Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Katharine and others - I don't know if I am answering a date question or a visual question so I will do both. 

Above in the discussions, which you scroll above the comment wall here (sorry I don't know how easy or difficult it is to see on mobile devices, so put in desktop mode) there are a few discussions with members posting division #, PIR dates hoping to make connections with each of you.

Some of the dates might be off by one so a PIR of 10/16 could actually be PIR 10/15 since RTC has changed things around. So, if you are close by a day I would suggest replying and possibly doing a friend request where you can send a PM (private message to each other.)

For our new members - PIR (Pass In Review), better understood to us as graduation day, was always held on Friday unless there was a holiday. Recently, RTC change the PIR of the new sailors from Friday to Thursday and they are video taping it. Then they are playing the recording of that on Fridays. So for some of the SR (seaman recruits) when they write letters to you, they may still be giving you a date of Friday because that is when the "virtual" PIR is. 

Also, as we have found out recently some divisions are marching in their PIR but have still not necessarily completed their Battle Stations yet. 

Does that help Katharine?  - Also, I hope you are feeling better.

Some links for you to look at on RTC - Recruit Training Command's bootcamp website. This was my only go to during my son's BC as I did not know about N4M nor was I on FB.

RTC Bootcamp website - this is the home page with information on graduation and how to view it. - There are still NO LIVE graduations at Great Lakes.

RTC - Contacting Recruits - and actually all FAQ page.

RTC - Training Graduation Dates 2020 - you will need to scroll down to the bottom for the current dates. Note they have italicized the PIR date with a note that it is changed. Those are the new Thursday dates. 

Recently there have been quite a few who have not received their Form Letter which indicates TG#, Div # and Ship # as well as address and projected PIR date. Having  the above information is helpful if you do receive a personal letter and have difficulty deciphering the return address or just getting a possible idea of PIR. 

OPSEC and PERSEC - Making Changes to Your Profile

Without trying to be sounding like the broken record or the nagging mom - I am going to just encourage you to read this information but I also want to challenge you with a Navy Mom (loved one) assignment. Remember, we are all in training along with our recruits. The Navy family is larger than just your sailor, it includes you as well!! And because of that, I can't just not say anything - I also will be making some of my own changes.

NavyMom101 - assignment for today (which may be harder to figure out on a mobile device I don't know.)

DO NOT LOG INTO Navy4Mom but click on the link from one of your email feeds or just do an internet search and play around with the site. Click on links, pictures, do a search, click on the task bar above and search - Just see how visible you are and what information is out there for the world to see and read!! 

I will leave it up to you to decide how much is TMI. 

Chatter is great, stories are great, we learn from each other, be we also keep learning and we keep getting stronger and more diligent as a Navy family and PERSEC is just as important as OPSEC. My husband always reminds us to think before we write and I find myself doing that more and more.

Feel free to send me questions either via PM or in a comment.

Kim!  Yay!  A bunch of letters!  Our SR mentioned the boredom also.  He said that he memorized everything he could possibly memorize, and read both of the books he brought.  In his boredom, he realized he could do 5 one-handed push-ups.    And they resorted to crumpling up paper and hitting it around the room!  Lol  He said it went faster than he expected it to.  Now I'm also waiting for a phone call that could come anywhere from now to Sunday (or any other time, or not at all!)  We have outside church right now for one more Sunday, and we warned our pastor that if we suddenly jump up with our phones and go inside the church building, it's because we got a call from our SR!  :)

C'sMom2020 - LOL!! It is probably a good idea that you told your pastor about your phone calls!! I have answered a few calls from my sailor during church service over the years.

Kim - I am so glad you had some communication!! That is great!

CsMom - bag nasties are dry meat sandwiches (normally turkey but sometimes roast beef), a piece of fruit and white milk. Passing the DEP and PFA will give them a bonus AND advancement to E2.

Phoenix - sorry to hear your Bud is getting further away. I am sad that my sweetest Sailor is going to be clear on the other side of the country. If we move then he will be close and then I will be far from my other 2. Not sure about #4. I saw in the FB A school group where parents moved to where their son was at A school to be closer to him! I wonder if they will follow him to all his duty stations?!

Welcome momm2five - you are among a few of us who have 5 kids, lol. Your experience will be slightly different thanks to reactions to COVID. But this is a great group full of info and fun!

Dang Shanny, I wonder if you needed the Navy Mom Posse as backup with your shooting skills, lol! Did your son get expert at livefire?

