My son will soon be shipping out (July 27th), is there information available to families regarding graduation dates, time frame for first duty station, etc??

If your son isnt married, You will be getting a packet in the mail during week 2 I think it is with alot of information. If you google Cape May training center and click on the training area it shows the grad dates. You will get all the information you need and want by week 3. Week 5 is when they find out their first station. I have something that my husband made for me before he went to boot and I can send it to you. It tells you what happens each week and what your son will be doing. Best of luck!

Your response is appreciated, if you have something you could send please do. Regards.

You can go to uscgbootcamp.com and follow their blog from week to week. I think its posted every Tuesday, sometimes its a little late. This one uscgbootcamp.blogspot.com to find out which company he's in and the mail info. And this one also tells the graduation dates http://www.uscg.mil/hq/capemay/recr...ations.asp it also has a lot of info along with it to at the top of the chart like FAQ's and a message to the family and friends. Hope this helps. =]

if your son ships out tuesday july 27 you will count 8 weeks with july 30 being day 1. so aug 6 will be the end of week one. graduation is always on a friday unless there is a major holiday or ceremony occuring (then it may change).

the days of july 27, 28, 29 are their indoc. they are processing paperwork, getting physicals, shots, and issued their equipment. those 3 days don't count towards their 8 weeks of training. bootcamp will begin offically on the 30th.

the thing to remember during bootcamp, and it's hard to hang on to, NO news is GOOD news. sometime during week 1 you will receive a form letter letting you know what company your son is in and just general information about the training center and the mailing address to send letters to your son. send letters and lots of them. however, do not be surprised or hurt if you don't receive one back for awhile. the kids are really being pushed hard and they don't have much down time to write letters. they will receive some down time on sunday mornings.....divine hours......they can go to worship or they can use the time to iron uniforms and polish boondockers. most use the time to spiffy up their uniforms. things should settle down during week 2 or 3 and you will probably receive your first letter then.

sometime during week 5 they will receive the information of where their first unit will be. expect a call. it will be SHORT and most likely your recruit is gonna sound a bit "uptight". listen to what they are telling you and keep a pencil and paper handy. write the information down and then you can google the unit or place a post here. lots of enlisted, parents, spouses, etc......here who can give you information about the unit.

end of week 6 will bring on base liberty and the first opportunity for your son to call home and chat. if you want to send him with a pre-paid phone card......go ahead. otherwise he can purchase one at the exchange and use that to call you from the pay phone. end of week 7 is off base-liberty. i don't know where you are located....it may not apply.....some parents choose to meet up with their children during the off base-liberty. i personally don't recommend it. it is an important bonding time for the kids.....they have worked hard together and they need to play too!! end of week 8 brings about the graduation. your recruit will have 5 days liberty after bootcamp. depending upon where he is stationed he may be alloted a few extra days for travel.

i hope this answers some of your questions. please feel free to ask anything you want. no question is a dumb question and we have all been in your shoes. there is a TON of information on this board. so read, read, read!!!!!

That isn't right... those days of Indoc absolutely count towards the 8 weeks. I just double, triple & quadruple checked the calendar from when Colin was there... he started on February 17 and would have graduated on April 10th. That is the end of week 8 counting that indoc week as week one!

Starting on July 27th, graduation will be September 17th.

and as usual macie has to have the last word!

of course.....
there was a lot of other information in there as well!!!

Jen,

thanks for the good information. we are excited for him to go and anxious a bit. but we know he is doing what he needs to do............

thanks again

concerned dad....

just remember the first weeks are the hardest. keep reminding yourself.....

no news is good news!!
feel free to come talk to all of us parents....
we have all been there.

Amen Jen!! That's it in a nutshell! Concerned Dad- this is an amazing journey!! Enjoy it cause it flies by!

Thanks all, we are taking him to the hotel in about 1/2 hour, MEPS tomorrow and flying to Philly on Tuesday! hasn't quite sunk in yet..........but we are along for the ride.

That is awesome...enjoy the journey!

yes that is so true, what can happen if they just cant do it mentally? i know i am worrying too much and i know my son will be okay but am i going to get a call saying "we dont want him he cant do this?" and if anyone elses child has gone on july 20th to cape may and might know the unit or address to mail letters to it would be greatly appreciated!

They have gotten literally 1000's upon 1000's of recruits through boot camp. If he is having a hard time adjusting to the rigors of military life, they will put him back a week or two (revert him). That will help give him a little extra time to adjust. However, that generally doesn't happen. He will be just fine, they know what they are doing, they are trained to train! Failure isn't an option, not only for the recruit but for the CC training the recruit.

