Welcome to
Navy For Moms

This site is for mothers of kids in the U.S. Navy and for Moms who have questions about Navy life for their kids.

FIRST TIME HERE?

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO GET STARTED:

Choose your Username. For the privacy and safety of you and/or your sailor, NO LAST NAMES ARE ALLOWED, even if your last name differs from that of your sailor (please make sure your URL address does not include your last name either). Also, please do not include your email address in your user name. Go to "Settings" above to set your Username. While there, complete your Profile so you can post and share photos and videos of your Sailor and share stories with other moms!

Make sure to read our Community Guidelines and this Navy Operations Security (OPSEC) checklist - loose lips sink ships!

Join groups! Browse for groups for your PIR date, your sailor's occupational specialty, "A" school, assigned ship, homeport city, your own city or state, and a myriad of other interests. Jump in and introduce yourself! Start making friends that can last a lifetime.

Link to Navy Speak - Navy Terms & Acronyms: Navy Speak

All Hands Magazine's full length documentary "Making a Sailor": This video follows four recruits through Boot Camp in the spring of 2018 who were assigned to DIV 229, an integrated division, which had PIR on 05/25/2018.

Boot Camp: Making a Sailor (Full Length Documentary - 2018)

Boot Camp: Behind the Scenes at RTC

...and visit Navy.com - America's Navy and Navy.mil also Navy Live - The Official Blog of the Navy to learn more.

OPSEC - Navy Operations Security

Always keep Navy Operations Security in mind. In the Navy, it's essential to remember that "loose lips sink ships." OPSEC is everyone's responsibility.

DON'T post critical information including future destinations or ports of call; future operations, exercises or missions; deployment or homecoming dates.

DO be smart, use your head, always think OPSEC when using texts, email, phone, and social media, and watch this video: "Importance of Navy OPSEC."

Follow this link for OPSEC Guidelines:

OPSEC GUIDELINES

Events

Add an Event

**UPDATE as of 11/10/2022 PIR vaccination is no longer required.

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UP TO DATE INFO:

RTC Graduation

RESUMING LIVE PIR - 8/13/2021

Please note! Changes to this guide happened in October 2017. Tickets are now issued for all guests, and all guests must have a ticket to enter base. A separate parking pass is no longer needed to drive on to base for parking.

Please see changes to attending PIR in the PAGES column. The PAGES are located under the member icons on the right side.

Format Downloads:

Graduation Info
PDF – 2.7 MB
PNG – 2.3 MB
JPG – 3.4 MB
Printable PDF – 2.0 MB

Latest Activity

Navy Speak

Click here to learn common Navy terms and acronyms! (Hint: When you can speak an entire sentence using only acronyms and one verb, you're truly a Navy mom.)

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Navy.com Para Familias

Visite esta página para explorar en su idioma las oportunidades de educación y carreras para sus hijos en el Navy. Navy.com

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Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Information

To everyone with a loved one at RTC or soon to be there, we say, "Welcome!" To those who are sticking around after PIR to help those who are just beginning this awesome journey, we say, "Thank you!"

**BEGINNING OCTOBER 5, 2023, RECRUIT GRADUATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED EVERY THURSDAY (NO LONGER ON FRIDAY), EXCEPT FOR THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING, WHEN GRADUATION IS ON WEDNESDAY.

This is a place to talk, ask questions, and share stories. It is our desire that this Group will provide the information, encouragement, and support you need while your loved one is at RTC in Great Lakes. Enjoy your time here and feel free to Comment and join in the Discussions. Be sure to check out the "Pages" to the right, located under the pictures of the Members, especially OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile), (Click "View All" to see all of them.)

Please, if you no longer want to be a part of N4M's consider NOT deleting your profile as everything you have ever posted will disappear when you delete it . You can leave a group but don't permanently delete your profile!

Members: 13261
Latest Activity: 22 hours ago

Answers to Common Questions

The Navy has updated their Cell Phone Usage (4/2024).

Read the article here on personal cell phones for call homes:

Personal Cell Phone Use for Calls Home

This link gives you a breakdown of the training schedule at boot camp.

BASIC MILITARY TRAINING SCHEDULE

New in 2022: Navy to lengthen Basic Military Training

Navy to lengthen Boot Camp - Navy Times

Are there any official RTC sites?

Yes, check out https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand and http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/. They will have lots of information for you. https://www.facebook.com/NavalServiceTraining also has items at times.

https://www.facebook.com/ASBPGreatLakes has pics of some of the recruits who give blood while at RTC. Those donations occur about 2 weeks (10 to 16 days depending on the division) before PIR.

