Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Good afternoon, took me a while to catch up.  I was actually productive this morning!

Some thoughts on junior sailors and undesignated sailors. Understand this, the Navy does not hire janitors.  Enlisted sailors do the cleaning.  Anyone who thinks they will never touch a mop is in for a shock.  We all mopped.  I was a whiz with a floor buffer, it's very zen.  Yes, even as an ET, I chipped paint.  An Undesignated Seaman on a ship, attached to deck department, will probably do a bit more than I did, but it's not being picked on, it's something which needs to be done.  It's a life skill in the long run.   As for washing dishes, that's cranking.  Again, sailors who went to A school and have a rate are often assigned to the mess decks when initially arriving at their new ship.  If they are not immediately needed in their work center, they provide service to the crew by cranking, up to 90 days.  This does catch people off guard, but it makes total sense.  All the jobs have to be done by sailors, and some aren't rating specific.  It isn't glamorous, and the recruiters often don't think to tell the new kids about it, but it's vital.  Like being in a family, someone has to do the work and the new kids get the stuff which doesn't require as much training and finesse.  They'll get to where they need to be, but the first year is indeed full of less desirable grunt work.  

There's some good reading about the PACT programs on here:
https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/bootcampmoms/page/professional-a...

Good Afternoon Mrs. Anti M, so glad to catch you on here. Hoping things are going well for you. How is the weather on your side? its been really cool in the mornings but still at 105. not too bad.

Good afternoon everyone!! I am actually behind a few pages still but I wanted to say Hi Phoenixmom!! I am glad you are having a good day!! I had to leave so I am glad you were able to be on. Yes, I agree, the more the merrier, I just always laugh a little because I am usually typing a reply to someone and by the time I am done posting, someone else has already shared the answer!!

Anti M - Hi! Glad you had a productive morning. I will read your post soon.

Kristel2400 - I am sorry, I think you posted late when I was heading to bed, or really early and I missed it. I just read your post about your SR being told by others that he is going to have a "bummer" of a job. This MamaBear's fur is ruffling up, and getting ready for a charge!! I am So Sorry - he is being fed those rude comments. Keep filling those letters with lots of encouragement!! If you share scriptures or quotes with him keep filling him with those that build him up and remind him that he is who has the power over his will and can make the changes to prove those other SRs wrong. Even if he is just chipping away at paint, scrubbing toilets, etc, Someone has to do it, and I don't really know what all those undecided jobs do, but as Phoenixmom was sharing - being positive makes all the difference and doing the best you can do at your job, no matter what it is, makes a difference. Even if no one sees it, being satisfied with your own satisfaction of a job well-done is important! Guys (I really want to just call them boys because they haven't grown up yet) are very competitive and some just don't know how to do anything other that cut another person down. I know you are encouraging him all you can - so I am only preaching to the choir, but I just wanted to thank you for sharing more and giving me more understanding of how to pray for him. 

Katharine - A Letter!!! WooHOO!! Finally!! I am so glad that you heard from your son! As I was saying earlier, most guys are very competitive. Some of them use it to their advantage and when challenged with something they connect to will live up to the task!. That is great that their division is doing so well! I hope you are feeling better. Enjoy your special family time.

Partyofseven - I am glad that you have had some good family time as well. 

Phoenixmom - Enjoy time with Little Man. 

Hi MaterNauta and LadyBluefire! 

Hugabugs - How are you doing!! You have been quite. 

Vintage Gal - Hoping you hear good news soon! And that you have your RED on. I wasn't a cheerleader in school but I did do some fun little community summer camps and every time I post my RED comment, I think of the chant - "I've got spirit, how about you!!" So thanks for the shout out back!

Shanny  - My laughter to your post caused those around me to turn their heads!! That is so funny. I know what LBF is saying about don't volunteer, but for my son, it actually worked to his advantage. He was INDOC waiting to class up and they had to do certain jobs. I don't recall how it went down but he raised his hand and said something about liking to organize things, so he actually got a job he liked. He referred to it as playing Tetris with some closet full of items needing organization. That was also when he had his first "hurrication" as we call them. 

