Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

The Navy Gateway Inns & Suites is located on the main part of the base, about 1.5 miles from the RTC. This option is now available only for those with a military or dependent ID. Go to http://ngis.dodlodging.net/propertys/Great-Lakes-NS---IL or call 877-NavyBed (877-628-9233). You will need to give your recruit's name and division number when making the reservation and/or when checking in. They will begin taking reservations by phone 30 days before PIR or you can make reservations online about 6 weeks before PIR. There may be restrictions on where you can go on base without your Sailor being with you. Taxis and shuttles pick up and drop off at the gate, so it is better if you have a vehicle if staying at the Gateway Inn and Suites. It is also important to note that Standard and Suite rooms are located around 1/2 mile or so from the check in desk (some have indicated 1/4 mi. and others 3/4 mi.). There are standard rooms, rooms with a kitchen, and suites. All rooms include a refrigerator, microwave, and free Wifi. A free continental breakfast is available.

The Navy Lodge is located 1.9 miles off base from the RTC in the Forestal Village Housing area and guests of graduation are allowed to stay there since your recruit/Sailor will be your sponsor. You will need to give your recruit's name, rate (E-1, E-2, or E-3), and division number when making the reservation and/or when checking in. Go to https://www.navy-lodge.com/lodge_page.html?p_lodge_number=05 or call (847)689-1485. All rooms are non-smoking. They also have some family suites that include a kitchen as well as some rooms with kitchenettes. You can also book adjoining rooms if needed. All of the rooms, with the exception of some of the ADA rooms, have two queen beds. All rooms include direct TV and DVD, a refrigerator, a microwave, and free Wifi. They offer cribs and roll-away beds if needed at no additional charge. They have a breakfast to go that you can take with you to PIR and a free continental breakfast.

Please take note of the changes, Thank You.

Friends and family of Recruit Training Command, please be advised that as of the first graduation ceremony of 2018 (January 5), we will be adjusting our Recruit Family Welcome Center hours of operation. Our new hours will be Thursday [10:00 AM to 7:30 PM] and Friday [5:30 AM to 8:30 AM]. Please make note, we will no longer open on Wednesday for normal ticketing hours.

Have a Good Evening Ladies, so Glad to see many of you Happy and excited.

For those that still may have lots of questions please do ask, we have many a Wonderful Ladies that would be willing to answer. Remember there is never a dumb question, anything that is on your mind or maybe confused about or just feeling really emotional this is the Place for you. We all as Mothers have endured the same at one point in time so please do not be afraid to share.

May the letters and calls keep coming!

Today is my SR's (boy that feels funny to say after her being a DEPer for so long!) 2nd day.  She will start her 2nd week on Christmas Day.  Does anyone know if they will get to call home Christmas Day even though they don't usually get calls until a week or so later?

I know many of you are wishing there was a way to give a gift to your SR in boot camp.  One thing to consider is donating to the USO in their name.  The USO does a lot for our sailors, including the welcome centers in so many airports, and providing comfort and relief when they are in places far from home.  Supporting the USO is a great gift to all our service members!  

https://www.uso.org/take-action/ways-to-support

MommaV - Absolutely you can write your SR!! Start writing letters now! You should receive a form letter pretty soon that will give you his address, the date of graduation (PIR) and a form you must complete and send back to him as quickly as possible. It will ask for license numbers for all adults attending PIR and other identifying information so they can do back ground checks on every one who will attend the graduation. That is a must in order to attend PIR (Pass In Review). Depending on the number of divisions you will be allowed up to 4 guests. Sometimes there are only 3 guests allowed if there are too many divisions. You will probably not get a letter from him for at least a couple maybe 3 weeks. They will not receive or send out letters until a mail person is trained for their division and this takes place after they are in their permanent ship which can take anywhere from a few days after arrival up to almost 2 weeks. My son waited 12 days before he was transferred to his ship (barracks). It's tough time but you will get through it!! The first phone call is approximately 3 weeks- and just to warn you most of the recruits are very beat down at that time. It's not usually a pleasant phone call, and it can be very short as well. Not always but it's better to expect the worst and then be pleasantly surprised. At least that's what I think. Good luck and hang in there!!

Good Morning Ladies wishing you all well this Wednesday morning, I see lots of questions, I can understand how some of you are feeling. It is overwhelming seeing your Loved one leave, But just know Ladies they are in good hands and this is a Beginning of their Journey. BC is very hard some succeed some don't, training is very vigorously and they have long days, once you receive the box with Son/Daughters Belongings which I have to say some do and don't because they can donate them as well, in about 10 days or so you will receive the form Letter this will have his Division  # ship name, address and when PIR is set for him and her to Graduate. With this address you will be able to send letters. Now sometimes they may be moved to another address but he/she will notify you. these few weeks will be processing, meaning physical, dental, shots and they get quite a few. I will post some sites for you all to read and it breaks it down on how you can follow the weeks and what they will be doing. These few weeks will be tough for them as well as you. The saying is" No News Is Good News" and down the line you will come to terms with " the Not Knowing" is the hardest to handle. Just know they are in good hands and working hard to achieve their Goals (Journey). Best wishes to you all and to your New SR.