You may also find pics in https://www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp.

RTC will stream PIR live at http://navylive.dodlive.mil/ beginning at 8:45 am CST on the day of PIR for those who are unable to attend in person. (Once PIR has passed, you will be able to see the video at https://navylive.dodlive.mil/. If the one you want is not there, then click on a PIR video and then change the date in the URL to the date you want. You will have to change both the numerical date and the written out date in the URL. For example, if you want the video for the March 3, 2017 PIR date, then change https://navylive.dodlive.mil/2019/08/23/navy-recruit-graduation-august-23-2019/ to https://navylive.dodlive.mil/2017/03/03/navy-recruit-graduation-march-3-2017/.)

Can recruits take anything to BC with them?

Recruits should go with what they have on their backs, their cell phones, and not much else. Effective August 2022 Recruits can bring their own (approved) running shoes. (See Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for RTC.)

What will the first day be like at BC?

See Arrival and What Happens at RTC and Ship/Division--How it Works.

How long is the "I'm here!" call and when will s/he be able to call again?

See Phone Cards and Phone Calls.

I got my recruit's address from the recruiter. Can I trust it?

Double-check the address the recruiter gave you against those at

RTC Division Addresses, but we strongly encourage you to wait on the form letter before sending mail to your recruit since the address provided by the recruiter prior to that can be wrong up to 11 business days or more after the recruit's arrival if the recruit failed the first attempt at the run and then passed (or failed) the second attempt and was ASMO'd to a different division (or to SEPS) or if RTC needed to move recruits for some reason. Sometimes a form letter is not mailed by accident and if it has been at least 3 calendar weeks since your recruit arrived at RTC and you do not have a form letter, then you can call the recruiter and get the address and mail letters to your recruit since the address in the system should be the correct one at that point, but be sure to double-check the address here Ship/Division--How it Works.

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**NOTE: There is a virtual graduation for your Sailor that you can watch on the RTC FaceBook page. It is posted the FRIDAY after PIR.

RTC Facebook Page - Graduation

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When will the Form Letter come and what is in it?

The form letter will arrive in your regular mail around nine to fourteen business days after the recruit's arrival at RTC since it is not mailed until a division’s 1-1 Day of Training, which takes place after your recruit has taken and passed the run portion of the Baseline PFA, which is on or about the fifth business day after arrival (later if the division that your recruit was tentatively placed in upon arrival did not fill until a later date). See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training (FIT). The brochure that is included from MWRGL about hotels and other things is at Travel Guide . The form letter includes your recruit's address, so now you can mail out all the letters you have been writing. There is more on this in Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

The form letter will also tell you the date of PIR, so you can start making plans for your trip. There are many hotels in the area and there is information in the grad pack and on this site about them. If you fly in, renting a car will make your life easier. Also, if you are flying, some airlines, such as Southwest, will allow you to change your flight without a charge if something happens, so you do not have to book refundable tickets. ** EDITED - LIVE PIR's RESUME 8/13/2021**

UPDATED TRAINING SCHEDULE (6/2022 - Thanks to belovedbyHim)

The Expected timeline will look like this:

Day 0 -- Travel, Arrival and "I'm Here" scripted phone call

Week 1 Day 1-7 -- Arrive Onboard RTC and begin P-days (P-days- Initial Processing Days) including 2 days of P-hold (Weekend)

Day 8 -- Begin training and mail form letter out. Look for it to arrive around 1-2 weeks later
Week 2 -- First week of Training including PT and Swim Qualifications
Week 3 -- Marlin Spike - (Line handling- How to tie up a Ship to the Pier) , First inspections and tests (Dental May be this week or next... Not Confirmed)(Form letter/ Personal letters usually arrive this week)

Week 4 -- Confidence Chamber & Fire Fighting training
Week 5 -- Fire Arms Training

Week 6 -7 -- More training, Drilling (Flags and Marching).

Week 8 – Battle Stations (done prior to final PFA). Your SR will call home to say they are a Sailor but they still have to pass final PFA in order to graduate.

Week 9 & 10– Warrior Training (Life skills) and Final PFA

Approx 10 Fridays from Departure they will have PIR!! If you can go you will be amazed at the change that happened in just 10 short weeks. For the time being they are also still Live Streaming the PIR ceremony.

Once you know your recruit's PIR date, be sure to join the group for that date. PIR groups are posted on the Comment Wall below once they are created.

USPS Informed Delivery - Sign up and receive an email from the US Postal Service showing what mail you will be getting each day (if available in your area).

Informed Delivery®

How long should I plan to stay in the Great Lakes area?

