Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

@phoenixmom,@Tat'sMom,@Mamabear thanks so much for all the encouraging thoughts and prayers! one day at a time! Does anyone have a recommendation on when to buy Airline Ticket for PIR?? Thank you! xoxoxo

Hey Navy Moms,

Just a big shoutout to everyone, and Phoenixmom especially for all the info that I have been reading  on the website.  It has been so supportive and informative!  This is my first question on the wall...I got a family package on SAndboxx on my IPhone,  and want to share it with my husband on his Ipad.  Does anyone know how to do that?  Thanks so much!

Here are the current PIR groups:

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 4 guests

PIR: November 3, 2017 TG 52

PIR: November 9, 2017 TG 01 (Note: PIR is on Thursday due to the Veterans Day holiday on Friday. Those flying out will still fly out the day after PIR, Friday.)

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

Anyone know how long it takes for the Graduation CD and the Keel book (I think that is the name - the TG yearbook) to be mailed out and received after PIR? - Our sailor ordered them and they were to be mailed to our house- we already got our pictures. Thanks. Oh our PIR was 8/25/17.

Good Morning Ladies,

Phoenixmom-can you put up the beginning weeks up-or week 4 that's where my sr is. Thanks so much.

Here you go Partyofseven

WEEK 4:  LIVE FIRE

If you’ve never fired a weapon before, you’ll get your chance in week four.  You will have the opportunity to train with the M-16 and a 12-gauge shotgun. When you’ve proven you know how to properly use both, you’ll move to the live-fire range. Graduation pictures are this week as well as an academic test on everything you’ve learned to date.

WEEK 5:  CAREER

This week is all about you. Where you want to go, what you want to do, and how fast you intend to get there. Find the shortest distance between where you are and where you want to be. You are more than half-way through basic training, the finish line is in sight.  Remember that 180-degree-life-change your Recruiter told you about?  It’s happening.

WEEK 6:  FIRE SAFETY

The big topics for this week are shipboard damage control and firefighting. Two of the most vital skills you’ll need on board a ship. You’ll learn many ship safety techniques such as how to extinguish fires, escape smoke-filled compartments, open and close watertight doors, operate Oxygen Breathing Apparatus, and carry fire hoses. Another academic test, and perhaps the most challenging of all, is the Confidence Chamber. Inside the Chamber, you and about 100 other recruits will line up and put on a gas mask while a tear gas tablet is lit. You’ll be ordered to remove your mask and throw it in a trash can while reciting your full name and social security number. Relax. Every Sailor before you has mastered it and so will you. This week you’ll also have to finish the confidence course, as a team.

WEEK 7:  BATTLE STATIONS

Battle Stations is Navy boot camp’s ultimate test. This exercise consists of 12 different scenarios incorporating everything you have learned during the previous weeks. You and your team will be graded on your ability to execute the required tasks.  Successful completion nets you the ultimate reward, a U.S. Navy ball cap. This cap tells the world you’re no longer a Recruit, but a full-fledged Navy Sailor.  All that is left is graduation

He is almost there HOOYAH! so excited for you all, even though I was a nervous wreck not knowing anything from my SR. It is the not knowing part that eats us up but you have to know they are fine. The NAVY does not set you up for failure they work with you hand in hand. Have a Great day Ladies!

Thanks Phoenixmom-that was gonna be my next question about graduation pics and the other stuff you can order? Since he didn't mention it in his letter, I will ask him today in mine. Thanks so much.  :)

They usually take the pics beforehand and most of the time your SR will purchase them, they come in packages. one is for 140.00 and one for 120.00 and most likely they will be mailed to your Home. I was waiting to purchase at the time and my Son said it is taken care of and recieved them in the mail. also some purchase the coins which he did, the Div. coin the Ship coin and the Flag coin, each Div. makes their own flag for their Div. so I recieved those about a week later.

Whoo hoo I can't wait. That's cool that they make their own flag for their division. Can't wait to see it. I was looking at the coins already to order them for his graduation, I will def. have to ask him now. I bet they looked great to. Have a great day. :)

When you get to PIR in the Cerremonial Hall they will have vendors there selling the coins many different ones and shirts, sweatshirt with their Flag its really awesome to see the different styles and pics of each Div. Flag...Have a Great Friday!

Chipmunk. My son had his PIR on 7/21 and I received the CD about a week ago. I still have not received his Keel book.

Patriotmama57 I would start making reservations now for airfare and hotel.....the rooms go fast, and airline tickes flexuate...Good Luck to youand to your SR. he is on his way for the Journey he has chosen for himself! Very Exciting! have a blessed day!

I was reading thjat the Keel will be mailed out 12 to 13 weeks after PIR if that helps any.

