Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Shanny Glad to hear your feeling Better, and a FREEZE warning? Are you kidding me, We cant even get out of the 100's here. looks like a warm winter for us. although our winters are like 68-70 degrees. LOL!

PhoenixMom:  it was 56 when I got up this morning..  it is now 49. Supposed to get down to 34 tonight. I am not ready for this! My son keeps reminding me it is in the 80s and sunny where he is...  he is cruel that way 

C'sMom & VintageGal - Our SR is headed to the same A-school but wasn't sure if I mentioned that during our call last weekend there are a total of 8 in his division in the same rate. Any idea how many in you SR's div?

Yea, I couldn't be ready for that either! Our blood runs thin here in AZ, that's because its always hot. You head North for two Hours and it snows and cold. so we go to just enjoy for a couple of hours and when going down the Mountain a ways you can start to feel the difference.

Clrditto1- Read everything on here, Ask any and all questions, Acknowledge all the feelings! Sad is normal. Scared is normal. I find that the Scared comes most often from not knowing so by reading asking and learning that will take the scared down. You mentioned you heard from him for a few days, was that the time he was at MEPS and Traveling to Great Lakes (GL)?

Please read my blog to give you an idea of what the first few weeks may look like.. First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition Up and to the Left is a link to all the Navy Lingo! It is titled Navy Speak and you can find it here. We are here to get you through the “Great Silence” of the next 4 weeks (ish) and the 8 weeks of BC (ish). You will come to learn that No News Is GOOD News and everything is Needs of the Navy. You life will be Hurry Up and Wait and it’s ok to make plans but they are subject to change until after they have happened so it’s best to embrace the Motto: Semper Gumby!! (Always Flexible!!)

The Expected timeline will look like this
Day 0 -- Travel, Arrival and "I'm Here" scripted phone call
Day 1-14 -- ROM (Restriction of Movement/ Quarantine-- Lots of studying and waiting)
Day 15-21 Arrive Onboard RTC and begin P-days (P-days- Initial Processing Days) including 2 days of P-hold (Weekend)
You do not want to expect a phone call during this time.  They may be calling for information but it may also be bad/sad news.  They do not call to let you know they are back at GL from ROM.
Day 21-- Complete P days. (Initial PFT & Run)
Day 22-- Begin training and mail form letter out. Look for it to arrive around 1-2 weeks later). 
The first Real phone call home is an earned call and usually comes after day 30 but there are many reasons they may not call too, not all of them bad.  Answer every call from now until your SR is out of BC! You can always just hang up on spam calls!!
All of this is assuming no exposure to COVID with additional ROM
Training typically occurs Monday - Friday but we have heard rumors that Saturday’s are now training days as well.
Normal PIR will be 8 Fridays after departure from Home but it can be less by 1 but it can be extended by ???? (lots!!) It just depends on how many times they get caught in the “Ring of Fire” but do not get COVID. IF they get COVID, Once they are recovered they will not be removed from training again even if they are in the “Ring of Fire”. (so there is that small silver lining if kids get sick)

VintageGal-- When my kids were still in my home I told them they needed to have 5 meals they could make from “ingredients” from memory (Frozen or canned meals do not count!) as well as knowing how to properly clean a bathroom, kitchen, floors,and do laundry and dishes. They also needed to know the basics of how a car works (Check oil, tire pressure, how to change a tire, how to check belts and fluids). I also insisted they know the basics of money but that lesson seems not to have taken as well as I’d have liked. We started with cooking as soon as they were big enough to listen and reach the counter (Cereal and sandwiches by 5) and in High School they each had a week they were responsible for meal planning and making at least 1 meal and helping with the other 4. I still remember in a fit of anger and rebellion my youngest yelling “Who’s going to do all the work around here when I leave?!! I just laughed!! (Who does he think did it before him and who does he think taught him!!!) 

LadyBluefire-- Thank you. I am on the mend. I did a tele-med appointment since my obgyn retired and I just hadn’t found a new one before the world went crazy! He told me as long as I am not bleeding, running a fever or having worse pain to just see if it will resolve. I have PCOS and that can sometimes lead to painful ruptures although I have never had one like this before! I am much better today. It’s down to a dull ache only when I move in certain ways. Getting up out of bed of off the couch is the worst! 

