No letter yet!

[Momma'sGirl]

We have received her box but still no letter. I am waiting till next week and if I dont get it I am going to call her recruiter. I have been writing letters and just wanting to send them. I am wondering a couple of things... My daughter has been told she would get a couple weeks off before A school but reading on here it looks like she will fly out the next day since she is going to San Antonio for school. Will she get any time off before school starts? And the next question is about gifts for graduation. Can she get goodies and such after graduation? I miss my baby and cant wait for BC to be done so I can talk to her! I just hope she is doing well. But like yall say.."no news is good news".

[NavyMum]

if I remember correctly - the letter took a week or two longer than the box. I know it was hard waiting for it.

the only time off between PIR and A-school is the liberty on PIR day. You can't give her anything that day because she is going back to the barracks and can't have anything with her. You CAN meet her at the airport the next morning before she flies out and give her stuff then - remember she'll have very limited space in her baggage so don't give her too much - it won't fit.  I brought my son's laptop, iphone, kindle, and a couple of candy treats for the flight to the airport for him - we mailed a box with civilian clothes to A school once we had his address (not too many - just enough for once he earnt the privilege of wearing them)

She will probably get leave between A school and her first duty station - my son had 3 weeks-ish...but had to help at the local recruiters for a few days while home. He also had to stay over at A school for a couple of weeks after he graduated - not everyone did but he wasn't the only one waiting on hold.

[Momma'sGirl]

Thank you! I was wondering about her phone and yall answered it for me! I feel so out of touch but this site really helps. It is a relief to talk to othera that understand. My husband isnt much help with calming my fears, lol.

[belovedbyHim]

It makes me SOOOOOOOOOOO angry that the recruiters LIE about leave between BC and A school!!! They do not get leave but they do get Liberty that day and if they are staying in GL that entire weekend.  She may be on hold before A school starts (Mine was on hold for almost 3 months!!!) but they cannot come home!  They will most likely have time to come home before they go to their first duty station or, depending on how long A school is, over the Christmas holiday stand down.  You and and should plan to be at the airport with her (plan to arrive between midnight and 3am and sleep later!!) and bring her a few key things!! Favorite underwear is often requested by both sexes!! phones, laptops, watches, and 1 or 2 outfits (Civies) that they can stuff in their bag when they earn the privilege, although the clothes are not as important as the electronics!!  They will have money available but if they have a debit card or credit card that arrived at home while they were in BC bring that too!! Navy Federal Credit Union is Amazing and there is a branch on nearly every base world-wide so they can get help there if they need it. They may not think of food since the Navy has done all the thinking for them but if they have a favorite "dry" snack you may want to bring that too so they don't pay airport prices for snacks on the flight or the first few days at their A school. 
    The letter takes longer than the box to arrive.  It is a form letter but it does help.  All mail from your sailor will go out on Monday so you can stalk your letter-carrier (mailman) on Wednesdays and Thursdays! Mail is delivered Mon-Sat to the Sailors so mail a bunch and then mail daily if you can!!!
  First phone call can come anytime for any reason so keep those phones handy but most calls come 4-6 weeks in!  They can call any day of the week but less likely on Sunday morning. I missed the first phone call home and it just about killed me but I knew where he was and that he was ok and that was the big thing!! just keep your phone handy!!!

[Momma'sGirl]

Thank you so much for the info! It really helps me try to figure out this new life as a Navy momma. And trust me, I dont go anywhere without my phone!

[Jessy]

Great information! I didn't post the question but it helped me too! Thank you

[belovedbyHim]

Jessy & Momma'sGirl-- Navy Mom's look out for each other!! I'm glad it helped.  Keep asking questions and READ everything!!! Read all the files too!! Join several different groups so you can find as many different moms to help you on your journey and before you know it you will be the Veteran Mom giving advice to new moms worrying about this wild roller coaster ride called the US Navy!!

[HGBmomKaren]

My son was told he would have time off between BC and A school by his recruiter as well (and when the recruiter came to our house she told us the same thing).  After reading information about PIR on this website, I saw that they don't really get any time off in between so I wrote to my son to ask.  At first, he thought I was wrong, but then he found out it was true and we will only have time with him on his graduation day.  I didn't want him to be looking forward to having days with us and then find out it was only hours.  I am not sure why the recruiters tell them they will have time off.  It is very unfair.