Alumni of PIR 8/24/2012 TG 41 — 09 Divisions (261–268 & 941)

Happy Fourth of July!

cincymomdo:  Nice idea.  You can tuck a couple of letters into each of your SR's letters so he/she can pass them out.  The letters need to be addressed to a recruit.  They won't accept an envelope there just addressed to the ship/division, no SR's name on it.

Sailor12:  The division will fill up. No worries.  I feel sure that 265 is in this PIR group since it starts with 261. And re: "Brandon's" division filling up, 267, I believe that 267 will be in this PIR group as well (unless there are only 5 divisions....very small PIR group in that case).

Brandon:  Funny you brought up the 8 hrs of sleep.  That IS a requirement...except for when they first arrive (they are up for about 36-40 hours before hitting their racks for the first time) and during Battlestations (overnight drill where they are sailors upon completion).  Again, they are up about 38 hours by the time they go to sleep on the day they finish. 

Some ladies in these groups have reported that their sailors say they only get about 3-4 hours of sleep a night.  Never understood that...although they DO get up in the middle of the night to iron!

Happy 4th of July! I hope you all have a great day!

Thank you Race's Mom- hope everyone has a safe and fun Fourth!

I found out from my sons recruiter that he is in Ship 11, Division 262 with an expected PIR on August 24th.  Hopefully this is correct and I'm in the right group. He left on June 26th and we have received the scripted call  and the box but no other contact yet....I know that's not unusual but it doesn't mean I like it......Hope everyone else is doing well!  Happy Fourth of July!!!

Welcome Alex's Mom- my son is in your son's brother division- yeah!  Left the same day as yours.  I sent you a friend request!

Alex'sMom --  my son also is in Div 262, ship 11! He left home the 24th, arrived at bootcamp the 25th.  We have too received the "call" and the "kid in a box", but no form letter yet (should be coming in the next few days) nor a letter.  I got his address from his recruiter yesterday.  This is my 2nd son to go Navy, so if you have any questions, i've been through this once, (2nd time around is NOT any easier though) maybe I can answer some of your questions, would be happy to try!  Hang in there!

mkcmom....so glad to find someone in the same div/ship and someone with experience!  Words of wisdom for me....we are trying to be upbeat for our son but I wonder sometimes I wonder if he thinks I don't care because I appear to be keeping it together pretty well.....have cried in the shower, in the bathroom and when I'm alone in the car.....

Alexs mom --  Yes, be UPBEAT....if you are down, you will make him feel MORE down.....he knows you are feeling just as sad and lost as he is......but they need to be worried about getting through, not about how mom is.....Cry all you want, just try not to cry when he calls, yes, tell him you miss him, tell him you love him, and tell him, most of all, that you will SEE HIM AT PIR!!  Your son is going to change alot.  You will start hearing alot of "yes Mam's" and No Mams, please, thank you.  Also, manners, he will have manners you tried to teach him, but somehow he never caught on...lol.....its an amazing transformation!  but you will be SOO SOOO PROUD at PIR.  THEN you can cry  when you hug him for the first time in 8-9 weeks.....its an amazing experience both for you and for him!  Hang i there, it IS TOUGH, and just because this is my 2nd go around, its NOT any easier, mainly I think because this is our "baby" and we are now empty nesters....so we are adjusting to alot now.....but this site helps us all, we have someone to talk to that is feeling the same!  Hang in there, I know you can do it!  He is OK.  I promise.  

srmproudmom -  941 division is GREAT!  9 divisions are "special" divisions...my oldest son was in a nine division.  They are picked at random, so your son didn't do anything special, or NOT do anything speical to get this.  If you look at the pictures on this sight in the PIR and see the guys with the "fake' rifles and the FLAGS, these are 9 divisions!  its an HONOR to be in one!  Be very PROUD.  9 divisions are housed in the ship closest to the parade hall(my sons case it was ship 14, but they have totally re-done bootcamp since then and I think now its ship 2?)   because they do alot of practicing with the rifles OR the flags, they don't have to do as MUCH PT as the other divisions because they do marching and practicing SO MUCH.  Don't be upset over this, it is an awesome honor to be put in one of these divisions.  At PIR your son's division will come out FIRST and do a "show" with their flags (and or rifles) my son was flags.....he will be able to tell you in his letters WHICH state flag he is carrying.  9 divisions parents are usually seated kinda in the MIDDLE of the parade hall cause that division is usually center stage.  Being in a 9 division is great in bootcamp, it really doesn't hold any extra privilages outside that, but its still a great thing!  I look forward to seeing your son perform at PIR!  hang in there!  so far, so GOOD!

only about 10% of the sailors are in 9 divisions, therefore, you probally won't find as many parents on here.....but regardless, we are still all in the same "boat", excuse the pun.....lol

Has anyone made a leap of faith and bought plane tickets yet?

