DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in May

-Trish 3 I did see my son in the pictures too.  It was nice just seeing his face.

-Danny's Mom My daughter is stalking the mailman while I am at work.  She sends me a text with a sad face after she checks the mailbox.  Maybe today will be a smiley face.

Yes,Trish I plan on going to graduation.  I want to book my flight too. Hopefully you receive the letter today.

My daughter left May 6th.  I looked for her in the Mother's Day pics and didn't see her :(  But glad they posted those pic for all the mommies...and glad a couple of you got to see your kiddos!!  That makes me smile!

I missed 2 calls from her this morning. She called 20 minutes apart and I was on a call at work but if I would have thought she would have been calling this soon, I would have "accidently" disconnected my other call.  BUT she only got to call because she needed information from me so I wouldn't have been able to really chat with her but I could have at least talked to her and asked how she was doing.

Oh Trish...I 100% understand your frustration.  My daughter called her grandmother (on her dad's side) and it appears maybe she wasn't home and called her EX-boyfriend for her "I'm here" call. I only found out because I looked at my Sprint bill.  Her father and I have been divorced for 18 years so I knew they wouldn't let me know, which I expected and accept (have been on talking terms with ex or his family for many years) but for her to call her ex was a low blow.  He's not a very nice guy and her going away to BC was a relief that she was finally getting away from him.  But yes, mom's should definitely be the first...gf and bf can wait!!  :(

Shauna and Trish - who got calls what ship?  My SR is SHIP 14 DIV 221. and he will probably call his gf, I'm really hoping he calls me because she probably won't tell me.  I'm trying to buy plane tickets and haven't heard back from her.  At least I have tried:(  Sad part is I thought we got along well.

Calls this early are usually for information. Don't expect a call, but have your phone available every day between 8 am and 8 pm Central Time. See Phone Cards and Phone Calls. It even gives some times you can relax and know that you most likely will not miss a call.

Sybilmama:  I haven't received the form letter so I don't know her Ship or DIV yet.  The call was just to get info they needed so even if I was able to talk to her, it would have been short, sweet and to the point. My son graduated BC January 2014 and he also called me for info and he couldn't chat with me at all on that call. I'm sure there's somebody right there with them to make sure they get the info needed and that's it. Since I missed her call, she left a voicemail with the info needed and who to send it to so she won't be calling back until it's actually time for her DIV to make their "scheduled" calls.  I think it was about 3 weeks into BC (maybe even 4) that I actually got a call from my son when he was there but definitely keep your phone with you at all times because you just never know when that call will come.

I've let ellen and FTLW know that form letters have been received for the 07/02/2015 TG.

Got the form letter today from son who left on May 6. Grad date listed is 7/2.

my fiance left may 12 for bootcamp, the recruiter gave me his adress the 3rd day he was gone, so ive wrote two letters and still nothing.

Cybil_ellen : It doesn't matter when you write, they won't receive ANY mail until one of the Sailors in the division learns how to handle the mail.... it usually takes about 2 weeks in before they receive anything. Then you need to know they have VERY little time to write. Do not expect to hear from him very often, they are simply just too busy (and exhausted at night) and he won't be allowed to send mail for a few weeks either. Just to let you know... THAT is military life.

Reasons to wait on The Form Letter:

1. The PAO at the RTC asks that loved ones wait on the form letter before mailing letters. See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/fam_guide.asp.

2. The recruiter does not always give the right address and letters that do not have the correct address may be returned or may be delayed several weeks in getting to your recruit since it will not be a high priority for those in the mail room to look up the correct information.

3. Even if you do have the correct information, your recruit will not receive letters that are mailed before receiving the form letter much quicker, if at all, than letters mailed after receiving the form letter because recruits do not receive mail until they are in their permanent ship and a Recruit Mail Petty Officer is trained. The first Mail Call is on day 1-3 or 1-4 DOT.

***

Note: If it has been at least 2 calendar weeks since your recruit arrived at the RTC and you do not have a form letter, then you can call the recruiter and get the address and mail letters to your recruit, but be sure to double-check the address against those at http://bootcamp.navy.mil/contact_recruit.asp or Ship/Division--How it Works.

