My son just left for boot camp

[Christopher's Mom]

My son just left for bootcamp... I have so many questions! Can you tell me when we'll get his first telephone call home? I heard that they can only make 3 calls while they are away. Is this true? We bought a calling card before he left because I was told that they can't have cell phones in bootcamp... is that true? How long does it take for the dreaded box to come? I really miss him and have been on an emotional roller coaster. I miss all of his dirty laundry and soda cans....:bigemo54:

[NavyMomx2]

Hello and welcome. Let's see what I can answer.

His first phone call home will be when he is physically at boot camp his first night - that will be a "hi mom, I'm here, I'll talk to you in a couple weeks. I love you, I gotta go."

They can make as many phone calls as they "earn". That depends on the division as a whole and their RDC's temperment. But keep your phone close, that call could come anytime - no rhyme or reason as to when, only their RDC's know for sure. The one call that is guarenteed is after battle stations, which is week eight.

The Box - wow, Kristie, KY Mom, can you help me out on this one? I think that is in between weeks 2 and 3? If you miss his laundry, open it right away, his clothes will be inside and it will look like he stepped into the box, undressed, stepped out of the box and mailed it! Both of mine came that way...was funny. I washed the clothes right away, folded them back up and put them back in the same box that they came in and tucked it away for when they ask for it in A school. Not that their clothes will fit anymore...but it's a thought. That's what worked for me, but you handle it however makes you feel okay.

Write a lot! Start now, send one or two or three now...they'll hold them until they can have them. Mail is so important to them. Stay positive and encouraging. They love pictures from home as well, or anything like newspaper clippings about high school football etc. Mail call is Monday through Friday(?) and they can only write home on Sundays. You will be best friend's with the mailperson every Wednesday or Thursday depending on what part of the country you live in.

Well, I've rambled. I hope this has helped. Stay in touch with thesed boards, read past posts as they are helpful as well and hold on for the ride of your life! Remember we are all here for you and if one can't answer your questions, someone else can.

Again, welcome!

Beckie
NavyMomX2

[denmom]

Just wanted to welcome you to the boards. Also the first form of mail you will get will be a form letter from the Navy. It is to welcome you the family to the Navy make sure to look on the very last page as there are 3 lines for your son to write something to you. Those are the most precious 3 lines of writing you will recieve as it is the first contact you will have.
There is a phone number or e-mail somewhere here on the boards that you can contact to try and get your sons address and PIR date.

You should recieve an actual letter from your son about the 3rd week that he is there.

I hope this helps and feel free to let all your emotions out on here we understand how you're feeling as we have been there are there or are going through it with you at the same time.

Take care and have a good week.

[Kristie]

Welcome....you hang in there...right now you are in the hardest part.....1st thing is the 2 sec I am here call....then about a week later the BOX arrives....then about a week later the form letter will arrive and then about the 3rd week a real honest to goodness letter should arrive.....phone calls are really hard to come by depending on the division....Brandon got way more than Jennifer did but then she was with a bunch of girls that could not be quiet.....lolol...

Hang in there mom.....the downhill of the coaster ride will come I promise....

[Christopher's Mom]

Thank you so much for your votes of confidence! I can't believe I got the box today! I needed a full box of kleenex! It really looked like he stepped in the box and stripped! At least I was able to get his address today. I just called his recruiter - he gave it to me. Of course the computers were down when I first tried. Luckily, they called me the minute they were back online. I guess the recruiter heard the panic in my voice. LOL! At least now I can get my letters out. I've kept a daily journal so that he's not missing so much while he's away.

Why do they call it "A school?"

Thanks again.... I can't tell you all how much I appreciate your support!

[cousinIT]

Mail call is Monday-Saturday...
I loved mail call..I think I only went without mail two days while I was there.
And when I got to A School, I got more that was forwarded to my new address!

Send lots of pictures...don't expect too many phone calls, but who knows?! You may get more than I did.

