Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

I second Gijoesgirl... My husband has been at boot camp for about 6 weeks now. Everything you all are saying about the anxiety, worry, waiting... I felt all of those things. Chin up, form relationships with the others moms/significant others here and on the facebook groups - it does get easier as the time passes. By week 3-4 time will be flying and you guys will be the "old timers" lol

Hang in there! We will get through this together!

You all are absolutely amazing and I have been struggling with even putting comments out in these groups.  I'm loving the support that I have felt and seen with others. Thank you all so much.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this site.

Hi NMs! I've been on the facebook groups more than here over the past few days (my baby brother had a heart attack Friday night), but am excited to meet you. I got my form letter yesterday and my SR is in DIV 925, ship 2, PIR 4/28. It seems like there are a few others on here that have SRs in the same DIV. 

Hello everyone,  My SR is in DIV 134, Ship 14, PIR 4/28.  Anxiously awaiting his first letter.  Got the form letter on Friday and I have already written 3 letters back but I am staggering mailing them so that I don't cause him any unwanted attention. My nerves are on edge, but I am making it.  Much more encouraged and relaxed now that I have all of you to see me through this.

Welcome aheekrn! This is just my experience/opinion, but I do want to share it with you. My husband is also on ship 14, div 104. When he finally started getting my letters, he received about 10 in the first batch, 15 in the second. Nothing bad came of it... the other guys were jealous of his loads of mail. The RDCs joked about him getting more mail than any one else, but as long as the mail was in standard size envelopes, no negative attention came of it. He did not get "beat" (IT).

So, again, just my experience, but SEND SEND SEND! They really need that connection to home the first few weeks. Getting mail will be something he looks forward to, so dont hold back! Best of luck to your SR!

redgold89

Unfortunately they have to go back to their barracks that night.  Even if you are staying at the Navy Lodge.

redgold89

Did everything work out I hope?  No more medical separation?

Just to confirm...that is correct...no overnight Liberty for the newly graduated Sailors.

Make-me-proud-Jake - Yes, you should. Anything "promised" should be in the contract.

We will have the PIR 04/28 Group up soon!

Glad to here the PIR group 4/28 will soon be open. Reading the info out on these pages band reading the discussion groups is like a lifeline for parents. Thanks all for this. My only regret is that I didn't talk into this sooner. 

Just stuffed four letters in the mailbox to my SR! Can't wait for the 4/28 PIR group to open up! I'm very excited now that I know everything is likely rolling along. Yippee!

I have three letters ready to be mailed out to my SR! We bought our plane tickets for PIR, now just have to reserve a rental car and a hotel room. I can't wait to see him! And hopefully meet some of you!

Hey everyone who's SR is in Unit 925, if you haven't read about the 900 unit, you will find everything you need to know in the link to the right above called "800 and 900 Units" I just joined the 900 Unit group too. Can't wait to find out what my SR will be doing! Carrying a flag? In the Blue Jacket Choir? This is exciting!

Does anyone know if SR can change names on their list for PIR?  Just found out that SR's grandfather not able to make the trip and he is on the list.  Others are coming that would like to see PIR in person

Hello All - I'm new here (my son goes to BC in May). Question: SR is not in the Navy Speak PDF. Can someone please define for me? Thank you!!

Thanks, ShawnMom!

Thanks, Ladies! Yes, there is so much to learn before my only heads to BC.

For those of you who received a form letter and your SR's PIR is 4/28...when did they arrive at BC?  My SR arrived on March 1st. I've received the box but no letter yet.  I'm getting so anxious!

Ysamar - it's not uncommon for recruits to have their wisdom teeth removed. The thought is that they will cause a problem at some point, so better to take them out now than later if they are in a crucial situation. Remember that our kids are now a big investment for the Navy. They've already poured a bunch of money into each one at this point and don't want to lose any. I'm sure you're son was/is well taken care of. If he was sent back to his unit in two days, all is well. If he has trouble with pain, he will go back to sick bay. You don't want him to spend too much time there and delay his PIR date! Be at rest. He is fine!

Maggie 59 - my SR arrived at RTC on Monday, Feb 27. We don't know how long she was in processing but her PIR date is 4/28. We received the form letter on the 13th day. It all depends upon how long processing and assigning to a ship takes. You should receive the form letter soon - it's a huge relief when you know the ball is rolling with no glitches. Hang in there!

Hi Maggie

Arrived at boot camp 2/27, box came 3/2 and form letter came 3/9. PIR of 4/28.  Keep your phone on you at all times never know when you are going to get a call.  I recieved 2 calls so far.  That's not the norm but I'm so glad I didn't miss them.