As far as calls I'm not sure about Christmas but from what I have been Learning is that they will have a Great Feast Dinner for Christmas. As Anti M has mentioned USO does a lot for our SR's. and Sailors.

Please feel free to ask anything, we have A great Group of Ladies on this site that will answer to the best of their Knowledge.

I see hooyahsuzy has answered the Phone call situation, Thank You hooyahsuzy!

It may seem funny to you all but when my son left I felt all I could focus on was him, so it took me awhile to be able to go into his room when he had left to BC. Then one day I got this crazy feeling over me and when I went into his room I started gutting it out completely, My husband went in there and asked me woman what are you doing? I said we have a project to do, LOL so I did take him by surprise, I re-did his whole room from top to bottom, Gladly and very excited to say My sailor will be home for the Holidays and his room is complete. He attends A school in Great Lakes. I also am a first time military mom and my Son is the baby of the family at 18 yrs. old went in after High school But was in ROTC for the whole 4Yrs. so just a thought for those looking to stay busy! Have a Great Day Ladies.

 PIR: December 15, 2017 TG 06 - 8 Divisions (037-042 and 906, 907) 4 guests 

      NO PIR: December 22, 2017 & December 29, 2017

      PIR: January 5, 2018 TG 09 - 14 Divisions (043-054, 908 and 909)  4 guests

      PIR: January 12, 2018 TG 10 - 7 Divisions (055-060 and 910) 4 guests

      PIR: January 19, 2018 TG 11 - 12 Divisions (061-070, 805 and 911) 4 guests       

      PIR: January 26, 2018 TG 12 - 12 Divisions (071-080, 806 and 912) 4 guests

 hooyahsuzy - Thanks for the number clarification - that is a lot!

I very much agree with  Anti M - the USO does a lot for our military. I never truly appreciated it until I saw them in operation at the airport, when my son flew to A school.

Also, a gift card that includes free shipping so that your sailor can supplement any items they might need for A school that they are not able to get at their local NEX.

Ladies if you really want to blow your Sons/Daughter away start learning the Lingo (language) when they here you speaking certain words they will be so amazed and think it is funny. I know I did it with my son, he would speak terms I had no clue what they were, but when I would answer him back totally blew him away, and he thought it was pretty neat and funny. here is the site.

What does ??? mean? (A Guide to Navy Abbreviations and Terminology)

Hello!

I will have PIR group 02/02/2018 up in about an hour or two.

@fireteamleaderwife YAY! Can't wait to join and meet everyone else who will be attending PIR that day. 

Hello again!

I need some help from y'all please. When you join your PIR group would you please post your Recruits Ship and Division number?

We like to set up Division Discussion on your PIR groups about two to three weeks into BC so you can get to know those folks who have recruits in the same Divisions a little more.

Just an FYI though...it is still best to post any questions you have on the Main wall of the PIR group as that is where the "veteran moms" are most to answer your questions. Also, that way the whole group may see the answer.

Thank you!!

Great news FireTeamLeaderWife! I'm sure their will be lots Joining.

PIR February 02 2018 is now up and running. 

Here is the direct link:

PIR February 02, 2018 TG 13- 15 Divisions, 081 - 094 and 913.

Please come and join!

Large PIR group...the max is 16 Divisions. I have not added how many Guests will be allowed until I get a confirmation. :-)

Here is some good info in regards to the form and security access form.

Click HERE  to see the new information and a sample of the form letter for PIR dates October 6, 2017 and later.                                 

Please take note of the changes, Thank You.

Friends and family of Recruit Training Command, please be advised that as of the first graduation ceremony of 2018 (January 5), we will be adjusting our Recruit Family Welcome Center hours of operation. Our new hours will be Thursday [10:00 AM to 7:30 PM] and Friday [5:30 AM to 8:30 AM]. Please make note, we will no longer open on Wednesday for normal ticketing hours.

Have a Great evening Ladies, it was nice seeing your posts today, glad that you are all asking questions.

I would Like to wish every one of you a Very Merry Christmas, May you and your Families have a Blessed New Year and May everything you wish for come true! Much Love to you all!

I just wanted to let folks know that we were at graduation last weekend.  It was wonderful.  We drove our rental car on base.  That worked for us, because we wanted flexibility to leave.  We ate and went to see Star Wars.  Parking on base was easy, no lines to get through the gate really. 