Arrive at least the day before PIR so you can pick up your ticket/s for PIR and also attend Sarge's Meet and Greet if you wish to do so.

If your Sailor's "A" School or training is in GL, then plan to leave late Sunday or on Monday. If your Sailor will be flying out, then plan to leave late Saturday or on Sunday to have the most time with your Sailor. (This may need to be adjusted if PIR is not on Friday.) See Saving Money PIR Weekend and PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend.

**UPDATED LIBERTY RULES - GL - AUGUST 2022**

Here is a link from Great Lakes regarding their Updated Liberty Rules during PIR weekend, effective August, 2022. (Thank you Amy for sharing this with me.) I'll post it in a few different places.

Updated Liberty Rules for GL - August 2022

SARGE'S MEET & GREET - BACK AS OF 3/18/2022

Plan to arrive the day before PIR so you won't risk missing PIR and go to Sarge's Meet and Greet from 4pm to 8pm the evening before PIR at the Lakehurst Event Center (go to http://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html to RSVP). Sarge has a taxi service and he is a wealth of information. His cell number is 847-212-0246. His Meet and Greet and services have been getting great reviews. Find Sarge on N4M as OldSarge.

Who can attend PIR?

RESUMING LIVE PIR - 8/13/2021

Your recruit will indicate the names of up to FOUR guests who will be permitted to receive tickets and attend PIR. RTC may change that to three guests if there is a large TG. Children ages 2 and under do not need a ticket to attend PIR, but a copy of the child's birth certificate may be presented in order for the child to attend PIR. The names of the guests will be listed on the Security Access Form. Your recruit will send the Security Access Form with the form letter and it will need to be completed fully and returned to your recruit. if you do not receive the form letter, then you can download the Security Access Form and complete it and send it to your recruit, but your recruit has the final say on who will attend PIR.

ALL GUESTS 3 YEARS OLD AND OLDER MUST HAVE A TICKET TO ATTEND PIR, INCLUDING MILITARY GUESTS (ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, RETIRED, VET). No extra guests allowed, no exceptions.

GUESTS SECURITY ACCESS FORM: If you are going to be attending the graduation ceremony, you will need to fill out the security access form, which is included with your form letter. Return the form to your recruit according to the instructions.

ONLY YOUR RECRUIT CAN CHANGE THE GRADUATION CEREMONY ACCESS LIST: Your recruit will be able to make changes to the access list throughout training. The last opportunity to make changes will be the week before graduation. If there is a change to be made to the access list (such as a name spelled incorrectly, name-swap, etc…) please communicate any changes to your recruit by mail. Recruit Training Command staff cannot change these names or release the names of those on the list. Please do not call for additional seats!

The form can also be downloaded by anyone from the website, but only the recruit has final say-so as to who will be invited. Those names are submitted and those names will be printed on tickets. All of those guests attending must be present with ID to pick up the ticket in person. No exceptions, no swapping of tickets, no changing of names during final week of graduation.

If you are attending a graduation ceremony, you MUST personally obtain your ticket, you cannot pick up tickets for others. Tickets will be distributed at the Recruit Family Welcome Center, located inside the Navy Exchange Burkey Mall, Bldg. 3452, 2650 Green Bay Road Great Lakes, IL 60088

Additional information on ticketing is also available at www.bootcamp.navy.mil. (See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/faq.html#grad_ceremony.)

Once you receive your ticket, please DO NOT lose it, as this will be the only ticket you will receive. These tickets are not transferable and are serialized to each graduation attendee. If you do not have a ticket, then you will not be permitted access to the base.

The Recruit Family Welcome Center will be open on the following days and times: Thursday [10:00 AM to 7:30 PM], and Friday [5:30 AM to 8:00 AM]. ***Certain federal holidays may require adjusting days and times. Please refer to the command website for those specific updates***

Please plan accordingly so each person listed can check in to receive a ticket for the graduation ceremony. Again, if you don’t have a ticket you will NOT be allowed entry to the base. Tickets will only be issued to those guests who the graduating recruit has verified will be attending.

Driving on to base.

Driver’s license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance or rental car agreement and graduation ticket must be ready to present to security at access points. Everyone in the car ages three and over must show their ticket to graduation. If someone in the car over the age of two does not have a ticket, they are not allowed through the gate, no exceptions.

NO cell phone usage while driving on base!
Seat belts are required for all drivers/passengers at all times
Motorcycle drivers/riders MUST have proper protective clothing/equipment such helmet, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and over the ankle hard-soled boots.
Recent graduates are prohibited from operating motor vehicles, including motorcycles, and are NOT allowed to be a passenger on a motorcycle.

