Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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To everyone with a loved one at RTC or soon to be there, we say, "Welcome!" To those who are sticking around after PIR to help those who are just beginning this awesome journey, we say, "Thank you!"

**BEGINNING OCTOBER 5, 2023, RECRUIT GRADUATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED EVERY THURSDAY (NO LONGER ON FRIDAY), EXCEPT FOR THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING, WHEN GRADUATION IS ON WEDNESDAY.

This is a place to talk, ask questions, and share stories. It is our desire that this Group will provide the information, encouragement, and support you need while your loved one is at RTC in Great Lakes. Enjoy your time here and feel free to Comment and join in the Discussions. Be sure to check out the "Pages" to the right, located under the pictures of the Members, especially OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile), (Click "View All" to see all of them.)

Please, if you no longer want to be a part of N4M's consider NOT deleting your profile as everything you have ever posted will disappear when you delete it . You can leave a group but don't permanently delete your profile!

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Joy

Kraftinkat 48 hour from the time I got the "I made it to bootcamp call"... that's all I gave it before I contacted her recruiter and asked for updated information (to include the address, division, and ship number).

Sep 9, 2017
NNLori

My son's recruiter has been no help in that regard. I didn't get the address for 9 days!

Sep 9, 2017
Joy

NNLori that's unacceptable! I'm so sorry to hear that. I can't imagine what you were going through... me waiting the two days was hard enough

Sep 9, 2017
NNLori

I was told I needed to wait for the "form letter" so that's what I did. I was told the recruiter could have the wrong information and it would take even long for the letters to get there. But I guess that's not always true. I'm glad you were able to get the address sooner. It's helpful to be able to write and send letters.

Sep 9, 2017
Momof4gkids

Until someone is trained in the mailroom they don't receive mail plus what the recruiter has as an address could wind up being different. It's hard waiting I understand my daughter just called yesterday with the wonderful news of I'm a sailor! Hang in there you will be okay

Sep 9, 2017
nani

So how long does it usually take to train this mail person? Generally how long after moving to their permanent ship do recruits start having mail call?

Sep 9, 2017
Anti M

It takes a couple weeks, maybe a week if things are flowing smoothly. Two is usual.

Sep 9, 2017
nani

Is that a week or 2 after arrival? Or a week or 2 into training?

Sep 9, 2017
partyofseven

I do believe it's week 2 of training. I did read that they are able to start writing on Sunday of the second week.
Hope this helps.

Sep 9, 2017
ellen0502

Writing to your recruit before you have the form letter won't get the letter to them any sooner, it may actually delay it.

Until the RMPO is trained all mail received is set aside to be sorted as time allows. Once the RMPO is trained the current mail is sorted first, only as time allows is the set aside mail sorted for dstribution.

Sep 9, 2017
nani

But it's safe to send the mail once you get the form letter, right?? just double checking because I sent all of my letters as soon as I received it....haha

Sep 9, 2017
sambam32

Nani, haha... yea, once you get the address info from your recruit you are good to go and can send as many letters as your heart desires!!!

Sep 9, 2017
nani

OHHH good. My heart desired 11....... 1 for every day he's been gone. Poor guy.

Sep 9, 2017
Kraftinkat

Is a new mail room guy trained every 9 weeks?

Sep 9, 2017
DeAnna

Hello, everyone, My son started boot camp on the 6th. I was wondering if any one could tell me how I would know his graduation date? Or should I know it at this point?

Sep 9, 2017
NNLori

Count 9 Fridays from the date he went in. It's not absolute but it's a good guess. Could be the week before if he ends up in a push division.

Sep 9, 2017
Joy

DeAnna, my daughter went in on the 6th and her recruiter was able to tell us her Ship #, Division #, and PIR Date which is Nov 3rd. I would assume the PIR Date would be the same for you as well. But, check with your kiddos recruiter in the meantime. I did hear that some recruiters have the inaccurate addresses for the recruits, but I'll chance it until I get the official info. from my recruit. Good luck!

Sep 9, 2017
Kraftinkat

How quickly does the box come

Sep 9, 2017
Joy

kraftinkat each division has a recruit assigned to handle the mail. So if you look at it from that perspective... yes a new recruit is trained every 8 weeks to handle the mail for their division. Hope this information helps!

Sep 9, 2017
Kraftinkat

Joy it just never dawned on me that the recruits would be trained for mail room duty. Thanks. So what are the meanings of the different divisions?

Sep 9, 2017
Joy

Well, as each recruit gets to Great Lakes for bootcamp they are assigned to a specific division. Normally, as the divisions fill up they are put in another division. Each graduation has between 8 and 15 divisions graduating on their designated PIR date. The divisions are usually random unless your child is assigned to a 900 division (which I don't know too much about). Hope this information helps!

