Ship 09 Div 279

[Jana]

Just got my son's form letter.  He shipped on 7/5 and is in Ship 09 Div 279.  If yours is too, please reply so we can get to know each other and share information.

[Theresa C Leal (09/DIV 279]

okay thanks i will be praying that our Div WIN.  So we can get a PHONE CALLS heheheheheheh. PLEASE GOD LET THEM WIN !!! I NEED A PHONE CALL.  DID your SR say anything else about testing or PFA. Well i did not get a letter and i thought for sure i would have. :( well maybe tomorrow.

[caylex 9/279]

He did not mention anything about PFA in this letter, but he did last week. He said they had their first one. In case you missed my post on the PIR group, here are some things that stood out in the letter:

 

From the questionnaire:

*food is awesome here

*have 15-20 min to eat

*learns something new every day

*hates the tighty whities

*wants more letters now (he had asked early on for me to send less because of time limits)

 

From letter dated 8/9:

*div did very well during MCA phase, they now have all flags

*that one day there was zero test failers

*had Tailor 2 - dress uniforms re-sized due to weight loss (he said everyone)

*now in last training phase

*was thought to get a phone call last thurs (the 11th, but obviously we didn't get one)

*said they are really coming together as a team, that drill is getting much better and everyone is wanting to talk to each other more

*started fire fighting last week and damage control

 

In letter dated 8/11:

*got FIVE 2-day shots and is sore

*they do HAVE BLACK BACKPACKS

*things are starting to slow down

*been getting ready for test 3

*had first class about battle stations

*got first check stub

*uniforms cost over $700

 

[Jana]

Got a letter from my son today.  Actually it came Saturday, but had postage due.  That goofy kid put the first questionaaire that I had sent him, along with 3 sheets of paper in one of the short envelopes.  This is what he had to say:

I've been doing good.  Still no news on the medical history.  Like you said, No news is good news.  I got my Navy Federal Union debit card and checks today.  We also did a practice inspections because our actual inspection is tomorrow.  I got a 5.0 on it, and also aced my practice PFA.  We started hell week.  It is the threshold of boot camp.  If we get through this week, it's time to put it on cruise control.  After this week we just have to get through firefighting.  Aug. 4-I aced my personal, weapons turnover, PFA and zone inspection.  I got perfect on both of them.  We are out of the running for the Battle E flag.  It's one of the flags that shows the top training division in your class.  I have live firing tomorrow.  I practiced today, but I didn't do too good.  (He has never fired a gun before in his life!!)  P.S. I left a surprise for you.  I'm guessing it was the poem written on another piece of paper:

Good morning to you, good evening to me

We're getting IT'd as far as the eye can see

You will never know the things I miss

Like the times the mornings are bliss

From the questionnaire--

-He will remember most about p days meeting so many new people, the "friendly and helpful" RDC

-He had to wear the same outfit during p days 6 to 7 days before he got to change

-His job is Head Crew/Head PO which has the responsibility of making sure the bathroom is perfect

-He said he did pretty good on the confidence course

-He said the hardest part was controlling everybody's egos

-He said some in the division work together pretty well, others not so much

-The first PFA he did the run in 10:30; 98 curlups; 41 pushups

-He passed all the swimming qualifications

-He said he received PT for not shutting up and just for being in bootcamp and that the division received PT for being alive

-He also said that the division received IT and had to do mountain climbers, arm circles, 8 counts, sit-ups and swimmers and the RDC's gave it to them just because they felt like it.

-He said on the first inspection he got a 3.0-got hit on military posture and towel not being (pressed or dressed...cannot read his handwriting, but I think it's pressed)

When he filled this out it was Week 3 Day 5

Anyway, it sounds like he's doing pretty good.

Also put in another piece of paper written in all block letters--

Can't wait

Til Aug 26

He also asked for me to send pictures of the family.

