WAITING is so hard....

[Alexs momma ( ship 03, Div 017)]

My goodness, 3 weeks in and still no word. Is this normal for basic training? Got to say, this is just miserable...waiting. Maybe next week she will call....or even get to send a letter. Its hard to know that she is so homesick and there's nothing we can do to help. Just need to hear her voice...even if its only for a few seconds.

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

She will get to write soon....a phone call usually comes the 3rd or 4th week. Watch for the 847 area code and id is usually payphone.

When she calls...do your best to not cry. You don't want to waste valuable time crying. Rcts tend to mirror their loved ones. Also when she calls she may start crying. Often they are so stressed, scared, homesick, tired and still wondering what they've got theirselves into. Just encourage her...let her know you love and miss her BUT are looking so forward to seeing her march through those doors at PIR. Remind her that boot camp is only a few weeks out of her life and then the Navy is nothing like boot camp. Yes, she still has a code of conduct, follows orders, etc but A school and the fleet is NOTHING like boot camp.

Just hang in there...letters and calls are coming. You have got to write EVERY DAY....about anything and everything, Anything from HOME

[Lydia lukesmom (Ship 2 DIV 903)]

I know it IS tough! Wait til you get that first letter! I got mine yesterday. Still dancing around! Yes, if she was hurt or in real trouble, you would know.

[Suzi-OH]

The wait can be tough for mom!!

Not sure about your recruit, but Lynch LOVED BC.....he had so much fun and made a lot of great friends.
He even loved the food......soooo not what I was expecting. Now in Pensacola for Aircrew training....he tells me he is not getting enough PT for his liking.....they will totally amaze us...you'll see. Your recruit might not even be homesick. I think my son enjoyed having a division with females.....now THAT was no surprise, lol!!!

[CorinneL]

I remember those first few weeks while my son was at Boot Camp. It WAS rough - couldn't stop thinking about him. But trust us - no news is good news. She's doing just fine. Just to let you know - the worst of BC is the first few weeks, then it seems to get better for them as they progress and they feel closer and closer to their shipmates. Hang in there! Hope you can go to PIR - it's really something spectacular to see.

[Rebecca M.]

I know when Adam was in BC he would write on Sunday and we would get a letter on Sunday. If the diviison doesn't get in trouble and if they have time, you may get a call on a Sunday maybe the 4-5th week. So, keep your phone with you. They recruits are so busy, they don't have time to be too homesick. I know it's hard and you miss them so much. I understand.

[Cindy in Snowy MN]

AMEN Alexsmomma!!! Its only been 4 days...and I couldn't stand the WAIT from the moment I seen my son walking away!!! UGGHHHH! We got cheated out of our first phone call home....the "hi we made it, call!" My son only texted me from the plane telling me 'we just landed in Chicago" and have not heard anything more! Assuming because they got in very late due to bad weather, and my son being who he is..."didn't want to wake me in the wee hours of the morning!" And thinking I already knew he made it via the 'text' (today's day and technology) GRRRR, if he only knew how much I Just wanted to hear his voice (even though he just left)!!! I agree...I know he is homesick...AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO!!! Then today the "Box of his clothes came home" I searched it, hoping he tucked a note away someplace...but NOPE (Think they check it)! OH MY....I lost it! I wish it was December ...How Ironic...I always taught my kids, "don't wish your life away" and here I am wishing 2 months is over so I can see him again!!! OK, thanks for listening! Great to have a place I know people know exactly what I am going through!!!

Proud Mom!

[lindalav]

This is normal if the division is not working well then they lose phone privelages and it only takes one to mess it up for the rest.. write every day and pray more than that. You will eventually get a call- I know how tough it is my daughters division was a tough one before and she only called us once for 5 minutes and once for 10 before she got hurt

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

Salma do you have the grad date for your rct yet? If so, join the PIR group ASAP it will be you lifeline for info and support

[Suzi-OH]

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir12102010?commentId=1971797:Comm...

[Suzi-OH]

OMG!!! I sooo remember the first time I saw the 847 area code and I was like......not another one of those stupid automated calls.....but it was my son!!! Yippee!! I also remember trying to call the number back. but they o not accept incoming calls, only outgoing.

Some had problems with their calling cards. One girl was in tears because neither of her cards worked. I know my son let a couple recruits use his cards when they were not able to use their cards. Connections are like oxygen to our recruits.

And, the mail is not terribly reliable. We actually got letters returned to us weeks after they were sent and arrive in GL. Still not sure why they were not delivered. But, we have mail issues in Pensacola, too.

OH!!! Resist the urge to send anything other than a letter or small card. Do NOT send a package or any of those musical cards. Your recruit will want to strangle you for all the ridicule they will receive.