The Keel – the “yearbook” for your Sailor’s recruit division, sometimes called the Cruise book – includes photos of your Sailor's recruit division and brother division if there was one within a black and white section at the back. There are colored photos to remind your Sailor of things that happened while at the RTC. The Keel is only available for purchase during boot camp, on the day of PIR, and during that weekend. They only print up the exact quantity that is ordered and prepaid so you will not be able to order it after PIR weekend. The Keel is included free with Photo Package A or it can be purchased separately for $29. The Keel is mailed about 12 or 13 weeks after PIR – the recruit indicates the address it is mailed to. You cannot order The Keel over the phone. You must do that in person at the NEX the weekend of PIR if your Sailor did not order one. The Keel is included free with package A if ordered on the day of PIR.

If your recruit did not order the DVD of PIR, then go over to the Photo Lab at the NEX on the day of PIR, and you can still get it. The DVD is mailed about 6 to 8 weeks after PIR – the recruit indicates the address it is mailed to. Some, but not all, have been successful in ordering a DVD up to 2 months after PIR by calling the Photo Lab at the NEX. It is best to call within a week of PIR if you want to order one.

Does anyone know  how much the challenge coins, tshirts and flags are at PIR? I want to make sure I save enough money to purchase all of these when we get there. 

The coins were 15-18 dollars different prices for the diffrent coins. The Div. coin was 15.00. shirts and flags vary. the blankets were either 18-20. at the Meet and Greet they also have a vendor there making the flags and shirts, sweatshirts the flags started at 25 but then it adds up when you put his last name the Div. and Div. number so some were coming out to like 50-55 dollars. it just depends on what you want to order. I got a blanket from the meet and greet it was 20.00 my husbands shirt was 25. so it just depends on what you want to order and what you want to put on it. also they have a sheet with the website and you can always order online. it is from the vendor at the meet and greet. I went online to armed forces website and ordered my Navy Mom shirt. so many different ways of ordering. Hope that helps.

Ok great, looks like I'll be saving lots of money (hopefully). Thanks so much Phoenixmom! 

You are welcome, just know the lines get long so you may want to get to hall and get in line. or at Meet and greet they will take your order and ask you to come back in 45 to an hour to pick your belongings. and also at the Meet and Greet they raffle off Baskets ect. there are so many people making gift baskets jewelery ect. so tickets are like 2 bucks each or get 5 for so much ect. and then you place ticket in whichever bucket you like....It was a Fun time so reserve for meet and Greet.

how do we get information on the Meet and Greet?

see if you can copy paste to your browser or click and see if it takes you to the website. on the left side of webpage it gives you the rsvp to meet and greet.

www.mynavytaxi.com/goodies.html  Sarge is an Ex Military and has so much information on everything take a look and read. Hope this Helps.

Phoenixmom, you are such a great wealth of knowledge and I appreciate you!!!!  Thanks for answering all my crazy questions today!.

I finally got a real letter from my SR.  She wrote the letter before she learned she was ASMO'd to November 3, but said that the TG after hers will be THIRTEEN WEEKS of basic training.

She also asked for shampoo/conditioner, body wash, tweezers, Pride & Prejudice book, moleskin, body lotion, hair gel, very small jar of coconut oil. 

Is she allowed to receive this stuff?  I would hate for her to get into trouble if I sent these things to her.  

She said she had one bad day, and it nearly made her want to quit, but I am still waiting on the letter that explains how she feels now that she is in FIT.  

Anyone know the policy on what they can get while they are there (I know about letters and cards in plain envelopes, no music, sound, or glitter.)

Junogirl this is what I found but you may want to ask LemonElephant what can be sent.

Q. What can I send my recruit in the mail?
A. Because space is limited in the barracks,  recruits may receive letters and small photographs only. Please do not send  your recruit packages of civilian clothing, toiletries, food items, etc. as  they will not be permitted to keep them.

I don't know if the 13 weeks thing is true, but it's what my SR says she was told.  When I get to speak with her, I'll try to get some more information. 

Phoenixmom, I thought the same thing.  I'll see if LemonElephant can clarify for me. Thanks!

Here is a website that you can go to it has list of hotels and what the offer ect. Recruit Training Command (RTC

LemonElephant would be able to answer those questions about the 13 weeks and so on. dont want to give no info I dont know about. Usually in BC they are able to go to NEX to get their toiletries. but you can send MOLESKIN for blisters because of the shoes. just put in envelope like you would stamps and calling cards. they do come in Handy but also can be bought in NEX.

Junogirl - the 13 weeks could be because of the holidays.  I know the base is on lockdown or something of that sort for the Christmas holiday.  Maybe it is because things fall in line with Thanksgiving and Christmas.  But this is merely a guess on my part. Again, LemonElephant will probably know a little more than me. :)

Not sure about the TG after your daughters being 13 weeks, there is a graduation on November 9th, the following week too, etc.. There would literally be four or five weeks of no training, thinking that's not going to happen.

