No letter for me today (it's usually letter day), hopefully tomorrow!! Glad to hear that everyone got them today tho! It is the best feeling in the world :)
caylex: Winners of some of the flags may not be determined until after BattleStations...like the Hall of Fame. So there are still more chances for flags from what I have heard!
RTC has said that they don't exactly have "grad and go" anymore; If they are staying in GL, they have to check in before they get liberty on friday of PIR. If they are not staying there, they leave Saturday for their next school. The only reasons they would leave later is if there are problems getting flights, etc.
My soon-to-be sailor is going to Florida, so he will most likely leave Saturday. Your SR should know sometime the week before graduation all the details of getting to their next post.
Got another letter today :D He said that he will most likely be leaving Sat morning at 1amish for A School. He sounds great! He didn't know who Dianne was that went home but he does know a few of the other names I've asked him about. He also said pictures were this past wed. How do we get the pictures?? He didn't say. Less than 2 weeks until the big day! We are getting so excited!! Miss him terribly!!
Sparkling: The SRs can order the pictures. They can either order/pay for them or they order and you can pay for them after PIR at the NEX and pick them up then.
The ones who can pay for them before PIR have an option to mail them home OR give them to you right after PIR.
Yes, they are phasing out the GradNGo term. When my sailor was up there (late 2009/early 2010), he called home and said he was a GradNGo. He was flying out the next morning.
Then RTC started calling those flying out "Saturday Departures" and the ones who move over to GL A School right after PIR were called GradNGo. That got very confusing...so now they are trying to get rid of the term. But your SRs may still call home and say they are GradNGo, meaning flying out. They are working to get all "on the same page" at RTC with the terms.
Those staying at GL A School usually move over there shortly after PIR...takes 3-5 hours and then they will call you (with phone card) to pick them up at the A School. They usually have daytime liberty with you, returning each night. They will be advised of all of this once they are over at A School.
Well I was hoping for a letter today but wouldn't be around to stalk the mailman today since I had to work at 7 a.m. When I got home there was one of those brown sheets of paper from the post office saying that I had something at the post office to pick up that had postage due. The zipcode was 60088-3515, so I know it is from him. I just can't imagine what he would have sent that owes .64 postage, but I'm glad they are letting me pay the postage instead of sending it back. Unfortunately I will have to wait until Monday to get it, but the good thing is that I don't have to be at work until 1 p.m. then. Guess who is going to be at the postoffice Monday morning at 8:00 a.m.??
So am I slow? Did anyone else notice that the RTC's Facebook page will no longer be posting "Random Photos"? They are working on another "Trivia Tuesday" type thing that will allow for another chance for a specific division to be photographed, they said "because of time constraints due to new posting procedures coupled with the number of endless requests/hints for specific divisions as well as those complaining that we weren’t identifying the divisions".
Sooooo, although I know I thoroughly enjoyed flipping through the random photos with the hope that my SR would one day show up, I can completely understand their position. Plus, we are almost done!!! yeay!
Yeah they are no longer monitoring the page on the weekends either so captains cup winner wont be posted until monday unless someone gets a phone call and puts it up there. :/ @Jana- I would be soooo anxious wondering what that could be?! Lol I stalk my mailman everyday, and if I am not home that is the first place I go after I get back. Haha
Does anyone have a link to more information on Captain's Cup? I don't know anything about it except that it is some type of competition. And how do we know when our division is doing it?
I don't know the link but it is a fun filled day for all the DIV. Each DIV completes against other DIV in events like tug-of-war, relay races, basketball I think, and they also complete for the best chant. It is held the last Saturday before PIR and starts early in the morning and lasts for a few hours.
Captain's cup is the Saturday before PIR... So our DIVs will be doing it next saturday :)
I found this: Captain's Cup - On the Saturday before Battle Stations, all divisions graduating together compete for the Captain's Cup. Captain's Cup is basically a field day, with competitions in sit ups, push ups, running, throwing, swimming, obstacle courses, relays, and more. It's a fun day, and winning the Captain's Cup is a matter of great pride to the winning division.
They also have a more than 1 winner for captains cup. One winner for all male DIV, one winner for integrated DIV and a chant winner. The all male or integrated winning DIV does sometime also win the chant. And sometime but not always the winners are rewarded with a phone call home :-)
REVISED BACKPACK INFO: Ok, I have been told by a mom in the 8/19 group that there is no need to purchase a backpack to send personal items to A School in. Starting with the 8/19 group, all future divisions are being issued backpacks. Check with your SRs to be sure, but sounds like that is now an expense that the Navy is taking on, which is good!
Yes, I agree, Kyle'sMom. That is misleading about Captains Cup since most of the time, some of the divisions have completed BattleStations by the time of Captains Cup. Yes, it is the Sat before PIR, not necessarily BattleStations.
caylex: Here is a link to what they do in Captains Cup:
Another rave review today posted on the 8/12 group re: "Sarge" for anyone with transportation needs during PIR weekend. So for anyone still planning who may want to use his services, here is his number again:
I think we are planning on doing both - I will drive the car over early to get through security at the gate, and the others will join me a little later by shuttle. So they don't have to get up as early.
