ALUMNI OF PIR 12/29/2011 TG 06 — 10 Divisions (021–028, 904 & 906)

Final stretch.  Latest letter from my kid was so up beat.  Written on Tuesday.  Mentioned passing her FED (No clue wht that means) and the PI/DMI  and only had final PT test Wednesday and test #4 Thursday before battle Stations.  Can anyone shed some light on the what FED is and what test #4 is?  She no longer writes in English.  She sounds great and excited for the next week!

Question 2 for the night.  If my SR is taking 2 days leave and we are staying in the area, (A-School is in GL) When should she have to be back/  Saturday or Sunday?

Ruth:  Not sure what FED is either...maybe something to do with firefighting?  Or live fire (shooting)?  The test #4 should be the final academic test, I believe. 

Also, since she is staying in GL for A School, she will have to move over there before taking leave, and they will "brief her" on all she needs to know about returning to base.  Don't worry!  She is taking "leave" as opposed to having "liberty," right?  Liberty...she would need to be back at night (except they just allowed the 12/16 group staying in GL for A School to have overnights because of the holiday schedule...could happen with this group too...you never know!). 

Thanks Diannep.  She was going to just take Liberty, but when she found out we could stay there she decide to take 2 days leave!  I just was not sure when she would have to be back.  Hope not on New years eve.  I am guessing PIR day will not count as a day.

Ruth - Are you sure it wasn't EED?  Which is Emergency Egress Device (aka SEED).  

SEED = Supplemental Emergency Egress Device
Personnel working in engineering spaces wear Supplemental Emergency Egress Devices (SEEDs) on their belts for easy access. When a main space fire is called away, the watch stander should use the SEED to proceed to an Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD). The watch stander should obtain an EEBD and don it (put on) when not in danger of immediate harm from heat or flames. Because the SEED lacks protection for the eyes and nose and has a short operational time, it is a supplemental device. However, it is immediately available for the engineering watch standers and is easily operated on the run.

Good Sunday Morning everyone, I hope you are all having a great weekend.

Diannep- She has not canceled and I explained everything to her and even texted her on the phone. She is hanging in there and everyone is praying for him. She asked the question on facebook and got the same info from RTC that I gave her so I think that conformation made her feel better.

They just showed the last of the US troops pulling out of Iraq, the war is officially  over and they are coming home. They are all so so happy. What a wonderful morning their families are having this morning :-)

Craig-It looked like FED or FEP, but I am guessing that since they hace been doing fire fighting, it has to do with that. 

Presleysmom-My daughter also turned 19  while there.  Very strange not being with our kids on their birthdays for the first time.

Yep, Ruth.  Not sure...but like I said, they will fill her in at GL A School base and she will have the actual dates confirmed. So glad you will have so much time with her!

Wasn't Captains Cup yesterday?  Did anyone hear anything?

Craig:  Have to say...spoken like a true retired SAILOR!  I had no clue what you were talking about!  HA!  We do so appreciate all of the insight you provide us non-sailors on here...helps immensely.  You are my "go to" guy for Navy questions, for sure.

Lala:  Well, I'm glad she is feeling better about it. I do have some BattleStations dates for her if she is interested in knowing them.  Sadly...there are only a couple of nights this week and then possibly one night the week of PIR.  Haven't heard about that one yet.  So hoping that he will make his PFA and be able to do BattleStations in time to attend his PIR.

Good morning all!

The excitement is overwhelming!  I am glad that my husband is finally expressing his excitement.  I was beginning to feel like a weirdo.  I find myself daydreaming of our trip and seeing our daughter for the first time.  I can't wait to hear all about BC.  Praying for all of our SRs as they enter into their final weeks and for all of us that will be traveling to GL for PIR!! :)

Thanks so much, natalie's mom.  I was wondering why they would have it so early but figured it had something to do with the Christmas holidays.  It will be nice to have it this Friday when all will be sailors!  Normally, some are sailors, some aren't yet...when they have the Saturday Captains Cups (wouldn't have been the case here since none in this group have had Battlestations yet...but that's about to change!  :-))

Today I tried to do silly things around the house to keep my mind off battle stations 21. However, nothing seems to be working. I know my son would be crushed if something went wrong. He doesn't handle defeat very well. I wish they got to call home before they went so we could give them encouragement. How will I ever get any sleep tonight? 

It's been such a joy to read the post from the families of Fridays graduates. I hope that they all had a wonderful experience. May they all get home safely!

Dianne can you email me those BS dates please and I will let her know.

Try not to worry too much about battle stations. I know it is hard not to worry but this is what they have been training for the whole time at bootcamp. They have by now learned how to work as a team and how to get the job done. Most of the recruits say that battle stations is awesome and they would love to do it again. Those who like video games describe going through battle stations like being in a virtual video game where you get to participate. They just have to work together and the hardest part is staying awake when they are waiting for the next part. Sleep well my friends it is almost time to see your Sailors :-)

I agree with Lala....most make it through BattleStations...many times entire divisions.  AND, if they fail, they go through with the next group going and make it.  I have never heard from a lady on here in the two years I have been on this site...that their SR didn't graduate because he/she failed BattleStations.

The PFA is what trips some of them up...usually the run or the float.  They may be delayed because of that...but then when they make that...they fly through BattleStations.  The SRs are actually very excited about BattleStations.  They know they are ready for it...the capping ceremony right when they finish is quite emotional for them...that is when they trade that RECRUIT cap for that SAILOR cap and they have graduated!  The PIR is just for them to "strut their stuff" for you.  They are sailors already.

