Officially a Navy mom - Day 1

[AlohaBell]

Hello all, I just wanted to introduce myself as I am a very new Navy mom. My son signed his contract yesterday and took his oath. Its surreal and I tear up quite a bit at random lol.  I am not afraid for him, I am just going to miss him terribly. He has been the man of the house since he was about 13. He has one little sister and grandparents that love him at home. He leaves for boot camp April 26th which sounds far, but I know it will be here in a blink of an eye. 

I am sure I will have questions later, but right now I just needed to share and so thankful for this site. I have been a single mom for 8 years and very soon it will be just me and my little girl waiting for phone calls and updates.  My boy is like a best friend, it feels like we grew up together. wahh ok Imma go cry now. Stay Blessed! 

[cntrygrl0413]

Brand new Navy mom too. My son left for boot camp today from NC.

[Rayne]

Hang in there. My son had his PIR 12/11 and then came home 12/18 to 1/3. Now he's back in Chicago until July. It was hard him leaving for boot, but I eventually adjusted and it went quick, plus there was a light at the end (PIR)...but now its longer. It's all very hard.

[NalaLucy01]

The time will fly fast for you, cherish every moment...the last week do things that he wants to do, places to eat, go etc...they won't have that luxury for a while.  I think it's the best thing we could have done for our son.

 

My son just boarded the plane to Great Lakes 8 minutes ago! I've teared up quite a bit over the past 24hrs, we did take him to dinner and hung out with him at his hotel until he had to go for his meeting at 20:00 (you'll get used to the military time)! My husband and i have had contact with him all day today via text so that's been nice. I'm so grateful that i've found this site as i married an Army man, (he was already out once we met), i have another son that will be joining the Air Force next year, and a 3 year old little girl that i just can't even think about the fact that she might want to follow in their footsteps. Thank you to all of your sons that took this step to defend our wonderful Country, i'm glad that i will have you guys to lean on when i need a female that is going thru the same thing as me.

 

[smilee76]

Hello, 

I completely understand what your saying. My son is leaving on April 19th for boot and I am going to miss him like crazy. I am so proud of him. Im proud of all these sailors !

[Ksailingmom]

Hang in there! Be sure to give him all the support he has given you! He is not leaving just to leave, he is doing this to make a better life for him and your family and to help keep our country a great place to live in. My son left before Christmas and he has been the man of the house. I also have 1 daughter and he has always been my grounding. I will keep your family in my prayers as your prepare for his departure. The great you man you raise will be an even greater man through his service to his country

[MTDucky]

Thank you. I to have always been a single mom, but this is mt only child. I am wishing now I was more computer advanced so I could figure this out quicker. Thank u!

[MTDucky]

I am new at this also, little ok a lot overwhelmed. He left Jan 12 th. Totally lost with all that's happening where he is. Can't wait to hear again in couple weeks, have just gotten his initial call last week. What a blessing to find more moms.

[MTDucky]

I can't read cause I'm having a tearful momemt. It would be so nice just to see a photo of them.

[lemonelephant]

Check out https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand. The PAO posts random photos randomly. The PAO does not usually identify the division/s photoed, so you have to look through all of them. There is no guarantee that your recruit will be photoed, but it is fun to look at the photos and get an idea of what is happening at the RTC.

(((((Cheryl))))) That's a cyber hug for you.

[lemonelephant]

Cheryl, You may receive an "I'm still alive!" call in week 3 or 4, but that call cay come before or after that. Don't expect a call, but do have your phone available from 8ish am to 8ish pm Central Time and be pleasantly surprised when you receive a call.  The "I'm still alive!" or other calls the RDC schedules usually come in the mornings on weekdays except on the day of a PIR because the "I'm a Sailor!" calls, which are typically made 1-7 days, but can come up to 10 days, before PIR, are in the afternoon and evenings, but calls can come anytime during those hours on Saturday.  Calls on the day of a PIR or on Sunday come between 1 and 8 pm. Calls for security reasons or for information are generally made during regular business hours.  Remember "No news is good news!" See Phone Cards and Phone Calls.

Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) will let you know what is happening and what to expect.

[Navy Pride]

Greetings,

I am sure your son made a hard, courageous choice to join- now its your job to keep him encouraged and believing in himself. The life that God gave him is his own to explore and enjoy, so rejoice that he has decided to see the world, serve his country, and step into the unknown- many people are afraid to do so.  I have been in 20, and my 19 year old is in boot camp now! I am proud and excited, though letting go is heart wrenching.  I too was a single parent for 16 years; I know how close we grow in the struggle to make the family feel "whole"- do not worry! Your son will always be a part of the family- he will just forge his own path now- which will truly define him as a man.  Fear is the nemesis of greatness! Congrats on raising a young man who has the courage to embrace an exciting future!  He will learn things about this world and himself that will make him more of who he is destined to be! Great job mom!!!!

[laughingchipmunk]

I completely understand what you mean! I was a single mom for several years and my future sailor & I have a very close bond. Each day is a different emotion - I go from excitement, to melancholy, to worry, to pride and it's still a few months before he even leaves! Reading everyone's comments here has been so helpful - it's nice to know you're not in it alone and all these feelings are expected. I wish you and your son all the best! Aloha no!