bootcamp

[jessmom]

my daughter left today 12/12 for boot camp in great lakes  she is 21 years old but i feel lost without her already. it just feels so different then when she went away for college.i know there are many people that go through this everyday. its just so hard for me, i work with two people who have had their young men go away and i really dont think they felt the way im feeling. Im told by some of my family members that i need to grow up. she is a adult and this is the life she has chosen. i think its more that im not gonna be able to talk to her when i want to, and have her come home for those special occasions. when something does bother her i want to know that and be able to help her through those times and im not gonna be able to do that all the time. i do know i have to loosen those aprons strings but boy it sure is hard. as im writing this she is sitting at ther airport in harrisburg pa....plane leaves at 5:20 will arrive in chicago and from there take a bus to great lakes. the time zone is different there, she said it will be about 10:30 their time when she calls so i will make sure im up at 11:30 our time (new york). i will make sure i dont fall asleep at 9:00 tonight. i would love to hear from any mother whose child has left today for great lakes, im just curious how many mothers children may be with mine and from anyone that might beable to let me know that im not inmature about this in general. im very proud in the choice she has made to serve our country, its just gonna take a little bit of time to adjust to it.

[Concernedad]

My advice to all of you would be, try and take it week at a time, it's much easier.

Some of you will get many phone calls, some will get few. The same with letters. It's not really based on any rhyme nor reason that I have been able to figure. Read the posts here and watch the videos. It will help you grasp what they are going through. Their first week will be miserable, but it tends to get better after the third week.

My son also said not to expect phone calls nor letters. Write to them often anyway. They do love getting letters, and on this site there are some form letters you can send to them, which makes it easier for them to send a letter back. Send them stamps. Send them a phone card even if they say they don't want it. Just make sure to activate it before mailing.

Hang tough. Know they are growing daily. They will make you proud.

P.S. Unless you don't hear from your SR by the end of week two (box and form letter), I would suggest not bothering the recruiter. The less attention you can bring to your SR, the better.

[Concernedad]

BTW, just to add, my son going in was also tough. He told me he wouldn't write, and for me not to bother going to PIR. Of course I ignored all of it. Afterwards, I asked him if he was glad we came. He admitted that yes, he was very happy to see us. He also admitted he didn't realize how tough it would be.

If at all possible, please go to their PIR.

 

[Texasproud6272]

PIR is his graduation right? If so we are already making plans to fly to Chicago,His wife will be receiving all the info so are very excited to go,We have already started writing letters to mail when info comes in for addresses....How long has your son been in now?

[Concernedad]

PIR is graduation (pass in review). My son graduated in October.

BTW, we are also from Texas, and found it cheaper to fly into Milwaukee, considering the cost of rental car. Less traffic as well. A bit longer drive, but easier.

[CB_s Mom]

That is good info Thank you!!

 

[Nancy]

It is 5:30 a.m. and I can no longer sleep.  My son is leaving for Great Lakes later today.....hopefully HE is sleeping well.  What is PIR?  We have had no communication from his recruiter at all.....don't even know his name.  I certainly don't want to "bother" the recruiter, but shouldn't he have given us some info?  We will be taking our "sailor" to the recruiting office to say our goodbyes; maybe that would be a good time to introduce ourselves.  Any insight you can give me would be gratefully received. Thanks!

[Debra11]

Hi Nancy, I'm up too, crying my eyes out reading all these posts. My son leaves for GL tomorrow morning, he asked me to take the day off today to hang with him and that's exactly what I'm doing (he's still sleeping).  I met our original recruiter, but at this point he's been through about 4 different ones, which I don't really understand, but whatever.  I was also looking for info, but I think they give it to the boys.  My son has passed on some info, but I always have more questions.  I heard that we can spend a little time with him tonight after he checks in to the hotel, but I'm not sure.  When I drop him off at the recruiter today, my son suggested I come in and talk to him about the details. I believe PIR is 'pass in review', which basically means their graduation at the end of boot camp.  I wonder if our sons will be in the same division, or whatever it's called. Good luck with everything, I'm a mess and I never thought it would be this bad.  My daughter went away to college and just moved out to start her first job, but I never thought letting my son go would be this hard.  

[tucker2]

Say on this site, it is the only thing that has gotten me though. N4M has a wealth of Information, people here will answer question you have and cry with you when your baby leaves.

So now to answer your post. BOTHER the recruiter !!! Remember your handing your son to this person.  When my daughter decided to go into the Navy, it was a year before she swore in. I made it a point to be come very active in her choice. Every time she needed to go into the office, I was there talking to the recruiter. I spent so much time talking to him, he told me to call him anytime and I have. When everyone started getting their form letter it was 8 days before I got mine. My daughter went to BC on Dec 13th and I didn't get form letter until Dec 29th. I called the recruiter at home, he called me back 15 minutes with the information I asked for. He can get you you son's Ship and Division #, 2 days after your son gets to BC.Of course the next day I got the form letter. So here is my advice: Ask lots of questions, no question is stupid!

[cecemom]

ty.......

 

[Texasproud6272]

Thanks I have been reading a lot of what he will go thru in boot camp ,thanks for the advise .

[Hope]

My 19 year old son left for boot camp on December 8. He was so excited! I miss him, but I have an older son (22) who is also in the Navy, so I know this will be a wonderful experience for him . Lots of hard work, but also lots of growing up and gaining some life long friends along the way. You wont believe how proud you feel (and how proud she will feel) when it's all over.

[Smurfmom Ship 11 Div 066]

Hi my daughter left Dec 9th. She is also Ship 11 Div 066.