My son left February 8th for boot camp.

[trandles (Ship 09/Div 111)]

I can't stop thinking about him and worrying about him.  I start tearing up at the drop of a hat.  I have been reading everything I can about what is happening to him each day.  Some of it has comforted me some of it has worried me a little. I just hate not being able to call him or talk to him.  Eight weeks seems like such a long time right now..

[Dawn "Mike's Mom" 09/111]

It was a pretty rough weekend.  Some mom's on one of these forums said their son called them Sunday and they started BC the same day our son did.  I waited all day and never got a call.  That made me even more emotional, wondering what was going on that he didn't earn a call and how they would be able to call so quickly.  But then I re-read one of the posts and it said their SR was in a "holding" status which I think means they haven't really started BC yet, they are waiting for more recruits, so maybe my son isn't in holding and has actually started.

 

Who knows...that's the hardest part, not knowing anything.

 

Then on Monday morning his box arrived.  That was pretty emotional.  His shirt still smelled like him!  (Don't think I'll be washing that for the next 8 weeks.)

 

I'm just trying to be strong now until I get a letter or phone call from him, to hear for myself that he is ok.  I can so relate to everyone posting how emotional this is and how unless they have a child who went through it, people can't really relate to why we are feeling like we are.  I never in a million years would have thought I would feel this way.

 

Take care,

 

Dawn

[Proud MM Mom]

I just got his BOX!!!  my daughter brought it to me at work!!!  Now i am a basket case again!!!

Now to wait for his form letter!!!!

[jenny]

Hi trandles, I got a letter from my son yesterday. He wrote it on Sun. He said that the first couple of days were really hard because they got there at 11:00 pm and were processed all night and all day. They didn't get to sleep until 10:30 pm. the next day. He said that its been a adjustment, he said that the RDC's are nice most of time but rough if they make a mistake but that he is learning a lot. He made a few mistakes and they made an example out of him but that he is getting better, that he is getting used to the new lifestyle. He likes the food, they eat three times a day and that everyday the food is different. They get to kind of be on their own on Sunday's from 7am to 1:00 where the RDC's are not yelling or bothering them. They can take long showeres on Sun.and write letters. He loved receiving the letters especially a few of them at the same time, so make sure you write a lot. He seemed a little homesick but he said its not so bad. He said that the bed is a thin plastic cot but that after 18 hour days he sleeps well, they also make him shave everyday, he said his faces hurts,you don't know how many times I used to yell at him to please shave. LOL!  I think the adjustment is hard in the begining and then they get used to the routine, I guess its a big shock being there from home. I hope this helps a little I am a couple of weeks ahead of you. Your son will write a note in the back of the form and then he will write on the second sun. he's there.

 

Jenny

[trandles (Ship 09/Div 111)]

Yes, that helps alot, maybe I will receive something by the end of next week.  I am glad your son is doing well and adjusting.  It will be a big relief to just hear anything from him. 

 

Thank you

[rmwjcpa]

HI, My son also left on February 8th.  I received his box yesterday and he returned everything including the address book I made for him and his direct deposit form I had filled out.  I don't know how he is going to know his account number now.  I cried on and off for 3 days.  I almost cried when I got the box but I was mad that he did not keep his address book so I let that emotion take over.  I have not gotten the form letter yet but have started a letter that I add to each day.  I have a Valentine's card for him as well waiting to be mailed.  I think the lack of communication is the hardest part.  My brother, who was in the Navy 20 + years ago, keeps reminding me that "no news is good news".  I guess that helps a little.  We have a younger son as well who is 15.  He seems to be a little off but okay.  One of our cats is taking it hard.  He won't leave me alone and sits by Todd's door and howls.  Somehow he knows Todd is gone for a longer time then normal.  It is nice to be able to share on this site since everyone here knows what we are going through.  This is my first time writing since it was too hard last week.  Hang in there and maybe our sons are bunk mates!

[trandles (Ship 09/Div 111)]

I have not received anything yet.  Well I guess I did receive the "I am here" phone call.  I keep waiting.  Hopefully soon.  That would be cool if our sons were bunkmates.  It is really nice to talk to people who understand.

[rmwjcpa]

Sorry you did not receive anything today.  I was hoping for the letter today but it did not come :(.  Hang in there and keep in touch.

[trandles (Ship 09/Div 111)]

Thanks, sorry you didn't get a letter either.  You hang in there too. 

[rmwjcpa]

This morning has been a little tough.  My son had written on my work calendar for today.  It was just a little "Hi" but he must have known I would be thinking about him.   :( 

[rmwjcpa]

Thanks - all hugs accepted!! Hoping for that form letter today. Fingers crossed.

[Andrewsmom]

I'm anxious for all of you to get your form letters.  I was one of the lucky ones as I received the box last Friday (he left last Tuesday) and received the letter yesterday.  Unfortunately, I wasn't one of the lucky ones that got the phone call Sunday.  It seemed the phone calls came from Ship 11/Division 109 group.  My son is 11/110.  PIR 4/6.  Can't wait to find other moms with sons in the same group!

[trandles (Ship 09/Div 111)]

I talked to the recruiter and he said my son is still in P-days, so I am thinking he will be graduating a week or two after your son.  But you never know.  Hopefully I will hear something soon.