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

tflo2000, it's so encouraging to hear that your daughter is enjoying BC!  I don't know what a yeomen is, but how cool that she was picked to be one, as I'm sure it's something great! : )

To Proud Mom of Tom: Don't feel bad about not getting anything yet.  I went through that with my older by.  He left on 12-2-12 and other than my hey mom I am here, I did not get my 1st call until 12-26.  We were to get called on Christmas but too many calls were going out and they ran out of time.  I NEVER got his form letter and was panicking about that, but it all worked out in the end.  His 1st letter was a lot longer too, 

Come to find out he was in a Push division and never had time.  His division did earn all of their flags and made hall of fame, which is something you will learn more about later.  Hang in there and I know exactly how you feel, as I have been there. 

And because of that, is why I have been so shocked hearing from my younger one so soon.  But very pleased.

Yeoman are administrative support....lots of paperwork, schedules, etc.  Very important job! 

*Yeomen

So happy to see that so many of you have received phone calls and letters... My daughter still hasn't heard from our boy yet, beginning to freak out a bit. This is just so hard, hope to hear something soon. This group really seems to help is all...God bless you all

Happy Friday!!

     "For we are His workmanship,

      created in Christ Jesus for good works,

      which God prepared beforehand that

      we should walk in them."

                                          Ephesians 2:10

Welcome to the group, Momma8480!  Yes, lots of yelling going on in the beginning of Bootcamp....the "breakdown" process before the "build up" process begins.  I remember my son saying that his RDC was spitting in his ear as he yelled at him....he said it was pretty hard to take but there was a purpose in all that they do.  He was up there in 2009/early 2010 .... so the yelling continues!  Yes, your son is learning to do everything on his own....a great thing!  You will be so proud of his maturity and "military bearing" when you see him again!  It is truly remarkable!

Good Morning All !  If anyone wants to watch the PIR Livestream of today's ceremony, here's the link.  The Livestream starts at 8:45 a.m. but the ceremony starts at 9 a.m.   It finishes at 10:30 a.m.

http://navyformoms.com/group/pir10092015/page/livestream-of-pir-ser...

Ok so maybe this is a weird question, but I just have to ask.  What is the attire for PIR?  I don't want to show up in a dress and everyone else is in jeans.  I know its a silly thing to worry about, but oddball me is ready to start packing!

Tierney'smom:  So many get sick in the beginning of Bootcamp....could be immunity system overload after receiving so many vaccinations at one time coupled with so many people in close quarters!  They get better as Bootcamp goes along...hopefully she was much better by the time you received the letter!

The phone calls I got from my son were to gather information for his clearance.  I was told no news is good news.  Fingers crossed we will get a long phone call from our SRs this weekend.  

TraG:  I hope your call comes in soon!  Maybe this weekend!

I have a question - not sure if anyone knows - but I had heard that while in A-school they get a break over christmas/new years.  Does anyone know if this is true?  How many days off would they have?  Are they able to actually leave the area/state during that time or do they have only the daytime off and need to report in every night?

Carrie, A Schools do have stand down at the holidays. The actual date can vary somewhat from base to base , but is generally somewhere around December 15th to Jan 4th. Remember those are not the exact dates. Your Sailor will most likely be granted leave for the Holiday Stand down if in A School during that time. 

They are encouraged to "go home" during stand down, but all of the bases must also carry "minimal personnel" in order to remain an "active base." So some will have to pull duty during that time. Those that are granted leave are given the entire time off, so no reporting back to base during that time.

Because you Sailors will probably not have accumulated enough leave for the entire stand down time, they are allowed to "go in the hole" on leave time, this is one of the very few exceptions -days are allowed for leave.

Your Sailor will be informed of the exact dates, and do have to submit a chit for leave.

Greetings!

     " 'And surely I am with you always' the Lord said,

       'to the very end of the age.' "

                                                        Matthew 28:20

Hi all, we finally got a 3 page letter from our son!  He also sent separate letters to his brother & sister :)  So, everyone in my family had a great day!  He gave a lot of details about how it's been going so far... basically, he can't wait for graduation!  Well, neither can we!!  So good to see his new & improved writing, and hear that he is doing ok!

TraG151 - SO glad you finally got letters!! :) 

Good Morning All !   Have a wonderful weekend!  Maybe some calls will come in so keep those phones close!

Mommacavy my son also wrote his brother, they r so close, he ran upstairs to read in private,  I would have thought he was the younger brother lol the way he cluched that letter, they r 4 years apart and never had any sibling fights, I can see the sadness in him these days, which of course makes this even more difficult for me. I can't wait for graduation, I am also looking forward to meeting the moms here as well. As I get older I have often commented how time flies so quickly. NOW a day feels like a week and is moving like a snail!!!

TraG:  If there is any delay in training, if your SR needs paperwork for the Navy, etc.....yes, you would be contacted.  Medical issues do not warrant an official call....they take care of them.  Some may even be in the hospital for brief times and unless they can call from the hospital, you may not know until after the fact on another personal call.  They DO take care of them medically....but you will hear from your SR (usually a scripted call, meaning it is supervised and they are told what they can/cannot say)....if there are "needs of the Navy."

