900's division sailors

Reading all these post, just carried me back to Jan 13th this year when i saw my grandson off for his boot camp at Great Lakes...yes, this 70 year old woman made it there for his graduation on March 12th. Wow, what memories, now he is in San Diego and we have not seen him since we left him there in from of the NEX on that Sunday night March 14th, how I hated to leave him, cried all the way back to Georgia, and cry now as I am reflecting back.. I miss him so much. He has added two more years to his enlisted time to get some type of promotion. Finished his A school last week and will start another school real soon. He has met another sailor and they have been dating since he got there. She has been in service 3 months longer than he. Seems to be a very sweet girl and they are so in love... he has actually bought her a ring and proposed to her...so we will see how this turns out. He is trying to come home the end of July but we know for sure he will get home for Christmas and New Year. His girl friend is from Austin TX. She is very pretty and they do not plan on getting married for another year... so we will just pray that if she is the girl that God has for him it will all work out, if not it will fall apart... They are doing lots of things together enjoying the site-seeing and the different parks etc. She is studying the same thing he is studying. Now this is only one of my three grandchildren in the service.. My grand-daughter went in a year before this one and she has already been in a year. She is really missed too. Her little boy is turning 3 years old this month.. Her mother has been keeping him here but she came a few weeks back and got him but he will be back soon. He seems to adjust. She seems happy at times but then this week she was wishing she had a regular job and not in the navy, but then immediately she changed her thoughts that she is very pleased with what she is doing. She is a Engineer on the James e Williams Nuclear Fighter Ship. Then I have my oldest grandson that is in the Coast Guards.. he was home recently, finishing up his 2nd year. Oh how I miss these children. I have aged fifty years since they have been gone and I am 70 years old so you know I cannot afford to age 50 years. .. I will be glad to see them all back home. I am on facebook also. You can look me up as Arlene Robinson Murrell, my email address is arlenemurrell@att.net. please join me on facebook. I have several mothers, girlfriends etc that are already my friends and i would love to have you join me there too. God bless you all... I pray daily for our sailors and service people... God will protect them...

oh let me brag...my grandson was in the 900 unit, he was the band leader, so when the band came into the building he was the first one you saw carrying his wand... it was so exciting... got great pictures... wow.... I was so proud...

My daughter finally got to tell me what she is doing in the 900 division--she is in the band :) Cute!

Does anyone know if the choir will perform anywhere for the July 4th festivities?

Arlene your post was very inspirational...would love to join up with you on facebook?

KyleEllie's mom, That is wonderful. So you can look forward to them singing day of their graduation. They have a special section set aside for everyone with their love one in the 900 Division. However I will say this that it would have been better if we had sat in the section before I believe the blue section. Where the review stand is etc. My grandson was the band leader and the first to come in through the doors. We were thrilled but where they had us sitting we really could not see that well. The Choir comes through the same doors as he did. That is the doors like they will actually have you come into the building through. All the bleachers are on one side..My grandson told her where to sit where he would be standing but we thought when we saw the sign that said 900 group, we thought we had to sit there but it really does not matter where you sit except in the reserved area for the officers that are observing etc. I hope that everyone of you can attend your childs graduation it is the most heart warming thing you could ever attend. However, let me tell you this that there are many, many that are there that their parents cannot attend. The other boys kinda take them introducing to their parents and some let them be part of their family activities, at least part of the weekend etc. Many are shipped out that same day, others the next day. My grandson did not ship out until that Tuesday. I believe if they are staying at Great Lakes for A School they take little bit of time and go ahead and move their things on over to that part of the base that same day and the parents just wait on them... but it could be different with your child but that was how it was with my grandson and grand-daughter. She stayed there for A School but had to move to another part of the base. It is very pretty up there and your child being there now it is a beautiful time of the year to go there. The base is right on Lake Michigan and there is a beach there on one part of the base... we went over there even though it was very cold and snow was still on the ground in March.
Go if you can for you will really be proud you did... there are some pretty inexpensive motels close by. We were scraping to go and we stayed at the Motel 6, which really was not bad at all. We were there a week and have a room that had 3 full beds, microwave and refrigerator. I believe we only had to pay something like $65 a night plus tax and their tax is pretty high there.
Well enough for now... just trying to be helpful to you...

