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Comment by BriesMommaBear on October 18, 2014 at 2:45pm

Got a call from my daughter as well! Made my week. I was missing her to tears this morning literally right before I got the call. She is ship 11/Div 032 and left for bc 10/7. I didn't receive the form letter, only her box so it was such a blessing to hear her voice! It's HUGE relief! She said it was tough but she sounded good, we only cried at the beginning when we said hello :) I'm so proud of her she is happy with her decision and said she is getting through it. Time to book flights and hotel! Anyone clarify guests allowed? She said 4 but online it says 3 for her division? Thx moms and God Bless your SR and this site for the support.

Comment by Jewel on October 18, 2014 at 2:39pm

Ship 14 div 033
Received call today and also received form letter.
During the call he gave me the uss arizona in between the ship and the division, but in the form letter that is not the case.....which way do I address the letters?????

Comment by diannep on October 18, 2014 at 1:42pm

...Springhill Suites, Courtyard, and Residence Inn are all Marriott hotels and popular ones for PIR attendees!

Comment by diannep on October 18, 2014 at 1:41pm

Just to add to what CatMom posted about the Navy Grad rate at the hotels.  There was a lady on one of the previous PIR groups who worked for Marriott.  When I told the group to call the hotels directly and ask for the Navy Grad rate, she told me there was no such thing because if so, Marriott always lists it online.  NOT SO!  She found that out by calling herself and finding out that the hotels had that rate.  Soooo.....always call the hotels directly to hopefully be able to take advantage of this (Navy Lodge doesn't have it, like CatMom said, but has great rates anyway).  They only hold a certain number of rooms at that rate, so call now. 

Comment by diannep on October 18, 2014 at 1:37pm

ParkyWife:  Be sure to check out Southwest Airlines into either Milwaukee WI (45 drive to GL, no traffic) or Chicago-Midway (hour+ drive depending on traffic).  No change fee if your SR is delayed for any reason (mine was when there, for a week, I had to pay change fees because didn't know about Southwest back in 2009  :-( !)....plus 2 bags check for free.  If you have to cancel your trip for any reason, you can use the ticket for up to a year....changing destination/flights with only paying difference in fare if there is one---no fee.

You are welcome, Ilovemyjob!

Comment by diannep on October 18, 2014 at 1:33pm

Garretsproudmomma:  Consider sending your SR a manilla envelope to mail back his received letters for safekeeping.  Self-addressed, stamped.  They are allowed to have this and many send it because they really do have very little storage space.  But they LIVE for their letters!  So not writing letters is NOT the answer!  :-)

Comment by diannep on October 18, 2014 at 1:31pm

Just one more comment on some of the calls coming in happy and excited, and others sad and questioning decisions.  So much depends on how the SR understands the process....those from military families may understand this a bit more, and older ones may also....for some, it is their first time away from home, so that makes it harder.  My son was older when he went in and had lived away from home so his calls were more upbeat because he understood....but he still complained of the yelling and "spitting in my ear as he yelled!"  HA! 

Also, some don't want to worry their families and may conceal how tough it really is at first, but will disclose later when things are better!   My son never complained of the physical part of Bootcamp....but the other parts were challenging in the beginning....can you imagine trying to get a group that large, all ages, backgrounds, expectations, capabilities, etc....on the same page to operate as a division?  That's tough but you will see at PIR that they get it done!  :-)

Comment by diannep on October 18, 2014 at 1:25pm

donna:  Your SRs are currently in the "breaking down" period of Bootcamp.  They have had all they love and treasure taken from them....meaning very little contact, etc.  There is lots of yelling going on, demeaning at times....they realize that they can't do anything unless told to, and then it better be right.  This goes on for a while....until the RDCs (their bosses!) get all on the "same page" in a division (approx 88 SRs in a division to start with, some are discharged/delayed in training, others who have been delayed in earlier groups will join one of your divisions).  Then by about training week 4 (which is about bootcamp week 5 or so), it turns around and the build back up process begins.  Letters/calls are more positive, they have success in many areas under their belts then, and are looking forward to becoming sailors after BattleStations, which is just 2 weeks away by the 4th training week.  SO keep your chins up....this is all part of the process!   Write often, share happy/fun/silly news with them, nothing heavy....they have to focus and concentrate.  Sending them jokes is what some do....anything to relieve their stress!

PIR makes it "all better" because they will be awesome! 

Comment by diannep on October 18, 2014 at 1:20pm

nathansmom:  He should have been able to buy one there.  My son was aware before he left, so I bought him one when he went to Bootcamp---but many are not aware of this.  But they are issued a Recruit Supply Card and can use that to buy one at the NEX.  But if you all can send your SRs one, it helps!  Plus, the other SRs are so very good about sharing theirs!  :-)

Welcome to the new members here!  And please remember that your SRs will not receive your letters...yet.  The mail is held from them for about the first 2 weeks until the Recruit Mail Petty Officer is trained.  They then write/mail out the first time, and after that, receive their "held" mail.  From then on, they can write once a week (mailed out on Mondays) but receive mail M-F.

Good Afternoon!

Comment by mamakitty on October 18, 2014 at 12:31pm

My son called me this morning!!!! Omg it was awesome to hear his voice and talk with him! We got almost 20 minutes to catch up! He's doing better now (he said the first few days were really hard and he questioned whether he made the right decision or not). And he wants to get mail and lots of it lol! I've already sent many letters (he has yet to get them though) and more are on their way. His call made me so happy and motivated! Can't wait to see him on the 5th!!

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