My daughter is going for AO ( aviation ordnance) I know there is at least one other girl going too, just dont know her name ... as far as meeting at the airport... i will probably avoid that if its O'hare... i get too confused and mixed up when i go there lol! She can call and let me know her address if we dont get it prior to her going and i can priority mail it, if that is allowed
I don't post on RTC FB, but if anyone does, you may want to post on there that the www.bootcamp.navy.mil site is still not accessible from Internet Explorer browser.
Cathy - I'm not exactly sure if the title Airman and Aircrew are the same thing - that is what my son is going for so I am thinking yes, it is but just as I think I know what I'm talking about, I am told differently. I am kind of hoping that they don't leave right away as we plan on staying a few days extra just in case!! If he leaves then I guess we'll get to sight see - without him :(.
Bev: You may be able to catch a ride with others going to the airport so you can spend time with your sailor...it is really worth it to try and do this. So "network" at the MeetNGreet and find out who else may be going out there from your hotel. Once there, you can give her the cell phone. Not allowed back on RTC (and believe me, they check for them!)...
tysmom: Thanks for dropping in to post on the PIR sites! Great to see another veteran lady paying it forward here!
As far as what they can take to A School, I have never heard of anyone getting in trouble at A School for something they brought with them. With the economy so bad now, I'm sure they understand that to save mailing costs, this is a better situation if family can meet at the airport with the black or navy backpack or small duffle bag. If they happen to have something they aren't allowed to use yet, they just have to lock it away. Not an issue.
Tysmom thanks for the info! I will add that to my list of questions and just hold off on that one until it gets closer to the 26th. Forgive me because I am still learning how everything works but as far as I knew when my daughter left, she wasn't sure which of the Airman jobs she was going to go for. I see Aviation Ordnanceman on the list of possibilities but she wanted to learn more about them before she chose one. And then suddenly her ship out date was changed and she didn't have time to look into it further before she left. We had 4 days notice before she was sworn in, instead of the three months we thought we had.
If we have a chance to meet her at the airport, I will probably go for it even if it is O'Hare. Huge, confusing and all that but hey what else am I going to do before I drive back home??
So sorry - I didn't quite get in that last message that once I started talking about Aviation Ordnanceman, I was responding to you Bev!
Kiminaz - just saw your message, we must have been typing at the same time. I am looking at the job description for Airman that she got from her recruiter and there is an "Aircrew Survival Equipmentman" listed there so maybe your SR, Bev's, and mine are all Airman titles but mine just didn't know yet what specific one she wanted to go for. I'm with you, just when I think I know what I'm talking about, whoops, I don't. We'll all get there though! And definitely agree with you that I hope they have some time before they have to go. I am driving out with family so we can stay or leave whenever we choose but we are all hoping for lots of time with her!
There is no "dumb" question that you ask...its a huge learning curve that has been thrown at you...just when you think you have learned "it" something new will come up.
diannep: I probably should change the last part of my name? On my home page?
diannep-veteran - Thanks for the link. I am going to go in and print it so when I get the chance, I can read up on what it is my SR will be doing!! This website is AWESOME!!! I feel so much better communicating with others that are going through this with me or have already been there and know just what to say to comfort all of us newbies!!!
I need suggestions on where to stay and whether or not we should rent a car. All you veterans, can you help? My husband has a disability and I want to make things as easy as possible for him.
Sparkling: If at all possible, rent a car. Makes things a bit easier. You could still take the shuttle to PIR if you like, if his disability would allow a bit of walking. If not, no worries. There are sailors on the base with wheelchairs and they will wheel anyone who needs it right into the PIR hall.
We stayed at Residence Inn Waukegan and enjoyed it very much. They have both studios and 2 bdrm 2 bth suites, full kitchens in each. If you don't need something that big, there are plenty of other hotels in the area. I would assume that all have handicapped rooms available, but you may want to book them early. There is the Ramada (where the MeetNGreet will be the night before), Springhill Suites and Courtyard Inn, both by the Walmart and near Residence, Comfort Inn, Navy Lodge. Not sure one hotel is better than another...good and bad experiences at all! But most are good. Navy Lodge does not have the PIR shuttle...it is close to RTC but you would need to drive or call a taxi. Most of the other hotels use the PIR shuttle service, which really are minivan taxis operating as shuttles that day ($3/pp each way, sailor usually returns with you for free). Ramada has its own shuttle.