TheRocksmom:  Many have extreme difficulty when their SRs leave home....especially when they are younger and have never been away before.  It is different from a college experience (no matter what your friends may say!) since there is no spontaneous contact with SRs....like you can have with college students.  All of your contro/interaction/influencel re: your child is removed...the Navy "owns" them and takes care of them.  That is hard for any of us, who are Mama Bears when it comes to our children.  My son was 23 when he went in, so it was a bit easier for me. He had lived away from home for 1.5 years before returning home to wait to leave for the Navy.  But I still found myself hoping for those weekend calls and panicking when I got a call during the week, no message, and googling the number showed it was Medical at RTC.  Uh oh....heard nothing else until he made a personal call about 10 days later.  When I asked why he had called, was he ok, he said it was a question about his medical record but they figured it out.  Wheewww.....You will find that you have no rights re: your child unless your child is the one who initiates this....i.e., if they are being separated, you cannot call on their behalf, but they CAN sign a waiver authorizing you to have any info that they have and giving you the right to talk to the same "people."  It is a hard knock for moms to take, but it really matures your SRs.  Makes them totally responsible for their actions...but, you are not alone in the anxiety you feel....we see this alot on the groups....Bootcamp is good practice for when they are deployed and there are "blackout" times.  Although some can email from their ships during other times, sometimes the lines are long and they don't get a chance to.  The Navy is not for wimps, that's for sure!  All have to be strong, not just the SRs/sailors....families have to be very strong too....military tough with lots of sacrifice from them as well.  I'm proud of all of our SRs/sailors and their families! 

diannep when I spoke with my son he told me that during physical partas during sit ups the hated underwear was running a spot on his back side I think where he may have gotten immunization shot, anyway when he got up to run the RDC saw there was blood on his tee shirt and would not let him run the mile, so I guess not completed will he get to do the run to make it up? He is physically fit, playing sports his whole life,, hence nickname The Rock. I'm nervous will this effect his PIR? This is giving me tremendous anxiety! :(

No, TheRocksmom, it won't affect his PIR....unless....he doesn't pass the final (3rd) PFA (fitness test) which is given within a week of PIR.  He has plenty of time.  The first 2 PFAs are just practice to see where they are in physical fitness.  So no worries....he should have no problem since he is an athlete and used to this!   Do something fun today and enjoy your day!  Your SR is in good hands!

*I should add that each SR must pass the final (3rd) PFA in order to do BattleStations and become a sailor.  There are no exceptions no matter what they did on the first 2 tests.

Thanks diannep for all the information, and time you devote to everyone here. It's tuff transition period wondering. And worrying about what is going on while away. This is the worst part of it all! To be honest my son safe where he is, and was first line n his letter. "II am safe"  its a blessing having technology today, it must have been torture for previous generations of Moms. I hope all moms here who haven't gotten calls get them this weekend. I will write today and encourage my son "run Rock run" thanks again to all the moderator's for the time they devote here on N4M. Toñight when I light my blue candle and look to the stars I will say special one for you administrators/moderator's, I am encounter and hopeful by your guidance! Yes something fun today. 

Meant to say. I will say special prayer for admin and moderator's. And that I am encouraged (not encounter) time to get the glasses out!

Got a call too! This is awesome keep your phone next to you 847 area code. Made my day we all crying

I also received a call this morning.  Ship II Div. 374. He shipped out 9/10 - so was 2 weeks wait until first call.  He told me that things are good.  A lot of folding clothes, marching, and classes.  He said he's tired but it's bootcamp - so thats expected.  It sucks but he likes it.  He mentioned that one of the RDC's was actually on one of the ships that saved Capt. Phillip - he thought that was really cool. Mentioned that the food was good - breakfast is usually eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon.  (Thankfully that's what he likes).  He did not need to get his wisdom teeth pulled (I was concerned about that because I know that he will need them out eventually). They get their winter blues this upcoming week.  He's happy that they'll be graduating in their winter blues.  He mentioned that they should have 3 ribbons following graduation - one for post 9/11, one for shooting, and one for graduation.  He said the underwear they provide are pretty uncomfortable (if going to graduation may want to bring some to give to them at the airport prior to them flying out or once they get to A-School in GL).  No word on Battlestations date.  I am not sure if they could give out the date once they know.  They already started standing watch - he has his second rotation tonight from 4-6a.  They are only doing 2 hours I guess rather than the usual 4 hours.  I noticed during the call at first that he repeated most of the questions before answering - I'm thinking must be a learning technique for listening skills that they do.  (repeat the question, answer).  It actually sounded very mature.  He also mentioned that if only he had known before how to fold his clothes as he does now he would have had so much more space in his closet.  LOL.  I am already waiting anxiously for his next letter and call.  I am so excited for him and proud :)

Oh yea- he also mentioned that the next call probably wont be for another 2 weeks - around Oct. 10th

Just a quick clarification on what we can send our recruits.  Mine is wanting to know info on how his school is doing in football so I was wondering if I clipped the articles and attached to them if that was OK.

And he wants his girlfriend to send a wallet pic for him to have in his billfold.  Kids today, everything is on a phone....

Thanks again!

One thing my son mentioned was that right before they go to sleep that's when they get their letters, he tells me so sad for the ones who don't get them " they have nothing to go to sleep with" it broke my heart, although he said sometimes difficult for him to write being so busy at times studying is heavy work load along with training. They all look forward to these letters! I almost feel like sending extra ones, that could pass out to ones who don't get them. To just let them know that all of them matter. This is the time where they must build their team. I'm going ask him in my next letter if I can do this, knowing my son he going say Mom, you just can't get away from the mom thing lol..Anyway hope all the moms here enjoy the rest of the weekend, mine couldn't get better than at this very minute!

TheRocksmom:  Please DO send extra ones and let your SR pass them out....and I hope others do that also!  It means the world to these SRs to have some of their own mail.  Just send an extra letter in each of your own letters!

Momma8480:  Congrats on the great call!  I wouldn't do the priority stamps....the hold up with the mail is usually not GETTING to RTC, it is once it is on base (and the priority status doesn't matter once it is at RTC).   Takes a while for the RTC mail facility to sort through all of the mail it receives daily.

OK that's a plan,  I'm in. I will start my writers cramp today, I wonder how many I should send? My son sure going be surprised, I hope he likes this idea!