Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

anyone have the link to make a copy of the form we need to send it to attend PIR?  I may need to add someone and I already sent mine in.  Can I even add someone?

 PedAlQueen - I am not sure where you got the notion that there is an entrance fee to PIR - as far as I know the only difference now, than when my son's PIR was is that you have to have an individual ticket for each person to attend PIR vs. the former gate pass with the names listed. There is not a fee that you pay to attend PIR.

And  Ali - I think your recruit may be able to add or make a change but it still has to be within the 3 or 4 guest limit that is allowed for each recruit depending on the TG size. Also, only your recruit may submit a change to his guest list, no one else.

All tickets must be kept in possession of the person they are issued to and shown each time you return to RTC.

PedAlQueen my husband went on the 11th as well. I don’t think they have any privileges they are still in hell week from my understanding as this would be week 3 for them. 

Ali - Yes, you may add someone. Follow this link to the "Graduation" page on RTC website:

Graduation

At the very bottom will be the link to open the PDF for the Security Form.

As you read through you will see that yes, your Recruit is the only one who can make changes to the list (meaning that RTC personnel do not) but that family should communicate with their Recruit if there are changes. 

Your Recruits turn in the list a week before Grad, after that no changes will be accepted.

I would ask your Recruit to make sure he writes back to let you know he got the addition.

We received a call yesterday, great to hear from him. FYI one of the pay phones was horrible could barely hear him. He called back from another phone and it worked fine. He too has been sick and also had pink eye in both eyes, but is still on track to graduate on time. 

Hope everyone has had a great start to this New Year

Good Morning Ladies, Hope you all had a Fabulous Holiday. Sorry I was out sick last week but feeling much better.

Welcome to all the New Comers glad to have you along.

I would Like to wish you all a Happy New Year may all the blessings come your way.

Your recruit will indicate the names of four guests who will be permitted to receive tickets and attend PIR. Children ages 2 and under do not need a ticket to attend PIR, but a copy of the child's birth certificate may be presented in order for the child to attend PIR. The names of the guests will be listed on the Security Access Form. Your recruit will send the Security Access Form with The Form Letter and it will need to be completed fully and returned to your recruit. if you do not receive The Form Letter, then you can download the Security Access Form and complete it and send it to your recruit, but the recruit has the final say on who will attend PIR.

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

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

PIR: February 09, 2018 TG 14 - 16 Divisions (16 Divisions, 095-106, 807 & 808, 914 & 915) 3 guests

Looks like there are no PIR on Feb. 16th or 23rd.

2018 Recruit Training Command Graduation Dates and Divisions

Click here to see the list of Training Group Grad Dates and Divisions

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

Kami, those who haven't gone thru it will not no, college and Military to me my opinion are totally different. for one a college student can come home whenever our Military people cannot only when given permission. I was the same way at work had my good moments and bad, actually my co-workers really understood this change because it really is a great change. Once you see your Loved one at PIR it will totally change for you, give it time. Once you know he/she is ok and see what a change they have made which is very noticeable you will be fine.

I am very thankful my Son was able to come spend the Holidays with us, he leaves back this weekend, but he will shortly be receiving his orders, I find myself back to square one all over. It was one thing him being in A school but that is almost over and to know he will be deployed out is making me really nervous. I will not know how much of the calls or texting he will be able to do so I find myself worrying and full of anxiety once again. I believe there are different stages us Mothers will have to go thru to really know exactly how it all works. My prayers to you and your Loved one and may this year bring all good to him/her and also to you. Thanks for sharing.

@Kami you're absolutely not alone. I feel the exact same way. Since he left my heart and days feel incomplete. It is a a process. I've always had much respect for our military men and women but I look at things so differently now that my child has chosen this for his future. I'm not the same momma since he left. Sometimes I feel guilty for laughing or doing things knowing he's not able or knowing what he's going through. Our children will forever be our babies at heart and even though they will grow and become the wonderful person God has created them to be it remains to be painful. I'm so very proud of him. I can't tell him enough and I can't wait to see all the wonderful things he will do in this life.

