phone calls

shutterbugC

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
407
Has anyone received a phone call
I was told to expect calls for 5 min on Sunday but haven't received one yet.
Is not calling home a punishment for them? If so, it is one for us too.
 
I believe they meant NEXT Sunday. I don''t believe they would use the phone calls as a form of punishment.
 
thanks. I did not go to the meeting cause the 10 tips said to wait until you see your child before going to the meeting. Our son was one of those that came out late and was still in civilian clothes when they went to lunch. I asked some moms later what was said and the phone call was never mentioned.
We have waited all day for the call but I am okay with it all right now. Did see some of them at Barney Square, just don't know if it was his company or platoon.
Thanks,
 
There won't be any phone calls today, they will occur next Sunday because they have only been there for a few days.
 
Here's my memory of DS' first phone call last year. It was the second Sunday and our understanding was that the call would be five minutes, "sometime in the afternoon." The call came through around 4:30 that Sunday - someone was counting down the time in the background. Son sounded completely flustered - "this place is crazy!" Don't ask questions, just listen to them. They need to vent a bit. You'll be assured that they're surviving the experience. And keep looking for pictures. The one time we saw DS smiling in a picture was a Waterfront photo on Liberator's bridge - that was the photo that told us "This is why I decided on USMMA.":thumb:
 
Yes, we were glued by the phone last year for each Sunday. Then the day we decided to take the cell phone (our ds knew to call the cell) I didn't hear it ring! Ugh. We were at a 50th wedding anniversary. Needless to say, we called, still knowing he probably wouldnt be able to pick up. Then we had to wait 2 wks till we heard his voice again. So at about the 7th week we had a 45 min phone call with him. It was heaven. And just so you know moms and dads out there, sometimes you may not be able to get a phone call from your ds or dd. The company or a member may not have been on good behavior, up to snuff, etc. That then means calls won't be made. Just keep a short list of questions by the phone and give them time to talk. It's a big adjustment for all. But keep those letters sent out to them and especially from their friends!:wave:
 
calls

This seems like years ago :rolleyes:...last year the phone call was EXACTLY 4:57 minutes the Sunday after he was there almost a week. I remember answering the phone hearing a "hi mom" then silence...there was a young man on the other end getting choked up. If this happens to any of you 2014 parents talk about anything and everything under the sun until you DS/DD can regain their composure. The most difficult thing is not to get choked up too~I also remember hearing the DIs yelling the time left for the conversation. Write down what you want to say to him/her and keep the note pad near the phone. That way you will not regret not telling them about something...most importantly send letters A LOT of them.
 
The harsh reality right now is, until next Sunday - NOT getting any calls is good news.

And yes in many ways it is that situation that is as hard or harder for parents, also from what I can tell so far this year there have been fewer pictures taken and posted than the past two years. That's the bad news the good news - well let's see last year's parents were dealing with the Flu and I'm trying to remember what the issues and fears were for us, I know the weather was as hot as it is this summer and lets see what else....

In any case it's all part of the transition for both us parents and the midshipmen for us to all understand "we're" not in high school any more.....

Hang in there folks before you know it the 2014 B splits will be going on their first sea year and you'll have the next round of "angst" - just ask these well seasoned 2013 parents....:smile:
 
I suggest being sure you have pen and paper by the phone. Our DD had a list of things she wanted us to get for her.

I remember that first phone call well! We live in Europe and she called at something like 1 a.m. We had resigned ourselves to not getting a call and gone to sleep. It was just the first of our late night phone calls from her. It was such a relief to hear her voice and be reassured. We had seen her in pictures with a sick chit and an arm in a sling. You can bet that was on our list of questions for her!

Where have the last 2 years gone?!? She's currently home while working at her internship. She goes back to KP for the Fall tri and is off on her second sea year in November. It's been a crazy and amazing 2 years.

Class of 2014 parents - Welcome to the roller coaster ride!
 
Do you know about what time they will start calling?

Unfortunately there really is no way to know at what time they will call. The phone calls will usually start around 8 or 9 AM Eastern and continue throughout the day. The reason for this is different companies will go at different times and different members within the company will go at different times depending on if/which church service they go to and other factors. The best plan is simply hang out at home until the call comes.

They will get one call to actually talk to someone. If nobody answers on their call they will get the chance to call again. Now the problem is if they call bf/gf you won't know until you don't get a call and then talk to the bf/gf......
 
My first phone call came in the morning and it wasn't from his cell phone, so beware and answer any calls coming in on that Sunday. The call lasted 5 min and as everyone else said keep a pen and paper handy incase they need you to send them anything also let them speak and get what they need to off their chest.

If you do send anything to them and it includes cookies or candy, etc make sure there is enough for his or her company because packages get opened in front of everyone. The food item will be offered to everyone else and whats left is given to your son/daughter.

