Blakesmom , yes definately not what we were expecting so close to graduation. He passes his initial run and got a bad ear infection and high fever when it was time to take the final prt he was suppose to retake it last Monday so I’m assiming they gave him a couple of chances since he called us yesterday to tell us he got really dizzy and didn’t finish his run and wouldn’t be graduating. He said he would call us back with more details but haven’t heard anything yet. All I know is the recruiter said his new PIR date in the computer was 5/18 which seems like a long time unless he has something more wrong than a recovering ear infection. I’m just anxious to get some new about what’s happening. His dad said he sounded pretty bummed.
My SR was injured with 2 weeks of BC left, so I understand completely. I will say that my rotation of calls is this weekend, usually on Sunday between 1-4. Keep your phone close to you. I can't say for sure your SR is on the same rotation, but just in case. Maybe you could get a little more information if he calls. Having a future PIR date already set is a good sign. At this point you have to just trust that the Navy is giving them the care they need for long run.
I am beyond excited to say that my son just called and has already been assigned to a new divison on light duty for the rest of the week, but out of RCU. He was a little disappointed he has to wait to graduate but knows it’s for the best. Thank you for your support .
so our SR is in RCU sent for some tests on Monday but we have not heard anything this week. Recruiter shows he's ship4 This is hard. No news= good news yet no news at all one way or the other is torture.
Wanted to give you all an update on my son. Spoke to him today and he said he’s only 15 seconds off for his run time and knows he can pass next week. So he should be good to graduate 5/18. He did mention he has to go to medical Tuesday because he asked for icy hot for his foot because it was sore and now he has to have it checked out. He says he knows it’s nothing to worry about. So keeping my fingers crossed I do not get a call Tuesday .
Heard from my son today,actually a couple calls today. 1st was at 9:25 his time- he was in the hospital. Seems he got sick last week so was SIQ - Had some issue also with dizzyness. Had appointment today for that so went in to shower first. Waiting for water to warm, he fainted, hit his head. He has no concussion so that's good, but is is dealing with a blood issue. His first call this morning was hard- he was able to call later in the day and he's much better. Sounds strong, wants to get well. His issue has a possibility of getting him sent home. We spoke of that today and he wants to fight to stay in. For now his focus is healing. This sure is the way his journey was supposed to go.
So sorry you had to join this group. It is a crushing feeling in the beginning. All you can do is support your SR with positive thoughts and prayers. Write and and find creative ways to send them some support. My son wanted song lyrics. Anything to take their mind off of it for just one moment. How extensive of an injury does your SR have?
Sounds like what he thought was a sprained wrist turned out to be a broken wrist. What is the protocol? Do they heal up and then start over or jump in where they left off with a new division?
Once they are healed up and released fit for duty, th ybwill be placed into a division in the week they left. So if they left at week 5, then they will return at week 5. They will be required to pass all PFA tests.
You might get lucky and the RCD will allow your son to call you Sunday but this coming Sunday is an off day on the standard call schedule. The next scheduled call is May 20. If you don't hear from him on Sunday May 13 don't panic, though I hope they allow him to call you.
Also, recruits are still restricted to writing letters only on Sundays, most often Sunday mornings. If your son can't call you Sunday he can write you with more information.
The hardest part of RCU for my son's dad and me has been the unknown. All I can say is write as often as you can. Send silly stuff. Lyrics of favorite songs has been a frequent request for both my boy and others whose parents can't send them for whatever reason. You know your son and what will make him smile or forget.
For example: I got around the no music rule by sending my son a birthday card with a 30 second bit of music that he was allowed to keep.
Don't try going far over the line though. You don't want to get your boy into trouble.
If possible tell your son to ask to be a yeoman in the RCD's office. That helped my boy a lot simply because he had something to do.
If you have any questions I can answer feel free to shoot me a message.
Thank you so much for that information! I have been trying to write almost every day since he arrived at boot camp, and now seems even more important. Hoping he heals quickly!
Well, it's 7:45pm, so I am guessing I won't be getting that surprise Mother's Day call I was hoping for today. I will just have to wait for the scheduled May 20th call. :(
Hello everyone, my recruit wrote me and asked me to send books/comics to him. Is this allowed in RCU? Just don't want to cause my husband any extra stress by sending him anything that could get him in trouble.
