Those shipping between Thanksgiving and Christmas often have 10 Fridays instead of the typical 9 Fridays due to a large number shipping at times, but other than that (and the cold), there is really no change in training. He will have a nice meal for Christmas and will have holiday routine on Christmas and be able to attend Chapel if he desires and will be able to write (See Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.) and he may even get a phone call, but don't count on it and be pleasantly surprised if you get a call (See Phone Cards and Phone Calls.).  All federal holidays are HOLD days at RTC. New Year's Day will be treated much like a Saturday with no holiday routine so no guaranteed chance for writing and about 5 hours of training. A call may be scheduled on this day by the RDC, but with the large number of recruits at RTC, don't count on it.

I mentioned the cold, but don't worry. RTC takes VERY good care of the recruits and all training is done indoors. The times they are outside going between ships, they are bundled up well and the only exposed body parts are their eyes and a little skin near them.

Hi Regina126!  My son leaves the same week (Dec 4), and I am excited for him and nervous all at the same time, too!  My son is 20 and he is my oldest, but he is the type that just goes with the flow and is not stressing about this at all, and I am doing ALL of the stressing!!

There is a sub-group on here for those folks whose recruits are leaving in December: https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/leavinforbootcampindecember if you would like to join us there. Perhaps our boys will end up in the same division!

Hang in there, my friend! :)