this is for REAL!

[SonandSea]

My son signed his contract last November and his ship out date of 8/8/2011 seemed so far away. 

Now, not so much! The time is flying by! He graduates high school in early June then leaves for a church choir trip (to Chicago, no less!) and then a mission trip. 

It is becoming VERY real as the days fly by. And I am feeling a distinct ache in my chest.

I like to write, so I started a blog to help me sort out my feelings. 

How are you all doing as your child's departure date grows closer?

hugs to all~Dale (Ian's mom) ♥

Here's my blog if you care to take a peek. http://sonandsea.blogspot.com/

[SonandSea]

Sharon~ I guess because we gals are better in touch with our emotions, your daughter is actually thinking hard about her decision. I remember that once (long ago) in a childbirth class the instructor said that men's brains are different (duh! LOL!) in that they are not as able to "think forward"... in other words they can not imagine how things will be in the future as well as women. I believe this is true.  

My son is also saying he's ready, but is not really seeming to realize how close his departure is (8/8). He acts like he has all the time in the world.  At least he has gotten serious about working out. I quit nagging him and then he got on it! LOL! 

Sounds like you did the right thing for your daughter. I hope she will feel more peaceful about her decision. 

I can not even imagine making such a commitment at such a young age. My son is in for 6 yrs and he will turn 19 in bootcamp. I am in awe of all these courageous and determined young people!! 

hugs~Dale

[SonandSea]

That's a tough one, ZZsMom! You want to be encouraging, but I understand not wanting to be pushy. Keep in mind, though, that very few things (in my experience) are 100% right. Most decisions are more cloudy than that. There are pros and cons and perhaps something as basic as writing down a list of each would be helpful. Somewhere on this forum someone did this and it was rather astounding how the plus side added up! So many benefits. 

For me, aside from my own sadness at seeing my son go, it is the fact that these young people will be plunged into adulthood so fast! That sort of blows my mind, BUT most make it and most look on their time in service to their country as some of the best times of their lives. I have read and heard this over and over.

I will try to find the post I referenced. 

hugs~Dale (Ian's mom)♥

[Judi(NavyMom)]

Hi everyone-

 My daughter leaves for GL 8.22.11.

The DEP time really has flown by. Leah plans is following in my footsteps and  will be a corpsman. Makes me very proud.

I don't worry about her. Navy will take very good care of her.

But I will miss her greatly!!

 

[SonandSea]

Thank you for your service. I know you must be very proud that Leah plans to follow in your footsteps!! ♥ 

 

[Spencer's Mom]

My son 's ship date is 8/8/2011.  I am surprised how quickly time has past since he made his decision to join.  He will leave 11 days after his 19th birthday and just 3 short months after his high school graduation. As his ship date draws closer, I find myself feeling anxiously excited for him to begin this chapter of his life but at the same time I am feeling sad to see my oldest child leaving home. I see we have in common that both of our sons will be at A-School for Nukes in Charleston.

[SonandSea]

Spencer's Mom~ Yep, we are in the same boat (sorry~ couldn't help myself)!! 

I m getting ready for my son's Anchor's Aweigh party. 

He seems ready. Me? I am trying to stay positive, but feeling a bit sad.

hugs~Dale

.

[SonandSea]

I believe graduation is always on Friday morning, so I'd say Thursday night.

I think nearly all new sailors head out on Sat. to their A schools. Depending on the time of their flight

I would think you would stay through Sat. so you could wait with them at the airport. The wait can be pretty long, I've heard. I would think parents flying out on Sunday might be best.

If your sailor is staying in Great Lakes for A school things are a bit different. I haven't paid much attention to those discussions because my son is going to South Carolina for A school.

[Nukette]

ZZsMom, I believe Dale is right. From what I've read at this point they are no longer using the term "Grad and Go." Sailors who are staying in Great Lakes for A School will go immediately after PIR check in at that side of the base, and then will have liberty for the rest of the weekend. Almost all other sailors will fly out to their respective A Schools the next day. PIR is always on a Friday, with the exception of a few holiday weekends. However, I had looked earlier and I believe all of us shipping in August will graduate on Fridays as usual. After PIR you will have the rest of the day with your daughter, until about 8 or 9 when she has to be back at RTC for the night. Saturday, she will likely go to the airport around 2 am. You will be able to go there and wait with her. She may not fly out until much later in the day. You can also bring a black backpack with stuff for her to take to A School with her (Cell Phone, Laptop, etc.). Your daughter is the only one who will know for sure when she is flying out, and she may not find out for sure until the week of PIR. I've seen where a few moms recommended planning on staying there until late Sunday/Monday. That way, if by some chance your daughter stays in Great Lakes longer you can spend more time with her. But, if she does leave on Saturday, you can still spend Sunday sight-seeing in Chicago. Either way, you're not scrambling to try to extend a hotel reservation or reschedule a flight at the last minute.

 

It seems like most moms try to get to Great Lakes some time on Thursday, so they can be settled in and ready to go on Friday morning. Security check in for PIR starts very early, and I've read about complete searches of vehicles that can take some time. I think they also do a meet and greet with all the moms on Thursday night. I want to say it's held at the Ramada up there, but I'm not 100% sure on the name of the hotel. When your daughter finds out her division number and PIR date you can join the corresponding group here on NFM, which will have more details about your specific timeframe.

[SonandSea]

Yep,my husband is Mr. Cool... but he has never been known for his great range of emotions. ;)

10 days for us, too. Feeling really anxious! 

My son seems a bit wired (who wouldn't be?). 

ZZsmom~ See you at Dallas MEPS on the 8th?? 

♥~Dale

[SonandSea]

We'll have to find each other for sure! I'll probably be the one babbling incoherently and trying to board the bus to the airport with my son! LOL!!

So sorry about your husband's step-dad! 

hang in there! ♥

 

[ZZsMom]

I don't think that will help me single you out since I bet 3/4 of all the Mom's there will be hanging off the bus mirrors...including me! lol

Do you know how we access MEPS?  Do we just walk in and they let us watch or does the recruiter have to arrange it?

[SonandSea]

I'm not sure about that. I will be sure my son asks on Monday at his 7 DAY MEETING!!! EEEEEEEK! 

Isn't it silly that they don't let us go to boot camp with our babies? 

We could cut up their food, make their beds, iron their clothes and tuck them in with a story every night.

Mean old Navy! ;)

hugs~Dale