Any June 2020 Boot Camp Shippers?

[TARA]

Hi Everyone, 

First, I want everyone to know how grateful I am for this forum.  I have searched so many blogs and forums for support and I feel that I found it here with you all although my situation is different.   I am a spouse of a future sailor whose ship date is June 24, and I am just about to lose it. We were not expecting his ship date to be this soon but the rate he wanted became available and we jumped on the opportunity.  The downside is that we have less than 3 weeks to prep for BC.

Can someone share any knowledge they have about the current situation in bootcamp?  My understanding is the recruits will be in quarantine for 14 days and these days are not part of BC.  And that BC itself will only be 6 weeks as opposed to 8.  We could not get straight answer from his recruiter as to what to expect during these 14 days which definitely is making us anxious. 

I guess what we want to know is:

What type of activities can he expect during quarantine?

Will recruits be allowed to call home during this time since it is technically not bootcamp yet?

Thanks in advance!

Tara

[belovedbyHim]

Hi Tami-- Your information is Not 100% Accurate.  They can start Bootcamp any day M-F.  Yes PIR is always on a Friday so some sailors will finish on Monday then just hang out (Hold days) till Friday waiting for PIR.  Also P-days are often only 5 days long but P-hold can happen which will cause that to be longer.
So for example SR (Seaman Recruit)- Goes to MEPS (in your state/area) on Tuesday, Swears in on Wednesday, Flies out that afternoon, Phone call would come LATE Wednesday or Early Thursday telling you that they are there. Processing days (P-days) would start that day.  Friday would be P-2 and day 2 currently of Quarantine. Saturday and Sunday are P-Hold but days 3 & 4 of Quarantine. Monday will be P-3 Q-5.  This is where we are not clear as to what all is happening. P4 & 5 would normally be on Tuesday & Wednesday and Training day 1 would be that Thursday. Processing days usually followed a very specific pattern but with Quarantine is seems that they are doing some stuff a bit differently and some of the week 1 & 2 training is happening during Quarantine and some of the Processing stuff is happening during training week 2.  There is also some reports of recruits leaving on days other than Saturday following PIR so that is a bit different. (Usually they left Saturday or Sunday and rarely on Monday following PIR, Although with all things Navy they could leave any day of the week)
I hope that helps to make everything clear as Navy Sludge!!  There are 2 key things to remember with the Navy, They are 1. Hurry up and Wait! and 2. Semper Gumby! (As soon as you make a plan, plan for it to change or not).

[Kellyrene]

My son ships on June 30. Really sad and really proud of him. 

[belovedbyHim]

Welcome Kellyrene!! I encourage you to join the main boot camp page and introduce yourself there too.
If you haven't already done so you may want to read my blog. https://navyformoms.ning.com/profiles/blogs/boot-camp-first-weeks-t...
It has several suggestions for things to do now and for those first few weeks!  I'm starting 7 years in on Friday!  My Son has been to Italy, Japan, and several locations around the Pacific Ocean.  He is a SeaBee so it's a little bit different than in the fleet but My DH was an officer in the fleet so I do know a little bit about that part too!.
It's ok to be really sad and really proud!  We all are!!! Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions or concerns and I'll do my best to help.  Also if you post on the Main page we have admins who can help you get information on his specific Rate and help you get connected there too!

[Kellyrene]

I think I am either confused or not looking in the right place. Is this not the bootcamp moms page?

[belovedbyHim]

No this is not the Main Boot Camp page.  It's a Discussion started from the main thread.  I see where You just found the main thread!! Good. I'll try and monitor this page as well but most of our answers are on the main page.

[partyofseven]

Welcome Kellyrene,

It is good to see you on here. Join the boot camp for moms group. There is great information on there and wonderful ladies to help you along the way. Welcome again. Hope to see you on the main page soon. 

[Tami-XSM]

Kellyrene, one week from today...try to make the most of it! Then start counting the days until ur form letter comes and you can write him back. I'm at 21 days since my SR shipped (6 days to go for the letter, crossing fingers). He can do it! U too!

[Okkaye303]

Hi Tara.  My son got to BC two weeks ago. We were told that BC is still 8 weeks but the quarantine extends it to 10. We still got the call when he got there and we are still waiting to hear from him. I'm crossing my fingers I don't have to wait another 2 to 3 weeks before we do. We don't have any info on what happens during the quarantine time.  Hoping I find out soon. :)  I'll let you know.

[belovedbyHim]

Okkaye303 -- Welcome!! I encourage you to join the main boot camp page and introduce yourself there too.
If you haven't already done so you may want to read my blog. https://navyformoms.ning.com/profiles/blogs/boot-camp-first-weeks-t...
It has several suggestions for what to expect in those first few weeks!  I'm starting 7 years in today!  My Son has been to Italy, Japan, and several locations around the Pacific Ocean.  He is a SeaBee so it's a little bit different than in the fleet but My DH was an officer in the fleet so I do know a little bit about that part too!.
Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions or concerns and I'll do my best to help.  Also if you post on the Main Boot Camp page we have Admins who can help you get information on his specific Rate and help you get connected there too!
During Quarantine they are starting P-days, some of the Week 1 & 2 training and studying, studying, studying and being tested.  Most do not care for the sack meals very much. (sorry... Bummer news I know, but it gets much better once they make the move over.)  They are checked on several times a day and it sounds like they have access to TV but not to Phones.
As for the Time in Boot Camp.  It seems that can vary quite a bit. Most seem to be completing in 8 weeks if NO ONE in their Div tests positive, but some have had a much longer time there.  Now is the time to learn 2 key phrases! 1- No News Is GOOD News!! During the Great silence it is sooooooooooo hard! But if they don't call in the first 3 weeks it's usually a good thing.  They may or may not call when they complete Quarantine and some moms have gotten the first phone call before they get the letter. Write often and number those letters. Keep a note pad with questions to ask handy and with you and keep your phone on and the Ringer on L.O.U.D.!!! You just never know... They may need information!
The Second phrase is Semper Gumby!  Always Flexible.  Whatever your plans are they can change until they haven't!  I have seen sailors at the airport have to go back to base due to a change in the situation.  It is the nature of the Navy beast.  No matter how important to you unless it is Mission Critical to the Navy it can be changed (and even that can change too!)
You are going to make it! We haven't lost a mom to Boot Camp yet and we won't start with you!!

[Okkaye303]

Thanks so much belovedbyHim. It is a lot to take in. His leave date got changed from end of July to two weeks ago. So we only had a few days to prepare emotionally that he was leaving on top a lot of other family things going on here.  I have a sister-in-law whose son is in the Navy now and has been for 2 years and she has been a big support for me. I appreciate you taking time to fill me in and offer your support.  I hope I can return the favor even though I'm new to all this. :)

[Northwoodsmom]

Okaye303, hi again, just wanted to note that it doesn't matter that you are new, Boot Camp through Corvid is new to us all. Don't hesitate to post because your new. We value everyone.

[Kellyrene]

My son shipped on June 30. I have cried every day. I feel like  a part of our life has been ripped from us. We tried to get straight answers too but it appears that there  are none to be had at this time. I was told to just be ready to answer the phone at any given time. We got the scripted call Tuesday night at 11 PM. Just kept repeating how much we loved him as he read the words to us. I thought I would feel better  knowing he was there. We also heard rumors that BC got cut short but no way to verify it. Also told there would be no phone calls once they got to quarantine location. If I hear of anything else that could be of help I will surely post it here. Good luck to your husband. My son is straight out of high school,  graduated end of May. He was so excited to  start his career with navy.