You may want to "google" Great Lakes hotels and check them out online to narrow down your choices, and then maybe call to confirm any questions you have. I would go ahead and book now. Most all have liberal cancellation policies should you need to cancel for any reason. Ask for the Navy PIR rate but if you have other discounts (like AAA, etc), also ask about that rates.
Comfort Inn and Navy Lodge are not near Residence (Springhill Suites and Courtyard are near Residence)...I realized the way I wrote it makes it look that way. But all of the hotels around there are fairly close to the base.
I saw a comment about the ribbons being ordered by DIV's. They are for anyone who wants to order them. Not everyone in a specific division has to order them. I just make them for whoever would like them. They make a great way to recognize other N4M members at PIR, the Meet and Greet, standing in line, the airport and heck even the mall. I went up to everyone I saw wearing them lol. They are a great way to show your support for your Sailor and they make a wonderful keepsake. If anyone would like more information just send me a friend request and if that doesn't work or I don't respond within 24 hours you will know I didn't get it and you can send me an email to: uniquememorymakers@yahoo.com at any time. Thanks :-)
Bev- If you have any questions about the AO (Aviation Ordnanceman) rate just let me know. My daughter is an AO and I have learned a whole lot about her rate. She is attached to a squadron, The Ragin Bulls and her squadron is attached to the Harry S Truman. Feel free to send me a message if you like.
Welcome NMsings. There is a lot of info here. You may want to go over previous pages info on motels, ribbons, PIR, etc. My son PIRed June 17 so I am a new veteran. There are other "veterans" on the site, including the Sharon who started this group, with more experience than me.
tysmom- actually my honeymoon, we got married 2 weeks ago and are heading to the Keys. We are very generous and are taking our 3 teens with us so it is a honeymoon/vacation. I am soooo excited, I have never been to the Keys before.
Also, go up to the Discussion Forum, there are a lot of info discussions. Please take a look at your form letter...it will have the SHIP/DIV of your SR (Seaman Recruit). You can add that to your N4M name and find your Discussion Forum for the SHIP/DIV up top too. When you join it you can chat with other moms from your SHIP/DIV... BUT stay on the main group here as that is where the "veterans" hang out to answer questions, give advice, cheer you on, etc! You'll be bouncing back between the two.
We need 2 more tickets to graduation. Should I just have them show up and hope they get in? Also, when will we know when my daughter leaves for A school? She is going to Pensacola, FL for IT
The navy only gives 4 tickets. You can take your extra people along with id and they will probably get in. They may not be able to sit by you and there is the outside chance that they may not get in, but usually they do. There are a lot of div but sadly not every SRs family will be able to come to PIR.
Your SR will let you know when they will leave but it may not be till its closer to the end of BC. Kinda keeps you on pins and needles. The hurry up and wait mode is pretty typical here.
No, they do not split up divisions. I see what you mean, Sharon---read the original post too fast!!! Thinking that oregon's mom's SR may have just jotted down the wrong ship number. All in 273 should be in the same ship #.
I know!!! But I don't know if any of them are even allowed to send out letters this week... I was told that they only get to send out letters on Sundays. Does anyone know anymore information about this?
Don't worry. The letters are coming. This is the time of the week that they usually arrive...if they wrote this past Sunday. How long have your SRs been up there? They usually get to write after being there for a couple of weeks. Remember, though, they had some bad storms come through on Monday. Could have delayed the mail a bit. Some of the power is still out...like at the Ramada right now where PIR 7/15 families are arriving to stay and for the MeetNGreet! Ramada is turning them away (helping them with other hotels), but thanks to the industrious ladies in that group, they got the MeetNGreet set up at a local restaurant and the different hotels are referring the Navy families to this new place! HOOYAH for the ladies of Navy for Moms for getting this done!
My SR has been there two and a half weeks - since June 28. I've heard two or three weeks. So...maybe the mail is delayed because of the storms and maybe they won't get a chance to write until this coming Sunday. I have had Thursday in my head so when there was no letter in the mailbox this afternoon, my neighbors were probably shaking their heads if they saw me moping back up to the house...
diannep
Nope, Sharon. Not fixed if trying to access it from Explorer. I just tried again.
UGH!
