Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

13285 members

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!"

**BEGINNING OCTOBER 5, 2023, RECRUIT GRADUATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED EVERY THURSDAY (NO LONGER ON FRIDAY), EXCEPT FOR THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING, WHEN GRADUATION IS ON WEDNESDAY.

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!

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DragonMom

Still no form letter, not freaking out yet as I believe he is in an integrated division. I know he only gets 3 guests for graduation as he was able to tell me that when he was allowed to call for addresses.

Hope every one here is doing well. Chin up ladies we are Navy Moms, we got this.

Jul 16, 2017
jennifer

Hey ladies..ship 3 Div..245..just got an email. So excited. We see them in 4 Fridays!

Jul 16, 2017
Rumace

My son left Phoenix on Monday, July 10th. FedEx tried to deliver a package here on Friday, July 14th. Missed it. Surprised that it got here so soon. Will get it tomorrow.

Jul 16, 2017
Mom1997

Hey navy Moms just wanted to ask a question. Do we need a passport to get on base in the Great Lakes

Jul 16, 2017
lemonelephant

Mom1997, from The Form Letter: "Any guest 18 years old or older must present a valid government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver's license, state ID card, passport, military ID card). Any guest 27 years or younger must present one of the following: school ID card, driver's permit, copy of birth certificate, or social security card." No, you do not need a passport to get on the base in Great Lakes, but it is one of the options.

Jul 16, 2017
lemonelephant

Here are the current PIR groups:

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) 3 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.

Jul 16, 2017
lemonelephant

Three to four business days after arrival is the typical time to receive "the box" and ten calendar days is the average time to receive The Form Letter. Arrival and What Happens at the RTC will let you know what is happening and what to expect.

Jul 16, 2017
lemonelephant

Everyone, Make it a habit to check your My Page because you may have comments from Members and not even know it if you have the notifications turned off for comments on your My Page. To reply to someone who leaves a comment on your My Page, click on "Comment Back" or "View Thread" below the comment. Also check in the upper left to see if you have Friend requests or any new messages in your Inbox.

Jul 16, 2017
badgermom

My SR couldn't put my husband or her stepmom on the list for PIR, so is there somewhere that they can watch from or do they need to wait at the hotel?

Jul 17, 2017
lemonelephant

badgermom they will need to wait at the hotel and watch the Livestream there. Some hotels show the Livestream in a common area or they can watch on a laptop or iPad.

Jul 17, 2017
Mom1997

Where is another hotel to stay close to base when navy lodge is full

Jul 17, 2017
DragonMom

Got the form letter today! Now to figure out why I am not getting emails from this site.

Jul 17, 2017
lemonelephant

DragonMom, you may have turned off Notifications. How To Reduce the Number of Emails You Receive from N4M may help you figure it out.

Jul 17, 2017
Zmomx3

Any advice on best airline to book a flight with to graduation?

Jul 18, 2017
DragonMom

@lemonelephant I did not make any changes except joining the PIR group for my SR. If I would not have looked on here,I would not have seen the comment. Not sure what happened.

Jul 18, 2017
Esti'sMom

I'm also having the same issue (no emails), since early yesterday (possibly Sunday).

Jul 18, 2017
jennifer

Today is the first email I received also. Hmm...I thought the ladies are quiet!

Jul 18, 2017
raising3247

No emails for me either until this morning.

Jul 18, 2017
Mom1997

I did not receive a call from my son this weekend--- he is hopefully still graduating on 7/28/2017-- we booked our room rooms are going fast. Station 21 I think this week Just keeping my phone close

Jul 18, 2017
tutorlady

@Mom1997 - Remember "No News is Good News". Except for the "I'm Here" call, our sailor was only able to call once during basic until after Battle Stations was over. Headed to PIR for ours this Friday!

Jul 18, 2017
Mammagoose

It's been super quiet here I guess. No emails from here since Sunday.....

Jul 18, 2017
Mammagoose

I checked my settings too....nothing is different there.