I received a letter from Sarah Fri. A long one Happy Dance. She was excited she got to handle a 9mm pistal. She passed her swim qualification easily she said.She said when she gets home after A school she wants to take me out for spa day. Yippi. She said it feels like Christmas when she gets mail and to keep my little hand writing.She said it helps her to get through this when she gets my letters of encouragement. She said it is getting eaiser now.She said marching sucks. She can't wait to take a twenty min shower instead of a two min. lol. And she hates two in one shampoo and conditioner. She said she has four close friends, Holschuh, Bashay, Hess and Partlow. They are awsome girls she said.Ha Ha this was funny she said when she graduates bring my energy cause shes gonna so wanna go everywhere.She said everyone puts peanut butter on everything. lol. Oh this is really funny she said when it gets 90 degrees there they call the weather condition black and everyone freaks out and they can't march outside, and she finds it funny cause 90 degrees to her is normal. We live in Florida. She said her dad was right about the germs everyone is always coughing and hacking. She said she has a difficult time shining her boots ands it is annoying. the other girls do it for her.(Hum have to talk to her about that. lol ) They have been learning about first aid, ships and aircrafts. The uniform military code of justice and grooming for the test. And at the end PS I hear fireworks outside with a :( sad face.

Ya Sarah is the Helms. And Ellie I wonder if it is my Sarah talking. She likes to talk that is for sure. I told her in my last letter don't talk. lol. That would be hard for her.

Caution on using names ladies...especially last names....even though it is fun to do, it would be better in private chats.

kimmydee59 ~ When my son arrived at A School, his boots were complimented (laughing here). A few days later, he taught a class on his method of boot shining. Also, I suggest your copy your comment below, paste it to a new comment, then delete the last names in the new comment - then go below and delete your comment. Using last names of others is not recommended and actually infringing on their privacy. Some people are privacy sticklers - I am one of them. Some of us do not even post pictures of our sons, daughters, spouses, etc. Thank you... : ) ~ kk

http://www.navyformoms.com/profile/navyformomsadmin

KimmyDee59 - you can go to the link above (admin site) and send them a message. They may not be able to tend the issue until Monday morning - but it is a way to have it removed.

My son is in Division 942. I'm not sure what he is doing exactly. He just said in his first letter that he is in the performance division and they get time each day to learn their music. I'm hoping that he is singing! He has a beautiful bass voice and I miss hearing him sing!

I was wanting to know what my son would be doing. He is in ship 6 div 943. I see it is a performance division but he does not play music nor sings. He is older and was once a police officer. Just wondering is there more to ship 6 div 900 or is it just for performance? Are there different ships in the 900 div? Sorry, This is really all so new to me and I am a bit confused about his placement since I have not heard from him only in the recruit comment section of the paper sent with his address and PIR date stating the quest list is just a rough draft for now.

900's also do flags and rifle drill team. I think there is only one 900 per PIR.

I went to a Pentecostal Service once, that had body "catchers".

They cruise the lines to see if people look like they are going to faint and then literally catch them. We had 2 girls go down at our PIR. All of the jobs in the 900 division are an honor:)

AHA! I was close.
Thanks Kaysfam. for the info.
And yes, I am very proud of my 900 SR.

