900's division sailors

On the Navy chat I had last night on 'Accelerate your Life', the Navy person said there is no rhyme or reason necessarily to what Div/ship they are assigned to. I was asking since I hadn't found a lot of daughters on PIR 12/5 or in Damage Control like Katie. Thought maybe they were grouped together at BC, but that's not the case.

Typically they get to write on Sundays. We received 2 letters from Katie this week since Veterans Day was a 'holiday' schedule. I just rec'd a phone call from her today;) Her PIR is 12/5. Katie works in the mail room as part of her schedule. Her Div will perform at the next 2 grads and their own.

Donna - She says she delivers packages to the compartments and sees her letters when she is sorting, so maybe. At PIR she said she will be standing in front of an Admiral or making sure people don't walk in from of others, stay off the rails, or?? We will find out for sure after the PIR on 11/21.

All 900 divisions are performance - band, choir, drill - for graduation - they also have other duties like handing out programs, keeping order, etc.

Gang - each class (PIR) has a "900" division. Division 907 is the designation for the 900 division graduating on 1/2; Division 908 graduates on 1/9, Division 909 graduates on 1/16, etc. These divisions are picked for "performance" experience like band, choir, flag, rifle teams ... plus kids with athletic and/or military experience (like military schools)...plus ASVAB scores. Our son is in 907, and indicated it took about a week to get their division "filled out". They "pick" them over the first couple of days I believe. So each 900 division has their own cadre of percussion, flags, rifles, body snatchers, etc. It will be really interesting to heaer these stories on PIR day! Glen

Donna - for sure we'll post some pix of the 2 Jan PIR - maybe we can catch some of the 908 kids in there. Glen

Have you heard about the "Blue Candle Lighting" being scheduled on Christmas Day? It is a way to honor those Sailors that will not be home for Christmas. What a nice tribute to our Sailors!

Please go to Events and click on Blue Candle Lighting, we are tracking how many candles will be lit in our Sailors' honor and where you are located.

Let's do this in our "Navy for Moms" style - can we get 9000 plus candles lit on Christmas Day?!!

Yes, they can buy phone cards at the Exchange - it's just a matter of when they get to go there. I believe in our son's division, they sent a couple of recruits over to the Ex every few days and they were allowed to bring stuff back for their divisionmates as long as their division mates had cash to pay for it.

Our son left for boot camp with $15 in his wallet, a few weeks before graduation he asked if we could send him a few singles - so he would have some small bills if someone was making an exchange run.

Caress - any pix from your PIR?

PNDad - My son is in 907 and we'll be taking pictures at PIR on 1/2. I'll put them on my page from the hotel, probably on Saturday. If anyone finds pix from 12/24 PIR drop me a note! My son was in that one yesterday and if I can find video I can find him based on what he told me today.

All - our son graduated yesterday (1/2). I'll just say this - it is everything you expect and a lot more. The tradition, military courtesy, patriotism exhibited by everyone in the building is just awesome. As an aside...this morning we were coming out of the Navy Exchange (store) on base around 0800 when all of the sudden, all over the entire base, everyone in uniform stopped, turned in one direction where the sound of the national anthem was being played over a sitewide PA system, came to attention and held a long salute. Evidently the colors were being raised. It was just another really neat moment that reminded my wife and I what our son has become part of. I got chocked up just standing there on the sidewalk. Anyway, here are some details from the PIR ceremony yesterday, listing what the 900 Divisions did who were there. The Honor Guard was from 907. The Drill team (rifles), bands and Bluejacket Choir were from Division 909 and the State Flags were carried by Division 908. All of them did an awesome job. I put a couple pictures on my site and captioned them with the division number so you can search them from the photos tab...but they haven't been approved by the admin yet. Hopefully that will happen tomorrow. You folks ENJOY your PIR weekend!

Congratulations on your first letter!!!!! Its such a great feeling, right?

Cheryl congrats on the letter. I know its great to hear from your daughter. I'm anticipating Wednesday so much, time to stalk the mailman again, lol.

