Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

If your Sailor's "A" School or training is in GL, plan to leave late Sunday or on Monday and if your Sailor will be flying out, then plan to leave late Saturday or on Sunday to have the most time with your Sailor.

@chipmunk thank you for that information.  I was planning on sitting in one of the first three rows any way (I'm that mom, LOL).  We fly out early Monday from California, so I'm going with the No News Is Good News until we get there.  Since he may not have much free time after graduation, would that mean that we won't be able to take him off base Friday for lunch or a movie?

Where is the best place to order the door banners for our hotel door after PIR?

Gosh Paul I hope not!!!

It’s occurring to me more and more that they’re right no news is good news. Because the only news I’ve received on time with my SR on PIR is bad lol!!!

Paula you may decorate the hotel door and also the Hotels decorate the doors also, just let them know you are attending PIR and your Loved one is Graduating.

Yes you will be able to spend time with him/her after the PIR but they do go back and pack so they will call you when they are ready to be picked up, they will have the information for you about his flying out.

Only your Sailor will know his/her flight arrangements for certain and even Sailors going to the same "A" School could be on different flights or fly from different airports depending on flight availability. Your Sailor will fly out of O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Midway International Airport (MDW), or Milwaukee County’s General Mitchell International Airport--MKE (rare, but it does happen at times). Once in a while flight availability issues cause a Sailor to fly out on Sunday instead of Saturday, but you wouldn't know this until PIR (or possibly when you get the "I'm a Sailor!" call if you get that on Wednesday or Thursday), so be flexible if you can. S/He will let you know what airport s/he will fly out of and when so you can meet him/her at the airport and spend time with him/her before his/her flight

If you don’t know where your Sailor will go for training, go to Ratings, A School Locations, and Links to Groups.

Re: Nukes after PIR - The normal expectation is that if your sailor is flying out of GL to A school, they are given liberty immediately after PIR. - That was not the case for my son and many of the Nukes in his TG after his PIR. Some have had no glitches, others have had to wait for their sailors to finalize their orders after PIR (this summer, we waited at RTC until after 4:30 pm before my son was finally able go on liberty and he returned at 7:30 pm.) - We sat in the upper balcony stands having no idea that he needed to leave to traverse RTC about 3 - 4 times that day dealing with various issues before he had liberty. He patiently waited for us, to give his brother a quick hug and his dad and told us to go wait for him at the NEX, that was at 10:30 AM.

Some of the Nuke sailors are being sent to THU in GL so you do have the weekend. I don't know if there are issues with other groups, I just know that not everything goes according to your plans, and expectations. The PIR information was very helpful to me, but I was expecting to have my sailor for several hours after liberty, thankfully, we had a motel very close and a place to order pizza and take it back to the motel room. We spent more time at the airport in the middle of the night for his early morning flight than we did after PIR.

Thank You Chipmunk for taking the time to explain, very good information for those who's Loved ones are flying out. It is totally different if your Sailor is staying in GL. After PIR they do have to go back to their Barracks and pack then get bussed across the street. So for those whose Loved ones that are staying you do get a few minutes with your Sailor before he leaves to get packed. we picked up ours around 2:30 at the visiting center drove him back on base because he needed to be sign in and out. The one person who signed him out will be the same who signs  him in. don't know if they changed that.

Also they will call you when they are ready to be picked up for those that are staying in GL. if you do tend to wait at the visiting center you will see that they March in with there unit and you can hear them coming it is really a nice sight to see.

Two groups you will want to check out if your Sailor will stay in GL are Great Lakes A School Q&A and GL A-school moms.

There are signs with the division numbers on them within the Drill Hall to indicate the approximate location that the Sailors in each of the divisions will be standing. Look for the sign for your Sailor's division and sit in that area or at a slight angle (in the section just to the left or right) of the sign to give you the best view. By sitting at an angle to the division, you will be able to scan the Sailors more easily than if you are seated directly in front of them and looking straight down the rows.  If you sit to the right of the sign for the division, then you can get a glimpse of any colored stripes on the Sailor's left sleeve if s/he has any to help you identify your Sailor

Some suggest sitting at the top of the section on the floor so you can lean against the wall at the top below the balcony. Some feel that sitting in the balcony gives the best view, but others will disagree with that. Sitting in the bleachers on the floor level gives you faster access to your new Sailor. Sitting at least 4 rows off the floor will allow you to see well. The important events are shown on two large screens, so you will be able to see everything from wherever you choose to sit. You make the decision as to where to sit.