Be proud if your son or daughter is assigned to the 900 Division for this meant that they were above average in their testing. When my grandson graduated from Boot Camp in the 900 Division, he was actually the band leader. It was so thrilling to see him come through those doors with the band behind him, with the wand in his hand and the band following him about 3 or 4 ft behind. Then as they stopped in the center, he laid down the wand and did certain movements and he started leading this great band...everyone at that time were thrilled. Everyone in the 900 unit are very important people and they are treated as that. This 70 year old grandmother was over whelmed with proud for that was my grandson leading that band... We purchased the DVD of the ceremonies and it is still thrilling to look at this video and seeing him bringing the band out and leading them in the beautiful music... many get to perform in other graduations, parades and other things prior to their own graduation. one of my friends daughter performed in my grandsons graduation and was carrying the Washington Flag. I was able to share the pictures that I took as well as my daughters pictures of her daughter before she actually graduated... She was so thrilled. So be proud of your sailor.. They go through a lot of hard training before they reach this point of graduation.... yes, now it is the time to honor them. I have two grandchildren in the navy and one in the Coast Guards and i am so proud of them all.

My son left for bc on 7/21/10 and I just spoke to his recruiter today. He told me my son was Ship 6, Division 944. So far that is all the info I have. Hopefully I will get a letter from him soon. I just love this site.. everyone is like a great big extended family!

Be sure and write your sailor lots of letters for this means a lot to them during this time they are away from home etc. I sent lots of pictures and my grandson loved the pictures. He said he had taped them all over.. He said those pictures mean a lot when you are there in boot camp for boot camp is very hard on these guys and they are hollowed out and they really are missing home... so be sure and write to them. I wrote everyday... He saved all his letters to keep in his keepsake stuff..

Just got my first letter from my son in today's mail . PIR 9/17/10. It seems so far away but I know it is not. Now I can mail all these letters I have been writing!

Yippee hotflashes. . . I wrote my daughter every day beginning the day she left and when I finally got her address I mailed everyone of them. . .

That is exactly what I am going to do... headed for the post office right now! it is so nice to have someone who knows exactly how I feel. Thank you all.

she left 4 wednesday's ago, and everyday I still write her, on Monday 2 gets mailed. I found some cheap-ie Encouragement cards at wal-mart and bought a bunch. (I think 10) I send those as well. I am so pathetic, I even have a blank notecard with her address and a stamp, so if I see someone who asks about her, I say "Here, write her a note and tell her you are thinking about her" They do, and it gets mailed. When I asked her if it was possible to send too much mail her answer, and I quote, "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO" We love our girls. It feels like they are on mars, but she could not be there, I don't think they have mail service.

Hi 900! Still no word from my SR. Can't wait to find out what he is doing there. I always look at your Division 942 because then I know what my son has to look forward too! Love the letters on your PIR group!

I went to mail a letter to my daughter at a postal store that her friend works at. I asked her friend to write to her and then I broke down crying in the store. Once I started, I couldn't stop!!! Kind of embarrassing, but her friend understood because her brother had gone into the Marines and her Mom cried all the time:) Now several months later, I can honestly say that our communication through letters during bootcamp, was more than we communicate through talking today. The desperation they feel to connect to family is pretty intense. When bootcamp is over, they revert back to the way they communicated before. Interesting...

Kaysfam, I hope you are doing better now. I know exactly how you feel for i cried for the whole time up to 1 1/2 week before bootcamp graduation. I really wondered if i was physically going to be able to travel to my grandsons graduation. my daughter said, mom your going no matter what for our sailor would be very upset if his MeeMaw was not there... well i made the trip fine.. when I saw my sailor i caught myself holding my breath... he was so handsome, just to see him coming out leading the band, how proud i was... Then when the graduation was over and all the parents and friends started down out of the bleachers to get to their sailor, i started crying again and could not stop... my grandson with his arms around me saying meemaw it's ok. now don't cry.. you are here with me.. Well this 70 year old grandmother did not want to turn her sailor loose. Wonderful visit and then the time came on Sunday night to tell him good bye... so we hugged, he walked me to the car, and hugged again, and when I looked up as our car drove pass and he was waving, i waved with everything in me, had already started my crying and it has been 3 1/2 months more and i am still crying... i want my sailor home. He does call often or I can pick up the phone and call him... but that is not like having him home... he is planning on coming home this month... this has been the longest months I have ever spent in my life.. And i know all of you feel the same way that i feel.. yet i feel lucky so far, one of my friends has two sons in and they each have had several tours to Afghanastan and this week he had been home and she saw him off at the airport again one was headed back.. I just don't see how she stands it...so i am thankful that so far i have not had to send one on the ground in Afghanstan. My grand-daughter has been all over the mid=east.. This year I have worried myself sick... now i am just trying to survive and live... i want my grandchildren home... 3 are in the service....

