PIR 10/15/10

Sobe -THANKS! I knew you'd lead us right! :) I love the idea of just a simple red white blue ribbon with a name tag would be great - or even just a name tag! I just wanted to be able to have a way to identify our group amongst the sea of families. ;)

10/15ers... what say you? I for sure don't want anyone to feel obligated to do anything or have their be some crazy cost involved... just want to be able to meet you in real life for a REAL hug! :)

@Dana - If you haven't done this yet, you may want to start a discussion above to ask everyone what they think about doing ribbons for the M&G. Give them all the pro's & con's, but don't make a group decision for a few more weeks because you will have more moms joining a bit later. I didn't even know this site existed until my son had been in bc for 3 weeks!

Great idea! I'll do that! I ♥ u!

love ya back!!!

Cindy - LOL... see above my group discussion. We can brainstorm up there! But I love that idea! That's my fave so far!

@DillonsMom - no need to have your son change his list unless you think of others who should be listed instead. You personally cannot make changes, only he can. The list just tells the Navy who is allowed to come in, but that person doesn't have to come. Extra people who are not on the list have to wait until those who are listed are seated, so the USN can see if they have room for those who are not on this list to come in.

You guys are all so awesome! I can't wait to meet you all and give eachother real hugs too!! These cyber ones are fine for now but we need to kick it up a notch on Oct. 14!!!

No letter today but it was a good day even without that. I sure hope it comes on Monday tho!!

Cindy = Dillons mom- got it! I'm Kelly.

My nephew recently graduated from Parris Island and my sister had some neat t-shirts printed up with his last name and platoon etc. Does anyone know if this is done for our guys and girls here at RTC

Hey Everyone, Sounds like everyone is doing good. So glad to hear about letters being received!!! I'm really truly happy for you!! So I looked up the ship and division my recruiter gave me ship 9 div 308 and it is totally wrong. why would he do something like that? I'm getting worried as I think I am the only one in the group who hasn't reveived a letter. I don't like to think the recruiter deliberately gave me bad info but it was easy enough to look up a grad date of Sept 10 and that doesn't work for my son who just left on Aug 18. Somebody, give me some advise PLEASE, should I call the recruiter for the 3rd time. I'm sure I copied down exactly what he told me and I was polite and thankful. Not getting a good feeling.

@ Loveudrew -- the recruiter gave me a different address than what is on the RTC website. I have mailed a bunch of letters and decided to use the RTC website address hoping I got it right.

@ newnavymom Well thats the odd thing the address matches the RTC website, but its as if he gave me any SHip and Div. I don't know, it just seems I should have rec'd a letter by now, we are only is Massachusetts.

@ Loveudrew....Yes, I would call the recruiter back maybe he could give you some clarification. I still trying to figure this all out too. :-)

@newnavymom Thanks for letting me run that by you. I'll give him another call on Monday. Its hard to know what to do. I see you are still waiting for your letter as well. Keeping you in my prayers that your letter comes ASAP as well!!

Loveudrew - I bet you'll get your letter on Monday! But I'd still call the recruiter! It's so hard to do all this waiting, huh? We are here for you though!! HUGS!!! :)

Hi LOVEUDREW. Your son left the same date as my son and his PIR is 10/15. I would call the recruiter again. There is nothing wrong with calling him again. You would like to send letters to your son. I'm sure he'll understand. Hopefully you'll get the right answer. We're praying for you. Keep at it girl. You'll get the right answer..

someone in this PIR group sent me a friend request today and was wanting to order PIR Ribbons. My computer froze up and I had to shut it down and I lost the friend request. If it was you (whoever you are lol) please try again. :)

Okay Pink Helmet I'm with you. I want a real hug. Gosh do I need one today. I just can't seem to shake this crappy down in the dumps feeling today. I wish it were PIR tomorrow! Well I love the ribbon idea and it is going to be so awesome to meet all you beautiful ladies. Yes and to say my real name is Linda. Love to you all!

Linda - don't be sad! CYBER HUGS!!!

Have you all seen this? It's a map of the barracks... so we can see where our babies are sleeping. :) RTC Map

Thanks DanaMN! You're the best!

Hi PattyV... your recruit is with mine and Dillons Mom's, recruit! We have 3 in our division so far!

