Ship 02 / Division 933

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Anybody else out there with this Ship/Division?

[IndyMom02/933 PIR7/1]

Carpricona- yeah, my son had no band or any choir etc experience.  Same as yours, tall and slim, and not that i'm partial but i think fairly nice looking young man too.  I wonder how she knew the 900 series is a special group?  i wonder if on the site somewhere?  Anyway, did you see on the another blog that there is a package that includes yearbook etc for picture? It sounds as if the sailors have to order; I'll have to write him about this, and i'm also going to ask him abou the 900 thing too.  No call yet, you, but Dad has spoken to him? do you know when? it is killing me that i might have missed his call?  Yes, he for the past year (graduated from HS last yr), has stayed with his Dad, and with some friends, hasn't lived with me, even with that, i still spoke to him couple times a week or we txt each other etc.. It is just really weird to not talk to him.  I was surprised on Mothers Days when his 'girlfriend' stopped by with the prettiest fresh cut flower arrangment.  Appearently he took care of this before leaving on May 4th, her Mom owns a flower shop, so they were over the top beautiful.  I'm confused on your comment about special performance.  Did i miss something in her Colorado Connie's comment?

 

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Hi IndyMom - Some moms have been through this before.  Some moms come back to share info. Colorado Connie has a son who is going to PIR next week, and she has had time to get letters from and talk on the phone to him.  I remember reading on the forum a long time ago about how the 900 divisions were for band and choir which was why I was surprised my son was in one, so I asked about it.   My son signed his contract back in December, so I found NavyforMoms and have been reading up on everything for a long time.  There is a TON of information if you have the time to read back through everything.  Plus, the search feature helps you find stuff easily.  About the photo packages:  I talked to my son about it before he left and asked him to be sure to order photos - what package he picks is up to him - I told him to go ahead and get the package with the Keel and dvd, and I would reimburse him as a graduation gift.   Did you know that each Division designs their own "graphic" and there is a company that prints up tee shirts with the "graphic" on the back.  It is very cool and it gets to be time to order those, I will post on here how to do it.  That is so very sweet about Mother's Day and the flowers.  Your son is very thoughtful.  My son broke up with his girlfriend (thank God!  she was nasty)  before he signed his Navy contract.  I don't know what you mean about Colorado Connie's comment about special performance - please clarify. My son called his dad the night of the 5th to say he had arrived. He called from his cell. Either your son decided he didn't need to call, his cell was dead or he ran out of time trying to figure out the calling card and he had to move on. I am so sorry that you didn't get a call, but most importantly, you got a form letter and know his address! That's worth way more, in my opinion. I've mailed 10 letters and finished #11. I still need to write one for today - it is getting tough to think of stuff to say.

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Hi Beachtalk1 -

 

Welcome aboard.  The only other people who are in our ship/division are Linana (23 yr old son who is in Medics from CA but who hasn't signed up on this forum yet), IndyMom (formerly Matt's Mom) and me.

Hopefully, more people will find us.

 

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Hi Maria and welcome aboard!

I am guessing that Div 933 and Div 932 are brother/sister divisions.

As for the mail, the Recruits do not receive any mail for the first 3 weeks.  We are told that it takes this long to get the Recruit trained and the mail is just held until then.  Personally, I think it is also the Navy's method of breaking the Recruits down and building them back up, but they won't admit to that.  The first 3-4 weeks, they are really hard on the Recruits.  After the Recruits start gelling into good teams, then the RDC's ease up on them and they start getting mail.  I started writing letters right away after my son left.  I held the letters (in numbered envelopes) until I got the address, and then I mailed them all.  Since then, I've been putting an envelope in the mail each day.  My other son jokes that our Recruit will be made fun of for getting so many letters from his "Mommy".  I don't care - I just want him to know I'm thinking of him, am super proud of him and support him.

It sounds reasonable that mail from TX would take about 3-5 days (depending on whether or not it is over a weekend) to be delivered.

[Lovemynavyson (Ship02/DIV933)]

Hi Paula (Capricorna) -- I just joined this sight(wish I had sooner)....but, have been reading some comments and other post...I know this is rather late and all...but I started writing immediately also and dated the letters saving them until I heard from my son...then began putting a letter in the mail everyday also..I encourage all families to try to write regularly (even if it's weekly)...My son wrote back and told me how encouraging it was to get letters and cards from home...sometimes getting 3-4 a day depending on the mail system! He said the other recruites teased him that he had alot of girlfriends back home!! :) I had considered the thought that he might be teased that 'mommy' wrote so much too, but he didn't and it helped him through - So to all moms -- write, write, write to your recruits - Blessings to you all......

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Hi Loevmynavyson ~

Is your son still in Boot Camp?  My son's PIR (graduation) was this past Friday.  I would be happy to share all sorts of tips and info about Boot Camp and graduation if you would like.  Let me know.

I sent a total of 52 letters while my son was in Boot Camp.  I'm glad I don't have to write anymore - it got to be difficult to think of what to say - that's when questionnaires became handy [smile].  He is thrilled to be done with Boot Camp and I am so very proud of him.

Take care,

Paula

 

[Lovemynavyson (Ship02/DIV933)]

Hi Paula,

No, my son also graduated this past Friday (1st). I appreciate your offering tips and info...Yeah, my son said he counted my letters and actually had to sort through and 'pitch' some because he didn't have enough room to pack everything! LOL...Of course, many others wrote him too he said.

