ALUMNI OF PIR 11/06/2015 TG 52 - 10 Divisions (369-376, 820 and 952)

Hi Tessina - my son is Ship II Div 374 also :)

Good evening everyone.  Just found out my son will be graduating on Nov. 6th as well.  He is in Div. 374.  Looking forward to hearing how everyone is holding up through this journey and to hear how things are going. 

OK, just a tad bit worried.  My son just called me again tonight to make sure I sent what he called for yesterday.  I took it to the recruiter to do, so I am hoping they did get it. 

When they arrive at RTC, they usually have been up since early that morning....they now have to stay up all night up there....but finally get to hit their racks the next night.  So for most, they will be up about 36 hrs or more by the time they get to sleep in their racks!

tessina75 it was kind of funny because I ignored the call 4 times because I was at work and didn't know the number.  By the fourth call I realized the area code and answered and all I heard was "Hi mama, why didn't you answer". We both laughed. She called me a spaz (with love) because I started asking questions so fast and wanted to know as much as possible. She said she only had a few minutes and to wait for her letters. I was worthless at work the rest of day lol.

Good Morning!

Glad you finally talked to your SR juju!

There is a chance that some calls will come in today so keep those phones close!

Hi, just go the form letter!  My son arrived in Great Lakes on Wednesday 8/9/15in the evening and he made that "quick phone cal" home.  Received the box on Tuesday 8/15/15. Today the Letter 8/19/15.  He is in Ship 12, Div 372.  Anyone else have a son in the same area?  Making my plane reservations today.  This has been an emotional letting go time.  He called on Thursday, I was working and missed the call.  :(  He called his sister.  He had less then a minute to get some needed info.  She had a melt down the other night, because she usually talks to him when she is having a bad college day.  Today was my melt down day.  Both kids are many thousand miles away and empty nesting. Looking on the bright side.

Ladies, just a reminder to check out Southwest Airlines into either Milwaukee WI or Chicago IL.  Milwaukee is further in distance but shorter time to RTC due to no traffic (about 45 min).  Chicago is minimum hour, usually more due to traffic.  There is no change fee charged if your plans change (such as your SR being delayed in training) and 2 bags check for free.  Also, if you book with them, they include a rental car discount rate.  They also run one-way special fares!

Be sure to call the hotels directly and ask for the Navy Graduation discount....most offer it, but only if you call.  Navy Lodge does not.  

bpickship14div074 & jenn72675 - my son called again tonight too, making sure I sent the paperwork he asked for on Thursday.  I emailed it to the email he gave me, and the recipient confirmed he received it.  Maybe our SR's are just trying to get some extra calls in to us :)  As a mom, that's what I want to believe, that he wants to hear our voices as much as we want to hear his!

jenn72675, I am so sorry he cried...that is so tough to hear over the phone.  But at least it's because he & his sister must be close, which is awesome :)  My kids had some really hard goodbyes when he left too (they are 23, 19 & 10, my SR is 21)  I am so thankful they love each other and are close.

jenn72675... :)  I panicked a little at first too...then I started realizing what was going on... just a reason for another call home :) 

Yeah, that sounded rough :(

YESSS!!!  I can't wait until next weekend's call!!

Good Morning!

Good morning,  I am happy for the moms who received calls. I hope I get call next week too swimgeeksmom! I am so afraid I will miss the call, the signal won't be strong on my phone and or he will call when we r not home. It's nerve wracking. I want all the moms to know, that I light a blue candle every evening for our sons/daughters, I look up at the stars and pray for them all to stay strong and don't get discouraged. I look forward to meeting the moms that are on this site during meet and great! I am so thankful this site exsists, I would be a hot mess by now if it didnt, lol enjoy your Sunday and who knows maybe swimgeeksmom, today we "maybe get call"

Blessed Sunday!

     "We know that God causes all things

      to work together for good to those who

      are called according to His purpose."

                                             Romans 8:28

TraG151,

That is so sweet!!

Any other PACT Seaman mom's?  My daughter doesn't go to A school after PIR but is staying in GL for 3 weeks of training.  Just wondering if any others out there.  :)

TraG151, wow that was a creative way to send you a message!  I got tears in MY eyes just reading that!

swimgeeksmom & TheRocksmom, I hope you guys get calls next weekend too :)  I have been a crazy person about having my phone with me & checking it constantly, making sure I didn't miss a call, making sure it's on vibrate or the ringer is on depending where I am.  Next weekend I will be even more crazy knowing they are supposed to be getting calls! 