Aw, arlene40, what a sweet person you are. I sometimes feel like one of those mama fish that just wants to suck up all her babies in her mouth and keep them forever. : ))

Hotflashes, my husband left for BC on 7/21/2010 and is also on ship 06/div 944... any info from them so far??

just the form letter today with a note from him with graduation date and all he said was he was fine and would write again .. but at least I heard from him so I am feeling better. Please keep in touch so we can update each other.

sorry kjames1129, I forgot to type your name on previous message.

Okay definitely... i just got it today, too. Let me know if you get any letters/phone calls and i'll do the same... maybe they know each other... i sure hope he meets people to make the time go by faster

kjames ,are you going on 9/17/10? we will be there. It is nice to be able to plan , so hopefully I will see you there.

ReneeR , I got notification that you had sent a message to the group, but I cannot find it posted.
I think you were asking about Divisions. You should have a ship number and a division number on the papers that come in the box that was mailed home.
All of the division 900's are performance divisions, but the specific number will have to do with when your PIR is.
Send me a friend request, if you get lost on this site, and I will try to help.

Great news oregonmom1. Those calls are a wondrous thing.

Kyle Melissa, Wow I didn't think about looking to see them perform at PIR's but I need to look out now. You on the Count down to PIR! Good LucK!

oregonmom1, Ok, so I know next week I get my phone call being we are one week behind you. I guess my son will perform at your PIR! So happy you got to speak with her. : ))

i will take lots of pictures,and hopefully catch your son.

Thank you oregonmom1. We would love to see photos of the band and choir.
Thank you thank you thank you
Have a GREAT time!!!!!

will do. . .
i will send a friend request. i am excited to turn the calendar page (I am odd, I know) it just feels a lot closer. Honestly, there is nothing like the phone call. I was amazed at how focused she sounded and motivated. I slept so much better knowing she still wanted to be there.

oregonmom1 (ship06/Div942pir9/2) Please delete the last name in your post below. I know you do not mean to, but you are actually drawing attention and/or infringing on the privacy of a person in that division with that last name. Thank you ~ : ) ~ kk

Please please please...No last names! Thank you : ) ~ kk

so sorry mammabear. i was under the impression no last names with first names. last names alone were acceptable.

oregonmom1 (ship06/Div942pir9/2) ~ While at GL RTC they only are addressed by their last names. They actually have their last names on the front of the uniform and on their blue camos on the back pocket - so they know them from the front and the back. They only address others by their last names - this carries through to A School, C School (if applicable) and at their base locations. I have a friend that retired after 21 years in the Air Force. It was so difficult for her to address others by their first names. Any way back to the postings. It is requested you do not use last names, as technically, they have not given you permission - therefore an infringement of their privacy. Also, the site Admin has the same policy. Adding their last name, their division, and their gender - they can be identified. Some people say the RDCs read these posts. I know an RDC - I seriously doubt he does - but others may. How other moms and I identified our sons and daughters to each other were by their duties within the division. Once we knew the duty/duties we would add their home state, etc. Our info was within private message (email). You will find that many moms just read the posts and do not join in until very close to PIR. So ask you daughter what her best buds duties are (i.e. what instrument, what flag, drum corp, rifles, etc. or collect laundry - pick up mail - hand out cleaning supplies - schedule ironing boards - etc.) You may just find that mom! Start packing...PIR will be here before you know it! Also, usually after 4 weeks in they are heading for the home stretch! : ) ~ kk

Thank you MamaBear. All of that makes perfect sense and I had not thought about what you said. . . I for sure did not want to offend anyone or break any rules. I am so excited for PIR. . . got a letter yesterday and she talked about being exhausted, but excited that the end is near. . . Hell week is next week. not sure what that entails, it seems like it has been Hell Week each week she is gone. .

