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Comment by Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons on February 22, 2012 at 11:52pm

Hi everyone, I am Lora, aka Lala from NC. I am one of the veteran moms who spends time on the PIR group pages helping answer any questions you have. I have a daughter, 22, who is Sailor in VA. She had PIR in July 2010 so I have been on this site for almost 2 years. Her husband is also a Sailor in VA and his PIR was Oct 2010. We give him a really hard time because she outranks him lol. We have experienced lots of different things through this journey and I am here to help you. If you have any questions at all please ask them here on this page and one of us will do our best to answer it for you. My Sailor was in the performing division (900's) and was in the choir. For now the best advice is to start writing letters and write every day if you can. Even if your SR said not to, do it anyway. They quickly change their mind and love hearing their name called for mail call. It is like Christmas to them and they say the letters are what gets them through the next day. Try not to worry if the first couple of letters seem down or sad. this is normal and it does get better. You will be able to tell a difference in them with each letter you receive. I hope you all have a great week. I know you are looking forward to those first letters and calls :-)

I saw someone posted a question about the dress white uniform for the females. Here is a pic of my Sailor in her Dress White. They are pretty much the same as the guys except for the cover (hat).

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on February 22, 2012 at 10:58pm

Here is how to add a Discussion:

How to add a Discussion - Go to the bottom left corner of the DF area (It's actually just above the comment box here.) and click "Add a Discussion".

Fill in the Title and any description you like.

For DIV discussion Titles a suggestion would be:

SHIP ##/ DIV ###

Simple as that! Then the other members from your div can reply and you can connect up even closer there.

Remember that you are ALL part of this TG though and to stay on the main pages to talk here too! Plus, we veteran moms mostly stay on the main pages of the groups. There are 7-8 PIR groups running at one time and so we do not get to the DF's as much. We do check them as often as we can...OPSEC rules apply there also.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on February 22, 2012 at 10:57pm

They have stayed in Blues as late as May. The fiscal year for all military is October 1...so April is the half way point...but I checked last years PIR groups and they were still in Blues in April.

As we get closer I am sure the question will be asked on RTC FB...I don't FB but I do check the site for updated info...and make sure to get it to you!

Comment by mamabeans on February 22, 2012 at 9:44pm

March 21st is the official first day of Spring.... So I am guessing Whites. 

Comment by mamabeans on February 22, 2012 at 9:21pm

When I got "the box" in the mail last week you would have thought the Navy had mailed home his head I cried and cried and cried... I was a mess!  And got the form letter a few days later... with a little note on the inside "Love to All"... his printing made me cry too. 

PIR moms... please add a discussion thread with your ship and division... that way those of us with the same PIR can also connect with those in the same ship/div too

I am going to buy him a calling card tomorrow and send it. 

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on February 22, 2012 at 7:29pm

mamabeans - Sarges M&G info has changed...check out his event. For the page created.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on February 22, 2012 at 6:51pm

Calling Cards -If you did not send your SR with a Calling Card then please send one ASAP. They can purchase these at the NEX but it may be a couple of weeks before they are taken there (from their arrival) and they can't just go when they want too. I have heard a couple of stories of SR's on the phone with loved ones and they felt bad because others did not have Calling Cards when they finally got a call home! They usually cut their own call short to lend theirs to others!

Make sure it is activated (nowadays that is usually automatically done at the register) and has the MOST minutes you can find! So minutes get eaten up with the first use! If you can't find a large one buy a couple! Also, make a photocopy of it so you have the info and can reload it if need be.

I purchased a 600 or 700 minute one at Target for $20 on sale ($30 normal price). I hear Sam's Club has them and some have looked online for Virtual Pre-paid Phone "Cards" - Google or Yahoo search it. I know AT & T has them for as high as 1000 min for $40. 1000 min? Hmmm...16 plus hours?

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on February 22, 2012 at 6:51pm

The Form Letter:

First, PUT IT IN A SAFE PLACE. Do not throw it away!

It has important information on it that you will need for PIR.

1. Your SR's address. It will look like this:

           SR, Last Name, First Name, Middle initial           

           Ship ##, Divison ###           

           Recruit Training Command            

           #### Something Drive or Avenue           

            Great Lakes ILL 60088-####  

       

           "Recruit Training Command" can be left off of the address. Also, if they write a ship name (all of the Ships (barracks) at RTC are named after real Naval vessels.) that does not need to be on the address either.

2. PIR date. Pass-in-Review. This is the ceremony that you attend on the last day of BC for your new Sailors.

3. Confidential password for entry into RTC. This is in ALL CAPS and you will need it near the end of BC to be able to access and print up your pass that allows you to enter and park your vehicle onto RTC. You do not need it if you are entering on foot (though you do need government ID for entry into PIR); say if a hotel shuttle, taxi drops you off or if you park outside of base.

Do not give out this password to anyone.

4. Access List. You will see that your SR has listed up to four names on the Access List. These are the loved ones that they wish to invite to PIR. These four are guaranteed access to Midway Hall with proper ID. They will finalize this list later near the end of BC...that is why you might see names like Nana, Granpy, Sis, Bro, or even the dogs! Communicate with your SR as to the proper legal name for the list.

** You are guaranteed four guests...you may also bring extras. They will wait in the Visitors Center (USS Yorktown) until 8:45 (when all guests in Midway Hall are asked to be in their seats), then space permitting extra guests will be allowed to enter and be seated. Most of the time, all extras make it in. We have heard of TG's (Training Groups) with 13 Divisions...and extra guests have made it in. The TG behind this one has 14 and that is when RTC starts issuing a statement that some extra guests might not make it in.

5. A note from your SR. There is a few short lines on the very last page for your SR to write a comment...time permitting. Some squeeze a lot in there and some write a very brief note. Everyone is different. My SR wrote:

SAY HI TO THE DOGS FOR ME!

In his new Navy block Upper case lettering.

In fact, your whole form letter will be in new Navy block uppercase lettering and the zero's will have a line through them.  0 Zero; O letter.

Just so you’re not surprised and wonder about it!

There will also be a brochure for hotels and services in the area. More is available on this site.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on February 22, 2012 at 6:47pm

The Box:

...of smelly clothes! LOL

If your SR (Seaman Recruit) took their cellphone with them it will be returned in the box...look in the pants pockets and the shoes if you don't see it outright. Often times it will be taken apart and stuffed into the toes of the shoes.

If you're wondering why one or both pants legs are rolled up...it's because they get their feet measured and they have no time to roll them back down (they're gonna take 'em off anyways!)

The box will arrive by Fed Ex about 5-7 days after your SR arrives at RTC (Recruit Training Command).

Some don't send a box home...they just wear the clothes on their back (donate or throw them away), bring only the necessary items that they can keep and use the payphone at RTC for their "I'm here!" call.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on February 22, 2012 at 6:42pm

Shay, Andrew's Mom - Not to worry...by the time BC is over you will be an "old hat' at it and feel much m,ore comfortable. My advise is toread the Discussions I have posted....take a look at the Survival Guide out out by Bea...and ask questions or post your concerns. That's what we "veterans" are here for! You will be amazed at yourself at the end of eight weeks!

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