Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Yes, patrickgirl, it is best to wait for the form letter.  No problem making the hotel reservations right away--- directly with hotels (ask for the Navy Grad rate)....because usually you can cancel up to 24 hours or even on arrival day sometimes with no penalty....you can also book your plane reservations on Southwest Airlines into either Milwaukee WI (45 min to GL, no traffic, cheaper car rental) or Chicago-Midway (hour+ to GL)....they have no change fee if your SR is delayed for any reason, and 2 bags check for free.

Suggested hotels from others on this group are:

Springhill Suites, Residence Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Courtyard....all close to Sarge's MeetandGreet held the night before PIR for you.  4-5 miles from RTC, Walmart and restaurants nearby.

If your sailor will be flying out for A School, Navy Lodge is another one to consider (they don't offer a Navy Grad rate but have good rates anyway).  If your sailor will be staying in GL for A School, we do NOT recommend Navy Lodge at this time because lately, some of those sailors have been denied privileges (a chit) to visit their families at Navy Lodge.  You may not want to take a chance on that if you have a sailor staying in GL for A School.

Thanks for all the great info about hotels diannep!  My SR will be staying in GL for A school so will use another hotel.

Hello diannep,

Thank you diannep and yes I think you are exactly correct. I was trying to explain this to some of the other Moms on facebook. I believe you are correct that may be what he was trying to tell me. So in these cases if there are  parents who haven't received a call today from those divisions. they may get a call as late as Thursday? I'm hoping and praying for all of the 11 in the division that they are reunited with their  shipmates for PIR

All the hotels that diannep mentioned that are close to Sarge's Meet & Greet  and the Super Walmart are in the Waukegan/Gurnee area~~

Eve:  It depends on if they are allowed to call after passing their final PFAs or if they make them wait until after they complete BattleStations.  If it is after BattleStations, the call would be on Thurs....if after passing the PFA, it would be on Wed.  So for those families of the 11, I would hold out hope until Thurs!  If they do not pass by then, they will stay in FIT, get about 12 more chances, and once they pass, they head straight to A School, no PIR.  They are granted a short Liberty time---- for families who live close enough,they may be able to come see them (there is no headsup that they are about to pass....it just happens).  For those who do not pass during the chances allotted, they will be discharged.

You are very welcome, patrickgirl!

diannep: So, in general, the I'm a Sailor calls come on Thursdays?  Is that correct?  How do we know when they will be doing battle stations?  

Hearthhaven, your SR will tell you when they know. If not other moms who know can make a post letting others in the same division know they have a date, then send private messages to those who would like the info. This is what I did when mynsailor gave me the date. Also, more than one div will go together so if someone has a date for a div close to yours you can get a good idea from that.

Its been 13 days since my boy left on 1/21. I received his address (which was correct) from his recruiter on 1/23/14 and mailed my first letter that night.  I received my kid in a box on 1/26.  He had his birthday which went unnoticed 1/29 (he told me his birthday began with everyone instructed to get up and give 50 (pushups) at 4 am), I write everyday since 1/21 and mail letters daily. I got my first 17 minute call on Saturday 1/31 at 11:35 am.   He said his PIR date was 3/20/15. I received the form letter that afternoon(1/31/15). My son told me that although he did write they did not receive any mail and  could not send any yet. I was looking for the group for PIR 3/20/15 but its not available yet. He is in DIV 115 Ship 13. He is going to A school in Pensacola FL after graduation. Now I am on overload trying to figure out where to stay and process all the info relating to graduation. This definitely is an emotional roller coaster. Strength and Love to all the others in the Navy family experiencing the same things. 

I'm SO excited~  I just got my form letter last night and my son's PIR is 03/20- I haven't got another call other than the scripted "you'll be getting a box" call which was so short, but I managed to get an I love you at the end. I hope I can hear his voice again soon.  

Luvmyboyz, My son left on 01/21 too, he'll also be going to Pensacola, so I am thinking of staying somewhere in between RTC and O'Hare so we'll be near the airport and wait with him for the flight out the following morning. Time to make travel plans!

Ro'sMom - we are driving from PA  I read somewhere that you cannot access your SR at the airport when they fly out? I also read that they will be leaving the next day after graduation if they are not going to A school at Great Lakes - that would mean  our boys fly Saturday sometime. We are trying to decide when to book out lodging Thurs, Fri Sat night and leave Sunday? not sure...they also cannot visit certain hotels either I read???? We want to go to Sarge's Meet and Greet Thursday night. So may decisions....

My son left on the 27th too, For those of you who got the box yesterday did your sons leave on the 27th and start on 28th or actually start on 28th?

