Son to leave for Navy Boot Camp Oct 28th, what to expect?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Thom Tipul on October 30, 2009 at 9:03pm

MA, very cool a Navy policeman I think?? rd2md2, do you know much about the LS job? and where they could be based ? We are new to the Navy. Tyler may have to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled which could hold him back a week that would be a bummer.

Shane Snyder said:

he is going to Master at Arms in San Antoino. Sounds like yours and Thoms son will be going to the same A school.

rd2md2 said:

Logistics Specialist, goes to Mississippi for A school. what about your son?

Shane Snyder said:

it's really amazing the emotions you go through. What is your Son going to do? and where are you located at?

rd2md2 said:

Our son left on the 28th also, I too share your emotions, everyday it gets a little better.......

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shane Snyder on October 31, 2009 at 1:14am

boy that would not be fun to get teeth pulled. You must have heard from him?

Thom Tipul said:

MA, very cool a Navy policeman I think?? rd2md2, do you know much about the LS job? and where they could be based ? We are new to the Navy. Tyler may have to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled which could hold him back a week that would be a bummer.

Shane Snyder said:

he is going to Master at Arms in San Antoino. Sounds like yours and Thoms son will be going to the same A school.

rd2md2 said:

Logistics Specialist, goes to Mississippi for A school. what about your son?

Shane Snyder said:

it's really amazing the emotions you go through. What is your Son going to do? and where are you located at?

rd2md2 said:

Our son left on the 28th also, I too share your emotions, everyday it gets a little better.......

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on October 31, 2009 at 9:10am

from Navy Times:

Storekeepers, Postal Clerks Unify to Support Global Mission
Story Number: NNS091006-11
Release Date: 10/6/2009 1:57:00 PM


From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Effective Oct. 1, as designated in NAVADMIN 284/09, the logistics specialist (LS) rating was established, encompassing more than 11,000 postal clerks (PC) and storekeepers (SK), who merged into the single designator.

The merger comprises all active duty Sailors and Reserve component E-6 and above, formerly designated as SK and PC, and will include Reserve component E-1 to E-5 beginning Apr. 1, 2010, according to the message.

"As an element of the Navy's total force strategy, this merger will capitalize on the knowledge, skills and abilities found in the two ratings and apply them toward a unified mission," said Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson, chief of naval personnel. "Merging postal clerks and storekeepers together brings nearly 100 years of logistical experience to the logistics specialist rating."

In addition to enhancing mission accomplishment, the merger lends to steadier career progression for Sailors by aligning the global demand and supply for logistical talent.

Logistics specialists will be identified by the crossed keys rating badge, formally the symbol of the storekeeper rating. The conversion of rating badges must be completed by Oct. 1, 2011.



Thom Tipul said:

MA, very cool a Navy policeman I think?? rd2md2, do you know much about the LS job? and where they could be based ? We are new to the Navy. Tyler may have to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled which could hold him back a week that would be a bummer.

Shane Snyder said:

he is going to Master at Arms in San Antoino. Sounds like yours and Thoms son will be going to the same A school.

rd2md2 said:

Logistics Specialist, goes to Mississippi for A school. what about your son?

Shane Snyder said:

it's really amazing the emotions you go through. What is your Son going to do? and where are you located at?

rd2md2 said:

Our son left on the 28th also, I too share your emotions, everyday it gets a little better.......

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thom Tipul on October 31, 2009 at 9:32am

Thanks you Navy Dad Admin for the LS info....

NavyDads Admin said:

from Navy Times:

Storekeepers, Postal Clerks Unify to Support Global Mission
Story Number: NNS091006-11
Release Date: 10/6/2009 1:57:00 PM


From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Effective Oct. 1, as designated in NAVADMIN 284/09, the logistics specialist (LS) rating was established, encompassing more than 11,000 postal clerks (PC) and storekeepers (SK), who merged into the single designator.

The merger comprises all active duty Sailors and Reserve component E-6 and above, formerly designated as SK and PC, and will include Reserve component E-1 to E-5 beginning Apr. 1, 2010, according to the message.

"As an element of the Navy's total force strategy, this merger will capitalize on the knowledge, skills and abilities found in the two ratings and apply them toward a unified mission," said Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson, chief of naval personnel. "Merging postal clerks and storekeepers together brings nearly 100 years of logistical experience to the logistics specialist rating."