Books of any sort are not permitted in RCU. There are some books in the department that recruits are allowed to read sometimes but if you send some, your recruit will be required to throw the items away.
You might be able to print an online book a few pages at a time and send it in stages.
In our case we stuck with letters from as many people as possible and as often as possible. Recommend to your husband asking to get into a position in the RDC's office or something else to pass the time. That helped my son the most.
Hang in there! We are in Chicago now, four months after we expected when our boy left home. It's an unpleasant diversion but not a show-stopper.
I'm sorry you didn't get the call. This coming Sunday is the scheduled call weekend (every other Sunday.) The length of the call varies so get the most important stuff communicated immediately and then move to conversation.
Hang tough. Much easier said than done, I know, but your SR is counting on you more than you realize.
My son was set to PIR June 1, 2018. Notified this week, stress fracture to his femur and moved to RCU. I'm sad, hoping he doesn't get separated and sent home.
Hi, Elisabeth. Yes, it gets forwarded. It happened almost the same thing with my daughter. She was sent to RCU with stress fractures on her knee 2 weeks before her graduation. I had sent her letters to her original ship/division and she got them. She's been there for 4 weeks now and I don't know when she will be graduating. Hopefully tomorrow I will get a call. She calls every other Sunday now, right after 1PM their time.
My recruit is also asking me to send books. Apparently he has already been able to read a lot of the books that are there, and now is looking for more. But I don't want to get him into trouble. Are the books he is reading there leftovers from before they stopped permitting them to be sent?
Hi NotherNavyNom, any books or magazines you send will get thrown away and your recruit could possibly get in trouble and have phone privileges taken away. I got to talk to my recruit yesterday, my husband said they do have some reading material that they permit there but he asked me to please not send any now that he knows it could cause problems.
Yikes Sarah9310 -- I will definitely NOT be sending my recruit any reading material in that case! I guess I thought if there were books there already, they might be allowed to have them. But I would definitely not take any chances by sending anything if that is not the case. Thanks for the feedback! :)
To those who have a male recruit in ship 4 div 2341 right now. My son called may 1st and said he had days of rehab. I received letter dated 26th of may and he didn’t mention an injury. During his stay during his recovery does he have right to call and continue writing?
Laura, How long your letters take to get to your recruit depend on how far you are from Great Lakes, IL. The fastest way I know of is sending letters using the Sandboxx App. You type out a letter, attach a picture if you want, electronically send it, it gets printed out and sent to your recruit within 1 day! You are also able to track the letter to make sure your recruit gets it. My husband and I really like the app and I think it's worth it. Hope this helps!
Not sure about the every other Sunday thing. Last call I got was three weeks ago. I know they say "no news is good news" but I am not sure that applies to the RCU. :(
When a recruit is declared fit for duty (FFD) it's a status change and the recruit is permitted a brief scripted phone call to one person to relate their new division number and graduation date (or battle stations date if the recruit, as my son, goes through battle stations as a straggler.)
The every other Sunday call can be rescinded for the entire population of RCU as a disciplinary tool. The command structure of RCU changes rather frequently as well, and if a new chief has come in (s)he can change the phone call routine.
It's a terrible thing to wait and wonder I know, but the every other Sunday call may resume if it was rescinded due to contraband material found or some other disciplinary issue.
Hello all. My wife was set to graduate July 13th. But I received a phone call on Tuesday saying that she going to be held back due to a fracture in her knee. I must confess I’m at a lost. I’ve stepped up my writing to her, sent pictures, and even convinced her family to write her more. Is there anything else I can do?
I know this group isn’t very active but I thought I’d give an update on my son who has been in bootcamp since 2/26. He has been in RCU for about 4 months now and the latest is he is probably going to have to have surgery and will be in recovery there for 2 years. Not sure how this all works before finishing bootcamp so we will see .