Melanie I will be praying for your son and all the others graduating this Friday. My son will be graduating April 17th.

Mary Beth Congratulations on your new sailor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy to see that your officially a Navy mom. Have a wonderful weekend at PIR, it will be so special. Let me know if you have any questions.

Just a note to new parents on this site. Be aware that we heard when our son was in bootcamp that the RDCs to sometimes check this group to pick up stuff about the recruits in their divisions...so don't say anything or repeat anything on here that you wouldn't want to have get back to them (like real personal stuff). They have their hands full already and don't need any source of special attention. Also a good idea to not have your last name or the recruit's last name on your profile.

Got my first letter today. Christian made band playing saxophone. I'm so glad that he's playing again. He hasn't played last 2 years in h.s. so he's pretty excited. Dad and I are also proud he made it. Don't know about performing at his own PIR, no mention of it, but I'm sure he'll keep us posted. I'm very happy mom getting the first letter. Proud of all our kids! Good evenings and fantastic weekends to all.

Hey thanks April. Letters are short, don't really say much except "doing fine" Hoped for a phone call, but no such luck, maybe this weekend. I"ll have to ask him next time I write when his first PIR performance is. He loved band but you know how it goes in high school, sports, girls, required classes, DEP. something had to be pushed aside.

Ship 06, Div 945 marching in the Labor Day Parade today in Zion IL. If anyone sees any pictures or video let me know, would love to see. I only have 18 more days til my son's PIR, getting pretty excited, can't wait to see him and experience the PIR (I hear so many WONDERFUL things about it) God bless our kids and all Navy families...GO NAVY!!!

Mara, go with address your sweetie gave you...He's there, the recruiter isn't. My son's address changed within a week after he left for bootcamp.

900 divisions are "honor" divisions....they get kids for band, color guard, drill teams. They usually have a couple extra weeks of bootcamp but worth it. These kids work even harder to do well with their Navy training but have extra drill instructions and rehersals so when they go out they represent the USN and RTC with pride!!! It's a wonderful thing these kids do I'm so proud of them! Go Ship 06, Div 945...you're a week away from PIR!!! God bless you and all families.

Ship 06/Div 945 is at battlestations tonight. Prayers for them to do well and give us moms a wonderful phone call tomorrow as USN Sailors...God bless our kids and all Navy families.

O.k. I'm spamming all the groups I'm in I know, but I'm so dang proud and happy right now. Ship 06 Div 945 just won Captain's Cup today 9/19. And confirmed Battlestation21 date is Tues 9/22. WAY TO GO 945 today and do well on Tuesday night, can't wait for the phone call on Wed.

O.k. Division 945 is preparing for BS21 as we speak. Please keep them in your prayers tonight. They have worked so hard up to this point and pray that God keeps them safe and they work as one unit for a successful exercise. God bless our kids, God bless ALL Navy families.

Dear Lord as we the mother's and father's of new and soon to be sailors gather here tonight bless us with your unconditional love and give us the strength required to get through the following days. Protect our son's, daughter's, husband's and brother's as they complete this, the first leg of their journey, in the service of our country.

Take our worries from us and help us and guide us as we unite here one family in heart and soul.

In Jesus's Name
Amen

WOO HOO!!! Got the phone call about 2:30 PDT BS went fine, Div 945 passed with aces! So no longer a recruit but a SAILOR mom!!! So proud of the division, can't wait to see them on Friday.

Me and my Sailor,Christian. The kids did an Awesome job performing, so proud of Div 945, and congrats to all the grads. God speed in A School. Thanks y'all for the warm thoughts and wishes.

Angie ~ The October 1st post is very helpful! Thank you.

JulieR ~ All good stuff for our SRs and we are sooooo proud!