I told him that I would continue to write him, but only weekly-- It's nice to get a tangible item to hold onto...He told me he was so thankful for a Christmas picture of our family  that he would fall asleep with nightly (it was the only one since we were all last together, another son in FL that is getting married next week (16th).!I I do agree writing everyday got difficult not knowing what to write. I just wrote about the day and what everyone was doing, help him get a sense or feel for what was going on at home...Yeah, my son is soooooooo glad to be finished with bootcamp also. He loves FL - He said, 'This place is sweet'...He will only be there 4 weeks and then off to Washington State---

I think it has been a great decision on his part, though I will miss him and didn't know what to think at first. I had a flood of emotions. I am so so proud of my son. My husband said to some family...'I have a new son' I said, 'No, that is the son that I use to know'.....

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

HA - we have lived in Florida since my son was 5.  He joined the Navy to get OUT of Florida.  He hates it here, so... where is he spending the next several months in A School?  Of course, Pensacola, Florida!  I'm glad to hear Will likes it.

Your other son is getting married on the 16th in Florida?  What part of FL?  Are you attending?  I'm in the Tampa Bay Area.

I am so proud of my son and his decision to enlist.  After PIR, he seemed so focused and paid such attention to details.  The Navy taught him things I tried to teach and failed. I will miss him and worry about him, but I think he's chosen the right path.

 

[Lovemynavyson (Ship02/DIV933)]

That is funny! Well, once he is finished with school, he will move out of FL...:). How long will your son be in FL? Where does he go from there?

Yeah, he likes it there and thinks he will return after a promotion which he could get as early as six months. He would then spend 18 weeks in FL - It' s still far from us, but not as far as Washington state...(fyi - I think you got his name confused with the other mom's son)?? But that is okay, that would be easy to do on here : ) .

My other son is getting married the 16th but is coming back home (PA) for the wedding. Both families are all from here (except her immediate family). We lived 5 minutes apart and went to the same church.That is how they meet. LOL He got a job with his soon to be FIL's company which took him to FL 2/2010 at 20 years old. So, yes, I sure will be there.....My son lives in Tampa too! Small world....They just built a new school down there somewhere???? We are praying for divine intervention so Greg can make it for the wedding. He is to be the bestman, but we warned him that he should not count on it because of bootcamp/school. Of course, he seemed so 'optomistic' until he follow through and went to bootcamp. The worst thing, he would be told 'No, it's against policy', but I'm sure the bootcamp experience is still entirely to fresh in his memory to want to even consider asking for such leave.....Before leaving, his recruiter, of course, shared that he could not authorize him to leave for the wedding, but the moment he got to school...that he should request leave :( Sadly enough, my husband and I have prepared for his abensence and tried to prepare them both (sons) for it also)...My husband was in the military, so we know all to well......It will only be by a divine act of God that Greg makes it home....

Yes, how true what you said about focus and whatnot....my son told his dad that he is watching the guys before he 'jumps' to quickly to make friends. He said he wants to make friends with the guys who are serious about their decision. He always was the 'thinker' and calm child. He always was a great kid..but he made alot of bad decisions when he moved back from overseas with no support system and then made friends with the 'wrong' crowd and it drug him down bad...He knows all to well how important your choice of friends is...good or bad.... He learned the hard way....but the values and morals instilled in him rose to the top....and that became very evident Graduation Day! I couldn't have been more proud....I don't think you failed or your son wouldn't have succeeded....:). Well, it certainly has been great connected up with you on here. I do hope we do stay in touch...Who knows?

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

My son says that Pensacola is VERY relaxed.  Maybe your son will be allowed to attend the wedding (it's a stretch, but I'm praying for you).    I don't know how long my son will be in P'cola.  First he has to class up, and that could take a couple of weeks to several months.  I've heard his class (once he starts) will last from 10 to 17 weeks.  Then... maybe he'll stay in P'cola for C School, or get deployed - don't know yet.

Very smart of your son to observe and make friends with the serious people - my son is quiet too and will likely do that.  He complained about the guys in BC that couldn't keep their mouths shut or follow simple instructions.  My son turned 25 while in BC, so he is on the older end of the age range, which I think helps too.

You're having a busy/memorable July 2011:  PIR and a wedding!  Congratulations and best wishes!

I hope we do stay in touch - you're right, who knows! 

[Lovemynavyson (Ship02/DIV933)]

Oh wow Paula, if someone did not know...they would think we have the same son :)....My son said the samething...LOL (about BC and the few that wouldn't shut up and got everyone in trouble)--- My son will be 25 in Sept. I'm wondering if they are roommates?

Yes, we have had actually an eventful couople months...It all started with Greg telling us the end of Feb. that he was enlisting and leaving in two months (May)...another son married in May, our youngest daughter graduated HS in June and another daughter is off to college in August --

Well, be blessed and we will catch up again...Who knows, we maybe in the Tampa area sometime (our other son wants us to come down to FL for Christmas)...I suppose this is alittle off subject - I apologize to you and all others who read this....

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

I've sent you a "friend" request.  If you accept, we can then email privately.  I'll send you my email address and we can exchange names to see if they are room mates or friends.

My son signed his contract in December (and that's when he told me), so I found Navy4Moms and started reading everything I could find.  It was a Godsend.

Once you have my email, you should keep me in mind and let me know if/when you ever do get to Tampa - I can maybe give you suggestions or even help if you or your son gets stuck.