DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in June

The box came, kind of emotional but its one step closer!! now just the form  letter and I can send him all the letters.

Thank you everyone for the support!!! 

I am so grateful for this site.  I don't know how I would manage emotionally without everyone here.  :)

It's great to have someplace to go where everyone understands and cares.

Hello everyone!  I'm a newbie to the site.  My daughter left on June 28th and I just got her box delivered today.  I was sad because I thought the letter with her mailing address would be in the box. :(  After reading around on this site and FB, I see that the letter comes separate.  Anyone else with a son or daughter that left on the 28th?  This site is just wonderful and has so much information.  I'm hoping it will help me during this time.

Tracy1120 Yes my son left on the 28th as well, got his box today hoping for the letter by Friday. This site has helped me so much every day- I have been a mess and this has helped so much

Marchella, oh me too.  My daughter is the oldest (22) and my son is 20.  He moved out and into his first apartment exactly a week before my daughter left for BC.  We have only one 15 year old left.  This empty nester thing is TERRIBLE.  I've been a hot mess, my poor husband. ;) Crying daily, yesterday was pretty rough.  I just wish I knew how she was doing.  I think that's the hardest part. 

This was my youngest that left, we are such a close family I literally felt broken when he left, I know that sounds dramatic- at times I would tell myself to snap out of it but its how I felt. I am getting better, on a positive note this Friday is Friday #2, I have found that counting Fridays seems to be easier than thinking weeks. I am guessing our kids PIR date will be Aug 25, thats 9 Fridays but wont know for sure til we get that letter.

himom88, Wow, thanks so much for the info on USPS!!  Keep us updated on when you get a phone call. I've been wondering if it will fall on a Sunday.  I just keep walking around my house wishing kids were still with me. It's very hard, but just another stage of life. Hugs to all of you mommas!! :)

jennifer - OMG I thought I was the only one who had a box in the corner that I can't seem to empty.  My husband keeps asking when I'm going to wash his clothes.  LOL!  He thinks I'm being lazy but I just can't bring myself to empty it yet. Maybe after I hear his voice.  Has anyone out there used the Sandboxx app to send them letters?

TAT'sMom, when did your son leave?

I'm not worried about using Sandboxx for boot camp.  I do however, think it should not be used while sailor is deployed.  

For me now, it is great.  I'm in Hawaii and can send a letter and a pic at a moments notice from my iphone.  My son told me about app, he invited me so I can send letters.

Being at boot camp is not a problem, everyone knows where boot camp is.  The app does not ask for any info on him other than his name and temporary address. 

I will be using pen and paper after I am done traveling.  He is a Nuke, so I will not be using it after BC.

Do not use Sandboxx, it is against OPSEC and PERSEC regulations keeping our loved ones safe, as well as the home families. Third party, which you have no control over, will have all of your recruits personal information, and that could be a bad thing. Please reconsider and DO NOT use it.

Thanks for the info lemonelephant, either way, I am going to steer clear. Saw from Admins' posts, not a good thing to utilize. 

We missed his phone call because my husbands phone was on silent and it's never on silent. :'( The only good thing is we finally got some letters from him so that helps but it stinks we won't get to talk to him until 2 weeks from now.

Hi.  New here.  Both my son and daughter will head to boot camp in late June.  1 week a part actually.  Excited and proud of them both.  Any chance they might end up training together?

SR. stands for Seaman Recruit

TG stands for Training Group

A division is approximately 88 recruits who live and train together. There can be as few as 55 to as many as 100 in a division. 

Sometimes a division fills and there are only a few recruits remaining from the arrival group; they are held as the first recruits for the next division; or there is a division that is not quite filled and they must wait until the next group of Recruits arrives to fill the division.

More info on this site

Ship/Division--How it Works

Son #2 will be leaving for BC at the end of June!  Even though I have been through this once already.  I'm feeling a little nervous again.  LOL!

CPATM2015 this is also my second child leaving for BC.  Son #1 graduated last September.  Nervous but also looking forward to the end of August.  If the time line pans out Son #2 might go through PIR on his birthday :)

rhat562 welcome to BCM nice to have you along, andbest wishes to Son #1 and #2. What a Bierthdat wish that would be.

Hi everyone! My daughter leaves for BC 6/19 and will be the 2nd child to go. My son graduated April 2017. I am nervous and so proud all at the same time! If the timing is right, PIR for her will be on his birthday!! He is kind of excited about that :)

Would like to welcome all of you New Comers, Glad to have you along for the first or second time. Please post any questions you may have and it is Wonderful to have you here.

here is a site for you all to get familiar with what happens.

Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) will let you know what is happening and what to expect.  

Here is also some good information.

Check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for..., and to start discussing some of the things there with your future Sailor such as how to handle bad news and who will get the tickets for PIR.... 

