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Comment by pamesue on November 22, 2014 at 7:07pm

Hello..my son is ship 13 div 057. No call yet today, but so very hopeful that I will get one this weekend.  My son did not take a phone card but I will definitely put one into the mail tomorrow.  

This military process and life is all new to me and my family...so did I understand correctly that I can see my SR on christmas day?  I'm in SE Michigan and definitely can drive to GL.

Comment by diannep on November 22, 2014 at 6:28pm

It is an emotional journey for them during Bootcamp....some letters may be discouraging, but by the time they reach you, things may be better.  The opposite is true too.  Always be encouraging to your SRs in your letters/calls....and don't share any type of news that may upset them.  They are "cut off" from the world events for a reason....to concentrate on Bootcamp. 

On the "flip side," share LOTS of funny stories, jokes, anything to keep their spirits up!  Scan piks on the backs of your letters or a separate sheet of paper.  Don't make the envelopes thick or they have to open in front of their RDCs; better to send in separate envelopes.  They have very limited space to store actual photos so the scanned piks on paper work better!

Comment by diannep on November 22, 2014 at 6:25pm

Consider Southwest Airlines into either Chicago-Midway or Milwaukee for flights!  No change fee if your sailor is delayed, and 2 bags check for free. 45 minute drive from Milwaukee, no traffic, usually cheaper fares and cheaper car rental;  hour+ drive to GL from Midway, depending on Chicago traffic.

Comment by diannep on November 22, 2014 at 6:23pm

NavyDadVA:  Wow, so great that letters are already being delivered to some of them!  Normally it takes about 2 weeks after they arrive to receive this "held" mail....until their Recruit Mail Petty Officer is trained.  Sounds like some divisions got theirs trained pretty quickly! 

Once they receive this initial mail, they will be allowed to write once a week (mailed out on Mondays) but will receive letters M-F.

Comment by diannep on November 22, 2014 at 6:20pm

For those who will have sailors staying in GL for A School:

They will move over to that base (near RTC) shortly after PIR concludes---takes a few hours.  They will then use their phone cards or borrow a cell from a student already on that base to call you....or....you can just head over there mid-afternoon and wait.  They will have Liberty with you until later that night, and again on Sat. and Sun.  They must return to base each night.  They can return to A School base after Liberty with personal items you brought for them from home---including phones, computers, etc. 

Comment by diannep on November 22, 2014 at 6:17pm

Melissa:  Some leave 2 days early for PIR, if they can, just in case of travel problems with weather, etc. 

Yes, for those flying out, families can meet them at the airports (they are bussed overnight, usually on PIR night---but sometimes not until Sunday--- and wait for flights as a group...some flights leave early in the a.m.; some not until later in the afternoon; some in between. 

We suggest that you take their personal items up for PIR weekend, and let them go through them after PIR in your hotel room---selecting what they want to take now, and what you can ship later.  Keep in mind that they cannot wear civilian clothes a A School until they "phase up" which can take 2-3 weeks.  So they will just need a few to start them off...and you can ship the rest to them later. 

Also, keep in mind that they will have a large seabag (checked luggage), a garment bag (uniforms-also checked luggage) and a backpack that they must keep up with, so anything they take needs to fit in this existing luggage.  You can take ID and get an airlines gate pass to wait until their plane departs.

Comment by diannep on November 22, 2014 at 6:11pm

Kwill:  Yes, they tell them to advise families in that "I'm here" call that they next call will be in 3 weeks.  But we always advise people to have those phones glued to you at all times...even in the bathroom or when stepping out to get the mail.  If you can't be with your phone for any reason, have someone close by "babysit it" for you!  Ha!  Calls are very random during Bootcamp....so you don't want to miss one.  They can come at any time, for any reason.  Some will be making "need info" calls, which are "supervised" (by Navy staff) calls only asking for specific info, no chit chat.  Keep those phones charged and ready! 

Comment by diannep on November 22, 2014 at 6:09pm

Welcome to the new members!

Comment by diannep on November 22, 2014 at 6:08pm

So, yes!  PIR 12/31 and PIR 01/09 will be the two groups who will get their SRs adopted out for Christmas!  I hope that those of you close enough to drive there will be able to share Christmas with your SR.   Watch for the form!

Someone who is adopting her own SR for Thanksgiving (she actually has one son in the Thanksgiviing PIR group, the other in the next PIR group!) said she was told that they can pick up their SR for that day at 7:30 a.m.   Not sure if it will be the same for Christmas, but hope so!  That will be a nice long day with your SRs!

On the phone cards, they can actually buy one at the NEX also with their Recruit Debit Card.  But it saves them money if you mail them one.  Please consider getting one with at least 250 minutes on it.  The pay phone connection "eats up" lots of their minutes.  They also can share with another SR who may not have a card yet.

Comment by lilhitl on November 22, 2014 at 4:53pm

My daughter is in Ship 02 Div 909. I got my official letter today. My countdown to PIR begins now.

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