Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

To everyone with a loved one at RTC or soon to be there, we say, "Welcome!"  To those who are sticking around after PIR to help those who are just beginning this awesome journey, we say, "Thank you!"

**BEGINNING OCTOBER 5, 2023, RECRUIT GRADUATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED EVERY THURSDAY (NO LONGER ON FRIDAY), EXCEPT FOR THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING, WHEN GRADUATION IS ON WEDNESDAY.

This is a place to talk, ask questions, and share stories. It is our desire that this Group will provide the information, encouragement, and support you need while your loved one is at RTC in Great Lakes. Enjoy your time here and feel free to Comment and join in the Discussions. Be sure to check out the "Pages" to the right, located under the pictures of the Members, especially OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile), (Click "View All" to see all of them.)

Please, if you no longer want to be a part of N4M's consider NOT deleting your profile as everything you have ever posted will disappear when you delete it .  You can leave a group but don't permanently delete your profile!

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  • jennifer

    Lady bug...so happy you got the call. How many days has your son been gone? Glad to hear everyones kids sound good.
  • CFLMama (ship 3 Div245)

    I can't wait to get a call! I'm happy you all got calls, it gives us something to look forward to.

  • tutorlady

    What is Service Week? I'm not lie - it's been a hard day.
  • Christynavymom

    I cant wait till my daughter can call
  • NicksMom

    My son called in the late afternoon today, about 5 pm Great Lskrs time. He said he had 30 minutes, but they called it at 15 min . :(
    Ship 03, Div 230... it was our first call from him.
  • Christynavymom

    Nicksmom when did he get there
  • NicksMom

    May 30
  • lemonelephant

    Here are the current PIR groups:

    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 - 9 Divisions (227-234 & 938) 4 guests

    PIR: August 4, 2017 TG 39 - 11 Divisions (235-244 & 939) 4 guests

    PIR: August 11, 2017 TG 40 - 8 Divisions (245-250, 818 & 940 (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.

  • Math teacher

    Which week is hell week and what happens then?
  • Anti M

    @tutorlady ... Service Week is no longer a thing.  I had service week when I went through boot camp in Orlando ... the Navy had three boot camps, and used the recruits to keep the place running, much like they do on ships.  Helping at the chow hall, the laundry, doing sweepers and landscaping.  That is long gone, along with the two other boot camps we once had.  

    As for hell week, seriously, we didn't have one.  We had hard weeks, and harder weeks, and busy weeks, but it was a mistake to say hell week, as we got in trouble for that.  Only the SEALS had a real Hell Week, and we were not to compare ourselves to them.  Now, that tradition has changed, and hell week is sometime around week six? Seven?  I honestly don't know, so I suppose I need to learn that too!

  • tutorlady

    @Anti M - thank you for the clarification.  I heard the term (and horror stories which I tried to tune out) from a former Navy member who hadn't been "in" for a while.  My understanding is that "hell week" is what is currently called Battle Stations.  Am I incorrect in my understanding?  Thanks again for the clarification.   

  • Babybird98

    Hi all
    My son earned a chevron. What exactly does this mean, and where should I look for it on his uniform
    Thanks
  • Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)

    Math teacher
    My husband and I visited the RTC Navy Museum a week prior to our sons departure for bc.
    Here is what I copied from their walls. It is a weekly break down of what transpires during bc. It sure has helped me on this journey, so far.
    ......i cant seem to download it, so i will try copying it into my next reply. Brb
  • Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)

    I had to create a seperate discussion.
    So sorry.
  • MoparMom

    It would be nice to get ahold of a more updated version of they day by day. I know thr hair for girls has changrd, so be curious to see what other changchanges there may be since it's been 7 years ago.
  • Math teacher

    Hi Lea. It would be wonderful to know that starting with week 6. That's where he is right now. Grandson is ship 6 div 218mhow about your son?
  • Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)

