Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

19 days!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sure this has been asked, however while my son has not left for BC yet, he will be leaving next week.  When PIR takes place, how far does the family need to be able to walk to be at the PIR graduation?  The reason I ask, the grandfather does not walk very well or can't walk to far, if the distance is too far I was to have him stay at the hotel and see if he can see it streamed.  I just don't him in pain and then can't enjoy a visit with his grandson.  Just a 'little' concerned. 

I've been sitting in the background, just watching the conversations and gleaning all the info I can before my son leaves, which was supposed to be in November.  Good thing, because it just got moved to next week!  Eek...not sure I'm emotionally ready for this!  

there are wheelchairs available, and you can request assistance where grandfather can be escorted in and can sit in the handicapped section rather than climb the bleachers. If your SR has put his grandfather on the list, then try this route before leaving him at the hotel. The ceremony is a wonderful thing to watch. http://www.navyformoms.ning.com/group/bootcampmoms/page/liberty-dur...

Baseballlover, my son left last week. I can't even say his name oe what he is doing without crying yet. I cried getting "the box" so I am sure I will get it when I see the letter. Watch one of the graduations online. That's emotional too. But be proud. It's honorable what they are doing. Keep your chin up. We are all in this together.

WOW Kimberya - that's late - or early depending on how you look at it!  Is your SR getting enough sleep??  I'm glad you got the call tho :)

I heard another mom didn't get her call until 3:30 AM!!!

Even when I went through boot camp, which was decades ago, we didn't get to sleep on arrival.  I think I was awake over 48 hours.  That is actually done on purpose as part of the process.  The initial shock and  stress is a bonding opportunity for the recruits, and it is one of the first steps in breaking down their civilian habits and building up their new Navy routine.

Anti M - Thank you for your service!

Anxiously awaiting the form letter... I have to keep reminding myself that 'no news is good news'.  Love reading through the different blogs out here and so much good information. I've got letters ready to go once we receive our SR address. Based on when he left, I think he will be in either PIR Jul.7 or Jul. 14.  Can't wait!!!!

I can't remember which thread I was on - pictures I've been looking thru hoping to get a glimpse of my son - no luck for me - but maybe others will see pics of their loved one!:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand/photos/?ref=...

Here are the current PIR groups:

PIR: May 26, 2017 TG 29 - 9 Divisions (159-166 & 929) 4 guests (Note: This is Memorial Day weekend. If your then Sailor will stay in GL for “A” School or training, then plan to leave late Monday or on Tuesday if you are able since your Sailor will also have Liberty on Monday. The holiday will not affect those flying out.)

PIR: June 2, 2017 TG 30 - 11 Divisions (167-176 & 930) 4 guests

PIR: June 9, 2017 TG 31 - 12 Divisions (177-186, 814 & 931) 4 guests

PIR: June 16, 2017 TG 32 - 7 Divisions (187-192 & 932) 4 guests

PIR: June 23, 2017 TG 33 - 11 Divisions (193-202 & 933) 4 guests

PIR: June 30, 2017 TG 34 - 7 Divisions (203-208 & 934) 4 guests

PIR: July 7, 2017 TG 35 - 7 Divisions (209-214 & 935) 4 guests

PIR: July 14, 2017 TG 36

Click on the date of your recruit’s PIR and join the group to connect with others with loved ones training with your recruit.

Colagrl- I so remember when my hubby was in the military in the 90's and his WHOLE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER,  was part of his address. That's so crazy. I think it is awesome that you have letters from your dad too. I should look at my husband's letters that I sent him while he was in bootcamp. Although I not sure my son would want to see what I might have written to my husband back then! LOL! It might be TMI. LOL! 

Colagrl - that's SO cool!!!!  How nice to go back and read them!  I'm sure they still bring a smile to your face!

Good idea, Colagrl.

Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit has info on what to send and not send.

One day at work I thought "I should send him a letter ... there should be words with it too!"  When I got to my office, I drew a big "L" on the page and then wrote words beginning with L all over the page ... but I'm sure my son didn't think that was really out of the ordinary for me ;)    OH!  I just thought... I'm gunna send him a playing card ... King of Clubs would work - he might get teased if I sent a King of Hearts   haha

Sam's mom, that was so nice of him.

LOL, colagrl ... I found one of my old utility shirts, the pale blue one, and it has my full SSN stenciled in it.  I don't want to cut it up, but I can't donate it with that in it!  Makes me wonder what became of the rest of my stenciled things.

Heck, even my dependent ID card doesn't have my SSN, or his, on it these days.

Looking forward to catching a glimpse of my SR this morning in the live stream ... 2 more weeks till I get to see him live and in person!!!

Congratulations PIR MAY26!!! HOOYAH Navy!

Good for that FED EX man....very considerate!

Congratulations to all the new Sailors!

Here are the current PIR groups:

PIR: June 2, 2017 TG 30 - 11 Divisions (167-176 & 930) 4 guests

PIR: June 9, 2017 TG 31 - 12 Divisions (177-186, 814 & 931) 4 guests

PIR: June 16, 2017 TG 32 - 7 Divisions (187-192 & 932) 4 guests

PIR: June 23, 2017 TG 33 - 11 Divisions (193-202 & 933) 4 guests

PIR: June 30, 2017 TG 34 - 7 Divisions (203-208 & 934) 4 guests

PIR: July 7, 2017 TG 35 - 7 Divisions (209-214 & 935) 4 guests

PIR: July 14, 2017 TG 36

Click on the date of your recruit’s PIR and join the group to connect with others with loved ones training with your recruit.

