Recruit Training (Boot Camp) Just started

[proundnavymom90]

My Son is now into his 2nd week at basic training. I read the first week does not count, they are P-Days (dead days) this week starts his 8 week training, so I am confused as to when he will be graduating ? I have received the scripted phone call and his belongings, I am still waiting for the letter. I also received something form the Red Cross, it would have been nice for a heads up, I immediately thought something was wrong. I did not read anything about this notification form the Red Cross on any other web sites so this was a total shock. Can anyone tell me when the letter will arrive? I am trying to plan a trip up there for graduation and I am not sure how many weeks in advance will we know when the date is, and when to make travel arrangements? I can say this has been one of the hardest things I have done. I am a single parent and his father has not been involved in his life since he was 1. so having him leave was very difficult I must have cried for the first week every day. It is getting better, but I cant help but worry, if hes doing well, if it's what he expected? I am a control freak and the fact that I have absolutely no control re my son is very hard to deal with, seems like all the years of being a mom mean nothing once you child is of age, nothing at all prior matters and you suddenly have no say. I hope this feeling of incompleteness and uselessness passes soon.

I am hoping that anyone who has been thru this or anyone that happens to have a son/daughter in training now could give me advise and insight.

[proundnavymom90]

My son left on June #rd as well I have received everything but the letter..It worries me that you have received your letter and I have not received mine when they left the same day..

[Alice-m2S]

My son left on May 28th. His box arrived the following week and the letter just arrived on Monday of this week. Everyone says to not send letters until you get the Form Letter, but my sons recruiter gave me an address by day 2 and said it could change, but if writing now makes me feel better, do it. If his address changes there will be a delay in him getting them so number them so he knows the order. I went ahead and did that and lucked out, address stayed the same. Call his recruiter and ask if he can look up his address and about the Red Cross letter. My sons recruiter was very supportive and informational, I pray you are as lucky as not all are. The recruiter should be able to tell you the possible PIR date. Once you know that you can make your travel plans, but make sure you get flights that you can change dates if needed without penalty.

[proundnavymom90]

My sons recruiter has been less than helpful, he could not give me the boot camp web site, did not even know about it, when I asked for the Red Cross contact info he told me to look it up in a phone book, and on not once but twice thru the MEPS process did he tell me and I quote" well then you know more than I know" not very comforting that children are making life changing decisions based on the advice of these recruiters and I know more than them, he was telling my son he could pick his home base and which ones, when if fact several of the places he could not pick, per the navy...posted right on their official site and the recruiter did not even know it. NOT happy with the recruiter at all.

[Bainite]

This information is based on my oldest son's time at boot 3 years ago.  the 8-week cycle always starts on the first Monday after they arrive, + at least one day or so for processing, not counting Sunday.  So, if they arrive on Monday night, or Thursday night of a week, their 8-week cycle will start the following Monday.  It will end _just_ under 8 weeks later on the Friday of the 8th week.  From your post, I believe that he will be passing in review on the 1st of August.

The letter will arrive in the next week or so.  I know that they do not _receive_ mail until the recruit "mail petty officer" has passed his her post office training exam.  (mine was the MPO for his division)  I don't know if that also applies to the outgoing mail.

Be sure to send letters without any concern for whether you have received any back.  We sent our sailor a letter every day, and only received 3.  ;)  He told us how much it was appreciated, especially the clipped-out Sunday funny papers.

For us, the sense of loss and incompleteness has been mostly eclipsed by our pride, and the happiness in knowing that he is a successfully functioning member of society, making his own way in the world.  It's still hard, but less so than during boot.  Our second son is following in his brother's footsteps this July, and it looks like the other two may do the same.  I'm hoping that it gets easier.

[proundnavymom90]

So sorry for you, that has to be hard. i am glad he has no girlfriend. he has no choice but to contact me, I guess I am lucky in that respect. I hope you hear form him soon, I wonder if our boys are in the same division? I will post what division when I get my letter.

[Kristin ⚓️ (EM Nuke mom)]

Tstanton. I was right where you are. I don't cry every day now. Lol My son just hit 3 weeks. I finally heard from him over the weekend and that made all the difference in the world. You learn quick to do what you can. Write as much as you can. And live from call to call. Trust what you have done so far for him and remember at least you know where he is and that he us safe. The people on this site are an amazing reference and support system. Use it. Good luck in this journey. We add all there with you. ((Hugs))

[proundnavymom90]

The letter from the red cross was actually a letter and a card in my sons writing, notifying me that they now have my contact info in the event of an emergency, and listed the various things they do for service men and woman's families. Not sure why You did not receive one

[paul112]

Hi ....my son also left on 6/3...and i too have received the call and the box. I am told that the form letter with the info we need regarding how to write and the graduation date will arrive within an average of ten days . We are also waiting to make reservations ,,,,,

[proundnavymom90]

maybe our sons are in the same division, would be nice to meet some people going thru the same thing, When I know his division I will post it, I am fortunate i live in Florida but have family in Chicago, I am originally from there so i will not need a place to stay but I do need to request time off and make travel arrangements so I hope that dang letter comes soon.

[Stevensmom]

Everything you have done for your son in his life matters right now:) My son got through boot camp from family support and encouragement. I write him every day and he really appreciated it:) Ha said he couldn't have done it without support. Start writing him now and send them all once you get the address:)

[Navymom1]

I'm a single mom as well, of 3 and my son is the oldest.   Their father has been terrible and my son does not even want him at his graduation.  My father, who was Navy, my brother who is Army and his best friend and I will be there. 

I don't look at it as the years of being a mom mean nothing, this is when it all means everything.  This is what you have been striving for, to make them responsible, hard working good people that make good decisions.  You can still have your say but they don't have to listen. :)  I used to tell my kids, "I'm not here for you to like me, I'm here to make sure you become an upstanding citizen!" LOL (I'm from NY)  Now I know I've succeeded and trust me it wasn't an easy road with any of my kids.  You are not incomplete, you never were, your role is changing.  Our children still need us, just not in the same way.

I hope this gives you another perspective and everyone here is wonderful!

[Tysmom]

tstanton, I rarely reply to any of these posts, but yours brought back everything I felt when my son  left for boot camp two years ago. I, too, cried for days, worried about everything and had a million questions. Please believe that it will get better! Write him as much as possible even though you probably won't receive nearly as many letters as you send because they are so busy there. I wrote so many that I ran out of things to say, but I knew that those letters were key to my son's emotional well being. Now, two years later, he is overseas, halfway through his first enlistment and doing great. I survived and so will you! He went from a kid with no plan for his life to a respectful, responsible young man who is making a difference in the world. He has been to places that he could have only dreamed of had he not joined the Navy. As a matter of fact, he just participated in the D Day (70th anniversary) Memorial ceremonies in France. I couldn't be prouder of him! The next 8 weeks will be tough, but when it is over, your son will be on his way to a great adventure and you will be able to talk to him (or email or Facebook) all the time. Meanwhile, lots of support and understanding can be found in these pages. Hang in there!