Leaving for Boot camp Dec. 14th

[navymom99(ship09 div075)]

My daughter is leaving out on Dec 14th. Anyone know what all they can take and how many otherson here leaving that day?

[navymom99(ship09 div075)]

Thanks Lady Hamilton for the help and the kind words. We drop her of Monday so hanging in there.

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

Send phone #'s and addresses in his/her wallet....believe it or not they do forget #'s
Here's a list of things that are allowed:
Just bring the clothes on your back
Wallet with ID, SSN card, stamps, (small, plain wallet…boys and girls!), bank info
$25 cash
a pocket bible…I sent a Sailor Bible, putting a letter for him to find later and a self addressed stamped envelope with a few pieces of paper in it for the first letter home.
a small religious medallion
can have small photos in wallet
plain wrist watch

Recruits need to leave behind any facebook info. E-mail address, passwords so your family (mom, wife, girlfriend) can update your profile and keep your friends up-to-date with how you’re doing.

Make sure they know not to throw this stuff in the box…they get stressed and often just dump everything in the box

Tell your rct to eat before he gets on the bus to RTC. Sleep on the plane, they keep them awake and busy for 40 hours or so once they arrive.

They get issued meal vouchers at the airport and the USO usually has subs/sandwiches/snacks..EAT and REST!!!!

Yes, our recruits can take cell phones to boot camp and take the charger as well, they are shipped back in the "kid box" the night they arrive. That phone will come back in two pieces because it is always safer to remove the battery from any electronic device before mailing it - so look for them in strange places, like their shoes or a pocket. Don't just throw their clothes into the hamper or washing machine!!

Send your recruit with a phone card, make sure they know how to use it and if they weren’t activated in the store..activte them and send some stamps. Writing paper and envelopes are provided to them. Also, YES, they can bring and keep their wallets at boot camp, just don't send a lot of cash ($25 or less). YES they can bring and keep a debit & credit card. Yes, they can have photos in their wallet (and they will look at them all the time, so add some new ones for them!). Put a small piece of paper in their wallets with all your contact numbers. Most kids don't know our work number or cell number by heart - because they are programed into their cell phones, so if they have these numbers handy in their wallets, they won't go blank when they finally are able to call you! Surprise your recruit by slipping a note into their wallet before they leave - so many have written to their moms saying that little note keep them alive while they waited for their real mail to arrive.

Watch for the id payphone and area code 847. Occ the id is restricted or withheld

They receive mail 5 days a week at bc, but they won't get any for at least 2 weeks - please prepare them now for this! Once mail service begins for them, then it takes about 7-8 days to receive a letter from home, but we get their letters in about 3-4 days. So date your letters, and put the date you mailed it on the back of the envelope. That way, when the mail does catch up with them and they have 15 pieces of it in front of them, they will know which letter to read first.

When they first get there-they will be overwhelmed, scared, stressed. There will be RDC’s yelling and cursing at them, calling them names. This is normal, it’s part of their job-this is where the “breaking them down” starts. Some kids aren’t bothered by this, some kids can’t handle it. It scared my son-but he said after a few rounds of yelling he got use to it and he actually thought it was funny.

The first week is processing and some have to wait for their division to “fill up”
During the first week will be medical- LOTS of shots (one is called the peanut butter shot-it is thick and they have to sit on the floor and wiggle so it is absorbed), blood work, more physicals, eye exams-they will get those famous BCG’s-if they need them.
Moms, wives, girlfriends—this week will be hard for you too.


They are issued a $300.00 or so credit from the NEX for incidentals…they can buy stamps and calling cards at the NEX….of course anything they buy will be deducted from their paychecks

Things to discuss with your Deppers BEFORE they leave - or write to your Recruit now to get answers:

What news do they want to hear about? If loved ones are gravely ill, or a pet dies, do they want to be told in a letter, have the Red Cross tell them or wait until bc is over because there isn't anything they can do about it. They may say "tell me", but they have not arrived yet and don't understand the stress. You know your child best, so together you guys can make a good decision.


If they find out they are a Grad & Go, they may feel bad that you are spending money to come see them for such a short visit - and they may write you and tell you not to come (just happened this week in PIR 8/27). First of all, if you can afford to go, then please do!!!! You will not regret it and your kid truly does want you there. They may not think so now, but just trust me on this one! They mature in bc, so they also think about costs and are trying to be grown-up about it.

Discuss formal Navy portraits. The Navy does NOT send home an order sheet, our kids are adults now, they decide if and how many - and most have less than a day to get the price list and make a decision. These are very professional touched up portraits, I was impressed. You will WANT these pictures! But they have to pay for them the last week of bc with a debit/credit card or personal check. Costs cannot be deducted from their paycheck. Family can go in to NEX on PIR day and pay for these - but it's a zoo in there that day, and if they don't pay for them by then, they lose out on the Keel…the photo info is at the end of this file.

Comment by Sobe,PIR 6/4 Corry Station/NASP Hint: If your DEP does not have a bank account, please open one right away so he/she can bring the debit card to boot camp with them. Yes, they can open a Navy Fed CU acct when they arrive, but it's good to have an account at your local bank or credit union so you can access it too! The cost for Navy portraits can only be paid by check, debit or credit card - and most young people never order checks! The NEX will accept cash, but recruits should never bring that much cash with them to boot camp!

Also, read up on Grad & Go information and discuss this with your DEP before they leave, here is the link http://www.navyformoms.com/group/gradgoinfo

The official swearing in takes place right before they leave. Yes, you can attend it usually takes place at MEPS or in the recruiters office...just ask the recruiter where the official swearing in will be.

You'll get the "I'm here" call soon after arrives at RTC (some N4M's got theres in the middle of the night.) It will be short and sound scripted...usu only lasting a few minutes. Watch for the 847 area code and the id will say payphone BUT he can take a cell phone to use along the way and to make the last call before packing it up in the kid in a box.

The box and form letter will arrive about 10-14 days after he leaves. The box is delivered via FedEx and has everything he can't have at BC...rarely is a rct able to stick a note in there but some do..so search pockets, shoes, etc. Don’t be surprised if they look like they were “dumped” in there-cause they were. The pants legs may be rolled up cause they have to have their feet measured for their shoes/boots. Take your time opening it. You may get upset all over again. Just remember to breathe

The form letter comes by snail mail and has ship/division, address, password for gate pass, PIR date, grad info and a note from your rct…don’t lose this!!

You should be able to get his temporary address from the recruiter 72 hours after he leaves..not all recruiters will do this. Occasionally the first letter is returned d/t improper address.


Once you get the PIR date…search groups and join the PIR group. It will be your lifeline for info and support.

Some really good videos on You Tube about Boot Camp and more -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-aoownLP9Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdHt56NdERo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYREP-35Ylk


Check out the forum for boot camp instructions, check out YouTube...search Navy boot camp, racks, folding, ironing (the Navy way) graduation, Battlestations 21 (CNN does this)

They need to know how to sew, iron, fold very precisely, make a bed with hospital corners, march, shine shoes

They need to time their runs...the timed run seems to be the hardest thing for them to pass

The stuff the DEP group is memorizing...they REALLY need to know it for Boot Camp...they will be ahead if they know this stuff…General Orders, Sailors Creed, etc.

[navymom99(ship09 div075)]

Really good information. My daughter and I have read through it and have made a couple of list. Thanks for everything.

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

here is a good group for you to join http://www.navyformoms.com/group/leavinforbootcampindecember here you'll connect with other N4M's whose rcts leave in Dec