Questions questions questions!

[AliCat]

Hello all! My husband left for boot camp on May 7th, and I still have a few unanswered  questions!

First, this whole time I believed that we would not receive BAH until he finished job training, but yesterday I was told that even during basic he is supposed to get it-anyone know which is accurate?

Next, as far as paid moves go once he gets assigned somewhere, is it reimbursements? I really don't know how any of this is supposed to work :)

I would like to send him newspaper articles and such, so he feels more 'at home'-are there any rules against that?

How common is it for their graduation dates to change? And is there a time when the date will be definite?

Also, I've heard that some get leave after basic, and others go straight to FL, any insight here?

This group has been an amazing tool for me, so I thank you all in advance! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions because I can't remember them right now... 

[Anti M]

Welcome.

He will receive BAH from day one, however, it takes time for it to work through the system and takes a couple pay cycles to show up.  Lump sum back pay.  Once the BAH is settled, it will show up in the check split between the first and the 15th.  Takes at least a month to see any pay at all while in boot camp.

Moving, he can ask for an advance on expenses.  However, if you are doing a self-move, you'll need to look up the procedure (weighing the truck empty and full for example).  It isn't simply a matter of saving receipts.  He can also request packers to come for the household goods.  Don't sweat that quite yet.

Some RDCs allow newspaper clippings, some do not.  Have him ask.  Tape them to your letters instead of sending many loose clippings.  

Graduation dates don't often change once you have the date from the official letter.  Don't make travel plans based on counting, you don't know how many processing days he will have.  A few recruits do get set back or have issues, but mostly not.

No one gets leave directly after boot camp.  Christmas is the only exception.  If his A school is in Florida, chances are nearly 100% he will fly out early Saturday morning,  

[esther22ship02div932PIR7-1]

I was in your shoes exactly a year ago.  What Anti M said is right on.  My hubby went to FL for A school, he flew out early Saturday morning, but I went to the airport with him and got to spend about 5 hours with him before he flew out.  For my husband that was the hardest time.....everyone else was so happy to be out of bootcamp and on to A school and excited like they were off to college or something, while my hubby was fighting back the tears because he had to leave us again (me and our girls), we made it though.  Anyways, don't sweat moving yet, BUT do your research and don't expect anyone else to help you out.  You really can't do much research until you have orders, which you won't get till the end of A school, so really, don't sweat that yet, you'll have plenty of sweating that out in the future :)  Good luck!

[Anti M]

Yes, a lot of the moving info is online now... but you have to have the number on the orders to check into the site with the best info!

[meagan5220]

My hubs went to A school in FL too but didnt fly out until the tuesday after, I only say this to let you know even though they may not fly out til the next week they only will get til Sunday at the latest to spend with you. My husband told me beforehand he wouldnt leave until tuesday but I wouldnt be able to spend time with him Mon or part of Tuesday just so I wouldnt get excited and plan for extra days with flights, hotel etc. So even if he is one of the few that dont fly out sat just know that little fact too. But I think the only reason my husband didnt fly out til Tuesday was bc he graduated with the largest graduating class they have ever had it took them a few days to get em all down there lol :)

[debrajhnsn]

I want to get my sailor some bedding for his rack on the ship to help make his space more comfortable. Does anyone have any recommendations?  I know he likes some comforts from home, so I think that would be a nice surprise gift.  Thank you for any suggestions, Debbie

[meagan5220]

Have him ask. I know that there are regulations about what they can and cannot have on the ship. For my husbands ship the blankets have to be flame retardant I think. and possibly a few other regulations. I sent him a pillowcase, well another Navy Mom made it for my husband but its his favorite sports team.

[Anti M]

Meagan is correct, he must ask.  Surprises and the Navy are rarely a good mix.

[debrajhnsn]

Thank you for this information.  I did searching last night and found Navyfleetsheets.com and they carry sheets specifically sized for the rack on the ship along with mattress pads, privacy curtains, pillowcases and they can put the ships emblem on the pillowcase.  I will ask my Sailor if he has heard of them.  Thanks for your replies, Debbie

[meagan5220]

still have him ask on the ship. They can make any rules they want. I know my husbands does have some specifications Idk if they are different from other ships but my husband told me there are rules about what they can have. that sounds super cute though.

[debrajhnsn]

I found out from my sailor that the Navy purchases sheet sets from this company Navyfleetsheets.com  so it is OK to order from them.  Now I feel better about placing my order for sheets,pillowcase,mattress pad, and privacy curtain. These items look really nice. Thank you for the info about ship rules.  Have a good day,Debbie

[amor]

My boyfriend left for boot camp May 7th too, his graduation is July 7th. I just got his form letter!

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

waitingforpat  here is the link to your PIR group....lots of info and support

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir07062012