Sep 9, 2017
ellen0502

Every division has a RMPO (Recruit Mail Petty Officer). That RMPO is picked from each division as training begins. The mail cannot be sorted or distributed until that recruit is trained.

Sep 9, 2017
ellen0502

Remember ladies...Sending mail before you receive the form letter does not get your recruit mail any faster, it can actually delay it.

Sep 9, 2017
Joy

ellen0502 you are so right about the recruit not receiving their mail any faster. In my experience they just hold it until the division is ready to receive mail. That does not usually delay it though. Thanks for your insight.

Sep 9, 2017
Kraftinkat

Ellen0502 and Joy thanks for the info.

Sep 9, 2017
CAB

Well i got my fisrt letter friday and a call Sat mrng (cali time)!!! I was so happy and feeling blessed that i got to speak to him.

Sep 10, 2017
NNLori

CAB- That's so great!!! That has to be the best feeling! To know they are ok!! I can't wait for my turn!! This has been the longest 18 days of my life!!

Sep 10, 2017
nani

That's exciting CAB! When did your recruit arrive?

Sep 10, 2017
Kraftinkat

What area code is the phone call coming from as I don't want to end up talking to someone and miss his call.

Sep 10, 2017
NNLori

I've heard it's 847. Correct me if I'm wrong ladies. I also heard that Mom almost missed a call because the caller ID said the call was from Vietnam!!! OMG! Just answer any odd phone number I would say!

Sep 10, 2017
JennBNavyMom

NNLori yes Vietnam! Can you imagine?! I'm answering every random call just in case!

Sep 10, 2017
NNLori

JennBNavyMom- I know I'll be answering every darn sales call until I get that call! LOL!!!

Sep 10, 2017
sambam32

Great Lakes is 847 but I've heard it could be anything!

Sep 10, 2017
NNLori

Wonderful! Lol!

Sep 10, 2017
CAB

My caller id said pay phone on it. I just happened to answer it and to my surprise it was my son.

Sep 10, 2017
Kraftinkat

Do calla happen on certain days or any day and time

Sep 10, 2017
Kraftinkat

*calls*

Sep 10, 2017
CAB

Any day and time!

Sep 10, 2017
CAB

Nani my recruit arrived the 21st

Sep 10, 2017
TrueBlue

My call came from area code 847 and said Vietnam.

Sep 10, 2017
Timsmom97

My call was area code 847 as well and it said Waukegan, IL

Sep 10, 2017
JennBNavyMom

I'm scared to take a shower for fear I'll miss a call!! I'm desperate to hear from him. Phone, letter anything!

Sep 10, 2017
Timsmom97

Funny you say that... he called me just as I got out of the shower yesterday morning. I keep my phone with me EVERYWHERE!!!! Just keep it with you so you hear it so you won't miss it. My phone is never unattended.

Sep 10, 2017
sambam32

yeah, I can see my phone being a permanent attachment to me as soon as my recruit leaves.

Sep 10, 2017
Joy

JennBNavyMom you are not alone I feel the same way and the more I read different moms saying they heard from their kiddos my heart is happy for them and I know I have about 13 more days before I hear anything... letter or phone call from my baby girl. I just think okay the sooner the other moms get their calls, that means I'm that much closer to getting mines! We have to stay positive and optimistic that our time will come!

Sep 10, 2017
Timsmom97

It DEFINATELY will be. And if you leave it somewhere, you will panic!

Sep 10, 2017
JennBNavyMom

Wednesday will be three weeks. Hoping to hear from him soon. Happy for the ladies who have heard from their sailor.

Sep 10, 2017
partyofseven

Hey Ladies,

That is me as well. I sleep with my phone at night, my cell phone goes with me every where. Lol I am happy for the other moms to and I just think that soon that will be us. Cause once one of us gets a letter, I know the rest of us will to. Tomorrow starts week 3. yes!! Hopefully today is the day he gets to write letters.

Sep 10, 2017
nani

Partyofseven, when did your recruit go in? I'm trying to understand the weeks. I'm trying to find out when "week 3" starts! And i'm hoping my husband got to write a letter today too....but that may not be until next week :(

Sep 10, 2017
NNLori

Yes, agreed!! JennBNavyMom, Seven-I'm pretty sure Monday should start week 3, I hope. But I'm not sure when they officially start a week. Is it Monday? Or would it be Wednesday which would be exactly 3 weeks since he arrived. See!!! This is why I need to talk to him so I know what the heck is going on. Ugh!!! So frustrating to be in the dark about everything. AND I am still hopeful we may get a call today. Yesterday they called around 3 which is central time. So I guess if it's gonna happen it will happen soon. Who knows!! I'm guessing. :/

Sep 10, 2017