boot camp/graduation

[singlelady]

so...my son was to leave april 3rd from shreveport louisiana, plane delayed due to tornadoes in the dallas area...actually left thur april 5th...made it to great lakes, illinois...made the call at 12:06 am on fri (good fri)...we could not even talk, just said he made it there safe and would talk to me in 3 to 4 weeks...it has been harder than i ever thought, even after talking to people on this web site...which i am still thankful for...received his "box"....so sad kinda...i have been so weepy but i am getting better, living for the day of graduation...does anyone know when i'll maybe get a letter and a note about graduation date?  i want to write so badly and i "really" want to know what he's been doing and going thru...just needed to vent mostly...

[hightowerhayes]

Thanks so much for your support, Tori!  I thank God our children are taking steps in the right direction!

We will stay in touch dear....Take care! :)

[jenmac ship-03 DIV 281]

I know the feeling. My son is entering his 4th week of bootcamp. I had a rough first week, then recvd the box and cried, then the graduation packet and cried, then first letter and cried some more. Woke up this am in tears. But i know that he is safe and we are almost at the half way point. He hasent gotten our letters yet and that makes me sad. Hoping this week he will get something for some positive reindforcement. Wish you luck

[amanda621]

Ok finally..I got my sons address. He is Ship 14 div 289 is there a group with other moms from this?? His PIR is 9-14-12. And something important that I need to know is, following graduation how long is it before he leaves Great Lakes and is sent to Texas for A school and can he have visitors then? I have just had a baby and unfortunately I will not be able to travel to PIR because the baby is still in the NICU so I am wondering if I can fly to Texas to see my son shortly after graduation? Talk about emotionally overwhelmed..I hope I make it through all this!

 

[Tori C ship 13 Div 312]

when our daughter graduated in July, we had her from 1ish to 745pm then they shipped her and the rest of them to OHare or Midway at midnight for their flights the next day.  our daughter didnt fly out until 3pm!  we went to the airport to see her and give her- her phone and computer and clothes...they are not allowed to take this back to their ship at GL, you will need to get the stuff to them at the airport or ship it to them.  She was very busy when she arrived at her A school getting settled in for a couple of days, but allowed to call and text us...she also had liberty on the weekend and went to see a movie and shopping so you could probably arrange some kind of meeting when he calls and lets you know he has liberty.  it goes in phases as to how strict liberty is for them.  the first 2 weeks is the strictest and they must be in uniform and back to the base by curfew, after that they can get more free time and no uniforms then they are finally allowed a full weekend out...Good luck with this and all the work involved with a baby in the NICU, i use to work in one the first couple years of my nursing career! now i run a surgery center...different stress!  prayers are with you and your child.

[amanda621]

Tori C..Thank you so much. That helps to know that there is no large gap from graduation to the time they leave for A school. I hope I can just wait and spend the weekend with him when he is settled. All his grandparents are attending the graduation and I am just trying not to think about missing it. He left for BC and I went into preterm labor the following Sunday..not sure if the two are related haha. The baby is doing great, but probably will just be coming home within a week or so prior to graduation.. And yes stress of running a surgery center no thanks I am a surgical tech and work at an outpatient center so I feel your pain on that one! Thank you and the baby is tiny but very strong, off all supplemental oxygen, ivs etc.. such a blessing and I can't wait to take him to meet his BIG brother!! Prayers always appreciated.

[Louise W.]

My son left July 31st for Great Lakes, Illinois. I got a phone call from Jessy at 8:04pm on Friday. I can't wait to see him at graduation. I agree with what you are feeling and saying, I have trying to get my emtions in check since he left. Thank you for sharing, I thought I was alone in feeling this way.

[Louise W.]

I received Jessy box home today. I know this sounds odd. But I smelled his shirt, it still has his smell.  It's only been a week since he left. I just can't wait for that first letter to come. And to see him.  Sorry for venting. The days are getting better though which helps.

[singlelady]

don't ever apologize for venting...that's what this sight is for...i did the same and it helps, trust me...i still remember those boot camp days and i want to cry just thinking of them...so thankful those days are over...and it will be hard but when it's all over, said and done you'll be even more proud than now...praying for you!

[Louise W.]

thank you singlelady

 

[ship 14 division 317]

hi my daughter just left yesterday and i am a wreck....she called me last nite about 12mid very brief .she left out of newark airport jersey.when should i exspect something with a address to write her? my daughters name is brianna. never thought ill be takin this so hard me and my little one cries together hes only 8 but he is really close with his sister.

[singlelady]

yes, sad to say that phone call was too brief...i cried like a baby after he hung up...it was like someone was telling him exactly what to say...it was about 3 or 4 wks before i got a letter with his address so i could write...i believe that's the norm...and let me just say, start now writing those letters...i just held on to them and mailed one each day after i got the address, i can't express enough how important it was to my son to receive the letters and let me tell you, mine were pretty boring, i just let him know about my day, the dog, the weather, etc.  and most of all i told him EACH letter how proud i was of him for the decision he had made to join the military...i let him know i was praying for him daily and to this day he thanks me for the prayers...it will get better, keep your chin up!  encourage your daughter all you can and be POSITIVE!!  lots of love!

[singlelady]

also, stay connected to the navyformoms.com  it will help you so much, it did for me...you are not alone!! :)  check it everyday!