ALUMNI OF PIR 09/11/2015 TG 44 - 13 Divisions (299-308, 817-818 and 944)

What are the thoughts as to going to the chapel to watch PIR if not on PIR list? Do you get to go to the hall to see the SR after graduation or do you have to wait until they are released for liberty (they are attending A school at Great Lakes) ? Thanks!

No, goodgirls---you cannot go into PIR Hall to see your new sailor...they clear the hall 10 min after the conclusion of PIR.  You will be ushered into the Chapel from the Visitors Center and ushered back.  Your sailor/family meets you there.  There is no guarantee that you will be allowed into the Chapel, but you can try.  You are required to stay in there, even if the Livestream "messes up" (it happens!) until the completion of PIR when you will be ushered out.  There is no food/drink allowed in there and kids under 18 must have an adult with them.  So keep all of this in mind!  You can always watch the Livestream at your hotel...they usually stream if in a public area.  Then meet up with your sailor/family members there.

Good Morning All!

oh, goodgirls....just saw the A School comment.  If staying in GL for A School, they move over there right after PIR as a group and you pick them up later on that base.  So probably would be better to stay at the hotel since you will have very limited time with them after PIR.  But up to you!

thank you diannep. I thought so but wanted to verify.  Yes, we will be watching it from our hotel, sounds like a better option. I appreciate the response!

and one more question. :)  At what point should we stop sending letters to the SRs? I'm assuming their present address will change after graduation.

Goodgirls3,

I have the same question.  I'm probably going to stop mailing letters after this weekend (PIR is 9/11 for our sailor).  When we go to PIR, we can hand deliver the remainder of his letters.

Yes, MrsG.  That is what we recommend too....no more letters after this weekend.  Otherwise they may not get them before leaving RTC.

Hello All!

     "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;

       and the ears of the wise seek it out'"

                                                        Proverbs 18:15

thank you MrsG and diannep and Jewelz!  I had to go run and put a letter in the mail :)  Thanks so much for the info!

Last year, some divisions did BattleStations on Labor Day night so we shall see what happens this year!  Most likely, some will go through.

Gavin'sMom:  I'm so sorry.  Please know that he has more chances.  Do NOT cancel anything.  He will try again on Fri morning.  If he doesn't pass then, he will try on Mon morning and if needed again on Wed morning.  Not sure what division he is in, but sounds like possibly one that is doing BattleStations tomorrow night.  That is why he had to call now....they have until BattleStations day to pass and they can only test every 48 hrs.  

I bet he will get it done!  Hopefully by Fri....if so, he will not call you again until he does BattleStations, which will continue on Sunday or  Monday night (after tomorrow night's start them off).  Pray that he has wings on his feet if the run is his problem!  Keep all of your plans for now.

Gavin's mom - Hang in there! We know it is stressful!

diannep's info is "spot on". It is a good reference as to what ges on when this happens. 

When a Recruit's status changes they are required to call their family and let them know they are not scheduled to graduate. When his status changes back (meaning he passed his tests) then he will call you again to let you know that he is on track to graduate.

Praying he gets it done by Friday too!

Gavin's Mom, we just got the same call. Prayers to you & SR they got this..

gavins mom I got the dreaded call too, praying for mine and yours that they can get it done before graduation,division 303, now hes moving to fit, l am going to be on pins and needles all week, I too was going to leave tuesday to head to Chicago, if they dont pass PFA by next tuesday or wednesdy than no graduation for them , just pass PFA and battle stations hopefully and straight to A school right?

Gavins mom and JDubmom--I am sorry that you got calls. I am thinking about you and hoping that things will turn around very soon for you and your SRs.

Dolo:  Most likely, that was not a call from RTC.  Go on that hope!

For those with SRs in FIT....yes, if they pass their test by Wed of next week, they will be at PIR---tired in that case and probably sitting in the balcony, in uniform, after having been up all night doing BattleStations.  Problem is, they usually cannot call you until after BattleStations so you may blindly have to go up there, hoping their name is on the graduation list.  If not, you are not allowed to see them.

Hoping that these SRs get the tests passed either this morning or Monday morning....calls would come earlier then!  If they do not pass by PIR date, they stay in FIT....get 10-12 more chances every 48 hrs.  Once they pass, they do BattleStations, have a short Liberty, and head straight to A School, no PIR once they miss their own. 

Prayers for all!
Good Morning!

so how do you write your SR that has transferred to FIT, would like to send him a letter out today, should I send to his regular address out there in hopes they forward to him?

maghirsch -Right now I would send to his regular Division address. (This would be the last couple of days to send letters anyways.) We're riding on the hope that being in FIT is temporary :-)

What I would do is make a copy of that letter to keep. That way if for some reason it can't catch up too him at RTC you have it to give to him later so he knows you were thinking about him.