Given the extensive recovery time your son might be given the option to return home post-op for recovery. I'm not sure how that works but you might want to tell him to find out for you. It's a grey area that might permit him to spend some if not all of that recovery time out of RCU.
ye Athens LT that is fighting for him is the psychologist and mentioned getting him out of RCU for recovery. Not sure what that will mean. And I will be able to be there for surgery
My son gave us a different Div number than that listed above. He told us Div 741. Do I need to use the 2341 or the 741 that he told us. I'm sorry I am so confused, but I want to do the right thing! Thank you!
No problem Sherrifm! I hope that your son has a speedy recovery. We should be getting phone calls this Sunday. It's generally been around 2pm for me in the Central Time Zone. So be ready for it. Also do not worry if we do not get it this time as the staff changes all of the time and they may take away phone calls. Also if someone screwed up they will punish the recruits by taking away more than just the phone calls.
I told my son about your son's mandated two year RCU stay and my son could only groan. He says your son would be much better off going home to recover and go through physical therapy. He thinks he'd have gone insane if he'd spent more time in RCU than he did.
It's good you can be there for the surgery. When is it scheduled? If it's already been done how did it go? Do you know if the psychologist has prevailed?
We're all hoping your son comes home for his sanity and yours.
Hello - I was overjoyed when I checked Informed Delivery to see there was a letter from my son who shipped to boot camp on 8/7. I thought it was the form letter, but the gist of what he said was that they found something medically and that by the time we receive the letter (which was today) he should know whether he is staying or coming home. I hate not being able to know more, but he seemed upbeat. He wants and hopes to stay but he said if they send him home he wants to go into firefighter training. Still breaks my heart that leaving may be possibility. He did the DEP and has been looking forward to this for the last couple of years. All he did the year before he left was work out to get himself physically and mentally prepared. As much as we miss him, I hope he gets a chance to continue. I just wish we knew more!!!!!
My son, Peter, will be picked up by his new division today. I will be leaving this group, but I will keep all of you in my prayers. This has been a difficult journey, and it truly breaks my momma heart every time someone new has to join this group. Thank you for your support through this past six weeks. God bless you all and your SR's. Go Navy!
My son was FFD on 9/26 and went to a new division after 10 long weeks in Ship 4 RCU. He'll graduate next week! But I'm going to stay in this group so I can help other worried moms.
Thanks. I'm pretty active on the Ship 4 FB page, which is where I received a lot of comfort and information. I always thought having a kid in RCU is worse than in basic training, because we as parents have a pretty good idea of what the kids do week to week in basic. But in RCU, we're left in the dark. There's the constant fear of Ship 5 as well.
My son was FFD on 10/15. His new PIR is 11/16. Only one month to go!! Thanks everyone. It was an interesting road and we'll both be happy when he finally says "I'm a Sailor!"
Seabeemom
Blakesmom , yes definately not what we were expecting so close to graduation. He passes his initial run and got a bad ear infection and high fever when it was time to take the final prt he was suppose to retake it last Monday so I’m assiming they gave him a couple of chances since he called us yesterday to tell us he got really dizzy and didn’t finish his run and wouldn’t be graduating. He said he would call us back with more details but haven’t heard anything yet. All I know is the recruiter said his new PIR date in the computer was 5/18 which seems like a long time unless he has something more wrong than a recovering ear infection. I’m just anxious to get some new about what’s happening. His dad said he sounded pretty bummed.
Apr 17, 2018
Blakesmom
My SR was injured with 2 weeks of BC left, so I understand completely. I will say that my rotation of calls is this weekend, usually on Sunday between 1-4. Keep your phone close to you. I can't say for sure your SR is on the same rotation, but just in case. Maybe you could get a little more information if he calls. Having a future PIR date already set is a good sign. At this point you have to just trust that the Navy is giving them the care they need for long run.
Apr 18, 2018
Seabeemom
I am beyond excited to say that my son just called and has already been assigned to a new divison on light duty for the rest of the week, but out of RCU. He was a little disappointed he has to wait to graduate but knows it’s for the best. Thank you for your support .
Apr 18, 2018
mern
so our SR is in RCU sent for some tests on Monday but we have not heard anything this week. Recruiter shows he's ship4 This is hard. No news= good news yet no news at all one way or the other is torture.
