New Navy Mom

[Mikki Ship 09 Div 069]

It was good to find this site. I found the NavyForMoms.com card my son left at the computer after he left on Dec 8th. He got to BC late on the 9th. I havent heard from him yet, but got a lot of info here.  I don't know how I'm gonna handle 'the box' when it gets here. I've already been a blubbering fool this weekend as is. But I am so proud of him!

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

You should be able to get his address from the recruiter on Monday...more than likely your PIR (grad) date will be 2/4/2011 here is the link to the group if you want to hang out there till you get the form letter to confirm http://www.navyformoms.com/group/div061pir2411

[Mikki Ship 09 Div 069]

Thank you for the information. I so appreciate. A co-workers daughter left the day before my son, so I shared the information with them tonight at our annual holiday dinner. We might be going to the same PIR this february. It was nice sharing the info I had already gleaned from here. 

[janlee]

Hi, Mikki. Is'nt this place awsome? You got me a little chocked up saying how you found the card in front of the computer where you son left it. boo hoo.!

 I was the same way, didnt discover this site until my sailor was gone, which is a bummer,  because there is so much on here that i would have liked him to see, hear, read, etc.So many questions i am being asked and embarassed i dont know the answers to!

Wish he was here. Good luck and ttyl  See you on the site.

[My2Sailors]

Hi Mikki, My name is Pam & my son graduated BC on 8/13 this year.  Him going to BC was the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with & this site REALLY helped me out.  The "BOX" is a hard thing to handle, but it is bitter sweet.  My son had taken his ipod with him & when I turned it on he had put the directions to RTC on his maps app, like I would forget where he was or something, that was the thing that made me cry the most.  Within a couple of days after you get it you should get a form letter with his address & PIR date, there will also be a list of 4 names that will be allowed to go into Freedom Hall to see the PIR.  Your name on the list assures you a spot, alot of people said that you couldn't get in if your name wasn't on the list but that is not the case.  They will allow all the guests of the recruits in 1st & if there is room they let everyone else in.

DEFINATELY join the PIR group when you find out what it is & the division group is also a big help because you can get a little more information re: what your recruit is doing.

Start writing letter now & send them as soon as you get his address.  My son said that letters from home were what kept him going & knowing that we were thinking about him gave him the strength to make it all the way through.  Stay strong, PIR is the most moving thing you will ever see. Send me a friend request if you like & if you have any questions just ask & I will do my best to find out the information if it is something I do not know.

[Mikki Ship 09 Div 069]

Thank you JessicaB, potsie lee, Pammie kaye, and kathyf for your replies. It really helps me feel better when I know more about what to expect. My son called tonight, just before I left to go to the annual holiday (work) dinner. It was so good to hear his voice! And, one of my coworkers is going thru the same thing. Their daughter left the day before my son. The recruiter says they probably wont be in the same division, but at least we can share information, and support each other. I let them know about this site and gave them the URL - they hadnt heard about it before. And I warned them about the dreaded box (shudder). Again, moms, thank you for your support. 

[lindalav]

Mikki - good luck to your son first of all!  I know the emotions are all over right now for you and will be for a while - the next few weeks are hard but keep busy and keep your phone on your side at all times.  You never know when you may get a call.  Writing was the best therapy for the separation for me - I wrote every day - included pictures of events i went to and friends of hers i saw- I also got on facebook and had her friends write to her and i printed and mailed them with my letters - I took random pics of the dog, her dad, the county fair etc and printed them and sent them on regular paper with my letters.  My life is not an exciting one so I needed all the help I could get.  I did alot of encouraging and praying.   After all was said and done I got a letter to open after the graduation weekend that thanked me for all the encouragement that it helped her stay motivated.  Good luck

[Mikki Ship 09 Div 069]

Terrific information and hints of what to do! I like the daily pics on regular paper and facebook ideas. thank you so much.

[my3sons]

My son arrived at BC on the 9th as well. His box came today. Have you received an address as to where we can write to? I keep coming to the site everyday just to keep in some contact with what is going on in BC.

[Mikki Ship 09 Div 069]

We got the box too, but no address. I sent a letter to the return mail address on the box, but am not confident AT ALL that he will get it. It didnt reference a division or ship. another friend went to the recruiter and was given the address for their daughter - she left the day before my son. I havent done that because of my work schedule, but hope to today. The same friend got the 'form letter' from her daughter yesterday so I will probably get mine today - I hope.

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

Mikki...hope you put your return address on that letter you sent to the box address. I doubt he'll get it but it doesn't hurt to try.

[janlee]

When my sons recruiter gave me his temp address, he also told me that when i get his box, to start mailing the letters to the address that comes with it. When i recieved the box, there was no form letter with it so it wondered if he meant the 'return address label' on the box itself.

When i looked at the return label, it didnt seem like much of an address, so i was hesitant about sending my letters there. I didnt send them, gladly, because it wasnt even close to the right one.

Maybe just wait until you here from the recruiter (or you can call him) to get the temp address. That way you can be sure your son will get your letters.

I wouldnt worry about the one you sent, you have time to send them. He wont even receive his mail for a few weeks:)

[Mikki Ship 09 Div 069]

 

thanks. I went to the recruiter and got his actual address. It is much different than the one on the box. I had created and save my letters on the computer, so except for the handwritten note parts, I can reprint and send them. I had printed pictures of his cousins new baby, pasted stuff from Facebook from his friends, etc (one of the suggestions from this site, thank you).

 

I appreciate the help! His recruiters were helpful and friendly too - nice bunch of men there.