My son has been a DEP'r since May 2009 and he ships to Boot Feb. 3, 2010. At first we thougt that was way too long but having read all the articles of "hurry up and wait", and the back log of new recruits, we are just thankful he is in. Sean is extremely sharp but could not get in the college groove. On a bet from me, we met the recruiter and Nukes peaked his interest. He aced the ASVAB and qualified for Nuke School on the first try. In the months since MEPs he has bulked up tremenously and prepared himself mentally. These last months are the hardest for me as he is one ticket or stupid stunt from maybe blowing this. However, I have to have faith and take one day at a time.
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Rick, Mark, your son sounds a lot like mine. My son also is 20 yrs. old and couldn't quite get into the college groove either. He went to MEPs in Jun09 and was in bootcamp in Jul09, but that is not the norm anymore. Having some time to prepare physically and mentally is a good thing for your son.
Ironically, one of the many comments my son made about bootcamp was that there was a lot more studying and classroom work than he anticipated. He is now in A-School (more studying) and doing well. I think the exposure to College has really prepared him well for the classroom work.
It took about a week after my son left for the reality of him being gone set in. Make the best of the time with your son before he leaves. He will leave as a kid, but in a few short months the Navy will make a man out of him. You will be amazed.
Rick, Our son was a DEP for about 6 months and now he ships this wed. It will go fast, enjoy everyday with him. Good luck to you and him now and in the future.
It's also time now for you to prepare yourself mentally for the transition....be sure to read through the old posts in the Bootcamp group......there are a ton of posts that will detail what you will go through and what to expect. It seems alike a long time when they first leave, but the 8 weeks will go by much fatser than what you think!! Welcome to the site!
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Ironically, one of the many comments my son made about bootcamp was that there was a lot more studying and classroom work than he anticipated. He is now in A-School (more studying) and doing well. I think the exposure to College has really prepared him well for the classroom work.
It took about a week after my son left for the reality of him being gone set in. Make the best of the time with your son before he leaves. He will leave as a kid, but in a few short months the Navy will make a man out of him. You will be amazed.