My apologies if this has been gone over repeatedly...I did scan, but may have missed it

Never a problem on repeat questions. Sometimes the search works, sometimes not. So we understand.

You are absolutely correct with the Feb 3rd date. Your hotel or B&B reservations, sure go ahead and get a jump on those. You can cancel those without penalty, normally, with enough advance notice. So that shouldn't be an issue. Make sure you tell them that you will be there for a CG graduation... sometimes they give Coastie families better rates.

If you would like to book him on the same flight home as you, you can do that. You can also give him your flight info and he can get his own ticket. There is a chance that he might have to report right to his station, but that only happens on rare occasions. The Coasties will get him from Cape May to his next duty station... they already got him from Detroit to NJ, they don't move him again from Detroit. That will all be explained in great detail to him. If he is stationed in Seattle, then Detroit is on the way and he might get 95% of the ticket covered. If he is stationed in Caribou, Maine, well Detroit isn't exactly on the way there. He can get driving time but again it is calculated as the distance from Cape May. The general rule of thumb is 1 day per 350 miles of travel.

Leave time is calculated starting on Saturday. On Friday he is "going to work" by attending his graduation. He is given liberty after graduation is completed and leave starts on Saturday. Someone will make the same question a zillion and two... so no worry at all.

Do you have prior military experience? Or someone in your family? You seem to have a real grasp of all the workings and your son hasn't even shipped yet! Anything you aren't sure of, just let us know. Someone is always around ready to help.

www.piersystem.com/go/doc/763/1223051/Fact-Sheet-Training-Center-Cape-May-off-base-graduation-information

Just incase you haven't had the low down on where the graduations are taking place until late February/early March from what I've heard...

You are a Sweetheart....thank you so much for your help and advice.

Thank you so much....I will check that out right now!

Ahhh, you sound like me and my boyfriend... it is nothing on a Saturday for us to put 500 or 600 miles on the car... just because we can! I'm a photographer hobbyist... I can wander the countryside looking for anything to take a picture of. Luckily Scott humors me and will slam on the breaks because a corn stalk looks amusing to me or a cow just yawned or the sun is glinting just right off the lake surface... But then I have to buy him lunch. LOL We did drive from Ft Worth, Texas to Slidell, Louisiana (suberb of New Orleans) once for dinner. In 24 hours we drove about 1,200 miles. We never take highways, there is nothing good worth a camera on an interstate! We also drove from NJ to Louisiana to eat at that same restaurant a few years earlier. We are planning our next trek to Minneapolis from Beloit, Wisconsin to go to an Eastern European restaurant that makes homemade sausage. No, we aren't leaving a carbon foot print. LOL

As for your boys, I mean young mans, birthday. Best to just sort of let that thing go a little unnoticed. He'll be happier and I agree, at least he won't be with his assigned CC yet! Not Drill Sergeant in the CG... Company Commander.

Of course you are allowed to ask... I'm not a Coastie myself. I married a Coastie and gave birth to an eventual Coastie. We have been stationed in Alaska, Virginia, Louisiana, back to Alaska, back to Virginia... my ex then continued back to Alaska for 3 back to back tours, a year in Iraq and he is now stationed in Texas. Our son is stationed in Boston right now. I'm just a former Coastie wife and Coastie mom.

Cape May is called Boot Camp generally. I have heard Basic but the more accepted terminology for the CG is boot or boot camp.

Finally, do they call Cape May "Bootcamp" or "basics" or what? And how many guys are in his group/platoon/unit (what's the correct term for that too?)? I'm sure I'll learn the lingo as we go, but seem like I should get at least the basics right to start with.

Here's a quick and dirty on the lingo..

Your Son on Dec 13th, Seaman Recruit
His Drill Sgt, Company Commander
His Group, Company the name is a alpha numeric combination A-185, B-185, etc. Not sure which he'll be in...
CG Basic Training or Boot Camp is appropriate
The people his is training with are his Shipmates
The feeling he'll have when he first gets off the bus, Misery
The feeling he'll have when he graduates, Pride
If you need any other terms defined or interpreted, please let me know.
I'm an active duty Machinery Technician (MK) in Chicago, IL.

Thank you so much....for the giggle and the information.  It's a huge help.  I know it must be challenging to be patient with us Newbies and I promise to pay it forward.

Hey that's awesome!  Now you are a mega-coastie!  I'm extremely impressed.

When do they assign/post their Group, Company names and where should I look for it?

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/capemay/recruit/FAQs.asp

Right there... that will give you all the pertinent info.  They post that pretty quickly.  There have been some delays but generally in the first days of boot camp it is updated.    Lots of other good info on that site as well.  Look around, see what else you can find. 

I am new here and was just wondering if anyone else has a child going to boot on Dec 6 th,
Also do you know the date of grad?I'm thinking it is Jan 27 th ???
He is leaving from Phila Pa.
Christmas will be hard for me. but i guess we'll live.
Any info or pointers would be great. I have been a basketcase all week and i'm sure iI will get worst.
Thanks all

Hi Sue,

You are spot on correct with the graduation date. It will probably not be the only Christmas your son will be away but this one will probably be the hardest. They do get easier as you adjust to being a military mom. The basketcase too might get a little worse as you get closer to ship date and then the first couple of weeks... but even that, I promise it goes fast. We all notice that the days seem to drag on forever but the weeks fly by. Best thing to do is develop a hobby, really quick. Some moms scrapbook while their kids are in boot, some will quilt. Anything to help pass the time. Writing letters just about every day helps too. Just don't be surprised when you don't get as many in return. Then the phone calls come and before you know it, you are at graduation, cheering (& crying) for your new Coastie.