Jul 18, 2017
NicksMom

My son told me he can only get/send emails on Sunday. It was nice to have a semi-realtime conversation with him on Sunday.

Jul 18, 2017
Mom1997

I have to keep my faith thanks for the reminder. Congratulations on graduation for your sailor this Friday. Wishing you and your family a safe travels and a wonderful reunion god bless

Jul 18, 2017
Trillsmom

My Son is on Ship 04 Div 270. I was wondering if anyone knows what the number looks like they call from does it come up as Great Lakes on a cell phone?

Jul 18, 2017
3B'smom

Trillsmom - when my son called it showed up as North Chicago. Others have said "pay phone" or "Waukegan". Hope that helps.

Jul 18, 2017
tutorlady

@Trillsmom , Lady Bug, 3B's mom - the area code there is 847. But since my sailor has been at GL, I have gotten serious about answering any calls. I can always hang up if it is an unwanted call. (And believe me, prior to now, I have NEVER answered calls that I didn't recognize the number. Your whole mindset changes!) Have a good day, all!!!!

Jul 18, 2017
Path to greater things

Me too. I hust got call said illonois and my heart bout flipped! Was telemarketing. Grrr.

Jul 18, 2017
tutorlady

@Path to greater things. That has happened to me as well. What a letdown - but also what a relief. "No news is good news" but sometimes you feel desperate for ANY news. Hang in there!!!! Prayers for you and your sailor!!!!

Jul 18, 2017
NickSydmom

I would love to hear from my guy. I was scouring websites for information and found out they sometimes remove the kids wisdom teeth. I bet they took out my guys. That's one of those things you want to be there so you can baby them. My husband, being a man, said if they did they saved us a bunch of money. Either way I know the kid will tough it out

Jul 18, 2017
Tffytat

Tutorlady you are not alone. I was the same exact way! Now I answer EVERYTHING lol

Jul 18, 2017
jennifer

Nicknukemom- the wisdom teeth would stress me out
My husband said the same thing. The moment my son joined...I called the surgeon and 4 were removed in Feb. It was funny...a friend of his had them at the same time. Her mom is deceased. So I felt helpful the 2 of them hung out for the weekend and healed and I waited on them. I only knew about this bc other son had Airforce remove his.

Jul 18, 2017
librarianmom

I had an appointment all set up for removing wisdom teeth at home...and then found it was too close to when he shipped. I was super upset. Hoping if they remove them now he recovers fast!

Jul 18, 2017
tutorlady

@librarianmom - I would be anxious, too. I took my sailor to the dentist about a month before his ship. Xrays showed he only had one wisdom tooth - but he DID have 2 cavities that we had cared for here. I am praying that all is well with your sailor. "No news is good news"'; but, "no news" can drive you crazy!!!

Jul 18, 2017
Ack

The call I received last week from my son said "Vietnam". It was an 847 area code. So, don't avoid any calls!

Jul 18, 2017
NickSydmom

Jennifer did your Air Force guy say how bad it was? Are there dentists brutal?

Jul 18, 2017
Esti'sMom

My daughter had two of her wisdom teeth removed in week 2. She wasn't feeling so great, and had 2 SIQ days. And the "no news" definitely holds true. I got a call just about 2 weeks ago... she was moved to RCU due to a stress fracture in her foot:( So now it's the wait and heal game.

Jul 18, 2017
NickSydmom

Oh esti's mom that is horrible. Remember us ladies are tough

Jul 18, 2017
Esti'sMom

Nicknukemom, I try to remind myself that all the time :)

Jul 18, 2017
ScooterGirl

Welcome to all the new members. Because of my crazy work schedule I don't post often, but I do read daily. My sons PIR was on July 7 and he's been safely at his " A" school for just over a week now. Since I'm a " seasoned " Navy mom now lol I thought I'd offer a few pieces of advice to all the new members.
1: ANSWER EVERY call you get. One of his calls routed through Vietnam and I didn't answer, because who would unless you know someone there. Thankfully he called his dad right after, so we were able to talk. So even if it's not a 847 or Chicago area number answer.

