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Link to Navy Speak - Navy Terms & Acronyms: Navy Speak
All Hands Magazine's full length documentary "Making a Sailor": This video follows four recruits through Boot Camp in the spring of 2018 who were assigned to DIV 229, an integrated division, which had PIR on 05/25/2018.
Boot Camp: Making a Sailor (Full Length Documentary - 2018)
Boot Camp: Behind the Scenes at RTC
...and visit Navy.com - America's Navy and Navy.mil also Navy Live - The Official Blog of the Navy to learn more.
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Follow this link for OPSEC Guidelines:
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RESUMING LIVE PIR - 8/13/2021
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Navy.com Para Familias
Visite esta página para explorar en su idioma las oportunidades de educación y carreras para sus hijos en el Navy. Navy.com
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New here to all of this...
I apologize...I think I might have sent this out as a message first. Clearly I'm new to all of this. I'm so grateful to have other moms to talk to who are going through this same process. My middle son (I have 3) just went through the MEPS process and had his indoctrination meeting yesterday. So he is officially in the DEP program now and has his first DEP meeting next week. His projected ship date is July 15. This morning, my oldest son admitted to me that he spent the morning at the recruiter's office, took the practice exam and is going to start the process of enlisting. I was just getting my brain around one son joining. I have no idea how to process two of them joining at the same time. I'm fiercely proud but my heart feels broken at the same time.
Views: 322
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sierrascrapper (ETN2) on
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Hang in there Mom. My son also leaves in July, he signed into DEP in June. He has to finish high school first. I'm so proud of my son making this decision even though at times I struggle with the idea that he won't be home for most holidays or go on family camping trips with us anymore. I have to admit that at least once a day I get choked up with a thought of him leaving. This is the best decision he could make for his future and I completely support him. Don't hesitate to come here to share when you are going through a rough time. It's completely normal.
What job did your son sign up for? Mine is going into the Nuclear Field. -
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Permalink Reply by hishippygirl on
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Morning! I am hanging in there. :) I do find myself crying over the silliest thing. This week it was when a store offered him a military discount. Why did that make me cry? Who knows. He celebrated his 18th birthday on Tuesday. I tried really hard just to have fun with him and not think about how it would be his last birthday at home. I know he's destined for great things and I'm so proud of his decision!
His job is Intelligence Specialist. He had his first DEP meeting last night. It was good for him to meet up with other guys going through the same process.
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Oh boy can I relate. I cry when a song come on the radio, or for the strangest things. I started crying at the band parents meeting the other night, just thinking about the last competition, etc. My son and his twin just turned 18 last month. It's so hard to believe that my boys are growing up and moving on. The holidays this year are going to be emotional. Thankfully, we will be with lots of family, soo that will help make it extra special. I am thinking of doing 100 days of love when we reach that milestone. I think I will write down a poem or encouraging words or even a sweet gesture each day. We'll see. It's good for your son to make some friends with the other future sailors at his DEP meeting. Jonathan has been the youngest for quite some time as most of them have been in their 20s. However, now there are a few more high school students making the decision. In fact, one of the kids in his CADD class just signed up. Oh and tell your son to join www.navydep.com, it's a place for them to connect with other DEPpers. Hang in there and it's OK to cry, just keep in mind how your son has a GREAT future ahead of him. That always helps me to get through the sad moments.
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Permalink Reply by MaryNavywife/mom on
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I am also very new to this site and even though I have been a navy wife for a very long time the thought of sending 2 of my 4 children off to the Navy has me both excited and stressed. My 18 yr old leaves for boot camp in April , like your son he will be an IS, and my 21 yr old just had his medical waiver approved and goes back to meps in a couple week to get his ship out date and pick his job. Because my husband is in the Navy I know what a family unit the Navy can be and the pride our children will have knowing they are apart of something bigger than themselves. As mothers though, it's hard not to see our young adult children as still being our babies.
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Permalink Reply by MommaBB on
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I'm new to all of this too. I agree with your sentiment of fiercely proud but broken hearted at same time. My son is my baby and will turn 18 during boot camp in Aug. Not sure how I will handle having him leave and then not be with him for his bday just two weeks later. AND now my older son(who is 20) is talking about enlisting. Lord give me strength to let my babies grow!
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Permalink Reply by Pamela213(ship 09 div 160) on
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I'm new too, today I joined! My son leaves in March 4 for BC. It will be hard to see him go but it will be one of the best decisions of his life. And for your sons as well. They have so much potential sitting right before them!
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I am new to this I joined today and my 18 year old son leaves this Sunday 1/12 and I am already crying. I don't know what I am going to be like on Sunday! I just want to hold on to him and never let go but I know I can't do that.I think only my Mom understands how I feel.I have nurtured, taught, fought and most of all loved him with everything I am for the past 18 years and it is hard to just switch it off like a light switch. I wish I could flip that switch for the emotions I have all knotted up inside me. I know he will do well and be just fine. It is the not knowing and the not being able to be there for him. I will read anyones suggestions or your "this is what I did" posts. Just reading the little that I have had a chance to today has helped a little. I know the first day and few weeks are going to be the hardest. Hope to hear from another Mom who has a son or daughter leaving on 1/12 for boot camp.
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Just because you are sending your son off to boot camp doesn't mean you have to stop being his mother it just means your role will change some. You may not physically be able to be there for him, but he carries with him the lessons you have instilled in his over the last 18 yrs. Although my sons don't leave for boot camp till April and June, my plan is to treat the time like I do when my husband is on a deployment ( he is also in the Navy). I plan on setting small goals for each week, ie clean out the coat closet. Time flies by when you keep busy. Remember you aren't alone and not only is your son about to start a new chapter in his life so are you!
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