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

Good Morning!

Good morning everyone I finally have day off! Fireteamwife and diannep, I meant every word, I recognize. That "There is no such thing as a small act of Kindness" As I reflect about how these past weeks have been, I am aware more than ever, the choices our Children have made are filled with such Integrity, no matter if some did not get all the way, there is such a lack of integrity in society, we need some to lead by example in civilian life as well! I also feel a little selfish as well right about now because as I have cried , laughed, worried, and fed myself like I was bird loading up to fly south, I did not spend ALOT of time thinking about how very difficult its been for my son, my journey pales in comparison to his, I will make a point to share this with him, when I finally get a moment alone with him. Moving forward, I will keep this close to my heart,because Mommas, At the RTC our sons/daughters were safer then we where, this will not be the case when they are deployed. So I have put my human bird feeder away lol, although the worry and tears will remain. I have decided to be more then the catch phrase "Navy Strong" I will be a proud parent of a Navy Sailor, and conduct myself accordingly. I know if my son saw me the day after he left, it would not have been the support he really needed. May we all have a blessed day and a safe journey to our reunion with our children.

? Is there a chance they might call before PIR? I. Wasn't home when he called and everyone forgot to ask where he would be on his DIV so we know which side to sit on for view!!!

@Carla - I believe the only paper you need is the gate pass if you are planning to drive onto base.  You will also need proof of identification when you go.  Your name also needs to be on the list of people attending which only your son can create the list of names.  The form letter included the website for graduation info - www.bootcamp.navy.mil  and to print up the gate pass information you need to go to www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp   --you will have to enter the password written to obtain the parking pass.  I believe it has to be all in CAPS when entering the password - at least mine had to be.  Hope this helps.

@Carla - each SR was allowed to write down 4 names.  Those are the only 4 allowed into PIR.  I hear there is a chapel where they will be live-streaming the graduation for "overflow" guest.  If you scroll up from here there is a discussion above regarding overflow guest/viewing PIR from chapel which will give you more information if you are not on the list and how to get into the chapel for viewing. Hoping this helps.  I also know that they also do live-streaming from the internet and also - if not on the list and not wanting to sit in the chapel  - check with the hotel your staying at to see if they will be live-streaming it there as well. 

Carla:  Carrie is right on with her info.  I suggest you also read through the link below (Family Guide) for more info:

http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/pdfs/FamilyGuide_v18Jun2013.pdf

You will note that it says no waiting area there for extra guests....but Carrie is right that they sometimes are allowed into the Chapel to watch.  They will NOT be allowed in PIR Hall so they need to know this.  They will be escorted into the Visitors Center, then the Chapel, and back out again.  If there is a glitch in the Livestream (happens sometimes), they will have to wait in the Chapel anyway until PIR is over (at 10:30). 

http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/pdfs/FamilyGuide_v18Jun2013.pdf

nlover4real, I guess the first question is do you have a handicap place card for your vehicle? If you do bring it, you can park very close to the entrance of the visitors center.

Once in the visitors center it is quite a walk to the drill hall. You can request a wheelchair when you enter, and a good looking recruit will be happy to help you to the drill hall. :) Take advantage of it!!! Once you are in the drill hall you can still sit wherever you would like to.

Blessed Sunday!

     "Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

      mightier than the breakers of the sea--

      the Lord on high is mighty."

                                                          Psalm 93:4

nloverforreal,

From another Navy mom who had to be on crutches for PIR, she just went to the parking structure next to ceremonial drill hall where PIR is taking place.  Let the friendly Sailors there available to help know of your walking limitations and they will bring a wheelchair and take you inside the hall.  After the ceremony, they will return to take you back to your vehicle~  They do this for those with handicap placards and those who are temporarily disabled.

Good Morning!

My son is retesting  for PFA this morning, at this moment.  When he passes how soon will I hear from him today? 

nlover4real, Please don't hesitate to take advantage of the wheelchairs available when you walk into the visitors center. The walk is a long one, both before and after. 

U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command

Congratulations to this week’s winners of Captain’s Cup!

Div. 374 took top honors in the integrated divisions while Div. 820 triumphed in the non-integrated divisions.

jenn:  I don't know if he would be allowed to call when he passes the PFA...or if they will make him wait until he passes BattleStations.  If the PFA, you will hear this afternoon if he passed (only calls if passed); if BattleStations, may not be until tomorrow or Wed depending on when he would go through.  I hope you hear something soon! 