Northwoodsmom - I am picturing you all daintily scooping up the bugs and setting them free, lol. Aww, you should def have a gun you’re comfy with just in case..

Beloved - ahh NSB - that is the closest beach to me. We love driving up and down the beach as it feels like we are being bad, lol. Yes, I am the flybaby - since early 2000 as well, I use it as a guideline vs a Bible. I was like you and the whole pandemic - in the form of worrying about loss of freedom kind of made me feel like what is the point? But I function better with less clutter and more cleanliness. Aww, your hubby found Jesus because you were valuable to him!

Katharine - I had a good chuckle at the way you explained  your gun history, lol. How does your Canadian family feel about cousin Kyle?

Kim- yay for letters!!!! Yeah apparently there is a 3 page limit to envelopes. My #4 violated that lol. I told him so in my letters back to him and then he told me during the phone call. That is interesting about the moment of truth - I wondered how they handled it with the 14 day ROM.

Morning to you too Party, and Anti, VIntage, Chipmunk, Kristel, Unicorn (long time no see) and Davesmom, and I always feel like I am forgetting someone.

As far as guns, we have a 9, 45 and a submachine gun..all locked away. I had never fired a gun til I was in my 30s and taking a class. The instructor said I had natural talent. It has been probably more than 5 years since I have fired a gun. I need to go back out and get familiar with my gun again. I even have things to help me CC as I am not a purse person - after diaper bag lugging I try not to use a purse if I can avoid it.. Our boys had BB guns and my daughter had a bow and arrow - and they enjoyed our 2.5 acres and nothing but land behind us for more than a mile. So it is very safe to shoot on our property. We can even hunt if we want to kill deer - which I don’t. Though we did have a poacher one time and dang that was good eating! And we had his head stuffed and mounted. The deer. Not the poacher.

So yesterday DH's work had half a day of fun and games, They used jackbox so that got my DH thinking about trying that. So, with the use of zoom we played jackbox.tv games with my DD aka sailor #1 and her boyfriend. It was SO much fun and I can't wait to try it with all my sailors at once on the rare occasion they can all play. The only thing is they need 2 devices, one to use zoom with so they can see the same screen we are seeing and then the device they use to actually submit answers etc. Only 2 of my sailors have a laptop.

We played Drawful and had a great laugh. For like 65.00 you can get over a dozen games that you can play with anyone virtually anywhere. Some of the games individually are up to $20.

Good Morning All, Happy Hump Day! So Glad to see you all chatting away so early this morning! Hope everyone had a great start to your Day this morning!

I see letters were received what a Joy!

LadyBlueFire spoke to my Bud as he was getting off the Carrier just returned from Underway to go out again within a week or so. He did let me know he wouldn't be coming home for the Holidays. Chipmunk thanks for the advice, as it seems odd for back to back deployment. but as you said not unusual.

Mrs. PartyofSeven's scripture:

Kim - wow lucky you!  You hit the jackpot with 11 letters! I’m happy for you. 

unicornlilly - I hope you are ok. 

Phoenix - thinking of you. 

LBF - what a good idea to play games on Zoom. I’m hoping I can encourage my son to play games on our mart phones so I can feel closer to him... Words with Friends  -  we used to but I don’t think he liked me winning as much as I did (he hates to lose!) and unfortunately, we can’t plan chess because es too good and I’m too slow. May have to give it a try tho. Anyone have any smart phone games suggestions that we can lay long distance? 

northwoods - such a beautiful view. I’ve always wanted to go visit or vacation someplace with such a beautiful change of colors. Don’t get that too much in So California!!  My parents were from the east and my mom always raced about it’s beauty! 

I saw something on Facebook that one of the other armed services has opened its base. While I doubt that will extend to the Navy (but can hope), since I never got the form letter, I never filled out the paper for PIR attendance for a PIR 10/15. Is it too late? 

Good Morning to all the rest of you! 