    Math teacher
    My son has been in bc for 12 days now. Its his second Sunday, today.
    I cheer him on, here at home, every day.
    Thank you for asking.
    Lea
  • Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)

    And, your son being in week 6 now, WOW! Im proud of him. He has done well. Is now feeling pretty good about himself and his team mates. Thats great!
    Has he told you what date his BST-21 will be? Im certain you will be overjoyed when that call comes in!!!
  • Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)

    Aaww. Thank you Lady Bug.
    That is great news and i appreciate that info.
    I carry my phone everywhere, always.
    Thank you again, for your thoughtfulness.
    Lea
  • Mom1997

    Got a call today. Was so happy to hear his voice he sounded really good
  • Christine

    Question - after PIR and they fly off to their A school, can we visit them whenever we want? Thank you in advance. It may be a silly question but I am not sure how much time after PIR we will have that day. I miss my buddy. God's Blessings on all our SR's!
  • lemonelephant

    Here are the current PIR groups:

    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 - 9 Divisions (227-234 & 938) 4 guests

    PIR: August 4, 2017 TG 39 - 11 Divisions (235-244 & 939) 4 guests

    PIR: August 11, 2017 TG 40 - 8 Divisions (245-250, 818 & 940 (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.

  • lemonelephant

    Christina, yes, you can visit you Sailor in "A" School when he is not in class or on duty. He may or may not be able to leave the base depending on which Phase he has Phased up to when you visit. Many wait until at least the third weekend after arrival to visit since the Sailor usually has more freedom by then although he may still have to remain in uniform while on Liberty, but some visit sooner than that. Your Sailor is the best one to ask once he gets to Shepard AFB as far as when the best time to visit would be.

  • lemonelephant

    MoparMom, the Day by Day is still pretty close to what happens based on what recruits and Sailors have reported. There is an inconsistency in the Day by Day that still has not been corrected, but overall it gives a good idea of what is happening.

  • lemonelephant

    Babybird98,. chevrons indicate that he is a Petty Officer. Since the rate of Petty Officer cannot be earned by a recruit at BC, that would indicate that he has a Recruit Petty Officer position and has some extra responsibilities. You will not see the collar device for that (until he actually becomes a Petty Officer later on while in the fleet) since it must be returned before he has PIR. See Recruit Petty Officer Positions.

  • lemonelephant

    Math teacher and tutorlady, "Hell Week" (not all RDC's permit the use of that term) is week 4 of  training and is called that because of the number of tests that week that include the second PFA, live fire where the recruit may earn Sharp Shooter or Expert Ribbons and several inspections among other things. Battle Stations-21 (BST) is the final test before becoming a Sailor and occurs at the end of week 6 of training.

  • lemonelephant

    Even though recruits are at the RTC at least 7 weeks, there are 6 weeks of actual training for all recruits after a minimum of 4 P-days. Some recruits may have extra P-days and/or have extra days between Battle Stations-21 (BST) and PIR depending on when the division formed.

  • Christine

    @lemonelephant no words can tell you how much us newbee parents appreciate ALL you do. You are our guardian angel as we send our babies off to unknown territory. Thank you so very much for all of your knowledge and true friendship. God Bless you always!
  • herNavymom

    SHIP 12 DIV 235 Missed our phone call but her twin brother was able to speak to her and said she sounded really good. She actually said boot camp is better than she thought. lol   Hope you all hear from your loved ones. 

  • ellen0502

    The August 11, 2017 PIR group is up and running.

  • Melanie

    First time mom. Received my Daughter's info ship 02 Div 941 Please don't laugh but once I leave this site have a hard time getting back here anymore can help me set this up alittle easier. Sorry for the trouble
  • Anti M

    Melanie, are you using a mobile device such as a phone or tablet?  I find this site so hard to use on those I only use my laptop.  If you are, try "desktop view" and then you can find "My Groups" and bit easier, and then this group.  I hope that helps a little.  

  • SailorsLIMom

    I agree, the mobile version of the site is hard to navigate.  You can add comments by clicking the icon next to the number at the bottom right, though.

