DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in December

Hey mom's...we had an issue at the airport and nobody (other parents included) was allowed to get a pass to go through security.  My son flew out of San Antonio and the American Airlines agent told us only "ative" duty military family was allowed past security checkpoint...and went on to say if they were going to boot camp, they were not active duty. With SA being a huge military city, you'd think the airlines would know once you swear in that final time, you are indeed active duty.  I have since emailed AA for their actual policy because there were a lot of upset parents that didn't get to see their kids off. I haven't seen anybody else run into this problem but it happened to everybody that left in the group with my son so to be on the safe side, you might want to call ahead to make sure what the airline "local" policy is. We almost didn't get to say goodbye to our son because we left MEPS thinking we would get to spend a few more hours with him at the airport.  We had him meet us in baggage claim so we could get a quick hug, kiss and goodbye in...I was literally in tears!

Here are the current PIR groups for the December shippers:

PIR: Jan 24, 2014 TG 11 - 9 Divisions (067-074 and 911) 4 guests *divisions not confirmed by the RTC*

PIR: Jan 31, 2014 TG 12 (begins with Division 075 and contains Division 912) *divisions not confirmed by the RTC* 

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

Emtffwife61, check Saving Money PIR Weekend and PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend to help you with your plans for PIR weekend. You'll have to wait on the form letter before actually booking anything though.

Cerabell18, some RDC's give IT for colored envelopes and some don't. See the info in Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit. This time of year I think that more RDC's would let the colored envelopes pass because of Christmas cards, but then again, if a recruit needs help getting ready for the final PFA, the RDC is going to make sure he gets the help he needs.

Dexter93. DIV 069. PIR 24Jan14, the recruits are not made to read their letters aloud. Some will share some or all of a letter, especially with others who did not receive any letters. Post cards, on the other hand, often do get read aloud, so don't send them.

lovemynavyson, yes, it's good to keep things light and funny and very encouraging.

I GOT A REAL LETTER!!!!!  OMG! I was SOOOOOO not expecting one!  It was in all block writing and was only about 1/2 filled of a 6x11 sheet.  I didn't learn much, but he did say "I know how to fold all the laundry perfectly." and that the Standing watch at night is the hardest part.  So excited!  I never ever thought I'd be so blessed this early on.  I wonder if this is a sign that I won't get anything for a long while later on down the road..

My son is leaving for boot camp January 16, 2014

GUESS WHAT? GUESS WHAT? I got the form letter today. I have his address and I have his PIIR date. I am a happy momma!!!!

Annychiquita, check you My Page for the group you need to be in.

Just a reminder, please practice PERSEC and don't post your full name or that of your SR. If you feel a need to give out that info, do so in a PM after friending the person. See our Community Guidelines and OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile) for more on that.

The Page, 800 and 900 Divisions, will have some important information for some of you since I see from comments elsewhere and by the groups that you are joining that you have recruits in an 800 division--special ops. DON'T identify yourselves as belonging in that group, just read the Page and make any changes you need to make.

If you are wondering why I often post, "Check your My Page" it is because there are many who have messages from me and/or others that they need to see and/or they have changes that they need to make and I want to be sure that they see them. OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile) tells about the changes that many of you need to make. Remember if you change your Username to remove your last name (change 1) that you also need to change the URL to your My Page to remove it from there (change 2). The default setting is to have your profile open for ANYONE to see, so change your Privacy Settings to "Members" or  "Just My Friends" (change 3). It's not a good idea to have a picture of your SR up there (change 4). Changes 5 and 6 are ones that some of you will need to make.

Jan 31st!!!!!

Momisiops, your SR will address "the box" and the form letter. Hopefully, he will send them to you and you will share that news with his girlfriend. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC. He can't receive any calls ever at BC (well, he could if there was an emergency) and save the gifts for after PIR. See Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit for what you can send.

Momisiops, See Phone Cards and Phone Calls for info on calls.

All I want for Christmas is..... stamps!!!!!

