Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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

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.

Can someone tell me about mail?  How does it work?  How will I know what the address to write is.  Believe me, if I have to rely on my son for those details, it probably will not happen.  And then once I get the address, do I need to send him a self addressed, stamped envelope or do they have what they need to mail?

Soccermom19, My heart goes out to you right now. I went through the same with my SR. 1 year of college - 5 hours away - home for 6 months - moved to the local "big city" and rented a house with buddies - moved home for 2 1/2 weeks and then off to BC. I am a big, big hugger of my son, too, and he reacts the same way. "Stop, Mom." lol. Never mind ... keep hugging. (BTW, my recent SR's call after 6 weeks - "no physical contact - even high 5's - since arriving") ... seems my SR has realized that hugs are a good, important thing!!!

OtterBaby - yes, exactly!! He went away to college - 1 year.  Then went off with his buddies in an apartment. 

But just dropped him off and hugged him before he got in the car and in the parking lot of the recruiting office.  He's in the Navy's hands now.

soccermom19, I'm really proud of you for going for the parking lot hug!!! Trust me - (hah: now that I'm a seasoned Boot Camp Mom of a whole 6 weeks ...lol) - your son will remember those last hugs when times are challenging and falls into his bed ("rack") at the end of a long, long day.

Black belt mom - You're in my thoughts. I've learned, also, that college isn't for everyone. My son just really, really didn't want to be there. He [barely] completed 1 year. The Navy, though, does promote education beyond what they learn at A School. Lots of options for them.

A word about hugs: our sailor is not big on public displays of affection. We each got a short hug right before he left to go to the airport at MEPS. He didn't even really look back. Right after PIR, he gave us all a brief hug, but they aren't allowed large displays of affection that weekend. But we all noticed the change when it came time to say goodbye at the end of PIR weekend. Those were some powerful hugs. And even when we went to see him a couple of weeks ago in GL (where he is at for A school) those hello and goodbye hugs are super strong. Those hugs are a lot different after BC and even going into A school. Even with more communication, there is nothing like having your family/friends right there with you. Hang in there moms and loved ones. 

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 & 937) 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) 4 guests

PIR: August 18, 2017 TG 41

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