My son leaves for boot camp in January

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Permalink Reply by Jor-Jean (AM Kyle ) on November 20, 2008 at 7:24am

Hi Wendy,
My son is also leaving in Jan., I'd love to stay in touch. I'm not sure what can be done to prepare for graduation at this point, but don't quote me on that, I'm still learning the ropes. It's my understanding that we will get a packet with all of that information 2-3 weeks into boot camp. As far as a send off, I'm planning on having a going away party for my son with family and friends, that way they can all wish him well. I'm also going down with him the night before to MEMPS, his recruiter told me I can have dinner that night and attend his formal ceremony the next day. Hope this little bit of info helps.

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Permalink Reply by Jor-Jean (AM Kyle ) on November 20, 2008 at 7:34am

ok.. I found a little bit more info from another discussion. Sounds like the packets come around 3-4 weeks into boot camp and they are sent out by the recruits. The packet will include 2 brochures and a parking pass. One brochure is about PIR (graduation) and the other is about the GL area. Hang onto the parking pass, you'll need it everytime you enter or leave the base that weekend.

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Permalink Reply by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on November 21, 2008 at 8:45am

Enjoy your time with him.

There's really not much to do to prepare for their send off, literally they go with the clothes on their back. I would buy him a couple of books of stamps and a phone card, he should put those in his wallet. If he does not have a banking account at this time I would recommend that he sets one up and take a voided check with him. He will be set up for direct deposit when he goes thru processing and if he has an account in place that would be good. They will provide him with all of the info on Navy Federal Credit Union during processing but our recruits are a tad overwhelmed at that time. We have been members of Navy Federal Credit Union for over 25 years and our sailor had his account set up before he left for boot camp. This can be done on line (www.NFCU.org) without making a deposit into the account but will allow your son to make a choice about what type an account he wants and get his checks and ATM card if desired before leaving for boot camp.

Also while he is at boot camp, he won't be need his cell phone service or car insurance - depending on your situation. So think about both of those items, we were able to put our son's car on "storage" with our insurance company as no one was going to be driving his Jeep. Saved him some substantial $$ for a couple of months. Cell phone was a tad different, he is still on our family plan for $10 per month but they wanted $10 a month to suspend his service (pretty tricky AT+T) he was paying extra for texting and/or media plan so we did drop that until reported to A school.

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Permalink Reply by Vikki on November 23, 2008 at 11:17pm

Hi All !
Just a note on the phone. Our service is TMobile. I did the same thing you did. I knew he'd want to chat with his friends after PIR when we were off the base and in the car, so I brought it then. But can not have in A school for quite a while.
Anyway - my main thing is that when he was sent to England the phone service was not cooperative about canceling the service, wanted to "suspend" it for 18 months which was no good as we knew he'd be gone 2 years. Then they wanted to do it for 2 years - but we'd be committed to his plan after that. With the uncertainty of where he would be next that would not work. Bottom line - I really flexed a bit of muscle - asked to talk to a superviser, explained the situation and it was handled. No cancellation fee, no suspension. I had talked about him being in the military to multiple people there, but it took a supervisor to fix it. Very frustrating and lots of phone calls!
Wendy - Also on the bank account, my son put my name on all his accounts and credit cards. This has been a big help.
Best Wishes to you all! Exciting times ahead!!!! ~ Vikki

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Permalink Reply by Leann <3's Douglas on November 21, 2008 at 8:48am

Hi Wendy, I would say have a open house for his going away the day before, where everyone can just come and hang out and wish him luck....To preare for graduation....research where you want to stay, hotels that have specials....how far they are from the base.....start putting money away if you don't have it now.....they will have the weekend off, they still have to report back at night and may have duty but there is alot to do in GL. Also see if you can find mom's with son's grad. same date...meet up the night before. As for PIR...get there early for the best seat...I always say two hrs is not two early...Have your camera ready...it's very exciting and you will want to have tons of pictures. If you have any questions I'm here for you as are so many other mom's who have been where your going. Last thing I want to add....Enjoy...let your sailor choose what he wants to do....Mine on the 1st day just wanted to shop...day 2and 3 we bought a tv, a Wii and just hung out at the hotel with other sailors and played video games...he just wanted to chill. So be up for whatever your sailor is wanting....They earned it. We stayed at the Homewood suites....they had a wonderful hotel...89.00 a night with a kitchen and pool.....they had a cont. breakfast....it sleep 6 for the room we had....it was about a 10 min drive to the base but it was really nice. Good Luck and let me know if you need anything.... :]

