Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Call our first call last night from our SR. It was bittersweet, she was crying so hard at first when I answered. She is so homesick and doubting her decision to join. She's hearing bad things about her rate and is so worried. She was better at the end but it tore me up. I just reassured her the first three weeks are the worst at boot camp and not to doubt herself. We will see her soon. Not sure what else to do!

*Got

@ncdeb - I got that same call from my son on week three, he graduated this past Friday.  His letters were always so sad.  It was breaking my heart.  His last letter was telling me that Hell Week was just another week.  When I received the I'm a Sailor call he said it was very hard but it was the best decision he has ever made.  Think positive thoughts and just keep sending positive letters to her.  8 weeks will be over before you know it and you will get to see your Sailor. 

@lovemysailor07-it was the Friday before he graduated.  Some of the Divisions I think called the week of graduation.  I only knew when we were supposed to get the call from this blog.  :)

Kemulrai, thank you so much. I pray that is her case, I haven't gotten a letter yet but she told me it said much of what she was telling us. Hopefully talking to us gave her some of home and she will move forward and be ok.

@ncdeb - talking to my son this weekend after graduation he said the first call was great motivation for him.  After that all my letters were just words of encouragement.  Not that it made it easier for me but it did help. :) 

Kemulrai, that means so much! Thank you, I will continue to encourage her and try not too boo hoo when she gets to call again. She was so relived when I answered, she was worried I wouldn't have phone with me. I have been carrying it everywhere!

Navy Moms helped me through this. It has the support and the information that we all need.  You hang in there.  It does get easier I promise.  :)  Message me anytime.  :) 

@ncdeb in my letters to my son I keep reminding him to stay positive, focus on the positive as remember positivity creates positivity and when we talked to him this weekend, he said that has helped and he did sound good. He reminds himself the yelling is a good yell as they want you to do better and keep you focused and the drills are to make us better and be the best we can be. I just keep reminding him of his in his letters too, each day. I do try to remind him if at all try to stay away from negativity in all aspects from thoughts to surrounding himself with only posititivy. Our son's best friend left the week before he did so it is like we have two in bc right now as he is like one of our sons too. I write to each of them each day and do remind them that we may have distances apart from us but remember each day, hour, minute, second I am thinking of them and cheering them on here so the distance is only that, a distance. I  will continue to keep all the recruits in our prayers each and every day. 

@NavyMomKim2, that sounds like good advice. I will keep reminding her that as well, that all the drills and yelling are for a purpose and I know it will be worth it to her in the end. Thank you for the encouragement, us moms need it also!

@Kemulrai, thank you so much! You ladies have lifted my spirits this morning.

@ncdeb we sure do! it is hard to send you child off to bc and not be able to communicate with them with all the technology we have now days and have gotten use to. She will do great and yes, remind her it is all about the end reward as each day she is a day closer to that reward. It will get better is what our son's friend writes to tell my son, as the friend is just over 1/2 way through now. Hugs!! 

Your spouse will send you a signed DD 1172.  Use the RAPIDS locator to find the nearest facility, doesn't need to be Navy.  Call their ID office and make an appointment.  They will tell you what ID to bring, usually a state ID/DL, your SSN, and a few will want to see a birth certificate, but that part varies.

The DD-1172 form comes separately from the form letter in most cases.

Here are the current PIR groups:

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  - 14 Divisions (277-286, 819-821 & 944) 3 guests

PIR: September 15, 2017 TG 45 - 11 Divisions (287-296 & 945) 4 guests

PIR: September 22, 2017 TG 46 - 7 Divisions (297-302 & 946) 4 guests

PIR: September 29, 2017 TG 47 - 9 Divisions (303-310 & 947) 4 guests

PIR: October 6, 2017 TG 48 - 14 Divisions (311-322, 822 & 948) 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.

@NavyMomKim2 thank you so much! Yes I was so used to us texting each other throughout the day. I have finally stopped checking my phone every hour....especially since I have her phone at home now, lol. I just keep writing daily encouraging her, that's all I can do but its such a helpless feeling.

So my daughter sailor graduated this past Friday. I wanted to pass along my experience from the weekend. 1st... Sarge's meet and greet Thursday night was very nice and the food was super. He is so amazing for doing what he does. We gave a money donation and bought raffle tickets to help out. He gives good information and we got group pics with the other division family members that came. 

