The phone call

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Permalink Reply by John L on August 17, 2009 at 7:36pm

It can Take awhile, if they miss th intial call (maybe cause things were running behind or phone card didn't work, etc). They have to earn the privalge, took my boy three and half weeks in and passing an inspection before we got a call other than the I'm here at Great Lakes.

Hang in there.

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Permalink Reply by RobertH on August 17, 2009 at 8:29pm

Ok that makes me feel a little better, Thank you

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Permalink Reply by RobertH on August 17, 2009 at 8:29pm

Thank you John this helps a lot.

John L said:

It can Take awhile, if they miss th intial call (maybe cause things were running behind or phone card didn't work, etc). They have to earn the privalge, took my boy three and half weeks in and passing an inspection before we got a call other than the I'm here at Great Lakes.

Hang in there.

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Permalink Reply by Larry Huffman on August 19, 2009 at 12:46pm

Robert,

Our daughter was not able to call the night she got in because she forgot her phone card and none of our phones accepted collect calls. We were a little concerned but not too much. Last year our son made the call on his night in, so we had been expecting to hear from her. But we knew she had forgotten our card, and when we mentioned that to my son (stationed in San Diego) he laughed (hehe...he is her brother) and told us she would be unable to call most likely.

First of all...I would not worry at all about him. If he did not make it to boot camp, they would be looking for him, so you would know. lol. If there was any problem you woould know. In fact, on the website for RTC they state that if there is any serious problem, your recruit will be able to call and inform family. So you will find out as soon as you can if there are issues.

The isolation and seperation from family and friends is done on purpose. The navy wants your kids to severe the strings and be as independant and self sufficient as possible, in order to be what the Navy needs them to be. Thus the lack of external communication. Trust the Navy, however...they know what they are doing. It may be rough on us emotionally as parents but it is for their own good. And...the real eye opener is this...even though it feels longer and worse...it is only 2 months.

My advice...get his mailing address from his recruiter and begin writing letters. You will begin receiving them from him soon...the first will be a form letter that they have a few lines to write on. After that it is up to your son to write, which I am sure he will. Mail call is a real special thing for recruits. They will want letters every mail call if possible. Get as many of his friends and other family members to write as well. Send pictures, pages from puzzle books...we sent both of ours Suduko puzzle pages...for something to do on those rare free times. If your son is into news and current events, send newspaper clippings that would interest them. Just do not overdo it with stuff...but write as many letters as you want.

Generally speaking, the recruits get calls on week 3 and week 6 (right after passing battlestations). If they are getting a security clearence and need more information in order to get it, they will get phone calls for that as well. In our case, while we did not get the "I've arrived" phone call...we did get 2 additonal calls in week 2 while she was trying to piece together her clearence information...we got to ask a couple of questions, but for the most part, it was just for her to get the info and that was it.

Oh, and while the "I've arrived" phone call is good to get...it would not have been any more than a scripted message to you that he reads to you. You get to hear his voice...you may be able to sneak in a couple of y/n questions (I asked my son "are you doing ok?" he quietly said yes...I asked "No regrest?" he whispered "Nope")...but no real conversation.

The time will fly by...really it will. Our daughter is halfway through and it seems like yesterday I was watching her be sworn in. I find writing helps a lot...and when you get his letters, make them a family event. Gather everyone around. You will laugh and cry. And do not put too much in your son being shocked or even upset at his choice in those early letters. He will come around. The first letter from boot camp always seems to have a level of "what have I got myself into" in them. They will adjust and be fine. By the time he is in week 7 the letters will be full of pride in himself and his division.

Good luck to you and your son...and thanks to your son for his service! And if you have any more concerns, just ask here...there are a lot of knowledgable people here to help! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Stanley Brown on August 20, 2009 at 8:21pm

He will do fine, my son graduated on August the 7th and is now in MA school at lackland. It will be diffcult loosing touch for awhile, write plenty of letters and tell him how proud you are. My son said my letters kept him going in rough times. He said Dad when I jumped off the swim board you were with me all the way. Also I spent a great deal on you tube watching the basic training videos, it really helped me understand. There is no better feeling to see him enter the drill hall on Grad. Day. I consider myself a tough guy, but I cried like a baby....smile
I hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by George Pacheco on August 21, 2009 at 8:42pm

Yea dont feel bad, my son left this past week on 8/19 and I havent heard a peep. Having served myself I somewhat remember my drill telling me it would be a long cold day in hell before we could call home but it ended up being 2 weeks. Dont worry your not the only one going through this. Thank your son for joining and may he serve proudly.

Stanley Brown said:

He will do fine, my son graduated on August the 7th and is now in MA school at lackland. It will be diffcult loosing touch for awhile, write plenty of letters and tell him how proud you are. My son said my letters kept him going in rough times. He said Dad when I jumped off the swim board you were with me all the way. Also I spent a great deal on you tube watching the basic training videos, it really helped me understand. There is no better feeling to see him enter the drill hall on Grad. Day. I consider myself a tough guy, but I cried like a baby....smile
I hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Raul Azpiazu on August 24, 2009 at 8:42pm

Our son arrived at Boot Camp on Aug 11th and we did get the "I'm here phone call". The box came the following week. We have not heard from him since and we wait by the phone every night waiting. Is there a time where they are more apt to call?

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Permalink Reply by MikeU on August 26, 2009 at 10:34am

My son arrived on 7/21 and we have only rec'd one short phone call (other than the "I'm here" call) and it came at the end of week 4. If their division is doing well, they may get additional phone calls as rewards. From reading these blogs, there doesn't seem to be any set schedule as to what day/time they call at. We got our call at 5:20pm PST (or 7:20pm Chicago time). In order to make sure he could get ahold of us when he did call, I send him a $20 prepaid calling card. Otherwise they have to make a collect call from a pay phone, and it is my understanding that some cell phones don't accept collect calls. If you haven't already, you should start receiving letters from him soon. Make sure to write him, as this is the only contact they have with the outside world, and they really look forward to the daily mail calls. Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Raul Azpiazu on August 26, 2009 at 8:49pm

Do they have mail call every day or once or twice a week? How often can they write to us?

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Permalink Reply by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin on August 26, 2009 at 9:10pm

click hereThey will be able to write letters home only on Sunday's. They will receive your letters daily once they earn that privlage. The link provided will give you some knowledge about mail call. Also click forums and search for mail calls.

Raul Azpiazu said:

Do they have mail call every day or once or twice a week? How often can they write to us?

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