Anti M - I read your post now - thanks for sharing!! With my sailor, his schooling was different, but they had their share of watch standing, time in INDOC do do things like buffing floors, cleaning up trash, etc. As someone else shared with me once, the Navy isn't paying them to not work, so they are assigned a job, until theirs or another one is ready!

 Enjoy your afternoon!!

Katharine - “manage?” you make it sound like you hardly did anything! My goodness all of that by 1130 am you need a nap! Are you having a party? So glad you got a letter from him finally now you KNOW his address. Though you have to cut off your letters to him 7 days or so before PIR :( Happy B day to your hubby!!

Shanny - the good thing about your son at A school is he is the leader of the landscaping group so he gets some experience managing others :)

VintageGal:  Thanks so much for sharing your letter!  It's kind of like looking into a window and seeing what our SRs are doing and feeling.  It's so good to see that, while he is struggling, he's got a positive attitude and he knows God put him there.  I shared Philippians 4:13 in a letter to my SR.  I told him that God put him in this place, and if he kept looking to Him and Praying and reading His Word (when he can), that God would give him the strength to do this and live the life He wants him to live.  I'm praying he knows this like it sounds like your SR does!  

Kristel2400:  That's so hard to see your SR frustrated and discouraged.  Hope it's a temporary thing and praying things start looking better for him!  I'm right there with DsMom.  We also had a son quit college and try to find his path to adulthood and independence another way.  And another son who was a first-year music/choir/band teacher last year, and now he is rethinking what he is going to do because he's so discouraged.  When we are going through it, we don't understand.  It's only after the fact that we can look back and see the good that can come out of a situation.  

Chipmunk & LBF:  he just texted me. The Senior Chief “knows his name” and told his he did an “outstanding job getting things done right.”  Then told him he has earned a day off for an outstanding job. He is waiting for classes to open and I think he prefers this to cleaning barracks. 

Hi All! :) Man, I really need to try and find time to read this page every day, or else I fall so far behind that I need several hours to catch up! (I love it, though...)

Anyway, just my $0.02 on the busy work that these sailors have to do after BC. Like Chipmunk, my son is at Nuke school in SC, and he spent his first 5 weeks there in INDOC doing cleaning indoors and landscaping outdoors. he was glad that he already knew how to use a weedwhacker, because his chief told them if they did a bad job at weedwhacking then they would be changed over to the manual weeding team. He weedwhacked to perfection - LOL! As far as cleaning - he did it a lot - over and over again. After A school they are in T-track waiting to class up for Power school and the busy work starts all over again, but they are also standing watches, too. When my son just graduated A school and came back from extended liberty (they didn't get the usual 10-day leave due to COVID restrictions) he and his classmates needed to clean their classroom to prepare it for the next class, but they cleaned and re-cleaned it for 2 weeks until the next class started. My son said that it was overkill - they would clean it one day and no one would go in there and then 2 days later they cleaned it again, even though it had never been used, but they did it anyway!

Even my son (who is a bit of a diva) did not mind the "grunt" work, especially after A school when all they did was study. So, definitely encourage your sailors to have a positive attitude on the work they are assigned to do, no matter what it is. I am just seeing Shanny's comment here about her son getting a day off for leading the landscaping team, and that is so awesome! Keeping a positive "can-do" attitude, no matter what the job is, will get them noticed by their superiors, and possibly open the door for future opportunities!

Velvetenor:  I think he liked being able to do something he knows. Not an unknown..  something familiar. The crew he led here, was more hardscapes-building fountains, fire pits, patios, beaches...  but he did more than his fair share of weed whacking and mowing. 

Have a good weekend All, don't forget to watch some football. we will speak on Monday!

Have a good weekend Phoenixmom!!  GO LIONS!! sorry I had to 

Kristel2400-- My son is a Seabee for 7 years and he still chips paint and Mops floors (He may have graduated from the floors finally!) Honestly, Many if not all jobs have some amount of Grunt work that has to be done no matter what it is!!! That is true Navy or not!! The lower you are on the totem pole the more likely you will be assigned that job. Someone has to clean the Head!! Given that reality he has a choice to make... He can be content and be the best at that job or he can grumble and get out (and do what???? Clean grease traps? Flip burgers??) The Better his attitude the more likely he will be given good job choices that will make him happy!!