A Prayer for the scripture Below:

Heavenly Father thank You for the many people of faith in scripture who bear witness that Your Word is trustworthy and true. In the trials and difficulties of our  life, help us to keep trusting You like this great cloud of witnesses. Help us to discard every encumbrance that may hinder our Christian (any Faith) progress and witness, and give us perseverance I pray, as we press towards the final goal. May we patiently endure all the obstacles in life in the power of the Holy Spirit and help us to be a living witness to Your Word of truth, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

A collection of photos of St. Louis Cardinals sponsored division 418 at Recruit Training Command. The St Louis Cardinals have sponsored a recruit division for 62 consecutive years and division 418 is the first all-female division to be sponsored. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy's only boot camp. (U.S. Navy

Well went to the Dr. and news was given to me that what they removed could of eventually turned into colon cancer, but I'm safe. so now every 2 yrs I go for a colonoscopy. on the other hand I still have much infection and swelling so I will need to continue to stay away from meats and chicken and find a diet that will help with my issues. was told that if I get or have another episode that put me in the hospital I will need surgery and they will this time remove a big piece of my colon and reattach the good part. which didn't sound to promising as every time I eat I get pains. so Now I am looking to juice in the meantime....My Daughter will be helping me to find a safe diet that I can at least  go on and be able to eat. so far I have lost a good 30 lbs and more to come I'm assuming.....But all in all I'm doing just fine wake up with a smile on my face and ready to conquer the next business day!

Good Morning All - I am one of the admins for the N4M site and it has been brought to my attention by numerous members that we are having some issues with adhering to OPSEC/PERSEC.  Please remember that this is an OPEN sight and ANYONE can see and read what you post.  It is important that you are very careful in what you put out there as you could be putting your sailor and every sailor on his/her ship in jeopardy.  There have been situations where homecomings have been delayed due to someone posting info about a ship returning. There have even been more serious consequences to someone posting information that they thought was just being "informative". 

If in doubt - DON'T POST IT.

THIS IS NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

REMEMBER - LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS

Also, be sure to read this:

OPSEC AND PERSEC

If you have any questions/comments/concerns, feel free to reach out to me.

STAY SAFE!

VintageGal Thank You, I have read that many a Moms like sandbox and that letters come faster that way, I guess to each is own. I never knew any of this sandbox or express delivery I just sat and waited patiently, Old school I guess! But Yay! on a letter !

DavesMom2020Good Morning And Thank You! Have an Awesome Day!

Vintage - I think my sons friends were impressed, but I probably looked hotter 20 menopausal pounds ago!!  
Ar far as Sandboxx, my neice had sent our SR the letter from his favorite of her dogs via sandboxx. When I spoke to him, I’m pretty sure he said the letter he send back was through sandboxx too. He sent it on Sunday, and it is a surprise to her. I will post about it when it arrives. I’m hoping today as I’m having a hard time not spilling the beans. I know she will be so thrilled. 

When you use sandboxx they include a stamped reply envelope so maybe they have a way of tracking that when it is used?  I used it one time because I felt #3 needed encouraging and even if it was only a day or 2 faster it was worth it that one time and I did not post anything security sensitive. He did not use the envelope to mail me back though...even though he was "short on stamps".

Phoenix - so glad to hear you do not have (more) cancer! I hope your modified diet helps your colon rest and heal. 

B’Nukes - thank you for the reminder! Can I assume the gun talk is what you’re referring to, or is there something else I’m missing. 

LadyBlue - Not sure if they actually did the moment of truth at the tail of "Night of Arrival" or if he was assuming it would happen as a result of all the BC videos we made him watch before shipping? LOL

C'sMom2020 - We told our pastor the same thing last Sunday . In fact, I shared with the congregation that I had posted his address in the foyer if they wanted to sent him a note of encouragement and that if will run out abruptly it's because we were getting his call. I hope it comes over the weekend to assure we both get to speak with him. He stated in a letter that he would call my number because he couldn't recall mom's

Click on the picture to make it bigger and easier to read!

B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN Thank You as well for the reminder, wouldn't want them to get hurt in any way!

Check out our latest Meet the Sailor video!

https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand and http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/

Beloved:  I love your story!  In so many aspects!

LadyBluefire:  So glad you clarified on whose head you stuffed and mounted!  And we played jackbox.tv with all our kids here at home.  Never thought of doing it when they are far away.  What a way to bring everyone together!

DavesMom2020:  that would be so exciting if they opened up PIR.  When does your SR graduate?  Ours is 10/29.

Phoenixmom:  I'm amazed how you put a positive spin on things.  Did they recommend any specific kind of diet?  Or is it a process of eliminating certain foods and see how that works?  Praying you find something that works and you don't end up back in the hospital!

