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

And I thought I was a nervous wreck and scared!

TraG151 - ditto to what TheRocksmom said!  Positive thoughts and MANY PRAYERS going out for you & your SR!  (Thanks TheRocksmom, :) ) 

Re: the plane tix, I got insurance on ours just in case.  It was MUCH cheaper than refundable.   I'm flying American Airlines Orange County to O'Hare.  When I was looking, it would be cheaper to get the cheapest tickets twice, than to get refundable.  May not be true in all cases, but that's what I saw!  Also, I heard Southwest has the best change fees... but you would have to fly into Midway I think?  Anyway, check out Southwest.  Hotel & rental cars have plenty of time to cancel so not to worry about those!  Anyway, YOU WILL BE THERE FOR THE NOV 6 PIR!

TheRocksmom- you are cracking me up!  You certainly are a rock, though- so thanks- I think we needed that :)  Personally, I have been told (by co-workers and my husband) that I seriously need to lay off the coffee and diet coke :). They're probably right.  But I am staying positive (on the inside I'm freaking out though). I thought I hid it well, but I guess not. LOL!

mommacnavy that Chicago weather would kill me and I am from North Alabama.

I think my SR is truly staying under the radar, like I don't think even the other SRs know he is there, lol.  I don't know about others, but this week has been harder on me than most, as far as missing him.  I am sure he is busy and doing well though.

My Sailor daughter; I purchased Southwest tix; first time I am flying with them also. I did purchase them, the only advantage is boarding first, They don't have assigned seats, at least I was told that, someone said not sure if it was worth it tho,,IDK, so nervous, I thought well you know how sometimes they overbook flights and bump people?, I wanna make sure that I am on the plane....lol, flys into Midway, a bit further out than Ohara, I am flying in on Weds,  I just can't wait. Good thing tho is that you can change your flight and they don't charge ya...  Tinamarie105 my son trying to stay under radar too; mommacnavy and KYnavymomma; I am so nervous, mouth dry, hands sweatin; feel like a dog ready to poop out a peach pit....well just thought leave you all with that...  I hope it does not offend anyone... so

Southwest has NO change fees and they fly into both Midway and Milwaukee.  Milwaukee is further but a shorter drive due to no traffic.

My Sailor daughter:  I remember that from when I flew them a couple of years ago.  The $12 gets you in the front of the line to choose seats.  If I recall, they do not assign seats.  It is first come, first serve.  SO....if you want a better choice of seats being towards the front of the line, you could do that.

Momma8480:  Not sure about visitors, but it is possible that they will allow families to visit their sailors on base.  Doubt they can leave base yet but your sailor will find this out during INDOC when he/she arrives at A School.

It's not the same as them " growing up...leaving home". It's a complete change in the way of their "normal" life. The civilian is being "put off" and the service member is being "put on". They're still your loved one but with a new normal.

Then there is the lack of communication...very difficult. 

It is even difficult for moms who are familiar with military life sometimes. For those who have no experience with it, it is all of the unknowns along with the lack of communication. 

Then...some of the difference I can't even explain...it just is what it is :-) 

My Sailor daughter - advanced boarding just means you're first in line to actually get on the plane and find your seats, since Southwest doesn't have assigned seating.  So, it's really up to you... so possibly if you have several people flying and you are one of the last to board, you may not be able to find seats together.  See https://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/boarding_the_pla....

jenn72672- glad I'm not the only wimpy weather girl! :)

Tinamarie105- aww, I hope he is doing well :)  And I'm missing my SR a lot this week too.  I think I'm just ready to get out there to PIR already, and even thought it's getting close, it's not here yet!  Stay strong!  16 days!

NavyMOMT- hooray for PIR clothes!!  :)

Hello All!

     "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,

       a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those

       who know Your name trust in You,

       for You, Lord, have never forsaken

       those who seek You."

                                                Psalm 9:9-10

Oh my gosh, I missed a whole page of comments... including TheRocksmom- You are cracking me up!  LOL!!

My Sailor daughter- ditto!  I don't think I've ever been on a website with a screen name commenting and "making friends" before this, but I was desperate, due to going through something that was so unfamiliar that no one I know understood!  I've sent kids to college, then married one off.  Totally different.  I truly am so thankful for this site, my new Navy mom family, and the administrators!

I have to agree this site is a blessing.  The day my SR left for boot camp I cried most of the day.  I thought I was seriously losing it until I started reading some of the posts from other moms, it's been so helpful knowing that I wasn't the only one having a hard time adjusting.  So thank you all.

Good Morning!

So glad that this site has been helpful to you all!  We do our best to get the info to you!

good afternoon, Catmom509; love this verse; thanks for sharing AS ALWAYS. I will be taking the shuttle as well for PIR, but want to get a gate pass too, because when Liberty done, I want to drive him back, not leave him at the gate..., I believe I saw this somewhere over the past weeks? diannep? 

