Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Sandboxx is just another tool to send real time messages, it doesn't replace hand written letters from home, but just think about how much more comfort from home you are sending to your loved one and they are sent with a self stamped envelope and sheet of paper to enable them to jot back a quick note. I say the more things received, the more our loved ones feel the love, especially if they are in a down mood over something, how nice an encouraging word from home would help. Going to check out the newest one I just read about.

TrueBlue, I Googled Sandboxx, and the app came up, I went to it and the very first little video showed how our text messages with pictures attached gets remade and sent to our loved one. It looks pretty awesome to me, and like you, I am going to use any and all tools to stay in touch. At least that way, I am thinking, if any does get lost in the mail, with so many resources at our disposal, most, if not all are sure to reach them. From the video I watched, it gets turned into a post card type thing, they tear that off and keep it, then what is left, is a piece of paper, and a pre-stamped envelope to allow them to send a quick note back. No worries about having to carry them around, and allows them to write their first feeling about receiving the "text" message. Just go all through the site, it will answer all of your questions.   :-)

Just dropped my son off at the hotel for the night. He leaves tomorrow, things just got very real.

Thank you ladies. @Jennifer yes I will be at his swearing in and there all day. @marchella yes we are. Thank you and same to you. We are strong, we are Navy Moms.

Dragonmom it will be okay.  You have a huge support group here.  We all are in various stages of boot camp with our SR's.  We understand how you are feeling.  Don't be afraid to reach out for support or as questions.  We are here for each other.  It will go by faster than you think.

Thank you ladies! We spent as much time as we could together, including the USO. He just let me know he landed at the airport. Next call will be the I have arrived call. Not gonna lie, glad my bartender made my long island strong tonight. I very rarely drink but today I felt I deserved it. I tried once with him and then in my car. Gotta be strong for him.

Here are the current PIR groups:

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 - 7 Divisions (251-256 & 941) 4 guests

PIR: August 25, 2017 TG 42 (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.

Stressing about the call. My son landed @ 7:30 our time and not a word since. How do we not end up with a full head of silver hair during this wait?

when my son arrived in Chicago it was 3.5 hours later I received call

I swear I will be gray by the time BC is over. Good thing I already dye my hair..lol.  

I expect to hear from him soon. Hopefully before midnight, but if not I will be awake.

Just got word that my daughter has gotten very little mail since she arrived. A bunch of people have sent her letters and cards, any reason they would hold them back? We use the address she gave in her form letter, which I presume she got from her superiors and is correct. Any info appreciated!!

@ Jennifer ---- thank you for the song. Totally binge watching Sully now.   Making my heart smile.  4 weeks and no word from my daughter. Not sure if the snail mail is really that slower overseas......29 days and counting! 

Well....getting ready to leave for Meps for the final goodbye....It is an honor to watch him take the first step of the rest of his life :)

DragonMom now worries about silver/gray hair. People are actually paying good money to have that color. I am thankful I am totally gray, saved lots of money.

DragonMom - My son texted me "I'm here" at 8:30pm.  Not sure if that meant at the base or at the airport.  Got The Call at 11:40pm that night. 

Box came yesterday- 7 days later by FEDEX, but there was the 4th of July holiday in between.  No letter yet.  Very anxious about the letter but keeping myself as busy as I can.  But, how busy can I be now that the "baby" (last of 3) has left the nest.  Talk about lost!!!!

@Soccermom19 & @ ShawnMom - Oh yeah I know what you mean. My baby is the one who joined. I received the official call at 11:30 last night. Now the wait for the rest to arrive. Today stinks as I am home from work until Monday as I begin a new path with my company just as my son is beginning a new path in his life. I am planning on being at PIR come hell or high water. Started the planning now as I have 2 dogs that need boarded and hotel to get. I know about the meet and greet as well so once I have a PIR date I will begin the hardcore planning.

@Soccermom19 & @ ShawnMom & @DragonMom - I too know the feeling of sending off the "baby".  My sailor is the youngest of 4.  So, I am used to kids leaving - but he is the first of his siblings to join the military - so this adjustment had a different set of challenges.  It is SO hard to remember that "No News is Good News" ......Hope you all have a good day.  I have my reservations for PIR but need to get serious about making final plans....

tutorlady - exactly.  The baby is the first military and yes, the no news is good news is hard.  I did not get my letter yet.  Not sure how that will work, but yes I am definitely going. 

Shawnmom - I cleaned out all the cabinets and the fridge and starting on the closets.  I didn't want to leave the house for fear of not being home when the box arrived. It was like he was coming home  :-)  I even hugged the box when it arrived. 

Dragonmom - Just like me!!   I have been home and babying the baby for the past 6 weeks before he went and I am starting a new job this coming Monday but I told them I absolutely had to have 2 days off for PIR because I wasn't going to miss it.  My sailor says, it's no big deal - just means I passed the physical fitness test.  He has no idea what being a mom is al about!

Going to go to the Sarge Meet & Greet.  Don't know what that's all about but I want to be a part of everything there is. 

Just love this site.  I don't know what I would do without all those folks out there who pass on this info.  We are in it together!!!

anyone else child leave on the 28th and got their letter, I am thinking PIR will be Aug 25 but still no letter, just the box yesterday. I am anxious to get good deals on flights

NancyJo - Ooooo!!!  would love that mani-pedi with wine!!!  Don't know of any near me.

Marchella.  My SR left on 6/28.  Got the box 7/5.  No letter yet.  Not sure about PIR date.  Am anxious to jump on that air fare too!!  My son left out of Philly - how about your SR?

Soccermom19- If you get the letter can you let me know what the date is. Everywhere I am seeing that the kids that got there the week before are on Aug 18, however I hear sometimes when kids get there mid week they have to wait for more SR to arrive so I am hoping its not after the 25th. My son left out of Albuquerque NM- so anxious! Its hard he is my youngest, he is far more mature than his older brother who is 22 and has moved back home. I miss having him around the house-

@Dragonmom - I am right there with you!  I watched mine son swear in a few hours ago and he is on his way.  While I have been crying here and there over the past few weeks, I didn't cry this morning.  And I think it is because I know he is in the right place and he will do well there.  So excited for him to start this next chapter in his life.  

Correction--- It's Armed Forces Blood Program , Great Lakes, IL.

Thanks ShawnMom, it was very mixed emotions.  He is my baby of four and the first to follow me in the Military.  I am so proud of him, but so sad to see him go. This is the first time in 29 years that I have an empty nest...it is such a weird feeling 

I looked for Sarge's Meet and Greet for Thursday, Aug 24 - looks like the Event is not set up yet?    Does anyone know?

kingsxbaby -  I found my son!!!!  I found him!!!  YAH!!!

OMG - I feel like the kid at Christmas who just got the one thing they have been asking to get for years!!!!  :-)

Kingsxbaby - Thanks so much for letting everyone know that there were pics out there of the blood drive.  It was awesome.  Took some doing to find him.  Naturally he is in the back as he doesn't like to be upfront.  - he's perfect for covert ops :-)  

But I went through all of the pics and finally found him

Soccermom19 I have been stalking the page and notice they seem to be going in DIV order is your son in one earlier then 224? Thats the latest photos I see. Thanks