DsMom2020-- We understand and do not take it personally. We are here to be what you need, a friend, a source of information or a sounding board. Some times you are in a storm and need a safe harbor... that is what this site is, other times you are sailing along just fine on Fair seas with Following winds and you don’t need us as much!

C'sMom-- You can always exchange a PM with each other to make that connection and see if your SR’s know each other. Or write to your SR’s and share with them each other’s screen name and let them make the connection for you. There are ways, Just don’t post it here on the PUBLIC pages.

Shanny-- Just what bad question do you think you could have asked??

Phoenixmom- Yep we are supposed to hit a low of 28 tonight here in CO. I’m just heartsick that the cold front that came through didn’t bring any moisture but did being wind that caused not 1 but 2 wildfires to explode in size and scope!! One just became the biggest in State History and is burning it’s way through RMNP!!! :’^(

Hello BelovedbyHim, wow 28 I cant tell you that I know what that feels like, because I don't. But the wildfires Oh Man! we had a few here this summer and then the smoke coming from all directions of all the fires put together. that was bad! stay warm.

Voting: Last conversation we had with our (then) SR was that they were given information on voting and that they would be able to vote.

BelovedbyHim: "Some times you are in a storm and need a safe harbor... that is what this site is, other times you are sailing along just fine on Fair seas with Following winds and you don’t need us as much!" This summarizes this group perfectly, and it should be posted high and up!

C'sMom: ordering the anchor is definitely cheaper, but I wanted to have mine ready to be set up when I heard the call. So I gathered inspiration online, bought all the supplies, played with different alternatives, and waited. Now the anchor, the American, and Navy smaller flags are out! Can't wait for my husband to set up the big American and Navy flags!!

Northwoodsmom: I would check every picture (just in case). When I thought I had a "match" (the masks made the whole thing challenging) I would compare moles, eyebrows, veins in hands, you name it. I even sent my (then) SR one picture that I downloaded from the U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command Facebook page that I was almost positive it was him! No it wasn't him!

B'sNukeMoM: I only see the "x."

Another thing families can do is buy challenge coins, they are a great gift, I have collected many for my Son. He has a case with them in it. Some don't know but when they are out at sea there is a thing called crossing the Equator so prior to crossing you are known as a polywog and once over the equator they become a shellback. so that is a good challenge coin. just things you learn down the line.

Shanny:  I'm there with you with the cold.  I usually walk at least once or twice a day, sometimes with my daughter.  I just told my daughter that our waking outside days are over.  Ready to hibernate.  I've grown up in this state, but the older I get the more painful the cold is!  

PhoenixMom:  My blood runs thin here in MI!  Lol  I live all winter with three or four layers on.  Anyone heard of Cuddl Duds?  I live in those!  

VintageGal and kim:  we should PM each other our SR's last names.  Our SRs may run into each other!  Your two SRs are in the same division, correct?

MaterNauta:  I'm glad to hear they are given information to vote.  Our SR has a chance, then, to vote.  And I give you a lot of credit to make your anchor.  It may sound easy, but I just don't have an easy time of doing those things.  And I want it to look nice.  If I made it, it wouldn't.  Lol  Ever seen those "Nailed it?" pictures?  :-D

Belovedbyhim- that’s a great thing that your children all learn to cook. There’s a great life skills that they will take with them throughout their life. My kids have their weekly chores and they’ll help out in the kitchen but I definitely need to have them in there with me more often. Way to go Momma! that’s hysterical he said who’s going to do all of this work? You probably had the look on your face like Huh?!

c’smom and Kim- Yeah i’m pretty certain they’ll meet up once they’re in A school. My son was excited to find out who they could be when I told them that there was a mom that I knew from his division as well. I Believe he said there were seven MAs that he knew of in his division. 

pheonixmom- those are really cool challenge coins! thanks for sharing!

Pheonixmom- The pollywog shellback tradition is so neat to me! 

Hi VintageGal it was to me as well so I had to get him a challenge coin for that. They also have a Celebration for the Sailors. there is a few stories about crossing. Mrs. Anti M knows she has told me all about it. as well as Ellen0502. I have learned so much from a lot of these admins.

Yes, Ma'am 55 yrs. I cant believe it. It's like where did all this time go. My Friends get mad because I'm the Baby of all us girls, LOL! but not so much a baby. the funny thing is me and my girlfriends from High school still hang out, just us or our families. It's the best time!

