Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Good Morning Ellen0502 I wish it was that easy but now a days they want proof, so I will speak to my Sailor and its no big thing to continue have him on my Ins. Thank You though for your info. I appreciate you!

Just a heads up this past weekend when we were there, my son-in-law mentioned that alot of the hotels including Navy Lodge were have trouble streaming the Graduation. So hopefully they fixed the problem. We stayed at Residence Inn and the office was making calls to the hotels around and it seemed like they all were having the same problem.

I actually loaded it up on my computer and tried to watch it.  It was breaking up pretty bad, but then evened itself out later on.  I am going to try and load it up again tomorrow and watch, hoping it will be fine.  My family will be watching back here at home and I was just checking to make sure.....

KC we had a rental car but I found it easier to take a shuttle to and from. My Sailor was only allowed 3 Guest, so my son in law had to stay behind and I didnt want him to take us and be in the line, it was only $4 and we were in line by 6:30 am when they opened the gates, we were like the 15th person in line while the ones that drove in stayed in the line. The line starts at 5:00 am people get there really early that are driving to Ceremonial Hall. so that would be a choice you would have to make. once you get to Hotel you let them know you need a shuttle pick up begins at 6:00 am. Hope that helps. also if you can take a clear see through hand bag makes it easier because they will have to check your purse twice once entering Gate and once entering the Hall. and it has to be a small bag. They have changed a lot of the Rules and Regulations.

Phoenixmom - thanks for the info. Every little bit helps to figure this all out!

Glad to be of Help, they will have booths inside the hall selling the coins of Div. the Flag they created as a Div. so many to pick from they start at $15.00 also selling T-shirts of their Div. and the symbol of the flag that was created as a Div. Backpacks, Blankets. and if you can remeber I suggest to all take a pillow to sit on. at walmart they are only $5.00 the Bleachers are very uncomfortable,  You will be sitting for a good two hours. they will have gaurds stationed right in front and they do not allow you to stand. neither on the side of the row. I tell you that was a smart move on me.

What was so funny is my Husband kept telling me you dont need a pillow, while after an hour of sitting on the hard Bleachers he wished he had gotten one. so we were switching off and on. so I recommend a pillow and they do not sell them there in the Hall.

Phoenixmom- Bleacher cushions were being sold at the NEX on PIR 8/25 because they were only $5 as I recall - but they may have been out of them. I debated whether to bring in a pillow or not, but didn't want to carry the extra, so instead I brought a lightweight sweater and my heavier one and sat on that. I had a sleeveless top, because I wasn't sure whether it would be hot or cool, - I needed the sweaters for the almost 5 hour wait we had afterwards for our sailor.

nani Where are you in Utah. I moved her a year ago. My son has already graduated from BC, and is currently in SC now. The Utah page isn't active, I checked in many months ago and there weren't any new people. Maybe it is different now, but I haven't checked.

I will message you :)

I'm in Utah.  I'm a Navy aunt, as well as being prior service.

My son is also 332, however, have not received a letter.  I soooo wish I would get one soon!!  I just want to know all is well, which I know it is, but to see proof helps! 

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

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

Phoenixmom - for the items on sale inside the hall, will we need cash or do they take credit/debit cards?  Thanks again for all the tips!

KC. They take credit/debit cards.

Sunflower - excellent!  Thank you!

Does anyone know if my recruit can take his cell phone/ computer to A school?

nani it depends on his Unit, My son was able to take his headphones tablet and cell phone. so all the Units have different rules as to what they can have. If he has it take it just in case. when he gets shuttled to A school if he stays in Great Lakes he will know before he gets Liberty.

I paid cash not sure about Debit.

Chipmunk that is so funny you say that because I was not prepared myself, didnt have a clue it would be so cold in the morning and wore sleeveless also. We didnt go to the NEX, I thought our Son had to be with us and I didnt even know where it was at. so the day before Graduation we went to walmart and purchased cushions for 5 bucks. I know in the Hall all that was sold was coins starting at 15 bucks, T-shirts sweatshirts, blankets, Backpacks. the line is very long as well and s soon as the Div. start to march in the booths were taken down and purchases were no more.

Your recruits can take their electronics to A School with them. If they are not allowed to have them right away they will be locked up until they can have them.

My husband just called me......."I GOT A LETTER!!"  I am going to run home over lunch just to ready it!! lol.  How pathetic is it that I am this excited about a letter! I never realized how hard it would be to wait, until I was doing it!  Hopefully everyone's will start to come in.  Oct 20th cannot come soon enough!!!

I followed my mailman on foot one day to make sure he wasn't stopping to chit chat with any neighbors (he sometimes doesn't get to us until 5 p.m. because he just talks and talks to EVERYONE...) then, last week he put my son's letter in my neighbor's mailbox by mistake.  Luckily, they were home and knocked on my door with that a short time later. He's skating on thin ice, that mailman of mine...

I set up the Informed Delivery on the USPS website. It's pretty cool. I get an email every morning of what mail I'm getting that day. I never even knew this existed. Check it out! 

USPSInformedDelivery@usps.gov

I went right home for lunch and read that letter. Cried my eyes out.  I read someplace that the first letter will be the hardest because it shows how much they miss home and want to come home, hold that information dearly to your heart, because that hurt!!!  He is extremely homesick!  I want to run right there and pick him up!  By the next letter, it should get easier, they say!  We will see.  It was WONDERFUL to get that letter but hard to read!!  Which means, I have to double up my letters....lol!!!  I hope you all get that letter soon but remember how hard it is, that's for sure!!!!

mom of two,  Super excited for you! I did the same thing when my son's first letter came! He is just finishing week 6 and I still eager to hear every Thurs from my husband if he is home to see if a letter is waiting or I am only a couple minutes from home, so I sometimes sneak out to check myself if he is at work ;-) !!! 

NavyMomKim2--I can see myself doing the same thing every Friday!!  I only live 1 mile from my office and I can run home quickly if needed.....I see a lot of that in my future!!!! lol

Hey Serenity24 I tried that with the mail, I will have to go back and see if I did something wrong. 

mom of two, that is so exciting I can't wait until I get mine. I know it's gonna be hard but I hope he's ok after him being homesick. I will also be checking my box every day. 

CAB--I am unbelievably proud of my son.  I keep telling him that over and over in my letters.  I cannot wait to see him and embarrass him because I am not letting him go the entire time I see him.  He will have to fight me off!!!! lol

My son also apologized because he called so late and I missed his first call.  Said he would be calling in about 2 weeks.  That was dated on Sept 3...........so......I cannot wait to hear from him around the 15th, which is my bday!!! So I hope he can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom of two- I'm so very happy for you!! Nothing like getting the peace of mind to know things are going ok. I guess we have to expect they will be a little home sick and a lot overwhelmed!! It's such a culture shock for them. I cannot wait to get a letter!! I sure hope he writes to me. It will kill me if he doesn't!!!

Fridays have turned into an important day! Every Friday I think about all the Recruits who have worked so hard and have been through 8 weeks of transforming themselves from (in most cases) kids into men ad woman. Congratulations to you all on this Friday 8 September 2017! Enjoy the pride of your family who have been home rooting for you!! It's harder for them than you think!! Best wishes for a wonderful time celebrating with those who love you. HOOYAH!!

Bonus call!! Unfortunately, it was because of hurricane Irma, but it was great to hear his voice. It was only a minute and I was reassuring as possible. I told him not to worry about us, he has important work to do.

You can buy 49 cents Navy stamps online....there are different varieties. 

Good Morning serenity24, 

That is awesome, I will look for some.