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Comment by Betsy, mom of Stennis sailor on June 27, 2012 at 12:48pm

rpgolfmom, yep they are definitely getting a good workout.  

Jakes Mom, what a sweet guy.  I'm sure that nothing he could do, would ever disappoint you, but somehow they never realize that, do they?     

Comment by diannep on June 27, 2012 at 12:12pm

rpgolfmom:  He isn't kidding!  HA!  I remember reading when my son was there that "for the first few weeks, you are convinced you can do nothing right!"  Lots of yelling going on...this is the "breakdown" period for the SRs.  Remember...so many there, all ages, all backgrounds, different purposes for joining the Navy, different life experiences, different personalities....and the RDCs have to get them all on "the same page!"  Not an easy task...but they do it beautifully....but a bit painfully!  :-) 

By Training Week 4 (which is about bootcamp week 5 or so), they are more into the "buildup" stage.  This will be reflected to you in more positive letters/calls.  The SRs then have their "goal" in sight and are working harder than ever to get there!

JakesMom:  Congrats!  It is truly an emotional experience going to the mailbox during bootcamp! 

Comment by SailorMom92 (DIV 244) on June 27, 2012 at 11:47am

woot woot!!! I got my letter from my son.  This mom couldn't be any happier.  I was actually nervous while opening it & crying while opening it, cried while reading it and will read it again and again.  He sounded really really good.  Of course he said a few times he just doesn't want to disappoint me.  He said that's his biggest fear.  But he is a worry wart..he reminded me of that..anyway, can't wait to hear about other mom's who got their personal letter.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on June 26, 2012 at 10:27pm

WOO-HOO! IDK...just in general! 

Comment by Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons on June 26, 2012 at 10:11pm

Tomorrow (Wednesday) we are having a small get together/meet and greet at our rental house for anyone who lives in the New Port Richey FL/Tampa/Holiday/any surrounding areas for any Navy Moms, wives, grandmas, aunts, girfriends, anyone lol that would like to come. Please send me an email if you can join us. We would love to meet you. If you have kids and want to bring them that will be fine too :-) my email is uniquememorymakers@yahoo.com  Thanks

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on June 26, 2012 at 9:46pm

Good girl!  hee,hee

Comment by WadesMoM on June 26, 2012 at 9:44pm

As far I know my son will be staying in GL for his A-School, and I already have my room booked through Monday. I plan to spend EVERY LAST MIN I CAN with him!!! I'm just stressing over the flights. I will check Southwestern, I haven't checked them in a few days, LOL

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on June 26, 2012 at 9:35pm

And I really recommend staying until Sunday if you can timewise and of course $wise.

Sailors that will be going to "A" school at TSC GL (Training Support Center Great Lakes) will have Liberty Friday after PIR (after they check into TSC...which can take 3-5 hours. They have a brief time with you directly after PIR and then have to leave to process into their new command. Make sure they have working phone card to call you to come and get them at TSC), Saturday and Sunday.

Those that fly out, or rather depart RTC, for "A" school...as a rule, usually do so the next day. They depart RTC at o'dark-thirty AM for the Airports (usually Midway and O'Hare) aer checked in etc. and then wait for their respective flights (could be any time of the day). BUT some do fly out on Sunday on ocassion! Mine did! He called on Tuesday when I was flying over to him...so up until then I was going on the info of him leaving on Friday, as we had a Thursday PIR on Memorial Day Weekend.I have seen it here and there on regular weekends though. It just depends on flight availibility.

I knew that booking through until Sunday meant an extra day hotel and such but I wanted to take the chance...figured I would rest or sight see the extra day...well...instead, I got my Sailor for an extra two days!

See the discussion After PIR – Liberty; Sailors Departures from RTC for info and my personal story.

Comment by diannep on June 26, 2012 at 9:07pm

WadesMom:  FTLW explained it very well ! No harm in booking hotel now.  Their cancellation/change policies are very liberal.  There is a theme park nearby and being summer, the hotels fill up.  SO I would book the hotel.  Be sure to ask for a Navy Grad discount, or use AAA if you have that.

On booking the flights...if you book Southwest, you won't have to worry about a change fee if that occurs.  There is none.  Just an adjustment in fare.  Having said that, this happened to me when my son was there--he was setback after I had my flights.  But I didn't know about Southwest then... :-(.  So had to pay the change fee x two.  BUT, the new flights were cheaper so we ended up paying $89/ticket more rather than $150/ticket more. 

Southwest flies into Milwaukee (what I would try for) and Chicago-Midway (furthest airport from GL).  Milwaukee has little to no traffic and is a straight shot to GL (45 minutes).  Midway would be more like an hour or so, longer with traffic.  But...if your sailor is flying out to A School, keep in mind that they fly from the Chicago airports usually.  If you plan to visit with your sailor there while he/she waits, and you need to fly back on Sat., Midway may be the better choice.

However, if you can stay until Sunday (because there is always a chance your sailor won't fly out until then), you could fly out of Milwaukee later that day. 

Also, with Southwest, the first two bags are checked for free!

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on June 26, 2012 at 8:32pm

No worries...knew what you meant!

There is no real percentage...or rather I don't keep track!...that I know of. Setbacks are on an individual basis (usually...that's what we have seen anyways) and like you said for whatever reason...so can't really guestimate it.

Book the hotel now for sure...most if not all allow changes within 24 hours of arrival...then the flight about four weeks in (other vet moms...your take on tht tplease?!). I wouldn't do refundable tickets if that is what you meant...way to expensive. (Most do offer insurance for a small fee.) Sometimes even if it has to be done...the change fees and new price on the ticket is STILL less than if you purchased refunfable ones.

diannep has a better take on this and the other veteran moms as far as airlines and costs.

I had trouble booking and just took it day by day and read the advice from all of the veteran moms (which BTW were diannep, LaLa, Betsy and JessicaB...never knew I'd be joining them! LOL)...then made a decision and was at peace with it...you will be too!

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