Since we are close by I am hoping we get our box sooner rather than later.  And I so want an address! 

vbmom26,

PIR 03/20/2015 will probably be up and running this week, so hang tight!  You can still ask your questions here though~~

hearthhaven,

Generally, the "I'm a Sailor" calls can come in from Tuesday - Thursday,   diannep is speaking specifically of those SR who were having trouble passing their final PFAs~~

LauraCam, I just wrote "For any recruit" on the envelope and enclosed it with my SR's letter in an envelope addressed to him.

Thanks hearthhaven, I'm trying to look for a hotel not too far from Bootcamp, Sarges' and the airport :)

We are staying at the Navy Lodge.  My son will go to San Antonio for A school, and we are renting a car.  Looking forward to Sarge's meet and greet. 

Hello All!

     "The counsel of the Lord stands forever,

       the plans of His heart to all generations."

                                                Psalm 33:11

luvMyBoyz<3,

For families with SRs flying out, stay at least Thursday - Saturday evening.  If you can afford it, maybe coming in on Wednesday night due to winter weather issues in Chicago and maybe to Sunday in case the rare occurrence of a group of SRs flying out Sunday due to not enough seats available on Saturday.  For sure, attend Sarge's Meet & Greet on Thursday evening from 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm the night before PIR.

Both O'Hare and Midway welcome the families of Sailors to meet them there and see them off!   Not sure why the RDCs discourage families, but they are incorrect!  All are welcome and everyone must have a state issued id, school id with picture, birth certificate or social security card for the younger set that don't have the first 2 forms of id. To obtain a gate pass at the airport, you need to go to the airport terminal (not at the gate) about 3:00 am where you will see all the Sailors gathered together for orientation and to be brought to the ticket counter in groups to get their boarding passes.  This is where you can give your Sailors the cell phone, cell phone charger, laptop, ac adapter, own comfy underwear, maybe some favorite snacks from your area--all must go into their black Navy issued backpack.  They cannot take another piece of baggage because they will have a 50 lb seabag, garment bag with uniforms, the Navy backpack, their paperwork, their covers (hats), all in their own hands to pick up at their A school baggage area.

Families with Sailors flying out to A school, can stay at the Navy Lodge and they can visit in your room on PIR day Friday no problem.  The ones with Sailors attending Great Lakes A school cannot have their Sailors visiting them in the Navy Lodge hotel rooms on Saturday and Sunday~~  Please make arrangements at another hotel for a stressfree weekend.

mommyof4,

Glad to reassure you~~  ((HUGS))

Really, coachjb?  We didn't realize that any of the civilian hotels were off limits to the sailors.  Must be the ones in the general area of A School, maybe?  Who told your sailor that she couldn't go to Red Carpet? 

HELLO!!

I apologize for the delay (had pressing family matters) but here is the 3/20/2015 PIR GROUP link:

PIR 03/30/2015 TG 19 

Please come and join :-)

Ok, coachjb, so are these hotels within walking distance of A School?  Do you know the name of the other hotel you mentioned?

Welcome back, FTLW!  Was wondering where you were!

TY diannep!

I will be back on later to catch up with my beloved PIR groups and here :-)

I am a little, okay a lot, mentally tired.

Was that at O'Hare Vickie? We were at Midway and met our sailor at baggage claim downstairs. The USO guy had the group head upstairs when it was time to get their tickets from the ticket counter and check their bags. Also had us come up behind them and when they checked their bags the sailors got the IDs from their family members and went to another line and obtained our passes for us. At that point we all went thru security and on to the gate. 

Good Evening Ladies! Frequent reader, first time poster. Does anyone else have loved one on Ship 14 DIV III? Would love to compare notes! Also, my son ships out to FL after PIR. Have so much input from this site, my head is spinning :) Uncertain when to book departing flight. Would be heartbroken to depart Sat. if his flight leaves Sun. If his flight leaves Sun., will depart Monday. Any way to find out in advance when he departs? Thank you!  Kindest Regards, Concerned Mom

Here are the current PIR groups:

PIR: 02/06/2015 TG 13 - 13 Divisions (085-094, 806, 913 and 914) 3 guests

No PIR 02/13/2015

No PIR 02/20/2015

PIR: 02/27/2015 TG 16 - 8 Divisions (095-100, 915 and 916) 4 guests

PIR: 03/06/2015 TG 17 - 7 Divisions (101-106 and 917) 4 guests (Divisions not confirmed by the RTC.)

PIR: 03/13/2015 TG 18 - 7 Divisions (107-112 and 918) 4 guests (Divisions not confirmed by the RTC.)

PIR: 03/20/2015 TG 19 (to be updated; begins with Division 113 and contains Divisions 807, 808 and 919)

Click on the date and join to connect with others with loved ones training with your recruit.

A navy mom, ANY hotel?????

What was the reason given? That is the first time I've heard no hotels. We have been seeing that those staying in GL cannot go to the Navy Gateway Inn and Suites or the Navy Lodge, but they have been allowed anywhere else. I see that your Sailor should have flown out. This is a first I've heard of a restriction against hotels for those still attached to the RTC.