Recruits can only write during holiday routine at first. The first holiday routine will be the second Sunday after arrival for most (the third Sunday for some who have to wait for others to arrive the next week to fill the division). See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC and Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

Those who arrived on the 12th may have PIR on 07/02/2015 or 07/10/2015. It all depends on what division they are placed in. You will have to wait on The Form Letter to know for sure.

Those who arrived on the 13th will most likely have PIR on the 10th, but again you will have to wait on The Form Letter to know for sure.

See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

My son left on May 5th and he called tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you will leave home and have not received "the box" be sure to leave a signed and dated note for the FedEx driver to leave "the box" from GL. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

Just a reminder, there will be some who should not reveal the ship and division numbers of their recruits since there are at least two ship dates (one earlier this month and one this week) that include recruits with special ops contracts.

My son arrived at BC May 13th . I revieved " The Box" today the 19th. waiting on the form letter and I cant wait till I fond out his graduation date. I am so grateful for the site , it has really helped me deal with all this and know I am not alone. A lot of people don't truly understand .  I have 2 military friends that do .I have a hard time when some that send their kids to college try to relate but its different .

Thank you again for this site.(even though sometimes I feel like I'm writing all over the place )  :)

Here are the current PIR groups for the May shippers:

PIR: 06/26/2015 TG 33 - 6 Divisions (219-222, 813 and 933) 4 guests

PIR: 07/02/2015 TG 34 - 9 Divisions (223-230 and 934) 4 guests Note: PIR is on Thursday.

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

Trish-When your son finishes boot, he will immediately have to move over to Great Lakes Naval Base following PIR. You will have to wait several hours (At least 2 or 3 o'clock) until they have "moved in" to the new base. Once he's free, they will have restricted liberty for the remainder of the weekend (Fri evening, Sat and Sun) - he will know the restrictions and when each day he is free and when to return.  

Well... the deed is done.  We watched our son swear in again and then headed to the airport to hang out with him just a little while before he left for Great Lakes.  Got a call when he landed... he sounded so excited.  He sent us a text before he went down to meet up with the Navy reps.  Then I got the call about 11:30.  He didn't sound too stressed out so that makes me feel better.    I am sad he is gone but since he is so excited I am happy for him!  Can't wait for the letter!

Trish:  My daughter is in same Ship and Div as your son.  I'm not going to graduation though :(  Her dad and his side of the family will be going instead...I went to my son's last year so it's only fair to "share" this one with him. 

BTW, I got another "quick" phone call this morning for more info...I didn't miss the call this time. It was quick, short and to the point but I did get to hear her voice. She's sick (sounded stopped up) and said she's sore, tired and the boots are killing her feet. She also ran into one of my son's buddy's that left for BC last month so it was nice that she got to see a "friendly" face from home...the "friendly" is because she doesn't exactly care for him lol...but she was excited she saw him.  I can't wait for a "real" phone call from her...hoping for one this weekend but not giving my hopes up and really not expecting to hear from her until next weekend.

One down, one to go...

My son shipped May 15, unfortunately, I didn't stumble on this site until afterwards. Should be getting his box today according to the post-it left by the UPS man yesterday when I was not home.

My Daughter ships July 8, three weeks after HS graduation.  I hope the second shipping is easier for me emotionally.  I was very surprised at how sad I was, considering I'm very excited for both of them to be choosing such a noble path!

I've let ellen and FTLW know that form letters have been received for the 07/10/2015 TG. Keep checking PIR 07/10/2015 TG 35 and join when it is up.

SomebodysMom, are you sure it was UPS and not FedEx?

For those who SR will graduate July 4th week . .  have fun. My son's PIR was the 3rd last year (Thurs) and we had a fantastic time. It was really special to celebrate the 4th with a brand new sailor! 

Luvnailzzz:  Take heart.  In this case "no news is good news".  If you're not hearing anything, then assume everything is going well.  If there is a problem, they will make him contact you.

DEVIN:  On your Facebook page, type in the search field: U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command.  That should pull the page up.  They haven't updated photos since earlier this week.