I can't wait to hear his voice and I'm pretty sure I can continue to upbeat and together when I get the call, I didn't cry when we said good bye.  Just told him how proud I was of him and excited for him.  Saw a letter somewhere on here that I thought was awesome.  I need to find it again for my next letter to him.  Only 50 more days.....

I would hold off buying your plane tickets until you get your form letter, and then purchase them asap if the rates are good, I would recommend the travel insurance, or call the airline directly and ask them the what if question on changing the date.

I would however highly recommend that you get your hotel reservation ASAP (they can book up pretty fast), most hotels have a pretty broad cancellation policy or have no problem changing the reservation date if needed.

I agree with ellen...book the hotels NOW!  We are seeing "sold out" on some of the other PIR goups from ladies who are trying to get reservations.  No problem booking the hotels early.  There is usually no penalty if you cancel. 

Be sure to checkout Southwest Airlines if booking flights now.  No change fee if your sailor is delayed for any reason....first 2 bags ship for free.  They fly into Chicago-Midway (furthest airport from GL but sailors do fly out of this one along with OHare to A School....and you are allowed to wait with them)....and into Milwaukee.  Milwaukee many times is cheaper and easier to get to GL (no traffic, straight interstate...about a 45 minute drive).

Good morning all!

smproudmom:  Lala also has a sailor who was in the 900 division so she will have info for you too!

Brandon:  I know it is so hard to not break down when your SR does...try to be strong, but if you can't help the tears, try not to worry.  Just make sure your SR knows that you are reacting to his/her emotions, but know that they will do wonderfully well there and remind them that you are so proud of them.  Be sure to assure them that all is well at home...that they need not worry about anything but working hard at becoming a sailor!  Encouragement, encouragement, encouragement! 

We also suggest that any negative news be kept from them, if possible.  On another PIR group, one mom posted that her SR's best friend was killed by a drunk driver (run over) just a couple of weeks after the SR left for bootcamp.  His poor mom...has not told him...wants him concentrating on bootcamp and wants to be the one to break the news to him in person after PIR.  She contacted his friends and asked that they not contact him about this.  She also told her SR not to waste money on using the internet up there (they get to do this after BattleStations).  She may have even been able to change his password temporarily to keep him from getting on FB to find this news.  Bless her heart...a heavy burden for her to carry...but she has her SR's best interest at heart...she knows that PIR will be such a wonderful time of celebration, but also a time to hold her grieving son when he hears this news.

My son left on 6/27 and I was able to get his ship/div info from our recruiter Monday and 'kid in a box' on Tuesday - still no letter, though.  He's ship 9 and div 265...based on what I'm reading here, I'm thinking this may be his PIR date. 

I read about receiving free phone cards in another group so I tried it out and it worked. I received the phone cards via email within 5-minutes of emailing them. Thank you for your support to our Recruits!

callsforrecruits.org

Alex's mom...my son is in Ship 11, Div 262 as well!!  Great to meet you on here!!  Looking forward to getting to know you!!

So GREAT to see so many MOMS on here!  I'm LOVING THIS!  we didnt have this site in 2003 (or I didn't know about it one) when my oldest son was in bootcamp.  This is great!   I have already booked my hotel, the Ramada Inn, in Gurnee, it had special rates for navy grad families and free breakfast.....here is the website if anyone is interested.(http://www.ramadainnwaukegan-gurnee.com)  ALso a word of advice, when we went in 2003, the motel offered a "shuttle" to and from GRAD...which is nice, BUT, we found out before we took the shuttle fromt he Hotel people that your SAILOR cannot RIDE the shuttles (navy rules)...so if you plan on LEAVING with your grad to spend the day together, you need to RENT a car and drive on base and that way when he is released for LIBERTY, he can go with you....otherwise, you will have to ride the shuttle BACK to your hotel, get your rental car and go back to NRC center and pickup your Sailor and trust me, once you mommas get your hands on your Sailors, you will NOT want to leave him for even 10 minutes!  so just FYI...this ramada inn is 4 miles from the NRTC and easy access in and out.....Look forward to meeting you all!  PIR will be an event in your life that you will NEVER forget!  It is AWESOME!

