PIR 4/8/2011 Alum Group!

129 members

DIVISIONS: 121-128 807, 808 920,921

This group started on 2/8/11 and we survived boot camp, laughter and tears. Now our recruits are sailors and headed in many directions, but we'll continue to support one another throughout!

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diannep

texasmom: Yes, it is safe to send that to the group...because we just don't want his last name exposed on this board. As Lala said, it will only go to the members of this group.

Mar 14, 2011
texasmom Ship 11 Div 179

Thank you all so very much. I am so encouraged today because of all the notes. I will send the memo. I hope everyone gets it.

Mar 14, 2011
sandy (ship 9 DIV. 126 ) PIR 4/8

hello all... hope someone outthere can help me. on the paracord braclets... how is the heart or ribben added? I have tryed looking up the info and can't find anything out.

Mar 14, 2011
ProudNavySister

Texasmom, I got the address and wrote a letter today, it is going out in tomorrow's mail. I said my name, but not my name on here, I forgot!!! :)

Mar 14, 2011
Debi (Ship 9 Div 126)

teasmom, I will be praying for your son, that he will stay stong and his injury heals quickly, and for you also- I know this has got to be extra tough on you. I know how I feel when my kids are sad or depressed,hang in there and think positive it WILL get better, : )

Mar 14, 2011
Ragdollrae HM A school SA

Hello TexasMom. I will be happy to write to your son. I have been writing extra letters to many in addition to my son. Please message me his info. I am also happy to help ProudNavyMom with writing to those not getting letters. If you both would like to send me a private message with details, that would be wonderful!

Mar 14, 2011
diannep

texasmom: It is written and will be mailed tomorrow!

Mar 14, 2011
diannep

ProudNavyMom: If you want others here to write to these SRs who are not receiving mail, please hit the "Send Message to Group" prompt at the top of the page and send us names and addresses. I know that many on here will be happy to write to them, including me!

Mar 14, 2011
Ladybug<3

TexasMom, I will also write! But I didnt get an email with the info. How do I get his address?

Mar 14, 2011
jim'scupcake

Same here...I would be more than happy to write to anyone! I send my son a letter everyday...I have endless amounts of encouragement!! Moms~hang in there!

Mar 14, 2011
texasmom Ship 11 Div 179

Good evening ladies,

Thank you all so very much for all your encouragment. I wrote to my son tonight, well I mailed three letters this morning, that I had been writting since he went into RCU, Anyways, I told him that with all the letters and encouragement and prayers he should really be feeling our presence there with him. I am so excited for him to get all the sweet and encouragement that you all are sending his way. Thank you again so much, and my God bless each of you sweet ladies.

Mar 15, 2011
Craig

Hey all - Just wanted say hi... Although my son and nephew are already in the Navy, I wanted to join this PIR group. I run two Navy forum websites myself, and I have a depper that I was working with that is in Div 126. I kind of wanted to see the stuff that is going on, just for fun and to keep him motovated by having something to write to him about.

If you guys are kind of curious what is happening day-per-day at boot camp, you may want to look at this link. It's pretty accurate (within a couple days) that a recruit wrote every day for my site. http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/schedule-1

For those that have recruits going into the CT rating, I run the Cryptology section here at N4M, and can guide you along after the boot camp experience. I am a retired CTM, my son is a CTN, and my nephew is a CTT, so we have it completely figured out. http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ctratemoms

Go 126!, Go Navy!

(hey diannep & lala)

Mar 15, 2011
diannep

Well, hey there, craig! Nice to see you popping into one of the groups! I know the ladies will appreciate your info!

Mar 15, 2011
diannep

texasmom: If you know any of your son's favorite teachers, coaches, neighbors, etc....now is the time to contact them and ask if they would please write to your son to encourage him. You can even give them addressed/stamped envelopes if you would like. I did this for my son and it meant the world to him to receive those letters. You would be surprised at how many will feel honored that you ask them to be a part of this. So just ask!

Mar 15, 2011
ntz4laa (HM Mom)

Yes, it was posted in my SRs account yesterday.

Mar 15, 2011
ntz4laa (HM Mom)

KiWi2011 ~ My SR arrived on 2/9 also.

Mar 15, 2011
ntz4laa (HM Mom)

It may also depend on the bank and how fast they process the auto deposits. We bank through USAA and our auto deposits also show up really quick (a day early) for both my work and now my SRs. It may show up in your account tonight ~ Don't give up hope!

Mar 15, 2011
Ladybug<3

Thanks for all the great info, Craig!!

Mar 15, 2011
SR Mom Ship 11 Div 124

@ Kiwi my SR has received 2 checks.

