Don't forget to make at least change 3. You may also need to make change 4.

Since your recruit has a contract for Culinary Specialist (CS), join CS (Culinary Specialist) Moms. You will also want to check out Joint Culinary Center of Excellence Facebook Page and Joint Culinary Training Directorate (JCTD).

The Rating Information Card for CS can be found at https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/enlisted/rating_info_cards/cs.pdf. (If you get the security warning, it is safe to go there.) That indicates that “A” School is approximately 9 weeks long, but it is about 5 weeks after arriving at Ft. Lee.

All sailors heading to “A” School for CS spend at LEAST one week at Great Lakes Naval Base for Naval Indoctrination (INDOC). These are classes on how things are done in the fleet, which most get at “A” School, but since Ft. Lee is an Army base, this INDOC must be done before the Sailors arrive there. Sometimes Sailors going to Ft. Lee are in the THU at GL for 1 to 3 additional weeks before flying to VA because Ft. Lee must not have additional quarters for those who are not ready to begin classes. Since your Sailor will stay in GL for INDOC, you will have extra time with your Sailor PIR weekend. See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend to help you know how to plan your weekend.

I see you have changed your Username; you may also want to change the URL to this page. If you do, make change 2 at the bottom of OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile) (clickable link) to take care of that. (If you are using a Smart phone, you will need to switch to Desktop View to make this change.) 

Also make change 3 while you are there so that this page is no longer open to EVERYONE (Anyone) with access to the web.

There may be other changes you need to make as well, so read and consider each of the changes.

Another change that I recommend that is mentioned in change 1 is to change the ZIP Code to one that is not easily associated with your recruit.

Welcome to Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones). I look forward to sharing this journey with you. Be sure to check out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) for information on what to expect and to help you prepare for PIR. Start with OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile) and Arrival and What Happens at the RTC and read 1 or 2 pages a day and then go back to them as you need the info.

What is your recruit's rating (job/specialty) or field going to be? There are groups for most ratings and/or "A" Schools and knowing that will help you to better plan for PIR weekend.

Take care and blessings to you and yours.

Joeysmom, Thank you for the friend request. We adopt a different deployed group through Molly's Adopt Sailor each month.

For Thanksgiving, the moms volunteer at the Villa Park VFW to feed 200 recruits. In the past, I know that some moms volunteered at the USO somewhere up near you. If you want, I can try to find out?

Be sure to check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for the RTC. I also suggest you to join Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and begin checking out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) and Discussions there.

Your future Sailor may want to join http://www.navydep.com to learn the ins and outs from the DEP point of view.