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

**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:

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.)

N4M Merchandise


Shirts, caps, mugs and more can be found at CafePress.

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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Donna

Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Information

Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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: 1 hour ago

Answers to Common Questions

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 http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/faq.html#contacting_recruits, 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 against those at http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/faq.html#contacting_recruits or 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 RTC Friends and Family Brochure October 2017. 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 

As of 11/10/2022 PIR Proof of vaccination no longer required.

Proof of vaccination is required.

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 http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/faq.html 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

Boot camp

Started by Darlene . Last reply by Chipmunk Feb 18. 8 Replies

PASS Class Guidance?

Started by legoNavymom03. Last reply by B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet) Dec 18, 2023. 1 Reply

PIR Weekend Experiences - Post Covid

Started by Chipmunk. Last reply by Chipmunk Oct 11, 2023. 19 Replies

Bootcamp

Started by Angie. Last reply by B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet) Sep 28, 2023. 5 Replies

Logistics when leaving for boot camp

Started by Happynurse. Last reply by TravelAddictedNavyMom Sep 21, 2023. 8 Replies

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) to add comments!

Comment by Phoenixmom on December 15, 2020 at 11:02am
January 7, 2021
(No Graduation)
January 14, 2021
(No Graduation)
Comment by Phoenixmom on December 15, 2020 at 11:02am
December 24, 2020
(No Graduation)
December 31, 2020
(No Graduation)
Comment by Phoenixmom on December 15, 2020 at 11:01am
December 17, 2020
TG-6
053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058, 059, 060, 061, 062, 063, 064
Comment by warriorprotector on December 15, 2020 at 10:51am

Lovely prayer Phoenixmom!  Have a blessed day ladies!

Comment by Phoenixmom on December 15, 2020 at 10:46am

Morning Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you for power and glory revealed in the majesty of your creation. I thank you for your work in transforming and recreating me, as well. Please continue your transforming work in me. Make me what you want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen

Comment by warriorprotector on December 15, 2020 at 10:46am

Good morning ladies!  I'm glad you enjoyed the google eyes! Yes, my daughter is very kind and funny. All three of my children are characters and our house is/was always filled with laughter. Northwoodsmom, it brought tears when you said how sad it is to when that joy has left your house as an empty nester.  Hanging on tight to my third!

Mom2blondies: There is nothing harder than the military life and there is nothing more rewarding.  I've been a military mom for over 4 years and a military brat my whole life.  I think being a child of a military man helped me with this process, but it is so hard to be a mother of a person in the military.  If you have never been exposed to the realities of military life it can seem like some strange alien world.

BBH, Shanny, POS, NWM and all the other lovely ladies have great insight.  Your are a Navy mom because your child made a choice and now you have to dig DEEP to accept and support that choice.  I am a firm believer in giving my concerns over to God.  As a mom we must become Warrior Moms...being stronger than you thought possible and braver than you want to be.   You must find a way to steel yourself to the fact you have no say in their lives as they protect our country, as they serve so we can sleep at night as a nation. In our family we always knew it was God, Country and Family with service above self. 

Our children have chosen a path of honor, braveness, selflessness and duty.  We have to gather our inner strength and let them know without a doubt we support their choice. Tell them you pray for their safety and are proud.  You don't want them to worry about you, they must focus on their job. They know you are their north star.  You will worry, it's a dangerous job being in the military but praying has helped me tremendously.  The support and kindness of this group has been a gift, I left other social media groups for OPSEC reasons and because it was stressful how people treated each other.   

Tears come and go, it does get better but it's difficult not to see or hear your child's voice for long periods of time.  I just saw my younger son for the first time in 3 years, he was deployed a lot and then Covid.  I told myself I wouldn't cry and then he was out of the car and hugging me hard. Yep, total puddle. I had 5 days, 5 days of laughing and random tears.  He loves his job, he is well and signing up for another 6 years.  I can be strong. I can be brave.  And now I'll do that for my oldest starting in the Navy.  YOU GOT THIS M2BHooyah Navy!  Hooyah Warrior Moms!