Rebecca1957 -- Didn’t you have one of your 2 PIR today?

Phoenixmom & VintageGal --I HATE jump scares!! I don’t do Horror gore either although gore does not gross me out. (unless it’s Al)
This is My Halloween movie list in no order whatsoever: scooby doo movies, and all the variations on Adams Family, GhostBusters (The Original but the others are often watched in Oct too), Nightmare Before Christmas, Young Frankenstein, Harry Potter (All of them), Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, The House With a Clock in Its Walls, Hotel Transylvania, Frankenweenie, Coraline, Monster House, Corpse Bride. Beetlejuice, Labyrinth, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Edward Scissorhands. The Sixth Sense, Signs, Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Birds, Gremlins, Arachnaphobia, Marnie, Hocus Pocus

Shanny-- Too funny about the Landscaping and a bummer that he didn’t get credit for the buddies he brought!

LadyBluefire-- So True!!! N.A.V.Y.!!

Katharine-- YEA for the letters!! Sounds like he’s doing Awesome!! Hopefully the missing letters turn up soon!

Anti M-- Yep!! That was my point to Kristel but it’s good for all our moms to mention to their new Sailors. As I told my kids... “Attitude is everything!”

As many of you likely know I am NOT a fan of Sandboxx. HOWEVER, in BC given the insanity and fluidity of the situation you may want to look at it as a way to get messages quickly to your sailor. Repeated times in ROM are tough! It does seem from the recent reports that the letters are being delivered even in ROM but I agree with noting that on any envelopes sent following that call. Just remember Your OPSEC and PERSEC. While the letter is not viewable (to our knowledge) to other SR’s it is viewable by the SB folks. That said.... DO NOT EVER use it in the Fleet!!!!

Chipmunk, I was just dipping in.  I got stuff done this morning, including a crockpot of Thai green chili chicken stew with green beans and sweet potatoes.  It was an batch I would have cooked for my husband, which means I have a ton of leftovers.  Divided it into smaller Pyrex containers, cooling them now and will label and freeze them.  

As sailors advance, they do less collateral work such as cleaning, and more leadership stuff.  It can still be annoying.  Writing up the duty rosters, signing chits, counseling. It's "cleaner" but more serious.  There's volunteer work too, humanitarian stuff, or possibly VBSS.  The worst one I got assigned was urinalysis monitor.  Yes, exactly what it sounds like.  Still, there's always something to clean.  

I forgot to add about cranking, it could also be ship's laundry. They pretty much don't do their own out at sea.  

Oh, and PMS boards.  3M, Material Maintenance Management.  PMS stands for Preventive Maintenance Schedule, and for technical ratings, it is the bulk of their daily work.  I went from performing PMS to being in charge of the record keeping for the command.  Honestly, E-5 is the sweet spot between still getting to do your hands on job, less cleaning, some responsibility, but not all of it.  And you can pull BAH at that level at most commands.

BelovedbyHim:  So I spoke to him and he said he did end BC as an E2 but he doesn't know for sure which thing he got it for...  The 3 recruits he brought in, the 1 year in DEP, or something about the run that he lost me on...  so maybe he did get the credit and I just misunderstood....

This being able to fire off a text and get an answer is kind of amazing.  Never knew I would miss it until it was gone...  Yes, I sometimes have to wait hours but I know it will eventually get answered

Anti M - I always enjoy hearing from your perspective!! And dinner sounds delicious - If I could have Scotty beam me up - I would come join you for dinner!!  I thought your laundry comment interesting though, as my sailor does his own on the ship from what I gathered. I think he figures it is less likely to get mixed up if he does his own. That may not be possible on all ships or boats though. 

Shanny - The phone call and face time - even texts are the best and they are even sweeter when they come back from sea!!!

Kristel2400 - Sending thoughts of encouragement to your SR and prayers for him!

Everyone have a good weekend!!

