My son leaving on November 16th. Anyone else in the same boat?

[Cyndii ~ Nuke Mom]

My son is leaving in 6 days.  He will be gone both major holidays and I have no idea when to book my tickets for his graduation.  I don't know if it will be 8 or 9 weeks.  Does anyone know how this works?  His recruiter hasn't returned his calls this week and he leaves soon.  Can anyone give advice on what happens next? 

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

My son left Nov 23 2009 and he graduated Jan 29 2010...so it's about 81/2 weeks because of the holidays.

Join this group http://www.navyformoms.com/group/leavinforbootcampinnovember here you will connect with other N4M's whose rcts leve in Nov as well as get info.

[Cyndii ~ Nuke Mom]

Ok, you've given me a LOT of great info. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!! I hope your son is doing well in Italy. Wow! It is so cool that they get to see so much. Thanks again!

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

Also go to your page and scroll down to read comments left for you on your comment wall. I have left you links and other info that will be helpful.

[Tamela Williams]

Hello there! My daughter just left for boot camp on Monday 11/08/2010. I received her "kid in a box" yesterday. Which to my understanding is quick. I received her address from her recruiter after she was gone only 2 days. I have not received the letter from her letting me know the graduation date. Hopefully, it will come in the next week or so. The box contained everything that she took (clothes on her back, including underwear and bra, cell phone, ipod, EVERYTHING). Be sure when you get the box to check pockets and inside shoes, basically check every nook and cranny. I forgot I'd let her take my ipod, and it was tucked away in one of her boots. Also, send him mail.....cards, letters, etc. I will send either a card or a letter every other day so that when she gets her mail, she will know that I am her for her. Im not sending everyday because she has others that will be writing her and I dont want her to be overwhelmed. Also, I hear they pick on the recruits that get lots of mail from their "mommy". I have not heard from her since she called to say she made it to Great Lakes, however, in that call she did say she will call again in about 3 weeks. As I get updates, I will be happy to share them with you.

[Cyndii ~ Nuke Mom]

Hi Tamela, How are you doing?? My son left 13 hours ago. I've been crying all day which is so unlike me. I hardly ever cry!! I can't wait to get the "I'm here" phone call. I'm sitting here by my computer with my cell phone, my husband's cell phone and our house phone. I hope you are doing well. Thanks for letting me know when I should be hearing something and also for the tip on not writing every day! Take Care :)

[mycoz (Ship 7, Division 050)]

I am doing the same thing. Plane should of landed in Chicago about 6:30 pm. Hope I hear from him soon. It's been a roller coaster of a day.

[Cyndii ~ Nuke Mom]

My son's plane also landed in Chicago @ 6:30pm on 11/16. I heard from him when he was walking to the USO. He didn't take a cell phone but thankfully one of the other recruits did and they let him make a quick call to us. We heard from him again at around Midnight when he was allowed to make the "I am here" call. It's been 2 days but feels like an eternity! My husband is on Navydads.com. They have a video collection and we were watching boot camp videos. Soooo interesting to see what they are going through. If you get a chance, watch the boot camp ones. I didn't view the PIR videos because I want to be "surprised" when we get there to see him graduate. I hope you're doing well. Take Care ~ Steven's Mama

[Anti M]

You cannot send packages to them in boot camp, cards and letters only. Packages will be confiscated, possibly thrown away, returned to sender if you're lucky.

I was in boot camp over the holidays, it will be far harder on you than on your recruit. They get a non-training day, which means a good meal, the chance to go to church, and maybe letter writing time. Or time to shine their shoes, which is very relaxing compared to the rest of boot camp!

[Anti M]

It was probably not boot camp, but A school.

[Cyndii ~ Nuke Mom]

Hi Kathy, I hope you are doing well! I miss my boy but our family is so proud. It will be a tough day, undoubtedly. Let me know when your son graduates. We may be at the same graduation!

[Tamela Williams]

Kathy, you will be fine. I thought watching my daughter get on that bus to be taken to the airport was the end of the world. I heard from her the night she arrived in Great Lakes. (the call was very scripted). I received all of her belongings 2 days later via fedex. That was kind of eerie. Her division earned a phone call so she called on Sunday. She seems to be doing well and adapting even better than I thought she would. She says the food is great. Just do some things (hobbies) to pass the time. It will be January before you know it! (smile) Focus on the man your son will be when he completes boot camp! I can honestly say, I dont know where my daughter would be had she not chosen to go to the military. You know college isnt for everyone. Without knowing your son, I know one of his goals in life is to make his parents proud!!! And he will do just that!

[jamie]

Kathy, I was so sad when my son left I could hardly get out of bed the first week. He left before Halloween, was there for his 18th birthday and for Thanksgiving. I have recieved phone calls every Saturday for the past 3 weeks and once on a Monday. I carry my cell phone everywhere so he can call. His first letters made me even sadder that he had gone because they took him 12 days early and all he did was sit on his bunk and was so homesick. He wanted to seperate from something he wanted so bad. Now he says its not so bad there except its really cold. Were from CA. He will be ok my son has us write him everyother day and send stamps to him they only get 20 for 5 weeks. You can also send him a manilla envelope w/ envelopes and paper. My son also said they love when you get pictures everyone passes them around and talk about them so send pics too. Good luck it'll get easier I promise.