~kk

Here we go....YES!
TG 01 (07) Divisions (001-006 & 901) Graduate Friday, 20 Nov 09

Hey mom's with upcoming PIR's.You will want to use the Illinois Street gate, not the main gate. If you show up prior to 6:30 a.m. the guards at the gate will kindly turn you around and tell you to come back. They have the parking line blocked off the night before PIR. We didn't want the hassle of waiting in the parking line, so we parked at the Metra Station, only a block away on Ohio St, next to the base, it was 2.00 for day parking, then walked back to the base and checked in. After PIR we didn't have to worry about parking at the Metra Station and went right into Chicago. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and if I don't have an answer right away I can contact my PIR alumni and probably get answers for you. God bless our sailors, recruits and ALL Navy families.

Ship 06 Div 901 PIR 11/20/2009 ~ come join us!

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir11202009900seriesdivisions

Elizabeth, the 900 divisions are not just band, they are ceremonial drill team (rifle drill), choir, band, color guard (US, Navy,etc) IF your son is in a 900 division he will have one or two extra weeks of bc. They have practice around their basic training exercises and there's lots of practice time on Saturdays. Good luck to your son in BC, the time will go by slowly at first, but as each day passes it's one day closer to graduation and you'll be amazed of how a fine young man becomes a better, stronger, more confident young man. We're here for you at anytime.

Angie...Yes! It seems that my son's BC is 9 weeks as he had to wait (not really waiting - that was silly - he was very very busy!) for the division to fill. So many Recruits came in with an 8 week BC. Some mom's do not realize that some in the division have already been there. And Yes! It is a tougher division, due to the extra responsibilities. I have acknowledged this to him in letters, pre-addressed and stamped envelopes, and stated a few lines will make us happy.

So the 11/6 and 11/13 PIR families will see my son. I have to wait until 11/20. Maybe there will be a Youtube : ) ~ kk

Angie, just my son's personal experience, he had almost 2 extra weeks of bc with his division as to his friend who showed up for bc over a week after he did and graduated same day. Just how it works sometimes I think, but I've heard other moms from 900 div say same thing. I could be wrong, but that's been my experience.

Not a problem Angie. I probably didn't use the right words, but I'm still pretty new at this too, (get caught up in the excitement of everything). All I know I loved our son's PIR, he felt honored to be in the band and part of the performance division (they won Captains Cup also, extra proud of that); can't wait for the dvd to get here so I can watch it again. So much I probably missed because I was zeroed in on my son (haha). Everyone has a different experience from the same ceremony (for that PIR date), I'll personally never forget it. Now counting down the days before he'll be home for Christmas from A school...yeah. I can handle him being away for Thanksgiving, was a little worried about Christmas, but looks like he'll be able to come home after all, it might be the last Christmas at home for a while.

Are the body snatchers the guys/gals walking the ranks making sure nobody passes out? We saw a couple of kids lock their knees and went down, they were quickly taken to the "back room" and I really don't recall if they rejoined their division or not. Yeah, Div 945 was pretty stoked that they won Capt's Cup. Other divisions at PIR??? I remember seeing a few of them, actually my son's friend from high school was in another division, 337, and I've met some wonderful moms from other divisions from our PIR date group. Total count was like 776 sailors graduating, so I recall seeing more then one white crackerjack uniform with a dixie cup! (hehehe)

I figure the dvd will be top notch quality, I don't think anything the Navy does is second rate! Should have that within the next month or so, it'll be here for the holidays so my son can watch it! I wish I had taken my film camera instead of the digital, I just bought the digital so pictures aren't best quality. I know how to work the film camera and get better shots, faster sutter speed for sure. But we got some good pictures and we have the memories of a wonderful weekend with our son. My youngest son also wants to join Navy after graduating high school but he's only a Jr, so I have at least 2 years before I get to repeat the fun of bootcamp! See you online, bless you and yours.

Danny'sMom ~ When the recruiter told me my son's division (and was really excited ~ I might add ~ lol), he asked if he played an instrument, and stated it was a "special performance division." I said, "Unless they march with guitars, NO!" Then I remembered he played the tuba in junior high school. I started laughing with the visual of my 6'6" SR, with BCGs and a tuba! No way! Then I thought, "Did he take my harmonica?" WHEW ~ it is still on my desk. Based on his letters, he will be carrying a flag. I think a state flag. You have to add the comedy to get through the "mising my son waves."