Blessings to you all who are going through this right now.

The Navy does it's best to get mail to recruits and Sailors. It can be difficult when a Sailor moves around a bit.

We usually advise you to stop sending letters near the end here, but if you feel the need to write up until the very end before you leave for PIR ( or even while you are traveling) because you want to connect with your loved one, then please do so. You can always give the letters to them at PIR or send them to A school. It is actually a proven scientific fact that there is a very real emotional connection between your hand and brain when you are writing. Typing works too but actual physical writing is the best. So it's GOOD for you!

I will say that I mailed late in BC and they forwarded the letter to his a school (that is procedure and law. USPS is a federal entity.) We all know that sometimes mail can get lost but thought I'd share that mine was a successful experience :-)

IF your recruits end up staying in FIT (no bad vibes just an fyi) please let us know and we can give you the FIT division address.

Happy Friday!

       "Arise, shine, for your light has come,

        and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."

                                                   Isaiah 60:1

Prayers for those SRs in FIT to get their tasks completed well and quickly!

My SR PIR is 9/11/2015 when should I stop writing letters?? Can anyone tell me when Ship 12 Division 302 will be taking their final test before Battle Station 21 .......praying and concerned. When should I get " I AM A SAILOR " call??

thank you, CatMom509, for the verses.  I always check in to read. I do pray for all during this time.

I believe that 299-302 went through BattleStations last night.  If so, I'm a Sailor calls will come in after 2pm Central today.  Keep those phones close!

Good Morning!

Can I put I have a Sailor on my Fb status, or is that against OPSEC rules? Just want to double check.

You can post that, Minonkgirl.  We just like for all on FB to tweak their pages to provide security for their sailors....we realize that last names are exposed, etc.  But don't post too many personal details re: your SR and be sure to delete posts if others do post too much on your page.  It is better to remain vague such as:  My SR did great on his test today.....the less, the better on social media.  When your sailor gets into the fleet, be sure you are aware of OPSEC....doesn't allow for public knowledge of location of your sailor or future locations.  There is more info on this in the PAGES section on this page, above and to the right.  First link.

For those with Special Ops sailors, be extra careful with your info and photos. 

GP Mom:  If you don't receive a call for a while, go on the motto in the Navy:  No News is Good News.  If your SR is delayed in training for any reason, needs extra info for medical/security clearance/etc...you will get a call.  Keep your phone with you as much as possible....the calls are totally random.  If you think you could miss a call because of work, why not change your outgoing voicemail message to greet your SR....apologizing for missing the call, and leaving words of encouragement?  Others calling your phone surely will understand! 

GP Mom:  Just realized that you are one expecting that I'm a Sailor call today.  I for SURE would change your outgoing voicemail then, congratulating your new sailor!  I wish there was a way that someone who may be allowed to use the phone could "babysit" your phone at work....so they could at least answer and just maybe let you know so you can say a few words?  The calls can start as early as 2pm Central, but can go for a long time....several hours....so hopefully you will be finished work by then !

Congratulations jayzmom!!!!

I just got the "I did not pass the PFA; I will not be graduating, so do not come." phone call from my daughter (DIV 304).  I'm so disappointed for her; she is very physically fit, so this is a huge surprise.  I wish I had read the discussions yesterday, then I would have known questions to ask.  She was very upset so I just reassured her everything would be OK and she would pass.  So, she said thank you and calmed down some.  Our flight is scheduled to leave Thursday morning at 6:30am.  She said don't come to graduation unless we get another call from her.  But, it seems from my reading that sometimes they don't get a chance to call.  I'd rather go and her not graduate than not go and miss her graduation.  Any advice?   

Just received my " I am a U S Navy Sailor " call!!!! This is one proud Mom!!! Don't know how  i would have made this Journey without Navy Mom. The wonderful caring Administrators and other Mom's. I will always remember this time we have shared together. Thank you for the daily Scriptures that have carried me through this time. Now off to A school!!! My Sailor will stay in Great Lakes. 

MrsG, what div are you again please? Congratulations!!!!

I am still waiting to hear from my SR div 305. I saw a wife post about 306 div passing tests and that is 305's brother division. I think this is worse than sending him off to Boot Camp!!!!!!!!

I don't think 305 would've gone through today (unless they went out of order...anything is possible).

The Ship used for Battlestations can only accommodate up to 4 Divisions and the personnel administering the tests.