oh yea, and 49 days ladies.......whoo hoo!

mkcmom, is that still the rule about the shuttle?  I'm asking because it was different for my son in 2010.  Does anyone on here know the policy now?  It could have been very different for my son because he was actually going on leave directly after PIR (due to holiday stand down), so I could be totally wrong on this.     

Betsy --  I have no idea, i know that was the rule in 2003...which was 9 years ago, so things could have changed....but to be on the safe side, we are taking the rental car......also parking isn't a problem, you get a parking pass, (you will be able to print that off the main NTRC website up to 9 days before grad) ....also if you ride the SHUTTLE, it just drops you off at the gate and you must walk the rest of the way, where as if you drive in you get a little closer, not so much walking, but we went in March of 2003 and it was snowing!  and so so cold!!!  less walking was good!  HOWEVER, that said, you will ride a miltary bus to the parade hall as it is on the opposite side of the base, after graduation, you can ride the bus back to the reception hall, but your sailor cannot ride that bus either, he must walk, so we walked with him, like I said, once you get you hands on him, (or her) you will NOT want to let him out of your sight until you absolutely have to!

also, i've seen pictures of graduation on the outdoor marching facility......being this one is in August, it might be there instead of in the parade hall....I don't know.....if so the outdoor place was closer to the parking lot than the parade hall.....or it was in 2003......9 years is a long time, lots of things could have changed......so I apoligize beforehand if i mislead anyone.....

already made booked at Ramada Inn in Gurnee , will planning to rent a car and wil lwaiting for that letter then I will book flight tickets... I have Government CAC card with me but need pass card to use my rent car until Sunday with using my Government CAC card. I will stop at pass id building there. Wondering what time they will close on Thursday depend we arrive from flights on Thursday..  Counting the days down..... :o)

Thank you BrandonShip12DIV267 for the info on the phone cards - I contacted them and within 30 min I was emailed 9 cards for 20 min each for my son and for others to use!  What a great resource - they ask only that the cards are shared with other and to get the word out:  callsforrecruits.com

mkcmom, you could be entirely correct, so no harm done. Maybe our other recent "veterans" on here will know if that is still the rule with the shuttle?  I really don't want to put out there my experience, as rule either, because my son's was an unusual PIR date and we were able to take our sailor directly home.

yea!deaf65 -- i think we are in the same hotel!  Look forward to meeting you and hope others here stay there as well.  We will have a grand old time!  :)

I have had some poepel ask me about a facebook page for this group so I wanted to share it with you as well. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/161324090664738/#!/groups/439741489...

mksmom:  Want to correct you on the sailors riding the PIR shuttles.  Yes, they can now.  My son rode back with us when he was there and many others have since then.  Usually for free too!  We loved using the shuttle...very easy for us. 

So I don't want any ladies to dismiss the shuttle because of this fear.  Your sailors can ride with you!

mksmom:  After reading your next post, I can safely say that all has changed since you were there in 2003.  No one rides a bus on the base.  You walk from where the shuttle lets you off...or....from where you park your car.  As far as we know, there is only one PIR hall....haven't heard about it being held in another facility.  Betsy, Lala, FTLW, etc have been on these sites for a few years now and it has been that way.

Sounds like lots has changed since you were there!  And...you are correct...there was no NavyforMoms back in 2003.  It was started by the NAVY back in March 2008.

Ladies, if you decide to go over to FB, be sure to stay on here too.  There are many N4Moms veterans on here who will intercept questions and answer them here (or find the answer for you!).  Most of us "veterans" are not on these FB groups and we are finding that the ladies on those, who are not staying on this group too, are trying to answer the questions themselves.  Therefore, there has been some wrong info passed around.

So...if you want to know factual info, please stay on here and we will help you!

ooops!  Meant ...mkcmom below.  Sorry about that!

srmproudmom- just found out my boyfriend is in div 941 and ship 02.  how cool he is in a special division!!  my boyfriend is also cincymomdp 's son! 

