New Recruits Arrive on April 14, 2010

[Tess (Ship 11, Div. 210)]

My son left California (L.A.) and, finally, arrived at the base late last night (4/14/10). He is very worried about doing a good job. I told him to just get through it.

 

I would like to stay in touch with any of you, especially those whose son or daughter arrived on 4/14/10. My heart is heavy and I wish all these kids the strength and heart to push through to the other side.

 

Tess

[Olga...aka sajest...Sub Mom]

HI Tes...my daughter was sick today, so I had to take her to the doctor's, turns out it was nothing serious...but as soon as we got home...Fedex came with T's box...had to tear it open and put his dirty clothes away...was grateful he was able to keep his religious medallion and the address book I put together for him. He didn't take much, and most of it came back...all I can say is wow. I got a little teary eyed, but since my 12 year old was here...I didn't want to become a mess in front of her...probably a good thing she was here!

PIR will be tough for us too...my husband and I are both teachers and I think PIR will be on our last day of school. We really can't afford to fly up there, so we have to drive...but taking off the last few days of school...could be VERY tough...but we won't miss it for the world!

Let me know when you get your box...think of it as a way to assure you your recruit is doing well and is safely where he wants to be...that seemed to help me. Just reassurance that the call that came at 12:25am...was really him and he really was good! His last text to me was..."I'm here!" I swear I could hear it all the way down here! lol

Hugs!
Olga

[Tess (Ship 11, Div. 210)]

Olga, I got the box last night. I checked the mail and there was a letter too. It's the form letter about graduation, etc, with "recruit's comments". Actually, what my son said was kind of funny. He did mention that it was "tough" there.
Is your son able to text you? Or was that just the one call/text that he was allowed? I'm going in to talk to the recruiter about a couple of things today. Our recruiter's urged our son to take a "pay as you go" phone with him even though they say that cell phones are not allowed. Our recruiter told us that the phones get so busy that it would be a good idea to have this phone even though it would be confiscated most of the time. So, we bought a "trac phone" and lots of minutes. Well, of course, it was in the box he sent home. Just did what our recruiter suggested. Oh well!
Your boy sounds like he has a good attitude. He will be fine! Do you know which ship he is on yet? Mine is on 11, division 210. Guess it doesn't matter. All just one big happy family! Haha. Hugs back, Tess

[Olga...aka sajest...Sub Mom]

No, I don't have a clue...haven't received the letter yet...just the dreaded box! When is your son's PIR? Hopefully I'll get mine too soon...especially since our boys left at the same time. Fingers crossed! As soon as I find out his ship and division..I'll share...would be neat if they were in the same, but like you said...they are all just one big happy family!

No, he only texted the day he left...his cell phone came back in the box too. Which we expected. We were told that they could only keep a phone card...absolutely no on any kind of phone. Sorry you spent the money and time...that has to be frustrating!

Let me know what your recruiter says. Is there anyway to get your money back?

[Tess (Ship 11, Div. 210)]

Hi Olga. I messed up my last message to you. Just want to let you know that my son's PIR is June 11th, per the form letter I rec'd from him. I would think that your son's PIR will be the same day.

I'm not worried about the phone. I took cookies to "my" recruiter last night to say thank you and also to get some information out of him :) I just had some questions and he answered them and put my mind to ease (at least for a little while). I bought my son a phone card and will send it tomorrow in a letter.

The address I was originally given and the one which came in the mail the other day are slightly different but the recruiter assured me that the cards and letters will get there but to just use the latest one as it is more accurate.

Week one is over and we are well into week two. Soon it will be three. I hope our boys can see the finish line!

[Olga...aka sajest...Sub Mom]

Our boys will see the finish line! They are going to rock BC like no other recruits have!

Thank you for the tip...I am currently baking Amish Friendship Bread...maybe I'll drop by tomorrow with a loaf to our recruiter! :o)

Wish my form letter would come! I was thrilled just to see his handwriting on the box...silly I know! I'm so proud of him and I just want to be able to tell him. Hopefully after all these years...he knows!

[LMC -mom of 2 Sailors!]

my son is in ship6 div 930. I started a group for this.

[Tess (Ship 11, Div. 210)]

Thanks! My son on ship 11, division 210. They all sound very far away!

[Olga...aka sajest...Sub Mom]

Tess...got the form letter today...Ship 6 Division 930...but we have the same PIR date...June 11th

[Tess (Ship 11, Div. 210)]

Did he write something to you in the "recruit's comments" area? I hope so. I felt so bad when you said you were happy just to see his handwriting on the box! Oh, that made my heart ache. And I knew exactly what you meant...any little bit of them to soak up. Well, not the same ship or division but close enough. I went ahead and made reservations at a hotel. I tried to get the Residence Inn at Waukegan but was told they were almost full. So, I made a reservation at the Ramada Inn at Waukegan, just in case. I'm a little superstitious so it was hard to do but I figure that I'd better make some kind of reservation before the hotels are all fun. Then again, maybe they tell everyone that. Anyway, I can cancel the reservations up to the day prior. They have a shuttle to the PIR and one of the hotels on the pamphlet we received with the form letter.
The time is going by. Do we dare exhale and relax a little? Something could come up, but for now I am focusing on June 11th! Best to you. Have a great weekend!

[Olga...aka sajest...Sub Mom]

He did write a short note...I wasn't home, so my daughter read it to me. Poor thing, she didn't realize it was Steven who actually wrote it and as soon as she saw her name, she started to sob. She had to stop reading so she could breathe.

He said BC was alright and he missed us...to write soon and pass out the address. It was so great...no, phenomenal! Ha!

Thank you for your supportive words and your e-friendship...makes it a little easier.

Haven't even looked at hotels yet, guess I had better get a move on...thanks for the warning.

As for June 11th...only 49 days! Yippee!

Have a restful weekend!

[JudyB.]

Good evening Tess, My son T arrived in Great Lakes on 4/14/2010 from Shell Beach CA. I to would like to stay in touch with another Mother. T called on Friday 4/16/2010 said he arrived and is Okay. We received a letter Tuesday 4/20/2010 dated 4/16/2010. T said in his letter that it's MUCH harder than he anticipated he had a long first day and it was really tough a lot of yelling. I sent him a return letter stating: You can do it...You are not in competition with any body else....You're all on the same team....It only gets easier from here!!...and I included the Serenity Prayer: God grant my the Serenity to except the things I cannot change...the courage to change the things I can...And the wisdom to know the difference.

[Tess (Ship 11, Div. 210)]

Hi Judy. Thank you for writing to me. I feel for these young men and women. They are very young. They are so excited to go and I can imagine that it is a real shock when they get there. It must be much different than they expected. How fortunate for your son to have a mom like you who pulls from deep inside and has such wise, comforting words for him. We can be strong and kind at the same time. I am praying for all of these recruits to find the strength within to make it through these few weeks, become stronger than they ever knew they could be, and to remain good human beings at the same time. Let's stick together. We are going to make it. "It only gets easier from here."