Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

 NNLori - There are a few comments I left on the Navy Nuk Mom page. My sailor was PIR 8-25-17, we drove up and actually only returned last night. Stay Flexible!!!! That is my best advice and my husband reminded me often. The PIR information is a general rundown and I heard it from many sources, but when it came to Friday after graduation, we were at the dictates of the Navy and we did not get to take our sailor off RTC until after 4 pm and returned by 7:30 pm. There were many Nuke and Sub parents waiting for their sailors at the NEX without knowing for sure what to expect or plan for the day. We also cut our night short at the hotel we had booked, so that we could be up very early to spend as much time as possible with our sailor at the airport. We spent more time with our sailor at the airport than on Friday and it was an early flight and our sailor slept a majority of the time!! By the time your son graduates from boot camp, the issues we had could very well change.

I am glad that we were actually booked at a hotel very close to RTC, it was about the cheapest one, and maybe not to the standards of many, but it was clean and our sailor changed into comfy clothes, accessed the internet, managed to answer a few questions, took a nap, ate pizza in bed (which we carried out from Flannigan's next door) and then changed back into dress whites, and back to RTC, in time to make the hike across RTC to report back from liberty.

On Saturday, our sailor had landed in SC and called on the phone to say they had arrived and were getting transportation before we were even out of Chicago suburbs!! Granted we had breakfast - or was it lunch by that time - not really but as my youngest said, I have jet lag without even leaving time zones. If that can give some perspective without the specifics.

Those at have loved ones just leaving now or on their 1st week. It is hard and I cried many days and some days multiple times but just tried to keep myself busy with work, friends and my other kiddo at home to keep my mind from wondering. It does get easier once you get the first letter and I felt it got even easier after the phone call as he was very positive. Keep writing them every day as this is helpful for them and keep telling them they are doing great and remind them to stay positive and focus on positivity because I think it can be easy to go negative. Remember all DIV are different when things are done so don't get discouraged if you see people comment on getting letters and calls...it is easy to do as I did many times, as my son's best friend left a week before he did and he dad text me that he got a call just over week 2 and then he got another call at week 4 but I didn't get my first call till after week 3... so all will very. And I didn't get my first letter till he finished week 3 and the other dad got his first letter at week 2 so I would say not to expect anything till week 3 is just finishing up and if you get it earlier a GREAT bonus!!! I keep my phone on at all times just in case but seems that many call on Saturday and/or Sundays. HUGS  to all it is hard but it does get easier and less stressful I feel. 

NavyMomKim2 - is right, things are different for different divisions and even different PIR groups. Keep busy, the time goes faster than you think, and hearing their voice does help. My sailor kept all of the letters and cards that were sent and said over and over how much they meant. I don't even know who all sent mail, but I made sure lots of friends and family had the address!! 

You Know SolLMom I had spoke to A few people and I was told stay where you may be able to get shuttled, some hotels do offer and some dont. We are flying in and rented a car but I am choosing to shuttle to Graduation because I'd rather not have to be in a line waiting to park. alot of the hotels are near the Base so it is whatevers convenient for you....Also we chose to get a suite with Kitchen so I know if my SR is tired or hungry we can just relax in the Hotel and he will have his munchies or whatever it may be right in the fridge.

SoILMom - our hotel is in Waukegan.  Our hotel has a shuttle, but even so it would be super easy to drive.  We stayed in same hotel a few weeks ago and drove to hospital next to base no problem.  It was bigger and had a kitchen so good for relaxing after.  

NNLori,

Since your Sailor will most likely fly out for A School on Saturday, but he is in the group that sometimes doesn't leave until Sunday. If you can make your travel plans to leave late Sunday that will give you the most time with him, and allow for the possibility of him not leaving until Sunday.

Your Sailor will have liberty after PIR until approx 8pm. They must be back to base early. In the Navy on time is late.

All Sailors must return to base each night. There are no longer overnights PIR weekend.

All of you who are just arriving to this site, please be sure to join your PIR group as soon as you have a graduation date.

Many things about attending PIR have changed as of October 6, 2017. 

SolLMom when does you SR Graduate? like Ellen0502 said join his PIR you get so much more info on that site also and if you can RSVP for the Meet and Greet, you will meet parents in the same Div. as your SR. And some of the Laides that you will be chatting with. A Great Experience!

Erin she will be fine, will you be able to pick her up later from hotel? plan a special dinner with family take pictures and tomorrow when she swears in you can stay until she leaves and some let you go to airport to wait with her until she boards her flight. I know we were able to do that with our son. she will be in good hands. good luck to you Daughter!