This is said with the utmost respect to you, your husband and your son... Please don't think like that!!! Your son only needs to hear "You are the greatest and I know you will do it!" If you sound like you aren't sure about his mental well being or his determination to do this at all costs, he will pick up on it and doubt himself. Trust me, my son was reverted but I never projected a feeling like "what if he can't do it..." I just let him know anyone can do it in 8 weeks, it's the special ones that take 9 weeks or more! He knew what I meant that I was behind him completely and totally 100%! Again, I'm not implying that you aren't behind him, I know you are. Just sort of watch how you phrase things to him. I hope that makes sense and you know I am not saying anything negative to you. Just absolutely positive to him!!

He will do just fine...the group dynamics and camaraderie will get him through all of the training and all of the letters of support and encouragement he will be receiving from family and friends will motivate him to a proud Coastie...no worries mom!

They will post the company name and which hall they are staying in a few days (hopefully) sometimes later here http://uscgbootcamp.blogspot.com/ more thimes then not you will receive that information before it is posted which is a prefect time to start sending him letters...he will really be too busy and trying to figure so much stuff out those first few days that he/they will not really have anytime for letter reading...they (Cape May) have been doing this for sometime now and have a pretty good system in place, they will take great care of him. As Macie said keep everything super positve and upbeat and encouraging!

I would be happy to send him some letters if you think they might help some...nothing quite like receiving a letter from a crazy old fire captain...lol. But seriously let me know and letters will be in the mail, I have sent many and many letters to recruits.

hahah i know its funny i havent been negative just all positive and proud he is there, we got the address to write now so i think it will be better for him. thanks so much for the replies it helps me tremendously, thank god for the webiste! have a good day

if anyone's son or daughter is in james hall i would like to chat with you this next 7 weeks .....

They are using mentors for the different companys while in boot camp. Once you know your son's company name, do a search on facebook. I'm not sure if all mentors post to facebook or just some but fortunately my daughter's did and I was able to see videos and pictures of their progress. It really helped ease my mind to have this site available to me. Plus I was able to reach out to other parents with recruits in the same company.

We just got a call from him ............safe arrival in Philly. He is fine waiting for the bus to transport to Cape May, and he traveled with 2 others on the plane from LAX.

Once I know which unit etc., I will post again..........I will take up anyone on offers to communicate here and to send letters of encouragement to him, let me know!

Thanks

July 27 shippers are V183 and will be vacationing in James Hall and graduating on Sept. 17... http://uscgbootcamp.blogspot.com/

I will be happy to send him a few letters...already got some headed to TexasGrl

Hi Concerned Dad....

My daughter arrived in Philly yesterday also. She shipped out of Miami, Florida. It appears they are in the same company Victor 183. I don't know about you, but I feel a long tailed cat in a room full of rockers. LOL This USCG forum is a great site for information. Have you watched any of the videos yet....poor things they are going to be tired tonight. LOL

I have already sent one letter today and I have another ready for tomorrows mail. They say letters are real important. I have had two sons go thru Air Force Boot Camp (and they did great) but this is different, this is my baby girl.

Good luck to you and your son....Let me know what you hear. FYI they have a facebook page for Victor 183.

thanks all! I started the letters today, and keeping positive.

Good luck to you USMOM! Remember who is the stronger of the two sexes!!

Hi,

My daughter as far as I know is in Victor 183 James Hall. She arrived Tuesday night. The last time I heard from her was on Tuesday stating she had arrived in Philly.

This not knowing what is going on is driving me crazy.

Let me know if you have any info and I will do the same if I hear something.

Hi, My daughter also is Victor 183. Their plane was late getting into New Jersey, I did know their flight number and did track it on-line, but have not heard from her but assume she did arrive.
I guess no news is good news.
Wishing ALL Victor 183 the best.

That's what I understand "no news is good news". But it is hard.

Of course I remember, GIRLS RULE. LOL

I have sent two cards already.

Take Care....

With the exception of being underway, my son and I talk constantly! He will call me at midnight just because he is up and bored and wants to gossip like a little old lady! With that said... boot camp sucked! LOL It wasn't as bad as it seems, the lack of communication is difficult to deal with at best. But chat here, watch the blogs, look for the facebook page, write letters, wait to get letters back and before you know it the 8 weeks will be up and you'll be traveling to NJ yourselves to see your Coasties graduate boot camp. Enjoy the journey, it will be one you will all remember for a long time.

My son Justin also shipped 7/27/10  still haven't heard from him, I realize he is busy, but dosn't make it easier.

Posted By RAMEY83 on 09 Aug 2010 10:07 AM
My son Justin also shipped 7/27/10  still haven't heard from him, I realize he is busy, but dosn't make it easier.

I bet he is having the time of his life...no worries he is in trusted hands!