Anyone know of SRs getting watch duty on the day they graduate? I wouldn't think so but my daughter mentioned this in a letter that she is worried she will be assigned watch duty on that Friday and won't be able to spend as much time with us as we thought.
Cathy: Even after PIR, they are still under RTC rules/regulations until they move off the base...either flying out or moving over to GL base. So they could have watch, but let's hope not!
I have never heard of anyone being put on watch after PIR. RTC said that all graduates get liberty as soon as they call it, with the exception of those who are staying in GL for A school and have to go check in. So if your sailor is not staying there for their school, you get daytime liberty with them until they have to be back on base that night. :)
It would be cruel to give them watch after PIR. Especially the grads who have so few hours with their families (unlike the grads that get the whole weekend off).
Will someone with an SR in Div 269 send me a private message about when they will be doing Battle Stations? I'm pretty sure when it is... but I want to be positive. I didn't get the "memo" lol :(
The sailors who had watch at RTC were the ones held over the weekend. This may be old info now, but when my SR PIRed, there were ones flying out who didn't leave until the next week. Many times, they did have "watch" over the weekend. Good to know that none would have watch on PIR day!
Text from my sailor son last night: "Just want you to know that I will take care of you when you are old." HA! I asked if that meant changing diapers, and his reply:
What would be great is if somehow someway a live feed could be streamed to people who aren't able to attend their SR's graduation. It could be password protected and just really a great idea I thought. But it's just a thought.
I know...haven't talked to my son either since 25 of July....his last letter was to his sisters and I had to find out thru my sister that he had changed jobs. I don't know anything....lol
No call for use but I did get a letter on Sat which was dated 8/8. He thought he'd be calling ;) We stayed home all day yesterday waiting! lol. He sounds good. I am debating on whether or not to take the shuttle from the Ramada on the day of graduation instead of driving. What would you suggest? Then our son can come back with us via the shuttle and get the car at the motel. I just want to make it as easy as possible on my husband. He did tell me in the letter he thought he'd be leaving Sat morningg arounf 1am to fly out. So I will keep our reservation to fly back home on Sat morning.
Debera: That would be a great idea!...in the meantime, for those who can't go and also for those who want a wonderful momento. be sure you order the PIR DVD (if your SR didn't order it for you). You can do this after PIR in the NEX.
Ladies, I think I will go ahead and send out the BattleStations schedule again "Message to Group" so hope all have their settings set to receive this. I still don't have a date for 941 but believe I have it narrowed down to 2 dates.
I will send this out now...please check your PERSONAL EMAIL (not N4M email) to find it.
HvnlySno (S11, DIV 276)
Aug 12, 2011
Navy_wife_in_training92
Aug 12, 2011
Kimberley (Dillon's Mom)
NWIT - I usually get mail on Thursdays as well, my daughter got one yesterday and I got one today, so perhaps they are running late- 11/274
Aug 12, 2011
caylex 9/279
HvnlySno, CONGRATS to your son! I don't know what that means, but it sounds great! :)
Aug 12, 2011
HvnlySno (S11, DIV 276)
Oh no!! My SR wrote a letter to my 15 yr old son! My SR (boyfriend) got voted by his division that honor...LOL!
I'm glad to hear letters are coming in!
Aug 12, 2011
Jana
Aug 12, 2011
atc.mom(7/272)
Aug 12, 2011
Navy_wife_in_training92
Aug 13, 2011
diannep
Aug 13, 2011
diannep
Aug 13, 2011
NewYoungNavyWife
Aug 13, 2011
Navy_wife_in_training92
My soon-to-be sailor is going to Florida, so he will most likely leave Saturday. Your SR should know sometime the week before graduation all the details of getting to their next post.
Hope that helps :)
Aug 13, 2011
Sparkling
Got another letter today :D He said that he will most likely be leaving Sat morning at 1amish for A School. He sounds great! He didn't know who Dianne was that went home but he does know a few of the other names I've asked him about. He also said pictures were this past wed. How do we get the pictures?? He didn't say. Less than 2 weeks until the big day! We are getting so excited!! Miss him terribly!!
Janie
Aug 13, 2011
diannep
Sparkling: The SRs can order the pictures. They can either order/pay for them or they order and you can pay for them after PIR at the NEX and pick them up then.
The ones who can pay for them before PIR have an option to mail them home OR give them to you right after PIR.
Aug 13, 2011
diannep
Yes, they are phasing out the GradNGo term. When my sailor was up there (late 2009/early 2010), he called home and said he was a GradNGo. He was flying out the next morning.
Then RTC started calling those flying out "Saturday Departures" and the ones who move over to GL A School right after PIR were called GradNGo. That got very confusing...so now they are trying to get rid of the term. But your SRs may still call home and say they are GradNGo, meaning flying out. They are working to get all "on the same page" at RTC with the terms.