Mar 15, 2011
Craig

Since most of this group looks like their recruits are living on Camp John Paul Jones, I will post this. It will give you an idea where they sleep at night....

Arial view of where you sailors sleep...

Mar 15, 2011
SR Mom Ship 11 Div 124

Thanks Craig! My SR told me he has to walk a mile to the pay phone...I can see how now.

Mar 15, 2011
SR Mom Ship 11 Div 124

Craig, looking at the map of the grounds, when the shuttle drops me off at the entrance, can you tell how long of a walk it is the PIR location? Seems like a long way.

Mar 15, 2011
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons

Hi Craig, it is so good to see you on this group page. Like diannep said, I am sure they will love having you here. ;-)

Mar 15, 2011
ProudNavySister

Thank you Craig, that is great!

Mar 15, 2011
ProudNavySister

KiWi2011 (Ship 11 Div 127) hello :) my other brother (the one who graduated 2/18/11) is able to access that account online and has a debit card and checks for that account. And the bank is right there, so if he ever has a free minute (I know my brother had some free time after battlestations) he can get it straightened out. Good luck! :)

Mar 15, 2011
diannep

Kiwi: They should have because some on the later PIR groups are posting that their SRs' pay is in there today.

Mar 15, 2011
diannep

SR Mom: The walk isn't bad....maybe 1/4 to 1/2 mile. If anyone needs a wheelchair, the sailors will be on base with them. It is advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes anyway.

Mar 15, 2011
Cheryl

Now I am rethinking the Navy Lodge, since there are no shuttles. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Mar 15, 2011
diannep

cheryl: I believe that Lala stayed at Navy Lodge. Why not message her? I know many enjoy the Navy Lodge and I thought someone said that they will call for a shuttle if need be...not positive on that. Or you can take a regular cab..I believe it is very close. But message Lala before you do anything. She has a post on this page you can just click on.

Mar 15, 2011
diannep

..if you want another hotel suggestion, Residence Inn Waukegan was great. We enjoyed our stay there....free hot buffet breakfast each day, pet friendly, PIR shuttle (when we were there a year ago--verify that), large 2 bedroom 2 bath suites if you need them, pullout sofa with gas fireplace in living room....quiet area but only 4 miles or so from the base and near the Walmart shopping center.

Mar 15, 2011
Craig

SR Mom - Walking to the phone is nothing.... Try walking to the USS Chief (Firefighting and Gas Chamber) or going to the uniform/tailor on you second uniform issue. They will know the complete verse to "Anchor's Aweigh" in like no time. Heck, they will be able to form their own "Glee-Club".

For those that don't know where the Gas chamber is, here is something I wrote for the deppers I work with. Even though you guys are WAY past the "P" days, it will give you an idea...

Processing Days (P-days).pdf

Totally agree with diannep, it's not that far of a walk, and they are all set for those that need wheelchairs. The Navy has this part down to a science. They have it all together...

Mar 15, 2011
SR Mom Ship 11 Div 124

Thanks diannep. I will wear comfortable shoes!

Mar 15, 2011
diannep

Denise: No need to "take" a wheelchair...they'll throw you in one there and push you right into the PIR hall.... :-)

Mar 15, 2011
Jajajo

Cheryl 87 I was thinking the Navy Lodge to until the shuttle thing. We're staying @ the Ramada in Waukegan it offers shuttle service , breakfast and it's where the meet and greet is on Thursday. 79.00/night special rate for graduation if you book let them know you're there for Navy graduation

Mar 15, 2011
Bebe

Craig~thanks so much for posting the link to RTC. Now I can see where my son is. The distance from the entrance to where PIR will take place is nothing. I will walk to the end of the earth to see my son...=)...

Mar 15, 2011
diannep

Yep, Denise. Bring your own...but maybe get a "sailor push." That would be quite an honor, as you said!

Mar 15, 2011
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons

We did stay at the Navy Lodge. It was fine for us. Especially for the price. $65 a night for a room with 2 queen beds (very comfortable) and a kitchen. It is an older hotel but it met our needs. We were basically there to sleep. They didn't have a shuttle but there were taxi's that you can call to take you to the base and really that is all the shuttle's at other hotels are anyway. They had a "brown bag" breakfast you could take with you. I think it had a bagel, cream cheese, a juice box, and a breakfast bar inside. Not a great breakfast but I was too excited to eat anyway. It is very close to the base and if you ask at the desk they will give you a temporary pass that will allow you to shop at the nex, which is right down the street and off base. There is another one on base that you can shop at with your sailor.

