Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Hey Erin, 

That's awesome mine will be one week tomorrow. Yay!

Hey Erin and NNLori,

sorry my other son was using my computer. Yes I got it on Friday, they were here on Thursday but I was at work and it was great. And yes I cried, I smelled his shirt :) I was happy to get it.

That was good NNLori,

That's how I feel and that's what I told my friend. It's the beginning of their steps or communication so hopefully we will get our form letter this week. I thought I was gonna be in your group but they opened up oct. 27 so I think I will be in that one. 

That would be my guess but sometimes they need to fill out divisions that don't have enough Sailors so they could put him in one that Graduates a week earlier than the 27th but I wouldn't count on it. The rule of thumb is count 9 Fridays from when they leave and that should be your expected PIR date. Of course there are many things that can effect that date like if they get injured or if they fail a test. If feels like nothing is written in stone.

Ladies - Glad to hear your boxes are all arriving!! Relish in the moment and then be ready for your form letter, so you can start planning travel. It really is like when we were pregnant with these children. Each doctor visit, ultrasound, kick or movement was something we waited for and anticipated and then once it came, it passed and we were on to something else. By the time they were born, we had forgotten a lot of our anxieties and questions, because there were brand new ones. I would like to say it gets easier but it is more like another picture posted elsewhere, we just get stronger. We pray more, we put more trust in God and learn better how to rest in Him and we all keep growing, right along with our kids from recruits > sailors > "A" school > duty stations.

And I say this as one who went through it all again this last weekend, with my sailor at "A" school and out on liberty. Did he make it back to base on time and safe? Why didn't he text me - Home safe? Was I being a worrisome mother and fearful for no reason, or was there true concern - and found myself having to go back to the One that I rely on for strength, wisdom, peace, rest - then received confirmation of that is what I am to do, from my very wise mother-in-law (and what my mother would have told me as well.)

Enjoy your journey through boot camp and continue to encourage each other.

 yorkshirelass - Yes!! Most definitely. I believe they can buy them at the NEX but it would be best for them to have one for that call they will possibly make around the 3rd week.

I found mine at CVS Pharmacy - possibly Wal-greens if you don't have a CVS - Every place the recruiters told me to go was a waste of time.

 yorkshirelass - Your son will need to get the card activated today when he has time to do it, so that precious time is not wasted at bc activating the card!!! And so he knows how to use it as well.

There are various cards and they all have different fees or amounts so shop wisely. I ended up buying one of the less expensive ones, but it had a usage fee as well. My recruit made three calls from boot camp. Around week 3 and 6 both on Saturdays and then the last one after Battlestations. The first call was only about 10 min. the other two were about 20 min. The time all depends on the Division commander and the circumstances surrounding how many people are trying to make calls. Some will get "reward" calls and others will have "required" calls.  - They will need a card for the reward call, not sure on the other.

Kraftinkat - I don't know about operator assisted calls. Also, we dropped our landline, so no longer have a long-distance calling card. Card costs range anywhere from $10 - $40.00 but they all have fine print. You just need to go look at them.

I had no idea and no one to ask so the one I bought was either $10 or $20 and then call cost was a penny per minute. What I didn't realize was that they deducted a $1.00 every month from the available amount. It lasted long enough to get us through the 3 calls but my recruit was given limited amount of time for all calls.

Plan for at least 90 minutes minimum and maybe 120 minutes, especially if your sailor will fly to "A" school and you won't be able to make it to the airport to give them there cell phone there.

Are they able to buy calling cards there at the NEX if they need them?  I didn't know to get a card before he left and I don't know if it's a good idea to buy one here and send it to him. What if it doesn't work? What do you suggest?

You can find calling cards with 300 minutes or more, and refillable, that are approx $30. I would not send one that has less than a couple hundred minutes. Many of the calling cards charge minutes just for connecting the call.

Make sure you get the prepaid card that is for use with a pay phone. Also, activate the card before sending it. Your recruit won't need to waste his call minutes trying to figure out how to use the thing. :)

Your recruits can buy a phone card at the NEX if they did not take one with them. You can also send them a card too. There are always recruits that have no way of calling home, perhaps your recruit can share if they have extra minutes.

4HisGlory17 - I definitely remember our first phone call, short as it was, and our youngest was down the street with friends so missed the call, which was a huge disappointment. Glad your SR is enjoying himself and sounding chipper. That is always helpful, I think. Just a heads up, being aware in another three weeks for another call around the same time on the same day. We had a summer state swim meet that day and almost missed the call, but it worked out. Be ready with questions and anything you need to relay regarding PIR because the next call after BS they are going to be extremely tired and it may not come at an opportune time.

NNLori and Lisarenee - as frustrating as it was trying to locate a prepaid calling card, I am thankful that our recruiters told us about that. They said, take the cell phone, driver's license, SS card and a prepaid calling card, and their Start book, other items were optional and most sent home. Ellen0502 gave you good advice as well.

I never joined the DEP group- since I found this after bc but anyone else might want to post something about calling cards there.

Hello Chipmunk, 4HisGlory17 and NNLori, 

I'm behind you guys and I had to go out this morning. I missed talking to you ladies. I also got my son a calling card as well. CVS did not have them so I got mine at Kroger's. The only thing is we did not activate it, he said it would be ok and I just ran thru it and showed him where everything was. I also got him a 90 minute one.

