Comment

Comment by J's Mom ⚓ Ship 02 Div 932 on May 14, 2013 at 11:39am

we had talked about getting our SR a grad gift, but decided to wait until he's done with A school and at his first duty station. He wants a camera and won't have too much use for it until after all his training/school. Might just take him some cookies or something to have on liberty that afternoon though! Can't wait till 6/21 gets here!!

Comment by Kim F on May 14, 2013 at 11:32am

I am taking my SR a batch of my jambalaya in a cooler!!!

Comment by imomxfour x 3 Sailors on May 14, 2013 at 11:30am

Oops, DIANNE, i see you already clarified the PFA info, leave it to me to not see your new reply that went up WHILE I was typing up a book length reply, lol...

Also, Lala makes the most amazing ribbons for PIR - can't wait to order ours this week!!!

Comment by imomxfour x 3 Sailors on May 14, 2013 at 11:25am

Kim ship 03 div 233 - we ordered the Challenge coin for the ship our son was on at BC and presented it to him after PIR - the coins are solid/heavy and crafted beautifully!!!!

Comment by imomxfour x 3 Sailors on May 14, 2013 at 11:21am

Sorry for weird typos, hate posting from my iPad, ugh...

Comment by imomxfour x 3 Sailors on May 14, 2013 at 11:20am

Just wanted to chime in on the PFA tests (running, etc...) first of all, our daighter didnt pass either, becuase she and severalmothers miss counted their laps and they quit running when they still had 1 lap to go, and she said the dumb thing is, they still had time time to fit that lap in!!! Poor kids!!!

And to add more to this discussion so nobody is misinformed on how it works - there are 3 PFA's during BC, but ONLY the 3rd one counts and that is done shortly before battle stations. So even if they passed the 1st one (or 2nd one) they still MUST pass the 3rd one by the Wednesday before PIR, in order to do battle stations and attend their PIR.

I also wanted to make sure everyone understands what Dianne shared about PIR in her post yesterday, concerning PIR - because a few SR's & families in the same PIR group as my son this past winter, were totally caught off guard and really upset when their child didn't pass their 3rd PFA (after passing the first 2!!!!) due to being so sick and not breathing well, etc..., and when that happens, they do NOT get to have a PIR ceremony. It was really devastating even for me, when one of the moms I got close to received this call 2 days prior to PIR, the night before we were all heading up to GL. :(

However, there was another family that drove up from FL and they were already there when they got this call from their son, too - but they decided to stay & attend the PIR ceremony anyway - and they also spoke to Master Chief and they were allowed to AT LEAST visit with their son that day for about 2 hours I think it was!! Bottom line, they were SO SO happy they stayed and were able to see what PIR was like and to see & hug their son, even though he was put into the FIT program until he passed his PFA & could then do BS. Then he was automatically sent to A School.

So if this happens to you, just know that if you are already in GL, take advantage of it and please still go to PIR becuase it is absolutely INCREDIBLE - and you can request to see your SR, too!!!!

Most of all, just be prepared that your SR will not get to be in a PIR if they dont pass their 3rd PFA (or swim, or BS) We all thought that if they didn't pass, they would just get to walk with whatever TG they did pass with later on, and that is not the case. :( So just tuck that info in your head, so you're notmcaughtnoff guard if it happens to your SR & you, ok. I know it would still be devastating, but at least that part won't also add to the shock & sadness.

If you can't tell, PIR is VERY big deal to the SR's (these days anyway!!) and to their families, so as someone asked for HONEST opinions, I would say to do WHATEVER you can to get there!!! I can't imagine missing it now that I've been to my son's PIR, and maybe a long time ago it didn't matter to the new graduates, but I saw a lot of sad faces of new sailors who didn't have their family there, and it broke my heart. Get on a train or a bus if you have to, but if it's POSSIBLE AT ALL - get there!!!

If money is a concern, you should know that I heard of several sailors who paid for/paid their parents/family back for their airfare/hotel expenses, just to be sure they WERE able to attend - so I say if you can't afford it - write to your sailor and tell them that, and perhaps they will offer to help pay your way - because I believe most of them would do anything to have you there!!! ;-)

HOOYAH!!

Comment by Kim~Made it to the fleet! on May 14, 2013 at 10:48am

Is it common to have a PIR gift for your sailor, and if so, what is the most appropriate gift to give on that day? Suggestions would be helpful.. :)

Comment by Craig on May 14, 2013 at 9:33am

Test Time!!!!
Let's see how well you are learning the Navy..

Remember, it doesn't matter how many questions you missed as long as you learned sometime.....

Your_1st_Navy-Test_~_Your_sailor_is_learning_so_shall_you!.pdf

Comment by Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons on May 14, 2013 at 8:59am

I realized i forgot to introduce myself lol. 

Good morning everyone, I am one of the volunteers here to help you through this experience :)  I hope you all are having a good week so far. I know how hard this is for so many of you. And as hard as it is to believe the boot camp time will pass pretty quickly. I was a mess when my daughter was there. I didn't have much time to prepare as she was only in DEP one month and then she was gone. I was and am a worrier lol so I was always wondering what she was doing and how she was. But it all turned out great and it is so hard for me to believe it has been almost three years. Now she is a Sailor and is married to a Sailor and they are expecting their first baby and my first grandbaby :) I am still here helping others get through this experience and I love it. If you have any questions or concerns please just let us know and feel free to send me a friend request if you like. I am happy to help.

 I always say the days drag by but the weeks pass quickly so, try to find something fun to do and stay busy.

Comment by diannep on May 14, 2013 at 8:31am

alexandersmom:  Even if he had passed it, he would still have to pass it the 3rd (final) time---all of them have to take the 3rd./final PFA and pass it before they can do BattleStations.  Of course, if they pass it in the "trial" PFAs, it makes them feel more confident about passing the 3rd one.  However, many have not done well in the first two PFAs and then passed the third one.  So....prayers that they are working hard to get it done!

Good Morning All!

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