Welcome to the Navy: Boot camp FAQ

[Arwen]

Welcome to boot camp. Here's a few things that may help you out in the first few weeks.

How will I know that my recruit has arrived safely?

You will get a very short (5-10 second) call from your recruit soon after s/he arrives at RTC Great Lakes. It sounds like they are reading from a script. "Hi mom, I arrived safely. I can't talk, I love you. Bye." Don't try to get them to talk longer, this will just get them yelled at by their RDC. This call may come as early as 5 p.m or as late as 2 am.

If your recruit brought his or her cell phone with them you will be able to talk and/or text while they are at their hotel, a little at MEPS, at the airport in your home area, and at the airport in Chicago. They may be in the Chicago airport USO for several hours waiting for the Navy bus that transports them to boot camp. They will eat dinner at the airport (the Navy gives them a "food chit" to pay for it). As soon as they get on the bus, they have to turn off their phone. Recruits who have their cell phones are usually allowed to make that last call home on their own phone.

What is The Box?

The first thing you will get is "The Box" or "Kid in a Box." No, there is no note inside, and the return address is a generic one. Do not try to use this address to send things to your recruit. Warning: this is a FedEx box of dirty laundry, clothes they have been wearing for 2-3 days and their cell phone and anything else they brought with them. You may also find items from the list the recruiter said your recruit can bring to boot camp, such as bras and underwear. This collection of items has been stewing in its own juices for several days, and during the summer, baked to perfection. Open with caution. This box usually arrives 4-7 days after their arrival in boot camp.

So, what does my recruit actually get to keep?

The ONLY things they will be allowed to keep are their wallet, a small religious medal (it must be the same size or smaller than dog tags), a small religious text (Bible/Torah/Book of Shadows, etc), and a tiny address book. For their first few days they are given a sock to store their personal items. If it doesn't fit in the sock they can't keep it. Everything else goes in The Box.

Put an activated phone card, a book of stamps and basic addresses and phone numbers in the wallet. Recruits will be able to get Navy stationery at the mini NEX at boot camp.

When will I get my recruit's address and graduation information?

You may be able to learn your recruit's division assignment and address from his/her recruiter. If your recruiter can not find the information, you may have to wait until your form letter.

Your form letter usually arrives 7 to 10 days after recruits arrive at boot camp. It has a lot of information including the exact address to write to your recruit, your recruit's PIR date, and about six lines for your recruit to send a short personal note home. Keep this letter in a safe place, it also has the internet password for your PIR parking pass.

Only one form letter is sent, and the recruit determines who gets it. If the recruit has several options (a "significant other" and parents, or parents who do not share an address) and you do not get the letter, check with the other people who may have received it.


When will I get *real* mail? 

Recruits will not be allowed to write home for their first week or two, I got my first real letter about a week and a half after I got the form letter. Your letters may not catch up to them for about three weeks, so those first few letters may ask why you're not writing. don't panic, it will get to them. Date your letters so your recruit knows when they were sent.

Recruits are only allowed to mail letters out on Sunday (they actually get sent Monday), so expect your letters Wednesday or Thursday, and on weeks with a post office holiday, Thursday or Friday. Unless you live very close to Chicago, then it's Tuesday/Wednesday.

When will my recruit get to call home?

Your next phone call will come during Week 3, which is actually their fourth week - the first week is processing and does not count towards training. Recruits have three guaranteed calls during boot camp: the "I'm here" call the night they arrive, the "I'm still alive" call in the 3rd week of training, and the "I'm a sailor" call in their 7th week. Any other calls have to be earned.

Some divisions earn a half-dozen calls, others never earn an extra call. If they are going to earn calls it will probably be in the fourth week or later. It is rare for recruits to earn a call during the first half of boot camp.

Some recruits call in the second and sixth weeks to get more information for their security clearance. They won't be allowed to chat at that time, they are to give you a list of items they need, and a phone number to fax it to.

