DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in February

You may receive an "I'm still alive!" call in week 3 or 4 (calendar week, not DOT), but that call can come before or after that depending on when the RDC is able to schedule the phone banks. Don't expect a call, but do have your phone available from 8ish am to 8ish pm Central Time and be pleasantly surprised when you receive a call.  The "I'm still alive!" call or other calls the RDC schedules usually come in the mornings on weekdays except on the day of a PIR because the "I'm a Sailor!" calls are in the afternoon and evenings, but calls can come anytime during those hours on Saturday.  Calls on the day of a PIR or on Sunday come between 1 and 8 pm. Calls for security reasons or for information are generally made during regular business hours.  Remember "No news is good news!" See Phone Cards and Phone Calls.

Wow, was surprised my recruit was able to call a good friend today from boot camp.  She's been there 7 days, got her box a couple days ago and she had her friend pass on that she can send her letter on Sunday on the 11th day to us and that boot camp is "fine" and that she was more interested in the distraction of all of us and what she was "missing" and to let us know she's okay and loves all of us. Just reconfirmation that we should put current events in her letter and any other distracting information to "take her home" a minute.  I took a photo shoot of her dog to print on a paper to make her laugh.  Anyone with other suggestions for what might "take them away" and make them laugh, please share !  New at this !  

Oh, in case anyone is wondering....this 7 day call was brief and was at 6:00 a.m. PST. She shipped out last week arriving in Chicago last Weds at 1:00 am for processing from NorCal.

caitlinsmom did you daughter ship from Norcal?  My daughter shipped out last Tuesday too !  Waiting for the letter, she called a friend today, think because she didn't want to get emotional talking to mom or dad. I've started writing letters too, but they are waiting here for an address.

I've let ellen and FTLW know that form letters have been received for the 04/15/2016 PIR date. Keep checking PIR 04/15/2016 TG 23 and join when it is up.

Here are the current PIR groups for the February shippers:

PIR: 03/25/2016 TG 20 - 11 Divisions (129-136, 809, 810, and 920) 4 guests

PIR: 04/01/2016 TG 21 - 10 Divisions (137-144, 811, and 921) 4 guests

PIR: 04/08/2016 TG 22 - 7 Divisions (145-150 and 922) 4 guests

PIR: 04/15/2016 TG 23 – (to be updated; begins with Division 151 and contains Division 923)

Click on the date and join to connect with others with loved ones training with your recruit.

Najul, check out Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

@ninasd   you need to wait until you get your form letter to be sure on when his PIR date. Good Luck

caitlinsmom, my daughter called this morning (she arrived there 1:00 am on 17th. She said they are getting their form letter ready this Sunday and handing it in.  Hope that helps!  She called my work today which means they let her keep her address book because they asked her to gather some more information, so I'm trying to gather to email to them this evening. I have letters ready to go to, oh and she did pass on that receiving a letter everyday would be AWESOME, she said they are all already missing home and this is coming from a girl who's been away at college for 3 years, so hope that info helps.  

lemonelephant....THANK YOU....again, very helpful information!

Oh also, she had to purchase a  phone card, so phone cards are important like everyone said.

Rosette, yes, it is very likely that your recruit will have PIR on 04/15/2016.

I've let ellen and FTLW know that form letters have been received for the 04/15/2016 PIR date. Keep checking PIR 04/15/2016 TG 23 and join when it is up.

Okay, I must have been confused on what my daughter said on her 30 second phone call ! We received the form letter today too.  Ship 12, Div 152, graduation also on April 15.  

If your future Sailor has yet to ship, be sure to check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for....

If you have not yet joined Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones), now is a good time to do so (especially if you have a recruit at the RTC) and to begin checking out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) starting with OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile) (some of you have changes that you need to make--at least change 3; make change 4 if your profile pic includes your future Sailor or recruit) and then go on to Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

Everyone, Make it a habit to check your My Page because you may have comments from Members and not even know it if you have the notifications turned off for comments on your My Page. To reply to someone who leaves a comment on your My Page, click on "Comment Back" or "View Thread" (you will have to do that if the person has their profile set to "Just My Friends") below the comment. Also check in the upper left to see if you have Friend requests or any new messages in your Inbox.

This might be really weird, but I have a sense of calm since I received my daughter's address last night.  Being able to send a couple pictures and write a letter/correspond somehow makes me feel like she'll handle the yelling and new military ways better.  Technically it's only been about 10 days, but it seemed like forever and it seems like they break them down a lot during that time.

Najul, not weird at all. Having the address provides a way to connect and having the PIR date gives you a date to look forward to and plan for.

Yes, just a sense of relief the second you can mail something with all your mom mojo to tell them to keep their chin up, that there's light and an end with a date to bootcamp :-).

I love reading all of the comments and knowing that so many other mommas are missing their babies too and that we are all in this together. Shine on Navy Moms, we have a lot to be thankful for <3 A box of dirty clothes, form letters, anticipated calls and the future of our children!

well said Blondefaith :-).  It is comforting to know I'm not "broken" and the emotional roller coaster we all are trying to "manage".  I'm constantly reminding myself that this is a good thing, that they'll come back stronger and better and have a future. I didn't think it would affect me so much!

When I click on the PIR 04/15/2016 TG 23 groups, it says that it doesnt exist.  My sons PIR is 04/15/2016. He is ship 6

Here are the current PIR groups for the February shippers:

PIR: 03/25/2016 TG 20 - 11 Divisions (129-136, 809, 810, and 920) 4 guests

PIR: 04/01/2016 TG 21 - 10 Divisions (137-144, 811, and 921) 4 guests

PIR: 04/08/2016 TG 22 - 7 Divisions (145-150 and 922) 4 guests

PIR: 04/15/2016 TG 23 – (to be updated; begins with Division 151 and contains Division 923)

Click on the date and join to connect with others with loved ones training with your recruit.

PIR 04/15/2016 TG 23 is up now.

Ty's Mom, see Ship/Division--How it Works.

Found out today my son is in:  Ship II, Div 155.  Graduation date is April 15.  Anyone else?