I agree Diannep, everyone please keep coming to this page. There are moms and other members who don't "do" facebook and they will be looking for support here. Some of them are here just reading posts who are too shy to post anything their selves so they rely on what they read here to get them through this experience. If you want some great facebook groups here are the ones I have seen the most activity on. Also remember some group are closed and some are not. You should never post any private info or ship movement, Sailor travel details on any page or group no matter if it is private, closed or open. Always be safe and keep your Sailor safe. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/327167160695549/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/46342059809/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/40865546374/

Diannep --  I figured things had changed since 2003, they have even redone the entire bootcamp....ships USED to be bricked and in the shape of the letter B...they have redone the whole thing!  This is GREAT news that they are allowed to ride the shuttle!  We so wanted to ride it but when they told us our sailor wasn't allowed to ride back with us, we chose to drive.  Either way is fine.  but the Shuttles are very COOL so yes, moms, if this is the case then Please utilize these, they are free and there for YOU!  Thanks for correcting me!  I hate to give out wrong info, but its all I knew from 2003......good to know!

OH and I too received 9 prepaid calling card pin #'s in my email after just sending an email to them, took about 30 minutes.  Awesome program that is!  Our Recruits will not be given 9 - 20 minute phone calls home in the next 8 weeks, i can assure you, so please tell your recruit to SHARE! I'm sending them to him today and i will tell him to pass them out as needed!  we send a 30 minute prepaid card with our son, cause we knew to, but they can also buy them at the commissary.  BUT free is BETTER!  ;)

Has anyone received there letter yet...saying that graduation is forsure on the 24th?  I am still waiting and found great ticket prices..I am holding off, but so ready to get things moving..I know once I get that done..I will be pushing for more..lol

I just got my form letter today!!  I got the box on Tuesday.  We are Ship 9 and Div 265 with a PIR date of 8-24-12.  Made reservations at the Navy Lodge...any veteran navy moms stayed there or know anything about it?  I was told to make the reservation in my son's name and mention that we were there for PIR in the comments section of the reservation.

I was told that the Navy Lodge was full...hummm Maybe I will call them. 

Just got my letter!!  Ship 11, Div. 261.  Along with a short note and a big heart on the back (he said "Dude sitting next to me made me draw it LOL." 

Forgot to add:  PIR is 8-24-12. 

Just received my form letter today.  We are ship 11 div 261.  I am going online to check out flight schedules.  I am also going to check out the Navy Lodge.

I called 

Hello All!   I got my letter today!!! Hotel booked!  He had a small paragraph on the back that was hand wrote, said he had 5 min to write and he is doing well, can't wait to start writing and he misses me alot.  Told me he wanted to thank me for all I have done for him and I have been the most important person in his life for the past 18 years.   Yes there were tears, but also so much excitement!!   51 days group and counting!!

Hi all- finally getting back on big computer..I babysit my granddaughter 2 days a week and dont get on those days...but i do read from my phone..and again wanted to thank all of you for telling your feelings..sev times ive cried over your diff scenarios..and seeing you all get recruiter info made me change my mind.

i havent recvd PIR letter yet so i called and so far hes gone missing!..well i tried twice on tuesday.. morn and late day and this morn..left 3 messages..so he knows i want to talk to him.if he doesnt call by tomorrow afternoon ill pop by office after babysitting is over.!

im not cleaning my sons room..I havent even done his laundry nor taking out clothes in box for good.i am way too emotional still.the july 4th patriotic tv shows and songs etc got me extra emotional...if thats possible ;]

im off to try and call around for hotels..we are flying into Midway on Thursday the 23 and renting a car ..but i need hotel for all of us so proably 2 sep rooms..or?..hope there is something left in area .

again my thanks and as always look fwd to reading all about you ladies.:)

mkcmom:  Yes, lots of changes...even just since my son arrived there in 2009!

And, the shuttles aren't free...but close!  $3/pp each way, and the sailor usually rides for free. 

No problem with wrong info.  You were reporting what you knew!  Those of us who had sailors PIR a good while ago are constantly asking those who just PIRed to update us if we are passing out wrong info.  CHANGE is the way of the world now!