I Am a Navy Girlfriend

Missing Graduation...

By: chaneyalexis

Written on February 19th, 2013

I don't think I will be able to attend my boyfriend's bootcamp graduation...One, my parents don't want me to go and two, I don't think I can afford it. I feel so awful. He really wanted me to come. His mom even asked if I would want to go with her. It's so frustrating. Especially knowing that after he graduates, I still won't see him for another 4-5 months. Darn stubborn parents and $300 plane tickets...

Have any of you wives/girlfriends missed your sailor's graduation? I really hope I'm not the only one.

Oh, any of you ladies have a sailor in Ship 12 Division 138?

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By: chaneyalexis

Age: 16-17 , Female

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13 responses

newoday

I think it is great that you want to go. I used to work at Great Lakes- I took pictures for the yearbook that they sold to the grads-
It was a rip-off!!
I guess now they sell a DVD most of the stuff was canned photos. Being there is not much better you can't see any thing and it is mostly eye candy for the parents and girl friends. If he is for real he will understand you not being there. Save the money for a real treat that you can enjoy when you are together. How about motel room on the day that he gets out of the Navy?

Mar 3
1 like
vancitydom

Greyhound seems usually to be about half the cost of a plane ticket - drawback is of course the time it takes to travel that way. 14 day advance purchase is the cheapest civilian fare - but you might be eligible for a military discount.
The advantage is that you get to see some of the country you might not otherwise see. And if you're not working or in school the long travel time is less of a disadvantage.

Mar 2
1 like
BB1006

I missed my boyfriends graduation and he was devastated. We didnt see eachother for over 5 months and it sucked. But at the end of the day he understood the reasons why I couldn't be there. He called and texted me after his graduation while he was with his parents. I'm sure your guy will understand but explain it in a letter of you can or if e calls you so his hopes aren't up, because my plans fell through and my bf found out at the last minute from his mom, and not me. Trying to communicate during bootcamp sucks, but do your best. (:

Feb 20
1 like
- chaneyalexis
  Okay, I am really glad I'm not the only one. I was starting to feel like a horrendous girlfriend, haha. He kinda knows that there isn't a huge chance I can go, but I will be sure to explain it all in a letter. I might see if his mom will bring a laptop like kissandcore said so I can Skype him after the graduation. :)
  
  Feb 20
  1 like
kissandcore

I made it to my guy's, but I have a friend who missed her boyfriends PIR and 3 Nuke school graduations because of school and her parents not wanting her to. It's a great experience if you can go, but if not, then I am sure he understands! At least he will get his cell phone and stuff after PIR and he can talk to you! :)

Feb 19
2 likes
- chaneyalexis
  Okay, I'm glad I'm not the only one! He knows that there is a small small chance that I can go and he understands if I can't. I just feel bad because I want to be there for him on his big day. I will definitely tell him to call me as soon as he can once he is on liberty! I heard that there is a DVD of the graduation that they sell, so I might ask him to get that for me so I can still see it. :)
  
  Feb 19
  1 like
- kissandcore
  There is a DVD, but I think it takes like 2 months to be shipped home? Most of them buy that anyways because it is a big day... Also, have you checked into like a bus trip or anything? I know that Greyhound buses are still around; I've never took a trip on one, but that may be a saving grace to get there! :) If you can't make it, try to have him mom take a computer so that you can possibly skype him (so that you can see him in uniform, it's a powerful new image to get used to). Hope things work out for you! :)
  
  Feb 19
  1 like
- SofiaDagger
  How far is he right now?! Maybe you and a friend can do s road trip to get out there!
  
  Feb 19
  1 like
- chaneyalexis
  He is at Great Lakes and is in his third week of being there. I never thought of a bus trip! I shall look into that...and I never thought of her bringing a laptop either! I will ask her about that. Seeing him in uniform is one of the things I'm looking forward to most. :) Thank you both so much! I'm having a lot of ideas spinning in my head right now. :)
  
  Feb 19
  1 like
1 More Reply
SofiaDagger

Sounds really strange, but see if you can find babysitting jobs :) I have my real job but I need that money for school and such, so I started babysitting/nannying again and all the money I have been making there I'm setting aside to see mine!!

Feb 19
2 likes
- chaneyalexis
  I do babysit my neighbors from time to time! I also bag at a local grocery store for tips, but it's not much. I have $50 dollars so far, haha. I might ask my parents if they have any odd jobs I can do for some extra cash as well. I think if I am able to save enough money, there will be more of a chance of my parents letting me go.
  
  Feb 19
  1 like
- SofiaDagger
  Definitely... Any little change you can save up start putting away to go see him! Maybe not in time for graduation, but maybe after! Join opinionoutpost? It's a website that pays you to take surveys! Never lots of money, but I've probably made $150 or so on there? Also, if you have any crafty hobbies maybe sell them to make money? I have an Etsy account and sell knit hats!
  And maybe try talking to your current babysitting families and have them pass your name around! If you only have $50 saved up, you might not be charging enough! Make sure you're chargingthe right amount and start taking some hours girl! A little work and maybe you'll get enough saved for graduation even?!
  
  Feb 19
  1 like
- chaneyalexis
  Do you have to pay anything to join? If not, I will get on that! I'm up for getting money for easy work! :D Sadly, I'm not really talented at much other than hair and makeup...however I am considering seeing if maybe people would be willing to pay for a little bit of house cleaning, maybe? I definitely need a bigger circle of families, I may post a flier at my library or something.
  
  Feb 19
  1 like

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