Ryans_Mom, that call is scripted and most recruits stick pretty close to the script. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

just found out my daughter is in ship 14 Div 083. Haven't received a letter but got the info from her recruiter

GreensMom.... my DIL has the same ship and Div. Please let me know what her PIR is as soon as you find out please. My son and DIL are both there at the same time. I am praying that they have same PIR date. Im gonna friend request you if you dont mind.

Bobbi, in BC and after, you will hear it often and may have to remind yourself, "No news is good news!"

A's momma Erin - So happy that you received a real letter!!  Congrats!!  Keep the faith that he is a natural writer and you will receive letters often!!

Dexter93, recruits only write on Sundays at first and sometimes all the way through BC. It would be unusual to receive more than one letter a week. See Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

Bobbi  I'm the same.  I sent him to school (a bit of a distance) last year, but it was different because I had seen the school and his housing.  Now I can picture what his is doing so it is harder.  That and not being able have back and forth conversations yet.   

Dexter93, check out some of the videos in Arrival and What Happens at the RTC. It may help you to picture what is happening.

Lemonelephant  Thank You for the links!  I've watched a couple and bookmarked the page.  I think that will help a great deal. 

Dexter93, you are very welcome. I hope you also join Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and check out the other Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) there.

Just got our quickie call!  Poor guy should have been there yesterday evening & is a day late arriving due to a plane problem.  He had 5 others with him.  I think they spent lots of hours in the Chicago USO.  I know he is ready for his journey to start & was frustrated by the delay.  Looking forward to getting "the letter" so we can start flooding him with mail.

My son was insightful today. He told me not to make too much of this whole bootcamp thing. First of all it's only 9 weeks or so.  He told me how excited he was to be on this path with the Navy.  

I have seen him struggle with school (college) the past four years & try to find out where he wanted & needed to be.  My husband & I are incredibly proud of him for wanting to do this. I know he will be a success!  

PIR: Jan 31, 2014 TG 12 (begins with Division 075 and contains Division 912) *divisions not confirmed by the RTC* 

Anyone know if division 83 is in this group it would seem to be a week to early at least :) wishful thinking...

garrettsmom, you'll just have to wait on the form letter or until someone else with a recruit in Division 083 or 084 gets one. Divisions 083 and 084 are brother divisions and train together and will have BST together. Since your SR arrived on a Monday, it is possible that he would have 8 Fridays instead of 9. See  Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

DaniGirl695, glad you got the call. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC to help you know what to expect next.

lovemynavyson, the average time at the RTC is 8 1/2 weeks (9 Fridays), some who arrive on a Monday or Tuesday may be the last to fill a division from the week before and be at the RTC a week less than others arriving the same day and have 8 Fridays instead of 9. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

My daughter Left Tuesday for BC. I am not doing so good with this. I have another daughter at home who is 21 and about to get married when her sister comes home and a 9 year old son.but this is my Baby Girl. We are very close she is very outgoing and we talked all the time. She is full of life and so smart. I miss her so much. I am counting my Fridays this is #1 I cannot wait on number 9. I have written her letters but I do not know where to send them yet. I have done so much reading online I am driving my husband crazy LOL. Even though he cried more than I did when she left. Sorry for rambling just needed to release some energy. Thanks for being here it does make it easier knowing that there are other people who care so much.

(((((Kaiti's mom))))) That's a cyber hug from one Navy Mom to another.

Here's another for anyone who needs one today. (((((Navy Mom)))))

Thank you all for the support. I also have a 23 year old son I forgot to mention oops. Whom I have a wonderful beautiful granddaughter from. She makes the pain a little less when she is over. She looks so much like my daughter when she was little. Lots of Prayers to all Navy parents out there. 

When should I expect her form letter? Is that when I will be able to write her?

VKat, anything is possible and yes, sometimes they say 2 weeks and sometimes they say 3 weeks; it all depends on which Petty Officer is supplying the script--but really that call can be anytime. See Phone Cards and Phone Calls.

 Kaiti's mom, the average time to receive the form letter is still 10 days after arrival, but some are taking 2 weeks or longer right now. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.