Best part of having my son in the 900 division? Didn't have to fight the WAVE of families looking for their sailors. We got to sit in the stands and our kids came to us after they put their equipment away! Once Liberty call is called it's a ZOO! It's very exciting, but CRAZY! I lost my husband twice inside the building, thank goodness for cell phones. And for the kids with the state flags? those aren't "little" flags, they look to be 8x10 flags but maybe 5x7 and although they have a harness to carry the flag, they are anything but light, and they "snap" those flags when needed. Oh, it's such a wonderful ceremony, and everyone who performs does an outstanding job, they've worked hard all through bootcamp and it really shows how much pride they have in themselves and their division! My son will never forget his experience being in a 900 division!

Christine ~ I am so excited. I am still counting the weeks ~ not the days (too early). I am proud of my son. Life would have been so much easier for him to have just resumed his classes at the university. He knew the university would still be there after "A" and maybe "C" school. He has a great goal.

I think about so many recruits probably dreading the early wake up call. He had practice; opening up a coffee shoppe between 5:00 and 5:30 AM. So those early morning watches work for him. ~ kk

My heavens ~ I think I just sounded like a mother!

Christine ~ I forgot! Thank you for all of the good information about the hectic Liberty call. We will make sure we take the cell phone from Dad just before this happens. I am sure he will find his way back to the Navy Lodge! ~ kk

You know I am joking! ; )

We have a couple of 11/20/2009 PIR groups. If you are a Division 901, please become a member of our group : ) ~ kk

Division 901 PIR (Graduate) Friday, 20 Nov 09

Comment by Stacy Williams removed due to a violation of Community Guidelines: Don’t Solicit for Products, Services, etc.

Elle

(Angie - Thanks for the note in this group & the others regarding this!)

Hello! Does anyone know, or have experience, with Battle Stations running earlier with the 900 divisions? Thank you ~ kk

Thank you April...that is what others have experienced too. I wonder the 8th or the 15th? hmmmmmm

DAVIDSmom~~~ Maybe our sons will tell us in our letter next week!

mamabear, Christian's battle station date was Tues before PIR, I know they try to keep to some type of schedule but sometimes things happen and they don't get to stick to it. your son should know a few days to a week before they have bs21. I do know it's after the "gas" exercise. Is everyone doing o.k? staying on track for PIR date? I pray all are well and will graduate on time. I know of kids that were suppose to grad with mine on 9/25 that fell ill and still waiting to grad, that's tough for the kid as well as the parents so I pray everyone is well and healthy.

Christine ~ Thank you so much for the information. I will post it on our Division site

We have 9 N4Ms in Div 901 PIR 11/20/2009 so far. I opened the page as soon as I received the form letter. Our experiences (those first approximately 5 from start); Ricky Crud (you know the shot stuff), colds, flu, sinus infections, pink eye, more flu ~ you know the routine. Our recent batch of letters were so upbeat, informative, and humorous. I can speak for myself and say that I was sad, but supportive after our first phone call to speak of.

arlietz ~ We may have had one due to a needed surgery. I am not sure of the outcome. I am not sure how many are in the division to date. ~ kk

Hello 901 ~ That was my son's question too! "I wonder what the last week will bring."

Is anyone going to Pensacola for "A" School from the 901?
~kk

Mamabear...last week of bootcamp is battlestations, then get ready for graduation!!!! Prep the uniforms, make sure everything is AJ squared away.

Charlene, pictures???

Christine...yep BS 21 on Sunday (so far)! Do they get a nap on Monday after BS 21? LOL ~ kk

Charlene! GREAT PICS!!!! Your sailor is quite handsome. I love the sea of Navy blue crackerjacks! Christian graduated in whites, it was pretty impressive also, but I'm a true fan of the blues. Your pictures bring back wonderful memories, and it was just 6 weeks ago that I was back there. Christian is now in A school, started Monday, finally! Where does your sailor go now for A school? PO1Sailormom...congratulations, what an honor for your daughter! She graduated her last division, where is she off to now?