I thought you all might like to know some info about the hotels. If you can't get a reservation at the place you really want to stay make a reservation for your second choice. You can cancel reservations up until the day you arrive with no fee at all in most places. Then about 2 weeks before PIR start calling the place you really wanted to stay everyday to see if they have had a cancellation. They have cancellations all the time. Then you end up where you want to be and can cancel the other reservation. :)

Here's some more cool info about RTC.

And another blog I found... can't verify that the info is 100% accurate... but still interesting for those of ua wanting to know what might be going on. ;)

Another interesting article.

Just a thought about RDC's - Recruit Division Commanders.

These are the Petty Officers and Chiefs that are training our recruits to be valuable assets to our US Navy Fleet. They have to be a very special kind of person to take on that task. It's not an easy one at all. They are there with their divisions almost all the time. Their days are actually longer than our recruits' days because they have to drive home at night and drive back in the next day. They have to be dedicated to this job and want to be there to volunteer for it.

It must be a learning process for them to take on the role of an RDC and be able to be so stern with the recruits. I could never do that... but I am thankful that they have the strength to do it.

I recall from my boot camp experience how scaredI was of one of our RDC's during the first part of boot camp. I'm pretty sure that I'd never heard such strong language and yelling in my entire life! I was truly frightened for my well being.. but we all know how sensitive I am. LOL! The funny thing is... it turns out that she was a very nice person after boot camp! Who knew? :)

RDC's have a very important role in our kiddos lives... and I am so thankful that my boy will have this experience.

So... a big thanks to all the RDC's out there! Not likely that any of them read on here... but still... THANKS!

How wierd is this. I had just gotten up this morning and my cell phone rings. It's an 847 area code. I was so excited I couldn't press the button on my cell. It was a wrong number!!!! Some older woman (yes I asked her and she is in Illinois) was trying to call her daughter in AZ (that's where I am) She must have pressed the 9 instead of the 6. She had a heavy accent and appologized profusely. Not such a great way to start the day. I chuckled because that can only happenn to me! The story of my life! (lol)

OH MY GOSH... my heart would have probably stopped for a second! LOL... that's Murphy's Law and usually I'm a victim of it, too! ;)

Dillons Mom - I've heard the area code is 847. That's what showed up when I got my "I'm here" call.

Just FYI - I called the Springhill Suites in Waukegan and they have a PIR special rate of $89/night but no shuttle to PIR. They said a cab ride from there is $6/person.

From what I read on here, it sounds like the shuttle is a better choice than driving, but my Mom can't walk very far. I'm wondering if anyone knows if there is parking closer?

Dillons Mom, he said he had five minutes it was more like 2 1/2 or so but it was great

Just wanted say thanks to you all for help with my no letter and bad info situation.

Also wanted to share that we took 5 kids to see the Blue Angels yesterday. I wasn't psyched because I just want to be home waiting for a call or letter. Well what a sense of pride and spirit our group had. Hooting and hollering "Go NAVY" as the jets sreamed by us. I got to talk to was an AT who is part of the blue angels team and works on the planes just like my son hopes to. To see how bright eyed, devoted and proud these young men are was such a blessing. Each was of them were such good young men. I thought this may help to see the light at the end of all this missing our kids and waiting for contact info. Came away from the day not only thinking of our son, but all the recruits and especially the Navy Mom Group and knowing OUR BOYS & GIRLS ARE GOING TO GO PLACES AND DO GOOD!!!

winniesam- what are the odds of someone from Chicago calling and it being a wrong number lol.... Maybe you should go get a lottery ticket lol.

Lala Ribbon Queen you made me laugh!! I don't know. With my luck I'd be one number away on all the numbers I play! LOL!! Even my husband said that could only happen to me. That's okay, Thank goodness for my sense of humor or I'd go crazy!

Dillons Mom, I am very lucky. My husband travels for his business so he had enough points to fly us both there but on different airlines. We are getting there a few days earlier because I've never been to Chicago so we'll vacation as well. My husband comes from IL so he'll show me around. I did price the airfare on SW Airlines and that gets you into Midway I think. roundtrip was about $330. You really don't need refundable tickets because you can change the date on those tickets for I believe $70. That's way cheaper than refundable tickets. My husband is flying US Airways and I'm flying Southwest. He's renting a car since he'll get there before me and he's flying into O'Hare. He'll pick me up at Midway.

We booked our rooms at the Candlewood Inn Suites in Waukegan. Hubbie said they are pretty nice. I can't say firsthand but since he's stayed at quite a few places on the road I'd say he would know.