Remember to Join 

OCT 2020 PIR Group

You have to wait to be approved for the group and that may take a bit on the weekend so be patient!

My time is limited on here this weekend but I will do my best to check in later as well. 

Chipmunk, the laundry situation does vary.  Think about the nightmare it could be on a big carrier if they all wanted to wash their things at once.  Civilian clothes are not washed through the service laundry, but bed linens and uniform items are.  There's technically a dry cleaner too.  It all depends on the size of the ship, and their work schedule.   

I have a question about Navy Etiquette...

Our family is remaining flexible ("Semper Gumby"), yet planning a celebration at home for our SR's graduation. I was going to order Navy t-shirts for all of us. My son-in-law, however, indicated that to show respect he would not wear one. He explained that only military personnel can wear navy apparel. 

Any thoughts/insights/information will be greatly appreciated!!

~MaterNauta

PS: I continue to read EVERYTHING and pray for EVERYONE, even though I don't post much.

MaterNauta - Hopefully Anti M or someone else will chime in. But I am wondering if your SIL is confusing Navy apparel with military uniform?  It might depend on the shirt design as well.  I am not sure, honestly. 

Anti M - Thanks!

VintageGal, *Thank you!* GREAT pointers!! Yes, the design that I had thought of could have lead to a misunderstanding. I will make sure that whatever I choose conveys the right message!

C’smom2020 - I was definitely glad to share his letter. I know it’s hard not knowing what’s going on when they go into ROM and unfortunately we never know if it can happen. I appreciate what you said. :) 

Velvet- I appreciate all of you ladies filling us in on the jobs that the Sailors are expected to do even in A - school. Like I told another mom - My son wanted to be filled in on things to expect if I heard anything. 

So as for SB I am definitely observing OPSEC and PERSEC. I am writing it as though I know everyone is reading it. I told my husband that we will be deleting it after Boot Camp. He said oh wow, OK :) 

VintageGal - Thanks for your explanation with the Navy apparel. It is so hard for me to suggest things because we had he advantage of going to live PIR and Sarge's Meet n Greet where there were things to buy. My younger son has a T-shirt that says " Stay calm my brother's in the Navy" - I think they sold several of those with different scenarios for family members. Also, my son was able to buy T-shirts of their Division flag and those did not look anything like the ones I checked out on Navy Gear.

MaterNauta - I am glad her reply was helpful!!  That is the whole point of this group, to help each other out.

As for Sandboxx - I share that it is no different than mailing a postcard. - Maybe it comes in an envelope to your SR or sailor but others can read it that put it together. 

Reminder: If you have a new sailor!!

Be sure to change their status on your My Page to Enlisted!!

Hey ladies,

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Katharine- Yay for letters!!! That is awesome and man you wore me out when everything you did by 11:30 am. You go girl!!  :)

VintageGal- That was great sharing that. Thanks for helping. Also, I know a few moms that their son's rate was undesignated when they went on to the fleet. But they did end up doing different jobs and were able to have a better rate than what they had before.

It truly is about attitude and what you make of it. Even my Sailor says there are some that still think it's ok to not do some work and they do get into trouble for it. The more your SR learns he will be more comfortable and confident in his work.

I am catching up as well since I didn't post this morning.  :)

LBF- I missed you the other day to. It was a busy week that's for sure. 

MaterNauta- Other moms have done their celebrations while watching the video of their Sailor's PIR then they had their shirts on and their ribbons out. Once the call came thur they wore their shirts proudly. I didn't wear mine until mine graduated either.   :)

Maybe that's what your son in law was thinking. 

Anti M- thanks for sharing. Hope your weekend is going well. 

Shanny- How is your Sailor doing? Any more texts today? I loved it when mine was in A school. Communication is definitely a lot easier.   :) 

Anyone can wear a Navy t-shirt, as long as they never pretend to be a sailor or veteran.  I have my husband's Surface Warfare shirt, Ships of Steel, Men of Iron, and I will never let anyone wear it. I might make it into a pillow.  A shirt like that implies service, so it is not appropriate. A shirt which simple says Navy or shows the Goat or and Anchor or the Seal, anyone can wear those.  There's a ton of great choices.  Maybe he'd be comfortable in a plain red or blue shirt, or golden yellow.  It really isn't stolen valor!  

