Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

This is a great venue Proudmama82 I'm sure you will find it helpful and comforting at times

CONAVYMOM - I don't see any numbers at all.  Where are they?

It is too early for pics of those who arrived last week.

Check out https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand. The PAO posts random photos randomly. There is no guarantee that your recruit will be photoed, but it is fun to look at the photos and get an idea of what is happening at the RTC. They do not have pages that follow a particular division.

https://www.facebook.com/ASBPGreatLakes has pics of some of the recruits who give blood while at the RTC. Those donations occur about 2 weeks (10 to 16 days depending on the division) before PIR.

The recruits (and later Sailors) really do look alike. Many of us have stories of recognizing the wrong recruit or Sailor.

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 - 9 Divisions (257-264 & 942) 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.

Marchella, Calls are totally up to the RDC. Don't expect a call, but have your phone available at all times (especially from 8 am to 8 pm Central Time M-Th and Sat and from 1 pm to 8 pm Central Time on Fridays and Sundays--calls at other times are possible, but generally indicate a problem or a need for information) and be pleasantly surprised when you get a call. See Phone Cards and Phone Calls. (I left more on that on your My Page.)

You should be able to have a "real" letter next week since he will have holiday routine for the first time on Sunday. See Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

Good Morning Navy Moms!! 

So, I think PIR for us is going to be August 28th.  Have not yet received the letter, but hopefully soon.  My SR went in on 6/28.  He is a future Nuke.  6/28 arrival & (tentatively thinking) 8/25 PIR dates. 

Anyone online with similar dates?  Just booked hotel for the 8/25 date with free cancellation.  So excited!!! 

Definitely doing the Sarge's Meet and Greet the night before.  Sounds like a great time and informative too.  Hope I meet many of you moms there.  It sure has been great reading the comments online.

Have a great day!!! 

If you are waiting on the letter to determine PIR - while you are waiting for the official letter, contact your Sailor's recruiter and they should have a PIR date and sometimes they may also know if they will leave that Friday after graduation (Grad 'n Go) or be there for the weekend. Some leave on Saturday and others leave on Sunday.  Happy Friday!! 

soccermom19 I am there with you, my son left on 6/28- I am hoping for the form letter today but I did book at Navylodge with free cancellation for the 25th of Aug. I am so excited also, I feel like a little kid going to Disney World- myson is a grad and go so we will be going to Pensacola FL to spend more time with him. I cant wait. What about you

I signed up for the infromed delivery and still no letter today ;(,

If anyones child that left on the 28th gets the form letter can you let me know- I really want to plan for the 25th. I am trying to be patient.....but Im like a little kid on Christmas morning

Marchella, mail has come and gone for today.  No letter. :-(  And I feel exactly the same as you.  Did book the hotel assuming 8/25.  I'm at Marriott Chicago/Waukega.  Booked to come in the night before so I can attend Sarge's Meet & Greet as well as PIR.  Will you be at both?

I agree, Sam's mom. PIR IS Amazing, but these tidbits of info for the "had I known .." situations are jewels indeed. In looking back over the past year (my son's PIR was 8-12-16) End seats, either floor or top (if you're short like me, you may have to stand on the top bleacher to see with binoculars) Get there early to find a good seat, the bleacher cushion with a back would have been a great help as well. Comfortable walking shoes as the PIR hall is quite a ways from parking or where the shuttle buses drop off/pick up. Your sailor may say it's not a big deal to be there, but you'll be so glad if you can make the trip. This site has been so helpful & encouraging. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ladies!

