Boot Camp for Loved Ones.

I've been asked by newbies to blog about the boot camp experience ... ohhh boot camp, who knew then that it was the easiest part of the ride ?   In preparation I reread the letters I sent and received while my then recruit was on Parris Island.   I laughed, I cried and I remembered...

I've tried to put together what I consider to be Boot Camp For Loved Ones.   While this is geared to the USMC, I'm sure the sentiments and advice is not limited to the Marines.  None of the Boot Camp Blogs will be straightforward facts.  The boot camp experience is a roller coaster of emotions, you ramble, you cry, you get silly, you get angry.  This blog will sometimes mirror that, memories of boot camp come back in a wave, not a drop or day at a time, and it's hard to separate that out.  There are days that stand out for all of us - but for the most part, in hindsight, it's one big blur. 

Things you need to know before they ship - Poolee loved ones 

• Get on the internet, start googling their branch of service and 'boot' or "basic" training.  Learn about their options, what their choices are for their military careers.   Information, information, information.... is your new best friend! 

• Meet their recruiter, ask questions ( see hint # one)
• Look at their contract before they sign, make sure all agreed upon points are written IN the contract. 
• understand that no matter how you feel about your loved ones decision to enlist- if you are sitting in a recruiters office there is not much left stopping your soon to be recruit from signing on the dotted line.  They would join and blindly sign anything put in front of them.   Make sure they understand that you are just making sure they are getting whatever is agreed to - not looking for loopholes :-)

• Find and familiarize yourself with a support board geared towards boot camp.  Read through old posts, read all the threads that explain the boot camp experience. Ask questions, in chat rooms and posts.  No question is silly - every single person there is either new or has stood in your shoes.  We all had questions and people to answer them. 

www.parrisisland.yuku.com
www.recruitparents.com

This is an experience that is hard for anyone who has not been through it understand.  I have a large circle of friends and, though interested, it was apparent very quickly that they just didn't 'get it'.  You also find yourself on one track - you can't seem to have a conversation that lasts more then 2 minutes without somehow working the name of your recruit into the conversation. Talking in the chat rooms gives you and audience that understands.  The connections you make among other military family's is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.
 

• Buy stamps, white envelopes -make friends with the mailman/woman - you will count them among your closest friends in 13 weeks.

• MEPS - Find out if you can go to MEPS to see your soon to be recruit swear in.  Some recruits prefer to say their good byes at home.   This is your first important lesson - this is not about YOU it's about your recruit - no matter how much it hurts, respect their requests... our job at home is to make things as stress free as possible for our recruits/Marines.  This includes having their needs, when it pertains to their requests, take precedence over what WE want.

• Get on the internet, start googling their branch of service and 'boot' or "basic" training.   Information, information, information.... is your new best friend!   

http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/index.asp

• Search out support groups in your area - Blue Star Mothers is a good place to start

 and take a deep breath, now another.   They will survive this and you will too - really - I promise.  You'll be stronger, you'll be proud, you'll be the loved one of an service member in the US Military.