CHRISTMAS ADOPT-A-SAILOR

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

From RTC FB:

Posted 12/09/2014

U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command

Eligible recruits from the Training Groups graduating Dec. 31 and Jan. 9 who wish to invite their family to adopt them for the Adopt-A-Sailor program have mailed the official form to the family member of their choice. Eligible family members who are authorized to arrive on base to pick up their recruit include: mother, father, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins.

In order to ensure ...the safety of recruits during Adopt-a-Sailor, no other individuals besides those listed above are authorized to fax the yellow form to the Public Affairs Office and arrive on base on Christmas morning. Any deviance from this is against command policy at Recruit Training Command.

For those family members who plan on adopting their recruit on Christmas morning, after faxing your completed form to the Public Affairs Office, please bring the original copy for access to the base. Recruits who are not adopted by an immediate family member will enjoy a day of great food and relaxation with a host organization in the Greater Chicago area.

Recruits who are leaving base with an immediate family member are allowed to bring one shipmate along with them. However, recruits must plan this with their family beforehand. They are the only individuals who can choose who they wish to accompany them on Christmas. Any undocumented pairings without the recruit’s knowledge is not allowed.

The Adopt-a-Sailor program is a long-standing tradition at Recruit Training Command. Thank you for keeping it a success with your support!

TIPS:

~Fax AND email a copy of the Yellow Form to RTC and make sure you get a Confirmation from them.

~The Yellow Form acts as your "Vehicle Gate Pass" for entry to RTC for Adopt-A-Sailor. Also have DL,  Vehicle Registration, Proof of Insurance. Rental Vehicles-your Rental Agreement and DL is good.

~I am not seeing a time to pick them up, but once you know...get there early!! There will be a line to enter RTC. ALSO, bring your Recruit back EARLY to RTC as there will be a line again. On time is LATE in the Military.

~You will be entering the same Gate that you will use for PIR so a good "dry run". It is Gate 8 off of OHIO. Park in the Parking Garage and walk to the Visitors Center.

~Have your ID and the Form ready to go when you go to pick your Recruit up. Hand these to personnel and they will pull the copy of your form and hand that to another personnel member who will call your Recruit.

~You will have to wait for them to come out and may stand against the wall while waiting.

~DO NOT HUG YOUR RECRUIT WHEN THEY COME OUT. They want you to get them and leave the building. Hug 'em outside :-) But just a quick one, no PDA. You're Recruit will need their right hand free at all times to be able to Salute higher ranking personnel and a properly displayed flag. No hand holding, extended hugs or kisses etc. Ladies,  may take the LEFT arm of your Recruit like being escorted. Female Recruits may take the RIGHT arm of their male escorts.

~Most important of all...HAVE A BLESSED TIME WITH YOUR RECRUIT <3