You can avoid most tolls by using Route 41, it goes all the way to Chicago and will get you from Chicago to RTC and nearby lodging. If you are traveling through Chicago on the way to and from Great Lakes, follow 94 East which merges into Route 41 to avoid toll roads. Your hotel may be able to give you directions to the RTC that will avoid toll roads. 

We rented a car and used this route No problems what so ever with the tolls.

Thanks Phoenixmom! - Also, fyi, if you are sitting on the top row in the balcony like we were, do not expect to be able to stand up during any part of the ceremony while others are sitting because you will be told to sit down. I had to hold my camera very high to try and angle it over the balcony railing for pictures.

And sailors that are flying out to A school are not allowed to have their cell phones on them at any time on RTC, unlike those who move to their A school housing in GL. So, we had to stay and wait at RTC (which may have changed with the ticket issues) for our sailor to meet up with us at the NEX. They no longer have a food court there and we finally found some sandwiches in their convenience fridge section to purchase and eat for lunch.

For Nuke parents I am posting more info in a comment on NukeMoms.

Ladies and Gents I have a website that has much needed information this is the Information that Sarge will go over at the Meet and Greet, if for some reason you cannot attend please take a look gives you all info on those flying out also on those that have to go to THU as what Chipmunk was explaining. Hope this information can give a better understanding.

www.mynavytaxi.com/goodies.html

Chipmunk Awesome! this is so true we sat at the top and they told my Husband to sit down because there is no standing, I suggest taking a cushion but I'm sure those who have coats on will soon get warm and can sit on them, and if you are video taping it the railing will get in the way. Thanks so much Chipmunk!

Plan for the best possible time at PIR and you will definitely be proud of your sailor son, daughter, wife, husband, grandchild, niece or nephew!!  Just remember to stay  Navy flexible and as much as we think this weekend is about us, it really is about our sailors! And helping them accomplish everything that they need to do.

That was my biggest lesson that weekend, this is no longer about me being Mom (and this is my 4th child, 1st in the military) but about me being supportive of what my son needed to accomplish and take it all in stride - well almost by 4:30 pm, I was getting slightly edging when I saw the RTC staff leaving for home!

Phoenixmom - thanks for finding and sharing the links!

here is some info to read in regards to the new Navy standards that were to change Jan. 1st 2018.

Navy Updates PFA Separation Policy

Phoenixmom, okay, I have to ask . . . what is the Captain's Cup and how does a division win? Is it something that happens right before graduation or earlier in Boot Camp?

Captain's cup takes place on Sat. so right after BST-21 they have a free day where they compete against other Divisions.

The Captain's Cup is a friendly a competition between the Divisions and occurs during the morning of the Saturday before PIR.

Captain's Cup takes place on the Saturday before PIR. Some of the recruits may be Sailors by that time, others may not have gone through BS. All recruits in the TG participate in Captain's Cup.

The new PFA Separation Policy only applies to those who are already Sailors. It does not apply to recruits.

I would like to Thank you all for sharing and posting. Today a lot of info was given. Now I know everything happens for a reason, and every reason is different along with experiences. Not all are the same, so please take the info as what it can be, everyone's experience may some what be the same or not but just in case you will know what to expect.

That is why I ask for all to post and share, without you all, this site wouldn't be. So Thank you all for posting your experiences, Thoughts, Feelings, Questions. We all have been through the process in one way or another  but we can learn from one another and hold each other up no matter it be by Prayer or Encouragement. So please take the info for what it is, it may not happen that way for you it may be totally different but, But there is a BUT just in case you will know somewhat on how to handle it if it does come your way.

For those attending PIR soon the anxiety of not knowing is almost done, Now you all will be able to get some good sleep and rest. It is one heck of a ride.

Have an amazing time with your New Sailor, Lots of Hugs and Best wishes to them from me," Well Deserved Sailor" HOOYAH! Please be safe in your travels and dress warm. And when it's all done please share your experience. Thanks All!

2 Samuel 2:6 "May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this."

Paul - The best thing to do is to call Navy Fed. I believe they have 24 / 7 customer service and they will help you. Even if you are not on your recruits account as joint, you can still ask them to explain a general question. Also see if you can Google MMSA.

A quick google search suggests it’s a type of account that navy federal offer. 

Money Market Savings

Money Market Savings | Navy Federal Credit Union

https://www.navyfederal.org/pdf/applications-forms/savings-checking...  -- Money Market Savings Account.

I guess we were on point with that one Chipmunk! LOL!

For anyone with recruits going into the Navy, when they open up their checking account with Navy Federal there is also an Easy Start Certificate that they are able to put up to $3,000.00 into and will earn a lot high interest rate on it than in other savings account. It is worth looking into and make sure you check all of the qualifiers for it.

