Waiting on "the box" and looking for others.

[AHuffRN]

Hi everyone, my son left on 09/07...7 days ago today.  I haven't received the box yet, nor a form letter, just wondering if anyone else out there is waiting as well?  I figure we can give/offer support where needed.  This is going to be a long 8 weeks! 

[Mrs.B_Div 302_Ship9]

You should receive the box very soon, and also the form letter. Once the form letter comes, you can join his PIR date group. That will give you the support you need and you will also find out LOTS of information that will be helpful during the next 8 weeks. Also, they normally have a Meet and Greet that happens the night before graduation...you might want to go to that, as you will get to meet all the moms, dads and family of the people your son is going to boot with. :)  I loved it when my husband was in and the group was a great support to me.

 

Also, make sure you write him as often as you can...I wrote my husband like 1-2 times every day!!! He said that some people never got mail and were very depressed during boot camp. The RDC's will encourage families to write their recruits. Just don't send porn or anything that might even give the remote possibility for him to get into trouble with. But pictures, clips from their FB accounts and even news clips are fine. :)  It's a difficult time for all the recruits  and they need the support of their families! :)

 

Blessings~

[AHuffRN]

Thanks so much.  This has been most difficult because I am just so used to my son being home...and knowing where he is ....I think the lack of contact is killing me! 

[Mrs.B_Div 302_Ship9]

I understand! The first call should come in about 3 weeks... :)  He is very safe there and the first 2 weeks is the most difficult emotionally for them, and you. I was 7 months pregnant when my husband was gone and it was very hard on me! I just had to stay busy and do fun things.

 

Also, make sure you don't loose the form letter, because there will be information in there (codes, etc) for getting your PIR pass for graduation, etc.   And remember, it's 8 weeks of hardly any contact, but as soon as A-school begins they can have laptops and cell phones. :)  Do you know what his rate is? If his school is in Great Lakes, there is a possibility you will get him for the whole weekend, though there will be rules he will need to "live" by.

 

If he has school in another state, then you will probably only get to see him on graduation day, then if you want, you can meet him at the O'Hare Airport in the morning and spend time with him while he waits for his plane.  Just make sure, if that happens, that you have your ID (three government issued ID's are preferred) at the gate and have your son meet you there, to get you through. The airport is used to having families there, but you will need that to get through.

 

Blessings~

 

Spontino- Your son is in what they call a "Push Division" and they're even more stressed out. My husband was in Ship 9! It's a nice "ship" and he had great RDC's...I hope, for your sons sake, that he has the same RDC's my husband had. When my husband couldn't get a hold of me one time, they found out and let him call me the next day! Sweet, huh? It doesn't always work that way...but it was nice.

[spontino]

What does Push Division mean...that makes me nervous....

 

[Mrs.B_Div 302_Ship9]

Oh, I didn't mean to make you nervous... I'm sorry!

 

It just means that they fit 8 weeks worth of training (my hubby was there for 9 weeks...it just depends on when the recruits make it to boot camp, on how they divide up the divisions) into 7 weeks. They work a little harder and have to learn a little faster. He'll be fine. :)  No worries. I had a friend's b/f that was in a push division and he liked it.  Being that he has 7 1/2 weeks, that means he is just 2-3 days short of the normal 8 weeks, and so the "push" won't be so bad.

 

My husband ended up sitting around for the last week of his stay there, shining shoes and cleaning. If he'd been 1 day sooner, he would have only been there for 8 weeks, but it's just kind of a gamble on how long a recruit will be there.  After BattleStations 21, they will not have much to do. But what will probably happen with your son, since he is in a Push Division is that he will do BS21, Tuesday or Wednesday before graduation. My husband did it on a Friday...a whole week before Graduation!!!!  So at least he won't have to sit around waiting to graduate while the rest of the divisions who will be graduating with them, do BattleStations! :)

[spontino]

Oh ok, now I understand....he will prob be happier it is shorter amount of time but I worry that it will be too much too fast...and if he doesn't pass BS21 first time, he doesn't have a lot of time to try again b4 PIR...it's nerve racking, the waiting and wondering!!  ugh

[AHuffRN]

My son's rate is Machinist Mate Submarines...his recruiter said he will probably go to Groton, CT for A school. 

[Mrs.B_Div 302_Ship9]

Yeah, I have a friend who is there right now! It's a nice school... and the barracks are nicer than Great Lakes. (from what I hear.) My husband's rate is MM, but he worked on ships... USS Bonhomme Richard LHD-6, so his school was in GL's.

 

One nice thing about being an MM for Subs is that their schooling is about a year long total, with C-school included, so you won't have to worry about deployments any time soon!

[jujumomma]

I know exactly how you feel.My son left for BC on Tues. Sept13th. I am wondering when his PIR will be?

 

[spontino]

My son left on 9/06, I received his "box" on this past Monday, was surprised how fast it came.  I also received his form letter yesterday, again was surprised how fast it came.  His PIR date is 10/28 which is only 7 and half week which seems sooner than expected but less time to miss him.  Hopefully yours will arrive in the next few days...fingers crossed.

[jujumomma]

My son left on Tuesday, Sept 13th. Do you know about when he will have his PIR?

 

[AHuffRN]

I recieved the box on Wednesday, still no form letter!  UGH...I'm so impatient.