My son arrrived at BC on October 27th.

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Permalink Reply by Barb Pruitt on October 28, 2008 at 2:43pm

there is a discussion on here called new moms read first, it has all of your answers or most of them. You will have to do a search to find it. It is in general discussions. Good luck. It will be a sad time and you will miss him. Trust me, my daughter AND son have both done it, it only gets better. And from an old Navy mom, it is well worth it. We have picked up a wonderful son in law in the process (also in the navy) and have our first grand child on the way. So wonderful suprises may be in store. I will keep you in my prayers. It will get easier. My daughter and I were best friends. I cried every day when she was in boot camp. ( My husband thought I was going crazy ) and then again when my son went in 6 months later. My daughter has gone from Boot camp to A School to Air Craft Carrier USS Eisenhower, and is now stationed with the 2nd flt in Norfolk. And I talk to her DAILY. So it does get way better. NO MATTER WHAT you have to make sure that you find a way to be at Bootcamp graduation. You will not believe what a grown up young man your son has turned into. Good Luck

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Permalink Reply by Jason's Proud Mom on October 28, 2008 at 2:54pm

Thank you for your kind words Barb. It has only been two and half days since he left and I feel as if I am goin crazy. I can't concentrate at work, can't eat or sleep. I'm sure it will get better, I guess I have a bad case of seperation anxiety. Like so many people have told me. . it's time to cut the cord. It's just alot harder than I anticipated. I would walk through fire if I had to, to make it to his graduation, I have already been on-line looking at what hotels are in the area. . .God Bless!!

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Permalink Reply by Teri (Boo's Mom) on October 28, 2008 at 10:10pm

Hi Kathy,
Cutting the cord has been very difficult for me too......so difficult that I haven't done it yet! My Sailor is my first born of 3 and a 23 y/o. He's going to be/is a great Sailor, but still a baby to me in the ways of the world - life, love, finances and making some adult choices. I'm not ready to sever that cord and he's not either, in some instances....as long as I don't pry into his personal life! But I still get the calls......."mom, can you check my bank account? Mom, can you send me $50? Mom, can you get me a laptop? Mom, Mom, Mom"..... God love 'em!!! Hang in there!

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Permalink Reply by Sylvia A on October 28, 2008 at 3:43pm

Kathy,
I certainly feel your pain, my son also arrived in Great Lakes on Oct. 27th. My son is a little older, 24, but it hurts just the same. I have not heard from him yet, other than a text message received late last night while he was on the bus from the airport to BC. I sure do hope this gets easier.
Take care, I will keep you in my prayers.
Sylvia

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on October 28, 2008 at 3:43pm

two weeks after he leaves his recruiter will call with the address you can write to him at. and you should get a letter from him about the same time maybe a few days later. send him addressed stamped post cards (you can get them from any post office) since he was only allowed to keep what fits in his waller. send plenty of stamps, phone cards. my son asked his dad for money. i sent him note pads, stamps, envelops. your first phone call when he earns that privilage should be about the end of week 2/3. i am going thru the same time. my son graduates next week. i can not wait to see him. he is also just 18 and had never been away from home. words of encouragement is the best for him. it will be very hard on him at first but it does get easier. so my son says. in about a week you should get his clothes that he left in. i cried when i got my sons. but i know this was the best decision my son could have made. it is killing me not to talk to my son every day too. but i pray everyday for him and i will get to see him next week. i hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Debbie Tillar on October 28, 2008 at 3:47pm

Kathy - My son has been in for 3 years now, so boot camp seems forever ago - but I remember the wait for that first phone call. Believe it or not, it is easier not knowing all they are going through - as moms we worry about everything. I also remember getting that box of cloths, I think I did a little crying then too! But, in the end, it is so worth it. Graduation is something to be seen. I cannot remember the name of the hotel we stayed at, I will try to find out. It was nice, very simple. Wait until you see your son in his uniform - AMAZING. Take care and remember, it will get easier.

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Permalink Reply by PEGGY...PROUD MONTANA NAVY MOM on October 28, 2008 at 3:48pm

I got my first letter from my son about 2 weeks after he entered Boot Camp but I got his form letter about 5 days after he arrived.
You will get the box via fedex 2 days after he has arrived there. Be prepared it will stink.
Good luck you can do this and so can he.

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Permalink Reply by Donna on October 28, 2008 at 3:49pm

Did you get a call when he arrived in Great Lakes?? They usually give them one call for like 30 seconds to say I am here and ok.. but my son didn';t get one.. I understand how you feel.. I didn't know about this site back then and the not knowing is what gets to you.. but as my husband tried to calm me with is no news is good news.. They usually let them write letters on Sundays. I found I received mine on Thursdays and I would almost wait by the mail box and sadly my mail didn't come till almost 5 so I had all day to wait all the time..after a couple of weeks if his division is well behaved and does what it is susposed to do they will get a call which can last anywhere from 20-40 mins long. You should also be getting a form letter from the Navy soon maybe it comes with their belongings but at the end of it they will allow your sailors a few lines.. My son has been in for a yr and a half been deployed for 7 months and while you get used to it. you still miss them like crazy..but you will be ok.. We are here for you..

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Permalink Reply by Kim on October 28, 2008 at 3:55pm

My son just graduated bootcamp a week ago. I can say for sure that although it is hard it will get easier, especially when the letters begin arriving. We called his recruiter about 3 days after he left and he had Matt's address for us.I had one week when he was so busy he didnt write and that was hard but it was only the one time. If it helps to know, he told us that without exception he would do it all over again. He is only 18 and this was his first time away from home also. Hang in there mom, all will be well and we are all here to get you through .

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Permalink Reply by Jason's Proud Mom on October 28, 2008 at 3:51pm

Syliva thank you so much for your response. I received a call from Jason last night, he too was waiting for the bus to take him to BC. Maybe our sons will meet each other!! I am confident that he will meet so many wonderful people from around the states. I just pray that these weeks go by fast and that he is happy!! God Bless !!

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Permalink Reply by TraceyBR on October 28, 2008 at 3:56pm

What everyone is telling you is so true.The pride you will feel at graduation is wonderful.I am a worrier and was close to my son before he went to basic.Trust me this is just the first of many times(he's been in 4 years)when you will wonder what is going on.You have to trust that he will be ok and that you taught him well.The phone call you get from him will be very short.It will happen in a few weeks.So ask just basic questions because he will be off the phone fast.They are learning to be men and women who can handle anything.Just have faith and know you will have access to him again soon.

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Marie :) on October 28, 2008 at 4:03pm

it takes a while for it to get easier but i am not a mom i am a girlfriend and Mitch (my boyfriend) and i have been together for 6 months. i have known him for 3 years and spent just about everyday with him. he left in the beginning of october and i still cry myself to sleep. his mom and i became instantly very close and we would share phone calls. when mitch would call me, he would call his mom immediately afterwards. about 30 minutes after the phone calls his mom would call me and we would discuss what he told each of us. he has been gone for 26 days and i think i have written him over 30 letters. his mom has written the same if not more. i think i got his address three or four days after he left, but it may have been less than that. i know it seems like he has been gone forever but just look forward to the graduation and cherish the phone calls. and this website and all of these wonderful ladies are amazing at what they say and how they have halped me. i was near the end of my wits when mitch left and now i see that he is doing what he has dreamed about and i am just going along for the ride. dont worry, i am here if you need to talk becasue i went through exactly what you are going through and i aam only 16. mitch is 18 and he is my best friend and my boyfriend. if you have any questions i am here and feel free to talk anytime.
xoxoxoxox
Stephanie

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