Apr 27, 2018
Seabeemom
Wanted to give you all an update on my son. Spoke to him today and he said he’s only 15 seconds off for his run time and knows he can pass next week. So he should be good to graduate 5/18. He did mention he has to go to medical Tuesday because he asked for icy hot for his foot because it was sore and now he has to have it checked out. He says he knows it’s nothing to worry about. So keeping my fingers crossed I do not get a call Tuesday .
Apr 28, 2018
Blakesmom
Great news Seebeemom! I’m so worried about my SR runtime. I’m be glad to get passed it. Thanks for the update.
Apr 30, 2018
mern
Heard from my son today,actually a couple calls today. 1st was at 9:25 his time- he was in the hospital. Seems he got sick last week so was SIQ - Had some issue also with dizzyness. Had appointment today for that so went in to shower first. Waiting for water to warm, he fainted, hit his head. He has no concussion so that's good, but is is dealing with a blood issue. His first call this morning was hard- he was able to call later in the day and he's much better. Sounds strong, wants to get well. His issue has a possibility of getting him sent home. We spoke of that today and he wants to fight to stay in. For now his focus is healing. This sure is the way his journey was supposed to go.
Apr 30, 2018
Seabeemom
Well everyone, I’m back. Just got off the phone with my ST and he will be in RCU for 8-12 weeks . :(
May 3, 2018
NotherNavyMom
Just got the call that my son is now in this Division. :( Not sure what the next steps are, besides keeping positive and supportive!
May 8, 2018
Blakesmom
So sorry you had to join this group. It is a crushing feeling in the beginning. All you can do is support your SR with positive thoughts and prayers. Write and and find creative ways to send them some support. My son wanted song lyrics. Anything to take their mind off of it for just one moment. How extensive of an injury does your SR have?
May 8, 2018
NotherNavyMom
Sounds like what he thought was a sprained wrist turned out to be a broken wrist. What is the protocol? Do they heal up and then start over or jump in where they left off with a new division?
May 8, 2018
Blakesmom
Once they are healed up and released fit for duty, th ybwill be placed into a division in the week they left. So if they left at week 5, then they will return at week 5. They will be required to pass all PFA tests.
May 9, 2018
Seabeemom
Welcome. Do you know about how long he was told he’d be in RCU?
May 10, 2018
NotherNavyMom
No, I just got that eerie scripted phone call. Hoping for a real phone call this weekend so that I know more soon.
May 10, 2018
Sarah's Human
Hi NotherNavyMom--
You might get lucky and the RCD will allow your son to call you Sunday but this coming Sunday is an off day on the standard call schedule. The next scheduled call is May 20. If you don't hear from him on Sunday May 13 don't panic, though I hope they allow him to call you.
Also, recruits are still restricted to writing letters only on Sundays, most often Sunday mornings. If your son can't call you Sunday he can write you with more information.
The hardest part of RCU for my son's dad and me has been the unknown. All I can say is write as often as you can. Send silly stuff. Lyrics of favorite songs has been a frequent request for both my boy and others whose parents can't send them for whatever reason. You know your son and what will make him smile or forget.
For example: I got around the no music rule by sending my son a birthday card with a 30 second bit of music that he was allowed to keep.
Don't try going far over the line though. You don't want to get your boy into trouble.
If possible tell your son to ask to be a yeoman in the RCD's office. That helped my boy a lot simply because he had something to do.
If you have any questions I can answer feel free to shoot me a message.
May 10, 2018
NotherNavyMom
Thank you so much for that information! I have been trying to write almost every day since he arrived at boot camp, and now seems even more important. Hoping he heals quickly!
May 13, 2018
NotherNavyMom
Well, it's 7:45pm, so I am guessing I won't be getting that surprise Mother's Day call I was hoping for today. I will just have to wait for the scheduled May 20th call. :(
May 13, 2018
sarah9310
Hello everyone, my recruit wrote me and asked me to send books/comics to him. Is this allowed in RCU? Just don't want to cause my husband any extra stress by sending him anything that could get him in trouble.
May 16, 2018
Sarah's Human
Sarah9310--
Books of any sort are not permitted in RCU. There are some books in the department that recruits are allowed to read sometimes but if you send some, your recruit will be required to throw the items away.
You might be able to print an online book a few pages at a time and send it in stages.