2: Take SHOUT wipes with you to the PIR. Accidents happen and they need to keep their dress whites clean(ish). He was told TIDE stain pens could turn the white uniform yellow.

3: If you can have them mail home the photos of them. It will cost more , but you won't be standing in a long line waiting to pick them up. We received ours the Monday after his PIR

4: Take toiletries with you to the hotel for them , just in case they want to take a long shower. And also some comfortable clothes to wear inside the hotel room. Remember if they leave the room they have to be in full dress uniform.

5: My son choose to take a 3 hour nap after seeing the big comfy bed and sheets. I missed out on talking to him for 3 hours , but it was completely worth it knowing he was getting some much needed rest.

6: If you will be going to the airport to see them off , be prepared for a possibly VERY long day.

And lastly take a deep breath and enjoy this crazy roller coaster ride called Boot Camp.

Jul 18, 2017
jennifer

Nukemom...he only had 1. Said it was ok. But I'm a nurse...so I am particular about certain things. What made me take Wes was a Marine friend had 4 out. It was tough for him. Many families don't know about this so they don't think about a dressing it prior to leaving. I had New dental insurance so that helped. It was costly. My feeling is surgery no matter what type is scary. Navy will be more like Airforce- they will take care of them. They want them to heal quickly and get back inline. With 4 out...he was good by day 3 just to let you know. By day 7 stitches were healed.

Jul 18, 2017
Tffytat

ScooterGirl thank you for the advice. Congratulations to you and your family!

Jul 18, 2017
Mar3n1

One other thing to be prepared for. My son just graduated on July 7th as well and 8 weeks without electronics for kids this day and age is a long time. His order of business was phone and social media catch up then a hot shower for an hour then Xbox with his brother. Luckily he stayed in GL so we got Saturday and Sunday to visit and talk.

Jul 18, 2017
Path to greater things

Scootergirl. Thank you. All the posts are so helpful in processing this journey.

Jul 18, 2017
Phoenixmom

Scootergirl thank you for the update, so basically your saying everywhere beside the hotel he has to wear his uniform? so inside the hotel he can lounge correct. say if we were to BBQ outside the hotel will he still be able to wear his lounge clothes or would he have to be in uniform? just want to make sure I know what to take for him. Now once the Guys/Girls go to their A school will they be able to take anything back with them? I want to make sure before I leave that he Has what he needs. so is their a list of what can be taken back with him to his A school there in Great lakes? Thank you any advise would help!

Jul 18, 2017
Mar3n1

I can help clarify one part of that. Outside of your hotel room they have to be in uniform. So if he runs out to the car he must be in uniform.

Jul 18, 2017
Soccer Mom

I concur with the others about the phone calls. My calls said "goverment" or a shortened version.

Jul 18, 2017
Phoenixmom

ok thanks for the update, but I thought I read that they can go swimming also, and most hotels have those outside does he need permission? Don't want my Bud to get into trouble so that is why I am asking silly questions, just want to make sure he can enjoy himself with his family and relax. Thanks!

Jul 18, 2017
ScooterGirl

Okay to answer a few questions. If they step foot outside the hotel room the MUST be in full Dress Uniform They can swim but they must wear their Navy issues swim trunks that they were given at BC.
No they can't take anything back with them. Anything you want to send with them ( cell phone , etc) will have to be given to them at the airport. But remember they have their seabag, garment bag and a backpack already , so make sure it's small enough to fit in their backpack. Anything else can be mailed to them once they are at "A" school. As a side note THEY have to carry all their bags , so don't even offer to help them. If I missed anything I do apologize, today is my first day off since getting back from PIR so I'm a tad sleepy

Jul 18, 2017
TessaNator⚓️

NicksMom,

I didn't know they can send emails at all from BC?

Jul 18, 2017