Unprepared

[mum Z]

16hrs since I received that scripted phone call from my son. Unaware of the "scripted" part and or length of phone call (48 sec). I could hear stress in his voice. Also unaware of being able to have accompanied him to his recruiter meetings for preparation on what to expect after final swear in. Maybe he thought I wouldn't have been as supportive had I attended. Definitely unprepared for this journey. Never been away from my three children. My heart feels heavy. Experiencing detachment with my children becoming adults and leaving NEST that's been built with a strong foundation with walls insulated with ADT security. Now not even being able to communicate with my middle child and only son. I feel as if I'm grieving or had a loss. Emotions from PROUD, SAD, UNCERTAIN, EXCITED for his journey, and LONGING to hear him say "I'm going fishing". Never thought it would be so hard to fold his clothes, walk past his door, pick up his shoes, or not hear his car crank. Wondering if there are other navy moms who have experienced these feelings? Today only cried once and here I am writing without tissues thanks to the support from another navy mom (whose ex navy chief).  

[jamieRN Div. 073 PIR 1/24]

My son told me , basically the same thing.  I dont know if it is just him trying to assert his independence or because he knows i have already been weepy and he feels that it would be harder for both of us. I am going to drop him off at the recruiters office the day he leaves but i will not be going to MEPS that eve or next day.  He doesnt want me too.  I know this is a hard time, Mama, i am right there with you ... Big NMH

[carafid1]

my recruiter never told us we could see him get sworn in but I think in the end it was better for him otherwise there would've been 3 goodbyes instead of one. Crying in the parking lot was bad enough I don't think I could've taken seeing him again before he left.  Good luck to you it does get better my son graduates (hopefully) on the 15th and he seems like hes actually having fun.

 

[sk8rmom]

It is so hard to let go, but knowing they are in good hands help. I know what you mean about all those special memories we touch on when they have left. The first night,knowing what he was going through, we had dinner at an old family favorite with our daughter, they have a tv running in the background and a Navy commercial comes on, then the song from the movie Bodyguard, I think it's, I will always love you, my son would sing that to me, in his funny little way. Now that a night has passed, I can think of it and it warms my heart. All we can do is send our prayers and love. :)

[EllaMom]

My daughter left for BC this past Tuesday - received the 5-second phone call that she had arrived and I instantly felt better talking to her. I had done a lot of research ahead of time, so I pretty much knew what to expect, but still a little strange to hear them say the "scripted' message :) I could tell she was tired, probably nervous and trying to remember to say only exactly what she was told.   Can't wait to get the form letter so I can mail the letters I've already written. Anyone else's son/daughter just leave for BC?

[proud florida girl]

My son left for bootcamp nov. 4. Div. 43. I missed two of his calls and felt so bad just wanted to hear his voice. Now my phone doesn't leave my side. Got his belongings on fri. And his navy letter today so at least have an address. Like the other mothers here I miss him terribly but so proud he has made this decision to join the navy.

[EllaMom]

Not sure yet - I am thinking 1/3, but haven't received the letter yet. Either 1/3 or 1/10 depending upon what they do for the holidays?  they are there for 4 federal holidays so I am thinking that might slow them down?

[EllaMom]

 My Daughter arrived at BC on Nov 5 - I got her belongings on Friday too.  I just read your comments and that you received your letter yesterday, so I ran out to our mailbox thinking I missed it yesterday - but no letter yet. :( Guess I'll have to wait til Tuesday maybe since there is no mail tomorrow. I am so proud and can't wait to hear from her

[grandmalyons]

It keeps getting better.  Had a phone call from my son tonight.Almost thought I would not hear from him at all this weekend. He loves receiving mail from family and friends.  Broke my heart when he said some guys had no one to write to or receive a letter from.  He's asked his grandparents to see if some of their neighbors if they would like to be penpals.

[Liberty]

Oh, that breaks my heart! Is there a way for some of us to get names and addresses to write to some of them. How horrible to not have anyone who cares enough to write to you! 

[Anti M]

This is the best way to go about it, they aren't supposed to give out names and such to strangers, that's for security reasons.

[Liberty]

Thanks! My son leaves in early Feb. and this will give me time to start emailing friends and family to get letters from them. I will divide them up when we sends letters to our son and he can distribute them. So, I assume that they do "mail call" in their individual "Ship"...How many do you think I will need to send - I am thinking 5-10 extra a week? I will also have my daughter ask the teens in her clubs at school to write some. I was aware that there would be guys and girls whose families could not make it to PIR (expense and/or distance issues) but I would never have imagined that there were sailor recruits who didn't have ANYONE to correspond with while in boot camp. I am just floored by this information! A business in our town rents some large buses and brings Marines who have just finished boot camp to town for Thanksgiving and when I hear about it I emailed and offered to host some. I was disappointed that they had so many offers that the marines were already placed with families. Then I realized how awesome it was that my fellow citizens had stepped up to the plate in such large numbers! We will sign up very early next year and it will be very special since that will be the first Thanksgiving without our son at home. Of course, we may be able to visit where he is at the time...that would be nice! This is all going to take a lot of getting used to on my part! Please tell your SR that I am proud of his willingness to look out for others. You must have raised him right!

[lemonelephant]

Yes, 5-10 extra letters a week would be good. Yes, Mail Call is ever weekday (M-F) evening in each compartment of each ship. See  Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit and Ship/Division--How it Works. That is great that you are willing to write and also host recruits.

BTW, SR stands for Seaman Recruit; there are Sailors (after pasing BST) and Recruits, but there is no such thing as a Sailor Recruit.