My own Navy shirt says Never Underestimate a Woman with a DD-214. I had to get one because when I went for the Veteran's Day lunch, people assumed I was a dependent wife trying to scam a meal.  Sheesh.

I got my indoor autumn decor up, so my kitchen looks festive. Halloween stuff is next. I can only do so much each day.  My husband's friend was going to do yardwork, but his GF has been exposed to covid at work for sure, so they have to take care of all that.  Better safe than sorry. Nothing out there which can't wait a bit.  I am pretty sur my across the street neighbors have lost the dad/grandfather.  He's been ill for years, they built a wheelchair ramp for him this summer.  Last I heard, the whole house, including the little kids, was covid positive (my other neighbor goes to church with them and went to a party they had three weeks ago).  Two days ago there were professional cleaners there, and today they dismantled the ramp.  I'm trying to judge when a visit might be appropriate, if at all right now.  We're more waving neighbors than visiting neighbors.

MaterNauta-- There is nothing that says he can’t wear a PROUD BIL t-shirt but if he doesn’t want to I guess you can’t make him. 

VintageGal-- Cujo was about the limit of what I can watch. I HATED Jurassic Park and Creep Show 2 but I’m ok with some of the Twilight Zone, and other “Scary type Movies”, Just tell me ahead if there is anything that will jump out and warn me again that it's coming.

Anti M-- I’m so sorry that folks didn’t believe you had served. While I do believe that spouses serve as much as their mates it also isn’t the same and Yes having that Dd214 is HUGE!
You may be waving Neighbors but sending a nice plant and a card saying that you are thinking of them would be a kind gesture. When we lost my MIL, Even though we were not close, a neighbor dropped off a plate of cookies and a pot of flowers with a note that said they had heard our news and were sorry for our loss. We say hi and may visit at the Mail box but I’ve never been in their home and they haven’t been in mine.

Good morning everyone!! 

Lately we have heard that there are more calls coming in on Sunday than we use to have in the past. So be sure to have your phone on you and your ringer loud - and if you are in church, answer it anyway, and exit quietly! :-) 

We are all busy on the weekend so if you see someone post and you are on, please at least say hello. Thanks!

Anti M - I think BelovedbyHim's suggestion is good. I will often check the websites as well of the funeral homes in my childhood home to see if anyone that were friends of our family is mentioned. Then I can send a card to the funeral home or post a message on the website comment wall. 

Good Morning ladies and welcome to all of our new moms that just joined this weekend.

jacksmom17- here is a link for you.

 First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition    

This is a good one to read and to get started on knowing what happens in quarantine and boot camp. 

Here is another one.

Informed Delivery®

You will want to sign up for this so you can see when your SR"s letters will be coming. The first few weeks of no communication are the hardest so keeping busy is the key. Start writing now and numbering the letters also so you can keep them in order.

If you have time write each other a note and have your SR leave you a message on the phone so you can read your note and listen to the message when you are missing him. He will appreciate it down the road.

Northwoodsmom- That is wonderful. I love it when we do that. Our neighbors really pulled together and we've been helping each other out. I was very surprised and happy. Have a blessed day. How is your Sailor doing?

Anti M- Sorry I didn't get to post everything to you. I am sorry that some people didn't believe that you served. So cray cray. I am sorry for your neighbor's passing and a plant and card sound wonderful to give to them.

Hoping your friend's gf recovers quickly. You keep being safe and healthy as well. 

I have my fall stuff out to and now must start putting my Halloween decor out. :) 

There seemed to be quite a few calls that came thru over the weekend so please keep those phones on you at all times those ringers on loud and answer every call that comes in. You just never know.

I've read where some moms have missed their first calls for one reason or another and they were so upset when they realized it was from their SR. (Sailor Recruit). So keep those phones on and that ringer on loud.

Welcome again to all of our new moms and God Bless and have a great Sonday!!!

