Ship 12 Div 159

[Dukerican]

My son is on Ship 12 Div 159 anyone else?  I have heard from 2 others that have a SR on there how about more?  Just wanting to connect.

[OHmom3]

Hi! My son is in that group too.  I received his Navy form letter yesterday.  Even though he only had limited space to write something, it was just nice to hear from him!  We sent out two letters to him last night. 

He said boot camp was easy and somewhat boring, but at the time he wrote the letter they were still in the processing phase.  I'm sure it will not stay easy or boring lol!!

[marineandnavydad]

Did your son ship on 3/15? And do you have an idea on his PIR date?

[OHmom3]

in my case, my son arrived at GL on 3/9/11 and his PIR is set for May 6th.

[Lois]

Hi Just got a (form letter) with a personal 4 line note from my son.  Same info as you.  Please contact me if you would like.  I am new to this as I think you are and would love to have a friend to talk with. 

[Dukerican]

My son got to boot 3-9 and he will PIR May 6..yours will probably PIR 5-13 since he left a week after ours.  But not sure just my best guess.  It seems like an eternity until you get that form letter,even then they only get to write a few lines but those lines are like gold.  This site is extremely helpful and full of information so grateful his recruiter told me about it.

[Lois]

Hello my new friends.  Dukerican, you are so right! I woke up this morning, the sun is shining, and I feel so relieved (1st time in a week i can breathe) that I heard from my son.  He was funny and so himself, with what he wrote.  Mailing out a letter today with the calling card he said he didn't need! lol. I'm new at this computer communication  (recently got on facebook) so if for some reason I loose you guys pease find me.  When I was admitted into NavyFor Moms I wrote a message and I think it never got posted...anyway...My name is Lois and my sons name is Bobby.  Are you going to PIR on May 6th?  We are making our plane reservations today.

[Dukerican]

Hi Mama Lois,

My husband, ex-husband with his wife and myself are coming to PIR.  My mom is so distraught that only 4 people are allowed on the list.  She is worried she won't get in waiting at the front gate for seats to open up.  I don't know what to do she can't quit crying with worry, she has never missed anything in his life.  We made our hotel reservations already and are going to take the shuttle from the hotel to PIR.  I have read on here that you get in the front gate quicker on the shuttle because if you drive, your vehicle has to be searched which makes for a long line at the gate.  Get there early the gates open at 6:30 a.m.

If you look up to right of this page you will see a tab named community guidleines it says in there you shouldn't put your SR's name in your posts or identify him just thought I would pass that along.  There is very helpful information in there.  I hope we meet in person at PIR

My son didn't think he would need the calling cards either but I mailed them the day I got his letter.  I mailed him stamps, address labels for his return address and address' of the people he wants to write to, the 10 day weather forecast for Great Lakes.  My husband mailed him the brackets for the NCAA tournament and is updating it daily and mailing it.  That was one of the biggest things he wanted.  He said before he left "You guys better let me know how Duke is doing in the tournament" so he is getting it..lol  I also am going to mail him articles from our local paper so he can still keep up with current events from home.

[Lois]

Hi. I feel so bad for your mom. I'm sure she will get in.  They must have quite a few people that won't be there.  Thanks for the info,  I saw that they had "loose lips sink ship" and other things, but when I went to the chat and blogs they were all using their kids names so...but I won't do it again.  That was a terrific idea of the weather.  We sent him Red Sox info, comic strip joke and a few things around town along with the calling card. Also a copy of Facebook well wishers.  I would love to meet up.  Do you know am I allowed to give you my email address on this site?  We have to talk to my daughter about if we are flying, driving etc though we made our (hubby & I) flight reservations already.  Not sure what hotel we will be staying at yet.  Lois  P.S.No last names should be used, but I guess a common 1st name is ok

[BunkerQB]

Mama Lois,

I don't see that you have done anything wrong. It seems to me you are pretty aware of things - so don't sweat it too much. You gals are going to be fine. Click on the links I provided - you'll get up to speed quickly.