Kami - In life we deal with many different types and forms of grief. Most of us, don't have or know the right words to say when someone is dealing with a loss or death, because we haven't walked in their exact shoes to truly know the depth of emotion they are feeling. This person probably thought they were trying to help you and instead it did the opposite. No, they don't know what you are going through and as Paul said, probably not tough enough to understand.

Which is where we have to offer grace and understanding to them, when they may not know how to offer it to us. Hang in there sea sister. Venting here and encouraging each other is what it is all about.

 Paul - I commend your son, who is undertaking a journey that mine is not yet willing to do, despite many others encouraging him to. But I also know that life on a sub is tough for the family, which may also be another reason mine would rather stay topside, he likes to talk as well, as his mom.

Paul thank you for sharing because I am just wondering about that whole process myself.

Amen to that proud mamma!

I truly believe that they will be fine no matter where they will go when deployed out, but it's the  communicating part that will eventually get the best of me. and I am sure there are many parents that feel the same. So at one point it gets easier but then it's the second part of it that tends to put us back.

Thank You Chipmunk for sharing!

I

 Phoenixmom - glad you were able to have your son home for some holiday time. Several of us that have sent our sailors back to A school after leave, have noted that we thought it would be easier, but it was still hard if not harder than after PIR. Knowing we won't see them again for awhile is tough, but now that he is safely back to SC, I can start planning for the next visit and somehow that helps. 

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Neh. 8:10b

Paul it is a pleasure to have you along, and thanks for sharing jokester or not! LOL!

Paul - we welcome all family members on this site and appreciate your perspective and input. Your wife should join as well, we have at least one couple on this site that I know of.

Thank You Chipmunk, you are so right. I think my Daughters and Husband are waiting for me to break down again, which I am sure I will but not in front of him, I have to be strong for him and show that I am beside him the whole way. So proud of my Son, and it has been so enjoyable having him home. I don't think he is ready to go back to that freezing cold weather.

I got to hand it to all the polar bears enduring that harsh weather, from what the news have been saying this is the coldest it has been for some time, May you all be safe in that weather driving and all.

Welcome all the newcomers! @Kami - my SR left  in October and is currently in RCU with a broken leg until March. I still have my moments were a tear falls down my face and after 2 months of this, I will not explain myself to anyone. We live in a world of right now's and I've NEVER not been able to communicate with him until now and it is hard. I'm not the same person either.  I am happy and proud he has chosen this path and ache for him everyday knowing he is hurt and I can't hug him. It is this group that has helped me, it is all I have as he doesn't have a PIR right now.  Those around you may never understand how you feel, but I promise you that we all do and you aren't alone in all of this. 

Hi Phoenixmom, Chipmunk, Paul (welcome), and Kami, 

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and a great visit with their sailors. Phoenixmom I agree, mine was home for the holidays as well and we were having that same discussion about what the communication will be like when he finally deploys. He is still in A school as well. 

I agree with you Chipmunk each of our situations are different but we are all here for the same reason. This group is awesome Kami and you will find lots of information and support and love here. 

When my son first went into bootcamp it was hard and it does happen like the others have told you. You are on a rollercoaster ride but when you see your sailor at PIR you are totally happy and the ceremony is breath taking.

It's like Phoenixmom said when they are in school it's a little easier cause we can talk to them more and facetime as well. It's the unknown of deployment that starts you getting worried again and a little unsure. And no it's not like college at all. Only a few of my family gets it the rest are like there she goes she's crying again. Lol Hopefully at some point everyone gets it. 

BNHS to you Kami. 

Thank You partyofseven, Thank You all for sharing, I LOVE this site! we all do experience the same emotions maybe in a different way but I believe it is all the same.

Speaking to my Son about all that has gone on with him in A school is interesting, But I feel there are things that he will not speak on or he cant. But all I can say is that he is so reassuring and continues to tell me please MOM don't worry, I will be fine. Deep down inside I know he will be and I know they all will be, but as Mothers/Fathers it will always be a thought/Worry for us. So I would like to say to all " I am so Proud of all our Sons/Daughters for taking this Journey, and I know that they are not alone that the Lord is right beside them guiding them each and every step of the way. AMEN!