“Hell Week” – Marlinspike (ship stuff and “fun stuff like line handling”, etc.), PFA, Personal Inspection, Weapons Turnover Inspection, Zone Inspection, Live Fire Range, and usually the last day is Drill inspection, uniform tailoring, and picture taking. I do not know why they call it "hell week." My son called it fun stuff! I feel it beings it all together for them too. : ) ~ kk

That amkes me feel so much better. . I was worried.

Moms- My daughter belongs to Div 945. I will love to have more information about their duties, "especial assignments" etc. Thank you

Ginny, my son was also 900 Div (921) His PIR (Pass in Review/Graduation) was April 8th. He was in band. His particular 900 Div was called a 'Triple Threat' because it was Band/Choir/Rifles. Some Recruits are in 900 Div because they are either in the Nuke program and/or they have previous leadership like in ROTC not all 900 Div members are in Band/Choir or Rifles. Some march with the State Flags, some stand at the doors and aisle during graduation and help escort or assist during the ceremony. There are many aspects the the 900 Div. You'll probably know based on your recruits past involvement in band/choir or rifles/flags in school where they fit in. Of course, they'll tell you all about it in that first letter home too !! But, know that regardless of their part in the 900 DIV it's considered an honor to be in a 900 Div. They are a close knit bunch of recruits. They have a lot more responsiblity. Because they not only have 'regular bootcamp duties' they also have their 900 specific duites. Congratulations to your recruit! (And to you!!) Feel free to add me as a friend if you like. I'd be glad to help you through the rollercoaster of emotions and information that is 'Bootcamp'!!

My Sailor is now in school (there in GL's) He's an FC (Fire Controlman) Do you know what your son has on his contract to do when he finishes bootcamp? (What rate (Job) he will be?)

Ginny_Ship06Div944PIR9/17/10 ~ The 900 series divisions have many rates (jobs in the Navy). Their files are screened when they arrive at GL RTC. Sometimes right in front of the Recruit while a question session (interview) takes place. They want to make sure the Recruit has the stamina to handle ALL of the normal boot camp responsibilities AND participate in the PIR activities/performances. The 900 series divisions are very busy to say the least. Remember the division is run by the RDCs (three to my last knowledge). The RDCs have a 2 to 3 year stint. It is not an easy job - and sometimes tough on their families with them at GL RTC. Their goal is that their divisions succeed. With that said, not all 900 series divisions are run the same. Some SRs think they had it easy - some think it was difficult. It all depends who is running the division. Some of the things that may/may not be considered; ASVAB scores, previous leadership (could be ROTC - but many have not had ROTC) or work related experiences, previous college, etc. Not all placed in a 900 series division have had music, band, or even played an instrument. Yes, they are a performance division; because they perform, in some way, during their PIR and usually the two (2) prior. The 900 series divisions are scheduled so they have all performance duties covered (i.e. state flags, honor guard, drum corp, choir, band, rifles, etc.). They are usually mixed divisions: 44 male and 44 female - to start. Not all make the grade - but that is usually determined early (first couple of weeks) - they may be removed and placed in another division. This is an honor! Congratulations to your son. Be proud! : ) ~ kk

Ginny_Ship06Div944PIR9/17/10 Make sure you join your PIR date group, your division group, and your state group. You will get a lot of support. Also, based on your state listed, do not be alarmed if you see the letters are coming and your mailbox does not have that special letter waiting. My N4M friends in your state received their letters a day after I did (Ohio). : ) ~ kk