My Husband is about to become a sailor!!!!!

[Kjnh0521]

My husband just joined the navy he is going for AM.He leaves for bootcamp in November,this is so new to me and for my daughter.He will be adopting my daughter after his training.I am so nervous but excited for him at the same time..!! Any helpful advice for me would be great.

 

[BunkerQB]

HERE IS "SURVIVAL CHEAT SHEET" FOR NEWBIES.

Follow these instructions.

1. Click on this link - it will take you to a discussion in my local groups (San Francisco Bay Area Navy Families).
   
   http://www.navyformoms.com/group/sfbayareanavyfamilies/forum/topics...
   
   Watch the four videos, look at the Powerpoint presentation - it will give you a really good idea what your recruit will be going trhough at BOOTCAMP.
   
   
2. Next check messages left on your personal page - from above menubar, click MY PAGE, scroll down - see the links to bootcamp groups - join those. You'll find that JessicaB has posted a welcoming message for you with links to the Bootcamp and Depper groups. Join the one appropriate. If you have an address (either from your recruit or the recruiter), start writing (plain regular letter size envelopes - the two addresses may be different - don't panic - it'll get there - use the one your recruit gives you as soon as you get it). Remember to check you status box (upper right) for messages on your Inbox, friend requests, etc.
3. Barracks are named after "real" ships.  For example, you are in Ship 12 - that stands for USS Triton. Your recruit is in the barrack identified as Ship 12 USS Triton. There are various divisions in each barrack. The real USS Triton has been decommissioned. Note the Navy For Moms groups listed by ships below (under # 6) refer to the active ships out on the FLEET (not the barracks). Here is a diagram of the barracks at Great Lakes - RTC (stands for Recruit Training Center).
   
   
   
   
   
4. When you get the letter with the PIR (Pass In Review or Graduation from Bootcamp) date, join the group for that - click here to see list of PIR groups. 
   
   http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/groups-listed-by-pir-date
   
   You'll get a letter with the PASSWORD to print the parking pass.  KEEP THIS LETTER.  If you are using Internet Explorer (doesn't work), download Mozilla Firefox (free - will work) and use it to print your parking pass for PIR. Parking passes are normally available about one to two weeks prior to the actual PIR date. Go here to get your pass.   http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp
   
   
5. Next join this group to prepare for PIR. Read through the many topics. Your questions should be answered, including information on how many people you can put on your guest list (4). Have more than 4 guests - find a recruit with less than 4 on his list and get your 5th on his. There is a discussion w info on hotels, transportation, etc.
   
   http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pirreferenceinformation
   
   
6. Looking for other groups to join?  Click on the following master lists of groups (all conveniently indexed):

               GROUPS: Listed by Name of US Naval Ship

               GROUPS: Listed by PIR Date - Pass In Review (Boot Ca...

               GROUPS: Listed by Navy Job Rating

               GROUPS: Listed by Geographical Location (States, Cit...

               GROUPS: Listed by Special Interest

They can be found also under Forum Discussion under "How To Do Stuff on N4M"

 

When you are done with looking at all the sites - you'll will know more than you want. Welcome to N4M. A thank you to your sailor. Have fun. Be proud. Check your camera batteries, bring warm clothing, order the DVDs, photos (as much as you can afford), bring IDs (make sure guests have IDs). GET THERE ON TIME. Buy boxes of tissues in bulk. Good luck.

HERE IS "SURVIVAL CHEAT SHEET" FOR NEWBIES.

Follow these instructions.

1. Click on this link - it will take you to a discussion in my local groups (San Francisco Bay Area Navy Families).
   
   http://www.navyformoms.com/group/sfbayareanavyfamilies/forum/topics...
   
   Watch the four videos, look at the Powerpoint presentation - it will give you a really good idea what your recruit will be going trhough at BOOTCAMP.
   
   
2. Next check messages left on your personal page - from above menubar, click MY PAGE, scroll down - see the links to bootcamp groups - join those. You'll find that JessicaB has posted a welcoming message for you with links to the Bootcamp and Depper groups. Join the one appropriate. If you have an address (either from your recruit or the recruiter), start writing (plain regular letter size envelopes - the two addresses may be different - don't panic - it'll get there - use the one your recruit gives you as soon as you get it). Remember to check you status box (upper right) for messages on your Inbox, friend requests, etc.
3. Barracks are named after "real" ships.  For example, you are in Ship 12 - that stands for USS Triton. Your recruit is in the barrack identified as Ship 12 USS Triton. There are various divisions in each barrack. The real USS Triton has been decommissioned. Note the Navy For Moms groups listed by ships below (under # 6) refer to the active ships out on the FLEET (not the barracks). Here is a diagram of the barracks at Great Lakes - RTC (stands for Recruit Training Center).
   
