Ship 14 (USS Arizona) Divisions 103 and 104 (Brother Divisions)

[ellen0502]

Welcome to the Division Discussion for Divisions 103 and 104

These two divisions are brother divisions and will be training together from the beginning through BS21 their final test. Your SRs, soon to be SAILORS, are becoming friends, and some of them may be heading to A School together.

Get to know each other, your SRs are!

Please still use the Main Wall of the PIR Group to post questions, and concerns, we “veteran” moms don’t always get to into the discussion area as often as we would like.

Every single question that is asked is important Every single concern is genuine Every single member is important to us We don't want to accidentally overlook any of them or you.

Hang in there!!!

[Laurablue]

Thanks for sharing your letters! I have a son that's a man of few words, so I really appreciate getting to hear how the brother DIV are doing.

[NewBeginnings2014]

Today was truly the 1st time I smiled since my SR left. I can't believe how much joy a piece of paper brought me.
My husband is in Ship 14, Div 104. I wrote down some details in the letters he wrote me. I like reading about your boys & whatever little bit of information they had to say.

He said he's meeting ppl that he'll never forget. Learning things he never thought he would. And the highlight of his day was when he got to listen to Al Green while they were taking his blood. They have awesome technology & a great learning experience.

He said on the 18th they wouldn't let them go to church yet, but they started praying together. It helped him a lot.

His division seems to have a lot of diversity. Someone in his division is Chinese, and taught him how to spell his name in Mandarin. There's a Filipino guy too. I'm sure they had lots of things to say to each other about Filipino women & how crazy they are (I'm half Filipino).

They took a mile walk in 3 inches of snow. We're from Alabama, it's snowed probably 3-4 times the entire time I've lived in the states.

On the 20th they had to get up at 2:00am. He said they're normally waking up around 3:50am

On the 22nd they moved to a new dorm, and lives on half a floor of a huge building. The food is so much better at this dorm. He said their instructors are cool & gotten his dress blues w his name on it already. The uniforms altogether cost $750.

On the 25th he wrote that it he never thought this experience would be a stressful. He comes from a Navy family, and his brother said the RDCs aren't anything compared to how their dad growing up. He said he knows it's designed to bring the best out of you. And he was made a Section Leader. So he was one of 6 that has done everything that they asked. I know his father is proud. I called him as soon as I found out. He was very excited about being able to call Saturday. Unfortunately I missed the called literally by a min & he couldn't call back, but he told me to be on the lookout for 2 more calls. I hope that means u guys will get more calls soon. Also they have to walk 1.5 miles to the phones, I'm sure in the snow.

[Karin417-14/DIV104]

My son is ship 14 Div 104. ! Thanks for sharing details, my son is kinda quite so I love to hear as much as I can! Did get a call last Saturday that he passed swim test ! Yea! And a letter ( short and sweet) yesterday! Thank you

[Laurablue]

Congrats on your letters! Such a wonderful thing for your SR getting to be section leader! I'm sure his Dad is very proud! Hoping you get another phone call soon!

[NewBeginnings2014]

Also, they can receive letters daily ... But they can only send letters once a week on Sunday. That means it won't go out till Monday, and we'll get them Wed-Fri. My last letter was dated on the 25th, Mail stamped on the 27th, and I just got them today the 31st.

[shw92 (Ship 14, Div 103)]

Wow, I didn't realize they had to walk so far for the phones!  Thanks for all of that great info NewBeginnings2014! I really hope you get the next phone call he can make!  Sending up prayers for you and your hubby!

[popeyesgirl]

Ladies - thank you all so much for sharing your letters with us! I LOVE hearing all the details! My husband and I got a kick out of hearing about the 86 butt naked guys and Al Green tunes! : ) I look forward to sharing letters from my SR - hopefully soon! Stalked the mailman today - still nothing - maybe tomorrow! Wonder if we'll get any phone calls in the morning? Charging my phone up and my list of questions is handy! Night all - sweet dreams!

[Carrie (sh 14 Div 104 PIR 3/14)]

Thank you all for sharing your letters!  I have not gotten one yet and am living vicariously through yours.  :)

[Momof5 (Ship 14 DIV 103)]

Me too Carrie.  Keep 'em coming please!  

[Laurablue]

Hoping your letters start coming soon Carrie!!

[Momof5 (Ship 14 DIV 103)]

Got a real letter today!  DIV 103.  Got several letters in one envelope.  The first one was the first week I take it.  He talks about the being up 38 hours and one meal and that the food is good, (but he prefers moms).  He apologizes for the poor writing but he was writing in the dark and wasn't "supposed" to be writing yet but wanted me to know what his days were like.  The next letter he sounded a little down, was pretty homesick and asked for more pictures.  Says he has noticed some of the other guys a little emotional too but didn't think anyone would notice because they're not allowed to look away from their trays while eating.  This was the day they moved to their official ship.  He said they were being chewed out over tiny things and recruits who were there on maybe their sixth week or so whispered to them "it gets better" and encouraged them.  Third letter he had bounced back and was upbeat.  Said they were allowed to write but were always busy.  He said he was extremely tired, the night before was his first 2 hour watch from 0330 to 0530 and they had went to bed at 0000 but that he was determined to write :) .  He said he had been IT'd twice for bed make up but that the RDC sees him pushing and motivates rather than cussing at him like he does some of the other recruits but that the others are pretty rough.  He says they are dedicating their divisional flag to a SR who had to leave due to medical issues.  He was amazed at how close their divisions have gotten over just 2 weeks, that they consider each other brothers and that it was cool having 78 of your shipmates always watching your back.  He got to see his first graduating DIV in the galley in their dress blues and apparently was very impressed and can''t wait to be in their shoes.  SO good to hear so much from him in his own words!  Will be glad when their emotional roller coaster slow down a little.  

[shw92 (Ship 14, Div 103)]

My SR mentioned the SR who had to leave due to medical reasons as well. I could tell it was something that he and their whole DIV took pretty hard.  Praying that he is okay.  Glad to hear you got such great letters!