Momma8480:  Not sure what his DS is? 

Momma8480, I understand your question and why...Maybe I am just old, but I can't figure out what a DS is.

Momma8480:  I would email RTC (email address should be in your form letter) with any concerns you have of something allowed at PIR to keep your son occupied.  They would have the best info for you.

Momma8480, when I attended my older son's PIR in September- there were several young children with electronics to keep them busy and/or occupied.  As long as there isn't loud volume during the ceremony, nobody would mind that- how could they? There were ipads, DS games, etc.... heck, even the adults were playing on their electronics while waiting for the ceremony to begin.   Even us adults can only sit still so long without getting antsy.

Momma8480:  I have contacted RTC to see what they say and will let you know when I hear back.  Does your child use earphones with these devices?  I ask because even though KYNavyMomma said many around her were using them, I would hope that the volume was down or they had earphones on so as not to distract others.  Having said that, they want PIR to be a family affair and welcome these children there....and allow food/drink/etc to keep them calm and in their seats---there is actually a part of PIR where they ask ALL people attending to please stay in their seats so as not to distract..  So my guess is that as long as what your son is doing is not disturbing those around him, no problem.  I will let you know when I get an answer.

Momma8480:  Haven't gotten an answer yet from RTC, but with headphones.....don't see how that would be any problem at all. 

Momma8480, Without the Nintendo part, my old brain couldn't put two and two together. Looks like diannep is on it. :)

When my son graduated there were also many with hand held games. I would also guess it wouldn't be a problem if using headphones.

Congratulations to 374 and 820! Captains Cup, well getting ready to get on that plane!! Be at Midway Noon on Wednesday! Looks like good weather so far, but rain on Friday, I hope it's not pouring rain, when you say quite a way to walk like is it more than a mile? Thinking about shoes lol, I'm so excited, feel like Santa Claus coming to town!

Hi Friends!

     "Through the Lord's mercies we are not

       consumed because His compassions fail not;

       They are new every morning; great is Your

       faithfulness.."

                                          Lamentations 3:22-23

Well I got a call last night that my son is coming home.  I know that this is God's plan even if I do not understand right now.  I just hope that he is able to understand that too.  I thank you all for the support and guidance during this journey and congratulate all of you and you SRs.  My son included they have done what very few would even attempt to do and should be incredibly proud.  Now I will focus on getting him home and starting a new journey. Hoping he will be able to enroll in college after Christmas and figure out what is best for him. Prayers for my son to not let this defeat him or bring him down and that he will always know that I am proud of him.  Whats meant to be will be.   

Good Morning!  I believe that 952/373/374 went through BattleStations last night....possibly 820 also but thinking not last night for them....have your phones ready just in case.  Calls can start in a few hours!  Congrats to the new sailors!

jenn:  I'm so sorry....but sounds like you have a great attitude to guide him along.  I hope the college opportunity works out for him and that he he takes the "good stuff" from Bootcamp with him....to his next stage in life.  Blessings to you and your son....

Momma8480:  They can take whatever personal items they can fit into their Navy luggage (traded at the airport)....must fit in seabag (packed pretty full), garment bag (uniforms) or their carryon backpack.  Although others in the past have brought an extra suitcase for these items for their sailor to take, that is not advised as the sailors must manage their luggage by themselves and that is alot to manage already.  You can always ship/mail more items to them once they have settled in....or....they can take more personal items back after Christmas break if they choose/are approved to take some Leave then from A School when it is on Stand Down.

Also Momma8480:  Heard back from RTC....electronics are fine at PIR as long as headphones are used so as not to distract others with the noise.  They also mentioned the part I told you about....when they ask all to remain seated.  If you find your son is a bit antsy by then, you may want to take him behind the bleachers but hope that won't happen so you don't miss anything.

My Sailor daughter:  I'm wondering how she knows she will not be home for Christmas (I knew she couldn't leave for Thanksgiving) since that is an A School decision, not RTC?  The A Schools go on Stand Down and although not all of the sailors may be able to leave, many don't want to anyway (they have to pay for their own Leave expenses).  So those who want to come home usually can.  So tell her not to give up hope yet....she will find all of this out during INDOC when she arrives on her A School base.   They will allow them to go "in the hole" on the number of Leave days they have (they accumulate 2.5 per month starting in Bootcamp)....so she would have days to come home.  She would just pay them back during A School.  She will not be able to take more Leave until she completes A School....the Christmas Leave is the only exception.