Boot Camp Timeline

[Not Da Mama]

OK guys, when I first joined Navy Dads back in January my wish was for some timeline that I could use to anticipate the milestones of boot camp. So for all you new parents I would like to submit my timeline. I didn’t join N4M until after PIR to stay in touch with all the friend I made while I was there.

Executive overview.....3 phone calls and 6 letters in 2 months.

My son PJ left the house at 8am, 08:00, Jan. 10^th. We got his I’m here and safe phone call at 00:35, or 12:30 am that night from his cell phone.

3 days later, on Friday the 13^th we got his box with everything he took to boot camp, his cell phone and even his underwear and socks. I gave him a padded envelope, before he left, just the right size for his for his phone to include in the box for added safety. If the pant legs are rolled up it’s because there was no time to unroll them between being fitted for shoes and filling the box.

10 days later, really long, agonizing days later, we got his form letter and address, dated the 18^th with a 2 sentence note on the back on Jan 23^rd. I mailed him the 8 page daily journal I started writing the day he left. 

This is the 2 week mark.

9 days later, on Feb 1^st, we got his first letter, complaining that he hasn’t gotten any letters from us yet dated the 29^th. 5 days after that.  On 2/6, I got my surprise 5 minute phone call around 2 pm.

2^nd letter came on Feb 9^th, 3^rd letter on Feb 15, 4^th letter on Feb 24^th, and 5^th on Feb 29^th.

March 7^th. Was a Magical Day.  We got his 6^th and final letter from boot camp, and at 6:30pm GL time we got our “I’m a sailor call”.  We were expecting it a day earlier on March 6^th because he told us, in his letters, that BS21 would be the 5^th.  We started burning our blue candles on Monday morning, Tuesday was frantic ALL DAY AND NIGHT...waiting for the call that never came, good thing I bought a 50 hour candle.  Finally, after work on Wednesday the 7th I got the call...and my good sailor called his Mom at work  first... I was so proud I thought I would bust.  Turns out that the Presidents day holiday pushed everyone back one day in training and no one was told about it.

Thursday March 8^th at 9am, I flew to O’Hare and attended Sarge’s Meet and Greet that night.  All the Div083 N4Ms wore yellow scarves, so when I saw one I knew that was a family with a kid in my division...it really helped make friends.  Friday the 9^th I attended PIR...Try and not get misty when they all sing Anchors Aweigh. 

I got my hands on him at 10:30 and we stayed togeather till 8pm – he got liberty till 9 because Div 083 made Hall of Fame.  At midnight, still the 9^th, I checked out of the hotel and met him at O’Hare airport at 1:30am, where I gave him back his cell phone,and civilian underwear that he requested. We drank coffee, talked, watched the sun come up and I caught his cold, he texted his friends until he flew out at 11:30 am.

Here’s a tip, when you write them, place pictures in a MS Word document. The RDCs watch them open mail and make them share pictures and junk with the whole division. PJ thanked me for the printed picture letters because he could keep them private.  I always closed with a hand written I Love you so it didn’t seem too impersonal.

The entire ordeal lasted one day shy of 2 months...It seemed like 2 years living through it, and now it   seems like 2 weeks.  PJ earned E-3 FN stripes, and a Sharpshooter ribbon on his dress blue uniform, and Div083 made Hall of Fame Division, which gave them an extra hour of liberty. I am so Proud.  

It's been 10 days since PIR and my son is safely in Goose Creek SC. in an indocternation division waiting to "Class Up" for MM A school.  He has his own bank account, credit card and bought a new Nintendo 3DS at the NEX...first thing.  MM A school is 3 months long and we hope to see him on leave in June or July.  Where we will go to Benihanna and celebrate in style.

My advice is...Patience is a virtue, no news is good news, repeat these two verses often. I very highly recommend Sarge's Meet and Greet...The colored scarves were genious....I depended on Sarge for ALL TRANSPORTATION while in GL, and he went ABOVE and BEYOND to make the trip successful.  I can't give him higher marks, he broke the chart.

There is much more I could write, but I think I've been verbose enough.  Except, I still remember the scared little boy and the tears when we sent him off to scarey Great Lakes, and in 2 months I can't believe how much he grew up, The polite and respectful young man I met at PIR, was still my son...but so much more.  The change was truely incredible and totally worth the ordeal.