In addition to enhancing mission accomplishment, the merger lends to steadier career progression for Sailors by aligning the global demand and supply for logistical talent.

Logistics specialists will be identified by the crossed keys rating badge, formally the symbol of the storekeeper rating. The conversion of rating badges must be completed by Oct. 1, 2011.



Thom Tipul said:

MA, very cool a Navy policeman I think?? rd2md2, do you know much about the LS job? and where they could be based ? We are new to the Navy. Tyler may have to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled which could hold him back a week that would be a bummer.

Shane Snyder said:

he is going to Master at Arms in San Antoino. Sounds like yours and Thoms son will be going to the same A school.

rd2md2 said:

Logistics Specialist, goes to Mississippi for A school. what about your son?

Shane Snyder said:

it's really amazing the emotions you go through. What is your Son going to do? and where are you located at?

rd2md2 said:

Our son left on the 28th also, I too share your emotions, everyday it gets a little better.......

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thom Tipul on October 31, 2009 at 9:34am

Have not heard from him but talked with recruiter yesterday. Tyler was close to having it done about a year ago we are just guessing.

Shane Snyder said:

boy that would not be fun to get teeth pulled. You must have heard from him?

Thom Tipul said:

MA, very cool a Navy policeman I think?? rd2md2, do you know much about the LS job? and where they could be based ? We are new to the Navy. Tyler may have to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled which could hold him back a week that would be a bummer.

Shane Snyder said:

he is going to Master at Arms in San Antoino. Sounds like yours and Thoms son will be going to the same A school.

rd2md2 said:

Logistics Specialist, goes to Mississippi for A school. what about your son?

Shane Snyder said:

it's really amazing the emotions you go through. What is your Son going to do? and where are you located at?

rd2md2 said:

Our son left on the 28th also, I too share your emotions, everyday it gets a little better.......

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shane Snyder on October 31, 2009 at 11:09am

Pretty neat about the LS rating. Sounds like a pretty neat job. I can remember getting my wisdom teeth taken out not a whole lot of fun. As far as the Navy Policeman, Sean thought it sounded like kind of a fun job, he really wants to travel a lot so hopefully he will with this job.

Thom Tipul said:

Have not heard from him but talked with recruiter yesterday. Tyler was close to having it done about a year ago we are just guessing.

Shane Snyder said:

boy that would not be fun to get teeth pulled. You must have heard from him?

Thom Tipul said:

MA, very cool a Navy policeman I think?? rd2md2, do you know much about the LS job? and where they could be based ? We are new to the Navy. Tyler may have to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled which could hold him back a week that would be a bummer.

Shane Snyder said:

he is going to Master at Arms in San Antoino. Sounds like yours and Thoms son will be going to the same A school.

rd2md2 said:

Logistics Specialist, goes to Mississippi for A school. what about your son?

Shane Snyder said:

it's really amazing the emotions you go through. What is your Son going to do? and where are you located at?

rd2md2 said:

Our son left on the 28th also, I too share your emotions, everyday it gets a little better.......

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shane Snyder on November 1, 2009 at 2:26pm

So what do you suppose the guys are doing on their first Sunday, I was never in the Military so it's all new to me.

Shane Snyder said:

Pretty neat about the LS rating. Sounds like a pretty neat job. I can remember getting my wisdom teeth taken out not a whole lot of fun. As far as the Navy Policeman, Sean thought it sounded like kind of a fun job, he really wants to travel a lot so hopefully he will with this job.

Thom Tipul said:

Have not heard from him but talked with recruiter yesterday. Tyler was close to having it done about a year ago we are just guessing.

Shane Snyder said:

boy that would not be fun to get teeth pulled. You must have heard from him?

Thom Tipul said:

MA, very cool a Navy policeman I think?? rd2md2, do you know much about the LS job? and where they could be based ? We are new to the Navy. Tyler may have to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled which could hold him back a week that would be a bummer.

Shane Snyder said:

he is going to Master at Arms in San Antoino. Sounds like yours and Thoms son will be going to the same A school.

rd2md2 said:

Logistics Specialist, goes to Mississippi for A school. what about your son?

Shane Snyder said:

it's really amazing the emotions you go through. What is your Son going to do? and where are you located at?

rd2md2 said:

Our son left on the 28th also, I too share your emotions, everyday it gets a little better.......

