Feeling Lost!

[zach'smom]

My son left for boot camp on March 1st and he called us last night to let us know he  is in RCU-Ship-04

due to a muscle sprain/possible knee injury. I am worried sick and don't know what to think..my husband

(a former sailor) insists he will be fine and that they are working with him to get him healed. I'm confused about what happens next????  Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[SharonW]

Good morning to all,

Misdes, you are most welcome and I'm glad you made it the group!  My son tells me it is a minimum of 6 weeks in RCU for stress fractures.  He passed his 2 month mark there yesterday.  His next medical appointment is this coming Wednesday and hopefully, he'll move to Phase 4.

If you haven't already, read through the posts (even if they're a few weeks/months old) as there is a lot of useful, helpful information.  It takes a bit of time but it is well worth it.  

It is my understanding that returning to a division v. graduating from RCU depends where your son was in his training when he was injured.  My son was Week 3 Day 5 and will return to a division once he is declared FFD (fit for duty).  Some SRs have finished bootcamp while in the RCU though they were further along in the training than my guy.  HIs original PIR was February 10th.  Your son may want to talk with the RDC's about progressing though it sounds like he is there for awhile.  

My SR described a typical day and, yes, there is a lot of down time while they are in the RCU.  There is a small library so they can get a book though I have mailed some to my son.  There was a post on the RTC Facebook page (before it went down for a week) in which the PAO (public affairs office) confirmed we can mail our SRs books while they are in the RCU.   The books stay in the RCU and don't go with the SR when they return to a division. There isn't room for the books in whatever storage the SRs have in a regular division.  Whatever books you send will be donated to the RCU library.  

That said, I mailed the first 4 books in the 'Game of Thrones' series (in paperback) to my son. I mailed them in a Priority Mail Flat Rate box (maybe $ 12 for postage?) on March 10 (Saturday) and he got them March 13 (Tuesday).  He's finished the first 2 and is working on the 3rd one.  Each book is between 900 - 1000 pages in length. I know some of the other moms, including Navy2011Mom, Patrick'sMom and Jill who are part of this group, have mailed books to their SRs as well.

The not knowing is definitely the hard part for me as well.  My SR doesn't like to write, he says he doesn't know what to write about!, so when he does call I do my best to ask questions so I have a better idea of what is going on.  He did tell me he doesn't know how the RDC's decide who gets to go to the NEX (Navy Exchange) to make a phone call though if someone(s) mess up no one gets a call - just like in a regular division.  Our first call from him came after he had been in RCU for a month and the next one was three weeks later (March 3) and he's got to call for the last 2 Saturdays as well.  Sharon

[paces]

Hi, everyone.... I have been following your discussions and I just wanted to help with a couple of questions, if you don't mind. Your SR's can finish boot camp in RCU. That is what ours did. It really depends on what week of training they went in. Ours went in his 4th week 4th day. He only had one more PFA and roughly a week and a half. It also depends on what their designation is. Ours was Spec Ops. One of the boys was in the 900 division which is the fine arts. If there isn't another group similar to theirs coming through soon, they will let them finish in RCU. It is really to their benefit to do that. They are still under medical care at that time.  Our was in RCU for 2 and 1/2 months. Encourage your SR's to make sure they are completely healed. Ours pushed the envelope and is now suffering with another injury on the same leg.  They will do all the training they would with their unit, they will just have a corpsman with them to supervise their activity.

I hope this helps some. They will take care of them. I will keep you all in our prayers. I know this is a difficult time, but your SR's will be stronger for this experience. I know ours was.  Hugs and prayers, Susan

[SharonW]

Paces, Thanks for your help!  Great point about not 'pushing the envelope' and risk re-injury.  My SR said that was why he wanted to let the medical staff know he had pain when he started running again earlier this month.  He told us once he moves to phase 4 (again) he will start off easy to avoid re-injury as he really wants to move on and get with a division again.  

I'm sorry to hear that your SR has another injury on the same leg - poor guy.  I re-read your earlier post and agree with you that they are where they are for a reason and to take it one day at a time.  

Prayers for all our SR's, Sharon 

[misdes]

Thanks Ladies for all the valuable information.  My SR was in a 900 division as well, playing the drums but from everything I read I believe he will prob. not be put in with another division as he was already in week 4-5 not sure of that due to procesing week.  It think it was the final PFA.  He only had 22 days left.  But I have read some moms on previous posts stating that their SR was injured on their last week!  That is gut wrenching!  I think my son has a positive attitude and he is highly motivated.  I try to send him motivating messages/ letters several times a week.  I agree this is going to make all of our sons/daughter stronger- mentally and physically.  This is how life goes you never know what life will bring one day till the next.  I believe it will build strength and character.  We just have to roll with the punches:)

[paces]

Sharon and Misdes... You are both so correct. One day at a time, positive attitudes and prayers. Our son has actually already finished boot camp and moved on to Spec Ops Prep. It was there that he re-injured his leg and as a result lost his EOD contract. He is now in a transition unit on Medical Hold and is in physical therapy. Fortunately, he did not re-break the leg as we first thought. He was devastated when he lost his contract. That was the last week in Feb. He has finally started accepting ideas of other options, but it has taken a while for him to get over the feeling of being a failure. We just keep reassuring him that we are proud of him and we love him and most of that he is certainly not a failure.

Hugs and prayers, Susan

[Jacque]

Hiya Zach's mom. welcome to the group.  My daughter was just sent to RCU two weeks before graduating so trust me I know your pain.  She was due to graduate next week.  She too has stress fractures one on each leg.  These ladies are wonderful and so hard as it is to do, try not to worry.  We are here for eachother and for you.

[Parrothdgal]

I'm not reading the thread.  I know he will get a chance to call you once a week and they are doing everything to get him well and finish boot camp.  This is not a place for real seirous injuries so you can feel fairly well about that. I will pray for your son and his fast recovery!  Let the group know if you would like us to send him a note.  You can send us the info in a PM and I for one would be happy to write him!!! NMH!!!  Look for the Navy Mom's page on fb there is a great bunch there too!  :o)