What not to take to bootcamp!
FYI. So you open 'the box" and now you not only see "the remains", (used loosely) of your child..but everything you sent with them to bootcamp as well. Everything you and your recruit spent time and money shopping together for, adhereing to the list diligently...making sure they were well prepared, but in line with "the list".
Forget the list the recruiter gives you, the one you find online or even in the handbook. They should only take a toothbrush, ID , calling card and perhaps a bible or other religious medallion. The rest will all come home in "the box".
If you have daughters, don't waste time buying those white brief style underwear, bras and even a swim suit. I spent a lot of money and it all came back in a box....even though we carefully followed the list to a T. Included also was her copy of her contract, her navy notebook , gym shoes, and the makeup they told her she could bring. Mind you she and I both knew she wasn't going be wearing make up..but was told they could have it for Pictures and PIR. Save the money and put in your childs account. Also, they say you can take 6ounces of this and that..ie shampoo etc..But, unless they are checking their backpack or duffle bag, it will not make it through security...and will end up trashed. Bye the way, your sailor will now be "issued" these things or have to purchase these...which will come out of their paycheck. So again, save the money and give it to them later or use it to buy pictures etc..Hope this is helpful.
Hopefully one day they will just simply tell everyone this so money isn't wasted.
Angela
Forget the list the recruiter gives you, the one you find online or even in the handbook. They should only take a toothbrush, ID , calling card and perhaps a bible or other religious medallion. The rest will all come home in "the box".
If you have daughters, don't waste time buying those white brief style underwear, bras and even a swim suit. I spent a lot of money and it all came back in a box....even though we carefully followed the list to a T. Included also was her copy of her contract, her navy notebook , gym shoes, and the makeup they told her she could bring. Mind you she and I both knew she wasn't going be wearing make up..but was told they could have it for Pictures and PIR. Save the money and put in your childs account. Also, they say you can take 6ounces of this and that..ie shampoo etc..But, unless they are checking their backpack or duffle bag, it will not make it through security...and will end up trashed. Bye the way, your sailor will now be "issued" these things or have to purchase these...which will come out of their paycheck. So again, save the money and give it to them later or use it to buy pictures etc..Hope this is helpful.
Hopefully one day they will just simply tell everyone this so money isn't wasted.
Angela
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by amethystmist on -
(((Bianca))),
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother. Cancer is a cruel and evil disease.
I am new to this Navy mom thing, but I am here if you need me and will do my best to help you.
Rebecca
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Permalink Reply by Angela on -
I regret that I have been busy at work and haven't tuned in to our forum the last couple of days.
Bianca, I'm sure you have many who love you, but we would be happy to be sub-moms so to speak if would have us. As my daugther progresses I will have more insight to share with you as will other moms. Please ask questions and I will try to find the answers for you if I don't know them.
I apologize because probably all of this is making you miss your mom a lot right now. Here we are grieving over the changes in our lives because our children are leaving home and you have truly suffered a loss. You must be an extremely strong young woman.
Stay focused and keep working toward your goal.
Angela
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Permalink Reply by Rosie O'Donnell on -
OH THAT BOX!!!!
My heart sank!! I did know I was going to get a box!! I opened and cried. I missed my son and hear was everything I sent with him, and a note! It read- Mom Don't freak!! I am fine!! I Love You!! Dude. I cried!
This was my only Son and my oldest child.And the first time he ever went anywhere without a family member. Also the furthest he'd ever been that I couldn't go get him if he needed me.
Then there was the wait to hear from him...... That was very hard. It was about 2 weeks and I finally got a letter.
I just pulled it out the other day and laughed, but I didn't laugh when I got it..
Dear Mom, I LOVE YOU!! I MISS YOU!!! I WANT TO COME HOME!!! The food is good. But yours is better. I WANT TO COME HOME!!! How is everyone? I MISS YOU!! It is really hard here and we just got started. I WANT TO COME HOME!!!
