Ship 06 DIV 945

[PatriciaT]

        Aren't these just the longest days in your life?  I'm now a mailbox junkie, hangin' out by the box all the time just waiting for that letter!

        Does anyone have a son or daughter Ship 6, Div 945?  Being a performance division, I'd love to hear what you know about the workload and their (few) extra privileges.

        Thank you all!

[Chefswifey]

Happy to see you enjoyed your time with your sailor. It was a flawless performance, something to be very proud of. Congratulations on becoming a Navy Mom. :)

[Whaletalkers]

PatriciaT- Yes thats what we did our first day. I also made sure our sailor bought himself a Navy swim suit before we left the base so that he was not out of uniform if he wanted to hot tub or swim. He said that the Petty Officer was ok with it as long as he was in OFFICAL Navy gear. So he enjoyed the hot tub and relaxed.
My husband presented him with his Challenge coin and loved it. I was surprised I found the SAME coin at the NEX LOL MY husband also presented a couple other Sailors with St. Michael's Navy Challenge coins. I guess the rest of the Sailors loved them and are wanting them also.
We had deep dish Chicago pizza also, and enjoyed just being there. Our hotel was awesome, I have one more to go through boot camp and we will be staying there again. Nice clean rooms and great staff!! And a awesome free breakfast! They tell you to bring your Sailors back with you to have breakfast with them!
We spent they day at the Navy Pier and brought a his shipmate with us. They took a speed boat on Lake Michigan and rode the swings. Me and my two boys rode the Merry-go-round! LOL I had a egg roll there and had a alergic reaction, hives everywhere!! We found a store in the Pier and got some benadryl thank goodness. I have never had that happen before!! Us old people sat down and had some coffee while the young ones ran amuck through the place there at the end. They said they had fun. Then we took them to dinner at chili's--very good food there and great service!!
We picked our sailor up Sunday and spent the morning with him. Then went to the BIG NEX on Green Bay Drive.. must see!! ITs a half a block off Buckley. Got some See's Chocolates... best in the world!! for gifts back home. Spent some time at the MWR with our Sailor then hit the road. I remember watching my first Sailor walk away wasnt going to do that again. I asked the he go in and not watch us drive away...
Were home now, hubby called in for an extra day off so we can rest and I am going to through the pictures. I have to go drop some cupcakes off at the police dept and a box of chocolates for my Little officer who fed my outside kitty while we were gone.

I still laugh... You know when you live in a small town when the police dept feeds your cat while your gone!! LOL

Got to go get groceries and get ready for the gym class tonight....

Our New Sailors were AWESOME!!! And all you were great too!!

[PatriciaT]

Thanks for your great suggestion on the other group about having a movie night party when the video of PIR arrives. It's a wonderful idea especially since SO many people have been asking for all the details. As they say, a picture's worth a 1000 words!
Sounds like you had a fabulous day with your sailor. I'm glad for you and all the families who got to hug and kiss their sailors after such a long time.
Funny. I thought I was finished all my tears this weekend, but in reading other N4M's accounts, I get misty all over again!

[Chefswifey]

If you go down to Navy Pier again, there is a USO there that offer discount tickets and such. http://affiliates.uso.org/illinois/default.cfm?contentid=407
They are wonderful, free drinks and popcorn! Glad you had a great time at graduation. My husband was very proud of his recruits! :) Wink!

[Whaletalkers]

Thanks Chefswifey, Hope you liked the goo goo clusters ;) I got some of those coupons while we were there also. Nice people. If you are the one who got the goo goo cluster, let me add this I was VERY leary of sending them but my husband said "Do it!" LOL I said if I was going to send a candy bar I was going to send the best Tennessee could offer.... Goo Goo Clusters!! LOL

[Chefswifey]

Photos are up on the RTC Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=226967&id=324592704650&am...

[PatriciaT]

I've been having a running discussion with myself for a few days as to if I should send this msg or not for fear of sounding like I'm "sucking up" or worse, so pls know this is the most sincere msg I can possibly send . . . .
A big thank you to all our RT commanders during these 2 last and very long months. I know the job couldn't have been an easy one--whipping young men and women, many who are still teenagers, into the fine group of sailors we witnessed this weekend. While all the excitement was focused on the sailors on the 24th, those who brought them to this stage in life were completely overlooked publicly, so I just want to say thank you to everyone for their hard work and commitment to both our recruits and our USN.
It was once said that it takes a village to raise a child and I'm ever so grateful that part of the village during my son's growth,maturity, and experience at GL was in the form of him knowing his commanders at RTC.
Thank you to all (and especially to you, Chefswifey), from the bottom of my heart!

[PatriciaT]

Whaletalkers, I think it was you that posted a sample press release about Navy graduation a while ago. I know I should have saved it then and sure enough I can't seem to find it on-line now. Would you be a doll and post it again? It was perfect! Many thanks and congrats again to you, your family, and most of all to your new sailor!

[Whaletalkers]

@PatriciaT - Yes I turned mine into to the newspaper today. Our weekly paper, his should be out next monday!!
Thanks! And Congratulations to your Sailor and all of your Family also. :D
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(post picture here)

Seaman (sailors name) son of (parents name) of (city and state), recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois. (His/Her) chosen rate is a (rate)(,/.) (we added this extra) --(Sailor first Name) is proceeded in the Navy by (his/her) older brother and is also third generation Navy.

During (his/her) eight weeks at boot camp (he/she) was in a Triple Threat Honor Guard Division, Drill, Band, Choir. (HisHer) duties entailed of performing with the Drill Team at Ceremonies, Parades and Parade in Reviews (PIR). On top of (hisher) intense practice and performance duties with (his/her) Drill Team (he/she) was required to complete a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, fire fighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the key skills and confidence they need to graduate and take to the Fleet. "Battle Stations" has been designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly 'Navy' flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.

(Sailor first name) also performed with (his/her) division in (his/her) PIR on October 24th, 2010 at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois.

(Sailors First Name) is a (year) graduate of (high School, City, state)

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Adjust it to fit your sailor. :) Congratulations everyone!!