Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

My son confirmed he received his Sandboxx letter first.  I was in Hawaii when I got his address....so the paper letters probably took forever being channeled thru Honolulu

Sandboxx might get a letter to the Great Lakes mailroom faster, but after it hits there, those letters are handled just the same as the others.  It does mean you don't have to buy stamps or wait to get your letter in the mail.  So maybe saves a day or two.  

If you can send moleskin instead of bandaids. My son had big blisters on his heals from the shoes. He just graduated July 14th. 

My SR told me that they are holding letters.  She had only received one of the letters I've sent through Sandboxx, so there's probably 8 or more letters from friends and family that were held back.

Camsproudmom, The Form Letter arrives an average of ten days after the recruit's arrival at the RTC. Some will have it 7 days after arrival (a few earlier than that, but not many) and most will have it by 14 days after arrival. It will tell you your recruit's address and PIR date and other important information. Keep it in a safe place.

Arrival and What Happens at the RTC will let you know what is happening and what to expect.

Here are the current PIR groups:

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.)

PIR: September 8, 2017 TG 44 TG 44 - 14 Divisions (277-286, 819-821 & 944) 3 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.

Just wanted to post about our PIR experience to help others planning:

1. Lodging - I strongly recommend Navy Lodge.  It is close to base, clean, safe, affordable - though not luxurious.  The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable.  They can answer your questions.

2.  Meet and Greet - Go. Just GO!  Sarge will give you some info that will HELP you.  Follow his directions and you will be fine.  He is very helpful.  I messaged him at 5 a.m. on Friday and he graciously answered my questions.  Do as he says.  You won't be sorry!

3.  Meals - we ate several meals in our room as we had a room with a kitchenette.  We ate Friday night at Jimmy's Charhouse in Libertyville - they gave our sailor his meal free. (I would call and make a reservation.  They are on Trip-Advisor).

If you want pizza in a unique setting with other menu items, try the SIlo in Lake Bluff.  If you have a large party, I would try to get a reservation. They are also on Trip-Advisor.

3.  Shopping/things to do:

There is a nice Walmart in Waukegan and a nice Targe in Lake Bluff (both are less than 15 minutes away from base).

Gurnee Mills is a very nice mall.

We couldn't go to Chicago as we had planned due to weather constraints.  I had downloaded the VENTRA app to use to buy tickets and did a "trial run".  It is very easy to use.  The METRA station at Great Lakes is literally just outside the gate to RTC.

If you want to see Lake Michigan in a less crowded setting, consider the Waukegan Harbor Light.  It is very pretty with a little ice cream shop, a nice walk on the pier (no side rails but it is wide enough that is not a problem) and a public beach right up the road.

BE SURE that you get the handout as you check in to attend PIR - it gives specific instructions on returning your sailor on Friday night.

GET THERE EARLY!!!!!  We were seated by 7:15 and there were already many people there.  We sat towards the top of the lower deck of bleachers to be able to get out easily and had good viewing.

TAKE stadium seats.  I got some with backs at our local Academy Sporting Goods.  I do not regret that decision.

We drove onto the base.  Some people prefer the shuttle.  We like the flexibility of our own transportation.

BE SURE to have your sailor make arrangements to have their portraits mailed to you.  The line outside the NEX to pick up pictures after graduation is ridiculous!!!

I know this is long.  Just wanted to pass along from our experience.

THE CEREMONY IS AMAZING!!!!!! All your planning, praying, researching what to do will be WORTH it when the ceremony begins.

Now.... for me.....it's on to questions about "A" School  :-)

HOOYAH!  And, God Bless America!!!!

I have heard of moms who place their cell phone in a ziplock bag and take it into the shower with them. Get a shower and you will hear your phone ring!

I have a question? I have made my reservations for hotel but when is a good time to start making flight arrangements? he is set to Graduate Sept. 1st. do I wait to make sure? if you change dates on airfare they want to charge up to 200.00 so I am weary of making them to early any suggestions?

are you ladies flying into ORD airport? only certain airlines fly in roundtrip straight thru. my husband doesn't want to stop anywhere wants to fly straight in and rent a car?

Thank You looking into it now, appreciate it!

thank you

Pheonixmom, I live close to Chicago and always use Midway.  Southwest flies into there and it's a super easy airport to navigate, more user friendly than ORD imo. Safe travels!

I believe that is the way my Daughter wants to go, going to check into it now thank you. is there a way around the tolls?

I'm flying into Milwaukee...mostly because we have a friend who lives there, but also because it's smaller.  Not sure about direct flights, tho...

I think best to just buy a fully refundable ticket.  We are going to book refundable but go standby (daughter is flight attendant) and if we don't get on a non-rev flight, we can use the purchased ticket.  If we do get on with buddy pass, we can cash the ticket in later! Anyhow, thats my plan, we shall see how that all works out. Fingers crossed.

For all navy families.  I know the Navy families take care of each other. Of course each one has things on their mind and is missing their recruits. Asking for special prayer for our recruit at this time. Not trying to scare those that have loved ones that have just left. I know he learned a lot in the weeks of boot camp. This is not the norm, but I know you will feel for his mom and family.

Please pray, our recruit started having seizures at the capping ceremony right after he heard that he had passed battlestations on 7-11. it has been hard for his familyas he didn't get to be in PIR bec. he was recovering from that seizure and they hadn't seen him since he left for bootcamp til yesterday. the navy has moved him to northwestern univ. hospital in Chicago and his family is there now.. not sure what is going on, he has never had seizure before. he was in ship 5 thu after the seizure the week of PIR, but he said they were separating him.  He started getting sick Seizures) again so he was put back in the hospital after being in ship 5 thu for about a week or so. I was told even though he was in ship 5 THU, even though he was being sent home. They said not to put names on here so I won't put his name.The Drs. are trying to find out what is wrong for him.  Just asking for prayers.I am posting here what his mom wrote on facebook today,7-24-17 Update :
Today has been a difficult day. He has had seizure activity all day yesterday and last night according to the EEG. The started a seizure this morning and they were able to stop it with Ativan, so he has been sleeping most of the day. The neurologist has ordered 2 MRIs for today that were supposed to be done yesterday but didn't happen. No results back from his lumbar puncture yesterday yet. The doctor is now ruling out encephalitis, autoimmune disorder and inflammatory disorder. They are starting treatment for encephalitis until tests prove he does not have that. He was told that he would be in the hospital for at least another week and hen to rehab for at least 10 days after that due to weakness in his left side extremities. He was also told it is possible that he will need therapy and treatments for the next year, meaning being in and out of the hospital for 3 days at a time for the next year. He is pretty down today. He does have his phone and is able to see comments on fb, although he is fighting some double vision right now, so leave him any messages or words of encouragement below. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers that have been sent our way!

He and his family are from out of State (a southern state) so everyone can't be there with him right now.  I know they just want him to be able to come home and be ok. They just received his official navy picture in the mail a few days ago.

Thoughts and prayers go out to them all. 

Thank you Jennifer 5. didn't know she put anything on her. Yes his grandmother was active following his PIR group and Boot Camp moms throughout his time at Great Lakes.

Send prayers to him and his family

NavyCousinThisTime- Sorry to read of this. My thoughts and prayers are with this sailor and his family.