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) and then go on to Arrival and What Happens at the RTC. 

Good afternoon New Comers, want to start getting you ready as to what to expect when your Loved one leaves to Boot Camp. LemonElephant has given you some sites below, also you will see how to prepare yourself what to expect. I will also put some sites down for you to read. Once your Loved One has entered BC please join Boot Camp Moms and your concerns and questions will be answered. I want to let You all know, it will be a very Emotional ride for some and then maybe not. Just know you are never alone and we are here every step of the way. so do not hesitate to reach out. Welcome Again!

See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC and Ship/Division--How it Works.

 Phone Cards and Phone Calls.

A Breakdown Of Navy Boot Camp At Great Lakes Recruit Training

I will be posting this site down this is very important the standards have change and your Loved One needs to start preparing and train. this must be passed to continue on with BC. Many are coming in with no training or fitness training. Please have them read this as well and start Running, Swimming, and doing the push ups, sit ups, curl ups.

Navy Sets New Physical Fitness Standard to Start Boot Camp.

See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training ... for more information.

My son is leaving June 14th for BC. They advised us that he needs a calling card.  I am not finding any. Can’t someone help me with this??

Good Morning Patricia, calling cards can be found at walmart, CVS, Walgreens even best buy. Usually they can purchase one at the NEX at Boot Camp. But just make sure it is activated for use so he wont spend time having to activate. many get them online also, that is a preference up to you. Welcome and Best wishes to your Son!

Folks I am going to be posting some sites for those that are new as your Loved one. the Standards have changed as far as PFA. I will put the site down so you can read up on what is tested and what will happen if failed, this is something that needs to be read and understood from both the Parent and your Loved One before they enter into BC. So Many are not passing and this requirement needs to be passed in order to go on with BC. It is very Heartbreaking for the parent/s when this is happening but also a devestated feeling for our Loved Ones. I believe this should be started in a Recruiters Office but I cannot say that it is or isnt being done. So Please if you have a Loved One coming into BC soon get them to start running and meeting the standard not only that they have to swim and be able to pass the three tests, and the prone float is one test so have them start practicing. Push ups, curl ups, sit ups they have to do so many in a matter of 2 min.

See Navy Sets New Physical Fitness Standard to Start Boot Camp

See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training ... for more information.

• Arrival and What Happens at the RTC
• Ship/Division--How it Works

I have left info on some of your My Pages about your recruit's (or future Sailor's) rating (job/occupational specialty) or field and "A" School. If anyone else needs this info, leave a comment on my My Page with the rating or field and I will comment back on your My Page. I have info on every rating and field. I also have that info for the PACT programs. 

If your future Sailor has yet to ship, then 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) and then go on to Arrival and What Happens at the RTC. 

Patricia we got my son a calling card at CVS. it’s a Pennytalk one. I wasn’t super happy because of the per call charges ($.99) but it’s refillable so I can go online and check his balance and add to it as needed. 

Good morning everyone! My son leaves for BC on 6/25. He was supposed to leave in May but there was a delay in his paperwork so it’s been pushed back. I’m so glad to have a bit more time with him though. 

My son left 6/4/18, in RTC now any body else with someone in boot now, just starting?

My son left 6/5/18. 

Welcome Folks Glad to have you along, you can also find info on Boot Camp Moms, just let it be known what kind of info you may be needing or where to find and someone will assist.

Got my son's box today. I teared up a little. Now just waiting on the letter. Can't wait to find out how he is doing and be able to write him.

J4bber thats great you received the box, I cried not tear up, I missed my Son So bad I felt I was mourning. No one could say anything that could make it better. But you are on the next step which is the next step. Just remember you are not alone.

My son leaves for BC tomorrow 6/12/18.  Anyone else have someone shipping out then?

HDragonfly42 Welcome to Navy Moms, there is much information, if you have any questions please feel free to reach out. I help out on Boot Camp Moms so please come join. And Congratulations on your SR. (Seaman Recruit)

For those that are just beginning this breaks it down from when they get there and P-days this was my go to when my Son had left, this showed me what exactly what was going to happen when he arrived. you can find this under,

Survival Guide for Navy For Moms Newbies

Boot_Camp_Processing_Days_P_days.pdf   (71 pages)

Here are the current PIR groups for the June shippers: 

PIR: July 27, 2018 TG 38 - 10 Divisions (291-298. 819, and 938) 

PIR: August 03, 2018 TG 39 - 7 Divisions (299-304 and 939) 

Click on the date of your recruit’s PIR and join the group to connect with others with loved ones training with your recruit. 

Additional groups will be added as loved ones receive  The Form Letter and/or divisions are posted for the PIR dates in http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/tg_grad_dates.html.