Any questions we can help with, just let us know. We'll do our best!

Macie

Whenever an important date rolls around (like Christmas) and your loved one isn't there, just remember it's because they are doing exactly what they chose to do, a career they will most like LOVE and they will be surrounded by their new Coastie family. Dad's a firefighter, mom works in healthcare and now I'm a Coastie so we've spent lots of holidays apart. I get to be in Alaska while my whole family is in Florida, but on the plus side I will mostly likely have my first white Christmas! And I do love my job and my "family" up here.

Thanks so much,I feel better already.
I.'m crying just thinking of the graduation.I'm a big baby when it comes to these things and he is my 1 st to go.
I'm planning on have a small Christmas for him  over his 5 days before the leaves for God knows where.
Any ideas on gifts/things that he may need for his Coastie live?It will keep me busy getting a few things together.
Thanks again
Sue

Hi,

My phone does that whenever I try to reply via the "add reply" button, but it lets me quick reply. My phone runs off Android. Dunno if that's what you're experiencing.

I almost never use the "add reply" button unless I'm posting a link. Otherwise I always use the quick reply box. I'll have to try on my phone to "add reply" and see what I get! I'm not sure what the problem might be Rusty. Chukles might be able to answer for you!

You know everything..thanks on lids and numbers too.We should call you CG Yoda.

:-) :-) :-) yoda, grand poobah, the oz, the one... Any and all would do our grand poster proud... :-) :-) :-)

Old Guard you rock, keep up the great posts my friend.

Oh I just hate to see unanswered questions. Even if I don't know an answer, I'll try finding one if I can or I'll point people in the right direction. Plus I have no life, so I watch the forum. LOL

Hey another quick question...I understand some kind folks will probably adopt Alec tot Christmas day. If I stuck a small hostess gift in his bag,would he be able to get to it yo give to them that day? If not,ill mail it later,but it would be nicer if could take it there with Jim.


Will he br able to get his cell for the day?

Thanks again!

PS you were correct,I can do the quick reply but no cute emoticons.

Because your son is shipping Dec 13th, I don't think he will be able to participate in Operation Fireside. That will only be the end of week 2 for that company and I remember reading the requirement for companies to participate is being there 3 weeks. Now, that doesn't mean something can't change and they have pushed aside that rule or his company might earn the privilege... But don't count on him being a part of it.

As for the gift... what an absolutely lovely thought!! But that would be considered personal gear and it will be stowed until after boot camp is completed. So if he is able to participate he wouldn't be able to take that with him. Nor would he be given access to his cell phone. He would be allowed to use the host family phone to call home. So sending it later is the only option really.

However... there was some information on another thread about Christmas stockings to the recruits! That you would be able to do! For $20 you can order a stocking to be delivered to your recruit, I believe it said Christmas Eve with necessary toiletries and things of that nature. So you can still be sure your recruit receives a stocking from Santa. If you can't find the thread, I'll repost it here.

Ohhhhhh no...he won't be getting adopted for Xmas? Crap,his recruiter said he would,and we've all been counting on that. Just another day of bootcamp then? Feel sorry for the poor souls working that day too. Really wish his recruiter was better informed,its harder to be disappointed than surprised...

Not finding stocking link but will look again. Of course I want to at least do that.

Thank goodness I asked you...I'm sadder already,even though I was surprised they'd do that for them just 12days in...poop!

Ohhhhhh no...he won't be getting adopted for Xmas? Crap,his recruiter said he would,and we've all been counting on that. Just another day of bootcamp then? Feel sorry for the poor souls working that day too. Really wish his recruiter was better informed,its harder to be disappointed than surprised...

Not finding stocking link but will look again. Of course I want to at least do that.

Thank goodness I asked you...I'm sadder already,even though I was surprised they'd do that for them just 12days in...poop!

Remember, nothing is as constant as change in the military. That was previously the standing rule for Operation Fireside. Things may have changed and they may let them go at 2 weeks. I just know previously it was 3 week minimum to participate. So you never know... Surprise could still happen. I just wanted you to be prepared because he won't call to tell you he can't call. LOL Let me find the link for the stocking... be right back...

Copy & paste this link...

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=UUZT2NDNKQCL4

That will get you to the checkout cart. In the "Boot Camp Companies" section, it is the Zulu company thread that has more info.

I'm just feeling sorry for myself...and him. Is there anyone I could email to ask? I don't want to bother anyone,but as the recruited seems ill informed...I'll watch for stocking link.

The recruiter may have just counted wrong. They are so busy and shipping so many young men and women. It isn't the recruiters fault. He certainly meant absolutely no harm if he was wrong. And again, it very well could be myself. They may have updated the timing there. Just stand by. There is very little we can do or ask as parents. The military will do what it will do with or without our say. This will only be the first of possibly many Christmases he will be working. Christmas is on a Sunday this year, so they will certainly have their divine hours.

You're totally right..I'm done fussing,honest. Just threw me for a loop. Generally, we've never worried about celebrating anything on the actual day,and we already did Christmas and his birthday on thanksgiving. You are totally correct and we'll be fine.

Thanks for the above...soon as I get on my desk or laptop,I'll follow up on the stocking.