Wait Time before Ship Out

[Abzymom(SH12/DIV272)]

My SR had to wait a little over 6 months from signing to his Ship Out Date.  Did anyone else have to wait longer than that? It was a hard time for him as he was ready to get on with this new part of his life.  I understand that so many kids are joining right now, apparently common during a struggling economy with no jobs, that the wait time is up to 9 months for most of the military branches (unless they are specialized like SEALS or CT's), but that they can't go longer than a year from when they sign. Anyone else heard of this? If it's true, I feel for those families who have such a long wait... Also, we found that due to budget cuts, many of the bonuses that were available a year or 18 months ago are no longer available to these new recruits and that's unfortunate. I especially thought that was unfortunate when I was surprised to learn in one of the videos that they deduct the cost of everything issued at boot camp from their first paycheck... My SR apparently was aware of that, but I wasn't.  I think I have an awful lot to learn! °Ü°

[ohcheet (nuke MM3)]

Hello!
My SR signed in Dec. and shipped in July. Of course, he only graduated HS at the end of May, but it did seem to be a long wait. On the good side though, it gave him something to focus on for those months, and a sense of purpose. And it gave me some time to get used to the idea, and to educate myself about the RTC process, and the ups and downs.

With so many of his friends going to college in the fall, he was leaving more than a month earlier and going much further away. I think that might be the worst part...but I have to stay focused on the positives and luckily this site helps SO MUCH!

I hadn't looked at the bonus incentives, but mine is a Nuke, so a number of bonuses are still out there. I'll be honest, with him it's not about the money (although I agree, I was shocked that they have to pay for everything from their first paychecks) but more about his own personal challenges. My husband and I are pleased though for the opportunities that he'll have when he finishes, whether that's in the first 6 years, or 20 yrs down the road!

Stay with us on here, and you will definitely learn!! I think I know more than his recruiter does now, just from reading and participating on the boards!
  

[le85(MC/Rota)]

My daughter signed up at the end of June 2011 just before her senior year in HS so we had a whole year before she shipped out.  At the time it seemed like we had a long time to wait but the time went by quickly.  She has been at BC for 3 weeks today and I only wish this time could go as fast as the last year did.  The good part about her early signing is she was able to contract for the job she truly wanted.  I am so proud of her and all these young men and women.

[Dan]

Yes, the time my sailor waited for DEP was about the same.  It was a good thing, because he signed up for aviation electrician, but he was able to build up his running, pushups and pullups enough to qualify and get a contract for Rescue Swimmer.  This is what he wanted, but if he had not had enough time to work out, he would not have been able to qualify. 

My wife had mentioned that she was concerned for the young men and women that already had a family started and needed to get in to support them.  She was worried that they may not be able to go to all the DEP meetings and all of the last minute recruiting meetings that always seemed to pop up.  Some young people, who would otherwise be very good in the Navy, may not be able to miss work enough to go in.

Yes, I was suprised that after my son graduated BC and was at Pensacola he was down to a hundred dollars in his Navy credit union account.  He said that it was his uniforms and stuff he needed to buy at the NEX that took it all.  They also don't have an ATM or branch on base, that he could find.  I was suprised being that it is such a large base.

[bneville]

My son actually signed an entire year before he shipped. He wanted a very specific AG job that doesn't come open very often.... He managed to get it by signing so early. Difficult on me however since I had to sign the papers to allow him to join since he was only 17 & just starting his Senior year. He on the other hand really embraced it - he was busy the whole year with school, so it wasn't too difficult on him.....untill about the last month, then he had a hard time concentrating on finishing his senior year......he just wanted to move on to the Navy. He left 6/19..... I am proud of him for making such a big decision so early.

[ReneeBC]

Abzymom, 

Yes.  All of that is true.  My son was a depper for 9 months.  The difficult part was not being able to get a job during that time.  No one wanted to hire my son knowing he was going to be leaving.  He helped around the house a lot, so I didn't mind so much, but I know he was bored

Read all of the discussions and info above the bootcamp page.  It will answer SO many questions. Has your son/dau left for Great Lakes yet?  The veteran moms on this page are amazing.  There isn't a question or emotion that they cannot address!

[kathyrc(Ship03DIV175)PIR 6/08/12]

Abzymom - My son signed up last Aug/Sept and went to GL in April. Graduated boot camp June 8th and is now in A school at GL.