[Theresa C Leal (09/DIV 279]

what is the questionnaire where did you get that from.? these letter what they are doing right now?  so far is that correct 

 

 

theresa 

 

[caylex 9/279]

I found 2 of the questionnaires right here on navy mom's. You could have printed them off and sent them so our kids answer the questions you are wanting to know about.  The third one I sent I made up  on my own.

 

Ladies, isn't is awesome that we are down to 8 and 1/2 days?!  I am devastated that we have not gotten a call in 22 days.  But I just keep concentrating on the letters we receive.

[Jana]

Good evening everyone--

Can you believe that by this time next week we will have received our "I'm a Sailor" calls? 

[caylex 9/279]

Jana,  I am hoping and praying that that is exactly the call we all get!!  I'm telling you what ... I have never prayed and cried more in my entire life than I have over these last several weeks.  I have faith that our three recruits are going to be just fine  :)

 

Can't wait to meet you gals in person!  I have heard about ricky heaven, but do you happen to know approximately when they get their turn to visit?  I was thinking it was a little before battle stations, but I am not sure.

[Theresa C Leal (09/DIV 279]

Hello Ladies i am ready right now to jump on that plan and leave to GREAT LAKES,but i have to wait for next week to do that HEHEHEHEHEHe. I believe that my FAITH has grown So much with my daughter gone however GOD was doing something with her and me at the same time. God has shown her that He is the most important thing in life. She has grown up a lot and that's what was important. She also is more stable in her walk with christ now after this journey which is REALLY GOOD FOR HER. GOD IS IN FULL CONTROL OF HER LIFE!!!! well ladies I am back at work and unable to get on during the day but will ck in with you'll in the evenings. also what is RICKY HEAVEN? please share with me. 

 

 

Theresa 

[Theresa C Leal (09/DIV 279]

I am waiting and waiting for that call I hope it comes when I am able to answer the phone. Because if i miss that I will surely die. Do you know what time the call with come on the 08/24

 

 

 

theresa 

[caylex 9/279]

Ricky Heaven is an area in the NEX where the recruits can go for fun, there is internet, soda, fast food, games, phones, etc.

 

I was trying to estimate what time the calls might come on wednesday... I was just on the phone with my mom.  I have no knowledge of this, so it's purely a guess (LOL)... but if they start BS in the evening, say maybe after supper, and we do know it lasts approximately 12 hours that could put us to 6:00 a.m. or so.  Then I was wondering if it might take the RDCs a little while to determine if everyone passed or not.  Do you think an hour or so for that sounds reasonable?  So maybe we are up to 8:00 a.m. ??  Then they have their capping ceremony which might take 30  minutes or so (again, I am purely guessing at all this)... I am hoping to get the call by 10:00 a.m. so that I can go do my banking and other errands.  then that gives me the rest of the day to pack.  We are leaving MI around noon on Thursday and it takes about 3 1/2 hours to drive to Chicago (I'm not sure what the distance difference is to GL).

[Jana]

I have seen posted on N4M that the calls usually start around 2 p.m.  I didn't have any idea what Ricky Heaven was either!!  I will be on the road starting Tuesday morning and will not have access to a computer until we stop for the night, although I can use my phone to check N4M.  When our SR calls, let's see if we can remember to ask if everyone in their division passed Battlestations and then would you post on this discussion what you find out and I will do the same as quickly as I can. 

Thanks!

 

 

[caylex 9/279]

Jana, I would be happy to.  And if you want to chat with someone who knows exactly how you are feeling, feel free to give me a call  :)  

 

Here is how Alex described the gas chamber:

 

"Today was also the gas chamber or the "confidence chamber" as they call it here. Let me just say it sucked so bad. I had shit running out of my face I didn't know existed. I had snot all over the front of my uniform and God knows what else all over. As soon as I took off my mask the gas immediately attacked my lungs and eyes. My body wouldn't allow me to breathe and I couldn't open my eyes. Needless to say it was horrible. But we all made it through and we're all here now."