My daughter just joined

[shoprat]

My daughter just joined and i'm really excited for her after going through many other emotions... she scored a 95 on the asvab and her recruiter seems to see potential in her (no surprise to me) She is 23 and didn't like the way her life was going...sees the opportunities the Navy has to offer. My biggest concern now is that she take all advantage of the opportunities...( and is there really time for her to earn her degree while serving etc.???)She signed up for hospital corpsman and will have to wait a whole year unless a job comes up sooner. My heart drops whenever I hear of a new group being deployed to Afganistan---I can't even imagine...This site has helped immensly; just to read what others have written; information is power?!

[shoprat]

Thanks so much for this reply. i'd love to hear more about your daughter when you feel like sharing!

[Allison's mom]

My daughter is 18 and she joined in March. She is scheduled to leave for bootcamp on October 31st. Her job is a Hospital Corpsman and like you, my heart drops too.

[KLMkathy]

Hi Allison's mom, My son is leaving Oct 25th. Join our Deppers leaving in October group. A great group of moms to talk with as we wait for Boot Camp. Have a good day. Kathy

[Mamajoey]

Congratulations to your daughter!!! My daughter joined the Air Force because, she too, did not like the direction her life had been taking and she has never been more happy or more successful. My son is a Navy Pilot, currently deployed. Your heart will drop... many times! You will have sleepless nights.. you will worry.. it will be frustrating and you may not get the answers you want to hear. It is not perfect.... pretty much like normal life! Your daughter can accomplish great things in the Navy and who knows what those will be. She will look to you for support and encouragement... you can look to us for the same thing. Show her your strong side..let her go and find her way... then I would love to hear your comments when she has finished her training, graduated and begins her Naval career...it will not have been a total bed of roses.. but you will be total blown away by the results. Opportunities will come and go. As long as she is totally comfortable with the fact that she will be part of the Navy family.. and what the Navy needs and where they need it will be the deciding factor above all else, she will do just fine! Maybe some day my son will give her a ride to one of her destinations! Who knows! Take care! I wish her the very best.

[shoprat]

Thanks so much for your reply; I'm still adjusting to the whole idea that my daughter has actually joined, and I know there will be so many new emotions to follow...I think NFM will be really helpful. This is all so different than anything that I could have imagined for my daughter..

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

shoprat
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/leavinforbootcampinjuly here you'll connect with other N4M's whose rcts leave in July...there are still July 2010 N4M's there but a few 2011 deppers have joined and more will as time goes by

There are groups for Corpsman, a group or two for A school at Great Lakes.

Also explore behind the Forums and Videos tabs here

Go to YouTube and search Navy boot camp, racks graduation, Battlestations 21(CNN does it)

[shoprat]

My daughters recruiter just called her yesterday and told her that he recieved a call that new recruits are needed for this month; her ship date for bootcamp isn't until July, but she signed for early ship if her job came up (hospital corpsman)-he gave her name and a few others, but can't give her anymore info. at this time; he did say that he doesn't think she would go until the end of this month. Anyone have any input on this type of situation? We were told earlier that they can give her as little as 48 hours notice---I'm very nervous to say the least!

[joshsmom]

Hi Shoprat.  Your post was in January and I'm wondering if your daughter is still waiting.  My son is at basic right now, he graduates May 13. He is also a hospital corpsman.  I'm excited for him.  I've heard that is a great job!

[Trisha Mangum]

Hello, Oh, wow. That is great. My daughter Ang, is in her 3rd year. You will see such a difference in your daughter. Believe me it will be ok. Andrea is about to take test for Quarter Master. She has already been out to sea a number of times but will go on her first deployment across the sea in two weeks. I am very excited for her. Please let us know how you are feeling. We are all with ya. God bless. Angmom. Trisha

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

I've been told that all Recruits leave for BC as E-1s, what paygrade they are at the end of BC, depends on what they have done to qualify for an advancement prior to leaving. Some help Recruit others, my son had two years of college credits. So, when our "I'm a Sailor" call came, he informed us that he would graduate BC as an E-3, and be that through Corps school. He graduated as an HM (HN actually) in late Oct, took his E-4 test the following spring, passed and was offered the E-4 (PO3) slot by his command. :) He had been in the Navy for just under a year by then.

Definitely join the second Group inga posted when your daughter is part way through BC and the other afterwards, or anytime. They are great groups of involved, caring members who know their stuff, can help guide you and are very supportive or each other. :-)

Inga, thanks for the update! I had not heard that they were sending the female HMs to the Sandbox, in combat areas. Had only known them to be behind the lines in support roles. Are very many females going through FMTB currently??

Btw: Shoprat-If a C slot (specialty training) opens up before A/Corps School graduation, they might get to go through that instead, or at least first. There are quite a few areas to specialize in as a Medical Corpsman. Your daughter may want to research them all. Meanwhile, you keep reading, keep learning, keep finding encouragement and support from those here onsite. Yes, knowledge is power, and helps dispel fear and misinformation. (Warning, N4Ms can be quite addictive! LOL) All the best to you and your smart cookie of a future Sailor. =)