Ladies, when did they ship out again? I'm so glad you guys got to hear from them. 

How did they sound?

And Ladies thanks for saying that about the processes that we go thru that's what I was telling my family, you get the box, then the letter and then finally a handwritten letter and or a phone call.

I'm hoping I get my form letter this week. I did sign up for that USPS thing to.

Hope your Labor Day is going well. God bless all of our service men and women as they fight and train for our country. 

Do send moleskin. We weren't able to find any at the NEX after PIR and my sailor had worn blisters from BS and also from the dress shoes they wear for PIR - Send some so they have it, and tell them how to use it, if they never have.

Hi Seven!! - Blessings to all of you  - I took a "labor" break, but headed back to our mound of boxes in the garage. - Three estates will do that to you.- Oh spoke to my sailor at "A" school and he was enjoying a day off, so, just remind your recruits that they will get down time, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

partyofseven -- You mention the USPS below...I may have missed it, would you mind sharing that tip with me? 

Hey Chipmunk, me to. I have to start getting ready for fall. 

Three estates yes that is alot. That's what I'm hoping for to and will do. 

I couldn't find the moleskin either so I did send him with some bandaids to get him going. Where do you get it and should I take more with me?

Hey serenity24, 

Someone told me about it in group. The postal service has a free service that you can sign up for. They image your mail and you can see what you are recieving that day. Pretty neat. Since I just signed up I wanna see what it looks like for tomorrow's mail.

partyofseven-You can buy blister bandaids too, they will work well, actually better than regular bandaids because they stay in place and form a barrier over the blister. 

serenity24 The mail service you might be referring to is called, Informed Delivery. It will inform you of the mail that has been scanned for delivery for the day. 

partyofseven - look for the moleskin in with the foot care powders, insoles, etc. at your drugstore or dept store. Sometimes it says moleskin - that is usually a large sheet that has to be cut, but you can buy the pads for bunions, corns or anything like that. It has an adhesive on one side and a cushion on the other to keep your feet from rubbing on shoes. Band-Aids will help as well. - Moleskin is not usually in the same place as Band-Aids.

Fyi - remind your sailor to pack all liquids in their sea bag before they fly to A school. - Maybe even send a folded Ziploc gallon bag so nothing spills. Mine forgot at the last minute and had half a bottle of wash/soap that had to be left at airport security. The foot powder my husband got at the NEX though, was able to go through security.

serenity24- I believe I received my first handwritten letter around May 10th...and my son had left April 20th. 

Did anyone send a personal hygiene kit with their recruit to Boot camp? I've read the requirements on sizes....so this would be shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc...? 

Kraftinkat- Enjoy the time left. Take your son for ice cream, or hamburgers, pizza, any of those special little things that they will miss while at camp. And give them plenty of time / space to just chill with their own things.

serenity24 - I sent an airplane appropriate hygiene bag, so my recruit would have it when arriving at boot camp. It was all shipped back in "the box". I don't know if it was ever used. I took it back up at PIR and was told, "no, I don't need that." I failed to ask why, assuming he had stuff, and thus we had the other issue at the airport. - It is up to you, but if you send it, it will most likely be sent home. Our recruiters also said to send a change of clothes and a jacket for the airplane. That was used but not the extra clothes. I believe they change fairly immediately into sweat suits. Evidently, the change of clothes is possibly needed when there is inclement weather that can cause travel delays, otherwise they told me at MEPS, they only needed what they were wearing and the other items I mentioned in an earlier comment, I believe today.

Ok Chipmunk I will.  I had a gallon bag for him to but at the last minute he decided not to take it. So I will bring that with me when it's time. That's for reminding me what it was for, I couldn't remember. Lol there was so much to remember befor e he left.

Kraftinkat-that's what we did. He had time with us family and then he had time with his friends. On Sunday he's closest friends came over and spent the day with us before it was time to go. They really appreciate it. 

Hey yorkshirelass, 

When did yours go to bc? Mine left on the 28th. He is also a HC an will be going to A school in San Antonio. My understanding is no, they will leave the following day after PIR. But we can wait with them at the airport until they leave. 

 yorkshirelass- In general there is no extra time off for those flying elsewhere to "A" school. Some leave on Saturday, some on Sunday and occasionally, some get held over until Monday or so. A lot of it depends on their paperwork. Be prepared for an early trip to the airport on Saturday and hopefully able to adjust plans if their orders state otherwise.

partyofseven - keep the gallon bag in your purse and handy!!

Ok I will.  :)

SoILMom - I never mailed any moleskin, because I didn't know at the time to send any. I did send solar glasses for the eclipse that my recruit never got to use and there was not an issue with that. I sent it in a flat bubble mailer. Some of the ladies mention they send band aids and moleskin in their recruits wallets before going to bc.

HI Partyofseven-Someone mentioned sending them a gallon baggie to keep their letters in at BC.  They said you could send it in the mail.  I am going to try that.  But chipmunks reminder for packing for A school is a great idea!

Here are the current PIR groups:

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 - 9 Divisions (331-340, & 950) 4 guests

PIR: October 27, 2017 TG 51 (if that link doesn't work use http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/piroctober272107)

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

Erin, 

I know, sending you hugs to. 

serenity24, no, having dental work done at the RTC will not delay your recruit. It is covered.