My son is leaving for Boot Camp on 10/27/11.

[Barbara]

My son is leaving for boot camp on 10/27/11.  I just read about putting a phone card in his wallet (great idea).  Are there other people who have someone leaving on that date, too?  Are there any other good, last-minute tips?   Thank you!   Barb

[Missing my son Shp11 div 268i]

My son's recruiter has been great. We have been in communication since the day I dropped him off. He was able to get the mailing info for me and I have been giving it out. I am hopping to get his letter today...

[navymom12592]

I'm glad you had a good recruiter.  We really liked our son's as a person, but our son said that his recruiter lied about SO much. 

Congrats on your Sailor.  I feel like I won the lottery when I think about how proud I am of the child that I bore and raised. You did a good job!!!!

[navymom12592]

My son got put back into another group, his new PIR is 12/16.  He was suppose to have graduated 12/2 but had to go thru the PASS Program due to anger and homesickness.  I've heard this isn't rare.  He was really down on himself for it.  He's now in Div 019 Ship 4. 

I also just read that EVERY SR will be adopted either by individuals or local Veterans Organizations (VFW, Am Legion, etc) and that no one gets left behind.  This makes me feel a lil bit better because I was worried about his holidays.  I work in a Psychiatric setting and I know how depressing it is when they are away from The Norm for extended periods of time.  He's so use to being surrounded by his large family that all these strangers was overwhelming.  He said he'd let it get to him and he's doing so much better. I got a 13 minute 38 second call today. I felt like I'd won the lottery.

I'm holding out on getting my reservations as well.  I'm glad I didn't make them, else I'd have lost the money.

We were going to drive there and back, but you're not allowed any luggage on base. So we'll have to get a hotel, go to graduation, then go back and check out. Sucks. Oh well, anything for my son.

[navymom12592]

OH OH OH I've been doing this now for a lil over a month now.  He left here 10/5.  His box got here less than 5 days after he left, shortly followed by his Form letter. 

 He told me today that they are allowed a lil bit of time to study or write letters and receive letters daily, BUT they are only allowed to mail them out on Sundays.  Their calls will be at all different times of the day and evening.  He told me the other day that he'd be calling on Friday, well today's Thursday and he called.  The number to look for will be an 847 are code.  Doesn't matter if he's using a calling card or not, I don't think. Mine is.  His calling card was like 200 minutes for $10 and I asked him if he needed another one. He laughed. He said no cuz it told him he's still got liek 14 hours on it. Crazy. Maybe a gvt glitch. LOL

DO send stamps, stationary, cards, letters and pics.  DO NOT send musical cards, food items.  The instructors will eat the food in front of them and they will have to do pushups to the music in the cards.

At PIR, they are NOT allowed gifts, due to the fact that they are still in training. Wait till A-School to send them things.  Mines a lil tough because he graduates right after his birthday, then Christmas follows.  I have to wait till after the New Year to send his items to him.

Do NOT keep bad news from him either.  They need to know everything as if they were still home else they feel neglected.  They have awesome counselors.  My son expressed to me how much PASS helped him.

[Presleysmom]

My son left 10/24/11 and I got my first letter from him today. I was so excited I was trying to drive and read it at the same time. Not a good idea I suppose. I'm so proud of him but I miss him so much. It's nice to hear I'm not the only one who cries my husband thinks I'm crazy.

[RuthL]

You are not crazy.  I cry all the time!  They are our babies and we are going through a big adjustment too.