New Navy Mom

[SEALIONS]

It has been 2 weeks since my son has left for BC. I have been anticipating his letter and I finally got it today! Even though nothing was personally said... it was from him . His PIR is Nov 21. I hope I can get the day off to drive to Chicago to see him!  This time has gone by so slow and I am trying to keep occupied. I am afraid I am going to miss his call as I am going on a nursing mission trip to Ecuador. Even though my attention will be on my patient care... he is always on my mind. I am having a tough time going through this adjustment, but so proud of him!!

[Lauren]

Hey! I am a new navy wife. We were dating and then engaged when he went away for officer school in Road Island. I remember getting my first phone call. He called when he first got there to let me know he was alright. However, I didn't hear from him for another week. I was always wondering how they were treating him. If he was cold at night. I had no way of finding out though!! It is so good that you are keeping busy. Don't forget to write though. My husband said mail was the best thing. I hope all goes well for you in this hard time. 

[jessang]

my son is also graduating on 11.21.2014 according to the very informal letter I received on his behalf.  Its also a tuff time for me, as I find myself often day dreaming forgetting what I was going to do thinking of him. I did receive a phone call on Sat. morning from him which he said everybody in his division is sick. Including himself. Just know according to what ive read it does get easier on them these next couple of weeks and they actually start working as a team not individuals any longer. Also he did tell me the worst part is sleep deprived. I am here for you if you need to talk. I am sure we are feeling the same on this journey.

[garrett'smom]

My son just graduated PIR on Friday. All I can say is write to him as often as you can - they love getting letters! The time during the 8 weeks is long, but now, it is hard to believe it is over. Go to PIR if you can. You will be bursting with pride!

[jessang]

yes I am going :) however do u know how often they get letters? is it like once a week? & I can only imagine the feeling! im excited and congrats to your son.

[tina41]

hello!!

my son has been in the navy for 3 years now.  I do believe they only get mail once a week.  the usually get sunday afternoon to write home.  I believe they get 3 hours free time on sundays.  of course it takes a couple of weeks before they actually start receiving mail because they train one of the recruits to be the mail person.  as others have said starting writing and sending the letters now.  they enjoy getting lots of mail all at once. make sure they are plain white envelopes.  I also sent envelope self-addressed (along with his letters) back to me so my son wouldn't have to worry about it.  I put stamps on them too.  hope this helps.  good luck to your RCs!!!

[jessang]

that's a great idea! I am going to do that also!!! thank you!

[CryptoDad]

Mail is delivered 6 days a week.

But out-going mail is once a week.

[jessang]

thank you so much for this information :)

[HoneyBeeQueen]

My son left a week ago, I was surprised to get "the box" today. My son is the eldest of five, my second boy leaves next year to the Marines. I live pretty far so depending on dates of PIR we will all go see him mainly because he will be flown out and we will not see him for several months. My sister in law and her husband both retired Navy so we have some idea of things but realm nothing prepares you for it. We have been a close family so the impact on his leaving is hard for all of us. It seems to get better with time or at least that is what I keep telling myself. I am here if you'd like to chat we are all going through this alone yet together.

[TylersMom]

Hi. My son left on Monday for boot camp. His flight was delayed and I received my scripted call at 2:30 am on Tuesday. I miss him so much and cry when I get home to see his car in the driveway and then have to walk by his room. We are not a military family so I am having a very hard time dealing with this but I am very proud of him. I read on the calls for recruits website that they make the recruits gets their wisdom teeth pulled during the first few days of processing and only give them 2 days for recovery. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this because it's driving me crazy? If I would have known I would have just taken him to his dentist so he would have had time to recover before he left. I am a protective mama and just don't want any added stress to him during this process.

[CryptoDad]

Wisdom teeth are pulled only if there is a likelihood of them being an issue down the line. Can't have wisdom teeth being a problem in the middle of a long deployment at sea.

Yes, Recruits get a couple of days light duty to recover. Its not treated as a big deal. RTC has a staff of top notch oral surgeons.

My daughter did opt to see her own dentist before boot camp and getting it out of the way months in advance. Too bad you waited till he was gone.

[Bobbie]

My son just had PIR 2 weeks ago.  He had his wisdom teeth removed at the end of the 2nd week of boot camp.  He said he was scared to death when he went in but didn't feel a thing.  He said it was not nearly as bad as he thought it would be and they take really good care of you.  The SIQ days in bed was a welcome change, too! :)  He had just been to the dentist 2 months before that for cleaning and a check up and they didn't say a word about his wisdom teeth so I was surprised they took them. All went well and wisdom teeth gone with little fuss. I'm a protective mama, too, so it was probably best that I didn't know they were gone until it was all over! LOL