DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in December

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Proudmom, all recruits regardless of division number or when they arrived have 6 weeks of actual training. Those who fill one of the last divisions of a TG are usually in Push Divisions and have Battle Stations-21 (BST) last and make the "I'm a Sailor!" call only a day or so (Wednesday or Thursday) before PIR and so they don't get the extras after BST (extra practice for PIR and extra down time for Sea stories from the RDC and time to learn trick marches for example) and must push to make it through on time the first time since they have no extra days for anyone in the division who fails the Official PFA and is moved to FIT to still have PIR with the division.   

The Page, What does ??? mean? (A Guide to Navy Abbreviations and Terminology), will help you with many of the new terms you will come across. 

Not all recruiters put the future Sailors through the same paces, so I don't know if your recruit had the same things that he had in the Baseline PFA. See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training .... 

We got a letter today! I am so so happy! My son actually wrote a four-page letter! We couldn’t believe it. Division 114 PIR 2/8. A little worried because he did not pass the running. He went to medical for foot pain as well, which is a little concerning too :-( but he says he’s going to make it! I hope and pray he does!

ProudMom - my son arrived at RTC 12/13/18. 

BouyLou - Thank you for the info. That helps alleviate a little stress. We'll be flying into O'Hare and was planning on taking UBER to hotel. Maybe I'll consider renting a car. Thanks again!

Lisa beatings mean they have to do alot of exercises. I had to ask my oldest son the same thing when i got a letter from my oldest, they should really call it something else makes you think their actuallly being beat on!

The Page, What does ??? mean? (A Guide to Navy Abbreviations and Terminology), will help you with many of the new terms you will come across.

Yay!!!!! We received our form letter yesterday for all of those moms/families whose recruit started BC 12/17! Hang in there you should be receiving it!!!

So glad you got the letter!  We've been trying to be patient, but kind of hard through the holidays and no contact.  It's been super cold here in CO but blue sky, sunshine and warmer temps today, so hopefully that's a good sign. Happy Thursday!

Does anyone have a son who’s in division 114 ship 06 who’s been nicknamed ‘Too Tall’? 

New news just out today from the US Navy Recruit Training Command FaceBook page:

Attention families and friends of RTC: Previously, upon arrival to boot camp, recruits would box up their civilian belongings and ship it to their choice of destination. Our new procedure now has those boxes being stored locally and will be returned to the recruits the day before graduation. The new procedure went into effect this week beginning with Div. 409 in Training Group 52.

December is right around the corner!  Be sure your future Sailor is prepared.

**It is very important that your future Sailor be physically fit prior to shipping to the RTC (these are new standards beginning 1/1/2018) and that he be able to pass an initial run test. See Navy Sets New Physical Fitness Standard to Start Boot Camp. "The initial run standard is evaluated on the 1.5 mile run of the first Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) at boot camp. The initial run standard for male recruits will be 16 minutes 10 seconds and 18 minutes seven seconds for female recruits."

Hi Rfra-tx, my son is also scheduled to ship to BC that week - Dec 4th, 2019 - maybe they will be in the same division!  He is my oldest, as well, and we are not a "military family" so all of this is new to me.  My family and I are sad that he will be gone over Christmas, but we are very excited for him to start this new chapter in his life.

Hi Rfra_tx - We have plans for a full Thanksgiving weekend before my son leaves, too. We will have Thanksgiving day with my husband's family, then Friday we will clean and decorate the house for Christmas, then Saturday we are having an "Open House" send-off party for my son, all day, so our friends and family can hopefully find a time to stop by and wish him well. Then Sunday morning we are having "Early Christmas" so my son and daughter can exchange some presents in the morning and we will go to church and have a full Italian dinner that evening. It will be a whirlwind weekend for his last one at home before he leaves, but keeping busy is probably the best thing for me, so I have less idle time to worry or feel sad.

Ladies your plans sound awesome!  The key is to make memories and it sounds like you will!  Enjoy.

Hi moms,

Can anyone advise me about how to learn of the exact date for my son's PIR?  He leaves for/arrives at Boot Camp Dec. 9.  I've read and read on Navy4Moms, but maybe I've missed something.  I'm beginning to think we are informed of it later on, but it sure would be nice to get some plane tickets now.  Thoughts?  

Thank you, Rfra_tx.  We are Houstonians.  Where are you?