By the way, Mom, I got like 9 phone calls! They weren't very long, but at least I got to talk to you! I think I cried everytime...lol.

What's your sons rate? Cause if he needs a security clearance and needs information, like I did, he'll call home a lot...=]

[Christopher's Mom]

Mail call is Monday-Saturday...
I loved mail call..I think I only went without mail two days while I was there.
And when I got to A School, I got more that was forwarded to my new address!

Send lots of pictures...don't expect too many phone calls, but who knows?! You may get more than I did.

By the way, Mom, I got like 9 phone calls! They weren't very long, but at least I got to talk to you! I think I cried everytime...lol.

What's your sons rate? Cause if he needs a security clearance and needs information, like I did, he'll call home a lot...=]


How does he go about getting a security code? Thanks so much for all of your help!

[Christopher's Mom]

I can't believe how much support everyone here has given me! This is really great. My son is the only one in our neighborhood who has enlisted to the Navy... I thought I was all alone. Thank you all so much!

[Kristie]

It will depend on his job if he needs security clearance....they handle that....Jennifer needed it for her job and I will tell you they intervied everyone in our town.....lolol....

And Jennifer you did get calls but we there not "talking" calls they were the kind that we could not really talk....lol....which was really hard.....but all is good now.....

[KYmom]

We will be here to help you through.

[cousinIT]

lol, i know.
but i still got to talk to you.

[evan's dad]

Hi Cristopher's Mom, I don't have too much to add, but everyone has steered you correctly! Aren't they all helpful? Haha! Phone calls are a real treasure from Boot camp! They may come at any time, or hardly at all as was the case with our sailor. It depends on the RDC, and how well the division works together. Keep sending mail to him as often as you can,,,because they live for mail. Even if you have no news from home, just send a funny card or anything that will make him smile! Haha! Oh, mail may come to you early, as we recieved a real short letter from our sailor in the second week. Yes! Write encouraging things, as "You can do it" or something that would be a personally uplifting message for your son. The first few weeks are the worst for the Sailors at boot camp, and if he writes a negative sounding letter at first,,,,,,,well, that is common. The letters get better as times fly by if you get one of those "bad sounding" letters, and before you know it, you will be cheering his success at PIR!

Bob

[Christopher's Mom]

Well I just heard from Chris today... He sounded so mature. He said that he was ok. He misses us. He started crying and of course I started crying. But he said he just misses us so much. Unfortunately we only had 10 minutes on the phone and most of it was are you ok's and I miss you's. I simply can't wait for this to be over...

[denmom]

Jen that is so awesome your first phone call. Even though it was short I bet it was great to just hear your sons voice. Keep watching for those letters each weel and before you know it PIR will be here.
Talk to you later

[Christopher's Mom]

Yes it was really great to hear from him. Other than being homesick it was good to hear that he's alive and well. The icing on the cake was the letter I received today. It was short and sweet but he was able to express himself more in the letter than that 10 minute call. He did, however, say that he was going to call again on Tuesday and that he was getting an hour. Then I'll be able to get more info from him and really hear how he's doing. I can't wait!!!

The only sucky thing is that he gets liberty for Thanksgiving and I don't think I'll be able to get there for him. His PIR is only 2 weeks after and I need to arrange time from work and it would also be a little bit more than I can spend right now. I really wish that I could go for both.

Thank you all for being here for me.... hopefully I can do the same when a new parent comes along. I think if it weren't for everybody's support and the answers to the many questions I've asked, I would've gone bonkers already.

[NavyMomx2]

I believe that there are "host families" in the area that will take the recruits in for dinner....I think I read that in Honor Courage and Committment. I'm glad you got a phone call and are expecting another so soon. It is so nice to hear their voice - does a mother's (father's) heart good.

The weekly letters I miss the most. However, the daily phone calls are a nice trade.

Take care -

Beckie
NavyMomX2