Boot camp

[Ambersnavymom]

How do I find out what division my daughter is in? She just arrived at boot camp last night. September 17th. I’m really lost right now. I have no clue what to expect. I missed her call at 12:30 last night because I didn’t know to expect a call.

[Kanada]

Welcome Ambersnavymom! You'll receive a form letter from your daughter in about 2-3 weeks, this will give you her mailing address, Division #, as well as her graduation date. Did she leave you a voicemail? The call you missed is the "I'm here" call. It's really only lasts a minute or two. I recommend to start writing now, tell your daughter everything about your day and how proud you are. Once you get the mailing address she will be flooded with letters and it'll bring her joy! Also send some pictures as well, of the family and/or any pets. She'll cherish those as well! You should be getting a call on week 3, they're usually on Saturday and/or Sunday. But keep your phone on you (if possible) at all times. They could always earn extra phone calls, again usually on weekends. Remember, no news is good news. There is a bountiful of information here on Navy For Moms, and if you have any questions feel free to reach out! 

[ShipOfDoodles]

Hello, Ambersnavymom! Hang in there, it will get easier and less confusing. This site is such a great place to start. Read, read, read as much as you can--I am finding as a new Navy mom that everyone here offers great support.

It may be up to three calendar weeks before you receive the "form letter" regarding Division assignments. Please try not to worry--positive vibes!  Mine finally came just today--two weeks to the day from the day he flew out of Indianapolis to Chicago, and from the letters which arrived in a separate envelope (!), I discovered that my son was in processing for a very long time. Why? Often they have to wait until a division fills up. So, although he shipped out on September 4, his formal recruit training did not start until Monday, the 16th!! No news is good news and that is a hard mantra to keep in front of you, but necessary. The silence is deafening, I know, and my heart goes out to you that you missed the call (about ten seconds long), but they usually get a second call around three weeks in. In the meantime, write. You can mail everything all at once when you get her assignment. The best advice I've read is for us to keep our own worries, fears, loneliness and angst to ourselves. Write of your love, support, upbeat newsy stuff and keep humor handy. Let her know she's "got this!" I agonized so much over the past two weeks, but kept busy with work and lots of walking (and writing.) I recommend keeping a journal in whatever form. (Writing is what saved me when my husband died suddenly.)  And despite what your daughter's recruiter might have told you, "the box" no longer comes home. My thoughts are with you and all the rest of the moms and loved ones who are suddenly dealing with a total lack of communication in such a connected world. Stay strong! You've got this!

[Ambersnavymom]

Thank you so much. I spoke to my daughter before she got on plane and when she landed in Chicago. I tried to be positive. Telling her she’s got this and stay positive. And when things get tough to push through and stay strong and positive. I’m am trying really hard to stay strong for her. While at home I’m just trying to hold my emotions together. Hopefully gets better soon.

[newby99]

Wow how encouraging, this helps me so much right now. 

[Ambersnavymom]

Thank you for the info. And no I don’t have voicemail. I have been looking up stuff about boot camp on here. Good idea I will start writing her a lil every day. Thanks

[Ambersnavymom]

Is there a limit on how much phone card she can have?

[Kanada]

I'm not too sure what you mean by this question. There's no limit on minutes, she should also be able to get one when she arrives at boot camp for phone calls home. My sailor had leftover minutes on the phone card that he bought during boot camp, and he phoned home quite a bit. You're more than welcome to send your daughter a phone card that you can recharge after you get her mailing address, but she should be able to take care of that end herself. Hope that helps.

Most recruits do request that you send them stamps and envelopes as well. So those are something that might be worth looking into. Some parents write their address and pre-stamp the envelopes that they send, as sometimes the recruits are tired and misspell things. (My husband wrote my name wrong a few times on the envelopes of the letters). There was never an issue with me receiving mail though. Just remember that it is called "snail mail", so your letters will take time to get there, as well as your daughter's letters to get to you.

[Tammy⚓️Girl]

Your daughter might not even know at this point.  You'll find out division with first call.  Congrats to you and your daughter.

[Ambersnavymom]

Thanks

[HaveFAITH]

Hello everyone. I’m replyinh to ambersnavymom because my ONLY BROTHER also arrived at Great Lakes on September 17th. My mom received a voicemail saying he arrived there already. Hope your daughter and my brother are both doing well. I pray every night and has been having sleepless nights thinking about him. Already wrote letters, waiting to here where we can mail it. I found this website to be helpful to me. I’m not a mom, just a sister but had to join for moral support.
Thank you to whoever is reading this.
With all my heart,
Ormee

[belovedbyHim]

Ambersnavymom-- Welcome!!! Take a DEEP Breath!!! ....... Now Exhale!!!! And again........ Exhale...... And One More time!!!
Good!!!  Now that we know you are breathing again... It's ok!! You are not lost just not aware of what to expect!! It has happened to all of us at some point in our kids Navy journey!!  You are not alone and we will help you navigate these rough seas!
So that you have it in front of you I'm going to post some info that is the "Normal"  Keep in mind  that things could be off by a couple of days to a week.
Day of Arrival (Swear in at MEPS and fly to Chicago 9/17
P1- 9/ 18 through P3- 9/20.  P-hold for the weekend. 9/21 & 9/22.  P4 & P5 9/23-24. 
Training Day 1 Week 1 (W1TD1) would  be 9/25-- This is the day that they move to their Ship and fill out the form letter.  Those are collected and mailed out.  They may or may not move before Monday.
Saturday and Sunday are not training days although instruction may happen it will not be new information but practice or study of information they got earlier in the week.  Sunday morning is "Free Time" Recruits can attend Worship (The only time they are 100% NOT going to get yelled at!!), Iron uniforms, shine boots, study, write home (Almost anything but sleep!!)
Letters written by all recruits are mailed out on Mondays.  Letters written TO recruits are delivered M-F (I'm not sure about Saturday).  They have to train a Recruit Mail Petty Officer before they start getting mail.  This usually happens during week 2 or early week 3, so be patient if you get a letter asking for mail!  Your letters have crossed each other and they are getting them!!

The first phone call home usually comes during week 3 however they can call home at any point before then for a variety of reasons so keep your phone handy and your ringer on LOUD.  They may be homesick during that first call home so be prepared and be STRONG!! You can come and cry to us here afterward!! The same for letters.  Vent all your frustrations and anger here and keep your letters positive and encouraging!!  When they go to the NEX the first time they are told to buy a phone card if they don't already have one.  My Sailor never used all the minutes on his card and he called home 4 times and we talked for almost 45 minutes each time.  If you didn't send her with one then don't worry about it now.  She's likely already bought one at the NEX.

Read every thing on here!! Watch the videos pinned to the left side and feel free to post on the main page!  We haven't lost a mom to Bootcamp, We won't start with you!! You just needed a place to drop anchor while you get your bearings!! We are here for that purpose!!

[HaveFAITH]

Ormee
Hello everyone. I’m replyinh to ambersnavymom because my ONLY BROTHER also arrived at Great Lakes on September 17th. My mom received a voicemail saying he arrived there already. Hope your daughter and my brother are both doing well. I pray every night and has been having sleepless nights thinking about him. Already wrote letters, waiting to here where we can mail it. I found this website to be helpful to me. I’m not a mom, just a sister but had to join for moral support.
Thank you to whoever is reading this.
With all my heart,
Ormee