DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in December

Has anyone whose SR left on Dec. 4th (give or take a day) not received the form letter? I haven't gotten anything since the box last Tuesday.

Well, it feels better knowing I'm not the only one.  Sort of lol.  I'm just ready to start making definite plans as far as travel, as well as having a means to contact him.  We'll see what tomorrow brings as far as mail goes.  I'd really hate to have to start stalking the mailman ;)

My SR left Dec. 4th.  I rec'd the box on Monday the 8th and the letter on Wednesday the 10th.  I was so happy to be able to start writing and to know a PIR date.  His date is 1/30/20115.  Pray you all get your letters soon!

There are recruits in at least three 800 Divisions who shipped in December; remember it is a good idea not to post the division number openly if your recruit is in one of those divisions. See 800 and 900 Divisions.

creolemommy, the recruiter will have the address, but it could be wrong, so wait on the form letter before sending any letters. No, the recruiter will not know if/when the form letter was sent.

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.

***If it has been at least 2 calendar weeks since your recruit arrived at the RTC and you don't have the form letter, then yes, it is fine to get the address from the recruiter and send letters. Double-check the info against that at http://bootcamp.navy.mil/contact_recruit.asp or Ship/Division--How it Works.

creolemommy, 10 days after arrival is the average time to receive The Form Letter and since that was yesterday, you will be getting it this week. If it is not in the mail on Thursday, then go ahead and get the address from the recruiter.

Finally!  Got the letter today.  Ship 13 div 81 with PIR 1-30-15.

I think I will step out of this board as my son is not a depper and he is already at GL.  It has been a tough 11 days, but it would have been much worse if not for this board and the information it gave me constantly.  The members of this board have been amazing.  Those of us who sent our loved one together have been an amazing support for each other.  For you new members just starting...hang in there.  It is not easy.  The early journey is heart wrenching.  I have never been so down, depressed, hopeless,proud and happy at the same time.  I didn't write a lot, but was always on the board and it is here that got me through.  Nobody get what you are going through more than the members on this board.   Hold on, brace yourself and rely on everyone here.  God Bless our loved ones.  Thank you to my Dec-Dep family for being there.  See many of your 1/30/2015.  Go Navy!!!!

If you haven't done so lately, check your My Page.

There are many in this group with a recruit in an 800 division; read 800 and 900 Divisions.

My son shipped on 12/9 and we got the form letter yesterday, I was surprised!  PIR is 2/6 and only 3 guests allowed.  I feel bad because I think my dad was really looking forward to be able to go (He was in the Navy during Vietnam).  So excited to be able to start planning

I just talked to my SR.  He was calling to request more info for security.  I asked if they had had a chance to write anyone yet and he said not yet.  He shipped out on Dec. 4th (ship 13, div 081) so this past Sunday would be the second Sunday he's been there.  He did say that they should be writing this upcoming Sunday.  So if you don't get letters this week don't worry, your SR hasn't forgotten you!

Creolemommy, we just got our letter yesterday. Pur SR left on 12-4.  Hang in there.

I just received my letter yesterday! My son's PIR is 2/6/15, which is my birthday. Greatest birthday present ever!

creolemom, Different recruits send form letters at different times.  I believe 800 divisions mail their letters right away because they are contracted, whereas other divisions need to wait until their division is filled to send the form letter?  Correct me, someone, if that is wrong information.  Also, no letters are delivered until the Recruit Mail Petty Officers are trained, so I don't think certain recruits would ever get their mail earlier than another. 

Recruits do not send the form letter until the division forms. That sometimes takes a while this time of year--integrated divisions and the all female division and it's brother division are often among the last to fill. Also, recruits do not write real letters until the first Sunday that they are in their permanent ships, which is usually the second Sunday, but is sometimes the third Sunday, after arrival. P-days can be as short as 4 days to as long as 14 days, but are seldom over 11 days and the form letter is not mailed until the last or next to last day of P-days except for those in an 800 division and the form letters are mailed at the beginning of P-days. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

Hi everyone...I just called the recruiters office to get my son's address.  I couldn't wait any longer :)  I have read that the recruiter may have the wrong address, but he assured me that what he has is correct.  Does anyone else have a loved one on Ship 3 Div 094?

It has been 8 day since he has been gone. Got his box I am now waiting for the letter. So worried about him. Hope he is doing ok in the cold weather. He is from Ca. it does not get to cold here. 

Aliecat64,  My son was in GL last year when it was unseasonably cold (below zero for days).  You would not believe the cold weather gear those guys and gals have to wear!  They look like eskimoes!  The leaders will make sure they are protected!  So far, this year up in the midwest has been nothing like last year!  :)

Because of the large number of recruits who shipped prior to the holiday stand down for recruiting activities, it may take a while for some divisions to be processed. We do know that 02/06/2015 is the last PIR date for the December shippers.

Also, since there are 13 divisions in the 02/06/2015 TG, there are only 3 guests for PIR.

I got my form letter today my sons PIR is 02/06/15, I love how they said list the full name of 3 guests, Mom, Dad, Sis...ooops failed on the first task. LOL

Michelle, lots of recruits save time by writing Mom, Dad, Sis... One recruit wrote just a single letter on each of the lines. See the info in Answers to Common Questions on Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) for more on that.

Calob411, son arrived on Dec. 11th also!  I have not received my letter yet.  Anxiously awaiting!  I am thinking today or Monday!

hi my son arrived late on Dec 10th. still no letter. Does  anybody else have a child in the 800 div. ?

popeyesmom, If two full weeks have passed since your recruit arrived at the RTC without the form letter, then it is fine to get the address from the recruiter and double-check it against those at http://bootcamp.navy.mil/contact_recruit.asp or Ship/Division--How it Works.

Ten days after arrival is still the average time to receive the form letter.

I haven't gotten letter yet either

Got my letter today. Finally so happy my son will Graduate on Feb. 6 he in ship 2 div. 913

For those of you with recruits in an 800 or 900 division, see 800 and 900 Divisions.

If you haven't checked your My Page lately, or at all, please do so. Some of you have comments and don't even know it.

There are new random pics at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152960010064651.1073742... on the RTC's fB page.

Everyone, take time to read http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2015/03/23/4-things-to-know-about-opsec.... You may have some changes to make to your N4M profile, so also read OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile).

I hope I was able to join this group and did it right, haha.  

destin2015, yes, you are here. Welcome.

It's not too early to 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 be put on the Access List....

If you have not yet joined Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones), now is a good time to do so 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) and then go on to Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.