I have a pic of some of my girlfriends and a guy who is a DJ and we used to hang out in High school so we decided to go where he was Playing and we all took a photo, this was last year so all of us are 54/55/56 in those photos.

PhoenixMom, working on another wedding cake, but I wanted to wish you a very Blessed birthday. Have fun!

Good Night everyone! I only made it back through a couple of pages, but I heard the bugle blowing and it is time for me to get to bed, I have been staying up way to late. 

C'sMom2020 - I know what Cuddle Duds are !! 

Happy almost birthday Phoenixmom!! 

*too late 

And yes, the "X" is back up on our comments, but we can only delete here, not edit. And even if you delete it, it has already been sent out via email.  - Just FYI. In the discussions you can edit your comments. 

MaterNauta- It’s just the wisdom of this page worded in a different way.

Phoenixmom-- I believe that Shellback coins are awarded by other Shellbacks. Unless you are also a Shellback it would be an insult to King Neptune for a Land Lubber or a Pollywog to present the coin.
Happy early Birthday!!

C'sMom- Cuddl Duds are Amazing!!

VintageGal-- No look, I just fell on the floor laughing so hard I couldn’t make dinner so he got to!!!

My Sailor Loves to cook now and takes great pleasure in making gourmet meals! Sadly he only makes them for himself since he hasn’t found a girl yet.

Chipmunk - have a restful evening and we will talk to you tomorrow!

Apparently I need to look up cuddle duds! Duds are clothes and to cuddle is to get cozy and snuggle so... cozy snuggle clothes?  Will someone fill me in LOL

pheonixmom - I went and looked at your pictures! The layout of your new kitchen looks amazing. I can’t wait to see the finished product. Seeing those pictures with you and your family and your sweet husband melts my heart. you have a beautiful family <3 your grandson is absolutely adorable!

 Northwoodsmom- you know we’d love to see pictures of this wedding cake when you’re done :) 

Have a wonderful restful night everyone :) sleep well my sweet boy and all other sailor recruits and our newest sailors! hooyah (that was a whisper) sweet dreams zzzzzz

Belovedbyhim- I can picture the whole interaction! Gourmet meals?! He’ll make a woman very happy one day ;) good night! 

sweet Shanny - One of the last things I remember you saying was I’m going back to my corner. For some reason I am picturing you sleeping in a corner. Get to bed! jk
I hope you’re feeling better and have relief from your headaches. I hope all is well with your sailor. :) 

VintageGal -- Cuddl Duds are really warm and soft thermal underwear. They are not scratchy like so many can be. I have a pair that I LOVE.
 Also just to be clear Sailor loves to cook, BUT Youngest was the one who made the comment.  He was not thrilled to have to make dinner (However he is a Good cook when he wants to, he just doesn't often want to unless it's their great grandma's spaghetti sauce. (granted each kid and DH makes it differently though... No real recipe and I am banned because I make awful sauce-- they voted!))

NWM - so sweet that you watch all the PIRs! Thank you for telling me it’s ok to post photos on my page (I am set to private). I want to shout it out to the world I’m so dang proud!!! I’ll settle for posting privately. And giving photos to family members. 

Incidentally.... I told my son to get all the photos etc he could. DVD etc etc. I was a bit shocked to hear the photo package cost $936 and about $150 to mail home. Omg I can’t imagine what he ordered. I’ll put them to good use tho. 

Phoenix- have a wonderful birthday!!! 

Good morning Ladies, well I am off, the wedding cake has a 146 mile journey down to the valley. I really get nervous and uptight with traveling so far with it in my car. 

Don't forget to wear your RED!  GOD Bless your Friday.

Good Morning Everyone!! I have been busy posting elsewhere on the site this morning and I am still behind reading your posts from yesterday!! 

Northwoodsmom - safe travels with the wedding cake!! Thanks for the RED reminder, I needed it!

Welcome to our new members and to those who may be checking our group out before they join. Please come introduce yourselves when you are ready. We get to know each other by our stories and our ups and downs during this BC journey.

Cuddl duds are amazing.  I wear them under my leggings and jeans.  I even wear them under my shirts and sweatshirts.  Like I said, sometimes I'm triple layered.  I started wearing them again about a month and a half ago when it started getting colder here in MI.  I also wear gloves all the time, or tuck my hands in my sleeves.  So cold!  