Can anyone tell me when we should expect or how do we find out the information about the Meet and Greet on the Thursday before Graduation?

NavyWifey1331 - thank you, I will go re-read it.

If you join the PIR for your son/Daughter graduation date it should have all the information for the meet and greet. then you just click on the link and you will be able to sign up for meet and greet. http://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html I beleive this is the site to RSVP for Meet and Greet.  you just need to know what Div. your Son/Daughter will be. and that info comes on the formal letter you will recieve.

 http://www.mynavytaxi.com/goodies.htm on this website Sarge gives a whole lot of info that is pretty much everything for mflights hotels Meet and Greet.

NavyWifey, Sending a letter overnight just gets it to the RTC overnight, it does not speed up the process at the RTC. Mail that arrives at the RTC is processed pretty fast too.

Mail is distributed to your Sailors everyday Mon-Fri, but mail from them is only sent out on Sundays.

Thank you Chipmunk and NavyMomKim2- I do appreciate the comments. I'm getting the picture that there is no "normal" so just go with the flow! I'll try to "roll" as best I can. I know that he has not control over what does or does not happen and the last thing I want to do is put any added stress on him. If I'm upset he will be upset so I'm practicing "chill" techniques!! LOL!!

Ladies, I cannot encourage you enough to try the Sandboxx app.  It is AWESOME!! Love it and wish I had found it sooner.  I would probably be a little more broke because I found it so fun, but well worth it.  It is a letter writing app used for military members and their families and loved ones, friends, et cetera.  Type out your letter, add a picture (super cute), fill out the info for your recruit/military member, pay for 1 or buy a bundle (what I did), and they print and send out the letter with the picture attached along with a piece of stationary and envelope for a return letter to you.  Not expensive at all in my opinion and it has made letter writing fun.  Give it a try.

NNLori - one of my letters I did to my son was a page of tic tac toe games and he loved it and showed it to others and they thought that was cool. I thought it may ease up the same old and a fun little game to play as I placed all my O's on each board and told him to play me back. I just sent it back to him with my second move as I got it back last week and he is starting week 5. Yes, flexible is for sure and it was really hard for me since he had friend that left before he did his things came sooner in a timeframe and my son's came in a later timeframe but was on track with others that wrote on the PIR site which was the same as his PIR date so that helped but things at ease for me. For sure join your recruits PIR date group! The only thing that came at the same timeframe was the box of belongings. For me...I opened it, and yes I smelled his dirty clothes, cried and then for me I unpacked them to the laundry so I could move onto the next stage of hoping for the address letter which for us took till almost 2 weeks of him being gone but I started writing letters each day so I could mail them all off when we got his address. I have had to learn to be patient and that has been hard as I am getting there as we go into week 5 but still have my moments ;-) Hugs!

Ladies if interested they have the meet and greet schedule from now until Oct. 5th. if you go on to PIR Sept. 1st look to the left of the screen and all the dates are there if interested in RSVP.

Here are the current PIR groups:

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

PIR: October 13, 2017 TG 49 - 9 Divisions (323-330 & 949) 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.

lulu6799, Sarge has meet and greet at the Lakehurst Event Center in Waukegan the night before PIR from 5 to 10 pm (go to http://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html to RSVP).

 NNLori - I have to say, I was rather proud of how will I actually managed to stay flexible through everything last weekend. Maybe it was because my husband kept reminding me of the fact, or I had enough information to know some of what to expect, but also I was prepared with a plan B. - Waiting after PIR though for 5 hours was tough, but I knew I couldn't do anything about it. I am a person that likes to be in control of my situations and I don't always chill well, but I did this time - so for me that was as much of a growing experience as what my sailor went through!!

You will do fine!!

I realized today that I had allowed a great opportunity to really watch the recruits from the newbies to about to graduate TG's that were marching in front of the NEX while waiting on my sailor. Seeing the various groups practice marching, singing cadence and then watching the video online again today I was rather impressed by how well they had learned to become a unit.

Thank you ladies for all of your comments, I am still trying to get the hang of this. He is on the plane as I write and yes the last couple of days have been hard. I have my moments and it comes and goes. I love reading your advice and I will do it. I will do the same when I get his box cry and then to the laundry it goes Lol
My question is if he left today would graduation be on October 20th?
And when will the new groups for PIR become available?

OR_NavyMom, Be sure to check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month before Your Future Sailor Leaves for.... Things have changed a bit since this spring when your Sailor was in BC. I know it will be tough if your son leaves this week.

Also, if they left today at 5:15 from Phoenix what time will they land in Chicago?