I left out some stuff but this was the hardest part to read. Then the letters can every week. They only got to write on Sundays for like 30 minutes, and that was only if they didn't get into trouble and they finished everything they were suppost to. I learned very fast to send my lables with my addie on them so it wouldn't take time away from writing someone else and it was easy for him. Also send pictures, it's a big help to them because its a little piece of home!!!!
Once you find out what Division your child is in you should go to this web site http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/index.asp click on family and graduation then up coming graduations.
and see when your childs graduation will be, you can book your flight now and save a few hundred dollars.
Graduation is Great. It's like a whole new kid, grown up but not to grown up to give Mom the biggest hug you'll get from your child. You look at how grown up they seem, this isn't you baby anymore. But your so happy to see them all you want to do is hold them and give them a huge hug and kiss!!! Then there is the feeling of relief that they made it through BC and then the stress of where are they going!!! The reat thing is most of them will have 3 days to spend with you. The rest of Fri, all day Sat and Sun. Only thing is they can't go more than 200? miles away and they have to stay in uniform. Which is great because they look so good in their uniforms.
I am sorry I am jsut remembering everything I went through and wanted to give the New Moms a heads up on what to exepect. And the ins and outs!!!
If you have any questions please feel free to ask me also. I remember like it was yesterday.
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Permalink Reply by Angela on
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Thank you for sharing with us. The letter must have been sooo hard to read. I am looking forward to PIR and a little nervous about seeing how she has changed. Did your son get to stay at the hotel with you? I've read they have to be back at the base at night.
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Permalink Reply by Rosie O'Donnell on
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The kids can't stay in the hotel with you, they have to be back on base by 8:00 p.m. If i remember correctly. There isn't much around the base to do but Six Flags is about 15 minutes away along with a good size town with lots of restaurants and a mall. They will get to know it very well if they stay at Great Lakes for anytime.
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Permalink Reply by jennifer on -
Is there a list somewhere for what to bring? Other than the recruiter?
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Permalink Reply by Angela on
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For those in the DEP ..they are given a handbook with a list. There is also one on an online site, but my daughter directed me to it...I will have to search to see where it was.
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Permalink Reply by Rosie O'Donnell on
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The list in the hand book tells that you can take alot of stuff, it will get sent back to you. My son got to keep his wallet, ID, SSi Card, Bank Card, phone card and addie book. Once there they go to the NEX and buy what they need. They even give them glasses if they wear them. they want everyone to have the same things to wear so they don't look different from one another. I am guessing so it's so there isn't any judging.
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Permalink Reply by Cynthia (#410) on -
Dear Angela, Unfortunately what you say is just too true. They do need to take some cash in case they get hung up at an airport on the way to Great Lakes but not really much else. My son told me "if the Navy doesn't issue it, I don't need it" and that's pretty much how it is - everything from a haircut to underwear to shoes. As a mom, of course we want them to be prepared but basically the Navy takes them from us, un-teaches everything we have taught them, then teaches them everything they need to know the Navy way. "The box" was one of the emotionally hardest parts of boot camp. It does get better after they get out of boot camp and can have a lot of their regular stuff again.
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Permalink Reply by Rosie O'Donnell on
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Something else to add. My son wasn't a very go swimmer and he wasn't the only one. There were 5 guys in this divison that didn't pass because they could pass the swimming. They have to be able to stay aflot for like 10 minutes. So if your child doesn't swim well, make sure they can aleast stay afloat for 10 minutes. They can't pass until they can. All they have to do is fail one thing and they don't pass. If they don't pass, you won't know until the night before graduation and might go for nothing. The Navy gives them until the night before to pass what ever they failed. I found out 4 day's before Graduation that my son finally passed and that is when I booked my flight, hotel and car. And it cost me $500 more to go. So start looking for deals now. It Expedia, orbits, or any other comapny only charges $50 to reschedule your plan, book ASAP. Also there are alot of nice hotels in Hanford. They are only a few miles away from the base.
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