Jul 13, 2011
Bev Ship 02/Div 941
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Jul 13, 2011
kiminaz (ship 11/div 274)
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Bev: You may be able to catch a ride with others going to the airport so you can spend time with your sailor...it is really worth it to try and do this. So "network" at the MeetNGreet and find out who else may be going out there from your hotel. Once there, you can give her the cell phone. Not allowed back on RTC (and believe me, they check for them!)...
tysmom: Thanks for dropping in to post on the PIR sites! Great to see another veteran lady paying it forward here!
As far as what they can take to A School, I have never heard of anyone getting in trouble at A School for something they brought with them. With the economy so bad now, I'm sure they understand that to save mailing costs, this is a better situation if family can meet at the airport with the black or navy backpack or small duffle bag. If they happen to have something they aren't allowed to use yet, they just have to lock it away. Not an issue.
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Jul 13, 2011
Cathy_ProudNavyMom
Tysmom thanks for the info! I will add that to my list of questions and just hold off on that one until it gets closer to the 26th. Forgive me because I am still learning how everything works but as far as I knew when my daughter left, she wasn't sure which of the Airman jobs she was going to go for. I see Aviation Ordnanceman on the list of possibilities but she wanted to learn more about them before she chose one. And then suddenly her ship out date was changed and she didn't have time to look into it further before she left. We had 4 days notice before she was sworn in, instead of the three months we thought we had.
If we have a chance to meet her at the airport, I will probably go for it even if it is O'Hare. Huge, confusing and all that but hey what else am I going to do before I drive back home??
Jul 13, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Interesting article about airmen/air crew:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navytrng/a/naccs.htm
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Jul 13, 2011
Cathy_ProudNavyMom
So sorry - I didn't quite get in that last message that once I started talking about Aviation Ordnanceman, I was responding to you Bev!
Kiminaz - just saw your message, we must have been typing at the same time. I am looking at the job description for Airman that she got from her recruiter and there is an "Aircrew Survival Equipmentman" listed there so maybe your SR, Bev's, and mine are all Airman titles but mine just didn't know yet what specific one she wanted to go for. I'm with you, just when I think I know what I'm talking about, whoops, I don't. We'll all get there though! And definitely agree with you that I hope they have some time before they have to go. I am driving out with family so we can stay or leave whenever we choose but we are all hoping for lots of time with her!
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Jul 13, 2011
tysmom
There is no "dumb" question that you ask...its a huge learning curve that has been thrown at you...just when you think you have learned "it" something new will come up.
diannep: I probably should change the last part of my name? On my home page?
Jul 13, 2011
kiminaz (ship 11/div 274)
diannep-veteran - Thanks for the link. I am going to go in and print it so when I get the chance, I can read up on what it is my SR will be doing!! This website is AWESOME!!! I feel so much better communicating with others that are going through this with me or have already been there and know just what to say to comfort all of us newbies!!!
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Yes, if you like, tysmom. Helps for the ladies to know you are a veteran! You can change it in the "Settings" part up in the right corner of the page.
So glad you got some info from the link, kiminaz. The more info you can have, the better! :-)
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Jul 13, 2011
Sparkling
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Sparkling: If at all possible, rent a car. Makes things a bit easier. You could still take the shuttle to PIR if you like, if his disability would allow a bit of walking. If not, no worries. There are sailors on the base with wheelchairs and they will wheel anyone who needs it right into the PIR hall.
We stayed at Residence Inn Waukegan and enjoyed it very much. They have both studios and 2 bdrm 2 bth suites, full kitchens in each. If you don't need something that big, there are plenty of other hotels in the area. I would assume that all have handicapped rooms available, but you may want to book them early. There is the Ramada (where the MeetNGreet will be the night before), Springhill Suites and Courtyard Inn, both by the Walmart and near Residence, Comfort Inn, Navy Lodge. Not sure one hotel is better than another...good and bad experiences at all! But most are good. Navy Lodge does not have the PIR shuttle...it is close to RTC but you would need to drive or call a taxi. Most of the other hotels use the PIR shuttle service, which really are minivan taxis operating as shuttles that day ($3/pp each way, sailor usually returns with you for free). Ramada has its own shuttle.
You may want to "google" Great Lakes hotels and check them out online to narrow down your choices, and then maybe call to confirm any questions you have. I would go ahead and book now. Most all have liberal cancellation policies should you need to cancel for any reason. Ask for the Navy PIR rate but if you have other discounts (like AAA, etc), also ask about that rates.