Friday: We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn (15 min away) got to the base around 645am. We did not park on base (so we didn't need the parking pass) but walked in from the train station parking area across from base.  It's not super far but do wear comfortable shoes as there is some walking and standing in line waiting to show picture identification. Side note: My oldest daughter got married after her name was put on the guest list so I had her bring her new drivers license and marriage certificate. It worked perfect.  I left my purse in the car as I knew they were checking all bags through security. Do take cash if you want to buy division t-shirts, coins, seat cushions and a few other items. They had a small area set up in the drill hall for those purchases. They were selling water and juice and such too They do have a restroom down the stairs near the area you walk in. As far as seating...DO NOT STEP FOOT ON THE BLEACHER SEATS OR STEP OVER THEM  to get to a higher or lower area. You WILL get yelled at by the sailors standing watch in front of the bleachers. Use the stairs. Take bleacher cushions...really. $9 at Walmart. We dropped her back off around 730pm. No line at that time and we showed id's again to get in and park in the chapel parking lot to say our goodbyes 

My sailor flew out Saturday from Midway. She and about 80 other sailors had to be on the bus at 1am. My husband dropped me at Midway around 130am per my sailors strong wishes. I went to the ticket counter that was closed and stood around a bit with some other parents. Thankfully an angel from the USO showed up shortly and told us where to wait. He showed back up around 215am with all the sailors and grouped them up according to departure time. Which was anywhere from 8am to 6pm. He explained EVERYTHING to the sailors (and us) and was so funny, helpful and organized. This is when I gave my daughter her stuff to pack in her carry on navy backpack. He took each group up to the ticket counter separately to check their bags and parents tagged along to get guest passes. Take your picture id"s. We went through security with our sailors and ended up at the USO. The sailors were instructed absolutely NOT to leave the airport!!!

Now, some of the parents came later at a time pre-arranged with their sailors. The sailors were able to go back to the ticket counter entrance and wait for their family so they could get them a gate pass when they got there. My sailors departure time was 6pm. I would gladly spend another 17hrs at that airport with her sleeping on my lap. The USO was small but they did have couches, snacks, drinks, microwave, tv and computer among other things. We spent our time at a nearby gate that was not used very often. 

We were instructed earlier to be at their departing gate 50 min prior to take off. When it was time to go, the sailors made sure everyone was accounted for and we walked over to the their gate together. They were seated first...after a BIG round of applause from the the other departing passengers. Such a proud moment!!!

Sorry so long but it maybe it will help those navy moms and dads in the days to come. Now I'm off to the Pensacola mom's group!!! Good Luck to all the recruits and their families. 

paigec, thanks for sharing. Great info.

A note about parking at the train station and walking across to the RTC: There have been times when that has been prohibited except for those with Metra tickets, so although you were able to do it, not everyone may be able to do that.

lemonelephant: Sarge is the one who suggested that people park there for the easy in and out of it. And we did pay for a ticket at the ticket machine. 

paigec, thanks. I just passed on the warning since it has been an issue at times.

paigec Thanks for sharing.  I do have a question - your sailor had to be back by 7:30pm.  Is that the norm?  Did she say whether that was similar to other div's requirement to be back on base?

I am just trying to get a feel for when we should go out to dinner.  Was thinking we would wind up eating at 6pm, but that might be too late with traffic and all.

Anybody else have an idea as to when Div's need to come back? 

Thanks KiddGreen1978.  Good to know

You must be east coast.  I didn't expect an answer so soon.  :-)

KiddGreen1978 - wow, long commute.  And I thought mine was bad at an hour.  I'm in NJ.  Traffic can be tough in some spots. 

Yes super excited for this coming Friday.  I leave tomorrow morning to fly out.  Can't wait!!! 

I feel like this form letter is never coming...

Two weeks today - I know that its not an unusually long time but I'm not great at patience...  I have a stack ready and waiting to drop in the mail when I can fill in the address information, the sandboxx app all set up, and I've been looking at flights.  Making reservations is a good idea.  I think I will do that today to keep from driving my husband crazy.  Poor guy...

I've been stalking our mailman since last week - lol.  

Has anyone stayed at the Navy Lodge in Great Lakes and if so, do they offer transportation to the PIR? or can we walk?

ShawnMom - Thank you so much will do.  It is only 22 days away and I can't wait to see my girl.

That's where I reserved some rooms, glad to know they have a shuttle!

Does anybody know if it's easier to take the shuttle from the Navy Lodge or if a rental car onto base is a pain??

Just saw the mail truck on my street - almost five hours earlier than usual.   Please let today be the day...

False alarm - it was the package mailman, not the letter one.

I am praying I get a letter from my daughter this week.  I just need to hear from her.  It's starting to make me nuts not having contact with her.  I find myself crying at work, crying at home and I know my daughter would give me crap for being like this.  LOL