If I understand this correctly, after PIR ceremony, there is a long time we have to wait to get our sailor for liberty?? If this is the case, can other family members come to the base and hang out at the visitor center and museum, etc to wait for them to be released? 

Thanks so much NavyWifey1331 I will have my phone handy so I don't lose the call. 

N0body69, those without a ticket or on the Access List cannot access the RTC or the main part of the base. They are able to go to the Museum across the street from the RTC next to the Main Gate for Naval Station Great Lakes. See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/grad_day.html for more on that. Those not on the Access List or with a ticket should wait at the hotel until meeting up with the new Sailor or other loved ones after PIR. The museum is not open until 11 am on Fridays.

JamieA, Your recruit will spend some time during P-days on the USS Red Rover for medical and dental exams and procedures and receive his glasses if those are needed. (See http://www.lovell.fhcc.va.gov/locations/USSRedRover.asp and Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.)

N0b0dy69, I think you are talking about waiting while your Sailor is checking into A School? You would not be waiting for your Sailor at the RTC.You will pick your Sailor up at the main gate of the TSC base.

Anyone can go to the TSC gate and wait while your Sailor checks into school. You will wait outside the gate for your Sailor. Nobody gets on to that base without their Sailor or DoD identification.

There is a museum and visitors center there that is open until 4pm. You can go walk around there.

Please be sure to join your PIR group. There will be lots of info there about PIR and what happens after.

 lemonelephant - thanks for bringing the posts to our attention. I wish I had this information while we were going through DEP.

Something else, I haven't seen any mention of making sure your recruit has had a thorough dental exam several months before ship out, including possibly getting wisdom teeth pulled if they might be an issue. Thankfully, my recruit did not have an issue with that but there were a large number of recruits in the division who went through that and so mine had extra watch duty. Due to other responsibilities in the division during the day, it meant night watch for my recruit.

Just another reason why they can get delayed, not perform as well, or others are picking up the slack, and so they are tired, and not able to write as much.

Hi Chipmunk,

I am a newbie to. My son shipped out yesterday and he is at bc now. Thanks for the info. He had his wisdom teeth taken care 2 years ago. This is good to know. Hopefully it all works out. 

lemonelephant - my apologies I had not read all the way through the comments to see your post on the USS Red Rover. Thanks for sharing. -

Even if the Navy provides dental, having had my own wisdom teeth pulled, I am just thankful my recruit didn't have to. I still think it is something I would want my own son / daughter to have done while still at home and able to convalesce in the comforts of home. Just FYI.

N0b0dy69 -  The long wait you are asking about, may also be from my recent posts. I was at PIR last week 8-25-17. My sailor was flying out of GL for "A" school to Nuke school. There was a different situation for parents of those sailors and also for those going to Sub school. It did not follow the normal routine for liberty for sailors leaving GL for "A" school out of state. Those approved guests were allowed to stay at RTC  - at the NEX or by the Chapel only - till our sailors were actually placed on liberty.

Because of our experience being so different than what we had been told would be the routine, I was trying to give a heads up to families in the next upcoming PIRs. Hopefully, the reason for the delays will get resolved sooner rather than later.

ellen0502- commented re: sailors staying in GL for "A" school and definitely sign up for your PIR group.

If driving to PIR remember to have cash and coins for toll roads. Especially if your sailor will be flying out of O'Hara. I had $1's but no coins and had to raid my "Aldi's quarters" to toss in the toll booth. I believe that was $1.50. - Just so we could drive into the airport and not have to remember to pay online.

Also, be sure to park in the 3 hr + parking if you are staying with your sailor. We were at the airport for over 6 hours so still had to pay the daily rate of $20.00, but it would have been 3x that if we had accidently parked in the hourly parking which is under 3 hours. And we wouldn't have been able to move the car, because we were already in security with our sailor.

Nicknukemom, Yes they are allowed to stay at the Navy Lodge. Their reservation must also be in your recruits name.

Nicknukemom, yes, your recruit can sponsor the grandparents if they stay at the Navy Lodge even if they are not on the Access List.

Thank you so much lemonelephant!!! That is a very helpful information. <3

I would recommend if you are driving to PIR  --- get an EZ Pass or an iPass.  They are AWESOME.  Work in many states -- no lines at the toll booths and also cheaper fees than if paying at the booth.

JamieA, you are very welcome.

Here are the current PIR groups:

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

PIR: October 13, 2017 TG 49 - 9 Divisions (323-330 & 949) 4 guests

PIR: October 20, 2017 TG 50

PIR: October 27, 2017 TG 51

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