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!"
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!
jennifer
Jun 24, 2017
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.
Jun 24, 2017
tutorlady
Jun 24, 2017
Christynavymom
Jun 24, 2017
NicksMom
Ship 03, Div 230... it was our first call from him.
Jun 24, 2017
Christynavymom
Jun 24, 2017
NicksMom
Jun 25, 2017
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.
Jun 25, 2017
Math teacher
Jun 25, 2017
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!
Jun 25, 2017
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.
Jun 25, 2017
Babybird98
My son earned a chevron. What exactly does this mean, and where should I look for it on his uniform
Thanks
Jun 25, 2017
Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)
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
Jun 25, 2017
Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)
So sorry.
Jun 25, 2017
MoparMom
Jun 25, 2017
Math teacher
Jun 25, 2017
Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)
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
Jun 25, 2017
Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)
Has he told you what date his BST-21 will be? Im certain you will be overjoyed when that call comes in!!!
Jun 25, 2017
Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)
That is great news and i appreciate that info.
I carry my phone everywhere, always.
Thank you again, for your thoughtfulness.
Lea
Jun 25, 2017
Mom1997
Jun 25, 2017
Christine
Jun 25, 2017
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.
Jun 25, 2017
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.
Jun 25, 2017
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.
Jun 25, 2017
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.
Jun 26, 2017
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.
Jun 26, 2017
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.
Jun 26, 2017
Christine
Jun 26, 2017
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.
Jun 26, 2017
ellen0502
The August 11, 2017 PIR group is up and running.
Jun 26, 2017
Melanie
Jun 26, 2017
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.
Jun 26, 2017
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.
Jun 26, 2017
Melanie
Jun 26, 2017
Math teacher
Jun 26, 2017
jennifer
Jun 26, 2017
Lea (SHIP 11 DIV 242)
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.
Jun 26, 2017
Mammagoose
Jun 26, 2017
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.
Jun 27, 2017
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.
Jun 27, 2017
Math teacher
Jun 27, 2017
jennifer
Jun 27, 2017
jennifer
Jun 27, 2017
ibeitz71
How long before form letter comes my son arrived last Thursday?
Jun 27, 2017
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!
Jun 27, 2017
JRnukeMom
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.
Jun 27, 2017
Samray5
JRMOM when does your SR graduate and what div???? Maybe someone can help
Jun 27, 2017
OtterBaby
JRMom - We're friends. Isn't your SR in either my son's DIV 220 or sister DIV 219? Maybe I can help!!
Jun 27, 2017
jennifer
Jun 27, 2017
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.
Jun 27, 2017