New Navy Mom

[Ink424]

Hi All! My son arrived at RTC September 23rd and I have not heard anything. Not even the “I’m safe” phone call. Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I’ve reached to his recruiter and haven’t really received anything helpful back.

[Chipmunk]

Good morning Ink424 - first of all welcome to not only Navy4Moms but to the BC Mom and loved ones group. We all volunteer our time on this site and sometimes we are busy with other family things so we don't always get a chance to reach out to you on your profile page and welcome you individually.

I would encourage you to go to the BC Mom group page, scroll down past the discussion area to the Comment Wall and post your question there as well. More of our members receive those posts in their email feeds to see and reply there than they do here in the discussion area. 

Not everyone receives the "I'm safe" call. There could be many reasons for that, but especially if your son's cell phone went dead or something before being able to make the call. 

I realize it has been 4 weeks but that has not been uncommon, especially in the last months before receiving the Form Letter. If your son had to be in hold for any reason, either they were verifying his vaccinations, waiting for enough recruits to show up for his division to fill. During the height of COVID it was taking 4 - 6 weeks for the form letter to arrive, so this is not completely unusual.

As far as reaching out to the recruiter, they really do not have to share any information with you due to HIPPA and security reasons since your son is over 18. Generally, even if you get an address from them we tell you to wait to receive the form letter as someone has to be trained from each division to handle the mail for their division and until then the letters are just put aside.

[Ink424]

Thank you so much for responding! I will try not to worry and just wait. Thank you!

[mytidbitz]

Hi Ink424

My daughter arrived the day before, 9/22.  The great silence has been difficult but the Boot Camp Moms group has been very helpful.  We're here if you need us.

[Ink424]

I definitely appreciate your responses. I’m feeling a little more at ease. Thank you so much!

[partyofseven]

Good Morning Ink424 and welcome to our group. We are glad that you are here. I had just logged off when you posted or I would have answered you.   :)

The first couple of weeks of no silence are hard. Staying busy is key and start writing now so when you receive the form letter you can mail those letters off right away.

The COVID time line that Chipmunk posted is the most recent one that we are sharing with all of our new moms until we hear differently from GL. Keep hanging in there and know that your loved one is safe at boot camp and being well taken care of.

*****INFORMED DELIVERY UPDATE*****

For those of you who have USPS Informed Delivery, I received an email today that they are discontinuing the App as of 6/12/2021 and you have to download the USPS Informed Delivery Mobile App to your phone. It is very easy!!!

This is a great tool to have and you can see what mail you have coming in every day!!! I love it!!

Let us know if you have any other questions and someone will answer you! No question is ever dumb!!

Welcome again!!!

[Ink424]

Hi ShawnMom,
No, he wouldn’t have called anyone else. A previous message stated that his cell may have been dead but I do know that he wanted to pause his cell service for the time he was away. The service was paused the day he left. I’m assuming that’s the reason.

I was just concerned because I haven’t heard anything at all. I’m not sure when he graduates or anything and I want to make sure I’m present. We’ve just never been apart or not spoken. I do definitely appreciate the responses from all of you though!

[Chipmunk]

Ink424 - Pausing his cell service is probably the biggest reason you did not receive the "i'm here" call. Based on your comments of his leave time, his projected PIR could be anywhere from Nov 12 - Nov 24th. The PIR prior to Thanksgiving is on Wed. I would suggest that you go ahead and also join the  PIR NOVEMBER 2021 (https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/pirnovember2021) - group. It is a closed group, you will have to wait for approval, but there is a little more freedom to discuss information about PIR since it is not a public group like this one is. 

Please keep in mind that masks are mandatory for everyone inside the RTC buildings. Also, you will need to show proof of your 2 COVID vaccinations when you pick up your tickets to attend PIR. Your 2nd vaccination must be 14 days earlier than when your sailor's PIR is in order to attend. 

You should receive a form letter soon that has information about graduation and also will include a security form. Your SR will be allowed to have two guests only attend the actual graduation / PIR ceremony. Anyone else that travels to GL will have to stay at the motel. 

