Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

DoriBri:  are you on any of the RTC board on Facebook?  You could try posting there and ask if anyone knows what ship that division is in. But if he mailed the form letter you should be getting it soon! 

VintageGal:  my sailor is out. Doing something. With someone. Yeah literally all I know. He said he was going to the store for lotion for his tattoo. That was 4 hours ago. Texted me and said he wouldn’t be home for dinner. 
I am having a hard time today. Shouldn’t have looked at the calendar. Realized he will be in ROM for Christmas. Alone. Heard that at Thanksgiving they didn’t bother taking them food for 2 days. And he will be spending his birthday in ROM alone too. Days like today, I have serious regrets and wish I had encouraged a different path

Shanny-I am not sure how to find the boards.  I personally dont have a Facebook page so I use my husbands.  But I am interested in joining a group for that division.  

DoriBri: I sent you a friend request so I can send you a message :)

Doribry ~ it’s all good I’m not on Facebook either. This is my only sounding board :) and that is A-OK with me! My son’s letters got to me in four days from the time he mailed them so hopefully you should be receiving it soon. 

Shanny ~I’m sorry! ROM really s...s the big one! Just as long as he’s happy. My son said that he has come to the realization that everything that happens is apart of his four year career. Hopefully this Covid ridiculousness will end soon and things will be a little more normal for them. Our sailors make really good friends and they now have their Navy family as well. Does he happen to have a gaming console? My son will have his study materials and his Xbox during quarantine. So with that and snacks and meals... hopefully meals... He should be satisfied. I think you need a Vrbo or a home away to get some space from your “roommates“. Tell the whole family they can chip into the Shanny vacation fund for Christmas! 

VintageGal, Navy Mom posse rides again!  

Shanny, I think my sailor will also be spending Christmas and his birthday either in THU or at A school while most of the students from his A school will be home for Christmas!  It stinks!  He's been mentally tough for so long!  I'm hoping he can keep his spirits up and not get discouraged!  This will make our boys stronger!  Not sure what it will make us moms!  Lol

Anyone have the official Facebook page for RTC where they post the pictures?!?  I think I stopped following it  today...  

C’sMom:. I’m kind of a mess today. Not gonna lie. I hope they get your son’s stuff figured out!  He needs to move on!

Shanny - Wrap his presents and send them with him if he can fit them in. It is easier than trying to mail to the ship and having to do customs forms. Here is the FB page - U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command | Facebook

C'sMom - I am ready to ride with you!!

Doribry, Leslie, Mom2blondies, Warriorprotector, NewMilmom, proud and grateful and any other new members - BNMHs (Big Navy Mom Hugs!)  - clean rooms, write letters, (I wrote emails to my SR then printed and mailed), find a hobby, craft, or other project. Allow yourself to cry but also find a way to relax as well, so that you can get the rest you need. 

Ok, I just got a little excited because I was looking at the RTC Facebook and it shows multiple groups graduating at the same ceremony. I thought they did them one at a time. My son's girlfriend left the week before he did so does this mean there is a chance they will graduate together?? Or do all of these divisions start and end on the same day? 

"Congratulations to the newest and sharpest Sailors in the U.S. Navy who graduated December 4th. Divisions 039, 040, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046, 047, 048, 049, 050 and 805 are the graduating divisions in this training group."

I found these 2 pages/groups.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rtcgreatlakes

https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand

Chipmunk:  THANK YOU!!! part of my issue is the stuff I ordered for him hasn’t arrived yet!  I didn’t know he was coming so I figured I had to wait to get an address so I had time...  argh he says he doesn’t want anything. He just wanted to come home. 

So I was testing the delete options (that invisible X we can't see anymore) and I just deleted my last post. I don't have it in my email feed. 

I think this was the RTC information I was posting about graduation dates. 

Recruit Training Command - Training Group Graduation Dates (navy.mil)

Shanny, UGH, I hope your presents come!! But I am sure he did just want to be home. -- It does take extra time for packages to get to their ship address and you have to fill out a customs form. I have only done it once!!

