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Advice From A Mom Just Just Returned From 10/2010 PIR
Here's what I've learned during my bootcamp experience, from the perspective of a parent. Hope this is helpful to someone.
1. Send letters! Our son was one who got at least one letter each day of bootcamp; most days he got several letters from family. He's told us repeated how important that was to him.
2. Be very careful about using this site and other internet sites. There's a lot of good info here, but some of it's not correct. I got some bad info early on and I learned to take what I read on the internet with a grain of salt. Unless you hear something from your sailor's mouth, don't assume it's true.
3. Don't post anythere here about your specific sailor's bootcamp experience while bootcamp is going on. our son told us that the commanders at the training center do absolutely read these forums. You can absolutely get your sailor in trouble by what you post here; even if you don't think it will, so be careful.
4. Highly recommend the Residence Inn in Gurnee. We got a two room suite for $89/night and considering that included a free hot/cold breakfast, you can't beat it. We were less than 10 min. from RTC.
5. Take taxie to PIR instead of driving. It saved us a lot of headaches. We got there very quickly and went back to the hotel afterwards using the same driver who gave lots of great travel advice.
6. If you plan to stay Friday-Sunday, be prepared to spend more money than you might normally spend in a weekend. We wanted to make sure our sailor had a good time after being shut up for two months so we pulled out all the stops. We did alot of eating, saw several movies, shopped at the NEX, went into the city, took taxis when we wanted to get somewhere quickly. It all adds up. We don't regret one penny, but I recommend that if your budget is tight, save for it while your sailer is in bootcamp.
7. Tell your sailor beforehand to buy the photo package, no matter the cost. Our sailor didn't buy the basic package because he didn't want to spend $165. He doesn't realize how important those first professional photos will be in the future and I've given him instructions to see if he can go back and get them, no matter the cost. For us, it's a worthwhile expense.
8. Take lots of video and still photos. Goes along with the previous post. You can't ever go back so make as many great memories that weekend as you can and catch them on film. You'll be glad later that you did.
9. Be patient and listen to your sailor. Our son, normally not much of a talker, talked non-stop for three days. He really didn't want to have a discussion, he just wanted to talk, so we just listened.
Well, that's it's from me. It was a memorable weekend and I think we did everything we could to let our sailor know how proud we are of him and how excited we are for him too.
Karla
Views: 310
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth (ship 7 div 106) on
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Thank you, Karla. My son leaves for Boot Camp in January so any information like this is extremely helpful. Any advice on what to actually send him with? I know it is limited and for the most part everything gets sent home, but don't want to forget anything he should be sure to take. All the best to your son. It is SO exciting.
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Permalink Reply by KarlaB4 on
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Pens and calling card. Everything else our son took was packed in box and sent home. He did take two small notebooks and they did let him keep them, but he didn't need them because they issue notebooks. We read before he left that everybody get sick at some point and sure enough they all did. So have your son be as healthy as possible before bootcamp. Best wishes, Karla
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Karla, your advice is spot-on. My son went through boot camp 2½ years ago and things were the same then as now.
Beth, my son took his cell phone so he could call us on his way to Great Lakes (it came back in the box of course). He should have a little money ($20?) so he can buy snacks etc. on the way. A small card with phone numbers on (they're so used to hitting the speed dial they haven't memorized anyone's numbers). An activated phone card (for when they're allowed to make a call home.......they don't want to waste time trying to figure out how to get it activated and use it). Any addresses they may want to send a letter to. They don't need anything else, all will be provided, including writing paper. Anything they take with them that's not allowed will come back in the Fed Ex box.
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Oops...I forgot, he'll need to take a deposit slip for his bank account so his paychecks can be deposited.
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Yes, you are right about that deposit slip. and you are also right about the card with numbers on it; we did that too. I think our son took $20 with him; they did let him keep his wallet. how quickly we forget the details.
Karla
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Thank you, Thank you! So extremely helpful! I greatly appreciate the information.
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Permalink Reply by lorriemi navy mom x2 on
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GREAT INFO THANK YOU PIR 14JAN2010!!!
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NFCU is great, we've been members 35 years. They have branches everywhere our SRs will be stationed and are full service, with checking, savings, car and home loans. They were really convenient when we were stationed overseas.
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Thanks for the advice. My son Christopher is in the delayed entry program. He is scheduled to possibly leave for bootcamp on August 16, 2010. He must graduate from high school first. I am already so concerned that we are prepared for his deployment. I am also very excited to go to graduation. He says I don't need to, but I know I need to. Thanks for the advice again. Hope you and your family have a great holiday season.
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