Mar 15, 2011
Debi (Ship 9 Div 126)

Lala, we wil be staying at the Navy Lodge, as you said, we are only there to sleep and shower anyway, so it is fine for us. I do intend to go to the Wildberry for breakfast, when we were there almst 3 years ago, I must say it was probably the best breakfast we ever had out and very reasonable for what we had (and my guys can eat)

Mar 15, 2011
Craig

I love the Navy Lodge. We actually stayed at the Ramada for the 9/2/2010 PIR, and thought it would be good to be where the "meet & greet" get together was. After one night we decided to leave. The room was smelly and dated. I actually wrote something on Trip Advisor.com. I'm sure not all the rooms were like this, but ours was. We could have switched rooms, but decided that the Navy Lodge has to meet a certain standard do to the military, and it was cheaper, even when you added the internet access & breakfast (Navy Lodge you must buy your internet, it's not free).

We also wanted to get great seats, so we went to McDonalds in the morning, and sat and ate it in the car while waiting in line for them to open the gate for the PIR. We got there at least 45 minutes before the Ramada shuttle (friends were still staying at the Ramada and we saw them come in), and we had awesome seats.

Mar 15, 2011
Debi (Ship 9 Div 126)

Has anyone SHIP 9 Div 126 gotten a phone call from your SR since last Monday? Ours called last Monday , and although I have recieved letters, I guess I am just missing him and wanted to hear his voice. Just wondering

Mar 15, 2011
jim'scupcake

Ugh...that is my fear with the Ramada...I read those reviews!! I guess I still have time to cancel and find someplace else. I have heard "smelly" several places and probably read your comment on Trip Advisor Craig. I was also thinking about the place with the water slides..didnt know if SR would want to swim indoors at a water park~probably just wants to go to the mall!!! Anyone staying at the water park hotel?

Mar 15, 2011
NavyMomofOnly1Girl Ship 9 DIV126

Just a few comments/questions. I was given a link from somewhere where we booked our hotel, which is the Marriott Chicago/Waukegan Courtyard. There was a pamphlet that came with our daughter's first "form" letter with PIR date that had hotels, etc. other info. There is also a website: travel.bootcampgraduations.com/hotel Does anybody know how long it takes after the graduation ceremony to leave with our Sailor? Do they have to go back to their room or whatever or are we free to leave with them?

Mar 15, 2011
NavyMomofOnly1Girl Ship 9 DIV126

My daughter is in Ship 9 Div 126 and I got that phone call last Monday, but only letters since. Somehow someone keeps giving her the wrong information all the time and she writes me and is very upset. Someone told her that she picked the sign on bonus (that goes with the MA Master of Arms program) so since she picked that she can't get tuition assistance. Whoever heard of such a thing? One thing doesn't have anything to do with the other. Said she sat down with a big Navy Wheel and they had a meeting about going to Tech school in San Antonio and that's what they told her. She also passed a big test, which had she failed, she would have been held back a week. Said one of the guys in DIV 126 was hanging from his bed and all the girls had to do IT, too. She said she saw the guys laughing at the girls because they had to do the extra physical training, too. She's doing good, but gets upset when she isn't given the right info.

Mar 15, 2011
NavyMomofOnly1Girl Ship 9 DIV126

Just thought of another question, How do we know where to sit in the auditorium to sit by where our DIV will be? Or is it all just first come, first serve? I'd like be right in front of her! How exciting it is getting. Only 22 days left to go. WOW!!! We are almost there!!!! If you think I'm happy, you should see how happy my daughter will be to have made it through this :)

Mar 15, 2011
emilee27kak

From what I have read the seats are marked. So you just go sit by the sign that says your div # on it.

Mar 15, 2011
ochaos

In regards to the time you have with your recruit after PIR it will depend and your recruit will have the most current info for you. What applies to one group will not also apply to everyone. Some may have watch, some may be able to go immediately and some will not be able to leave for a while. The same with calls home, some divisions get more calls home than others, do not stress about it and just be thrilled if you get one. Have not heard of a division that is graduating not being in the hall, if they are performing they will be in there just not lined up like everybody else as they are actually performing during the PIR.

Mar 15, 2011
Jajajo

Craig that's too bad about the Ramada I already have the reservation :(

Mar 15, 2011
emilee27kak

My boyfriend said he is a flag carrier at boot camp. Does that mean he will be carrying the flag at PIR too?

Mar 15, 2011
emilee27kak

Okay. Thankss! He always talks about how much he hates being the flag carrier in his letters. My poor baby! :( Hes going to be mad that he has to carry it at PIR I bet. Hah.

Mar 15, 2011
emilee27kak

Yea. I know. I would be really upset if that was the case. Im really sorry! That sucks. I think its so unfair. If I were you I would run to every door! Haha. Just say you got lost....Haha.

Mar 15, 2011