I can't say for sure I know the boot camp routine because I went through it 20 years ago... but I'm sure the basics are still similar. I recall things being like the way Jessica's son described it. We studied as a group in our compartment and also I used to study with my bunk mate. When I was in boot camp, they gave us the Bluejackets Manual. Click on the link and it will take you to the different revisions.

The manual was basically our lesson plan. We had MANY hours of classroom learning and lots of things to memorize. We didn't have a lot of down time because there was always something that we tended to be studying.

We also spent time cleaning our compartment... buffing scuff marks off the floor was a constant battle and we did that often. During those times, we often were able to chit chat.

At first our RDC's were there all the time. The first few nights our RDC slept in our barracks with us on a cot in the office. Then, after time, they began to expect us to know the routine and we were left to our own during the evenings.

I was the Education Petty Officer for my division so it was my job to keep track of all our tests and grades, etc. If someone needed help, I often studied one on one with that person in the evenings. When everyone does well... the entire division is rewarded. When one person fails, the entire division can be punished. Most things in boot camp become a team effort.

There aren't late night cram sessions because Taps (lights out) is at a specific time. I recall being very tired and slept when they let me sleep! ;) The only person awake in our compartment was the person standing watch and occasionally someone would be up studying in the head (bathroom) or ironing or something... trying to be prepared for the next day. But that was the exception.

I am confused. I just saw that someone had on here a PIR date of 10/29. What happened to 10/22? Not going to be one for that day? I am just so anxiously awaiting the letter so I know for sure when my husbands will be. It doesn't make sense to me??

Hi guys ... I still don't have the ship or division #s for my son (from the form letter I'm supposed to get but haven't yet), but he managed to call his girlfriend Friday and tell her that graduation date is 10/15. This seems awfully soon since he got to boot camp on 8/24. Anybody else have that start and end date for their kids?

Foaling-lady, from what I understand that sounds right. My husband got there on the 24th and from what I have been told, that is the day of his PIR as well. Let's hope because that is sooner than I expected:)

Hi foaling-lady & MeganMcK! I think if your recruit got there by Tuesday 8/24 they will be in the 10/15 Group. From what I have seen on here, there isn't going to be a 10/22 PIR. That week is being skipped. I don't know why but have heard they do that occasionally. The next one will be 10/29. We know that because some people have already received their form letter showing 10/29 as the grad date.

Some of the last ones to arrive for a group will only be there 7 weeks. My daughters PIR was a full week before we calculated it to be. :) That was a GOOD thing, A very good thing lol.

My boy was the first to arrive for his group so he's there a week LONGER. I'm still crying.... :( I would have gladly sent him a day early to gain a whole week!

sobe- Thank you so much for the advise! We are driving with two cars... My father is older and driving separate from us, so I will let him know!
****** I am so glad this website is here, what a big help! I can't imagine what my Mom went through with my brother going in the Air Force 25 years ago!

To Dillons Mom ... what pamphlet sent home? With an actual letter or in "the box"? Haven't received a letter yet from my son, just copies of his contract etc that were stuffed in his civilian clothes.

We made our reservations at the Candlewood Inn Suites. It's only 2 miles from the Ramada so that's not too bad. I can't wait for meet & greet. We're gonna have so much fun!

I can't wait for the meet & greet either!! I made my reservations at Springhill Suites in Waukegan.

I am so thankful for this site too - I learn so much from you all!

I made reservations at SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Waukegan for the 13th - 18th. The guy quoted me $79.00/ night but had to over ride the system to get that rate for Weds & Thurs. Not sure how that's gonna go!

Wait... Pink... I see you are staying there, too? is that the rate you got?

Well, I am not complaining at all. I am pretty convinced that this is the right group! I hope it is! Everyone here has been so wonderful and helpful. I think I am going to talk to my father-in-law and start making travel arrangements asap. I don't want to be stuck somewhere horrible.

LOL... MeganMcK... Glad you got lucky!!! :)

I should clarify... that rate ($79.00) is for a King room. I think the 2 queens was $89.00

Hi Dana! Yes, they quoted those rates to me too. Seemed like a good deal! How exciting we're at the same hotel!! Yay!

MeganMcK - welcome! I hope this is the right group for you too!

It looks like a neat hotel, don't ya think? I wanted to stay someplace with a pool and I wanted the room to have a sitting area... in case we have a party! LOL... ya never know. ;)