   
   
   
   
4. When you get the letter with the PIR (Pass In Review or Graduation from Bootcamp) date, join the group for that - click here to see list of PIR groups. 
   
   http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/groups-listed-by-pir-date
   
   You'll get a letter with the PASSWORD to print the parking pass.  KEEP THIS LETTER.  If you are using Internet Explorer (doesn't work), download Mozilla Firefox (free - will work) and use it to print your parking pass for PIR. Parking passes are normally available about one to two weeks prior to the actual PIR date. Go here to get your pass.   http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp
   
   
5. Next join this group to prepare for PIR. Read through the many topics. Your questions should be answered, including information on how many people you can put on your guest list (4). Have more than 4 guests - find a recruit with less than 4 on his list and get your 5th on his. There is a discussion w info on hotels, transportation, etc.
   
   http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pirreferenceinformation
   
   
6. Looking for other groups to join?  Click on the following master lists of groups (all conveniently indexed):

               GROUPS: Listed by Name of US Naval Ship

               GROUPS: Listed by PIR Date - Pass In Review (Boot Ca...

               GROUPS: Listed by Navy Job Rating

               GROUPS: Listed by Geographical Location (States, Cit...

               GROUPS: Listed by Special Interest

They can be found also under Forum Discussion under "How To Do Stuff on N4M"

 

When you are done with looking at all the sites - you'll will know more than you want. Welcome to N4M. A thank you to your sailor. Have fun. Be proud. Check your camera batteries, bring warm clothing, order the DVDs, photos (as much as you can afford), bring IDs (make sure guests have IDs). GET THERE ON TIME. Buy boxes of tissues in bulk. Good luck.

[Kjnh0521]

Thank you for all of this:)

[skell456 (AO wife)]

My advice is enjoy every minute you have together now.  My husband joined in August of 2010.  He now leaves for bootcamp in four days.  It goes by really fast.  I have had my meltdowns, but not until time was gone.  Go to a few meetings with him.  They are really helpful.  Becoming a memeber on here really saved me.  I have learned so much I feel more comfortable with the idea now.  It is a scary thing so if you need someone to talk to we are all here for you.  Everyone has been so supportive here if not for them I'm not sure where my state of mind would be.  Good Luck to you and your sailor!!! 

[Kjnh0521]

thank for the input,it will be great to find out different things and stories.So ur husband leaves in four days? how long is his A school?Hope to chat more with you soon.

kim

[Anti M]

First piece of advice: however long the A school is on paper, it will be longer in real time. Not classroom or seat time, but hold time waiting to class up before or waiting for orders after graduation.  Be patient, and keep your plans flexible.

[skell456 (AO wife)]

My husband (James) A school is only a month.  He will be in Pensacola.   He left last night for MEPS and left today for bootcamp.  He just called me to let me know he was there.  It has been a ride and it has been super hard.  We have a 3 year old son that does not understand what is going on, but I have been trying to be really strong for him.  He knows that daddy is in the Navy and will be home when he can.  It will get easier as time goes by.  Now we have graduation to look forward to.  Watch some videos they are awesome.  My husband got close to one of the Cheifs in our area, so when he retired last week he asked my husband to be in the Ceremony.  It was so cool.  The commandar of our area came and it was so beautiful.  When you start getting involved with things like that it gives you so much to look forward to.  Good Luck.  Get a hold of me anytime!!!!

[Kjnh0521]

Anti M- Thank you for that info. that was something i wasnt aware of.How long get holds be? I know his A school on paper is 5-6 weeks,if it was longer could i visit him on weekend?By chance do u know if their are people when we get to our first station to help us with my husband adopting my daughter??

[Anti M]

There's a lot of maybe in the answers to that question.  Holds can vary a lot.  Also, they have to go through "indoc", which introduces them to the base policies and to teach them about their duty days and so on.  When they are in A school, they have to earn their liberty privileges.  He can't stay offbase overnight until he is in phase two.  That takes a couple weeks to earn.  Don't buy plane tickets for a visit until he checks into his A school and has some idea of his schedule.  It would really suck if you went down for a weekend and he had duty! 

I'd guess 7 or 8 weeks, maybe a little more.  But maybe not.  Best thing to do is find the group here for his rate and ask what others have experienced at the same school.  

Navy legal doesn't handle civilian matters such as adoption, but they can advise him where to find the information and how to begin the process.  Your child can be placed on DEERS and receive health care benefits without being adopted, so be certain he takes all the information such as SSN and birth certificate for the child to boot camp. He may have some extra paperwork to add the child, but I don't know what exactly.