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 4/26/2022** Effective with the May 6, 2022 PIR 4 guests will be allowed. Still must be fully vaccinated to attend.

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

**UPDATE 7/29/2021** You now must be fully vaccinated in order to attend PIR:

In light of observed changes and impact of the Coronavirus Delta Variant and out of an abundance of caution for our recruits, Sailors, staff, and guests, Recruit Training Command is restricting Pass-in-Review (recruit graduation) to ONLY fully immunized guests (14-days post final COVID vaccination dose).

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UP TO DATE INFO:

RTC Graduation

**UPDATE 8/25/2022 - MASK MANDATE IS LIFTED. Vaccinations still required.

**UPDATE 11/10/22 PIR - Vaccinations no longer required.

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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Please note: Profits generated in the production of this merchandise are not being awarded to the Navy or any of its suppliers. Any profit made is retained by CafePress.

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: 13216
Latest Activity: 3 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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You need to be a member of Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) to add comments!

Comment by partyofseven on December 17, 2020 at 1:02pm: Shortcake- Good Morning, Glad to hear he's doing well. Yes when they get their phones back it's so nice.

You have a good day as well!!!

Comment by Shortcake on December 17, 2020 at 12:50pm: These comments may be a little out of order. There was a lot of catching up to do.

Proudandgrateful - My son was not big on writing at all. He wrote 2 letters and his upcoming schedule for Nuke school (literally an itinerary format).

I will be the guinea pig for anyone not sure about taking the vaccine. I believe in the science and there is so much false information out there, but I do respect that everyone has their own opinion. I think for me coming from a medical background and now research, it easier for me to read through the trash and pick out the facts as well as being able to look at the scientific data released and interpret. I will admit, I am a little anxious about the "newness" of the vaccine (not a new technology, just never deployed before).

Shanny - What the what?! That is absolutely absurd that they refused food for your son! I'm really worried now for my son when he goes for ROM. What do they do if they don't know anyone and food is not delivered and they have to stay in their room? They need a better system! I'm so relieved to hear he has friends that were able to bring him food.

Pheonixmom - I don't bake often. I love cooking though. My mom bakes all the time. She bakes every weekend for sure and then sometimes throughout the week. When my son was still here, he would always ask if we could go visit on the weekends because he knew there were treats around lol.

Northwood - I love you festive cookies!

Belovedbyhim - your cartoons had me cracking up. I will be the mom tackling her kid for sure.

Mom2blondies - Does your son have a lingual bar? the bar that they cement to the back of the teeth to help keep them in place after braces? Usually on the lower set of teeth, but I have seen it on the uppers as well. I made my son get his wisdom teeth removed before he left. It was his first experience with anesthesia. He was not a happy camper when he came to. He was upset that he couldn't feel his mouth and he kept trying to take the gauze out. It was a task the first day, luckily he slept through most of it. My son was not huge on writing either. I sent him letters with questions and he did not write back, but he did bring the letters with him when he was able to call to answer me then. Maybe that is something that would work with your son. I would say keep writing even if he doesn't respond. I think it helps them still feel connected to home.

Has anyone thought of trying to have a zoom call with all of us? Is that allowed? Kind of a meet and greet?

Chipmunk - Happy Birthday!!!!

Ladybluefire - I hope you had a lovely birthday!

Thursday morning meeting mania has begun and does not stop until 6 pm PST tonight. Catch you ladies later. Have a wonderful day!

Comment by Shortcake on December 17, 2020 at 12:50pm: I want to first and foremost say such a big thank you to you all for all of your love and support. I could not have gotten through this all without you!

I was so anxious waiting for the phone call. When my son called, I jumped out of my chair and tripped over a package I left on the floor. The floor went flying across the room. Luckily I was pure adrenaline and didn't feel anything, so I was able to get to the phone before it stopped ringing. I was literally dancing around the house as we talked. Poor guy was so exhausted. Now I'm just waiting for his phone to be turned back on. I texted him everyday he was gone...he may not be to thrilled with me when his phone starts pinging lol. He told me he ordered pictures! I can't wait to get them! All in all he sounds good. Said he had his orders, wasn't sure when he would leave THU, and that he went through another comprehensive physical with more vaccines. I feel much calmer now.