Also, we did not bring seat pads.  The ceremony is not that long. It was a pretty frigid morning outside, but it was quite warm inside and the temperature increased as the hall filled up, so much so that I was wishing I hadn't worn extra socks with my boots!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Phoenixmom I'm not sure if you're just another Mom on here or who you are but thanks for really keeping up on this site! I for one really appreciate all the valuable information and connection you help make between the families!  So THANK YOU and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Good Morning Ladies Happy Thursday, Can you believe it 4 more days until Christmas this year has sure flown by.

Would like to welcome the New Comers and I wish you a very Blessed Christmas and Welcome to the site.

mdun5959 Thank You for your kind words, I appreciate it very much. I am a Mom of a Sailor, he graduated Sept. 1st 2017. He attends Great Lakes A School. he will be a EM. I really got involved with this site because I was just a first time Military Mom myself, and I knew what All moms might be feeling and going thru. So I stayed on to help encourage and give some insight, then I was asked if I would like to continue to help out on this site so I said Yes! I really do appreciate all of you Ladies and I really like that everyone on this site gives there all. This site helped me so much to grow and Learn about what My Son will be enduring in his Journey. And I am hoping that it will do the same for you all. So if there is anything that you need more info on please just ask and I will do my best. As you know Hooyahsuzy, LemonElephant, Anti M, Chipmunk, Ellen0502 these Ladies have been on this site longer than I. These Ladies were my go to, they have so much Knowledge and great answers and input. So I would like to extend a Thank You to them and I wish you Ladies a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Blessed New Year's.

Thank You all!

This Christmas I will feel incomplete but I'm staying as strong and positive as I can. Many blessings to our son's and daughter's in bc and may they have the strength, courage and determination to get through this. I wish them as well as all you ladies a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Amen to that proudmamma, and you also have a Happy Holidays. These weeks will Fly by and soon you will see your Son/Daughter Graduating. What a Handsome/Beautiful sight that will be. The image of PIR does not leave my mind, it's like it was yesterday, a very enjoyable amazing time!

So very Proud of all your Sons/Daughter for taking this courageous step. May the Lord bless them in every way!

For those who may be attending PIR Jan. 5th do you all know the information about Graduation Pictures. Usually the SR's. will be able to purchase them and have them sent home. If not please take a Look at this site it will give you instructions and information on all that can be purchased with the price.

Division T-Shirts, Graduation Photos, The Keel, and DVD of PIR

this PIR is up and ready to join.

PIR February 02, 2018 TG 13- 15 Divisions, 081 - 094 and 913.

PIR: December 15, 2017 TG 06 - 8 Divisions (037-042 and 906, 907) 4 guests 

      NO PIR: December 22, 2017 & December 29, 2017

      PIR: January 5, 2018 TG 09 - 14 Divisions (043-054, 908 and 909)  4 guests

      PIR: January 12, 2018 TG 10 - 7 Divisions (055-060 and 910) 4 guests

      PIR: January 19, 2018 TG 11 - 12 Divisions (061-070, 805 and 911) 4 guests       

      PIR: January 26, 2018 TG 12 - 12 Divisions (071-080, 806 and 912) 4 guests

Hooyahsuzy posted this yesterday. I would like to repost because it will answer some questions on Christmas calls. Thank You Hooyahsuzy!

All recruits will not be able to phone home on Christmas because there are about 5,000+ of them and there's no humanly way possible they all would have ample time to march to the phone center and use 125 phones. Only those divisions whose RDCs have already schedule a time slot for the division to use the phone center will be getting calls.

 Saving Money PIR Weekend and PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend.

@Phoenixmom...... Thank you.

The discussion, Recommended Places to Stay, within PIR Reference Information may give you some ideas. Check http://www.tripadvisor.com/ to see what others have said about any hotel you are considering.

US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois

Thank you @Phoenixmom for all the helpful information you are posting, it has been so comforting during this time of wondering and waiting to hear from our recruits. Happy Holidays to all and may your hearts be filled with pride and I pray it can carry you through this season. God Bless!!

Thank You! I have an early day today but I would like to leave a prayer for all, And I wish you all a very Blessed Holiday.

Lord I pray that all of us Mothers/Friends/Grandparents continue having strong Faith to entrust our Sons/Daughters into God's hands no matter the outcome, and that we continue to find creative ways to support our loved ones, emotionally, and spiritually, from a distance. Amen!

and for our Sons/Daughter

Lord I ask that you look after our Sons/Daughters that they are able to physically rest and restore themselves in order to function on an everyday basis, and that they remain steadfast and not "loose heart", but continue in prayer causing them to grow stronger in the Lord. Amen!