Also, an update that you might not know about--or maybe I just hadn't read the latest.  From my SR's letter and something I saw from an admin on FB, ROM at Fort McCoy is different than it was before when it was in hotels.  My SR said there were 19 people on each floor of the barracks.  When someone or multiple SRs test positive on day 10, they go in to 14 day isolation.  The others on that floor go into 14 day observation.  Thankfully, his floor were all negative.  And it appears that they can go outside to get some exercise.  It's unclear if they only walk, or can run also.  I had the misunderstanding that they were in a room with two other SRs.  Maybe you all knew that already.  

C'sMom2020No Ma'am they did not  so I am looking to see what kind of meal plan I can put together for myself I will be cutting all meat out so just fish, tuna and taking all the foods I cannot have and replacing them with what I can. Right now The Mediterranean diet looks great lots of veggies as long as I peel the skin, like carrots, apples. no nuts or processed foods no seeds. I eat a lot of fish and tuna which I don't mind, whole grain pastas which I've never ate to much pasta. so this will be quite different for me but I'm sure much healthier as well. So I'm ready for a change. Yesterday I told my Daughter well looks like I cant eat tamales, she said "Oh No you don't "you are not getting out of making tamales. as Tamale season is coming up very soon, a tradition that my husband and I and Kids including grandkids have carried on for quite sometime now. My husband showed my Son in Law how to prep the Masa so he has it down pack now as he is our only Masa Maker now of course help from MUah! LOL!

LadyBluefire-- I don’t know.... I might have been tempted to mount the poacher’s head!!

DavesMom2020 -- I’m sorry to say that there is NO live PIR so there is no need to return any forms at this time. We would expect more than a 2 week notice if they are resuming live PIR, additionally the PIR hall is currently being used as additional housing for sailors in either ROM or THU (I have heard both but RTC is not releasing that information as far as I know) You can watch the videos on Friday since they are Public.

VintageGal-- SB does provide a return envelope. As long as everyone is super clear that it is ONLY acceptable in BC I do not have an issue with it especially if you know your SR needs some quick encouragement but after BC close your account!! Sandboxx is not guaranteed to forward to them in ROM or if they move DIV’s

C'sMom2020 -- We knew things would be different at Ft McCoy but we didn’t know how. At GWL they were 4 to a room but again we knew that would change slightly, but not the details! I have had to wait till folks who were there got done and could give us some intel!! I will add your details to the Ft McCoy Edition of my blog so that new moms have the information. Also as long as they are needing the extra space that the PIR hall provides I do not expect to see live PIR. They are using that space as housing too!

I so believe in feeding your Soul with Positive energy from when you wake up till you go to sleep. I start my day with gratitude and Thanks for another Day that I am here. life is too short and we never know when our Last days will be here on earth. So I have made a promise to myself that I will awake with a smile no matter what kind of day it is, To learn from my mistakes of yesterday and continue on from there. so I try and feed myself positive thoughts and I think a lot of changes that I can bring forth to myself.

Kristel2400,

Try this one!!

Ship/Division--How it Works. 

B'sNukeMoM: Thank you for the important reminder... Would someone please create an October 2020 PIR group? I joined a few FB groups (one specifically for my recruit's Ship and Div, but I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable as too many details and information are being posted.

PhoenixMom, I Love your positivity! Were you always that way. I usually wake before the alarm but am constantly pushing myself through the day. I should be enjoying my devotions in the morning but find myself hurrying through them. Any advice, I already get up a 4:15 and am out the door by 5:30. In the summer I enjoyed sitting on the front porch reading but once school started this is my life. I need to make some serious changes. I truly love working with the kids but everything seems so rushed lately, maybe I am just getting old.

MaterNauta - I have not been able to check on the group much today but I have asked about the PIR Groups. The reply was hopefully they can get those up soon. - As we share often, we all volunteer our time on here and most of us are not group or site admin and only site admin can do those groups. 

So, I know I have been asking for them as well but in the meantime, It is okay to share your projected  PIR date and if anyone else has that date as well to send you a friend request. You can share information via the Private message option and also set a time to log on this site together and you can do a private chat. 

I hope that helps a little bit!!