There are a couple weeks coming up in Oct/Nov that the RTC generally doesn't take in recruits. By accepting no recruits it leaves the two weeks during stand down with no PIR, which is the norm.

The RTC is throwing us a few curves right now, but that wouldn't be a curve it would be a left turn, then a right, with an S curve immediately following a u-turn. :)

I Have the website at home for the vendor who will be at the Meet and Greet, if I remember I will put into my purse and put it on the website tomorrow.

Here are some websites you can look at Timsmom97. I ordered my shirt from Armedforces.com and recieved it befor PIR.

Navygear, Cafepress, Militaryspot. OOps sorry forgot to attach.

Sunshine - thanks for your response to my question based on your own experience.

Phoenixmom - thanks for looking up the information and copying it over. - It was one of those things I thought about this morning before heading to the state fair with my youngest and figured I would just ask. - Just got back home.

Partyof7 - My son ordered his picture set and also T-shirts. I had told him about the CD and the Keel - and he ordered the larger package. The pictures he was able to pick up himself before hand and so gave those to us. He also had the T-shirts, but due to his circumstances, he had to pack his seabag about a day early and our T-shirts were at the bottom and thus went to A school with him!!

Ladies, I would try to check with your recruits to see if they have ordered pictures, T-shirts, CD, Keel and Division coins. They are able to order the 3 Division coins when they order pictures, and then you can pick up the coins at the NEX after PIR. My recruit did not know about the division coins and so I was very thankful that I arrived early enough to PIR that I could buy them there for him. - The NEX was taking cards when we were there. - Phoenixmom gave the price range I recalled as well.

There have been rumors of extended BC for some time, but so far every recruit has 6 weeks of actual training with about a week of P-days and then a few extra days before and/or after so that the average time at BC is 9 Fridays. Some may have 8 Fridays and some 10 Fridays depending on when they arrive and what division they are put in. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.

PIR is currently scheduled for every week through 12/15/2017 so all of those TG's have the typical 6 weeks of actual training  (8 or 9 Fridays).

There will be no PIR on 12/22/2017 or 12/29/2017 and that may affect some who could end up with additional P-days, but usually there are no future Sailors shipping near the end of October to make up for that and there will also be two weeks in February when there will be no PIR due to no future Sailors shipping during the holiday stand down for recruiting activities the last two weeks of December.

Here are the current PIR groups:

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 4 guests

PIR: November 3, 2017 TG 52

PIR: November 9, 2017 TG 01 (Note: PIR is on Thursday due to the Veterans Day holiday on Friday. Those flying out will still fly out the day after PIR, Friday.)

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

I'm looking into flights for PIR and I'm wondering if those with experience can give me some advice. Has anyone booked through sandboxx? Is that a good option? Which airport is most economical and most convenient. Of course I'm concerned about price as well. Thanks for any advice!!

Junogirl - Regarding sending your daughter items, you mentioned moleskin and someone else, I think commented it could be purchased at the NEX. As of 8/25/17 when I was in the NEX trying to purchase moleskin for my sailor before flying out to A school the next day, there wasn't any to be had, and I didn't even find a spot for it on the shelf. It was almost closing so could not ask, we found Band-Aids but those are not very helpful for some of the types of blisters that can arise from continuous PT, possible wet feet, not to mention the new dress shoes they will wear at PIR. So, buy some and mail to her in an envelope. One of the main reasons for restrictions is due to the limited space they have to store items, but I believe packages are subject to search.

Kraftinkat - sometimes you can find something similar to moleskin that is in the section for corns or bunions. Target carries it: https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=moleskin

Here is a link for it at Walgreens: https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-moleskin-pads-4-5/8-inc...

It is usually sold in a sheet that must be cut, but there like I said there are similar adhesive backed padded type bandaids that are either solid circles or donut cut which will work also. You need something to protect the blister, but also provide a padding between the foot and the shoe. 

Here is a link for it from Wal-Mart  https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=moleskin&cat_id=0

Hopefully this will clarify things. There is also a notebook / planner brand I believe that is called Moleskin, but when I put just that in the search engine at all three stores, the padding came up first.

It is in the section that has shoe pads, corn pads, etc. in Target. At my Walgreens, it was in the blister bandaid section.

Happy Sat. glad to hear phone calls came in, NNLori we flew into O'Hare on AA round trip for two was 420.00 coming from Phoenix Az, it took us about an hour but you have to figure traffic. we rented a car and there is ways around the toll we took the 91 to 41 I believe no tolls. but thank goodness for my son in law he drove the whole time. Just keep checking flights or go with your best instinct.

By the way Ladies I have the Vendor website that was at the Meet and Greet. it is Navtbootcampgear.com you can order from them instead of at Meet and Greet. we didn't carry enough money for everything we wanted so whenever we are ready we can order.