PIR 10/15/10

The RTC is actually on Buckley Rd. That is the main gate. I understand there is construction going on there now, so they may not be routing through the main gate. But if you drive by the night before PIR, you drive down Buckley Rd. You will see the RTC on the right and the GL base is right past that.

found this and thought I would post it for all to say for our children, our Sailors

A Navy Mother's Prayer

Tonight I lay me down to sleep,
I Pray, Oh Lord, Our Sailors you keep.
Hold them all safely in your arms,
Ward off those whom would do them harm.
Remind them, Oh Lord, that they're never alone,
and bring them soon, safely back to their home.
Give them all Strength and Courage, Oh Lord,
because the jobs they do are ever so hard.
Our precious children, so Strong and so Brave,
I pray, Oh Lord, their lives you will save.
Remember Oh Lord, they are close to our heart,
please shorten the time that we are apart.
Offer Fair Winds and Following Seas,
and Angels to guide them while they keep us ALL free

Thanks everyone for all the great posts!!! I'm just so darn excited I can hardly think straight!

I'm looking forward to meeting you all!!! You've been so amazing and I'm so happy I've been able to get to know you all in cyberspace!!! :)

Must finish laundry and decide what to pack!

My electric candle is STILL lit and I'll be lighting the real one again tomorrow night and Weds night for our recruits!!

HUGS!

Hi everyone! Just returned from my son's PIR weekend, and it was awesome! Best part was spending time with him before he moves on with his career. Be prepared to be a bit sad as you 'leave' them behind and go home. But being able to talk on the phone is sooooo nice!

I wish I could contribute definitively to the 'to shuttle or not to shuttle' debate. :-) We drove and while waiting in line until the gates opened at 6:30 (we left at 6 and sat in a long line of cars), I would have said "take the shuttle" but once the line started to move, we ended up getting parked and seated by a little after seven o'clock. (If you're driving, get in the Middle Lane! you'll know it when you see it, the right lane ends before the base entrance).

Didn't get my first choice of the 'back row' of the bleachers, but we ended up going upstairs (there was still room on the first level though) since we knew he was at the back of his division, and with our BINOCULARS (don't forget yours!!!) we had a clear view of him. I took some pics with a new telephoto lens, but didn't have a tripod (and not sure if there would have been room to set up a tripod either) so they didn't turn out great. You can't move to the railing to take pictures.

My son's division 822 was on the far right so we didn't get to see 'up close' the ceremonial things which are centered in the room (you could watch on the big screen monitor though).

We stayed at Courtyard by Marriott and the room was very nice; our son ended up being allowed to overnight with us Friday and Saturday and so we bought my daughter (our sailor's 19 year old sister) a cheap 'blow up' bed to sleep on since we didn't reserve a rollaway; it worked out well (she didn't mind!) Hung out in the 'patio' behind our room, and talked and talked with our sailor; then out to dinner for deep dish pizza (I still prefer 'thin and crispy' LOL). Saturday in Chicago, another story, all I can say is, wear GOOD walking shoes with socks!

I didn't get to the meet and greet, too exhausted when I got to my hotel to go anywhere!

Above all, my advice would be to ENJOY your sailor, don't bring any expectations other than spending time doing what he wants, eating what he wants, etc. :-) Be ready to be a little sad at the end of the weekend as your sailor moves on.

THANKS TO Jessica B, Angie and all of the experienced N4Ms who have been so very helpful to all of us on this journey!

To Your New Sailors, Hooyah!!!

I want to say so much but I don’t what to say; one thing I know for sure and it is I know I wouldn’t be able to make it this far without all your prayers and support. I Just want to have enough time on Thursday to give all and each of you a big hug; this is just the end of the beginning, as this journey continues you all and your sailors will be in my heart.

I am proud to be an American
If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with jus my children and my wife,
I’d thank my lucky starts to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

I am proud to be an American where a least I know I’m free,
And I won’t forget the men who died and gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.,

There’s pride in every American heart
And it’s time we stand and say:
I am proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free,
And I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I am gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

My son has his run tomorrow, please pray for him, and all SR's who may be struggling, that they find the strength to do what they need to do! I don't know if he, or I, could handle another last minute set back.