In our case we stuck with letters from as many people as possible and as often as possible. Recommend to your husband asking to get into a position in the RDC's office or something else to pass the time. That helped my son the most.
Hang in there! We are in Chicago now, four months after we expected when our boy left home. It's an unpleasant diversion but not a show-stopper.
May 17, 2018
Sarah's Human
NotherNavyMom--
I'm sorry you didn't get the call. This coming Sunday is the scheduled call weekend (every other Sunday.) The length of the call varies so get the most important stuff communicated immediately and then move to conversation.
Hang tough. Much easier said than done, I know, but your SR is counting on you more than you realize.
May 17, 2018
Elisabeth
My son was set to PIR June 1, 2018. Notified this week, stress fracture to his femur and moved to RCU. I'm sad, hoping he doesn't get separated and sent home.
May 19, 2018
graall
Hi, Elisabeth. Yes, it gets forwarded. It happened almost the same thing with my daughter. She was sent to RCU with stress fractures on her knee 2 weeks before her graduation. I had sent her letters to her original ship/division and she got them. She's been there for 4 weeks now and I don't know when she will be graduating. Hopefully tomorrow I will get a call. She calls every other Sunday now, right after 1PM their time.
May 19, 2018
NotherNavyMom
My recruit is also asking me to send books. Apparently he has already been able to read a lot of the books that are there, and now is looking for more. But I don't want to get him into trouble. Are the books he is reading there leftovers from before they stopped permitting them to be sent?
May 21, 2018
sarah9310
Hi NotherNavyNom, any books or magazines you send will get thrown away and your recruit could possibly get in trouble and have phone privileges taken away. I got to talk to my recruit yesterday, my husband said they do have some reading material that they permit there but he asked me to please not send any now that he knows it could cause problems.
May 21, 2018
NotherNavyMom
Yikes Sarah9310 -- I will definitely NOT be sending my recruit any reading material in that case! I guess I thought if there were books there already, they might be allowed to have them. But I would definitely not take any chances by sending anything if that is not the case. Thanks for the feedback! :)
May 21, 2018
Laura
To those who have a male recruit in ship 4 div 2341 right now. My son called may 1st and said he had days of rehab. I received letter dated 26th of may and he didn’t mention an injury. During his stay during his recovery does he have right to call and continue writing?
Jun 2, 2018
Laura
May 31st was his call sorry typo
Jun 2, 2018
Laura
6 days in rehab
Jun 2, 2018
Laura
I wrote back today as letter came in yesterday. Per anyone’s experience how long does mail take to get to him?
Jun 2, 2018
NotherNavyMom
Laura-My son wrote a letter dated May 27 and I received it June 1 if that helps at all. :)
Jun 5, 2018
sarah9310
Laura, How long your letters take to get to your recruit depend on how far you are from Great Lakes, IL. The fastest way I know of is sending letters using the Sandboxx App. You type out a letter, attach a picture if you want, electronically send it, it gets printed out and sent to your recruit within 1 day! You are also able to track the letter to make sure your recruit gets it. My husband and I really like the app and I think it's worth it. Hope this helps!
Jun 9, 2018
NotherNavyMom
Not sure about the every other Sunday thing. Last call I got was three weeks ago. I know they say "no news is good news" but I am not sure that applies to the RCU. :(
Jun 11, 2018
Laura
How do u know if they made it out of rcu? Do we have to wait for letter or call every other Sunday?
Jun 12, 2018
Sarah's Human
Hi Laura--
When a recruit is declared fit for duty (FFD) it's a status change and the recruit is permitted a brief scripted phone call to one person to relate their new division number and graduation date (or battle stations date if the recruit, as my son, goes through battle stations as a straggler.)
The every other Sunday call can be rescinded for the entire population of RCU as a disciplinary tool. The command structure of RCU changes rather frequently as well, and if a new chief has come in (s)he can change the phone call routine.
It's a terrible thing to wait and wonder I know, but the every other Sunday call may resume if it was rescinded due to contraband material found or some other disciplinary issue.
Hang in there!