Jul 13, 2011
rhonda121199 (Div 269)
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Jul 13, 2011
diannep
Jul 13, 2011
rhonda121199 (Div 269)
Jul 13, 2011
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons
I saw a comment about the ribbons being ordered by DIV's. They are for anyone who wants to order them. Not everyone in a specific division has to order them. I just make them for whoever would like them. They make a great way to recognize other N4M members at PIR, the Meet and Greet, standing in line, the airport and heck even the mall. I went up to everyone I saw wearing them lol. They are a great way to show your support for your Sailor and they make a wonderful keepsake. If anyone would like more information just send me a friend request and if that doesn't work or I don't respond within 24 hours you will know I didn't get it and you can send me an email to: uniquememorymakers@yahoo.com at any time. Thanks :-)
Bev- If you have any questions about the AO (Aviation Ordnanceman) rate just let me know. My daughter is an AO and I have learned a whole lot about her rate. She is attached to a squadron, The Ragin Bulls and her squadron is attached to the Harry S Truman. Feel free to send me a message if you like.
Jul 13, 2011
Bev Ship 02/Div 941
Jul 13, 2011
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons
Jul 13, 2011
tysmom
Jul 13, 2011
NMsingsShip02Div941
Jul 13, 2011
tysmom
Welcome NMsings. There is a lot of info here. You may want to go over previous pages info on motels, ribbons, PIR, etc. My son PIRed June 17 so I am a new veteran. There are other "veterans" on the site, including the Sharon who started this group, with more experience than me.
You are on the roller coaster ride of your life!
Jul 13, 2011
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons
tysmom- actually my honeymoon, we got married 2 weeks ago and are heading to the Keys. We are very generous and are taking our 3 teens with us so it is a honeymoon/vacation. I am soooo excited, I have never been to the Keys before.
Jul 13, 2011
FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW
Jul 14, 2011
FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW
Welcome NMsings!
Also, go up to the Discussion Forum, there are a lot of info discussions. Please take a look at your form letter...it will have the SHIP/DIV of your SR (Seaman Recruit). You can add that to your N4M name and find your Discussion Forum for the SHIP/DIV up top too. When you join it you can chat with other moms from your SHIP/DIV... BUT stay on the main group here as that is where the "veterans" hang out to answer questions, give advice, cheer you on, etc! You'll be bouncing back between the two.
Jul 14, 2011
FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW
Jul 14, 2011
tysmom
Jul 14, 2011
diannep
Lala is coming down into my neck of the woods for her honeymoon. Think she and her husband would mind me joining them on their trip???? :-)
Welcome NMsings!
Jul 14, 2011
Sparkling
diannep-veteran: thank you! I am going to book everything no later than tonight hopefully.
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons: My son is also AO. I'll send you a message as all the info you can tell me would be greatly appreciated.
Jul 14, 2011
Brenda72
Jul 14, 2011
Bev Ship 02/Div 941
Jul 14, 2011
Kira's mom Ship 02 Div 941
We need 2 more tickets to graduation. Should I just have them show up and hope they get in? Also, when will we know when my daughter leaves for A school? She is going to Pensacola, FL for IT
Jul 14, 2011
tysmom
The navy only gives 4 tickets. You can take your extra people along with id and they will probably get in. They may not be able to sit by you and there is the outside chance that they may not get in, but usually they do. There are a lot of div but sadly not every SRs family will be able to come to PIR.
Your SR will let you know when they will leave but it may not be till its closer to the end of BC. Kinda keeps you on pins and needles. The hurry up and wait mode is pretty typical here.
Jul 14, 2011
Brenda72
Jul 14, 2011
oregon mom
Jul 14, 2011
Bev Ship 02/Div 941
Jul 14, 2011
diannep
Jul 14, 2011
diannep
Jul 14, 2011
SailorsCupcake Div269
Jul 14, 2011
Cathy_ProudNavyMom
Jul 14, 2011
SailorsCupcake Div269
I know!!! But I don't know if any of them are even allowed to send out letters this week... I was told that they only get to send out letters on Sundays. Does anyone know anymore information about this?
Jul 14, 2011
diannep
Jul 14, 2011
Cathy_ProudNavyMom
Jul 14, 2011