VintageGal:. He is at his best friend’s house. He sent me a snap chat and I recognized the kitchen. I asked if he seriously left in sweats and cowboy boots. And he said mom I’m at T’s house. And I said oh yeah. I guess he’s lucky you didn’t just show up in pj pants. He said nope I had to go to the store first 

Chipmunk:  I have hovered over all areas of my comment, highlighted and tried to delete...they should have an easy way for us to delete! Nothing works. 

Do I need to delete somewhere in My Page, I've searched to no avail. 

Warriorprotector:  it is roughly in the upper right of your post.  There used to an X there. One day it just disappeared but if you hit the right place it will delete lol. Like magic

Shanny ~ that’s cute :) sounds so nice that he’s back home and comfortable <3 hopefully the gifts arrive soon! 

warrior- hover right here...

Chipmunk and Shanny!  Finally got the posts to delete!  Hooray! Yikes! 

That stressed me out!  Good night ladies! :)

Warrior ~ LOL I see you got it! Good night! 

Warriorprotector - Yeah!!!  Have a good nights rest!!  

VintageGal - thanks for the screen shots!!  Mine deleted without me hardly trying but then I knew the approximate location of that X - It didn't even pop up with the delete comment window, so I just keep my mouse away from my posts so I don't accidently delete something. 

Just FYI - as the gals said, we use to have an X to the right of our comments. Whether in the group, or on someone's my page where you have posted a comment. But it is now and "invisible" X. If you need to delete a comment that you posted, follow the directions as shared. If you still can't get it to work, a site admin is able to delete your posts. Otherwise, you are only able to delete your own posts in groups. On your My page you may delete someone else's post as well as your own posts. 

Mom2blondies and others - My son did write me every week from BC with the exception of one week when he went to medical for a cough. Thankfully, I had a phone call that weekend so I could ask why I did not have a letter, because mine came like clockwork every Thursday. So, not getting something every week may not be so bad. And my son always started out his letters with - "I have 10 min to write." He only wrote on Sunday, which to my knowledge is the only time they are "allowed" to write - but I have heard otherwise since then. 

Some moms have said they never heard from their SR and some will send the questionnaire from the Letter Writing page above. Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recru...

Please let me know if the links I or anyone else posts don't work. 

If you have a non letter writer, try the questionnaires,  and include the envelope with  stamp on it. Makes it easy for them. Or, like I did, I told mine that it was ok if he didn't write long letters full of details and emotion. Just please send me something that tells me you are ok. Literally just, Mom I'm ok. Or Mom, this place sucks. Or Mom send more puppy pictures. One line is ok. 

Also, they have limited space for belongings but keep their letters. If your SR asks for pictures or you want to send pictures, I put my pictures in a word document, shrunk them down and wrote my letters around the pictures. That way he got the pictures he asked for and the news from home and it took up no extra space. Oh and no more than 1 stamps worth of letters per envelope. I think that worked out to 4 sheets of notebook paper of 3 pages of printer paper. 

DoriBry- That is great that you got his ship number. The sheet that Shanny posted for you is a good one as it has all the ships and divisions on it. You'll be mailing those letters soon.  :)

Shanny- I hope the packages come soon. Another mom did this for her Sailor when he went into ROM she bought him snacks, two books so just in case they missed him with the food he had snacks to eat while there.

C'sMom- Prayers for him to get thru the rest of rom.

mom2blondies- You also want to number your letters as well so he know what order you sent them in. I also wrote mine every day and it does help you as well.  :)

Leslie- Welcome again and it's good to see you on here. Don't worry it is ok to cry when you need to or even if you don't. Start writing your SR now, I wrote mine every day and he wrote me back every back. It does help you to write and you can number your letters as well. When that form letter comes you can send them off right away.

warriorprotector- Did you find any information about the Cryptology group? Sometimes you have to comment to try and get it going again if it seems like there's not a lot of activity going on. 