Football and family time for me can't beat that!!! 

Good morning, Welcome to our new Moms! This is a great place to be! The ladies here have so much useful information during this process. 
We laugh, cry, vent, and lend an ear when you think no one else really understands how you feel. 

I love hearing of the fall decorating and football viewing! We’re at that magical time of year! Take that 2020! :) I wonder if my son will be able to come home for Christmas or if we’ll be able to go where he’ll be in A-school. I’ll haul the whole thing to him! Lol 

I had a great treat yesterday- three of my SR’s friends came over to learn how to use SB. I told him about OPSEC and PERSEC as well. They told me that they had a friend go into the Air Force and apparently he’s able to go home for Christmas so I’m crossing my fingers.  I’m wondering if it’s different from base to base. I know they’re trying to keep them in a bubble and I have to be ready for that. I usually have a full house with my son and his friends which I totally miss. They said they’ll be back around Halloween time to say hi. My daughter even said the other day I’m going to miss having his friends over and the holiday parties that we had together. I’m so glad they’re sending him a letter. It will really be special to him to hear from them and to hear of post graduation shenanigans LOL. 

It’s a lot more enjoyable to sit on the couch with my coffee then to get started on the chores that need to be done! Time to put on the tunes and get started! :) 

(((((BNMH))))) (Big Navy Mom Hugs)

Good Morning VintageGal,

It's good to hear from you. I know exactly how you feel. My Sailor's birthday is Halloween. Last year he was able to come home as it was his 21st. Oh my gosh it was so good to see him and have him home.

He has already asked for an early birthday present to get ready for his next assignment. I said yes and he said wooow thanks mum. It can't get any better than that when they do appreciate what we do for them. Makes my heart happy!!!

As far as visits we will all be learning since we are still in COVID. Usually at A school's it's 2 weeks stand down time I might have the exact wording wrong lol but it means they shut down for two weeks so the Sailor's can go home for the holidays. This is only for A school. That was the old way.

With COVID I am not sure how they will handle this. Each A school will let all the Sailor's know what is happening. I pray that all of our numbers stay good in all of our states so that all of our Sailor's may come home to be with their families.

When you are out in the fleet it is a different ball game. The Navy will follow the procedures they have in place for COVID and I pray the same for them as well. It truly is a waiting game since we are in COVID. I don't like it either but it is what it is right now. And as always we have to be strong for them and then cry later on if we have to.  :)

Starting tomorrow we (Az) will be starting our two week watch to see if we will go into hybrid model. This is just for my school as a lot of the other districts have started to go into hybrid or in person learning all the way. Personally I feel like we will start this as I think we have been losing students to the schools that are already open. We will see what happens.

Prayers please for our Sailors to be able to come home for the holidays and for my school to start with good numbers.  :)

I also have been doing other chores inside as I have to go outside and do yard work. lol

Enjoy that coffee.  :) It's always good talking with you.  :)

LadyBluefire- Good Morning, hope your day is going well and your having a good weekend. Those floors were looking great. 

Phoenixmom-Hope your enjoying football day, our Cardinals need to score thou. Sweet they just scored.  Hope your starting to feel a little better. 

Partyofseven:  the texts are daily!  I'm loving it!  He and his roommates are heading off to the beach for some fun and sun.  His stories are killing me.   He says BC is just like a really bad memory now.  

Happy Sunday Ladies! 

Guess who received a 33 minute phone call today????? ME! My SR is definitely in a better state mentally. He said being in ROM twice really messed up his thinking. He’s got a little confidence back unlike before. I’m grateful for that. He said he feels like he’s got a cold again but he will do anything NOT to go to medical for any kind of anything. It seems they will ask you questions like if you have lost sense of taste (also happens with a cold) which is a covid red flag and if you say yes....back to Q you go. Such crazy times. I told him TOUGH IT OUT, do what you must to stay out of Q and stay with your sched PIR date of Oct 29. He knows he will have A school there at GL like a few ladies here also told me. He def hasn’t gotten all of my letters .... but the feedback on the multiple choice one was “it was a lot of fun & it kept him occupied during ROM”. Sadly a lot of it didn’t quite fit bc he didn’t progress in training but he really enjoyed it anyway. I encourage any new moms to send this to your SR! I think the link is above somewhere. I hope everyone had a great weekend. 