Judy, I am praying for your son and all the sailors that still need to move forward. Just have faith. I know exactly how you're feeling, I was there a couple days ago, but I prayed so hard and I beg God to see my humble tears and to please not over pass my son.... my faith, my prayers along with all your prayers were heard. He will make it! Hang in there.

judy your son is in my prayers and he will do fine. I still have my blue candles lit for all the divisions and am anxious to hear all the good news - thanks for all the well wishes - i guess i have to go with no news is good news for now since i missed the call but maybe they will let her call tomorrow? I am hoping its good news that she will be able to get back into a division and finish up, please everyone keep praying for her quick healing its working so far :)

reenie: Now if a sailor is NOT gradNgo to GL A School, are they still allowed on the GL base to store the electronics in the bowling alley lockers? In other words, they are still staying at RTC for a few more days, but have liberty with family. During that liberty, are they allowed on GL A School base to store these things?

So sorry to hear that victoria -so is he on hold? will they work with him to get him to pass?

Oh Victoria, I've thinking about you and Drew......I am sorry to hear that, but just think that God doesn’t put us thru difficulties unless he has purpose ….I am pretty sure good things will come out of this…. I know it is easier saying than doing, but keep up your faith and things will seem easier to handle. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Hugs!

sooo excited!!! I get to hear from my baby tomorrow!!! His BS21 is tonight!!! Going to keep my plug in blue candle lit all night tonight... Im finally getting over my dang cold. I sound like a frog this morning and trying to caugh up mucuous!!!! Thank goodness!!!!

Victoria... :( Oh... I'm so sorry! Darn it! :(

Victoria: He will most likely be put in the FITT program until he makes his swim. He will be given several chances to do it. Normally, he could do it as late as Thurs morning, pass, and do BStations that night, being able to graduate with his division on Fri (happens alot). But I don't believe there are any BStations on Thurs this week since there is no PIR group next week. So the last day he could try and make his PIR's group's BStations would be to pass the swim tomorrow morning. If that happens, he will call you and tell you he passed his swim and will be doing BStations that night. Sounds like that will be his only chance for PIR. But, he WILL pass this swim and will be come a sailor!

Victoria, you may want to get in touch with Tobianne on the 11/12 group. Her son is in that group (she just posted this morning on that group). Her daughter was in an August PIR group but didn't pass her run. She ended up fighting through injury and a jaw issue, and finally made her run and is in A School now! Tobianne and her daughter are so inspirational in that journey. I think she can help you to understand the process and she would love to help. I have sent others to her before and she has had great words of wisdom. It helps to connect with someone who has been there/done that. He'll make it!

I hope he does well- i can totallly relate to your worry - they have invested alot of time and money into him they will make sure he passes - I do believe they make them make that call to mess with their heads and so this way we encourage more- it helps to motivate - Nikki wrote me that the officers did that with her when she got hurt- they were telling her call your mom and tell her your not going to be a sailor- she was crying so hard i had to tell her to stop - just keep praying and stay strong - he will do this

twooooo days :D im so ready for it to be here, can't wait to see my baby <3 he's gonna officaially be a sailor (:

Good luck to all of the sailors doing battle stations (: <3

Judy & Victoria...you each are in our thoughts and prayers. Victoria, that's good news from PA and hope it helped to settle the rattled nerves...Strength, courage and peace to all...

Happy birthday Navy! Watch FOX news...they were filming there..maybe we can catch a glempse of our sailors....

Good Morning All. I'm tearing up reading all your posts. Hang in there Victoria - Drew can do this!! Sending you a big HUG.

I can't believe only 2 more days! I'm such a nervous wreck... I just need to GET THERE already! Thursday and Friday can't come soon enough.

pink helmet , thats how i feel haha! CANNOT WAIT! its been long enough lol

Victoria, I am glad you got reassuring news from PA… I am confident that Drew will make it. My son was almost drowning in two occasions prior to going to the Navy. While he learned how to swim there, his problem was anxiety while floating face down. But as you all know he got thru, so will Drew.

ashley_bob - Can't wait to see it! :)

Is today the Navy's birthday? Big day today!! Looking forward to the time going quick and these recruits passing!

Go Navy! Good Luck to upcomiong Battlestations groups!

I think the Navy's birthday is actually tomorrow - the 13th...

Victoria, he will make, you’ll see… My faith grew stronger when I meet my husband, and this is what I asked him this morning “Please honey, pray for Drew…. God knows you so very well and I am pretty sure he will take your prayers quicker… :-)”

It is the 13th....Im sorry!!! I thought today was the 13th~~ Sorry, I am frazzled!! :o)

Nicksproudmom - I hear ya about being frazzled!!! I think we all are a little bit! I'm so anxious to get home and light my candle for BS tonight!! I will have it lit for Wed. night too. They are all in my thoughts a lot today.