TheRocksmom, thanks for lighting the blue candles and praying for all of our sons & daughters!  I have been praying for all of them also :) 

I was thinking about meeting a lot of you moms at the Meet & Greet, and all of us going by our Navy for Moms names, since that's how we know each other, haha.  Made me chuckle! 

Good Morning!

Hope it is true that mail is going out today from some of your divisions.  It takes about 2 weeks after arrival to get the Recruit Mail Petty Officer trained to handle the mail for a division.  They then get to write to you for the first time (personal letter, not form letter)....on a Sunday....and at that time, they also receive the "held" mail that you have been sending them.  Sometimes they write their letters to you before they open this "held"  mail, so don't be surprised if they ask why you haven't written in that first letter!  Be assured that they got these letters after they wrote that!

Is everyone going to the Meet and Greet?  I would love to put faces to "names".  I am getting so excited and its still a long way off.

SMW729 we are planning on going.  It will really depend on traffic since we are driving up on Thursday.  If you think about it, PIR is going to be here before we know it.  Only 6 more weekends without our recruits.  

swimgeeksmom, I haven't been motivated to clean out my son's room yet either... it still seems too overwhelming to be in there with all his clothes and stuff :/ 

I'm sorry some of you with SRs who got there 9/8, 9/9, 9/10 haven't gotten your form letters when many of us have.  I'm praying you all get yours today! 

SMW729, we are going to the Meet & Greet :)  It sounds like a lot of people try to go to that, and that seems like the best time to meet other SR's families!

Hi Moms.  I did get a form letter as confirmation, my Nuke son is Ship 6 Division 369- Brother Division w/  Div 370....I will say this...I just returned home from Great Lakes- my SR's older brother had his PIR on 9/18.  There are simply no words to describe how amazing and how emotional that was.  It truly did make these 8-9 lonely & tough weeks well worth all of it!  Looking back, the time did fly by.  Especially once we got over that 3 week hump.

*The letters and occasional (SURPRISE) calls truly helped. *Please always keeps your phone close by- you never know when those calls may come.

*Sarge's Meet & Greet was tons of fun for all ages, wonderful food- and extremely informative.  The overall atmosphere was great- remember, there will be hundreds of other moms and family members who have been on this same journey with us at the exact same time there.

*Start booking hotels now if you haven't already- they book fast

*PIR was awesome> We arrived what we thought was early 7am. We got right in- almost never found a seat for the 4 of us. I highly suggest getting there as early as humanly possible!

Nuke&SnipesMom - my son is Ship 6 Div 369 also!  It's so exciting to hear about your weekend...makes me even more excited for the 11/06 weekend! 

Carla - hopefully one of the veteran moms will comment & help you out, as they have no much info & experience!  I think your best bet is to contact his dad for info from the form letter.  I am booked at Navy Lodge, as are a lot of people (good price & close by).  Sounds like you should book somewhere soon...

Hi Friends!

     "And my God shall supply all your need

      according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

                                                     Philippians 4:19

Carla,

I hope you and your ex are on good terms for the sake of your SR son.  If you contacted him, would he share that you are one of the 4 on the access list to attend PIR 11/06/2015?  If not, then you would need to verify with your SR son via a phone call or letter that you are on the list.  Normally, only 1 Form letter goes out, even in divorce situations.

You could go ahead and book the hotel at least at this point as none of them require a deposit of any kind.  Call them direct and ask for the Navy graduation rate if you aren't going to be at the Navy Lodge, which already has great rates.  You will need to book under your SR's name there and he could have multiple rooms under his name.

Other recommended hotels are Springhill Suites, Residence Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Courtyard Marriot -- all in Waukegan/Gurnee just 10 mins away from RTC.  There is a Super Walmart and many casual eateries. 

Sarge's Meet & Greet at the Sundance Saloon is also across from the Super Walmart.  It is a great Navy families only event and closed to the public, so it is kid and family friendly  He provides free food, lots of information, and fun activities there.. Sarge is retired Army and loves to help the Navy families.  He also has a shuttle/taxi service team that can pick you up from the airport and get you to and from PIR.  This is if you don't plan to rent a car.

The Meet & Greet is what I am thinking juju1010 is referring to as Family Day?  It takes place the evening before PIR from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm.  No sailors will be there though.

juju1010,

See my response below to Carla re: your Family Day question~~