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Permalink Reply by Lynn and Art for Cody (Div 059) on December 13, 2008 at 5:24pm

good info, thank you

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Permalink Reply by Sherry on November 21, 2008 at 10:40am

Hi Wendy

My advice when you go to graduation mack sure you know what your sons division number is, so you can sit close to where he will be at graduation. It's easier to spot him that way. With my first son we didn't know his division number so it wasn't very easy to find him, with my second son we reambered his division number so we spotted him right off the bat. The time of year both of my boys graduated was in the winter time, and it was so COOOOOLED, with the humidity. All I can say is o my gosh. Both of my boys graduated from Great Lakes. And depending on how good thier division is will depend on how often you will get to hear from him. My oldest , we only got to hear from him maybe 3 or 4 times while he was in boot camp, my youngest we heard from him 1 to 2 times a week. They graduated with honers. And be prepared if one of his shipmates can't get a hold of someone to talk to, your son may put him on the phone with you for a few minutes.

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Permalink Reply by MalaMama on November 21, 2008 at 11:16am

I would suggest you get the book Honor Courage Committment and have both you and your son read it. I found it after my son was already in GL so I read it week by week to help me know what he was going through but I think it would be extremely helpful to you and your son BEFORE he goes. I found it used on Amazon.com. Oh and keep on this site, it really is a savior when he is actually there for us moms to get through! Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by diane {Shawns mom} on November 21, 2008 at 12:27pm

MY lord...my son left last Jan. and I didn't have this website for support.
I suggest you read the dicussions on this site..and be "cool calm and collective"
Its an eye opening experience...and BC is just one of many emotional rides you will have now being a "Navy Family"
Welcome and Best of luck to your "Sailor to be"
xoxooxox

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Permalink Reply by justinsnavymom on November 21, 2008 at 2:24pm

Make sure he has plenty of stamps and a phone card. If he takes his cell phone it'll be sent back to you in the box with the rest of his stuff he can't have. Phone in 1 shoe and the battery in the other shoe. If you have verizon they will suspend the line at no charge up to 2 yrs. I would definitly buy the book Honor,Courage and Committment. It helped alot. The only change from the book to now is they don't do service week. The most important thing to do is spend as much time with him as you can.
If MEPS isn't to far away I'd recommand going it'll give you more time with him. And you get to watch him swear in. We got a room at the same hotel as my son and he got to stay in our room. Words can't explain how I felt watching my son swear in and watching him the last time walk onto the bus as a civilian heading towards Great Lakes.Knowing the next time I'd see him he'd be a US SAILOR. My 8 yr old 7 at the time even enjoyed them swearing in. Hopefully in 10-11 yrs I'll be sending another one off to the Navy.

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Marie :) on November 21, 2008 at 3:56pm

hello wendy! my boyfriend mitch left for boot camp in october and let me tell you it was the hardest thing i have ever done. write him as much as you can and dont expect a lot of phone calls. they get one when they arrive and then they call when they can. write him as much as you can becasue they are so excited to get letters. some of the guys that dont get letters cry and are really upset so send him as many as you can. i still have cried myself to sleep and we have been dating for 7 months so it was really hard. i got incredibly close to his mom and when he calls us we call each other right after and swap info. keep busy and as the graduation day gets closer your moods will be better. if you have any questions just send me a message and i will help as much as i can.

Love
Stephanie

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Permalink Reply by Val Moore on December 18, 2008 at 8:59pm

Hey my husband just left December 3rd and I have only received one letter form him so far. No phone calls. It's so frustrating not being able to at least know how he's doing. How often did you get letters from your boyfriend?

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