Parent going to MEPS the day recruit leaves for BC?

[mom1994]

Is it more common than not for the parents to be at MEPS the day the recruit leaves for BC?  Wanted input from others.

I had planned to attend but my husband(former Navy) said its time for him to do this on his on.  I know he is capable but would like to be there for his active duty swear in.  And then meet him at the airport (if its going to be some time before he flys out). 

Proud mom and want to share in all this, he has done everything else up to this point without us.

Thanks

MOM1994

[Mstink Ship 14 Div 269]

There were three young men being sworn in including my son and we were the only parents there.  But the official actually gave a talk to the parents during the swearing in about being supportive now & while their recruits were gone.  I wouldn't have missed it for the world! But we did say our goodbyes there and he went on to the airport by himself...that is how he wanted it! 

[frandnavymom]

My son has been in a little over a year now and I would say yes do go and there will be a lot of families there, you will regret it if you don't go and your sailor will be glad your there to support him, it's a very big and scary step and most would want family there to see them off on this wild wonderful journey in their life....good luck to you and your future sailor and enjoy the wild ride to come.

P.S. remember to breathe and you will all get through it together

[lvall3 (Ship 13 Div 143)]

Mom1994
I went to MEPS and was so glad I did. It was a long day but got to spend time with my son and be there when he was sworn in
Lval3

[HikerMom]

The day my son left, there were 4 recruits leaving together and atleast three had family at MEPS.  They did individual swearing in ceremonies because of the low number so it was good to be there.  Two of the four recruits had families waiting with them at the airport (4 hours between MEPS and flight).

[corrie]

Hello everyone I found this shirt today on a website that I got for my son to where when he's not in uniform. You can get it at getithere.co/r/sailormantra. It's a LORD IM JUST A SAILOR SHIRT

[MorningGlory]

I went for the swearing in ceremony and was so glad I did. That separation will come soon enough when he's on his way to bc!

[harpist mom]

So true, Morning Glory!

[LPNavyMom]

My husband and I went (just to the MEPS, not the airport), and my husband was able to film the whole thing too...and there was 2 or three others families as well.  I personally had planned from the first time he told me he enlisted...it is such a moving proud moment.  Also, there was a couple there, and the Mom had tried to film it and missed the whole thing, so my husband was able to send a copy of ours to her... I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  Unless he just doesn't want you to..I think you will wish you had if you don't.  (just my opinion anyway)

[Froggy]

Mom1994:  Absolutely attend your son's swearing in.  Our son didn't want us to go, said it was no big deal, but I think he was just trying to avoid any additional emotional stress.  We attended anyway and boy were we glad we did.  It's a very long and emotional day.  We got there at 8:30; saw out son at 11:30; had the swearing in at 1:00; and waited until 4:00 for the bus to take him to the airport.  At one point he thought his flight would be cancelled due to weather and told us to meet him at his hotel, that he would text us.   Well the flight took off as scheduled and we never had an "official" good bye.  I'm glad it worked out that way as we avoided a lot more tears.  Go to the swearing in - you'll be glad you did.

[deniseMatt'smom]

We also did dinner with the whole family the nite before, then that morning my husband, youngest daughter and I attended the swearing in. I think there where 6 boys there and all but one had family! They we're put onto a bus and taken to the airport, I don't think any families went to the airport and I think that was good because the boys could vent to each other !!! I do think it is different in other recruiting centers and parts of the country so you should try to find info from your area! We are from the Boston MA area!!! Good luch to you all, my son has had a great experience being in the Navy as a Seabee and I wish you all the best too !!

[Bandit1998]

My grandson's "group" (his dad, his mom, his step-sister, his step-dad, and myself) all went to MEPS and the swearing in in Houston when he left for BC.  Wouldn't have missed it for the world.  The recruiters took him to the hotel in Houston where we had all made reservations for the one night, all went out to eat, took pictures, met him the next morning in downtown Houston, took more pictures, went to the swearing in of all of the recruits, took more pictures, videos, etc and waited until the bus took the whole bunch to the airport where he did the typical Navy routine - hurried up and waited and finally left at 7 PM for Chicago.  Would not have missed it!

[Proudmama]

I went to the airport. He was a bit embarrassed but he is glad I showed up. It's a great memory too. We ended up having a great goodbye.