I need help, can someone tell me if we are in week 6 or 7? I know RTC can last 8 to 9 weeks, My son left Sep 9th, and I have slight memory that even tho it was a Wednesday, that the 11th of Sep was considered the first Friday? I have it figured that they are in week 7, and PIR is actually the 9 Friday? HELP.. I am starting to go a bit koo koo

TheRocksmom- today is Boot Camp Day 5-5.  The 11th was still processing days so the Boot Camp day numbering hadn't started yet.  We are all going koo koo by now!! LOL

Vehicle Gate Pass - You do not need a VGP IF you are taking a shuttle/taxi to PIR. They will drop you off just outside the entrance gate and you will walk onboard RTC.

If you take the shuttle to PIR but want to return your Sailor to RTC in your vehicle, then yes you will need the VGP to do so. 

The VGP is for your car not you, (although those on the Access list should be the only ones with a VGP.) It allows your vehicle entry to RTC. RTC is a restricted base.

IF you have a DoD sticker on your personal vehicle:

Personnel that are attached to the base with the proper DoD sticker may drive their vehicle onboard. DoD stickers from other bases does not allow entry, you will still need the VGP for PIR.

The link to get the VGP will be available 11 days prior to your PIR on the RTC Website (not FB RTC). The link will be at the end of the title of your PIR date. You will need the Confidential password that your Recruit provided on the Form Letter in order to enter the VGP site and print out your pass. You must type the password in ALL CAPS. Use a good browser (IE does not like government sites) and there is a troubleshooter for problems.

You may print more then one if another allowed guest needs one for their vehicle.DO NOT give them (or anyone) the password please. It is a breach of security.

bpickship14div074 I thought 369 was on 5-5 today?

Mine is 369 also... as well as TheRocksmom.  I totally thought we should be on 5-5 today.

ok so I found a post from Hooyah Jeff who works at RTC, and who is the one who takes the pictures of our SR's at the blood drives.  This was dated 9/21/15:

Training days are M-F only, no weekends (or holidays-Columbus Day).
***Recruits may have been at RTC as long as 11 calendar days before training 1-1 day begins.

369/370/371/372 1-3 day of training (Grad on 8-1)
373/374/820 1-2 day of training (Grad on 7-5)
952 1-1 day of training (Grad on 7-4)
375/376 Still inprocessing days (Grad on 7-3)

According to this schedule, 369/370/371/372 are on 5-5 today.  Apparently the day-by-day is a little different these days; i.e. apparently 369/370 did gas chamber yesterday (5-4), & the NavyDEP website with day-by-day says gas chamber will be 6-3.  I also noticed the day-by-day on NavyDEP is dated 2009... so wouldn't be surprised of schedule changes from 6 years ago!

I guess the main thing we all know for sure is:

PIR DATE IS NOV 6th!!! :)  And that's what matters most!!!

The first group of sailors in this PIR group will be on Fri morning, a week before PIR.  The next group will be Tues morning of PIR week, and the last will be Wed morning of PIR week.  So, some sailors will literally graduate a full week after becoming sailors, and some will only have 2 days.

*2-3 days.

does anyone know when our SR's will know when their flights are going to be?  Although graduation is planned for 11/6 - my son recently informed me that his A school start date will be 11/17 - will he have to wait in great lakes until closer to the date or will he still be planned to fly out on Saturday?  Just wondering if anyone has any info on this.  

Thanks diannep!!!  Always coming through with the good info!! :) :)

Carrie, Your recruit will receive his orders sometime in the last couple weeks of BC. Some get them "early", others not so lucky. 

If your Sailor is flying out for A School, most likely he will still fly out on Saturday, and wait to class up at his A School.

PIR, the acronym for Pass in Review, is the ceremony that takes place during a Training Groups Graduation from RTC.

NavyMOMT, Graduation is also known as PIR.  After battlestations there is a capping ceremony, the recruits change their caps from "recruit" to "Navy". 

Like diannep said, some Sailors graduate several days after becoming sailors.

Recruit Training Command

Recruit Training Command FB

Navy Live

Recruit to Sailor

Happy Friday!

     "The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises

       and faithful in all He does."

                                                Psalm 145:13b

Today (Friday 10/23) is day 6-1 for Div 369.    Their final PFA is on Monday, training day 6-2 for this group. 

Good Morning!

mommacnavy:  You are very welcome!

KYNavymomma - that is what I have also, today 6-1 for 369/370.  They only count days 1-5 Monday through Friday and didn't count Columbus Day.

Printed my Gate Pass!!  (with tears, happy ones)  Graduation is so close!

Yay! Printed mine too, one step closer!

OMG I just printed our Vehicle Gate Pass too!  THIS IS GETTING REAL, LADIES!  WOO HOO!!!  I started crying too... Didn't expect tears for a parking pass, but it just means we are getting THAT CLOSE to seeing them!  And I've learned over the last 6+ weeks to expect tears when I'm least expecting them :)