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Comment by sherrys (Alumni-Ship 02 Div 911) on February 13, 2011 at 1:30pm

Steph's mom -- Write LOTS of letters to your daughter!  And print some pictures from your computer -- I sent pictures arranged about 4-6 per page, on two pages for her ... of she and her brother, of she and me, of her dogs, cartoons, etc.  It brings some comfort to them to have a piece of "family" and "home" there!  ;o)

Their first "real" phone call home usually comes around week 3 or 4... we decided on which phone number to call before she had left for boot camp.  My cell phone was the best choice, since I could carry it with me everywhere and I could conference her brother into the call when it came!  If you haven't set this up in advance, you can always send that to her in your next letter.  That first phone call was golden!!!  She was trying to fight back her tears because she was sooo homesick.  I fought mine back and kept pulling the conversation back to being exciting and encouraging for her!  We have to be strong for them because they need every bit of strength to get them through this!  I would vent to my N4Ms friends when I felt the need, and found LOTS of information from this site as well as the U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command (RTC) Facebook page.  Great sources of information and I liked that I could post a straight question for the RTC and would get a straight answer back from them every time!

I hope you find some of this helpful.  Steph's mom, if I can share more information or answer some questions for you, or you need someone to unload on who has been through this already with her daughter(!), please feel free to send me a friend request and then we can send messages back and forth via our Inbox or share our personal email addresses.  ;o)  I'm so happy to help!

--Sherry

Comment by sherrys (Alumni-Ship 02 Div 911) on February 13, 2011 at 1:18pm

We had a great time visiting my daughter in Great Lakes!  At PIR, I took lots of pictures, especially of the performing groups and those standing guard at doors, hallways, etc., so I could send the next two week's PIR families a hopeful sneak peek at their SRs! 

After PIR, my daughter and a few friends had made plans to meet up for pizza for lunch with the families.  It was good to get to hear the different stories from her friends! 

We stayed at the Residence Inn in Lake Forest/Mettawa which was only about 15 mins. from the base.  It's the newer Residence Inn between that one and the one in Waukegan.  There is a Westfield shopping mall down the street from that hotel, which is where my girl wanted to go after lunch that first day.  We saw some of the other sailors there as well.  A lot of the sailors and their families went to the Gurnee mall, which was okay (has an ice skating rink and movie theater), but my preference was the Westfield Mall (much cleaner and larger).  ;o)

A great place for breakfast is Wildberry -- not too far from the base, and we went there two times we liked it so much.  Picked up my daughter on base at about 7:30 AM, then drove on over to Wildberry (pancake house?) for breakfast.  Great service and food!  (1783 N. Milwaukee Rd. -- 847-247-7777)

If you venture on into the city, it's least expensive to take the MetraRail and taxis when in the city -- You can leave in the morning and allow at least an hour and 15 mins. to get back.  My daughter decided she didn't want to go into Chicago the day we had decided because it was snowing pretty steadily that day (too worried she would be late getting back -- she had earlier report times due to having duty and an RDC who told them to be back an hour or so earlier than the others just to be sure no one was late!).  ;o)  My son and I drove into Chicago on Monday before we flew home, and the cost for parking was outrageous!  We had lunch there at a place that was highly recommended to me by three different people:  Pizzeria Uno (I'll have to look up the address) -- Was the BEST Chicago style pizza we've ever had!  I now know why it was highly recommended!  So glad we decided to go and try it out!

On the second day, my daughter wanted to come "home" (the hotel!) after breakfast and she took a shower for about 1/2 an hour!  I brought some of her clothes so she could relax in the hotel room and see how they fit now that she was in such good shape!  (She was pretty tiny before she left, but is really tiny now!)  We did check out the Gurnee mall, but were not too impressed so we didn't stay there long.

When you pick your sailor up in the morning on Sat and Sun, be sure to bring your parking pass (you will also need it when dropping them off in the evenings).  You will be directed to a parking lot between the NEX and the Chapel.  Park down by the chapel and you will see a path to the left of the chapel where the sailors will march up as a division together before being released for liberty that day.  Some were singing cadence when they were marching up.  It is quite a sight to see!

Comment by sherrys (Alumni-Ship 02 Div 911) on February 4, 2011 at 8:03pm

Stephs mom...hello! Welcome aboard! It's been a crazy ride but our PIR was today and I have never been more proud of my daughter! We are now returning her to base for the night, after spending the day with her! I'll be on and off of this site intermittently this weekend, but I'll get back to you soon with more details! ;o)

Comment by sherrys (Alumni-Ship 02 Div 911) on January 21, 2011 at 8:34pm

Something I picked up elsewhere on this site re: DIV 900's  ;o)

..."Recruits are chosen for the 900 divisions based on several things such as ASVAB scores, previous ROTC or other leadership experience, musical or band experience etc. There are many non musical jobs. I would not go so far as to call them honor or elite, but there is a LOT of pride in being in a 900 Div. :-) Nothing they do during BC carries over beyond graduation though. I promise, PIR will be extra memorable for both you and your Sailor! :D

900's must work harder and more is expected of them! :) They not only have to learn everything every other BC Recruit has to learn, but they also have extra duties, as they are the division in charge of helping to run and perform in the PIR ceremony. Be aware, their time to write, especially as PIR gets closer, is sometimes short because of the extra practice time and study required. They must be good self managers and show initiative, drive and leadership."

And: 

 "...The PIR ceremony is conducted, with help, from the graduating 900 Div and two Jr. Divs in their 7th and 6th week of training. That's why you get a sneak peek at your Recruits in the videos and pictures posted by Moms returning from GL. :) Each incoming 900 div is assigned one of the responsibilities listed below, on a constantly rotating basis.

Ship Staff is in charge on PIR day. They greet and welcome the Officers and their distinguished guests as Sideboys, they play the role of "Body Snatcher" walking up and down the rows of Sailors, watching for and sometimes catching any Sailor about to or going down. (They lock their knees sometimes and pass out). They help the Navy Corpsmen in the back room, they Guard doors and perform a myriad of tasks behind the scenes and in front. It is their job to help make sure all goes smoothly. The Honor Guard Drill Team (they're the ones with the yellow ascots) also does a rifle performance at the beginning of the ceremony.

Flags does an incredible march perfectly timed and executed to the drum corps cadence. It is their job to present the flags for every state in the union. They are lined up by height, so the flow looks better, so your recruit will probably not get to carry their home state flag. They also honor those who have gone before by presenting the POW and MIA flags, as well as the US flag.

Triple Threat is comprised of those who are on that weeks' Jr. Rifle Drill team and all those who were chosen for their musical abilities. The Blue Jacket Choir performs the Nat'l Anthem, Anchors Aweigh (just try to get through those without a tear in your eye. I couldn't) and anything else they've been tasked with. The band plays at various time throughout the ceremony. The Drum Corps also marches and helps everyone else stay in step and keep time.

All together, it is an amazing effort, especially when you stop to consider how little time they have really had to prepare such a glorious presentation. You have every reason to be very proud of your 900 Div recruits Navy Moms, Dads, Fiances, Girlfriends, Grandparents, Siblings ... etc. etc.!! :-)