Those staying at GL A School usually move over there shortly after PIR...takes 3-5 hours and then they will call you (with phone card) to pick them up at the A School. They usually have daytime liberty with you, returning each night. They will be advised of all of this once they are over at A School.
Aug 13, 2011
Sparkling
Thank you for the info.
Janie
Aug 13, 2011
Jana
Aug 13, 2011
diannep
Aug 14, 2011
1DYBUGs Mom/Dana - S9/D280
So am I slow? Did anyone else notice that the RTC's Facebook page will no longer be posting "Random Photos"? They are working on another "Trivia Tuesday" type thing that will allow for another chance for a specific division to be photographed, they said "because of time constraints due to new posting procedures coupled with the number of endless requests/hints for specific divisions as well as those complaining that we weren’t identifying the divisions".
Sooooo, although I know I thoroughly enjoyed flipping through the random photos with the hope that my SR would one day show up, I can completely understand their position. Plus, we are almost done!!! yeay!
Aug 14, 2011
Navy_wife_in_training92
@Jana- I would be soooo anxious wondering what that could be?! Lol I stalk my mailman everyday, and if I am not home that is the first place I go after I get back. Haha
Aug 14, 2011
caylex 9/279
Aug 14, 2011
Navy_wife_in_training92
Aug 14, 2011
caylex 9/279
Aug 14, 2011
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons
Aug 14, 2011
Navy_wife_in_training92
I found this:
Captain's Cup - On the Saturday before Battle Stations, all divisions graduating together compete for the Captain's Cup. Captain's Cup is basically a field day, with competitions in sit ups, push ups, running, throwing, swimming, obstacle courses, relays, and more. It's a fun day, and winning the Captain's Cup is a matter of great pride to the winning division.
http://www.navy-info.com/finishing_boot_camp.html
Hope that helps :))
Aug 14, 2011
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons
Aug 14, 2011
caylex 9/279
Aug 14, 2011
diannep
Aug 14, 2011
diannep
Yes, I agree, Kyle'sMom. That is misleading about Captains Cup since most of the time, some of the divisions have completed BattleStations by the time of Captains Cup. Yes, it is the Sat before PIR, not necessarily BattleStations.
caylex: Here is a link to what they do in Captains Cup:
http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/news_page_2011_02_26.asp
Aug 14, 2011
diannep
Aug 14, 2011
diannep
Another rave review today posted on the 8/12 group re: "Sarge" for anyone with transportation needs during PIR weekend. So for anyone still planning who may want to use his services, here is his number again:
847-212-0246
Aug 14, 2011
caylex 9/279
Aug 14, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son
Aug 14, 2011
caylex 9/279
Aug 14, 2011
Cathy_ProudNavyMom
I think we are planning on doing both - I will drive the car over early to get through security at the gate, and the others will join me a little later by shuttle. So they don't have to get up as early.
Anyone know of SRs getting watch duty on the day they graduate? I wouldn't think so but my daughter mentioned this in a letter that she is worried she will be assigned watch duty on that Friday and won't be able to spend as much time with us as we thought.
Aug 14, 2011
trapier
We were hoping for a phone call today too..941, but no call. Well hope they are staying extremely busy to help pass the time.
Look forward to the upcoming week, for our letters.
Aug 14, 2011
Cathy_ProudNavyMom
Aug 14, 2011
diannep
Aug 14, 2011
Navy_wife_in_training92
Aug 14, 2011
caylex 9/279
Aug 14, 2011
Cathy_ProudNavyMom
Aug 14, 2011
SailorsCupcake Div269
Aug 14, 2011
diannep
Aug 15, 2011
diannep
Aug 15, 2011
diannep
Text from my sailor son last night: "Just want you to know that I will take care of you when you are old." HA! I asked if that meant changing diapers, and his reply:
"Don't push it."
He is a funny guy! :-)
Aug 15, 2011
Debera1952 (SR Kyles Mom)
What would be great is if somehow someway a live feed could be streamed to people who aren't able to attend their SR's graduation. It could be password protected and just really a great idea I thought. But it's just a thought.
Aug 15, 2011
Brenda72
Aug 15, 2011
Sparkling
No call for use but I did get a letter on Sat which was dated 8/8. He thought he'd be calling ;) We stayed home all day yesterday waiting! lol. He sounds good. I am debating on whether or not to take the shuttle from the Ramada on the day of graduation instead of driving. What would you suggest? Then our son can come back with us via the shuttle and get the car at the motel. I just want to make it as easy as possible on my husband. He did tell me in the letter he thought he'd be leaving Sat morningg arounf 1am to fly out. So I will keep our reservation to fly back home on Sat morning.
Janie
Aug 15, 2011
diannep
Aug 15, 2011
diannep
You're welcome, Sandi!
Ladies, I think I will go ahead and send out the BattleStations schedule again "Message to Group" so hope all have their settings set to receive this. I still don't have a date for 941 but believe I have it narrowed down to 2 dates.
I will send this out now...please check your PERSONAL EMAIL (not N4M email) to find it.
Aug 15, 2011