(Is that okay to ask?)

mom2maxeab - the official letter arrives within 9-14 business days and that will have the PIR date on it.  In the meantime you can "guestimate" by counting 9 Fridays from when they leave but it could go a week either way - you would tentatively be looking at 2/7/20.  Your best bet is to wait for the letter (this will prepare you to getting used to "waiting" and doing things "the Navy way" lol). 

You could always book your flight using Southwest since they don't charge a change fee (you would only pay the difference in airfare, if any).

And yes, it's ok to ask where someone is from!

You can count 8 Fridays. Barring any setbacks, that should be his PIR. But it is always best to wait for the form letter.

And not to worry you more but until you get the actual "I'm a Sailor" call the PIR date could still change (injury/illness).  This is why it's recommended to use an airline that doesn't charge a change fee or buy insurance (would could be quite expensive).

Thanks to both of you!  Whew!  The details!  Okay, another question.  How would I find out of there are other Navy moms in Houston and whether they get together in person?  Please forgive if this info appears somewhere.  I just haven't uncovered it, if so.

Here's a group for Texas Moms - it looks like it's had some recent activity so you might find someone near you.  Sometimes it just takes posting in a group to get it active again!

Texas Moms

And don't worry about asking questions, that's what we are here for ;-D

My Son leaves on Dec 17, 2019. We are having Christmas before he leaves, per his request. We are stumped at what to get him -- we know he cannot take anything, plus since he's single, he will be at the barracks for A school. I know he could have more with him at A school -- but it's still a limited space. Does anyone have any ideas at all?  I'd appreciate your help. Thanks!! 

My son leaves on the 9th and similarly we have had Thanksgiving and an early Christmas.  Like you the phone cards and watch are the gift with snacks too.  

It's helpful to know we are on the right track.

Any suggestions for the amount of phone cards ($ $ ?)

Ok, getting two makes a lot of sense if one is used up then we would know for number two.  Great strategy.  

Days left for us as well.  Christmas tomorrow!!  Decorating today -- at least trees are available. LP

Hi!  I am a mom of a sailor who left last December - 12/10/18.  It is hard for me to believe that it is almost a year since my son left.  I have not been on here in a long time, but have seen some of the posts on my e-mail recently.  I did survive!  I know too well how you are all feeling - it is hard enough to say goodbye, but December makes it harder.  I did have an early Christmas for my son like most of you are doing.  I am sooooo happy I did that. At the time I don't think he realized what it would be like to be away on Christmas, but he had a much greater appreciation for it after boot camp. The phone card is a great gift - I think I bought one for 400 minutes and I do not think he used it up.  They say just making the call itself can eat up extra minutes - before they even talk.  I bought it at Walgreens and for the few extra dollars I was glad I got it. So my son is one who "never talks" and I truly mean that, but the first phone call home (not including the 14 second scripted call after arrival) we talked for at least 50 minutes - and he did most of the talking!  I couldn't believe it.  The call came a few days before New Years and he was ready to talk after being away for three weeks and no cell phone.  Another call came a few weeks later and he talked a lot again.  (Now that he has his cell phone and computer, the calls are not like that.) My son had graduated from college in May of 2018 so I bought him a nice Diploma Frame from the college he graduated from as a Christmas gift.  He liked it. I also gave him a think black wallet and right before he left I game him a few small pictures of his dogs to keep in it along with a small list of phone numbers since they do not have their cell phone to access.   Not many options at this point for gifts . . .Amazon cards for after boot camp or NEX cards.  I kept myself very busy after he left by getting ready for our regular Christmas, but I was not prepared with letters to send right away.  I felt bad that I did not have letters ready to go.  You will probably get his form letter a few weeks after he leaves and try to have letter ready to send - I was so busy I didn't get them out right away.  Also, the sandbox app is great!  You pay extra to send letters that way, but there were a few weeks I would send letters every couple of days and he would receive them within 1-2 days.  (so I made up for not getting letters out fast)  I think you can send NEX gift cards through sandbox.  Good luck to all of you!  Boot camp gives them such a better appreciation for home and family.  That is one good thing that comes out of it.  Once boot camp is done it will get a little easier.  One day at a time . . ..  (sorry for this long post!)

Loved your post Shorelinemom!

