what happens after battlestations and before we get our phone call....

[CarolJ * Courtney's Mom *]

Ok i'm waiting for THE phone call... for you moms that have sailors now what is the process between battlestations and the phone call... i know they have a capping ceremony and i'm thinking breakfast, but do they rest some before calls or does it just take that long for 352 new sailors to make the phone calls...... oh yeah and when do they finally get to drop in the racks and sleep?
Come on you mom's of new sailors I know you all know this share... PLEASE!!!

[Robin]

Hi Carol,
If I remember correctly, my call came in the day before leaving for GL. It was in the afternoon and my son was EXHAUSTED to say the least. I have to go along with what Mary said. Also, they are not allowed to sleep (at least my son's division wasn't) until 8pm that night. So they are up for more than 24 hours and then getting to use the phone takes a while and it's pretty noisy too. I really feel bad for you on the phone call situation.. 1 call?? My god! I think my son called maybe 3 or 4 times but it all depends on their instructors attitudes towards letting them loose. Hang in there, you will be amazed when you go to PIR.. it's a beautiful thing to see them all.

[Lisa]

Hi Carol,

My son did battle stations last thurs. Oct. 9th. He was allowed to call that Friday night, but he had two teeth filled. LOL And they told him he would get more time on Sat. to call so he was not worried. He called us about 5:40 and he talked to a friend for an hour before us. He talked to us for 30 min. and then went and bought a card and we talked for at least another hour and a half. He said that they were in what they call Recruit Heaven and they could make phone calls and buy from the NEX store. He got himself Red bulls and some M&M's. He said it was the first sugar he has had in 8 weeks. LOL He was so excited. Then on Sunday, they got more time and he called us again for 20 min. He called both sets of grandparents, and friends again. He is so happy and so excited it is over. Tomorrow is our graduation and we are heading out of here, Adrian, MI in about an hour. Best wishes to your sailor and may they call you soon!! If they are anything like my son, they will knocking down doors to get to the nearest phone to call home and tell you all about it. My son said he had 8 weeks worth of stuff to tell us. LOL We didnt get many words in. LOL But that is ok. It was great to hear from him and know that it wasnt hurried. Let me know if you get your call.

LISA FRIESS

[Jacqueline Manning]

My sons call came at 2pm Central time. They have to stay up till taps at 8pm tonight. They do get to go to Recruit Heaven. Which means Pizza, soda, games and phone calls home. I got 3 calls that day. But my sons Division was the 1st to go, almost a whole week before PIR. Stay close to that phone!

[MeLinda]

Ok, it has been over four years since my son went through battlestations. I did not get a phone call if I remember, I got an email that he had spent $30 at Taco Bell. Their division was the top division for the division for their PIR. Being top division, they got to go the NEX and eat what he called real food. What does one person get at Taco Bell that cost $30. Anyway they also had internet access so he sent me an email instead. They also had an extra hour of liberty each day after PIR.

again how can one person eat $30 of food from Taco Bell

[Dianne]

LOL Melinda, sounds like he had a taco bell feast!!!

[Pam]

It's been my experience that shortly after running battle stations they all go to Chow, they are a heard of hungry Sailors! After that they go back to their ship, shower, clean up, iron etc.. then they await orders from the RDC to make calls home. However, some may have a Medical or Dental appointment and have to make their call the next day, if lucky they'll be allowed to make it later in the same day. It all depends, there is no science to how things are run from one division to the next.

I didn't get my call after battle stations, my son was very ill and upon completion of the Ball Capping Ceremony he was rushed to the hospital, he called three days later. *sigh*
Yep, I was a stressed out mama! What did my Sailor say when he called??
"Sorry I didn't call, it felt SO good to Sleep, but yeah I'm a U.S. Sailor and I knew with your navy-mom friends and the internet you would be ok til I got permission to phone home"
Boys!

Hope you get your call call soon!! Seems like afternoon here at Great Lakes is the most popular time. Glue you phone to your hip!

[Gulf Coast Mom]

My son called the afternoon after battlestations to say he was a Sailor. His RDC were tough. His Division ended up being the Hall of Fame, but never did get to go to Ricky Heaven. Even after battlestations, the only "treat" they got was to buy an energy drink and ice cream and call home. When we went to the NEX after PIR was the first time he had been in the Taco Bell/Pizza Hut food court. He did show us the room where they got to make phone calls, but said the RDCs
would not let them set foot in the food court arcade area. He said their division did well most of the time, so the RDSs did not bribe them with being able to go to Ricky Heaven. His division won Captain's cup and Hall of Fame along with all the other flags they could win. The Commander came to their ship Thursday morning before PIR and presented the whole division with the medallions the honor graduates get at PIR. Supposedly it was the first time they gave them to the whole division. He was one excited Sailor. Melody

[Roxann]

OK - now I am anxious to hear from my son Justin. Does anyone know what happens IF they fail?? I mean I am obviously hoping Justin passes, but what in the world will I do if he doesn't. I am leaving 2 days prior to PIR to drive there- UGH! LOL Hoping we hear from them prior to PIR. Justin uses my cell to call us- so I will have the phone on me unless sleeping or showering- haha

Justin has had a rough time, so I'm REALLY nervous for him. He wants this SO bad.

Thankfully my boss is great and knows that if my phone rings- I'm answering. She even wrote Justin!

Thanks for all the support!- Roxann

[randy]

Roxann, i read somewhere in here that if your son/daughter does not pass and is not going to PIR when they were supposed to, you will be able to see them that weekend anyways. according to what i read, the Navy is very considerate in the fact that most families have to make arrangements in order to attend PIR, and will allow you to visit your SR that weekend. i'm not 100% certain of this, but it my understanding.

[Karmen]

Roxann, My son graduated 10/10. He did the battle station on Wed. night. He had two recruits in his division that fell asleep so they were sent to sleep and to try again. One failed to follow instruction so he was not allowed to participated in PIR. My son said he was set back a week.

[Pam]

Roxann,
I'm sure Justin will pass battle stations, try not to worry about that.
They are going to be so pumped up and eager to get that Navy ball cap and to see their families! I have personally yet to hear of anyone failing in the year I've been around, not to say it hasn't happened, but from what I have learned from the search I did was that one could fail if they just don't really want to be in the Navy and give up.
Your son wants to be there, he'll make it!! :)

Be prepared for an excited, tired and hoarse Sailor calling your cell with those words you've been waiting all this time to hear! HOOYAH!!

Oh, and don't forget to bring Shout Wipes with you, don't want to smudge his dress blues!

[Lisa Cline]

Hi Carol,
I got my call around 2:08pm on wednesday before graduation i was actually on my break at work when my only call in 8 weeks came in... he got to call his dad one other time........it was the best phone call in the world.......congratulations to you and your sailor