Chipmunk - As always, *thank you!*

Hi NorthWoodsMom I have to say I would start then slip and it was hard to start back. But since this past year and dealing with so much I had to find myself once again. I was so busy last year with hubby not sleeping not eating finding myself worn out. That I had to do something with myself. I truly did some soul searching because I wasn't heading in the right direction I needed to. so this year I mad a promise that no matter how busy I would get I had to take time out and pray, read and begin with the positivity. so I wake up at 4 am every morning that's if I don't wake up sooner a Bad sleeper. I have my devotional Book on my dresser so that is the first thing that I do. I don't have to be to work until 8 so I take my time and do my praying and give thanks. if for some reason I am running late I pack my book and pray at work. I am the only one in the office and I love it! or if things are really rough during the day I come home shower and close my bedroom door and begin praying asking for forgiveness (My Mouth) and then I will pick up another book from Joyce meyer and I will read some of that for like 10 min. But I really try to make it right. Believe me I'm no holy person but I try to keep up with my faith and I'm a true believer!

Thank You as well Chipmunk!

Have a Good Evening Folks, My time to leave. Until tomorrow. Sweet Dreams!

LBF - thanks for the clarification on PIR - Absolutely do not want to get my hopes up for nothing. It was a hope and a prayer.

I’m a Sailor  all came today. Son sounded very tired, voice was hoarse, his group (Div. 363j was given 15 minute calls. Had been up for around 36 hours.  Will look for him on The video RTC will post Friday but he said he was in the center of the group so fingers crossed we will spot him.  Hoping he will be moving on to Groton this weekend.
thanks for all the info this website and everyone shared as I navigated the journey of having a recruiting Navy RTC .... and a couple ROMs!  Much appreciated!

Catharine - Congratulations!!! Bravo Zulu to your son!! Thank you for sharing that his perseverance has paid off!!

Catharine - Congratulations!!!!

Catherine - congratulations to you and your SR! I agree - Thank goodness for N4M for the support offered by these lovely ladies during the challenges of bootcamp during a covid pandemic! 

MaterNauta-- You can always copy the OPSEC and Sam and share it as a reminder!

Northwoodsmom-- I find morning is NOT a good time for me. I tend to do my devotions in the afternoon/evening before I start dinner for the family.

We received our first letter from our SR while onboard RTC.Based on when it was post marked he would have been his 12th day there. The tone was much different than the letters from ROM. He said his RDC's were very strict (as expected). He also said that 4 SR's had quit and 2 more had been separated. He said it was very tough and they were allowed one time to mess up but more than once and they were gone. Said he was working hard not to mess up. He did sound upbeat and the songs/chants they were learning while marching. So hoping for a call between now and Sunday to help with picking up his spirits. Oh he did say all the letters were a huge help so everyone keep sending!!

Catherine, congratulations to your Sailor and whole family. Bravo Zulu! I take it he is going to be a submariner, maybe someday our sons might be on the same one. So very happy for you, prayers as he continues his journey.

Toby - my curiosity was if they did moment of truth before or after ROM. I wonder how many SRs would want to leave after ROM and do something to avoid boot camp? Also cheaper for the Navy to separate those before ROM. Just musings I had..as far as the letters go - if your son is concerned about messing up chances are he won’t mess up in a way that will get him gone. The RDCs KNOW who is trying - they really do...The songs/chants are called cadences...

C’s mom -  I had never heard of jackbox and when hubby was playing it with his team I never  heard him laugh so much!

Phoenix you are the epitome of a saying at  my house attitude affects altitude. A great outlook can make the difference.

Catherine - congrats on your Sailor - the hard part is over!

Vintage - after a while of fighting with technology we had a blast on jackbox! As for what SB charges it is good they come with return stamped envelopes, lol. Too bad my #3 did not use his! Thank you for lumping me in with the “matriarchs” on here but I am just a noob in the grand scheme of things!

Davesmom -don't you just love the menopausal 20? So much sexier than the freshman 20, lol.
It wasn't me that clarified the PIR I don’t think - lol yesterday was a blur! I just know I have zero hopes of seeing any kid PIR - I would love to see ONE in a video though. I am still mad about #3’s debacle. #4 is 10/22 so I know it ain't happening as far as in person. I just pray his div can march.

Beloved - we think the poacher was our neighbor. The deer was having a date and still has a smile on his face. The big issue is the poacher fired towards our house and the deer was less than 100 ft from our back door.
So yesterday I finally finished my wood floor and how did my hubby reward me? We were organizing a hidden area where we keep house paints etc and he grabbed 2 bottles of wall texture and one of them sprayed everywhere. Floor, table, chairs.  I know we should have done that before I cleaned the floor, lol. All's well that ends well and it is all cleaned up, but still, the aggravation!