For some reason I think today was my hardest day yet I thought it would be easier now that we have the form letter but I find myself like others of you anxious to get a phone call or a letter some sort of personal contact. And for those asking my son shipped on 2/27 and his PIR is 4/28. I keep trying to remember what I read somewhere on this site something about having patience and no news is good news.

It is hard.  Still get tears in my eyes way to much.  I think my son said they should be able to write on Sunday.  So keep checking the mail box.  Or maybe your son will recite something correctly again so we get another phone call.  That first call we got because of your son was a life saver.  One week in and I thought I was going to fall apart.

Ysamar, I felt the same as you.  I knew about the wisdom teeth coming out before he left.  He had to be put under because his roots were to close to the nerves but he said he was a bit swollen, spent 2 days in his rack and fine. Trust those dentist, because the pull out wisdom teeth all the time.

My son's PIR is 4/28, and he arrived at BC on 2/27. We received his box that Thursday and the form letter this past Friday. We haven't gotten any personal letters from him yet, but I'm not expecting one for a few weeks or so. Whenever we do get one it will be a welcome surprise!

Mjh363 - so did you end up getting a call last Friday?  We didn't. And when we got the initial 20 second call I had been laying in bed and when I answered the call I was trying to listen, run down the hall and put it on speaker all at the same time. And when I got all that done I heard a click and he was gone. I don't even really know what he said. Since then it has been just the box and the form letter - both without even a shred of a personal note. Not even so much as 'hi'.  

So I'm just about beside myself for wondering how he is doing. Then I started seeing all this talk of getting wisdom teeth out. If I'd had even an inkling that they may take their wisdom teeth out at BC we would have had that taken care of long before he left. 

When I get past missing him so much I can get excited for our trip to PIR end the journey he's going to be on. It's just these total blackout days that are getting very ling. 

ProudOfK I tried to have my SR's wisdom teeth pulled out way before he left but his recruiter told him he couldn't do that because they didn't want any issues with that surgery. So I really dreaded the wisdom teeth and if you saw my posts, in the beginning, it was all about wisdom teeth! 

I just wish I would get at least the form letter.  Today makes 14 days since he left for BC.

ProudOfK  My daughter just graduated 3/3 and she had to have her wisdom teeth pulled while in boot camp. She said it was better than when her civilian dentist pulled her teeth for braces. Said she got to catch up on a lot of missed sleep also with the recovery down time and was actually wanting to go back to full duty before they would let her. They are well taken care of.  Now I know everyone has different experiences but I just wanted to share her story in hopes it will ease your mind some.  

Klondo thank you that does help to know that. 

End Maggie my heart goes out to you. Maybe today it will come. 

Maggie - fingers crossed for today's mail! Ours came at day 13, so I know what you're going through if that helps at all. You will feel much relieved once it arrives. We are now anxiously awaiting hearing our SR's voice! Want that phone call!

It's COLD and snowing in Great Lakes today! Hope our kids are inside and warm!

I've gotta say that I'm really appreciating this group. I don't think anyone other than another mom really understands a mother's heart. We worry about every little thing. Sometimes people tell me I'm just silly for worrying so much, but all of you make me feel comfortable and secure expressing my thoughts and fears. So - THANKS!

So excited got my Form Letter with PIR 5/5.  Now I can mail the letters I already have written

Thanks for all the words on encouragement everyone!  It does help.

Michelle Leigh...what date did your SR start BC?

My son also was advised to wait until boot camp to have his wisdom teeth removed. In his letter he wrote how nice it was to have 2 days to lay in his bed. Our recruiter said they call it "Bloody Pillow Day". ha. 

Well going through the Box I found his phone card.  I told him to put it in his wallet.  Now I will mail it back to him.

My SR started 3/7.  It was the proudest yet saddest day of my life.  Now I find myself so excited over a Box of dirty clothes and stuff.  Then the Form Letter saying I now have an address to send the cards and letters that I already have.  

Same thing with our son.  He was told to wait till boot camp to get his wisdom teeth removed.  He had them done a couple of weeks ago and he said he used his down time to rest and study. Only 18 more days till we get to hug him.  It has seemed like forever but the letters and phone calls help.  Just write often to your recruit because our son said that the letters make a bad day bearable. Wish we could get more phone calls but that's the way it goes.  To all the new navy moms, hang in there.  These sites are great for support and info.

Maggie - I have found that even though I have 2 of the best friends that a woman can ask for, these ladies have been there done that or doing it now with you.  So they actually know how you feel.  Knowing these ladies are surviving the feeling of loss, means as a Mom I can do it too.  I thank them for that.

Question: Once they get to South Carolina for A School how soon can I send stuff to him for his room, like his computer and phone? Are they in a room with one other guy? Are they barracks? Do they share a bathroom down the hall? Just trying to get a idea of what living situation is going to be.