Have a Great Holiday everyone! leaving for the Day to get things situated. Much "Hugs" to you all.

Friends and family of Recruit Training Command, please be advised that as of the first graduation ceremony of 2018 (January 5), we will be adjusting our Recruit Family Welcome Center hours of operation. Our new hours will be Thursday [10:00 AM to 7:30 PM] and Friday [5:30 AM to 8:30 AM]. Please make note, we will no longer open on Wednesday for normal ticketing hours

Here is some Great Info that HooyahSuzy posted a while back in regards to shuttle vs. driving. so I am reposting it so that way you all can make a choice.

For those always asking if taking a hotel shuttle to PIR is better than driving, here's the upside and downside of this: The upside is what everyone stating that the shuttles get to by-pass traffic so you don't have to sit in a long line of traffic. Okay, fine. But then what? Then, the shuttle dumps you off at the gate where, depending on the number of recruits graduating with the more recruits, the more guests, you'll be standing in line at the gate as the guards check each ID against each ticket and then each guest has to have each of the bags search by security. And then, you have about a 100- to 150-yard walk to the visitors center. If it's winter and it's 5 degrees out or temps are sub-zero, and it's windy and the snow is blowing sideways, that is going to be one hellava walk for you, especially for the eldery guests or young children. Wheelchairs are available upon request, but you have to wait until one arrives. Suddenly, sitting in a long line of heated cars doesn't seem so bad. If you are not dressed properly for the weather, including those who insist on wearing cute little short dresses and heels, you are going to be quite miserable for this walk. If weather isn't so bad, and you have no issues with cold

this PIR is up and ready to join.

PIR February 02, 2018 TG 13- 15 Divisions, 081 - 094 and 913.

I am a Mom of a Sailor, he graduated Sept. 1st 2017. He attends Great Lakes A School. he will be a EM. I really got involved with this site because I was just a first time Military Mom myself, and I knew what All moms might be feeling and going thru. So I stayed on to help encourage and give some insight, then I was asked if I would like to continue to help out on this site so I said Yes! I really do appreciate all of you Ladies and I really like that everyone on this site gives there all. This site helped me so much to grow and Learn about what My Son will be enduring in his Journey. And I am hoping that it will do the same for you all. So if there is anything that you need more info on please just ask and I will do my best. As you know Hooyahsuzy, LemonElephant, Anti M, Chipmunk, Ellen0502 these Ladies have been on this site longer than I. These Ladies were my go to, they have so much Knowledge and great answers and input. So I would like to extend a Thank You to them and I wish you Ladies a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Blessed New Year's.

I have to say now that Christmas is so close and I don't have my sons address to even send my letters it's tougher everyday to not be able to contact him by phone or letter... I'm so very proud of him and I understand no news is good news but I just keep praying he gets to be a lucky one and make that call to us ASAP or that I get the form letter sooner than later.  At this point there is no way he will get anything for Christmas and I know this will be tough on him I just hope he knows we all have him in our thoughts and prayers and he will be getting more letters than he will know what to do with very soon!  Just needed to vent a little bit so thanks for reading this God Bless your SR's and Happy Holidays to all!! 

I have a question my Aunt asked my mom for my sons address so she could send him a Christmas card in boot camp well she called my mom the next day and said she sent a package she sent my son a small homemade pound cake and some fudge. I know they cannot have packages but my Aunt did not know will my son get into trouble and I hope someone eats that pound cake and fudge it is from Wilmington NC

This is a friendly reminder that recruits are NOT allowed to receive care packages of any kind. Any food items that are received are discarded. Never send your recruit anything unless they specifically request it, such as particular toiletries; or contacts/makeup for photos and graduation, for example.

 Please do not send your recruit packages of civilian clothing, toiletries, food items, etc. as they will not be permitted to keep them."

The exception is that about 3 to 4 weeks before PIR you can send contacts and a small amount of solution. Writing "Contacts for PIR" in the corner of the small box or padded envelope is useful, but not necessary since your recruit will have to open the package in front of the RDC. You can also send a small amount of make-up for the females that will "blend with natural skin tone and enhance natural features." The most often requested items are a small amount of foundation (some have specified the cake type) or face powder, 1 blush, 1 eye shadow in a neutral shade, 1 mascara (black or brown), 1 eyebrow/eyeliner pencil (black or brown), 1 lipstick in a conservative color, and 1 small hand lotion or face lotion

I am still waiting for my son's form letter.  I am getting so sad not having it yet.  I keep seeing so many others that have received theirs already.  Even people that have gone to BC days after my son!  I'm getting so impatient.  It's getting me so down at this point.  I'm sad he will be alone on Christmas.  I'm sad he won't be here on Christmas.  I'm just sad in general.  :(