will go to BUDS.  Does anyone know if he will be in a "group" of special-ops through bootcamp or is everyone mixed together?  Any good advice on what I can send him along with his letters?  Would love to connect with any Moms that might have kids in bootcamp around this same time frame!

[Navy Aunt (AF Wife)]

DEP-Leavin for bootcamp in February is a group you may want to join.

[Navy Aunt (AF Wife)]

Okay, here was the timeline for me as far as 1st letter/call. Arrived at BC 11/9/09. Box- 11/12/09. Form letter 11/16/09. 1st letter came while I had my mail on hold for 4 days. I got the mail off hold on 11/30/09. 1st real phone call other than the I'm here call was on 12/3/09. Hope this helps. The form letter will have the PIR date on it and also the password for you to get your parking pass to get onto RTC. I hope that this will give you an idea of when you can expect your cherished items to arrive.
One group that you may want to join is Leaving for BC in February. I strongly advise joining so you can communicate with other families that had their loved one go in Feb. Once you get ship/div and PIR info from the form letter, you can check to see if any groups have been formed for those groups. Good luck to you during this journey--I wish you, your family and especially your son the best of times! When the sadness gets too overwhelming, go hug the family and then jump on N4Ms so we can give you a virtual (((((((((((((hug))))))))))))! ..
That's great that your husband is retired Navy! On behalf of my husband and myself, please thank him for his service and a big thank you to you also. I strongly believe that we, as wives, serve as well--just our battlefield is the homefront.
Yes, I believe your son will be put in the spec-ops div. They have the reg divs, the spec- ops and the performing div.
If your son requests photos (I didn't send any until requested because of some things I had read on N4M) some loved ones copied them onto a page since the Recruits don't have much storage room.
Sending you a comment to your page. Best of luck to you, your family and especially your Recruit on this incrediable journey!!! : )

[hooyahbz]

Thank you for the great note! Where exactly do I find the group "Leaving for BC in February"? I will look around to see what I can find. Yes...I do agree with you about the wives serving as well. Keeping the family in check is a daunting task while they are gone! :) But, I wouldn't trade anything for it! :)

[Navy Aunt (AF Wife)]

I was getting ready to reply to your question and see that you have already found the group...have fun Minicrew6!

[Stacey]

Keep your eye on the groups, there will probably be one made for the ship and division your son is in and also for the graduation date. Great way to keep up with everybody there. It's awesome! Wish I had found this site at the beginning.
Hang in there, that first call was scripted but the next one they will not have somebody watching and the emotions will be there. As I have said to others, hang in there and be strong, cry when you hang up. It gets better with each call~ Let me know if you have any questions - send me a note. My son graduated Jan. 29 - it was an INCREDIBLE experience!! I will tell you up front - do not wear heels!

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

LOL, nope, it's comfortable shoes all the way. :)

mincrew6, I saw you on New Moms and you will find that Michelle has reposted my original 800 Spec Opps Div discussion in that "DEP-Leavin' in Feb" Group that Navy Aunt was so helpful to point the way to. (Thanks for spreading the word about those Groups!) However, for you and any other newbies that find this discussion, I wanted to address your question of what else to send...

First of all, do NOT send any care packages, that's a big no no in BC! Save those for A school, or in your case, Pre Buds. You wouldn't believe the amount of calories those guys have to consume as they are training there! Just isn't always enough food, or time/opportunity to access what there is, when they are needing/craving it. You might start stocking up on those boxes of power bars, nuts etc, now, but no protein powders. :)

Another no no is musical cards (for birthday or whatever), they may get extra 8 counts and PT (for these guys, that's not really punishment, they need it! LOL). Some RDCs tolerate musical cards, or just rip out the battery, but others HATE them and will make the whole Div pay. After all, they are building TEAM from day one, so what affects one, affects all. (Btw; Other then having more PT time, 800 Divs get the same length and type of BC training at the same place and time- in their assigned ship/barracks- as everyone else in all the other Divs at RTC in their overall PIR training group) You may send regular cards. The less colorful and flashy the envelope the better. You just don't want to send anything that might draw attention to your new Recruit!

So, keep the letters in plain, standard white envelopes, no stickers, doodles, or other decorations on the outside. DO send small photos, comics strips, news of their favorite local or national sports team (NO outside, world/political news), a joke a day etc. anything to lighten the mood and lift their spirits, or those of his teammates. Some Recruits don't get much mail from home, so it's nice if yours has something funny or cool to share. You can send a few extra stamps, but the Navy provides all stationary and envelopes. If you plan to write every day (it's not too much, they LIVE for mail call each day!) and/or have others write too, you might send a gallon sized ziplock to help him keep his rack tidy and later perhaps a SAS manilla envelope for him to send the overflow back home for safekeeping. =)

Just write, support and encourage, send him your good thoughts, prayers and love! That's your job now Mom for the next 7.5-9 weeks- and especially beyond! Hope this helps. Welcome aboard N4Ms and the crazy roller coaster ride that is BC and Spec Opps training. :)

[hooyahbz]

Thank you for all the great info! :)

[Chief88]

My son is in the same mix. He leaves 3/22 I have no idea what happens after BC, they go across the street then to pre-buds and then buds. I have a friends son in with simular time frame as you son for pre-buds etc. She has no idea either>

[Viki]

My daughter and I were only on the phone for 12 seconds. It was horrible; we missed each other like crazy. We both got off the phone and I know I cried my eys out.
Do NOT send anything to boot camp except plain letters as they get in trouble if you send stuff, confetti, or music cards.

[Seabee.Mom.Idaho]

My daughter just entered into boot camp on Feb 17th, so i received the 30 second phone call at 1.50 AM this morning. I too, am so proud of her, but it is sad that she is gone from home. I am soooo excited for her, but I miss her a lot. But she seemed upbeat, a little anxious, but more excited to begin a new phase in her life. She will be a Seabee when she is done with boot camp, going to A school in Mississippi. We are looking forward to going to her graduation in April, but when do you know exactly when that date is? and when should we make our flight arrangements?

[hooyahbz]

From what I hear is we will receive "their box" and a form letter shortly after that with their unit and PIR date. That should help us make travel arrangements. Flights will be hard....just to make sure there won't be much of a penalty if we need to change the dates. We are planning on driving out...we are in Maryland and have family near GL.

[Seabee.Mom.Idaho]

I got the box today, but there was no information about her unit or PIR! and... there was all her ID...?? Wont she need that? It looked like she just stuffed all her stuff into the box, don't they give her the chance to get the essential stuff she needs, especially her ID?