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thom Tipul on November 1, 2009 at 3:08pm

I think they were able to go to church and have about 3 hours to themselves. maybe back to classes and some PT. Just guessing though.

Shane Snyder said:

So what do you suppose the guys are doing on their first Sunday, I was never in the Military so it's all new to me.

Shane Snyder said:

Pretty neat about the LS rating. Sounds like a pretty neat job. I can remember getting my wisdom teeth taken out not a whole lot of fun. As far as the Navy Policeman, Sean thought it sounded like kind of a fun job, he really wants to travel a lot so hopefully he will with this job.

Thom Tipul said:

Have not heard from him but talked with recruiter yesterday. Tyler was close to having it done about a year ago we are just guessing.

Shane Snyder said:

boy that would not be fun to get teeth pulled. You must have heard from him?

Thom Tipul said:

MA, very cool a Navy policeman I think?? rd2md2, do you know much about the LS job? and where they could be based ? We are new to the Navy. Tyler may have to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled which could hold him back a week that would be a bummer.

Shane Snyder said:

he is going to Master at Arms in San Antoino. Sounds like yours and Thoms son will be going to the same A school.

rd2md2 said:

Logistics Specialist, goes to Mississippi for A school. what about your son?

Shane Snyder said:

it's really amazing the emotions you go through. What is your Son going to do? and where are you located at?

rd2md2 said:

Our son left on the 28th also, I too share your emotions, everyday it gets a little better.......

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thom Tipul on November 1, 2009 at 9:04pm

I apologize for not thanking you before now. Its been crazy. Your information is awesome and very useful. Thanks and good luck to you and your family.

Kevin Ballenger said:

Thom,
As with you, Thom, I am very proud of my son's decision to join the Navy. I'll give you a bit of what I know and was surprised about. Alex arrived at Great Lakes on 9-8-09. Alex is on day 2-4, as of tomorrow. That is his 2nd week of training, day 4. There a 5 days in each "week", not counting the weekends and holidays. The first week to 10 days, they are "in processing". This doesn't count towards their training. Day 1-1 will be their first day of training after their processing is complete. If he has a debit card, have him take it with him. He can keep it. He will be able to use it for stamps, envelopes or anything else he needs. If he doesn't, he can take up to $25 cash with him and you can send him money from time to time. No more than $20 at a time and only in 10s. You can send stamps, if it doesn't have money for them. Don't send printer generated return labels as they have to address their own letters. They'll just get thrown away. If he wears glasses, have him take them with. They don't allow contacts though. Don't expect any contact from him for about 2 weeks. In this case, no news is great news. It means you son is doing ok. Your son will be very busy, getting uniforms, shots, getting settled in his new division. Learning how to be a sailor. It took a little over 2 weeks before we heard from Alex. An excrutiating amount of time, not to hear from your son. Trust me, I know..Alex's mom and I are divorced but we've always kept him at the center of our lives and are/will be very good friends. We've always known where he is what he's doing and what time he'll be home. Whoseever home that might be. The first two weeks...I'll be honest are not going to be fun for Mom and Dad. You'll just have to believe in the fact that if you don't hear from your son, its a good thing. If you do hear from them before that time frame, it could mean two things. One, that they have given them an off chance to call home. Alex got that after 1 week he was there. Scared me half to death... :-) But it was nice to hear from him. Two, something is wrong...The former is not common. Make sure your son has both your cell phone numbers and home number (numbers, in my case). This website: http://www.navy.com/about/during/bootcamp/ will give you an idea of his schedule. So far what I've heard is and seems to be true is that, if it will fit in a standard sized envelope, you can send it. Just keep in mind, that the envelope may get opened and looked at prior to your son seeing it if it seems "odd". Remember that he is not supposed to be an individual, so don't send anything that might cause him to be singled out and ridiculed. Trust me, audio type cards....That's a bad thing. :-) Luckily, the one sent by my ex didn't work when Alex got it...He thanked her for that.
Ok..I know I'm digressing..You're son will not have a lot of time to write back, however, the thing that keeps their spirits up is hearing from home. Write as often as you can. Write about anything. Have his friends write. Have relatives write. Have his high school teachers write. Have as many people write him as you can. You have no idea what it means to them to have "mail call" come and go and there are no letters for them. After their 3rd week (2-1), they'll have a schedule that they will be able to call home. I think Alex's will be Saturday mornings. He called Bev on Saturday (thank heaven's). That's another story but not germane to this. Keep your cell phones charged and close. You will not have forewarning when your son will be able to call. When you do receive that call, you will probably feel a bit silly for worrying (I did), but man, was it nice to hear his voice...My advice?.. Be patient..Don't do the "what if" scenario. Its just self defeating. Your son will be fine. Like school, there are a lot of people in close proximity to each other. Alex was sick with a cold the second week he was there. He worked through it, but said it made the physical "stuff" a bit harder sporting his cold for that week. Well, hopefully, that should get you through the first couple of weeks. After that, you'll be fine...Kevin