Comment by MyKidsMom on December 17, 2020 at 12:32pm: Partyofseven — I’ve been doing well. I haven’t been on much lately, but I read all the email messages. Sometimes if I don’t have anything to say, I try not to say it at great length. Times when I might have been able to answer a question, someone else got there first with more complete information.

Comment by partyofseven on December 17, 2020 at 12:07pm: Mykidsmom- Thank you for posting that. I wasn't sure if they were still doing that at bc. Hope you have been doing well.

Comment by Shanny on December 17, 2020 at 11:35am: VintageGal: I have silence turn on at 10:30 pm and off at 7:15 am. And my sailor and my nieces are the only exceptions. My sailor used come walking in my bedroom in the middle of the night and wake me up to ask how to make something he wanted to eat. I used to grumble at him. Now I miss it.

Welcome to all of our new members!!!!

you have come to the right place for support and understanding, and lots of mindless chatter! Please feel free to ask any questions you may have! Someone will always answer. If your question gets lost in our endless daily chatter, please ask again. We will never intentionally ignore someone! We will support you, laugh with you, get angry with you, and be here for you! Welcome to the group!!!

Comment by Phoenixmom on December 17, 2020 at 11:20am: Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You that I am part of the body of Christ and thank You for the opportunities I have to meet regularly with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that I may actively seek out opportunities to meet together with others.. so that together we may give mutual encouragement and motivate one another towards godly love and good works. And Lord, as the world becomes increasingly dark, I pray that none of us may fall into the trap of becoming isolated in our walk, but may we grow in grace and wisdom and in a knowledge of You - enjoying godly fellowship and sound teaching - to Your praise and glory, AMEN.

Comment by Phoenixmom on December 17, 2020 at 11:12am: Good Morning All Happy Thursday To you all!
Hoping today finds all well safe and warm!

Good Morning to all the New Comers, so glad to have you here. This site will give much info on everything they will be enduring while in BC. So please come and ask questions.

Have a Good Day all!

Comment by VintageGal on December 17, 2020 at 11:12am: Good morning ladies,

Partyofseven ~ Hello! How’s it going having your sailor home? what kind of fun things are you guys up to? I’m all stocked up on food and goodies so we’re good there. And really what’s more important to an 18 year old man then food?!

Chipmunk ~ Good morning busy lady! Enjoy your outings with your young man :) it’s the best when you can spend that quality time with them and to just listen to them talk. Oh and a doorbell at 6:30 in the morning... oh heck no!
so maybe I should’ve been buttering up my new mailman with goodies because as soon as my BC letters stopped coming all of a sudden the mail started coming on time. It’s like he was trying to irritate me! LOL

Shanny ~ Good morning that’s a not so nice wake up call! Overnight I have my phone on silent but then my kids are on emergency bypass. Their phone calls are the only ones that are important enough to merit a call in the middle of the night. Lol and I can’t say that it hasn’t been my 13-year-old son who wants to go down for a snack or drink of water and wants me to go down there with him. It’s funny because he’s huge and he could probably knock somebody out, but when he gets to the bottom of the stairs and it’s dark there’s no moving forward. He has woke up his sister in the middle of the night to go downstairs with them I kid you not. ~ rambling~
Enjoy your day! :)

Doribry ~ That is a very kind thing to do for your mailman. I know they appreciate that!

Proud and grateful ~ I really do hope that you get a letter from your sailor! Tell him that mama needs to see that handwriting!

Ladybluefire~ Good morning! Your long to do list looked a lot like mine! I love getting my dawn, vinegar, and water mix and rag and wiping every surface down! I got the back patio blown off and now I just have a few things left to do before tomorrow.
your photo album sounds so sweet and the kids are going love them! I know they’re young adults but I still call them kids :) I really hope you have some good rockin tunes on while you’re getting your chores done!

Phoenixmom, Mom2blondies, Warriorprotector, Belovedbyhim, Northwoodsmom, Anti M, NewMilMom, C’smom ~
Have a wonderful day ladies!

To all of our new moms keep your ringer is on high and answer any and all calls! You can always hang up on a spam call! BNMH!!!

Comment by MyKidsMom on December 17, 2020 at 10:32am: My son had his wisdom teeth removed in boot camp in September, so they haven’t stopped for COVID. I guess he was a little loopy from the anesthesia; in his letter to my husband, he reported that his buddy who was escorting him back said he was chasing geese.

Today is his birthday. I need to text him to wish him a happy birthday, though he won’t get it until after class this afternoon.