@Nicksmom, I want it to be the 13th too! :-)

My prayers are with you all and your SR's that they all do well. I am going to go buy a candle-I didn't know about them! Seems like it is a must have!

My candle is lit. Our prayers go out to those who are struggleing to make it. Good luck to all SR's w/ BS's tonight & tomorrow night!! I'm pretty much packed & ready to go, need to put a few things in for my husband yet. Went to the store & picked up a few requested items for Devin,. He can't wait to go to McDonald's & have an "AMP" energy drink!! LOL!! My mom has already made cookies & is baking an apple pie & his step-aunt is also making cookies for him. Let's hope he doesn't get sick. I have his cell phone & IPOD all charged & packed also. This waiting is driving me crazy!!! I can't wait until Thurs. night to meet everyone & especially Fri. to give my United States Naval Sailor a hug e HUG!!! HOOYAH!!

Soo excited!!! turning my car into the shop today! getting over my cold, my voice is gone but im starting to caugh up flem, so im getting better I just don't have a voice. I hope all divs doing BS21 going tonight will do well can't wait for sailor call tomorrow!!!

Ladies...thank you for all being on this site....this site has given me the encouragment I needed to keep sane these last few months. Noone can even imagine what your feeling unless you are feeling it....
thank you all for being on here!!

just talked to Public Affairs- unfortunately nikki cant call me but her status is still the same and she will get to call next weekend- I actually wrote the RTC on facebook and had such a quick response- They are on the ball with our kids!

My daughter just called and she did not pass the run today (she was off by 15 seconds) and has 1 more chance in the morning. Please everyone pray for her, being in the Navy is the first thing that I have ever seen her want so bad and work so hard for. I believe in God and I believe in prayer and I know she can do this.

Dear Reggie, know that fingers are crossed here in PA for your daughter. She'll dig deep and get it done in the morning, believe it!

I am praying for your daughter- is this the last time before battlestations? If it is she may get held back and get to do again but then wont participate in PIR but in the end she will still be a sailor? Good luck and God bless

I will be praying, and have all my family praying as well.....we will pray for angel wings to be behind them and give them the extra push they need to get it done and pass these tests...
Hang in there Moms, Dads, wives, girlfriends, friends....they will get thru this....just know we are all praying for you, and your recruit!

Candles ready...have candles for my son Drew, and those who are struggling to get to PIR Friday. But also have several ready to light for those who, in the grander scheme of things, will have another path to follow...
However, I believe there is architecture in the plan for each of them. They are intended to be in a certain place, at a certain time, and it will be for something great, of this I am sure.... For each and every one of them.
Miss Judy, ...keeping you in particular... in my thoughts again tonight...

My heart goes to all of you that still waiting to hear from your sailor and as always my prayers are with you and all the sailors that still need to get to final stage including today's and tomorrow's BS21... My son will be in one of those - I have not idea if it will be tonight or tomorrow.
Come on Drew, Nikki....... Linda, Judy, Reggie’ sailors and all the others I may have missed… You can do it!

Hi everyone!! I am sitting here laughing at how my house looks. I know my neighbors are wondering "What the heck'?? I have a blue light bulb in my ceiling fan, a blue bulb in a night light, blue candles all around my navy nutcracker, candles in the window, "here a candle, there a candle, everywhere a blue candle" LOL I am excited about tonight, ready for a long night supporting our SRs.

Good luck all!

Good luck to Divisions 343, 344 and 948 as they enter their final test tonight, BS21! I will be burning my candle for them because I won't get to tomorrow night for my husband. I will be on the road! You are all in my thoughts and prayers tonight!!!

Megan - we will burn ours for your husband tomorrow night!

Good luck to 343, 344 & 948 tonight! Lots of thoughts and prayers coming your way!

I am going to keep my battery operated candles burning for those recruits that are struggling. I am getting teary-eyed...it is like off and on...turning the faucet on and off. The time is ticking and BS is getting closer to start....aughh...are you all ready? I feel like we are all in this together!!! Thanks for your friendship, thoughts, prayers and strength!!

I'm so ready for this!! I didn't think this day would ever come. It took FOREVER! Good luck to all our divisions that are going through tonight! And s special shout out to my hubby..I love you Baby, you can do this!! See you FRIDAY!! <3 :)

Are we going to be on this site tonight? Is there a way we can talk on like an instant message group thing?

So I am assuming since my son did not call today, that he maybe, possibly passed his run? :) Reggie, you say only 15 seconds? She can do that, we just all need to pray! It works, she can do this!

Good luck to 343, 344 & 948 tonight! The candle is burning!