How can I get in touch with other moms/girlfriends/wives from my recruit's division?

When you learn your recruit's PIR date, look for a PIR group to join on N4M Groups. You will have between seven and 15 divisions per PIR group (A PIR Group is all divisions in the same week of training, who will graduate together). Since there are usually only 5-10 moms from each division, and groups are at about the same level of training, you will find better conversations among PIR groups than just a single division.

Because of limited time and space for classrooms and training buildings, divisions in a group start training on different days, 2 or 3 divisions per day. For example, on Monday Div 001, Div 002 and Div 003 all start day 1-1. On Tuesday Div 004, 005 and 006 start day 1-1, etc. Divisions who are on the same day of training are "brother divisions." They get to know each other and generally know what is happening with their brother division(s).

[beachmom]

Got some good info here. Especially on the calls home and when to expect them. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

[Arwen]

No problem. I'm glad to help.

[Bobbi Ray]

I'm going crazy with worry over this...We never activated my sons phone card before he left. Does anyone know what to do now? Should we send a new one to him activated? Will this be his one of his calls out to activate this calling card? We have never used a calling card, I can't believe we forgot to activate it...Please someone know what you think as soon as possible.

[kanga123]

by what week should they get their first paycheck? 2nd paycheck? I guess the first check is mostly used up with paying for uniforms, shoes, etc then pictures for PIR? then to bill pay if they set that up before they left?
kanga nayveebaybee

[Arwen]

My son joined on Dec. 16 and got his first paycheck on Jan. 15. It seemed to be a paycheck and a half.

[Arwen]

Not all parts are co-ed.. Some training in the compartment (making beds, folding laundry) may be done separately, with the women in the women's compartment, men in the men's compartment. Men really don't need to know where to store tampons, or how to fold a bra Navy style.

All other training is done together, from PT to firefighting to classroom stuff.

Not all divisions are co-ed. In my son's graduating group, three of the nine divisions were co-ed. My son's division and their brother division never saw a female sailor except in passing.

[Cheryl (Josh's mom)]

this is a great page, thanks for putting it together!! will their phone calls always be to land line or can they call a cell??? because if you work how will you know when they are going to call and what time, to be able to even stay home.. I always have my cell with me... thanks again...

[Arwen]

They can call any phone. I refer to cell phones because they can use their cell phone for the first calll, then any recruits who brought their phone with them will have to send it home. All other calls after that will be from pay phones. If you arrange with your recruit to always call your cell you won't get tied to your home during those days when you expect a call.

As for exactly what day and time, that's something you really can't know. It depends on how many divisions need to use the phone, in what order, and what kind of mood the RDCs are in.

[wyomingmom]

Great information. Is there any truth to this.....The recruits will have to do extra pushups for every lettter they receive? In other words, should we limit the amount of people who are sending letters, or does it matter. Thanks.

[Arwen]

They do not usually do pushups for lots of letters, but I have heard of it, occasionally. Usually recruits that get that type of RDC say the pushups are more than worth it for the letters. Some are rather proud of it.

Unusual stuff (colored, decorated or scented envelopes) gets "extra attention" from the RDCs and especially musical cards. Musical cards are a "favorite" of RDCs. I've heard of recruits (either divisions or individuals) forced to exercise to the beat of the musical card, or continue exercising until the card battery dies.

Also stuff like cookies, candy, and other "contraband" cause recruits a lot of grief. One grandma insisted that because her uncle could get cookies in Army boot camp in the 50s, it is fine to send cookies to Navy boot camp, even after the recruit's mom specifically told her not to.

[Amanda]

My phone has been glued to my side and when I leave it someplace I freak out and get worried my husband may of called! After reading this it makes me feel better!! Thank you!!

[mfavored]

Thanks for all the info. My son just left on 6/9 I received my 10 second call and I am doing a little better than when he first left. His recruiter called me the next day so I have his Div and Ship#. Div 261 Ship 12 Just waiting and writing letters