NorthwoodsMom, safe travels! I'd be nervous, too!  

PhoenixMom, can you explain the coins.  Are these awarded or to purchase?  And what are they specifically for?  

Also, can anyone explain pollywogs and shellbacks, celebration for the sailors, and crossing?  Unless it doesn't pertain to me.  These are all new words for me.  

On another note,  we've gotten a letter the last two days, one dated 10/7 and the other dated 10/8.  And I see we are getting another one today. I'm blown away!  He's still doing really well.  He said there are a few who aren't taking this seriously.  The RDC told them that their division is right where it's supposed to be, but if the few would shape up, they would be one of the top divisions.  In one letter he said that he was worried going into Marlinspike.  He was hoping some of them would "start using their thinker."  He said they ended up passing, but the petty officer said they did better than he expected them to only because the ones taking it seriously picked up the slack.  Then my SR said, "ok.  I'm done venting."  He generally really has a good, upbeat attitude, though!  That makes me feel so much better!  I'm so proud of this kid!  You really dont know what they are made of until they get put in a situation!  So proud of all our SRs! 

Oh!  And PhoenixMom, ending you a happy, happy early birthday wish!  

D'sMom - Your son must have bought every photo pkg option! LOL! 

VintageGal - LOL!! My son had to come find out what I was laughing about. He said, " So the duds cuddle you?" and I said "Yes"!! My first Cuddle Dud top came in very handy when I went to the Thanksgiving Day parade in Houston with my cheerleader. We had T-shirts we had to wear as parents of the girls in the parade but I knew it was going to be chilly!. I don't like to be chilled, and damp chill is even worse!

Shanny - Hopeful that your appointment goes well!

Watch PIR here: RTC FB page  or here: RTC Public Affairs - YouTube channel

Be sure to join your PIR groups OCT 2020 PIR Group & NOV 2020 PIR Group  - It looks like the Nov group needs some more members, so even if you have not received your form letter but your projection is for a Nov PIR, I would go ahead and see about joining.

Have a great day everyone, I have to get busy and I will have to catch up later on!! For our new members, one of the things we have learned through this "new uncertainty" is that we are not alone and some days we just get on and share with each other, the good and the bad to help you through your days  - but never hesitate to ask questions and ask again if they get missed. 

Good Morning Ladies and welcome to all of our new members,

We are glad you are here. Any questions you may have please don't hesitate to ask. Someone will answer. 

D'sMom- Mine bought a big photo package to. I hope it wasn't that much. Lol It's all good thou I have them put up everywhere so I am good with that.  :)

Shanny- Hope your feeling better and your appointment goes well. Keep us posted.  :)

C'sMoM- Good Morning, Yay for more letters. I love it. Yes when we hear them talking to us about what is going on it just makes your heart swell with pride.

It sounds like your SR is doing really well and is thriving in there. It always takes a few of them to get on board with the program and start doing what they are suppose to do. 

The coins are usually given but we can buy them as well. I have some really Hospital Corpsman ones. They are beautiful and so nice to display.

I love to hear Phoenixmom stories about the pollywogs and shellbacks. Mine hasn't done that yet. 

Northwoodsmom- Safe travels today with your cake and have a wonderful day!!!

VintageGal- I was going to post last night but I fell asleep. I have been to 2 outdoor concerts in Vegas and it was absolutely amazing listening to the music sitting under the stars. I had a marvelous time both times.

Anti M- Good Morning. 

Today is wear your red today!!!! 

Morning everyone!

Shanny - hope your appointment today gives/gave you answers. I hibernate at 74, lol! When we move to NM I will have to look into cuddl duds - right now hot flashes keep me warm! I went in Carlsbad Caverns (last Oct)  and everyone was bundled up and I was overheating, lol.

Csmom - I was born in MI at the AFB that is no longer there….got to warm and sunny FL ASAP though, lol. They also expect them to fail Marlinspike so anyone passing is a sweet surprise!

MaterNauta - when my #2 was in there was a random photo on RTC site and I was sure it was my son. I shared it far and wide and everyone agreed. I asked him - nope, lol not me mom.

BBH - when he does find that special girl she will appreciate his cooking skills!

My husband went in as a polywog and came out a shellback. He has a certificate -  I will have to surprise him with the challenge coin! (oh darn, I just saw BBH say it would be an insult for a landlubber to present the coin!)