Sooo....prayers for BattleStations...and for the new sailors that are getting ready to join the ranks!  :-)

diannep - I talk Navy 24x7, and sometimes I forget who I'm talking to...  

So, per the EED, Sailors learn to use two items, one called a Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD), which give the sailor 15 minutes of breathable air.  Not to be used to fight fires! It's only used to get you out of the spaces and to the outside of the ship to breath air. These guys will learn how to put it on in less than 30 seconds. 

Then you have Supplemental Emergency Egress Device (SEED) which is what RuthL is talking about.  It's hung on the uniform belts in engineering spaces and give you just enough oxygen (like 1 to 2 minutes) to get you to a EEBD.    

You ladies have already been doing this for 6 weeks now.  I think some of you may need to be IT'd since your not learning the Navy lingo yet. 

I think I speak for the lot of us when I say " We all are holding our breaths today until we hear those famous words from our kiddos". Sure hope that "the call" doesn't come in front of a patient at work.. cause they are just gonna have to wait! hehe I am confident about his abilities, but at the same time.. well... y'all know! Breathe... Breathe... Breathe! 

Ok!  Thought we needed this one today! But I threw in one for the season too. Chat later... Breathe moms... Breathe!

Some have been to the mountain.  I have been to my knees by the side of my bed.  ~Robert Brault

Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve.  Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age.  ~Terri Guillemets

navymom:  Approximately 8 pm to 8 am, give or take.  They have the capping ceremony after they are done (thinking that could be underway now for some).  I"'m a Sailor" calls should start around 2 pm GL time...could go for a while.  Phones handy all day!  In the bras is a suggestion just so you don't miss the IMPORTANT CALL!   :-)

LOVE the self-potrait of you as a sailor, Craig!  HAA! 

Ok, so I do know SOME "Navy speak" but its like me learning Spanish...if you go too fast---forget it  Hmmm....guess we will have to be retired sailors to understand it as you do...and since I'm way too old to join....won't happen!  :-)

Ladies, a caution to please not indicate when you SRs will be doing BattleStations specifically on this board.  After the fact, it is fine.  But we have been asked not to post speicifc division dates prior to BattleStations for that division.  They can only be private messaged.  Sigh....

Good morning, ladies!

...oh, and good morning Craig too!  Didnt mean to include you in the "ladies" greeting!

good morning all!  10 days.  Omigoodness I am so excited!  For days now my husband has been walking thru the house counting the days until we see our SR.  So proud.  I posted a picture on fb when our SR was about 3 years old...shaving his face! I noticed his shaving set was Lion King.  Boy, what a great road thus far with our kid however his journey has just begun.  Can't wait for the "I'm a Sailor" call.

ArNavyMom, I am so there with you.  The excitement is overwhelming.  I have been so blessed to be able to write to Ashley and support her as she goes through all this.  I have not been able to talk to her on the phone since I am at work every time she has called, so I am even more excited to be able to see her.  I will more than likely not even be able to talk to her when we get the "I'm a Sailor" call.  She will call her dad and we will be at work, so I am hoping that my husband calls me as soon as he hears from her.  So excited and praying for all the families as we prepare to travel!

Climbing the walls today.  I have a feeling it is going to be a very long one.  Every time I think about the capping ceremony, I tear up.  It is really hard to believe we started this journey 7 weeks ago and here we are not.  It seemed like this day would never come.   

Yes, ProudStepmom and Ruth!!!!  I just got a text from a Sailor friend and he said after during the Capping Ceremony lots of tears will indeed fall as it is a very, very, very proud moment for them! Also afterwards they get to go to the NEX for junk food, candy, arcade games and telephone calls.  I too feel like I am climbing the walls.  My husband and I just wrapped 11 presents.  I need to get into my office and get some work done but I can't stay focused long enough to do anything right now.  Post here and or on fb when you get a call from you son/daughter!  ((Hugs to you NAVY Mom's!))

...okay Craig!

Hope they get to go take showers first!

does anyone knows if our SR finish their Battlestations 21, gas chamber already. I have not gotten any call from our SR. Our last letter from him was dated dec. 8 Anyone help...

If we are correct that 4 divisions went through BattleStations last night, hoping that calls start like...NOW!  Time will tell!  Post when you hear anything...and please ask if all in the division passed and post that.

Good luck!

Just received our "I'm a Sailor" phone call! (09/022) Go Navy!

Congrats Fishgirl for your newly cap sailor. I hope our SR call today that he pass.

I got the " I'm a Sailor" call.....Wow what a great call

Proud that is the one question I forgot to ask, She is Div 021, but I will find out

I was just told  that all of Division 021 all passed

Woo Woo!  I got the "I am a Sailor" from son.  YAY!  No details about BS except that the entire division passed!  Div. 021.  He then talked to his girlfriend for a while.  Said he will be in the back at PIR because he's tall (6'2).  Very tired.  He's been up since yesterday morning at 5a.  He had to hang up.  Hope to talk w/him on Christmas!

Got to talk to my sailor for 35 minutes.  She had longer but wanted to call her sister.  She sounded great.  Her whole DIV passed Battle Stations, and she was really looking forward to bed.  Best news of all.  She will be stationed in Norfolk, VA.  She has a friend there already and one of the girls from her DIV is going with.  Very happy and proud mother tonight.

I read that 21 and 22 all passed. I am waiting on div 23....and the gas chamber was done last week with fire fighting I believe.

YAY! CONGRATULAIONS on the New Sailors! Woo-Hoo!

FTLW - that is so, so, so darn cute!