NAVY BOOT CAMP

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Comment by Dan Mountjoy on April 3, 2017 at 12:19pm

Thanks, Matthew.  I end each of my letters with a corny joke -- he was always "thrilled" with my stupid jokes at home, so I figured they might help lighten the mood a bit!  He seems to be getting plenty of letters from various folks, and even wanted us to suggest that church choir members combine all their letters into one envelope -- seems he was ab it embarrassed for getting so many at a time!  Good problem to have, I suppose.  I was probably most sad for my wife -- she was really looking forward to talking to him.

Comment by Matthew on April 3, 2017 at 11:21am

The same thing happened to us Dan.  We missed our daughters first real call home after she was there for 2 weeks.  My wife and I felt so bad for missing it.  She did get to talk to her friend who filled us in on how she was doing.  After she graduated and we had a chance to really talk to her, she said the most important thing that kept her going was receiving letters from home everyday.  We sent her a letter everyday with some kind of little saying just to give her encouragement.  Hearing her name called out at mail call every night gave her that little extra boost of encouragement.  So write your sailor as much as you can, everyday if possible. 

Comment by John Alan DeMarco on April 3, 2017 at 8:55am

No problem. I just remember that sinking feeling I had when I got coverage again. We had been white water rafting all day and when I stopped to get gas on the way back and it popped up 6 missed calls and every voicemail was a hang up... I was speechless.... as each time it said the phone number from the missed call and I knew it was the Great Lakes area code...it helped me to post my feelings and hear others experiences. I found out I wasn't the only one. Getting through the first 8 weeks prepares you for military life. My son calls me every couple of weeks. They stay busy.

Comment by Dan Mountjoy on April 3, 2017 at 8:48am

Appreciate that, John -- he's definitely getting our letters, so we know he's at least "hearing" from us one way or another.  It was a strange culmination of events that led to us missing him -- we headed out to a local concert, but my cell phone was completely dead.  My wife had hers, but I think he assumed she was working (she sometimes works 3rd shift), so didn't call her phone at all.  We got home about 15 minutes after he called the house.  Grrrr!

Comment by John Alan DeMarco on April 3, 2017 at 8:31am

I know the feeling Dan. I was out of town the day my son got his first call. Around the 3rd week mark. He tried multiple times and then tried my mom who was in church and he exhausted the funds off his phone card. The last time he called he left me a message and I could hear it in his voice. That night, i later found out in his first letter that he was sad but got my first letter which helped a lot. We both said that missing that call was hard on us both, made him stronger. Good luck with the rest of the way. When they hug you after PIR it really brings the whole experience full circle for us parents.

Comment by Dan Mountjoy on April 1, 2017 at 8:46pm

Feel almost sick -- we missed our son's call this evening.  Thankfully he got a hold of his girlfriend, so we were at least able to hear some info through her.  Sounds like he's generally doing ok -- failed his inspection, but seems to be confident he'll still finish on time as long as he passes his fitness tests, which he says he's doing fine on.  We heard (through a letter) he was dealing with some dehydration issues, but is apparently doing ok, now.  Just irritated that we didn't get a chance to talk to him ourselves!

Comment by Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom on March 29, 2017 at 10:15am

Sorry to hear that Frank. His Training will cease until he is fully recovered and cleared to return to training. He will receive all the medical attention necessary to heal properly. He will then be placed in a New Division and begin again. In the meantime, he can study and further prepare himself. We all wish him a speedy recovery!

Comment by Peter S on March 20, 2017 at 6:44pm

Frank, so sorry to hear this. Stay strong, but most importantly, keep mailing encouraging letters to your son. My son just graduated and he said that was a lifeline.

On the plus side- if he just powers through this, he'll be totally savvy to the "trick" of Boot Camp (the trick is.. it's all mental) and he'll join up with another division as soon as he heals. But you gotta keep the faith and keep his spirits up, because at this point it's all up to him to push through. Best of luck.

Comment by Dan Mountjoy on March 12, 2017 at 6:46pm

Got a call from our son this evening (end of first week), since his first "I'm Here" call didn't successfully go through (we couldn't hear him).  Grateful he was given another chance so my wife could hear his voice!  He seemed a bit bummed since he apparently made some mistake on his stenciling...is concerned about passing inspection.  Has been told it could be a big problem.  Not sure if it's really a "big" problem, or just putting some fear in him so he pays better attention.  Anyone have any insight on such a problem?  Could it be enough to set him back (even if everything else eventually goes right)?

Comment by John Alan DeMarco on February 11, 2017 at 6:10pm

Peter, I understand man. I missed my sons first call at week 3. I joked with him that it might have been a blessing because he had to rely on God and himself. I know he could have still needed to hear a familiar voice. I just told him I don't know what I would have said.. after seeing the area at the Nex where he called from and having the conversation about missing the call... I still see my son there that Saturday.., trying multiple times to call me..5 or 6. I was out of state on a white water rafting trip. He tried my mom once. Her phone was silenced at church. How tough and alone he felt. He told
me later he got my first letter that night and it helped him a lot. Boot camp is experienced by both the parents and the kids. You probably realize that more than me having gone through boot camp your self. Real life isn't scripted. Love is all that matters. You might not have said what you wanted to, but he knows you love him. I am glad you already booked the flight. I did too. I remember reading the statistics for making it to the first phone call. I really felt while it gets harder... they are well past the half way point at week 3. Here's to a patient 5 weeks for you guys and thanks for yours and your sons service!

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