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Comment by Trecia on December 7, 2014 at 6:07pm

I just got a call from my daughter!!  Ship 2, Div 910.  20 minutes and it was wonderful.  She cried...I think just hearing my voice...but seems to be doing well.  She said the first night she got to sleep was rough and then Thanksgiving was difficult as well.  They are a push division so Thanksgiving was just like any other day, I guess.  They haven't been able to  mail letters until today, so i should get several this week. And, she said they are allowed to receive more than just letters(and letters can have stickers, etc. on them).  She is asking that I send a better toothbrush and toothpaste..and shampoo and conditioner.  No food and they just have to open in front of the RDC.  Letters are definitely the highlight of every day.  Keep writing to your SRs!  She thinks she may get to call again next week or the following.  I'm one happy mom. :-)

Comment by diannep on December 7, 2014 at 2:34pm

I agree with FTLW.  Don't think you can add money to her Recruit Cash Card---yep, comes out of her paychecks! .  You can pay for the piks after PIR if you want in the NEX....or....you could mail her one of her checks to pay for them.  That way, she may elect to pay for shipping to send them home to you before PIR.  Or....she would have the piks in her Ship right after PIR so she can give them to you then....no waiting in line at the NEX in that case.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on December 7, 2014 at 1:31pm

I don't believe you can add money to the NEX card while in BC. It is a NEX card last I heard, but I have never heard of anyone adding to it. When my son went through in 2011 I think he said there was $150.00 to $200.00 put on it for BC. Comes out of future pay.

Oops, "on PIR day" not I.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on December 7, 2014 at 1:28pm

The Photo packages run different prices. The most common one purchased runs about $170. It has a good photo package, DVD of PIR and The Keel. The Keel is like a small yearbook of their time in BC. It can only be ordered while in BC, I. PIR day or PIR weekend at the Photo lab. It is free with package A.

Please see this Discussion as it provides all the details about paying for it:

http://navyformoms.com/group/bootcampmoms/page/division-t-shirts-an...

Comment by terrif on December 7, 2014 at 10:38am

@CatMom509 and @ellen0502 - My daughter did say she was going to be in swimming classes and she is one determined woman about making it through basic so hopefully the not passing swimming the first time will not be an issue.  She said she had never jumped 12 feet into water and she panicked.  I'm sure with more practice, she will do fine.  As far as money, she decided to keep her current banking and left her bank card here so I could pay her bills while she was gone.  Do you have any idea how much the photos normally run?  Is there a way for me to add money to her Recruit Cash Card from here?  Thank you so much for all the information you provide - it is suc a help to us "unknowing"

Comment by diannep on December 7, 2014 at 9:09am

Good Morning!

For those who will have sailors flying out to A Schools, they most likely will leave the day after PIR (bussed to airports later PIR night).  But try to plan your stay in GL until Sunday if possible because occasionally some may not fly out until Sunday so they have more Liberty with you.  You will be able to meet your sailors at the airports, and with ID, get an airlines pass to visit with them until departure.

Those staying in GL for A School will move over there shortly after PIR is over.  Takes a few hours, then Liberty with you until later that night and Daytime Liberty through the weekend---they must return to that base each night.  So plan to leave Sunday night if possible, or even Monday would be better so you don't miss any time with them.

Southwest Airlines has no change fee if you book with them.  Two bags check for free.  Refundable tickets as RTC suggests are SO expensive!  Better to try Southwest into either Milwaukee (45 min drive to GL, no traffic, cheaper car rental and probably airfare too) or Chicago-Midway (hour+ to GL depending on traffic).  You can use Sarge for transportation if you don't want to rent a car, but renting a car is more economical since the shuttle/taxi fees will add up!  If you book with Southwest, I understand that they send you a code for a discount on a rental car.

Hotels recommended on this site are:

Navy Lodge (book in your SR's name if you don't have military ID)....if it shows full online, call directly.  They always have cancellations.  This is about a mile from RTC.

Springhill Suites, Residence Inn, Courtyard, Holiday Inn Express are 4-5 miles away, near Sarge's MeetandGreet for you all the night before PIR.  Call these hotels directly and ask for the Navy Graduation discount.  You can cancel usually until the day of arrival.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on December 7, 2014 at 4:47am

Thank you to those who have served and those currently serving our Nation.

Remembering Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on December 7, 2014 at 3:15am

Military service member pay dates are the 1st and the 15th of each month. So I believe the recruits will receive at least two paychecks while in BC. 

It can take two to four weeks to get pay going though.

Those with Navy Federal will see their pay enter a day, sometimes two , early. 

Though I notice that my son who is a reservist with a personal banking account, his pay enters a day early as well.

Comment by Ship03 Div064 KJ on December 7, 2014 at 2:25am

@Catmom509....Thanks but i just read the answer to my on question....

Comment by Ship03 Div064 KJ on December 7, 2014 at 2:19am

@Catmom509....my daughter opened a Navy Federal before leaving....but when exactly do they start to receive payment from the Navy...during or after Basic?

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