Sad

[tori'smom]

My 19 yr old daughter just left for boot camp on Tuesday and I was fine until that last phone call....  Hearing the tired tone in her voice and knowing what was ahead of her- it just broke my heart.   She stated that I wouldn't hear from her for at least three weeks.  Wow, I thought it was only two weeks!  I would love any suggestions for getting through these next few weeks of no contact.  I thought I of starting a journal so I would remember things I wanted to write or say to her (about funny things that happened, etc).  But every time I think of her or see her picture, I get emotional.  I am so proud of her but miss my girl!  I am very happy to have found this group.  :)

[Anna]

I think it's if they are ill or unfit for duty, other words "OutProcessing" Right ladies?  I just know if we go through all of this, I want him / her to succeed and not come home!  

No news is good news, it's just super hard!  Did you get her box?  I haven't...

[tori'smom]

oh, thanks!  Yes I don't want that... she has wanted this for so long and I would much rather hear homesick or tired than that something as happened.  she would be devastated!! 

I did get her box!  Now to wait for the form letter!  I hope you get that box soon.. it is bitter sweet to get.. so sad to see the clothes but happy it's one step closer to having contact.  :)

[Leilena]

I'm so sad to know you are feeling this way, and my baby doesn't leave until July and I am asking myself the same questions.  I wish you all the luck in finding a cooping mechanism until your princess is able to call home. 

My daughter name is Tori also, :-)

Lena

[tori'smom]

Thank you... I can honestly say that this site has been so helpful!! It's so nice to have people who are in the same boat.  I wish your Tori luck during her journey!  Keep on this site to help you through each step.  I wish I had known about this site before my girl left- I would have watched the video about basic training so we could have talked about what she was going through.  Especially the part where they talk about the yelling not being personal.  I think it's a great video for parents and future recruits.  :)   

Is Tori your daughters given name or nickname?  My Tori is really a Victoria but she prefers Tori :)

[Leilena]

I will def stick on this site; where did you see the video's? I would like to share this with my daughter.

Tori is her nickname, her name is LaTori.  Her aunt name is Victoria and they share the same birthday LOL...

[tori'smom]

I found a great video but now I can't locate it.  but I went to the video tab and found a ton that would be great to watch.  Two I just saw when looking for the one I watched are : Welcome to Boot came and the other was What to expect.  I wish I had found these months before she left- think it would have eased anxiety on my end and her end.  :)  Oh I bet Aunt Victoria loves having the same birthday with her neice.. very cool!

[Bobbie]

Encourage your SR to get the picture package that has the DVD of PIR and the Keel (yearbook) in it.  Many people mentioned that the Keel had stock photos in the front but we had a lot of fun going through it with our sailor because he would look at the pictures and remember something funny or say that part really sucked.  Even if it's not their division in the photo, your sailor can give you so much insight into what they went through and there are pictures in the back of their division along with their brother/sister division.  It's still a couple of weeks out for ordering but thought I'd throw that out there because it goes by faster than you think!

[proudnavymom03]

My son left today for boot camp.  It is so heart wrenching.  This is my second son to leave, my other son left in 2013 for the Navy as well.  I'm finding it doesn't get any easier.  I feel such sadness.  I am incredible proud, but I still feel loss. 

[proudnavymom03]

I feel so lost, my son calls me almost everyday from work and just says, I just called to say I love you and see how your day was going.  I cannot even describe how much I will miss those calls.

[tori'smom]

proudnavymom03- I feel your sadness and yes even with feeling so proud, it does feel like we lost something.. .we lost those little ones- they are now growing up and out defining themselves.  Hardest thing for a mom to do is to let her child free into the world.  But we can be confident that we have raised them to be wonderful and to have the needed strength to do what they desire and love.  Stay strong.  Week one was incredibly hard but now I am in week two and anxiously awaiting that form letter to start writing..  I now feel like a little child waiting for santa to bring me my most desired present-- an ADDRESS!! :)  Keep coming to this site, it has been a life saver for me. 

[proudnavymom03]

I also received my scripted call, saying I won't get another call for 3 weeks.  Got through today, just broke down a few times.  I know it gets better.  We have raised independent, strong, brave children that are willing to be that 1%. I'm proud these kids have the strength to find their own paths, in such an honorable way. 

Just when you seem to adjust to things, you get the box in the mail and you have a set back. lol   We have to have hearts filled with faith, family and love.

[Caroline]

Hello! I bet our girls meet! My daughter left on Tuesday also. My son went through boot camp in July so I've learned a bit. One tip is to make up a question sheet and have her fill it out and mail it back.