Glad you found the x. I don't know why it's invisible now. Lol

Have a good night.

Good Morning Ladies and welcome to all of our new moms, We are glad you are here. I know I sound like a robot sometimes but I say these things to keep reminding you new ladies. :)

Always keep your phone on you at all times, with the ringer on loud as you never know when a call will come in. Let us know if you get a letter we love to celebrate with you.

Keeping busy is the key and writing every day helps you as they love to hear from you. When you get that form letter you can mail those letters off right away.

Today is my Friday and I have decided that I am not going to stress over things I have no control over. 

Good Morning to all of the other ladies.

Manycolors - Good Morning and welcome to our group. Let me get some info for you. It is good to have you here.

Sorry not sure if I’m doing this right still trying to figure out the how to comment and get reply’s. I get the emails later.

Manycolors- Hey, You are doing good. I see your comment. So you are in the right place. My cursor is not cooperating so I will try to post the links for my phone.

Welcome again.   :)

Manycolors, there are a couple moms that their recruits flew out on the 9 and 10 of November, Mamasita and DoriBay are a few. Be patient they will get around to you. They probably can give a little more insight on what's going on. Your in the right place and figuring it out don't worry, were here to help.

Manycolors-Welcome! My son flew out on 11/10.  I spoke with him yesterday and he told me his division number which shows his graduation date will be 1/28.  He mentioned that he sent his form letter out earlier this week so I should be getting that soon.  My SR had to do an additional week of ROM and he was able to call and tell me this so the "no news is good news" hopefully is the case with your SR and he just did the 14 days. The other moms in this group may be able to give you more insight since I am fairly new myself.  But just thought this might help as far as timeline. Again Welcome!

Manycolors- Allright here we go. My internet is being really slow this morning.

Here is the first link:

'First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition'

Manycolors- Here is the other link:

Boot Camp First Weeks Timeline

Both of these links have very good information in them. Please let us know if you have any questions or just want to vent, cry, talk it is ok to do that here with us.

Welcome again.

Manycolors - I am glad that you posted something. I am sorry that we have not mentioned you lately. It is hard for us to keep up with all of the new members, we don't have a list or anything unless we make a spreadsheet ourselves and I don't have the time for that. I am sorry. But we definitely want to help you with as much information as possible. 

Did you happen to look at the RTC page with the graduation dates that I posted yesterday. Counting your weeks and the fact that they have added back some time to BC - which could possibly just be for those SRs that are there during the No Graduation Holiday time, the first PIR in Jan is the 21st. 

I was figuring that is when your SR will most likely graduate. I did notice DoriBry's post that her son left the day after yours and his PIR is the next week but there are many factors with how that all works and what divisions the SRs get put into can make the difference of a week. 

Have you signed up for Informed delivery yet? And I don't want to be disheartening but we have had a couple of our Moms in the last few months who never received a form letter. As VintageGal mentioned that is when we formed the "NavyMomPosse"! So yes, as hard as it is "No News is Good News!"" Just keep writing those letters. Tell him about what is going on with the family. Tell him about a new project you started. Our kids need to know that we are doing okay at home. They are completely cut off, even when they are on the ship and they hear rumors as well and they need to know that life is going on and we are making it without them. - So be as encouraging as possible, share inspirational messages in whatever form that works for you, song lyrics, pictures copied and printed out.

Hugs!!

Good morning all!! May you have a great day!! I am so excited, and I need to get to the PO to get my granddaughter's Christmas dress in the mail. I bought a size too big so when we saw them last week, she could not wear it for her birthday. I loved the little dress and wasn't sure if I would be able to find the correct size, but yesterday I had to be in a different town and was near the store and I found one!! Yeah!!! 

Another busy day for me, but that helps me as well to remember that I am still a person that needs to live my own life as I am little by little becoming an empty nester!. 