Comment by Phoenixmom on December 15, 2020 at 10:43am
Good Morning All, Hoping this Fine Tuesday finds all well! So Happy for those decorating, Havent had a chance but hoping this weekend I can begin, I have bought so many light up angels and Nutcrackers now to find a place for them. Hoping tomorrow will be the end to this remodel so wanting it over now! With all the purchases at home depot I received a big check back yesterday, so glad they are looking out!
Mrs. Shanny you will just fine as will your Sailor, you got this and so does he! Thank You PartyofSeven for the Great Scripture!
Comment by Shanny on December 15, 2020 at 10:40am

Chipmunk:. The 18 year old HIPPA thing was so hard for me. Last year, my son had what they called double lung pneumonia. High fever, horrible cough, so weak he could barely lift his head, and an oxygen level at 83%. Took him to the ER and they gave him breathing treatments and got him up to 89%. Sent him home. In the meantime, he turned 18. So I called his doctor when he wasn’t improving to get him an appointment. They wouldn’t let me make the appointment or even speak to me about it because of his age!  The kid was 90% on his breathing after 2 weeks, still had a fever and was weak. But they wouldn’t even let me make his appointment. 

Comment by Chipmunk on December 15, 2020 at 10:29am

In general your SR is allowed to contact you if there is a change in their training schedule. So if they test positive for COVID, they might call to let you know that and they have been set back for another 2 week ROM, but they won't necessarily call to tell you when they are out of ROM or how they are doing during that time. 

If anything changes with their projected PIR date, they should be able to contact you as well. But further phone calls may or may not happen. 

Comment by Chipmunk on December 15, 2020 at 10:21am

We have had some good replies to Mom2blondies, thank you all as I had just gone to bed last night before it posted.

Mom2blondies - Your feelings are real and your emotions are raw right now.  Jenatn - I hope you see this as well.  - 

One thing with social media that I am learning is most people don't really think before they write and even if they do, sometimes our time especially causes us to make quick replies. And those replies can hurt people, it has happened here before. I myself have been offended at how someone responded to a post I made. We are all human and we all deal with separation and grief differently, so we do our best here to walk "with" you through this time, instead of "drag you from leading" - but it is still a challenge. Know though, that this is a  place for you to share your feelings, your hurts, your anger and frustration. We would not be spending our time here, if it wasn't for you all to be reaching out to us asking for guidance through this time. 

Shanny, I like how you said you are learning that the Navy is "in control". I rarely mention it for other reasons, but I chose to start homeschooling some of my children after years of them being in public school, because I didn't want their (school) authority over my children. My sailor is my #4 child and my #1 boy. It was hard letting him go, but I had been blessed with many years of having him at home and I also had some other experience with family, including husband in the military for a time. My perspective is a lot different than many moms. I can be one of those that just says - "They signed a blank check ___" It honestly is why I pay attention to who is going to be my child's commander in chief. Maybe I am too matter of fact at times and I apologize.

We are still Mom, our child will always be our child and there is nothing that will change that. Our heart strings will always be attached, even if the apron strings and umbilical cord are severed. But we are not in control of their lives. My youngest is about to turn 18 - I have already picked up the selective service paper for him from the PO. Once my children turned 18 all the HIPAA laws went into effect - that was a slap in the face for me. Our society as a whole says that we should no longer be their parents and have any control in their lives and the military is no different. 

It is a new normal but getting there can take some time. Grief and loss is a real emotion and yes, anger is part of it. Being able to share about it is important and that is what we are here for. If you feel hurt, or offended by someone's comments or posts, please try to reach out to them first but if you can't feel free to send a note to someone that you feel you can trust and we will help you through it. 

Mom2blondies - Thank you for reminding us "seasoned" moms how important it is to do our best to give facts, but also acknowledge the feelings, hurt and pains of our newest loved ones to Navy life. 

 
 
 

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