Future nuke mom

[Not so Blue]

Thanks. im glad i stumbled upon this info.

sons Pir is 2/1- now ill be able to send something as a welcome pkg. sounds like a target giftcard couldcome in handy too.

so the daybefore grad should i add his ship n div # to the address youve given?

[MichPad(STA21 Officer Mom)]

If you're talking about sending him something at bootcamp, you can't.  The only thing you can send him is letters and basic greeting cards (not the ones with the music).   You could send him a gift card, but I'd wait till PIR. I would cut off any mail to him a week before graduation.  Are you going to PIR?  I took my son his favorite lounging clothes, his cell phone, his laptop, his favorite snacks, and congratulation cards from back home.  He can't take this stuff back to the base when you drop him off, but you can hand it to him at the airport the next morning if you meet him there.  Bright and early!  As far as when he gets to SC after PIR, base is pretty far away from the malls.  Cash, or NEX gift cards is good.  For some odd reason Goose Creek does not have a bus system and they have to rely on taxi's.  If they go in together on a taxi it's not that bad.  There is a church, I think it's called Twin Harbor Baptist, they have had free shuttle vans that pick up sailors at the mini-NEX on base and will take them to the mall.  Best of luck to your son at bc, and to you as well.  Have you checked out the RTC Great Lakes Facebook page?  You need to if you haven't, it's a life saver!

[Not so Blue]

Thanks Mich! no wouldnt dare send anyrhing other than letters to bc. just thinking ahead, still nlt sure about A school. is that the same as when he goes to Nuke school. No, right?

[MichPad(STA21 Officer Mom)]

Yes, A school is in Nuke School.  He'll have A school, Power School and Prototype School.  Depending on the rate he gets (MM, ET, EM) each school lasts approx 6 months, with breaks in between. When mine got to GC after PIR, and I finally got the correct address, I mailed him a care package with favorite foods that he missed while in bc.  Each room has a small fridge and micro, so I got him stuff he could throw in the micro for late night snacks or if he didn't feel like heading down for chow.  I tried to send him a package once a month for quite a while.  He's been in 2 years now, so all that has tapered off.  The best support for you is here at N4M's or on Facebook.  There's a Nuke Mom facebook page, but you'll need to wait till after PIR to join that.  But the best one for bootcamp is the Recruit Training Command page on Facebook.  It's awesome.  It's a long 8 weeks, but some how we manage to get through it.  And so do they :-)

[Sunshine66]

So they have to buy most of their things at the NEX? Do they have everything they need? Didn't realize it was so far from a Walmart or Target. Really havent thought about what he will need when he gets to GC. Just one week into BC but I guess I'd better start planning ahead!!! Thanks for the info!

[Sunshine66]

P.S. I hate to be so ignorant about all of this but I've had NO experience with the military before and have no clue what is to come...

[MichPad(STA21 Officer Mom)]

In no way do you sound ignorant.  Like you, I had no military experience prior to my son going into the Navy.  Only my Grandpa's were in the Army during WWII, aside from that, nothing.  It wasn't till half way through bootcamp that I found the RTC Facebook page, and Navy for Moms, so the fact that you are here only one week into bc is great!  There is a lot to learn, but with resources like N4M's and Facebook, you'll learn fast.  Do you know your sons division yet?  When you do, look on this site for a group for his division and/or PIR date.  I met some great ladies through our PIR group on here, and we still communicate with each other 2 years later.

The big NEX has everything they would need.  The mini-NEX, which is closer to their barracks, has the necessities in small quantities.  The new Sailors coming in always find their way to the malls, and Best Buy :-) sometime within the first few weeks.  They don't need a lot in their rooms, because all their meals are provided for, but they do have the fridge and microwave if they want snacks in between.  Mine quickly got tired of the food and would skip dinner for something in his room.  There is a Subway next to the mini-NEX that is always busy.  There is also a bar if you're over 21, and I THINK a bowling alley.

Probably the most important thing they will want when they first get to GC is their laptop and cell phone.  I came to my sons PIR with his laptop, cell phone, favorite jammies, and favorite snacks.  After PIR we went to the NEX on base and bought him a plain black backpack to put all these items in.  It HAS to be plain, and black.  After we went to lunch and walked around the mall we went back to our hotel and he took a shower, got into his jammies, opened his cards from home, and had some snacks.  I took him back to base at 8pm.  The next morning (3am) we (me and his fiancee) met him at O'Hare airport where we got to spend a couple more hours with him at his gate (you can get special passes through security to go to the gate with him) before heading off to SC.  It was there that I was able to hand off to him his backpack with all the stuff in it.  Being able to communicate after 8 weeks of nothing but letters, was the BEST! Once he got to GC he had everything he needed to tie him over until he got the lay of the land.

There is a lot to learn, but you'll get the hang of it!  Once he graduates from bc find the Nuke Moms page on Facebook and ask to be invited in.  It's a great group with a lot of experience.  On this site there are all kinds of groups with information in the form of documents that you can get a lot of info off of.  In the mean time check out these sites:

http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil

https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand?fref=ts

Those two will give you a good insight for the next eight weeks.  Best of luck to you and your SR!

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

Hi Sunshine66 and MichPad - I pretty much agree with everything MichPad said - the only difference now is that they are given a black backpack (well it's part of their ditty bag that they pay for!).....my son just PIR'd on 12/21 and he had his sea bag, his garment bag and the backpack.  He stuffed that thing full! 

We have sent him one box since he arrived in Goose Creek but it was just a few snacks and some personal items (socks/boxers) - no clothes yet as he can't wear any civilian clothes for a bit......he's getting ready to start classes on Tuesday (has briefings this week). 

It's been quite a learning process Sunshine, but as long as you stay on here you can pretty much get all your questions answered by someone!  I rely on N4M every day!

Good luck to you and your SR!

[MichPad(STA21 Officer Mom)]

That's nice that they "give" them those now!

[navymom2012]

New mom here too....has lots to learn, my son's pir is1/25/13. When he gets to GC will he be able to wear his own tshirts and shorts in his room? I understand out, is it in his room as well until phase up...which is how long usually?

[Not so Blue]

Thanks to reading this I was able to puttogether a rolling duffle loaded for my son to take on the plane. Thanks again!

[Sunshine66]

Thank you so much for the great info. There were so many things I hadn't thought about until I stumbled onto N4M's. The list of things I need to do/remember just keeps getting longer! I don't know his division and group yet, still waiting on my form letter but I'm pretty sure his PIR will be 3/8. Again, thanks for all the help!

[BunkerQB]

Table the worries about Power School, Prototype. Let's get him thru boot camp first. Join your PIR group ASAP.

Here is a list of groups for the upcoming dates: Just click on your date and click +JOIN when the page opens up. Good luck to your recruit.

                   PIR: 3/08/2013             TG (to be updated)

                   PIR: 3/01/2013             TG 16 - 6 Divisions (101-104, 914 and 915)

He'll be fine. Have faith.