Please, please remember not to compare - as hard as that is, we rejoice with those that are rejoicing and we mourn with those who are sad - but we can not compare because no two situations are ever the same, especially in the military. We can compare notes but when it comes to the actualities, there are many factors that can make my situation different from yours. Believe me, I learned that well at my son's PIR 3+ years ago, and I have an entire discussion that shares about that experience that we use to post a lot when we still had live PIR. 

Your SR is doing their very best that they can and they are striving and working hard for you because they want you to be so proud of them and they want to finish on time for you!!!  So when there are hiccups and bumps in the road, remember it is just as hard on them as it is on you and you are there to be their encourager, to be their strong tower and reminder that they don't rely on their strength alone!  I encourage you to dig into your own faith life and keep building it up as you need to have things to pour into your SRs letters so that they can draw from that well of living water. 

It is hard and it is okay to cry and it is okay to be down but I was told long ago by my wise mother when my husband was out for a few weeks of military training and I was moping about and had a 15 mo old - "Remember Chipmunk, you have family around and you have your daughter as well. Your husband is out working in the hot sun, training and doing everything that he has to do and he has no family or anyone to support him." 

I needed that perspective and that perspective is what helped me through BC. I emailed my son most everyday, because it was the easiest way for me to write him and I would see his smiling face back at me. I knew he was giving it his all! Once I had that address, I copied all of those emails and sent them off!!

Northwoodsmom - glad you are keeping up with some of the new moms dates - Thanks!! 

And as soon as the site admins get a Jan PIR group set up we will be sure to let you all know so that you can join that group.

FYI  - This site is really a lot easier to view on a computer than a mobile device. It is old school so to speak and so we usually recommend that if you are viewing on a mobile device to do so in desktop mode. 

Manycolors - I read my email feed with the messages, so that I can delete them from out of there. And I can see each persons individual comments. But as far as following what is going on in the group and what is being posted, and to see if someone posted a note to you - it really is easier to just log on to N4M and come to the group and scroll down. You can also click on it from the email but that will put you on that page where that post was and it may not be in the proper place of everything you need to read. Be sure to go to the bottom of this page and see the page #s. It is just a continuous thread. You need to make sure you are on page 1 when posting your comments.  {I try to bolden my names so they stand out but I got in a rush this morning and forgot! :-) }

BelovedbyHim - Good to hear you are getting work and staying busy!!  

Everyone be sure to scroll back and read her post and see her video she shared. 

MNNavyMom - awwww glad to hear you got the call and that you did not cry :)You wait and wait for that call then when it comes your mind goes blank and yeah pretty much the I’m here and I will contact you in about 3-4 weeks.

DoriBry - if your son gave you the ship as well as the division you can write to him before you get his letter. The ships have set addresses. Did he mention the ship name? (I see now in another post he did not give you the number)

CsMom - I am so sorry your “puppy’ has been in a holding pattern for so long. Hurry Up and Wait is a good motto for the military.

Mom2blondes - don’t get your heart set on a call until about 7-10 days after the form letter. Not to get your hopes up BUT it seems they are doing leave between A school and the fleet - though it depends on the command and how much time they have between graduating and reporting to duty. Just  have him be proactive about asking for the leave in between.
If your son’s GF left a week before him chances are they will PIR a week apart - but with COVID etc she may PIR after him. It is all up in the air.

Warrior - glad you conquered those posts!

Vintage - pinterest intimidates me - I just don’t understand it, lol. But from what I heard about my sister spending too much time on there it is probably a good thing I don’t understand it, lol.

Shanny - BNMH - I  have those regrets too - but then with things the way they are now the military is a more stable income...so that is my comfort...LOL @ the PJs comment...if he was going to wal mart pjs would have been fine, lol.

Beloved - here you go :)

I hear ya on the board. I had to get on real quick last  night and 4-5 pages had been made already since I was on before! Yay for work, sorry it is overwhelming - but now you will be too busy to be maudlin…

Manycolors - you have to count like 10 Fridays now from when they arrived. Oh my! I just looked and 1/24/2021 is the first PIR of the year! I have no words except BNMH. Hopefully Dori/Mamasita can be of more help!