Thank you!  

thanks all! We did go with a G-Shock watch, will get a black wallet, and then some phone cards. Will also do a few movies for after BC, and some food gift cards too. This is the month! I'm so happy for my future sailor. I've been through this once -- with my oldest (graduated BC on 12/3/2010). The one leaving this time will be our youngest. He is super excited and that is the main thing! I'll be thinking about you all and your recruits through this time!

Thinking of you all - those that have just said good bye recently and those that will be having their son/daughter leaving before Christmas.  Wishing you the best as you begin this journey . . . The first few weeks may seem very slow, but before you know it you will be attending PIR.  It comes up fast!

It's December...at some time this month, we will all say goodbye to our babies and send them off to basic. Mine leaves 1 week from today (so Dec 17th). He's super excited and is busy this week doing last minute things with the recruiter, etc. We can do this, before we know it, we will be at Great Lakes watching PIR! 

Hi all! Just popped in to see how everyone is doing. My son left for bootcamp 1 week ago today, and I have been praying for him, since he probably took his first PFA either yesterday or today. Since I didn't get a phone call I'm hoping that I can rely on the "no news is good news" mantra and assume that he passed, and that he will be sending me the Form Letter soon with all of his info.  It sure would be nice to get a 3-week phone call from him during Christmas week, but I won't hold my breath for that...

Anyway, I'm glad to be part of this December Bootcamp sub-group, since we are all having our loved ones in GL at around the same time, so we can all support each other. And maybe some of us will have SRs in the same TG or Division, and we will see each other in person at PIR!

Hang in there, moms! BNMH to you all! :)

HI all, 

Just left my son at MEPS today - he is at the airport now awaiting his flight to Chicago. Things went well as we said our goodbyes. Dad started to break down, but kept it together, my aunt did break down, which finally made my sailor "crack" a bit, but he overcame it quickly. I'm the rock (seriously), so I was good. Now, the waiting game... no news is good news; no news is good news :-) 

Hi Sherri - be sure to keep your phone handy so you can answer the "I'm here" call later tonight.  Remember it will be quick!  Counting 9 Fridays you might be looking at a Valentine's Day graduation.  And like you said, no news is good news!  Hang in there!

Hi Sheri_M.  Your son and mine will be going through boot camp together.  I am literally just 24 hours into this.  Good you are the rock for your family,,,every family needs one!  I am a crier...but trying to hang tough through this.  My son has an estimated PIR on 2/14 as well.  My son landed at Chicago airport at 5:00 CST yesterday and I got the Safe Arrival call by 9:30 pm.  They had led me to believe it would be much later, so I was relieved about that.  Hang in there!  

@Regina126 and @Rfra_tx - I got my son's form letter yesterday (he left on 12/4), so you should be getting yours soon, too!

Hang in there, ladies! I'm thinking of you all! :)

Hello all, I just received my letter yesterday my son graduates 02/07 he left 12/10 I must say this was the hardest day of my life as I wasn't prepared to walk into that room with red carpet and my son standing at attention facing the flag I broke down but tried to be strong. Today was the first time I didn't break down. my only suggestion is stay busy if his friends want to come over, let them because it is healing for them too. I have been writing my son thru sandbox. Hang in there everyone we are in this together 

@TMC, 9:30 is a pretty decent time. I think with my first one, we received the call about 11ish or midnight. this one will probably be at least that time too -- since he doesn't even land in Chicago till about 930 their time. But, we will be ready for it and then ready for the form letter! Going to go ahead and write a letter today, and have some ready to go! 

He made it to RTC and we received the call about 10:50 our time (so 12:50 Great lakes time). He read word for word, no deviation at all, sounded upbeat and strong. Did not sound hesitant, broken, upset, etc. 

Now, to wait for the form letter and a call in 3 or so weeks! 

Hi FootballMom, welcome to the group! I agree that walking into the room at MEPS and just seeing my son's back as he was standing at parade rest waiting for the officer to come and swear him in was such a moment for me, too! I managed to not break down, but I think I was holding my breath during the whole swear-in ceremony!

FootballMom - here's the link to the 2/27/2020 PIR group:

PIR 2/7/2020

@footballmom - it's such an honor to watch the ceremony of these young men and women. Hard not to cry -- at my sons yesterday, the young lady giving the first instructions told the families - hey guys, it's all good -- they are getting paid today, so enjoy this moment with them :-). It broke the tension in the room and made things a little lighter, with some laughing involved!