  • Melanie

    Thank you for helping me
  • Math teacher

    For the sailors who have A school at the Great Lakes what items can we bring for them at PIR?
  • jennifer

    My son has a bag packed with his computer and charger...I'm to bring his phone. He was told that was okay.
  • Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)

    Math Teacher
    I went onto the RTC Great Lakes fb site. There is a section for families, and a list of common questions/answers. Its a great resource.
    Also, www.bootcamp.navy.mil has a question/answer section. It also has a list of do's & Don'ts regarding the sailor and graduation day/liberty.
  • Mammagoose

    My son leaves for RTC August 1 but had his first meeting with the people that determine security today. How likely is it that it will be complete by the time he leaves and what happens if the final security clearance isn't determined by the time he leaves?
  • lemonelephant

    Mammagoose, most of the time a future Sailor will be able to ship if the initial security clearance has gone through. It is common for additional security checks to be done while at the RTC (and NF, your future Sailor's contracted field, is one that it happens for), so expect him to ship as scheduled. If something comes up in the security check while at BC, then he would be offered a contract for a rating or one of the PACT programs that does not require the higher level of security clearance or he could choose to be separated.

  • lemonelephant

    Here are the current PIR groups:

    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 - 9 Divisions (227-234 & 938) 4 guests

    PIR: August 4, 2017 TG 39 - 11 Divisions (235-244 & 939) 4 guests

    PIR: August 11, 2017 TG 40 - 8 Divisions (245-250, 818 & 940

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

  • Math teacher

    Thanks Lea for the info. You have been very helpful. On that link it says do not bring cell phones. I had read before to bring phones, chargers,laptops and comfy clothing to wear inside the hotel room. I know they must have uniform on outside the hotel room. Anyone know for sure?
  • jennifer

    I don't know for sure. I think I will bring it and if he can't take it I will bring it home. Maybe it depends where and what they are doing. Plus we may get future insight from letters and phone calls.
  • jennifer

    Sorry...I was referring to A school.
  • ibeitz71

    How long before form letter comes my son arrived last Thursday?

  • Anti M

    jennifer, if they have A school at Great Lakes, then they can take back whatever electronics and clothes to their new barracks, after they have checked in.  Everyone who is flying out to A school cannot take anything back to RTC with them, but you can meet them at the airport to hand their phones, etc, over.

    A word on security clearances: they really never finish them completely before they ship.  They do enough to get them to RTC, then complete the clearances in stages.  I needed a Top Secret for C school, and it didn't come through until I was done with A school. That was over 30 years ago, one of the things which does not really change.  These just take time. Honestly, I think the internet and our new larger electronic footprints actually have slowed things down!

  • JRnukeMom

    How is everyone holding up?
    I learned that I won't be attending graduation, makes me sad but I am hoping I can view it on live feed.
    My son is doing really well. He says many of them are doing well.
    He said Letters/calls for his division are affected by the Commanding Officer so Keep your smiles on everyone.
    Prayers for all of our kids.
  • Samray5

    JRMOM  when does your SR graduate and what div???? Maybe someone can help

  • OtterBaby

    JRMom - We're friends. Isn't your SR in either my son's DIV 220 or sister DIV 219? Maybe I can help!!

  • jennifer

    I'm sitting in a nursing home auditing...and across the street is a church. As I'm sitting here working, the bells just played America the Beautiful. It is giving me chills. Praying the our SRs are thriving. They are fore front in my mind. Omgsh now just played my country Tis of thee. What a gift while I'm working. Made me think of all of you.
  • soccermom19

    So, here I sit just waiting until 3pm when I take my son in to leave for BC.  It's a wonderful thing, so I why am I so teary?  He keeps getting angry because I keep trying to hug him as he walks by.  He had left after high school to live on his own a few years and then since learning he was going in moved back temporarily for a month.  I was just loving it having him back here and he does not get that.