Just remember to NOT use your son's last name. I don't use his first name either. Do not indicate say things like, "They are leaving on Thursday for...", "They are now in ..........." , "We'll see him in ....... days" ................  it's always better to be somewhat vague. Always be on guard - when you meet another member - if that member has many friends but never post a comment or participate in discussions, it's probably a good guess that the member is probably trying to harness email addresses (spam, etc.). I generally don't post any photos of my sailor. This is an open forum. If you google your name Navy For Moms screen name (BunkerQB, Mama Lois), our comments will show up on the net. Of course, you have to wonder into this site to find the names. Often I will check on the internet to see if something has been disclosed by an official navy site before I post the info. 

[Lois]

Thank you.  Have a wonderful day!

[BunkerQB]

Ladies - Keep this - the information here will help you in the coming months.

Follow these instructions.

1. Click on this link - it will take you to a discussion in one of my local groups (San Francisco Bay Area Navy Families).
   
   http://www.navyformoms.com/group/sfbayareanavyfamilies/forum/topics...
   
   Watch the four videos, look at the Powerpoint presentation - it will give you a really good idea what your recruit will be going trhough at BOOTCAMP.
   
   
2. Next check messages left on your personal page - from above menubar, click MY PAGE, scroll down - see the links to bootcamp groups - join those. You'll find that JessicaB has posted a welcoming message for you with links to the Bootcamp and Depper groups. Join the one appropriate. If you have an address (either from your recruit or the recruiter), start writing (plain regular letter size envelopes - the two addresses may be different - don't panic - it'll get there - use the one your recruit gives you as soon as you get it). Remember to check you status box (upper right) for messages on your Inbox, friend requests, etc.
3. Barracks are named after "real" ships.  For example, you are in Ship 12 - that stands for USS Triton. Your recruit is in the barrack identified as Ship 12 USS Triton. There are various divisions in each barrack. The real USS Triton has been decommissioned. Note the Navy For Moms groups listed by ships below (under #6) refer to the active ships out on the FLEET (not the barracks). Here is a diagram of the barracks. RTC stands for Recruit Training Center.
   
   
   
   
4. When you get the letter with the PIR (Pass In Review or Graduation from Bootcamp) date, join the group for that - click here to see list of PIR groups. 
   
   http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/groups-listed-by-pir-date
   
   You'll get a letter with the PASSWORD to print the parking pass.  KEEP THIS LETTER.  If you are using Internet Explorer (doesn't work), download Mozilla Firefox (free - will work) and use it to print your parking pass for PIR. Parking passes are normally available about one to two weeks prior to the actual PIR date. Go here to get your pass.   http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp
   
   
5. Next join this group to prepare for PIR. Read through the many topics. Your questions should be answered, including information on how many people you can put on your guest list (4). Have more than 4 guests - find a recruit with less than 4 on his list and get your 5th on his. There is a discussion w info on hotels, transportation, etc.
   
   http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pirreferenceinformation
   
   
6. Looking for other groups to join?  Click on the following master lists of groups (all conveniently indexed):

               GROUPS: Listed by Name of US Naval Ship

               GROUPS: Listed by PIR Date - Pass In Review (Boot Ca...

               GROUPS: Listed by Navy Job Rating

               GROUPS: Listed by Geographical Location (States, Cit...

               GROUPS: Listed by Special Interest

They can be found also under Forum Discussion under "How To Do Stuff on N4M"

 

When you are done with looking at all the sites - you'll will know more than you want. Welcome to N4M. A thank you to your sailor. Have fun. Be proud. Check your camera batteries, Order the DVDs, photos (as much as you can afford), bring IDs (make sure guests have IDs), Buy tissues in bulk. Good luck.

[nicksmum]

I think there is already a group for this ship and division i hope we can all get to know each other and share some stories about what our recruits are going through.