I hope this helps anyone going through this experience. 

[Sharpmom2012]

My daughter arrived at BC on March 20th also. Sounds like we are going through the exact same emotions. I was in a funk all evening on  the 20th and most of the day on the 21st.  I told my husband that my heart actually hurts. I am so proud of her but miss her so much! I am hanging on to the "no news is good news" mantra very tightly. Sounds like we will be at PIR on the same date if all goes well. Hope to meet you there. 

We live in the Houston, TX area. Where are you from?

 

[modaPIR5/11Ship12Div147]

I'm in South Georgia, about 82 miles from the Florida line. Your right about your heart actually hurting! Mine did and still does. I know this is a big move for her and she is making her mark in the world, but until the time of her PIR, I am still a worried mom. It is hard to sit back, and be completely clueless, especially when you can't hear from them for so long. I'm proud but I still miss the sweetest thing to ever come into my life!! I am holding on the no news is good news theory too, though if she was at home, that wouldn't cut it(lol), because we were in touch either by text or calls all day long until she came in at night! Look forward to hearing more from you since we are in the same boat. No pun intended(lol).

[Sharpmom2012]

Moda, My daughter actually ended up in the 5/18 PIR group instead of 5/11. I'm sorry we won't actually get to meet at PIR but am so happy it is getting closer for us. Hope you are doing well now and getting ready to go to PIR in a couple of weeks. My emotions finally leveled out after getting letters and a phone call from her. Still miss her daily, but am not as much of a wreck as I was after she first left.  Good luck to you and your daughter. Would love to hear from you after our daughter's PIR to find out about your experience and where your daughter will be going for A school.

[modaPIR5/11Ship12Div147]

Sharpmom...Yea I'm glad PIR is getting closer for us all! Those phone calls and letters are miracle cures right? Good luck to you and your daughter too. I'll be glad to let you know how PIR is after I get back. My daughter is going to A school in Meridian Mississippi. That's about all I  know about it at this point.

[SWCC'Em]

Many thank you's for this.

Like Moda, my son left today after MEPs and should be on his way there now. He's 'fine' but I'm a wreck :)

I'm eager to hear that he's made it there safely-- I'm trying to simply take it one thing, one day at a time.

[cbc mom]

NDM - THANKS for posting the "boot camp timeline".  My son is in the middle of his 3rd week and I can so relate to what you've experienced.  I cried reading this as everything you've said especial how our SRs have/will grow into a "polite and respectul young" adult is so true.

 

[CTI_Beth'sMom1.0 (Ship2Div936)]

Thank you SOOOO much for sharing this. My baby girl just left me Tuesday and like you I received her I am here 2 minute phone call at midnight. I am dying not being able to talk to her right now. To go from talking to our child 4 or 5 times a day to not at all is VERY hard and emotionally draining. Not knowing when to expect a letter or another call is stressful to me. I feel like I am about ready to break down crying at anything and everything so to read this really helps. Thank you so much for taking the time to review this and share with all of us. Like you I have started a daily journal that will be mailed to her. I just keep a legal pad with me at all times and as things happen that I would have called her about I just write them out on my tablet. This really does help because I still feel a connection to her. I am also writing her a "book" to read. She picked out a book before she left and I am hand writing it to her because that is her one sanity. I doubt she will have the time to read it though with all they will be going through. Now I just have to look forward to July 20th (guessing) to see her again.

[proudnavymom]

GOD BLESS YOU FOR SHARING!!!

[revmom4]

HAPPY! If you are not already following the facebook page u.s. Navy recruit training command... Follow... They post pics occasionally and I just saw my son! My heart is soaring! I am so grateful for this small glimpse!

[Msprissanna]

Saw mine too. I am happy to see him but he looked pretty grim.

[bats27]

This was so great, Not there yet less then 90 days till son leaves but every bit of information helps. Thank you!

[Suzy]

Do you know you've lifted a Major Burden off of my heart and mind with this timeline and beautiful testimony of your son's experience at GL bootcamp. God Bless you, sir! My daughter is schedule for PIR May 20th. I can't wait to hear from her. I've only received one 3 paged letter when she first finished PDays. Now that I've read your timeline, I should get a call any day now. Did the call have a specific area code or caller ID that I should look for?