NEW MOMS READ FIRST
It just dawned on me that most moms, have alot of the same questions, so I thought I would put this out there it might help. First go to this site, it has GRADUATION DATES http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/family/upcominggrad.html it will update just about weekly sometimes they get busy and get behind. Spend some time on this site, you will find answers to alot of questions.
PHONE CALLS: you will get one right when they leave that says hi mom I am here Click. Very short but you know they are safe. You will get another around week 3 or so ( this varies on the command ), you may get a third right at the end.
ADDRESS: you will get their address about two weeks in. Remember to be writing letters while you wait for it, that way you can send a bunch right in the beginning.
GRADUATION PACKET / INFORMATION: around week four you will get a packet from your sailor/command, verifying grad date, and some information for hotels, a pass for your car window.
PICTURES: This is just a suggestion from me. When your sailor first leaves remind them what kind of pictures you want, also order video ( of graduation ) and a copy of the keel - yearbook, I have had two kids go thru bootcamp the keel is hard to get after the fact. Really a cool book worth the money.
Hopefully this will help a lot of moms upfront. Don't worry your not crazy. We all have had a hard time with our kids leaving, I can say it does get WAY better once they are in the navy. My kids call me ALL the time. You will find your sailor will appreciate family alot more when they are on their own. Good luck, if you ever need a shoulder this site absolutely ROCKS, the moms are very helpful and you won't feel so alone. Take care, Barb
Added note, I started this discussion it seems like years ago, when either my daughter or son went in I can't remember it has been so long. Its been we are on year two with our daughter. I know many of you new moms and dads are really worried. Happy thought for the day, I remember when I was crying EVERYDAY just like you probably are right now. It does get so much better, we have gone thru injuries, our daughter has met and married another sailor, and they are due in the spring with their first, our son has gotten the base of his dreams and is going to be married before the first of the year. Two years ago I would never have thought I would be at peace with this. And, I am a ex navy wife of many years. Have faith, so far 8 weeks of bootcamp may have been the worst 8 weeks of my life where my kids were concerned. It is almost as hard on us as them, in different ways. But looking back, its gets so much better and their adventures are just beginning. Good luck and god bless you all. For sharing your kids with us. They are well taken care of and the will make friends for life. As a footnote if anyone wants to get a reply or speak directly to me, please send me a comment as this discussion has grown so big I don't have time to read everything. God bless all of the parents out there that are sharing their kids with the rest of us. The adventure is just beginning.
PHONE CALLS: you will get one right when they leave that says hi mom I am here Click. Very short but you know they are safe. You will get another around week 3 or so ( this varies on the command ), you may get a third right at the end.
ADDRESS: you will get their address about two weeks in. Remember to be writing letters while you wait for it, that way you can send a bunch right in the beginning.
GRADUATION PACKET / INFORMATION: around week four you will get a packet from your sailor/command, verifying grad date, and some information for hotels, a pass for your car window.
PICTURES: This is just a suggestion from me. When your sailor first leaves remind them what kind of pictures you want, also order video ( of graduation ) and a copy of the keel - yearbook, I have had two kids go thru bootcamp the keel is hard to get after the fact. Really a cool book worth the money.
Hopefully this will help a lot of moms upfront. Don't worry your not crazy. We all have had a hard time with our kids leaving, I can say it does get WAY better once they are in the navy. My kids call me ALL the time. You will find your sailor will appreciate family alot more when they are on their own. Good luck, if you ever need a shoulder this site absolutely ROCKS, the moms are very helpful and you won't feel so alone. Take care, Barb
Added note, I started this discussion it seems like years ago, when either my daughter or son went in I can't remember it has been so long. Its been we are on year two with our daughter. I know many of you new moms and dads are really worried. Happy thought for the day, I remember when I was crying EVERYDAY just like you probably are right now. It does get so much better, we have gone thru injuries, our daughter has met and married another sailor, and they are due in the spring with their first, our son has gotten the base of his dreams and is going to be married before the first of the year. Two years ago I would never have thought I would be at peace with this. And, I am a ex navy wife of many years. Have faith, so far 8 weeks of bootcamp may have been the worst 8 weeks of my life where my kids were concerned. It is almost as hard on us as them, in different ways. But looking back, its gets so much better and their adventures are just beginning. Good luck and god bless you all. For sharing your kids with us. They are well taken care of and the will make friends for life. As a footnote if anyone wants to get a reply or speak directly to me, please send me a comment as this discussion has grown so big I don't have time to read everything. God bless all of the parents out there that are sharing their kids with the rest of us. The adventure is just beginning.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Victoria on -
Well, my "foster" puppy was a "dumpee" at my parents farm about one week ago...he's a sweet Black Lab 4 mos. old....the best personality a dog could ever have...I love him and wish i could keep him, but I have two large dogs at home now...and he deserves more one on one attention. He has a new home on Thursday a wonderful couple that lives out by a lake and has 3 acres of land are adopting him. They came to meet him yesterday...and I thought they were the best and nicest of people, because not just "anybody" was going to take him.