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shane Snyder on November 1, 2009 at 9:48pm

It's nice to hear from someone who is going through this before us so we have some sort of idea as to what is going on. It's great.

Thom Tipul said:

I apologize for not thanking you before now. Its been crazy. Your information is awesome and very useful. Thanks and good luck to you and your family.

Kevin Ballenger said:

Thom,
As with you, Thom, I am very proud of my son's decision to join the Navy. I'll give you a bit of what I know and was surprised about. Alex arrived at Great Lakes on 9-8-09. Alex is on day 2-4, as of tomorrow. That is his 2nd week of training, day 4. There a 5 days in each "week", not counting the weekends and holidays. The first week to 10 days, they are "in processing". This doesn't count towards their training. Day 1-1 will be their first day of training after their processing is complete. If he has a debit card, have him take it with him. He can keep it. He will be able to use it for stamps, envelopes or anything else he needs. If he doesn't, he can take up to $25 cash with him and you can send him money from time to time. No more than $20 at a time and only in 10s. You can send stamps, if it doesn't have money for them. Don't send printer generated return labels as they have to address their own letters. They'll just get thrown away. If he wears glasses, have him take them with. They don't allow contacts though. Don't expect any contact from him for about 2 weeks. In this case, no news is great news. It means you son is doing ok. Your son will be very busy, getting uniforms, shots, getting settled in his new division. Learning how to be a sailor. It took a little over 2 weeks before we heard from Alex. An excrutiating amount of time, not to hear from your son. Trust me, I know..Alex's mom and I are divorced but we've always kept him at the center of our lives and are/will be very good friends. We've always known where he is what he's doing and what time he'll be home. Whoseever home that might be. The first two weeks...I'll be honest are not going to be fun for Mom and Dad. You'll just have to believe in the fact that if you don't hear from your son, its a good thing. If you do hear from them before that time frame, it could mean two things. One, that they have given them an off chance to call home. Alex got that after 1 week he was there. Scared me half to death... :-) But it was nice to hear from him. Two, something is wrong...The former is not common. Make sure your son has both your cell phone numbers and home number (numbers, in my case). This website: http://www.navy.com/about/during/bootcamp/ will give you an idea of his schedule. So far what I've heard is and seems to be true is that, if it will fit in a standard sized envelope, you can send it. Just keep in mind, that the envelope may get opened and looked at prior to your son seeing it if it seems "odd". Remember that he is not supposed to be an individual, so don't send anything that might cause him to be singled out and ridiculed. Trust me, audio type cards....That's a bad thing. :-) Luckily, the one sent by my ex didn't work when Alex got it...He thanked her for that.
Ok..I know I'm digressing..You're son will not have a lot of time to write back, however, the thing that keeps their spirits up is hearing from home. Write as often as you can. Write about anything. Have his friends write. Have relatives write. Have his high school teachers write. Have as many people write him as you can. You have no idea what it means to them to have "mail call" come and go and there are no letters for them. After their 3rd week (2-1), they'll have a schedule that they will be able to call home. I think Alex's will be Saturday mornings. He called Bev on Saturday (thank heaven's). That's another story but not germane to this. Keep your cell phones charged and close. You will not have forewarning when your son will be able to call. When you do receive that call, you will probably feel a bit silly for worrying (I did), but man, was it nice to hear his voice...My advice?.. Be patient..Don't do the "what if" scenario. Its just self defeating. Your son will be fine. Like school, there are a lot of people in close proximity to each other. Alex was sick with a cold the second week he was there. He worked through it, but said it made the physical "stuff" a bit harder sporting his cold for that week. Well, hopefully, that should get you through the first couple of weeks. After that, you'll be fine...Kevin

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Permalink Reply by Thom Tipul on November 3, 2009 at 4:17pm

Received Tyler's " box " today. Hoping to get his Divison, ship number and address soon.