Got another 45 minute call - 2 weeks in a row! And a possible call again next weekend! I actually could hear him this time!

They did Marlinspike yesterday and after being told they failed and having to own up as to why - their RDC cracked a smile and said "You passed and were one of the best divisions I have seen!"

My son is all 5.0 on his personal inspections etc - so that is a HUGE confidence builder for him! He has gotten my letters dated 9/28 and prior. Pretty quick! I am still waiting for the one he said he mailed about 10 days ago now..

Kristel - AWESOME! One of my kids div had a saying - "if you're gonna be sick be sick in silence" 

Shanny - the pain of RTC is almost behind you like childbirth, lol!

party - got a new phone and trying to set it up but I was so excited about my son's call. I will have ot catch up on the rest later. 

Trying to organize my computer files now that my house is clutter free!

We got a phone call this morning!!!!!!!!  Woohoo!  And Chipmunk, it was right in between church and Sunday school at 10:03.  I was working in the nursery at the time, and I had someone run and find the rest of my family.  We all went into a room and I put him on speaker phone.  He sounded sooooo good!  He was upbeat and said he is liking it there.  So far he has passed all his inspections.  In fact, and I'm not sure I will get the right terminology here, but when his bunk was inspected (I guess they have to take everything out and unbutton it and turn it inside-out and then they have so much time to put it back), he was told by the person inspecting that he wished everyone's looked like that.  He said the food is good and that they say Navy food is the best at boot camp. Lol!  He said he's got some upcoming tests and inspections this week.  He's gotten most of our letters.  He can tell because we numbered them.  I've been sending all our letters individually because I knew so many were getting lost.  I thought if I put them all in an envelope, he wouldn't get any of them.  But he asked me to consolidate and put multiple letters in one envelope.  So now I know.  Lol!  He hasn't gotten any that our puppy, Sadie, has written.  She is a Yorkie.  I actually got note cards from Etsy that have a Yorkie hand-painted on the front!  I can't wait 'til he gets those.  It was so good to hear from him.  The call lasted 38 minutes and 44 seconds!  Haha!  The call seemed to go so fast, and I looked to see how long it actually was.  

Shanny- I love it when that happens. They are so glad to get out of there. Lol I'm glad he's enjoying himself.  :)

Kristel2400- That is great!! I'm so glad he's feeling better and in a better state of mind. Apparently that is what they tell them, because when mine was in he didn't want to go to medical either. He said nobody did. So crazy. 

LBF- Whoo hoo another call. That is excellent. Yay for phone calls. They do seem to be coming more on Sunday's than nought. That is awesome!! Whoo hoo on passing the Marlinspike. That's great on his inspections. Won't be long now.

Your house sounds great and I hate going thru paper work. Lol

VintageGal- Lol I know I didn't get much done either but I'm ok with that since it was a busy week last week with my family here.  :)

We will see what happens with our schools that's for sure.

Prayers for your SR to have smooth sailing tomorrow and to get right back into his training.

C'sMoM2020- Whoo hoo that's awesome you got a call to. This is why I am always posting about keeping those phones on you at all times and those ringers on loud. You just never know when a call will come thru. Whoo hoo.

It truly is so great when we get to hear their voices and for them to tell us what's going on in their lives. I'm so glad he is sounding and doing well. Kudos to him on his bunk inspection. 

Enjoy that feeling that we get when we hear from them. 

Good Afternoon / evening everyone!! I have just a minute but I wanted to pop on and say Hi!

Kristel2400 -- So Happy to hear that your SR is sounding so much better!!

C'sMom - I am so happy for you all and that you were able to get everyone to talk to your SR!!

Shanny - Life after BC is a lot easier for a time - then they get to the fleet and their schedules are mixed up, etc. So enjoy the daily texts!!

LBF - WooHoo on a call from your SR as well!! 

Jacksmom17 -  Big Hugs!!!