They have a wonderful home, and are childless now.....but the tears from having to say goodbye to him will flow as well, maybe not as long as saying goodbye to my son, but close..............I would rather he have a good home. (my son tried to talk me into keeping him when he called the other day, I hope he won't be disappointed in me)
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Permalink Reply by Spring Davidson on -
Our black lab is 13 years old. We rescued her from the pound. She is a FABULOUS dog (and I actually like cats better). Labs are so faithful and loving. I'm sure the new owners will be good owners for your foster puppy. We're afraid our poor old lady lab isn't going to be with us much longer. She's in good health, although she's deaf as a post now. She's just getting old...but she's still as lovable as ever!
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Permalink Reply by Victoria on
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Aw, poor baby... Me too, Spring, I have a Yellow Lab female that is 10 yrs old...I don't think she is so deaf as she is just tired alot...(i like your analogy.."deaf as a post"...LOL) I am not ready to lose her for a long time, so I hope her heart keeps ticking for a long time. I love her so. My other big dog is a rescue dog that we are not sure what he is, was supposed to be part Aussie/part border collie..(yeah, right!)..he's almost as big as a Great dane. We love him anyway. Rescue dogs are so sweet, and they love you for giving them a home...And you are a great person for saving your Black Lab from the "kill gas"..... yes, I know these people will take good care of our new little friend.
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Permalink Reply by Victoria on
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Okay guys, I'm liking this pet conversation so much that I started a place in General Discussions to talk about our pets.....let's get it started cause I LOVE hearing about your pets. It's a good distraction from the "jittery" feelings this week through boot camp finals, don't you think??
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Permalink Reply by Cheryl Boyer on -
AMEN!!!
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Permalink Reply by Spring Davidson on
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Amen from me too!
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Permalink Reply by Lanita S on -
Well, girls! I got my first real letter today, and it was wonderful! He sounded great! He is in Div 236, and said that Div 235 is there brother division [whatever that means]. He said the first day they were there, a guy in his division was standing and keeled over nad hit his head. That he was in critical condition the last he knew... was getting 3 wisdom teeth pulled this last Monday so was going to be out for 3 days... he had already had his 4 hour watch..
He sounded so good in his writing, although had the 'cold' that everyone had. Prayers work!!
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Permalink Reply by Angie F.- WA: HM mom on -
Whoops, clicked the wrong button and got ahead of you instead! My bad. Don't want to worry anyone either, just curious as to how the whole health care system while in boot camp works.
Also ladies, a friend of mine passed on a tip today which I had already thought of last night and posted to my fellow 932/06 gals, but I'll now share with you....make yourself a list of all the things you really want to ask and need to say during your first phone call with your sailor. Time may be limited, efficiency is good, and it will be awhile before you talk to them again.
My friend's teenage son went on a missions trip into the jungles of Panama and was often out of communication, so she has an idea what the first three week of BC are like for us. She said she was just soooo idiotically happy to hear his voice and know he was doing o.k., that her mind would go blank. She'd waste phone time trying to remember what she knew she'd wanted to ask him, hang up later and go "oh dang, now I remember!" and kick herself. Just thought I'd pass it on. The way my brain works these days, I can't seem to remember anything from one day to the next, sometimes one room to the next!
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Permalink Reply by Angie F.- WA: HM mom on
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Lanita, Congrats on getting that first letter, what a relief and shot in the arm that must be for you! Hoping to have that same good feeling today or tomorrow at the latest. :) Had not heard of them having "brother divisions" before, I'll have to ask my son when he calls. Anyone in the know want to elaborate?
What was his first day there? Is his PIR date later than it would have been due to being out for three days, will he miss anything crucial, like a PT test that would affect his progress? I ask because I know my son had been putting off getting his wisdom teeth pulled and didn't know if they would take it upon themselves to do something about it. Would hate for him to not graduate with the guys he started with on 5/01!
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Permalink Reply by Lanita S on
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Angie, he didn't say much about his 1st day there. Said it wasn't "horrible" and that he really did like his Chief. Said that he was just trying to pay attention and stay out of the limelight. I looked on the website, and apparently they take all wisdom teeth out for everybody. Everybody apparently gets colds too.... I think its from all the shots and lack of sleep the first few days. HE said that they would graduate 27 Jun but I talked again to the recruiter and he restated that they had told him the 3 of July.. I told him again what division and ship and recruiter is going to call again and call us tomorrow.... They don't hold anybody back... if one can't graduate on time with the group, then they all don't graduate... that's how I understand it, anyway.
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Permalink Reply by Spring Davidson on
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Only those folks with impacted wisdom teeth get them out (my son didn't). I think the cold is so common, they've even named it - the "Ricky crud" (Ricky is a slightly deragatory word for recruits). It's not that hard to get held back a week, or 2, or 3...depending or circumstances. If a recruit breaks a leg or something, they just pick up training where they left off. They don't get banished from the Navy forever for that sort of thing.
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Permalink Reply by Debi Samuels on -
Hi, Barb,
What a Godsend this is! I have a few questions if you are up for them. My son's father and I are divorced and we will both be coming to the graduation but separately. Will we each get a graduation packet and pass for our cars? Also, it looks like my son's grad. date will fall on July 4th if my calculations are correct. Will they have grad. on such a major holiday? Thank you so much for this site!
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