See Bootcamp.Navy.Mil for the Frequently Asked Questions.

What will happen PIR weekend?

See PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend

http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/graduation.html and http://www.navyformoms.ning.com/custom/media/downloads/N4M_PIR_infographic_web.pdf.

S.O. Contract:

Moms whose sons have an S.O. Contract headed to BUD/S there is a group for you.

It is called, BUD/S and SQT (Stages of a S.E.A.L.)

Interested:

Send a friend request to NavyMom(J) for more information.

(Click on the highlighted links.)

Be sure to check out the Pages to the right (under the pictures of the Members) for additional information. (You will need to click "View All" to see all of them.)

Donna is no longer active on the site. Several others who have begun this journey before you are here to help. (Donna, we are forever thankful that you started this group that continues to help so many.)

Discussion Forum

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Comment Wall

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Comment by Squirrel Run on September 11, 2024 at 1:09am: Ooooh Bhmom, you got the letter?! Nice. Your daughter is a few weeks ahead of my son. Congratulations! How are you feeling? I'm feeling like a kid waiting for their gift on Christmas: is it here yet? Did you check to see if it came?! Any news?! Lol. Even though I have the postal informed delivery.

I've never been to Chicago. This would be a first for us. We are flying in from NY. We thought about doing a road trip, well, still thinking about it. We've done a road trip to Florida and a few other states, but the furthest was Florida (took us 22 hours) it was the younger boys suggestion.

Yes, I remember "No news is good news" but the family doesn't want to hear any of that. His brothers want to hear about his new fascinating life lol.

Thank you all so much for being here, answering questions, and sharing your experiences.

Comment by Lara on September 10, 2024 at 11:29pm: Bhmom - if you are interested, you might consider flying into Milwaukee and driving south to GL. It might be less complicating in comparison to flying into Chicago and it is a relatively easy drive from Milwaukee.
We arrived the evening before PIR and stayed close at a hotel, and that went well for us. There were other families there for graduation and they even had a lunch for families and Sailors afterwards, just something simple.

Comment by bhmom on September 10, 2024 at 10:26pm: Not sure if I posted on the wrong area but Chipmunk, Party of 7 and Agnes B, thank you for your response, links and info. I am so heartened we got the post card and have every confidence and am certain our Sailor is working her tail off in BC and will in A school. I struggle visualizing her carrying a 200+ marine out of a field situation but know she would be more than up to the task if needed so will see where this goes. It is heartening to read your comments other average sized girls have done it and knowing her determination....

Thanks again for the sites and can't say enough how excited we are now we have a grad date to look forward to. Funny how much you miss your kids when there is radio silence!

Have a great week all and take care.

Comment by bhmom on September 10, 2024 at 10:11pm: Hi Squirrel Run. Love the name and am so in the same boat of nervousness, anticipation and dreading having to sign up for FB to get added info. Although hats off to the group here. They are so encouraging, informative and supportive. Thank you all!

Happy Day! We got our first (brief) post card from our daughter confirming grad Nov 7 and her mailing address. Hoping for a phone call in a week or so but glad to have the grad date at least and know she seems to be doing well and we can write her.

Guessing we need to fly into GL on the Tuesday to do the registration for the Thursday. Any insight whether we should look at VRBO or hotels that are recommended? Do you know when they usually find out when they will be leaving for A school and can they leave BC and stay with us til then? Sorry, I realize that probably varies a lot between one training school and the next. Just really hoping we can start looking at locking in flights the next couple weeks. Every time I have driven through Chicago it is either a blizzard or a monsoon. Ugh.

Thanks again for all the info and hope everyone is having a good start to the week!

Comment by belovedbyHim on September 10, 2024 at 7:23pm: Squirrel Run -- I'm so glad you found the questions to ask!! On that QR code did it include his ship's name/Address? You DO NOT need to ever send a Sandboxx letter. If you start writing letters now and time them for every 2-3 days then he should get a big stack once they train the Mail Petty Officer (Number the outside of the envelopes so he knows the order to open them and if any go missing.) and as long as you keep something going he'll have regular mail.

Please click on my name and go and friend me. This will allow you to send me a private message and you can send me his training schedule and I'd be happy to answer what I can and get answers if there's something I don't know. (This Keeps things OPSEC (Operational Security) and PERSEC (Personal Security).

Yes FB does have it's uses. Just lock your page down but as your sailor continues their career you will learn that there are some things that you can ONLY learn about from FB or Instagram. Most commands have some form of a FB presence including Boot Camp. They post pictures from Every PIR and sometimes random pictures of the Recruits. It's worth peeking in on the off chance you get lucky. DO NOT ask for your Sailor or DIV or they will AVOID them like the Plague!!

