Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

SoccerMom, have your son/daughter request a wheelchair for your husband. My mom can't walk that much either so my son requested one for her. I don't know how it works once you get to the base for one but at least they will have a chair instead of a bleacher. 

Soccer Mom. he can use a wheelchair to get into the Drill Hall, if needed, and sit in the handicapped seating area. No one will ask to see verification of the need.

Thank you everyone.  

Erin,

I sent mine with a 25.00 calling card, probably more than needed.

Super happy for those that have gotten. Calls and letters, still about 2.5 weeks before I can hope for that. 

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.

We are planning to drive to PIR.  Has anyone heard anything - favorable or otherwise - about the FastToll Illinois app to use rather than paying the tolls at each booth?  

Good Afternoon! I'm back! I've just sent my 2nd SR off to Boot Camp! The other one is already at his 1st Duty Station and I'm just waiting for my 2nd SR's PIR date! 

@lemonelephant - any word on the new PIR dates for someone who just arrived late last week?

Hi to all of the new moms going thru this for the first time. It's an emotional roller coaster until you hear from your SR the first time after they told you it would be 2-3 weeks before you heard from them again, but be strong and hold on! And start writing your letters!!! My SR loved receiving letters when he was there. My mother, their sibling (the new SR in my life) and I would write letters almost every other day so that he'd always have mail! Not to mention I would send a calling card so that when they could call they would be able to call. 

Go NAVY!!

@ Cj - Google FastToll Illinois and it should pop right up.  There are links for installing on both iphones and Android phones. I haven't read through everything yet, but the way I THINK it works is that you pay the tolls online up to a week AFTER passing through the toll gates.  I haven't read through all of it or installed it yet.  It seems to work better on the iphone.  (I have both).  

KiddGreen1978, welcome back. By counting 9 Fridays, PIR will most likely be 09/01/2017. It is possible for some who arrive on the same date to have PIR a week apart. Wait on The Form Letter to know the PIR date for sure. Arrival and What Happens at the RTC will let you know what to expect.

Brand new here and need a question answered, if someone knows. My Grandson will be sworn in Wednesday (tomorrow) morning and he doesn't know what time, nor do we. It's a two hour drive, so we need some kind of an idea. Does anyone know what time they usually begin?

@Proud_Navy_Granny - My son was sworn in last week.  The MEPS opened at 8:30 and the oath was at 9:15.  You can try calling the recruiter but I would plan on being there when they open.  They get the folks leaving out of the way so they can handle the folks testing, etc. for the day.

@Proud_Navy_Granny - I don't know where your MEPS location is, but definitely get there as soon as they open.  Our experience  was that those who shipped out were sworn in first.  You will be in my prayers as your family and your recruit start this new path in life!!!!

Just wanted to give a shout out to all those people that provideso much amazingly accurate info here!  Our son left early yesterday afternoon for RTC. We got our call around 10:30. It was exactly as expected thanks to you all.  Because I knew what it was going to be, I was actually able to turn on the speaker so that my husband was a part of it, and we were able to tell him we were proud of him and we loved him.  I could hear the smile in the voice as he said Love you guys too.  It was AWESOME.

Sounds like our SR's are doing some swabbing of the decks this morning. Bad flooding situation at Naval Station and all through Chicagoland. I saw a Facebook post about the Naval Station delayed opening because of it. My husband looked on the radar...huge storm there right now. 

@ math teacher - I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am to hear this ....  Maybe lemonelephant can answer your question?  I will be praying for your family and for direction and answers.  I will especially be praying for your grandson.  I am so truly sorry to hear this!!!!

Check our Recruit Training Command on Facebook. Pics of the base and all the water. Says it did disrupt recruit training for today but all is well and everyone will graduate on schedule. 

@ paigec - WOW - that is A LOT of water!!!! So glad for families with PIR on 7/14 that graduation will still be able to take place!!!

mathteacher I am so sorry to hear this after all his hard work. I hope it was just exhaustion and he will recover and move forward. Sending good vibes your way and your grandsons way

Math teacher, I am so sorry I will send a prayer for him, like everyone has done for my son also, I hope it turns out to be nothing

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

PIR: September 1, 2017 TG 43

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

@ mathteacher please keep us posted. Hoping it is simple exhaustion and dehydration. 

Got the box yesterday, delayed a day as both my husband and I work. Everything expected was in it, except his socks. Not sure why those were not it it unless he still has them since he did not have them issued yet. 

The flooding from yesterday looks horrible. Wish they could have updated us but I guess I understand. 

Hope everyone has a beautiful day!

Got the box yesterday.  He donated all his clothes so we only got back his phone, charger and headphones.  Less dramatic than I expected.  I am following https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand/ on FB and the flooding they have been having.  All the rain and then the flooding is going to be a unique experience for our Arizona boy!

I FINALLY GOT MY LETTER!

ship 12, Div. 265.  I think his PIR will be Sept 1 instead of Aug 25.  He came late (last groups) on a thursday night.  So I think they had to fill the group

Just keep on this site, all the strength and unity is so uplifting.  We are so proud of our loved ones for making this life changing choice. 

Joining the Boot Camp Moms page, my son arrived on Tuesday!  Excited for him and wondering what he is up too!

Hi there,

My Mini-Me arrived at boot camp last night.  Haven't heard from her yet.  I'm sure she's busy processing, but *worry*..  

Heard from my kiddo today as he needed an address. No form letter yet, the recruiter gave me an address that I cannot make heads or tails of. Said he is on light duty because they put him on some medication. Happy I heard from him. 

For those with a recruit in the 09/01/2017 TG, if your recruit will be staying in GL for "A" School or training, then plan to leave late Monday or on Tuesday if you are able since that is Labor Day weekend and your then Sailor will also have Liberty on Monday.

The holiday weekend does not affect Liberty for those who are flying out; they will still most likely fly out on Saturday.

See PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend to help you know how to plan your weekend.

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

PIR: September 1, 2017 TG 43 - 13 Divisions (265-276 & 943) 4 guests?? (This is Labor Day Weekend. If your recruit will be staying in GL for “A” School or training, s/he will also have Liberty on Monday. The holiday weekend will not affect those flying out.)

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

http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.html indicates 4 guests for the September 1 TG, but with 13 divisions, normally only 3 guests are permitted. Hopefully that is posted correctly and 4 guests are allowed. The form letter should contain the correct number of guests.

Four guests are allowed at the September 1st PIR. Yes, this has been confirmed. Plan on getting to PIR early and standing in line!

It is highly recommended any extra guests remain at the hotel and watch the live stream from there. There is no guarantee there will be a space to watch PIR on base outside the drill hall. Any extras that cannot view the ceremony on base will need to leave base.