Wow does this bring back memories. I think it was harder on me then my son. I would sit glued to the web cams for breakfast lunch and dinner, I mailed a letter to him every day and prayed he wasn't put in quarentine because swine flu was running wild through the class. My son did end up getting sick during the 2nd trimester and the medical care was wonderful, they really took every precaution necessary. I am so grateful for that, I know I don't have to worry.

My son made it through the first year and will be going out to sea as soon as football season is over. This will be another hurdle for me to make it through. He will not be home for the next 2 holiday seasons. But now that I look back it will be over before you know it.

What a great accomplishment and honor for our children to be there.
 
When to send of packages/goodies?

Thanks for the info it is certainly appreciated. Could you elaborate on the sending of packages? Would you send them food goodies during indoc, with enough for the company of course. Or would you wait till after indoc?
Also, will their packages be opened in front of others even after indoc?

Any info you can pass along would be greatly appreciated! :smile:
 
In the parent mtg they handed out a parents guide to phone calls, and what to expect..I can email it to you if you like
 
Thanks for the info it is certainly appreciated. Could you elaborate on the sending of packages? Would you send them food goodies during indoc, with enough for the company of course. Or would you wait till after indoc?
Also, will their packages be opened in front of others even after indoc?

Any info you can pass along would be greatly appreciated! :smile:

Personally I recommend not sending food items during Indoc. All packages during Indoc will likely be opened in front of everyone to look for prohibited items.

After indoc the then plebe candidates will have their own post office boxes and will pick up and open their own mail at their own leisure. If they have food items they aren't "allowed" to have then they can either eat it all before getting back to their room, pass it out to friends, or learn where the good "hiding" spots are in their room.
 
another phone call question

Just wondered when referring to the time of the first phone call, to which time zone you all might be referring? We live in Calif. so we wondered when is the earliest they might call, in the early pm east coast time, I presume, all the way until the later pm? We will be so excited and nervous to hear his voice I am sure. Thanks so much for the info. about what to expect. I didn't realize that it would be so limited the first time. Do they use their own cell phones to call? I am keeping up on sending letters, hope his friends and other family will as well. It seems very important from what you are saying.
 
Just wondered when referring to the time of the first phone call, to which time zone you all might be referring? We live in Calif. so we wondered when is the earliest they might call, in the early pm east coast time, I presume, all the way until the later pm? We will be so excited and nervous to hear his voice I am sure. Thanks so much for the info. about what to expect. I didn't realize that it would be so limited the first time. Do they use their own cell phones to call? I am keeping up on sending letters, hope his friends and other family will as well. It seems very important from what you are saying.

Phone calls will start as early as 8 or 9 am eastern time likely (so 5am your time) and go until the evening of the same day. Really you never know what time it is going to come until you get the call.
 
skoobiecat2014 - I sent 2 packages during Indoc but not until I received the first phone call and he requested other things like an iron (hard to believe my son would ask for an iron), needles and thread, etc and I put in individual packages of cheese crackers and nutri grain bars, stuff like that but enough for everyone. The packages were opened in front of everyone. It also depends on the DI's and what they allow. In my sons case the personal items he requested were left alone but the goodies were shared with everyone. Some DI's may do things differently. After Indoc they will get a box number and their mail will go directly to their box.

norcalmom2014 - We live in Maryland, eastern standard time and my call was received around 9 a.m. but some of the other Sundays they were allowed to call were at different times, it is probably best to tell them to call a cell phone number. Also, you asked if they called from their cell phones. My son did not they were using the DI's phone.

Letters to your son/daughter are very important for them as it was for me too. Make sure they are positive, upbeat and keep giving encouragement. Also keep in mind Indoc is just a small part of it, once classes start they need to continue to stay focused, it won't be easy but it will be worth it.
 
Last year, for Indoc 2013, for the first phone call (2nd Sunday), we got the "hi, mom..." and silence. We fired away with the questions, mostly to keep the conversation going and got cryptic answers. There is a DI standing right there when they call. I think the call came last afternoon- east coast time.

Warning: sometimes there is no phone call. We waited all day for the 2nd phone call (3rd Sunday) and DS's company did not get to make phone calls. It wasn't "officially" a punishment but "it got too late" with other activities was how DS explained it later. I can't remember when the next call finally came, but when it did, DS sounded very flat, almost sad.

To this day, I can't tell you which was worse- the waiting all day and no call (and on this forum so many parents were getting calls from other companies) or the phone call when it finally came, and he didn't sound good.

BUT... he made it through the 1st year with flying colors and is on his way to Northern Europe for his 1st B-split sea year... and he was SOexcited when we spoke with him just after the ship left port last week.
 
Our call came at about 3pm I was glued to the phone all day as I staked all the photos on line. The duration of the call was very short, he sounded tired and did not give much info. PS Our DS never gives much info. I rememebr one call where he told us his ankle was better and he did not need an XRay, we never knew he had hurt himself!!!
 
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