If your sailor is going to stay in GL for their A school then they will likely be able to put in a CHIT  (a liberty request) to stay with you at your motel. If they are flying out to their A school, you will likely only have the afternoon of their PIR to spend time with them. To my knowledge they are still NOT flying commercially so you will not be able to go meet your sailor at the airport. 

[Ink424]

He actually had to quarantine for 2 weeks when he arrived.
I really want to thank you all for all of the information you have provided. I also appreciate the support. It honestly has helped ease a lot of my anxiety. THANK YOU!! Hopefully I will be hearing from my baby soon.

[partyofseven]

Good Morning Ink424,

You are very welcome. And yes if he had to quarantine that may be why you haven't heard anything yet.

Prayers for you to hear something soon. Hang in there. We are here for you!!

[Chipmunk]

Ink424 - You are welcome!! If your son had to quarantine, then that is likely why you have not heard anything yet.  

[belovedbyHim]

Welcome!! Please read my blog to give you an idea of what the first few weeks may look like.. First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition Up and to the Left is a link to all the Navy Lingo! It is titled Navy Speak and you can find it here. We are here to get you through the “Great Silence” of the next 4 weeks (ish) and the 10 weeks of BC (ish). You will come to learn that No News Is GOOD News and everything is Needs of the Navy. You life will be Hurry Up and Wait and it’s ok to make plans but they are subject to change until after they have happened so it’s best to embrace the Motto: Semper Gumby!! (Always Flexible!!)

The Expected timeline will look like this
Day 0 -- Travel, Arrival and "I'm Here" scripted phone call

Week 1&2
Day 1-14 -- ROM (Restriction of Movement/ Quarantine-- Lots of studying and waiting) (Ended Oct 8 for you)  Unless they are Fully Vaccinated (2 weeks after final shot) in which case they skip straight to Week 3.

Week 3
Day 15-21 Arrive Onboard RTC and begin P-days (P-days- Initial Processing Days) including 2 days of P-hold (Weekend)
Day 21-- Complete P days. (Initial PFT & Run) (May be Oct 15)

Week 4- First week of training 
Day 22-- Begin training and mail form letter out. Look for it to arrive around 1-2 weeks later (If mailed Oct 18 -- Mail goes out on Mondays but is delivered daily (M-F), It should arrive this Next week.)

Week 5 -- First inspections and tests (Dental May be this week or next... Not Confirmed)(Form letter/ Personal letters usually arrive this week) *** THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE.

Week 6 -8 -- More training, Drilling (Flags and Marching), Fire Fighting training, Marlinspike (Line handling- How to tie up a Ship to the Pier) and weapons lessons, Confidence chamber( May or may not be happening yet, we don’t know for sure).. Warrior training in here somewhere.

Week 9 & 10 -- Stressful!! They have all their final inspections, PFA, Drills, BS21 and Tests. This is the lead up to the end!! (November 24)

We have heard Rumors that they are adding a 2 week training for "Life skills" and financial training.  In that case Your PIR will be 2 weeks later than this projection. (Dec 10)

All of this is assuming no exposure to COVID with additional ROM
Training typically occurs Monday - Friday but we have heard rumors that Saturday’s are now training days as well.
Normal PIR will be 10 Fridays after departure from Home but it can be less by 1 but it can be extended by ???? (lots!!) It just depends on how many times they get caught in the “Ring of Fire” but do not get COVID. IF they get COVID, Once they are recovered they will not be removed from training again even if they are in the “Ring of Fire”. (so there is that small silver lining if kids get sick)
I Hope you’ll come and join us on the Main Boot Camp Moms page: https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/bootcampmoms You may have to scroll down a ways to reach the comments but we’d love to get to know you and answer any questions or concerns you may have or just be a support from others who “get it”.

[Ummi]

Hi there! I'm kinda new also. My girl left on Aug.24. I have gotten 2 letters from her, but STILL haven't gotten the form letter yet, LOL! She doesn't know her PIR yet either because she got moved to RCU due to stress fractures in her legs. Haven't heard from her in about 2½ weeks, but as you'll come to learn, No News Is Good News! Be patient, think good thoughts, send up prayers. Lots of good info and supportive moms on this site!