Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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.

Continuing prayers for God's healing peace and comfort to blanket you all right now. We don't understand the things that happen at times but He has a way to weave it all into a greater tapestry for His Glory. Jeremiah 29:11

Momof4gkids, you are in the right place. Be sure to also join your PIR group once you get The Form Letter. (Check your My Page.)

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.

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.

Where do I find the list of hotels NOT authorized for PIR sailors to go to?

Nicknukemom- call the recruiter now if it has been 2 weeks! They will have the address for you.

Nicknukemom, since it has been at least 2 calendar weeks since your recruit arrived at the RTC and you do not have The Form Letter, then you can call the recruiter and get the address and mail letters to your recruit, but be sure to double-check the address against those at http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/contact_recruit.html or Ship/Division--How it Works.

Note to others: Don't call the recruiter for the address if it has not been at least 2 calendar weeks since your recruit arrived at the RTC.

raising 3247, Sailors are welcome at all of the hotels.

Nicknukemom: I would call the recruiter today and have him check on status, get some info.  They can pull strings, and know what is going on.  However, I got my form letter (finally) 2 weeks to the day of my sons departure.  It was the longest 2 weeks of my life.  They have soooo many kids coming in the summer...

I tried to call recruited to get info earlier, but he was on vacay...I was chewing my nails to stubs.  But finally on thursday the form letter came.....Do you have USPS informed delivery?  You find out whats in your mail at about 7 am...

lemonelephant- No, I am referring to other hotels that the Navy doesn't recommend the sailors going to during PIR. I know that they cannot stay at the Navy Lodge and Gateway Inn once they are in A school. I just remember back, when my son went to BC, that there were a few hotels that Sailors were not to go to.

Nickmukemom, write to your recruit and ask him who he intends to list on the Access List or give him the names of the 3 or 4 guests he should put on the Access List as they are on their official photo ID's and also ask him for the password for the vehicle/gate pass if you intend to drive onto the RTC for PIR. See The Form Letter for a copy of the form letter. There is info in Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit on what to do if you don't receive the form letter.

I have sent an inquiry to see if there are currently any hotels that are off limits to Sailors in the GL area. It has happened in the past due to illegal activity in the area, but I was not aware that there were any hotels currently off limits. I will let you know when I receive a reply.

Update on our Sailor in the Northwestern Univ. Hospital in Chicago-thank you for all the heartful prayers, comments, and good wishes. I think today he was a little better, but it is still very serious. His grandmother, known as Math Teacher on this page, is with him, along with is mom. His father flew up there last night, also. Not sure how long they can stay.  I am glad he has them with them. (They haven't mentioned to me any contact from the Navy officials since he was moved to this hospital) . All info. I have is from email from them. They appreciate you the Navy Families supporting him. just going to paste what I heard today, 7-25-17-Tues. Sorry I did not post anything until now for today, but when I'm at work, it's hard to stop here's today's info I have:

He seems more alert and feels better today. Was able to feed himself this morning using his left hand.  The left side has been affected by the seizures. We feel he  getting excellent care here. More tests and procedures today. Thanks for all your help.  Then midday, his grandmother, "Math Teacher on here" shared, "The Doctors just said they are doing a plasma exchange today. Putting a port in his neck and running his blood through to wash out the antibodies that are attacking his brain. Not 100% sure of the diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis and won't know for maybe a week. They are treating for it and already seems to be responding. Also going to do a PET scan of his brain looking for cancer. Will scan the rest of his body later. They are checking EVERTHING. Looks better and less confused than yesterday."

Thank you for praying him!