At first we were told that the interest earned had to be put into my son's regular savings account since he had made the maximum deposit, but then we found out later that it could stay in the Easy (Early ?) Start Certificate and then interest could accrue on it as well.

Phoenixmom - that was funny!! I saw your comment in my regular email inbox before seeing it here. The screen freezes as I am typing and often I think we overlap comments that way as it takes some of us longer to type than others!! Or copy and paste.

Anyway, Paul, I hope you are able to get any issues resolved with NFCU.

Paul, he might have his deposits split, but that isn't common from my understanding of direct deposits for payroll. However, their first check will have been large, because it is usually a pay + half and then the next check may be lower, if they had uniform or money for the NEX may be taken out of the next check.

Once they are out of BC, you will have a better opportunity to discuss their LES (Leave and Earning Statement) with them. It is all online for them and my son printed some of his off to bring home and show me at Christmas.

Just a chuckle - my husband commented that "it is an LES (L - E - S)  because it takes too much to say paystub!!!" I think the military just likes acronyms no matter which branch.!

Paul - LOL on the military comment.

I mentioned that the first check was a pay + half. That is what it was for my son, because of when he left for BC and the pay days. It is possible that they may have only given him a partial pay not sure.

But no they don't actually make that much, my son figured with his school time, etc, that he makes less than minimum wage, I think was what he was calculating when home at Christmas.

Lisa - I think they are given a uniform allowance for a certain amount of their uniforms and then their uniform charges comes from that allowance. But don't take my word for it.

My son had to pay for his correct stripes once he got to A school, because they did not issue the correct ones at RTC. And he had to pay not only for the new stripes but also to have the uniform shop remove the former ones and attach the new ones.

Paul - I understand all the things that our sailors do have, and so does my son. He just was talking about his actual take home pay (cash) because he is mostly investing his money at the moment and doesn't have a car payment, is still on our phone plan since not married yet. Isn't married and doesn't have any school or other debt. He is already planning though for how much a car will cost him and looking for apartments to rent once he starts prototype and how much he needs to plan for with his housing allowance so that he can cover all of his expenses with that.

Keep in mind that at A school he is going to class 40 hours a week and then they also have mandatory study if they need it, plus their PT and 5K time. Those are the hours that he was including in all of the pay.

As far as insurance being better than ours, I have my reasons for disagreement with that, but you are correct that they are not paying out of pocket for theirs like we are ours. At least for the single sailors.

They do get a uniform allowance (as enlisted, not commissioned) for their new uniforms. It is basically a pay in pay out thing in boot camp. If they gave them the money for uniforms in regular pay it would be taxed, as an allowance it is not taxed.

In the fleet they are also given a yearly allowance for new uniforms, maintenance etc. If they spend over the allowance amount it is considered unreimbursed and can be deducted on their taxes. Make sure they keep their receipts for uniform expenses.

Yes, the Recruits are given a uniform allowance. It is also automatically deducted. It just may not be done in the same pay period. So as was stated that first check is going to vary depending in when your Recruit arrived at BC, when their paperwork went through and allowances and deductions.

It could take three to four pay periods for it all to even out.

See this PAGE on here for lots of information. 

When will the Recruits be Paid? And information for Spouses

Oops. I obviously had the page open for a looooong time before I posted. Didn't see Ellen's post :-)

@Chipmunk ... from what I've seen for single sailors at prototype, is they band together and rent a house rather than individual apartments.  Any BAH leftover is theirs to keep.  The system may change, but for now, that's how it works.  

The uniform allowance doesn't cover incidentals such as t-shirts, undergarments, socks, PT gear, and devices/patches.  It certainly is not enough to cover a full set of inspection ready extra uniforms, and yes, most of us kept a set of whites and a set of blues just for inspections and ceremonies.  Boot camp issue covers only the barest minimum.  To look sharp, you end up "investing" in uniforms.  Advancing means changing the insignia badges, which is why sailors can sew.  I put off changing my name two years after marrying, just because I didn't want to deal with all the name tapes on my dungarees!

Good Morning all, hope all is well this Wednesday Morning.

Welcome to the New Comers to the site Glad to have you along.

Covaslookout yes Waukegan is very close to base, mostly all Hotels that you stay in Waukegan are less than at least 4 miles away some closer.

Talking about Uniforms as Anti M was saying it doesn't cover all necessities, they are issued some and then up to them to add on, from my understanding they will be switching up the Blues to green not sure when but it is in the works, got a glimpse of them when Son was in town and he is in A school.

Have a Great Day Ladies and Gents and keep posting some really good questions and Answers.