DsMom - $936?!!!!!! What?! /faint He must have bought everything on the order form! The top package is $150 and a Shadow box dealio is about $100. Then there are challenge coins and mugs and dog tags and maybe he bought one set of all serious face and one set of all smiling? You will have to tell us what all he got and if you have room left in your house!

NWM 146 miles? I would be so nervous! Safe travels!!

Here is my hubby's cert - I want to scan it but have yet to be able to get the right program to "stitch" the pieces together.

PXL_20201016_142458594%20edit.jpg

Good Morning Folks, It's FRIDAY YAY! hoping all you Fabulous Moms out there are doing well this Morning!

Thank you PartyofSeven for the Beautiful scripture and Much More!

Good Morning to Mrs. Chipmunk, Anti M, BelovedbyHim and many, many More.

Stay warm all you getting that cold front coming in, I'm jealous but not that bittering cold jealous! LOL! Wishing you all a Blessed day and weekend!

Yay! for the letters received and hope calls and more letters come your way tomorrow!

C'sMom the coins can be purchased, but usually the Sailors can order as well. Like my Bud had ordered his Pictures and Bought for me, At the time when you were able to attend PIR they had a vendor indoors to buy things, so I had bought his Flag coin Great Lakes Navy coin and some others but they as well have the opportunity to purchase as well as He did. But I had Bought a few more that he didn't buy. so it was a gift as well. Sometimes they are also given by their Commander or RTC for job well done. they make for a wonderful gift and presentation. Also their is a flag that I had bought and I put his PIR date his Name, his ship Name and his Div #. all together it was around 75.00 and it was a gift to him for remembering his accomplishments. I have it on his bedroom wall and it is huge. He really liked it! it's just a thought for those who don't know what to get their Loved Ones for their Accomplishments.

This is what the flag looks like,

So On the top I put his Name, on the left side I put his PIR date, Right side I put his Div # and underneath I put his ship the USS Constitution. Hope that is right.

Here is a little info on Pollywog and shell back.

The ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. The ceremony observes a mariner's transformation from slimy Pollywog, a seaman who hasn't crossed the equator, to trusty Shellback, also called a Son or Daughter of Neptune. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness.

LadyBlueFire Love the Certificate, My Son never showed me his, I will have to ask him so I can frame it. Thanks for sharing!

Phoenix - yw. I asked my hubby just now how he became a shellback - he told me "I can't talk about it. It is confidential" I gave him my look and he said "I crossed the equator". I gave him the look again - I already knew that - and he said when they were coming back (to CA) from the United Arab Emirates that his CO dipped low enough so they could all become shellbacks. Though looking at the map not sure how they didn't cross it going there, lol.

Good morning, Party.

Beloved, I hope you are feeling better, those cysts are terrible.

Okay, challenge coins and becoming a shellback... here we go.  When a ship or submarine crosses the equator, there is a ceremony where King Neptune's Court initiates the pollywogs who have never crossed, turning them into Shellbacks.  If perchance the vessel also crosses the International Dateline at the same time, they become Golden Shellbacks.  In the Old Navy, it was quite raucous and horrendously incorrect.  Much tamer now, but they still do it.  It is not solemn at all, but it is taken seriously, if that makes sense.  
It is perfectly fine for a landlubber to acquire that coin for the new shellback once the certificate is in hand.  While an ambitious officer or chief might have special coins made up for their particular ship, there aren't any official coins for it at all.  Not one.  My father and my husband never had coins, they were not popular among the enlisted guys until about 2000 or so.  Coins really are not an old Navy tradition, that was more a thing for pilots originally.  The coins are nice, but King Neptune isn't going to care.  Honest.  Taking your shipmate to get a tattoo at the first port call is far more traditional.  

Flying over doesn't count.  I spent a year below the equator and I didn't count as a shellback because I didn't cross the line on water.

My husband has a Blue Nose card, for crossing the Arctic Circle.  

Thank You Anti M I knew you would chime in, and I knew there was more than one equator like the Artic Circle. I appreciate it!

Anti M- thanks for the info! I always enjoy your stories! I’ve been forwarding my son fun reading material for once he gets his phone back. I’m going to send him your post ;) 

have a wonderful day ladies! TGIF! Here’s to getting more letters!