Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Wisconsinmom. the Page, Captain's Cup, will explain what it is.

My son left on June 1st for BC and so excited FedEx called me today and they delivered "My kid in the Box"!  Made my day and made sure my neighbor picked it up for me.  First milestone completed, now waiting for second milestone as I wait for the form letter.  My coworkers laugh because I am so excited having the box and dirty laundry!  It is a piece of my son that I can't wait to open!

Everyone in DIV 931 passed!! WOOHOOO!!!

NavyMom#28  Congratulations!!!  Can't wait to see the division my son is in and how they do! 

::: HAPPY DANCE ALLL AROUND THE OFFICE! :::

(ya know that phrase "dance like no one is watching"? yea... that's what's happenin here!  haha!

BigDRock98.......We received "the box" in about a week and a phone call in 3 weeks. I think your son may of meant to tell you to expect a call in 3 weeks:) Good luck in your journey and I am sure he will do great!!

IMPORTANT NOTE -- Just saw this on the US Navy Recruit Training Command website:

"Families, friends, veterans, Sailors, and guests of Recruit Training Command: Beginning this Friday vehicle traffic for all visitors attending the recruit graduation ceremony will be directed by Naval Station Security into one of two gates. For those traveling east on Buckley Rd. (typically coming from I-94), please follow the directions of our security staff as they will be directing you into the gate that is located on Buckley Rd. For those of you traveling from the north or south on Sheridan Rd., please follow the directions of our security staff as they will direct you into the gate that is located on Downey Rd. (adjacent to the train station). All other graduation attendance requirements remain unchanged.

All pedestrian traffic will still enter the gate located on Downey Rd. (adjacent to the train station).

We appreciate your cooperation as we move towards a safer and more efficient process for recruit graduation attendees."

OtterBaby - I sent a large (8.5x11) envelope with extra postage for our daughter and she got it no problem and I have already received it back full of letters...  I just folded it up and sent it in a legal size envelope. It fit fine and was still just one stamp to mail.

Thanks, SailorMoon. Great news!! So, did you fold it up within a letter you wrote?

OtterBaby - no, I didn't have a letter in there... sent the letter in another envelope.  She knew the big envelope was on it's way and I didn't want to go over the weight limit for the usual stamp...I try not to do anything that could bring attention, like extra postage, etc.  No extra push ups if I can help it! :)

Anna - Hi! I sent the big envelope about halfway through. Got the tip on here, this site is such a blessing! Another good tip I got from this site that my daughter really  loved:  mail your SR address labels, for your home address and a bunch for their return address! saves them time and can you imagine writing SR _ ship _ div _ over and over again, especially when you are worn out?   I have seen others write about mailing pre addressed stamped envelopes too..

Here are the current PIR groups:

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 - 9 Divisions (215-220, 815, 816 & 936) 4 guests

PIR: July 21, 2017 TG 37 - 8 Divisions (221-226, 817 & 936) 4 guests

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

Check out Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

lemonelephant - Thank you for reposting the link. There's so much important information on Navy for Moms - and it can be overwhelming to absorb it all on top of being separated from our SRs - that a gentle reminder of what's here is greatly appreciated. This link also provides guidance on sending a larger envelope for sending home letters received. And, my SR seemed to really enjoy the questionnaire - lots of embellishments and smiley faces. Thanks again!

OtterBaby, you are very welcome.

There is a LOT of info in the Pages on the right under the pics of the Members. I tried to put them in the order that they will be needed.

I liked making sure there was something in the mail to my son every day. Sometimes it ended up 2 things.

My son shipped on May 23.  Got the form letter on 5/30.  The box on 5/31. Got my first REAL letter today!111  It was postmarked 6/5 9 Monday.  Happy Day!!!!

Whiteflowers, I put some info on your My Page that will help you concerning "the box."

Here are the current PIR groups:

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 - 9 Divisions (215-220, 815, 816 & 936) 4 guests

PIR: July 21, 2017 TG 37 - 8 Divisions (221-226, 817 & 936) 4 guests

PIR: July 28, 2017 TG 38 (Keep checking and join when it is up.)

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

BidDRock98 I am so happy you got your form letter.  Since our kids are both in Cardinal Company, that is an indication mine is coming soon!  Can't wait!  As you I have many letters to send. 

Congratulations to all our SR! 

@BigDRock98  I certainly will! 

Don't forget to join the page for your PIR date. There is loads of info there about PIR, hotels, transportation etc.

Do they always leave for A school right after PIR?

@nise4295, not all of them ship out to their A school right away. Some can be placed on hold until an opening for their school opens up. I think it depends on their rate and the school. Our sailor was on hold for 2 weeks until his BECC classes began in GL. 

@Christine  YAY!  That is so exciting!  I can't wait to get mine! 

@blackbirdmom - when do you find out?

MoMom, I'm so sorry to hear about the missed call. I am waiting for the 3 wk call to come soon & I have terrible reception. I just hope that if I were to miss it, that my son will try to call my husband then. I've given my husband a list of things to ask about just in case. Keep your head up Mom, your not a bad mom, just a very unlucky mom on that day. 

Hi everybody! Quick question... Do Sailors come home after boot camp, or do they go straight to A School? I'm sorry, I'm new to this and reading everything I possibly can. 

@Christine

I just received a letter from my son, too.  He is also in Ship 14 Div 228.  I have already been to the post office to drop off a couple letters.  

@ProudNavyGirlfriend

No, Sailors do not come home after boot camp they go straight to A school.  

Thank you MoMom. So he will be gone 2 months for boot camp, then how long for A school? 

Just read a comment by @blackbirdmom. Answered my question, sort of. I know his job, does what job they have make a difference for when they go to A school? 

@Burnsmom thank you. How long is A school?

ProudNavyGirlfriend, the length of "A" School is based on the rating. The info on GM "A" School is in the info that I left on your My Page last night.

A word in general about the length of A schools: they are always at A school for longer than the stated seat times.  There is usually a period beforehand when they are waiting for other new sailors to arrive to form a class, and if the school is in sections, they may need to wait between those, and sometimes they must wait for orders afterward.  Waiting for orders happens most to those who will go on to C schools, such as FC.  Also, there may be additional training.  

No, they cannot come home during holds, the exception being the winter holiday stand downs.  So whatever length of school you see, that is a bare minimum, expect it to be a little longer.