Having a son in the military boot camp or deployed is something most people just can't understand. The people who do have or have had sons, daughters or spouses that have been, are the ones to offer support and encouragement. It is a little like grief. I lost my mother recently and sometimes people just don't know how to respond. It is easier for me this time, having another son that was a Marine sniper. It's a lesson in faith. I had high blood pressure for the whole 4 years and it went away as soon as he was out. lol. This is a good place to go for encouragement, as we are all feeling pretty much the same. It's such a mixture of pride and fear.

I was so thankful to find this site when my son was in boot camp. Not coming from a military family, I really had no idea what to expect. And having people that truly understand what we are going through is priceless. Sending him back on Christmas Day was so hard. 

My son is also a sub vol. And he’s not a great communicator to begin with. I’m grateful for this community. I rarely post, but I read all the comments. It helps so much to know that I’m not alone.

here is a little something I would like to share.

How do we bless others? By taking an interest in others and looking out for others – not just looking out for ourselves.
Philippians 2:4, NLT Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Blessing others involves helping others however we can. We can lighten another’s load by helping them with our time, encouragement, support, prayers.

Galatians 6:2, ESV Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

I would like to thank everyone today for sharing and listening, you all make this site as Great as it is!

I wish you all a Great evening, May you all be safe in your travels for those attending PIR this Friday.

May the calls and letters come your way and may your Loved ones be in good spirits. Sending Lots of Love to you all and to all the Sons/Daughters.

MOMom you are never alone, and this weekend I will be going thru the same. I've noticed myself that before my Son left to BC he was more talkative but now not so much, and shows no emotion so head strong. still trying to figure it out.

I noticed the same thing with my son. I worry, especially with some tough things he’s experienced during A school. He jokes about it, tells me that as long as I don’t hear from the Red Cross, he’s fine. (He thinks it’s funny; me, not so much.)

Hi MoMom,

Where is your boy at? Mine is in Texas at A school. He also has said some things and I think it's a boy thing to cause he will say don't worry mom I am ok or I will be ok or it's allright. But we do worry.  :) And no you are never alone we are here for you and each other.  <3

Yea, understandable for sure I don't know if he is trying to protect me from worrying or what, but to me it's concerning.

PedAlqueen my son left nov 21, he is scheduled to graduate 1/19. Thank you for asking. 

When did you your love one leave?

I have a quick question. I read that we need to get a gate pass to drive onto the base for PIR, however, I've also read that we just need to bring our ID and tickets and there is no mention of a gate pass. Can you help me to understand what we need? We're leaving tomorrow morning.Thank you!

Lisa - You are correct, you just need your ID and your ticket for entry to RTC and PIR.

Even after PIR...keep your ticket with you. If you are returning your Sailor from Liberty you will need it to be able to drive onboard RTC.

The Vehicle Gate Pass is old news...well newer old news LOL

It is good that you ask, it's difficult to go back and try and eradicate old information.

My son hasn't even gone to boot camp yet and I have periods of intense anxiety and grief. Part of me just wants him to leave now so I am not spending months anticipating it. I have experienced him being away before when he went off to college for a year but as you have all said, at least I could talk to him and visit. 

Good Morning Ladies/Gents Happy Wed. Hope you all had a good night's rest.

Welcome to all the New Comers to the site, Here we share Emotions/Information/Thoughts/Prayer and words of Encouragement. Hope to hear from you all and again Welcome.

Lisa as FTLW mentioned they did away with the gate pass but I cant help to think having the gate pass wasn't so bad as to having to pick up the tickets....My opinion.

NoahsMom thank you for sharing.

Below are the current PIR groups.

Please clck the link and join the conversation with others that have loved ones in the same TG and division as your!

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

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

PIR: February 09, 2018 TG 14 - 16 Divisions (16 Divisions, 095-106, 807 & 808, 914 & 915) 3 guests

Looks like there are no PIR on Feb. 16th or 23rd.