VintageGal & PartyofSeven - Hi, enjoy your afternoon - 

I hope everyone else is enjoying your Sunday. 

So many positive posts, and calls too!  Excellent.

Ah, the holiday stand down.  Bear in mind the Navy does things differently than the other branches, so never compare what happens with the AF or Army or Marines with what our sailors experience.  In normal times, there is a holiday stand down over Christmas and New Years during A or C school.  They get to take between a week or two weeks (depending on the command) to go home.  It comes out of their earned leave days, it is not liberty.  HOWEVER, with COVID, their leave may be restricted to the local area.  Hard to tell how it will go, right now leave restrictions vary by destination as well.  They do shut the schools down so the staff has time off.  I have the feeling there will be some variation this year, yes?

If they are in the fleet, they will likely have relaxed or extended liberty in the local area.  The "new guy" is on the bottom rung when it comes to holiday leave.  They may be required to have finished their quals and such, or there may be others who need to use their leave days before they lose them.  Usually, the first year at a new command doesn't provide many opportunities for time off.

Is anyone else having issues getting the page to load?  It may be my WiFi. And my phone service. Been trying for an hour on my phone and my laptop...  hopefully this goes through I promise I’m not ignoring anyone...  

Hi Everyone,

Well - I know for sure that if your iphone battery goes dead while you in the middle of a (long) post, you lose it all and have to start over :|

It is so great to hear that so many of you got good calls and letters from your happy SRs!! 

After hearing LBF and C'sMom got phone calls two weeks in a row, I was hopeful. Well, I guess no news is good news for us!! I'm thinking that maybe your SRs earned the extra calls with their excellent inspections and/or good performance at Marlinspike. Good for you guys!

Kristel2400 - very happy to hear your son is feeling much more positive. My son mentioned in last weeks call, and in his letter that he too had a cold the first 1.5 weeks of boot camp - I think he meant P week etc but really not sure. I'm really curious about where he told anyone or not, and if so, how it was handled...

My furry great-niece and nephews (my nieces dogs) got their letter Friday or Saturday (they were gone for the weekend, so can't be sure which day it came). Anyway, it was in response to a sandboxx letter his favorite dog wrote to him. It was mailed on Monday. My niece received a notification from sandboxx that it was coming on Tuesday. So for those of you wondering, it takes the same amount of time as a regular letter. The addresses were typed, and their was a bar code on it. I am assuming that my son received the return envelop when he received the letter. The amazing thing was how neat my son's handwriting was in this letter. Neater than anything he has ever written in his life. Thank you Navy!! The content was basically the same as our phone call last week - so nice to again see the pride and happiness. He included a diagram of where he will be in the PIR. Just praying for no ROMs and that he does well on the final PFA and BS!! Home stretch!!

We had a busy weekend - celebrated my sister's birthday down at the beach at an outdoor restaurant. One of my son's favorite restaurants. I'm happy that he is spreading his wings and finding his path in life, and am proud of his choice. BUT, family celebrations just are not the same without him.... 

Spent all day today cleaning up the backyard - weeding and cleaning out planters etc. Ohhhh my aching back! Last week, we had our old gross spa filled in and bricks put over the top. It is nice a nice elevated platform where I can put a patio set or fire pit. I also bought some new patio chair cushions and we got two bird baths - one for food and one for water. The birds looked pretty happy with it after a bit of a slow tentative start. Now that I am not paying college tuition or apartment rent, I can start with some upgrades to the house. I would rather be spending the money on airfare to go visit him but if we can't I guess this was my silver lining. 

Can hardly wait for The Walking Dead tonight!!! It's been a long break due to covid. Last season ended abruptly in March, and they skipped Fear the Walking Dead completely this year. We have been watching both since the beginning. We will also save the recordings, as I am going to hope against all odds that maybe our son will get to come home for the holidays and we can have a marathon of watching it together. 

Good night all!

Goodnight DsMom2020 - Glad you had some good family time, and yes, it is always different when our kids are missing from family events - for me I don't just have one in the Navy, but several of my kids are in various places and it is hard to all be together.