Shane Snyder said:

It's nice to hear from someone who is going through this before us so we have some sort of idea as to what is going on. It's great.
Thom Tipul said:

I apologize for not thanking you before now. Its been crazy. Your information is awesome and very useful. Thanks and good luck to you and your family.

Kevin Ballenger said:

Thom,
As with you, Thom, I am very proud of my son's decision to join the Navy. I'll give you a bit of what I know and was surprised about. Alex arrived at Great Lakes on 9-8-09. Alex is on day 2-4, as of tomorrow. That is his 2nd week of training, day 4. There a 5 days in each "week", not counting the weekends and holidays. The first week to 10 days, they are "in processing". This doesn't count towards their training. Day 1-1 will be their first day of training after their processing is complete. If he has a debit card, have him take it with him. He can keep it. He will be able to use it for stamps, envelopes or anything else he needs. If he doesn't, he can take up to $25 cash with him and you can send him money from time to time. No more than $20 at a time and only in 10s. You can send stamps, if it doesn't have money for them. Don't send printer generated return labels as they have to address their own letters. They'll just get thrown away. If he wears glasses, have him take them with. They don't allow contacts though. Don't expect any contact from him for about 2 weeks. In this case, no news is great news. It means you son is doing ok. Your son will be very busy, getting uniforms, shots, getting settled in his new division. Learning how to be a sailor. It took a little over 2 weeks before we heard from Alex. An excrutiating amount of time, not to hear from your son. Trust me, I know..Alex's mom and I are divorced but we've always kept him at the center of our lives and are/will be very good friends. We've always known where he is what he's doing and what time he'll be home. Whoseever home that might be. The first two weeks...I'll be honest are not going to be fun for Mom and Dad. You'll just have to believe in the fact that if you don't hear from your son, its a good thing. If you do hear from them before that time frame, it could mean two things. One, that they have given them an off chance to call home. Alex got that after 1 week he was there. Scared me half to death... :-) But it was nice to hear from him. Two, something is wrong...The former is not common. Make sure your son has both your cell phone numbers and home number (numbers, in my case). This website: http://www.navy.com/about/during/bootcamp/ will give you an idea of his schedule. So far what I've heard is and seems to be true is that, if it will fit in a standard sized envelope, you can send it. Just keep in mind, that the envelope may get opened and looked at prior to your son seeing it if it seems "odd". Remember that he is not supposed to be an individual, so don't send anything that might cause him to be singled out and ridiculed. Trust me, audio type cards....That's a bad thing. :-) Luckily, the one sent by my ex didn't work when Alex got it...He thanked her for that.
Ok..I know I'm digressing..You're son will not have a lot of time to write back, however, the thing that keeps their spirits up is hearing from home. Write as often as you can. Write about anything. Have his friends write. Have relatives write. Have his high school teachers write. Have as many people write him as you can. You have no idea what it means to them to have "mail call" come and go and there are no letters for them. After their 3rd week (2-1), they'll have a schedule that they will be able to call home. I think Alex's will be Saturday mornings. He called Bev on Saturday (thank heaven's). That's another story but not germane to this. Keep your cell phones charged and close. You will not have forewarning when your son will be able to call. When you do receive that call, you will probably feel a bit silly for worrying (I did), but man, was it nice to hear his voice...My advice?.. Be patient..Don't do the "what if" scenario. Its just self defeating. Your son will be fine. Like school, there are a lot of people in close proximity to each other. Alex was sick with a cold the second week he was there. He worked through it, but said it made the physical "stuff" a bit harder sporting his cold for that week. Well, hopefully, that should get you through the first couple of weeks. After that, you'll be fine...Kevin

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thom Tipul on November 3, 2009 at 4:19pm

Thank you very much, hope all is well with your son. Tell him thank you! also and God Speed!

Robert said:

Thomas...My Son, Benjamin is training with the Marines at Camp Pendleton. He's a Corpsman. I went through the same thing. Proud, yet Sad and concerned. Be extremely proud of him and support him with everything you've got..He'll need that and tell him that ALL of us said, Thank You for serving.

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