So new! Please help!

[Natasha]

My son left for rtc April 7. I been so worried because I haven't heard anything, so I called one of his recruiters to see if they had any information and he was able to give me ship number and division. I was so happy and we started writing and sending him things right away but when I started looking at websites and things, I feel we sent letters in wrong format. We wrote: ship 7117 instead of 07; division 988. Will he still receive them? Please help! By the way, if you have love one the in same division as  my son, or anyone who has patience, can you please guide me through this. Thank you so, so much.

[belovedbyHim]

Hi Natasha,

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 (April 7) -- Travel, Arrival and "I'm Here" scripted phone call

Week 1&2
Day 1-14 (April 8-21) -- ROM (Restriction of Movement/ Quarantine-- Lots of studying and waiting)

Week 3
Day 15-21 (April 22-28) -- Arrive Onboard RTC and begin P-days (P-days- Initial Processing Days) including 2 days of P-hold (Weekend)
Day 21 (April 28) -- Complete P days. (Initial PFT & Run)

Week 4- First week of training 
Day 22 (April 29)-- Begin training and mail form letter out. Look for it to arrive around 1-2 weeks later

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

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!!  PIR either 10 June or 17 June.

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 bit further and you'll see the main discussion feed.  You may want to post there as well. 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”.

In answer to your question, Maybe but likely not.  If your SR(Seaman Recruit) left on April 7 they are still in ROM (Restriction of Movement- Quarantine) They DO NOT get mail in ROM.  I do not know what else you sent but they also cannot have care packages.  Letters ONLY and even then you really need to wait.  I KNOW how hard this is.  We call this time "The Great Silence". It is brutal on those back home!! Especially those who are not prepared!  It is likely that you will not find anyone with your Division yet since they are still at Ft McCoy and have not and will not send the form letter for a while longer. Once they do get to their "Ship" at GL they have to select and train a Mail Petty Officer who will then be responsible for delivering the mail. Letters OUT do not happen until they have been there 5 weeks and letters in are usually late week 5 or week 6. from Departure. I know this is not the news you were wanting but it is what to expect.  There have also been 2 moms who have just shared letters from ROM this past week so if you go to the main page and scroll back you can read their information on what ROM is like. I hope you didn't send anything irreplaceable or valuable since it may or may not make it or be returned, it may be gone. 
Please feel free to reach out to me or any of the other "Veteran" Moms on here.  We are happy to help you find your sea legs.

[Northwoodsmom]

Natasha, welcome to Navy4 Mom's, we are so happy you have joined us. Most of the time they tell you to wait until you get the form letter to make sure you have the right division and ship number. It takes time to train someone in the mail room and with thousands of letters coming in not all letters get to where they are suppose to go. I see belovedbyHim shared the quarantine edition, that has alit of good information. Please come to the main page on the Boot Camp post, more if our newer mom's will see it and they will be able to respond to you about having a recruit in the same division. Again we are happy you are here.

[partyofseven]

Natasha- Good Morning, I know you started a new discussion hopefully you will come and post on here. This is where all the moms talk and ask questions.

I am sorry you might have gotten the wrong information to send letters to your loved one. We always recommend that you wait until you get the form letter as sometimes things can change in boot camp. It's really important to wait until you get the form letter.

Now when your loved one calls and you still haven't received the form letter then ask your loved one for his address so you can mail the letters off right away. That way you will be able to communicate with your loved one. Another good idea is to write down any questions you may have so you can ask when your loved one does call.

And that brings me to my next point.  :) Always keep your phone on you at all times and those ringers on loud. You just never know when a call will come thru.

Welcome again and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions.

partyofseven