@ Sam's mom and @hope4answers - I know this sounds totally vain - but how do you suggest dressing?  We have a dad, mom, brother and girlfriend that will be attending PIR in a few weeks. We also have one extra brother.  Would you suggest him going on base to try to watch from the chapel; or, staying at the hotel to watch?  We are staying at Navy Lodge.

soocermom19- yes we are going to both I wouldnt miss it for the world. Did you say your son left on Monday the 26th? Mine was the 28th- Got his box on Wednesday the 5th- Hopefully it will be the 25th, I did book at the Navy lodge cuz it was cheap- hopefully that was a good decision- His recruiter is the one that told me to book it there- have you heard anything on the navy lodge

Marchella,  I checked out the Navy Lodge,  Yes better price.  Looks good!!!  Son left on 6/28 same as your son.  I will be looking out for you so we can connect and talk.

Thanks Sam's mom.  I am coming down to the hard core planning.  I have RSVP'd to the Meet & Greet and downloaded the Survival Guide PDF there.  I may have more specific questions as the day draws closer.  Appreciate the community on this page so much!

Depends on how hot or cold natured you are. So far as styles of clothing, I saw it all - from the very formal to shorts. I wore white dress pants, a blue 3/4 length sleeve T with red white & blue accessories. We stayed in Waukegan as the Navy Lodge was full so I am unfamiliar with their set up. How old is the brother? If adult, I'd say to allow experience of the campus, let him go to the chapel. Otherwise, it may be more convenient to just stay at the lodge. idk

@hope4answers - it is an older brother - 34 years of age.  I was rather thinking of dressing in the way that you described.  I wasn't too keen on the thought of wearing a skirt while sitting on bleachers.  I have done it in the past, but don't love it.  Getting excited!!!!

Just read somewhere that they may not be having the Chapel option. Not sure if it was for that week only or if discontinued all together. Sarge's Meet & Greet is a plus to get the latest answers and finally see in person some of the moms you have been chatting with in person!

It was posted on the RTC page and Navy for Dads the chapel option is being discontinued.  I think Navy Lodge shows the PIR on a big screen, I have heard they make a big deal of it for those who cannot go on base.

The sailors will be wearing their dress whites.  This is the civilian equivalent of a suit.  I suggest business casual or "church nice".  Wear something which will look good in pictures, and will complement the dress whites.  Yes, wear flats.  While shorts and flipflops may sound great in the humid heat, they really are not dressy enough for a formal ceremony.  Slacks are just fine.  Jeans may be too hot.

For the girlfriends and young wives, do not dress over the top sexy.  And if you're wearing a skirt, so a "skirt check" sitting down.  There are just some things you do not want to share with all your sailor's shipmates.

The AC gets chilly, you might need a scarf over your shoulders.

Anti M, thank you for that.

Hi Sam's mom, where can I go to get the Survival Guide PDF to download? Thank you in advance. 

Here are the current PIR groups:

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 - 9 Divisions (257-264 & 942) 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.

butterball, Sarge's Boot Camp Family Survival Guide can be found at http://www.mynavytaxi.com/goodies.html.

Looking for more of ship 03 Div 240 with PIR 8-4.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213400532713490&set=g...

WOO HOO!!!  Thanks to informed delivery I know the letter will be delivered today.  Return address shows SHIP 14 DIV 261.  Any mom out there with SR having the same SHIP & DIV?  So excited!!!

Mammagoose  - go to www.usps.com and check if available for your zip code.  if it is, create an account and then sign up for that service.  Easy Peazy!!!

Here are the current PIR groups:

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 - 9 Divisions (257-264 & 942) 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 https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand. The PAO posts random photos randomly. There is no guarantee that your recruit will be photoed, but it is fun to look at the photos and get an idea of what is happening at the RTC. They do not have pages that follow a particular division.

https://www.facebook.com/ASBPGreatLakes has pics of some of the recruits who give blood while at the RTC. Those donations occur about 2 weeks (10 to 16 days depending on the division) before PIR.

Math teacher, the best gift is your presence, but there are ideas in Gift Ideas for PIR.

Suggestions on what to do.  My husband just recently had partial knee replacement (May) on both legs.  He has also had three back surgeries and getting ready to have a fourth.  He is not classified as disabled, but cannot sit without a back.  Any suggestions?