I just had a feeling my SR would call tonight ... twas not to be :(  I really miss my boy - can't wait till the 9th!!!!

Still so glad for this site and wish all of you and yours the best of everything......Be sure to attend the Meet n Greet the night before the graduation as Sarge and his family are wonderful and so nice to meet other parents and family members there.  Seems like May 12th PIR was just yesterday; an incredible graduation and weekend for my family!!!  Enjoy every minute

Voxtrot - that was so inspiring, thank you.  PIR 6/02

Voxtrot- I know this was his decision not mine but to hear his voice for only 8 min. and him to be near tears by the end of that 8 min. I don't know if I can survive until 7/7. I have a hard time to believing it's going to be worth it.  I am very upset and very hurt at this point.

Thank you Voxtrot!! It is so wonderful to hear from a mom that's made it through this first giant hurdle. I am so proud of my girl and so excited for the day I get to see the adult she is becoming. I can't wait for the moment I sit in the stands at Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall, watch the doors raise up as the DIV's march in and witness her step over the threshold and into her new life. PIR 7/7

Mar3n1 - you are stronger than you think... and so is your son.  You will get through this, as will he - keep your chin up - vent here whenever you need - even tho it almost seems like the time drags, it really does go by quickly {{{{ HUG }}}}

I/HE  we knew this wouldn't be easy but I wasn't expecting him to cry. That was the worst.  I cried every day for a week after he left then to hear him cry it has been eating away at me.

MandrakeMom, you will be amazed at your daughter's growth by PIR....

Toni, hang in there, you are so close to PIR !!!! Have fun!

Mar3in1...this is one of the hard parts, goodbyes are very tough. I can assure you , his fellow recruits and RDCs will stand shoulder to shoulder with him, they will work extremely hard to help him succeed. This is the truth. My son was (volunteered) Recruit Religious Petty Off. for his division, the chapel is a great place for them to go (one of the  few places they can "socialize" . Your son will find his way, trust in that. If it's any consolation, it was my son's decision to enlist and I was lukewarm on the whole deal, he still has college to finish ! He is Navy reserves, so he'll be able to do so after his further training...I was anxious and nervous, but I dug in and decided that I was going to be his  number one support in this. I am so glad I did, your son needs your love and support now as much as he did the first day he stepped into kindergarten...don't stop now, and you will find an amazing thing happen, the more you encourage him and feel pride, it will heal your heart and you will find that your days are much better and filled with joy instead of sorrow. It is a choice only you can make, you can turn this around- this site is full of great inspiration and people who also struggle with this decision, because it is a big one. Your son made this decision because he knew he wanted and needed this, trust him on this. I can't say this enough, you will be amazed at the transformation. Its certainly okay to be scared, sad, all those things, and when you're ready to, turn this around into a good thing...because it is...you will hear it in each phone call and letter as your son gains an amazing amount of confidence, and he will so appreciate your love and support.Your relationship will be stronger for it too, dig deep, you got this. 

Mar3n1, Your recruit is at the tough point in BC. It isn't unusual to hear them homesick, crying etc. It is perfectly normal! He was most likely just fine not long after he hung up the phone. Believe it or not, sometimes BC is harder on the ones left at home than it is on the recruits.

Every recruit will have their moments. Becoming a Sailor isn't easy!  Adjustment and rapid change is difficult, especially when away from the ones they know and love.

As things progress, the division starts working as a team, friends met become lifelong brothers, newly learned skills become habit, and they realize they can actually do this, the Navy life becomes a reality, and things start looking up. 

Your recruit will be fine, you will be fine! Take a deep breath, imagine him in his White Dress uniform marching into that Drill Hall in July. I promise it will put a smile on your face. Not long from now you will have a US Sailor!

When he started to cry I just kept saying I'm proud of you, you got this, I know you can do it. Partly cause I was terrified and didn't know what else to say.  Now I'm hurt and angry I guess I'm just scared and needed to let it out and I didn't know where else to vent. He is starting week 3 now. If he can do it I can do it. I was seeing people posting about 45 min calls and things and got hurt when my recruit sounded scared and alone. I thought maybe I would get in touch with the girl he was "talking to" before he left and we would go get a picture with her and his nephew and print it out on regular paper and send it to him maybe that would help.

Me too-that first call (not the scripted one) but the one they could talk. He cried. Didn't bawl, but I hear the choked/tears in his voice.  I did all I could to bolster his spirit. To keep his eyes on the prize. Then bawled myself after the hang-up. Questioned my having encouraged/supported him in his decision. Even questioned our family investments in Boy Scouting, as that set him up for a military type life. Judging the "worth" of his pain right now is difficult. He's going through emotional changes that are necessary to be ok within himself as a Sailor. The next calls were REALLY much better. He'd made the transition in his mind. So "adult-ish" sounding. Now he's in A School there in GL. He's going with friends he's made into the city, exploring. It's so good to see him taking advantage of his new found self confidence.

Mar3n1 - yes that is a great idea.  Write often, that is the one connection they have with the outside world.  My sons call on the third week was also emotional as were his letters he was questioning his decision.  As time passed that all changed.  The last call and letters he sounds happy and exited for BST and then graduation.  I cried back then and now I just can't stop bragging about my boy the soon to be sailor.

@Mar3n1, I sent you a PM.  My sights have turned from being so emotional at the beginning to looking forward to our trip up there for PIR.  I have stayed busy at home and focused on what we will be doing when we get there, what gift I will have for him.  At night, when I lay my head down to sleep, I think, 'he's ok, he's going to sleep now too." It's helped me get through it and it helps me put another day behind me.