Very new to this. Actually my son referred me to this site and it looks like it has a wealth of information which my wife and I have been looking over. My son leaves for boot camp next month so my wife and I are full of questions and of course worries. Sorry if the questions seems dumb but i'll ask anyway. I know boot camp is 8 weeks. He leaves on a Tuesday. Does his "time" start the day he arrives or after all the processing is done and does graduation happen on the actual 8th Friday or does he do his 8 weeks and graduate the week after. Like i said i apologize. I'm sure this is the first of many questions that i will have. His recruiter has been great but we sometimes feel bad asking so many questions. Thank you
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Like everybody else said, don't be afraid to ask the recruiter questions. That's what there for my son is in RTC now he graduates Feb 6th. Get on Facebook and check out, "U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command"
You will see thousands of pictures inside the Boot Camp. They also post new pics often you might get lucky and see your son. I look everyday but haven't seen my son yet. But is is really nice to see what they are doing.
Irwin,
This goes back 4 years with my experience...but graduation is not an exact science. The actual grad date will be given about a month ahead of time.
I suggest that you look into the "Navy Lodge" for accommodations for the ceremony. It is right on campus (Great Lakes really looks like a college campus), and takes a few minutes to drive to the event. I did so and was pleased...about $75 a night with no taxes (still use t when I visit my Shipmate). Like a Holiday Inn, but all units have kitchenettes with either a King or two Queens.
Depending on your Seaman's assignment, he/she may stay for "A" school (their field of endeavor training) either there at GL or elsewhere. Many of my daughter's classmates shipped out almost immediately after the grad ceremony to their "A" schools elsewhere in the country.
Congrats. You will find a "new" child upon your seeing your child again!!
Irwin good to have you on board. Congratulations on your son joining the best Navy in the world. Don't stop asking questions! You'll find that every time you learn something new it will generate more questions so keep asking. This one of the most generous communities that you will find. You will get an answer, and a good one, for every question you can think of. The guys that run this sire are the best!
Make sure you join some the training group Facebook groups. You find a lot of instant feedback from other loved ones who have SRs in the same division.
As soon as you get the form letter from your son make reservations at a hotel that day. A lot of people have made reservations at Navy Lodge. The rates are very good and it 1.5 miles from the front gate of RTC.
No bad questions my friend. My son at RTC now is my third to join a branch of service and I still know nothing. Hang on the 'roller coaster' gets scary and will force moisture from your eyes. We're all on the same boat. pun intended.
First, there are no dumb questions just dumb answers, so keep asking questions. Unlike you I found out about Navy Dads AFTER Basic, so you are way ahead of the game; you are correct it is a great resource. I will leave it to others to answer your specific questions and focus on some things that may pop up along the road. First, postcards are a simple and easy way to write your son. Believe me, getting a note of support from home every few days really met a lot to our son and his shipmates. My wife made mailing labels and made the process really easy. Funny postcards were a big hit (which he can share) and you can find a ton of them (cheap) at www.zazzle.com or even at www.hallmark.com. Second, the first 72 hours of Basic is NOT fun (as designed), so just tell him to hang in there, like a kidney stone this too shall pass! On this note, our Son who was pretty upbeat (mentally and physically) about enlisting, leaving the University after two years, said, to me, Dad, there were moments that I had to ask myself, "...what have I done". Again, this too shall pass. One of the many experiences we realized through our Son's eyes while our son was in Basic (and A-School too) was the Navy's commitment to the success of their Recruits, so again, just hang in there and keep sending those upbeat postcards and letters.
Wishing you and yours the very best in the weeks ahead!
Rich
Hi Irwin,
I'm sure you know by now, reading all your replies, what an AWESOME place this site is!!! My wife and I were in the same place you are now...about a year ago. Our son is now almost finished A school, and it has been incredible to see all he has done already. Without this site we would never have known or learned all that we did while we couldn't reach right out and call during the "Boot camp time". As hard as it will be, the time will pass. Before you know it, you will be making your plans to attend the graduation (this site was the best for help with the planning too), and the pride you will feel that day will erase any heartache you have over the next weeks. Ask, write, and let it all out here...Jim, Paul, and these guys are the best!!! All our best to you and to your future sailor!!!
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