Jun 13, 2018
ArtilleryCorporal
Hello all. My wife was set to graduate July 13th. But I received a phone call on Tuesday saying that she going to be held back due to a fracture in her knee. I must confess I’m at a lost. I’ve stepped up my writing to her, sent pictures, and even convinced her family to write her more. Is there anything else I can do?
Jun 29, 2018
Seabeemom
I know this group isn’t very active but I thought I’d give an update on my son who has been in bootcamp since 2/26. He has been in RCU for about 4 months now and the latest is he is probably going to have to have surgery and will be in recovery there for 2 years. Not sure how this all works before finishing bootcamp so we will see .
Jul 12, 2018
Sarah's Human
Wow Seabeemom, I thought we had it rough.
Given the extensive recovery time your son might be given the option to return home post-op for recovery. I'm not sure how that works but you might want to tell him to find out for you. It's a grey area that might permit him to spend some if not all of that recovery time out of RCU.
I'm really sorry to hear that.
Jul 12, 2018
Seabeemom
Sarah
ye Athens LT that is fighting for him is the psychologist and mentioned getting him out of RCU for recovery. Not sure what that will mean. And I will be able to be there for surgery
Jul 12, 2018
sherrifm
My son gave us a different Div number than that listed above. He told us Div 741. Do I need to use the 2341 or the 741 that he told us. I'm sorry I am so confused, but I want to do the right thing! Thank you!
Jul 25, 2018
ArtilleryCorporal
Jul 25, 2018
sherrifm
Jul 25, 2018
ArtilleryCorporal
No problem Sherrifm! I hope that your son has a speedy recovery. We should be getting phone calls this Sunday. It's generally been around 2pm for me in the Central Time Zone. So be ready for it. Also do not worry if we do not get it this time as the staff changes all of the time and they may take away phone calls. Also if someone screwed up they will punish the recruits by taking away more than just the phone calls.
Jul 25, 2018
Sarah's Human
Seabeemom--
I told my son about your son's mandated two year RCU stay and my son could only groan. He says your son would be much better off going home to recover and go through physical therapy. He thinks he'd have gone insane if he'd spent more time in RCU than he did.
It's good you can be there for the surgery. When is it scheduled? If it's already been done how did it go? Do you know if the psychologist has prevailed?
We're all hoping your son comes home for his sanity and yours.
Jul 29, 2018
Inkiri
I am new to this group and just read your post. I wish him a speedy recovery - and I wish you lots of sanity!
Aug 6, 2018
Kris
Hello - I was overjoyed when I checked Informed Delivery to see there was a letter from my son who shipped to boot camp on 8/7. I thought it was the form letter, but the gist of what he said was that they found something medically and that by the time we receive the letter (which was today) he should know whether he is staying or coming home. I hate not being able to know more, but he seemed upbeat. He wants and hopes to stay but he said if they send him home he wants to go into firefighter training. Still breaks my heart that leaving may be possibility. He did the DEP and has been looking forward to this for the last couple of years. All he did the year before he left was work out to get himself physically and mentally prepared. As much as we miss him, I hope he gets a chance to continue. I just wish we knew more!!!!!
Aug 20, 2018
sherrifm
My son, Peter, will be picked up by his new division today. I will be leaving this group, but I will keep all of you in my prayers. This has been a difficult journey, and it truly breaks my momma heart every time someone new has to join this group. Thank you for your support through this past six weeks. God bless you all and your SR's. Go Navy!
Sep 10, 2018
Inkiri
My son was FFD on 9/26 and went to a new division after 10 long weeks in Ship 4 RCU. He'll graduate next week! But I'm going to stay in this group so I can help other worried moms.
Oct 3, 2018
Valtameri
Congrats to you and your son, Inkiri!
Oct 3, 2018
Inkiri
Thanks. I'm pretty active on the Ship 4 FB page, which is where I received a lot of comfort and information. I always thought having a kid in RCU is worse than in basic training, because we as parents have a pretty good idea of what the kids do week to week in basic. But in RCU, we're left in the dark. There's the constant fear of Ship 5 as well.
Oct 3, 2018
AbbyM
My son was FFD on 10/15. His new PIR is 11/16. Only one month to go!! Thanks everyone. It was an interesting road and we'll both be happy when he finally says "I'm a Sailor!"
Oct 17, 2018