Son is leaving Nov 1st for BC

[mome2jord]

My son is leaving for boot camp Nov 1st.  Wanted to see if anyone else has a loved one leaving the same day and what you are doing to prepare for it.  I am so worried I am going to do something wrong and miss any time we can spend with him when he leaves for BC and at PIR...there is so much information to learn.

[Lukes mom SHIP 12 DIV 029]

Hi there, yes my son leaves Nov 1st.  Maybe our guys will be in the same division.  We just went through this whole process last year with our oldest son.  Now my youngest son, Luke will be on his way.  It is very hard in the beginning, be sure to get him a phone card to use to call home with. Sometimes if they do well in bc they let them call home or they get to have a candy bar. :=}  I think the hardest was when we got the box with all his belongings, down to the underwear.  There is so much to look forward to.  Are you planning to go to PIR-graduation?  I'm looking for information on that, as we are in California, we need to start looking in Airline tickets,hotel & car.  Once you know your son's Division and PIR date, you probably will join that group. If you have any questions, I hope I can help you with them.

[mome2jord]

That seems so hard to watch both your son's go through this...I'm having a tough time with just one.  Yes we will be going to PIR graduation.  We are in Arizona and I have been looking at tickets.  Southwest Airlines seems to have the best deal so far and they are starting to have their holiday airfare specials.  I have seen the airfare from Arizona at $310 per round trip ticket.  I have noticed it was less expensive to fly into O'hare airport, but flying into Midway is not much more.  However, I need to wait for the date from my son to book them.  Southwest will change flights without a fee.  I have flown with them many times and they are great about that.  I have to look into hotels still and car rentals.  That would be neat to have our son's in the same division, then at least we can talk to each other. I am definitely not looking forward to the box arrival, that seems to be the hard part and I suppose when the reality sets in.  I am going to miss Jordon tremendously, he has been a great son and such a joy to have in our lives.  The thought of waking up each morning and having one of my babies missing is too much to think about at times, but I see him so happy and proud that I can't help but be excited for him.  I just put him in God's hands.  Did your oldest son go into the Navy as well?  How does he like it?  Thank you for offering your help, I am sure I will have many more questions for you!:)  By the way, what part of California do you live in?  We lived in Southern California in San Dimas for almost nine years before we moved back to Arizona 5 years ago. We still go to California very often though so we get the best of both worlds.

[Lukes mom SHIP 12 DIV 029]

Well, today is the day, we take him to stay the night. Tonight when he is done with the physical, we will have our last dinner and have him back at the hotel by 7:00 or 7:30.  About 8:30am  Nov 1st at MEPS they will swear in formally.  Then off they go to Great Lakes.  Have you seen anywhere the PIR date for our guys?  8 weeks makes it right at the end of December.  The last PIR for December is 12/16.  So, they could possibly push them for 6 weeks, or PIR will be in January.  We use Southwest Air all the time. It's going to be crazy with all the holiday travel, plus take into account there may be bad weather.  Last year the whole East coast shut down with all the storms and blizzards.  If I knew the PIR date I would book now for hotel and airline.  We rented car right at the airport, tip: get the "toll road pass" .  If you miss tossing in your coins, they send you a ticket in the mail...Didn't think we would need it, but there are so many toll roads, and ended up passing through one with out paying..dang it.  We stayed in Lake Forest, close to graduation, nice & clean, with a kitchen.  Have to look up the name.  My older son gets to come home on leave 11/22 to 12/05.  Very excited to see him, but at the same time will be missing Luke.  We are in Northern Cal, about 50 miles east of Sacramento. This time is a little easier, I know what to expect.  Seems like forever for the first phone call and it's only for a second or two. Then the box with all their belongings sent home.  You will see an amazing transformation in your son.  Luke Mora is my son, we'll see if they will be in same div and ship. Blessings to your family and son.  Anything I can do to help, I"m here.  This is RTC site, http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/sitemap.asp  been checking to see PIR dates.

[mome2jord]

How was your day today and how are you holding up?  It was such an emotional day and I can't stop crying.  Thank you for all your information, it is very helpful.  I am so excited for graduation I can hardly stand it.  There was a mother at MEPS today and she said they told her son that they were going to try and fast track him for the 12/16 graduation.  Her son left with my son today....so maybe that is what they will do with most of them.  They did not say anything to my son about it, so I am not sure.  Just thought I would mention it.  I have been ready to book my airline, but am waiting for the date.  As soon as I get it, the tickets are booked!:)  I hope you had a good day and everything went smoothly for you all today.  We will keep each other in touch when we get their div info.

[Barbydahlzz ALUM 09/075 USS JPJ]

nori lukes mom and Mome2jord.....  howd it go???  how are you guys??? words of wisdom please....my son leaves monday... IM A MESS

[mome2jord]

barbydahlzz...I would be lying if I said I am okay....it is very hard.  I am just warning you so you know that the way you are feeling is normal.  I don't really want to talk to anybody today.  I just need some time and I know it will get better.  Are you going to MEPS and the airport to meet him or are you saying your goodbye's from home?  You just need to do it the way that is best for your family, there is no right or wrong way to say goodbye.  We went down with our son the day before and then met him at MEPS the next day at 8 am.  I am not sure if all the MEPS are the same, but here in Phoenix, AZ we weren't allowed to go up until 8.  Once up there we just waited for the swearing in which happened at 11:00.  After swearing in he waited for his orders and flight information.  He got those around 1:15 and once he got them they took him immediately to the airport to drop him off.  Along with his orders he got a $23.00 check for food that he uses at the airport.  He picks the restaurant and just fills in the restaurant name and the amount is already filled in.  They can only use it at one place so make sure they get everything they want there.  My son had cash as well to use for the plane or when he landed.  While he was at MEPS he weighed in a few pounds under but was at 23% bodyfat.  I don't think their method they use to measure is accurate, but it is what it is.  However I think that is why they are pushing through most of them that are a tad over cause they know it really is off.  Anyway, once my son landed he called me on his cell from the plane and then once he got off the plane and ordered his food he called again.  He said they only had a small amount of time and then had to get to terminal 2 to meet whoever was waiting for them.  The last phone call I got from him was at 2 am Chicago time and that was the official "I am here, I'm good, my stuff will be shipped home in a box and it will have a letter with my address and graduation date and you will get a phone call in two weeks"  It sounded very noisy in the background and didn't seem as if they were getting to bed anytime soon.  I'm not sure if he got any sleep.  One thing to mention, if you are going to the airport with him just meet him at the ticket counter and let them know you are requesting escort passes, they will look at your sons orders and give them to you.  US Airways said they normally only give one but they will give us two.  We were very grateful.  My son was very nervous at MEPS but once we got to the airport I noticed how relaxed he was, it was so nice to see that.  They are very excited, but hard to watch them walk away. I am here if you need to talk, it may not be easy but having each other who understand makes it better.  Other mom's who have not been through this have no idea.  People have said that we should just be happy for him...are you kidding me, I am so happy for him and proud.  Doesn't make it easy to let go.  Just enjoy your last moments and take lots of pictures...but he knows you love him and he will be great!:)