Yes it looks like you will be in GL for Thanksgiving!! When you friend me you can share your Div number and we can confirm. This is a double Edged Sword... Your PIR will be on WED, NOT Thurs. and you will have the whole weekend in all likelihood. You will want to make your plans ASAP. Consider looking for a VRBO type situation if you don't want to be hunting for places to eat for that day. But, YES, Getting the time off and traveling can be a complete Pain!!! Hopefully your husband can explain and get the time off!!

Comment by B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet) on September 10, 2024 at 5:44pm: Hi all - Happy Tuesday! I'm back from visiting my grandson and now trying to get caught up at work....ugh!

Be sure to join your PIR group. Here are the links:

PIR: OCTOBER 2024

PIR: SEPTEMBER 2024

Comment by Squirrel Run on September 10, 2024 at 7:55am: Thank you! Thank you all so much! This means a lot to me. I haven't been able to log on the tablet yet but I have looked around. I have been keeping busy, which helps me. We did go through all his clothes and gadgets before he left. We did a thorough cleaning. His room never looked so clean lol.

Yes, during my reading and lurking on this site, I did come across the question to ask him if he wanted to know about issues. He said he did want to know but mostly about us and his grandmas.

We did sign up for Sandboxx. When should I write that letter? I'm going to send him USPS mail too but just wanted to make sure he gets something from us.

He isn't much of a talker. Mostly texter.
Yes, he did send me a text when he landed (8ish, pm). It was a QR code but it didn't work for us. I had to actually print it out and then scan it. I was able to send the link to his dad brothers, and gf. It led me to his training schedule. Which is a bit confusing.
I got the call! He called around 12am.

His gf sent me his oath video. She found it on fb. Oh, how I loathe FB lol but if that's where I can find information and videos, that's where I'll go lol.

So, if my counting is correct, does he graduate during Thanksgiving week?
That's difficult (for his dad really, cause I can take off. I have a very supportive supervisor. My husband's job isn't so supportive -especially on holidays) and costs a lot more

Thank you-thank you! You are so fantastic! There's no way I would have my sanity if not for all the information you have provided.

Comment by belovedbyHim on September 9, 2024 at 1:46pm: Rolo’s Mom -- YEA!!!! Letters are AWESOME!!! I loved getting letters from My SR almost as much as I loved phone calls!! But then again, my sailor wasn't a big writer!!

Squirrel Run -- So I'm guessing your Son is at MEPS today and Leaves for Bootcamp Tonight. You will get a phone call very late night /early morning. It's a scripted call letting you know they are at Navy Boot camp. Go ahead and talk over him... Let him know you love him and are proud of him. We have a link to the script somewhere around here if you want to know what he was saying. Once he's at the airport have him call you, then when he get's to Chicago have him call again. This will be your last phone call for a while so it's worth taking the time to connect.

I didn't get a chance to send you the link to my blog but one of the questions to ask is if anything happens back home, does he want to know. I know it's an odd thing to discuss and no one likes to think about it but you need to know. Unless it's immediate family, he may not be able to come home and if he does leave he may have to start all over again. Others find it a distraction and they cannot focus and others are able to know and push on in spite of or in honor of the loss.

The other thing to let him know is that HE is your primary source for information. We know a lot about what happens when at Boot camp because they have to process 1000 new recruits every week through there so that schedule doesn't change much or often but details come from him. This will be true in the fleet too, so here's your time to practice! Have him Opt into Sandboxx for Boot camps so you get the Div, Address and PIR quickly but then save your money and sanity and send Snail mail letters (Unless something, Time urgent happens, which is rare! but if it does then you may want to use a sandboxx letter.)

We haven't lost a mom to boot camp, We won't start with you!! Come here, share, vent, ask, rejoice.... we are happy to help you get your sea legs!! Welcome to the greatest Adventure your child has taken you on!!

Comment by Rolo’s Mom on September 9, 2024 at 10:16am: Good morning! Happy to report we received letters over the weekend! yay! Sweet boy. He’s exhausted but loving what he’s doing. Just a little over two weeks left to go!

Squirrel Run…Welcome!!! This is a FANTASTIC group and ditto to what’s been said already…we’re here for whatever you need!

Comment by Lara on September 8, 2024 at 9:50pm: Welcome Squirrel run! Thinking of you and your son! Prayers for calm and peaceful thoughts in these next weeks of change.

Wishing all us navy moms, and all our troops…and especially our Sailors and SRs a pleasant and quiet Sunday evening.