Shanny - I concur with Chipmunk - mailing the presents would take way too long...wait? Customs forms?

Rate limited AGAIN!

Chipmunk - one of my sailors RDCs encouraged them to write nightly.. I hear ya on  keeping up with everyone.  I wish I had started a spreadsheet. I even get the “old timers” mixed up - a lot of new friends in short amount of time and my brain gets info all jumbled, lol.

A little frustrated - my CS son is set to fly COMMERCIAL and spend 2 weeks in ROM and then sit at sub school for months before classing up and they won't let him come home. Sub school is overwhelmed and backed up so bad there are sailors still at RTC who PIR with my CS son! Rumor is some sailors will be at RTC til next year due to sub school having no room. 
CS school wanted CS's to go home in between but sub school said no.

Rant over...

Good morning to everyone here and have a great day - back onto my projects :)

LadyBluefire - Bummed right along with you over CS sailor!!

Good Morning All, Happy Thursday to you all! Hoping all is well today.

LadyBluefire sorry to hear this about your Son, How frustrating for the Both of you.

Good Morning Chipmunk, PartyofSeven, Beloved, Anti M and to all the other Admins!

Well it's raining here in Phoenix and with Rain comes all the crazy non knowing how to drive Maniacs. CHEESE and RICE! My Kitchen should be done Today! YAY! and the flooring next wed. Looking good and so different. My Hubby would be Proud of Me!

Have a Great Day!

Morning everyone!!!  I need to get caught up again!  You have all been very chatty this morning lol love it!

looking for some suggestions...  I have been advised to send my  sailor back with snacks and things he could make into a “meal” for his ROM on base as there are MANY reports of the returning sailors being forgotten when it comes to having meals delivered. (And depending on where he is put, delivery may not be an option). Won’t even get into my thoughts and feelings on that whole issue...  not in the mood to get worked up and angry yet this morning. Anyway, anyone have any ideas or thoughts of what I should stock up on?  Must be ok for the flight and pass through security at the airport. He has one connecting flight. Any thoughts and ideas greatly appreciated!! 

Good Morning Shanny, when My Son was here I put a lot of can foods and cup of noodles in his Gear Bag and snacks......But he actually picked and choose what he wanted to take back. Now on Base they should give him a tour (suppose to) so he will know where the Galley is to eat. and they also have Restaurants on base he may need to google to see what is on Base. They cannot just have him go to base and not know where anything is. I just cant imagine what is going on there at the bases sounds ridiculous. My Son has never had an issue, seems someone is losing their touch on base and not getting it together very disturbing.

Shanny - Go back and find BelovedbyHim's post she had for you. Remember to tell your sailor to get his sponsor's # and have him ask his sponsor how to contact his chief. Don't forget you have connections now, so we can help out as well. Enjoy your day with your sailor!!

Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise You with all my heart, for Your indwelling Spirit of Peace. This hurting world has lost its way in its vain pursuit of a pseudo-peace, that can never satisfy. O how I long for the world to realize, it is only Your perfect peace that can satisfy. May I shed Your peace in my life, to all I come into contact with. May the peace of God, which passes all human understanding, guard and govern our hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus our Lord and for His greater glory. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Good morning ladies!  Whew, I was so amped after hearing my son's voice it was hard to sleep last night after going over everything he said (or didn't).  He did tell me he was the Medical Yeoman for his div.

BelovedbyHim: Yes, I almost forgot to ask him but did get ship/div from him and it's a good thing because he was worried we wouldn't be able to mail him since he didn't write fast enough and his form letter didn't go out with the rest.  We might not get at all.  I told him not to worry that I knew how to get address as long as I had ship/div.  Hopefully he felt better.  

Chipmunk, LadyBluefire, Shanny & Vintage gal: Thank you for the comment delete heads up and support! :)

Chipmunk: Thanks for the extra information, insights, and general awesomeness! 

LadyBluefire: Recipe looks delish!

Doribry: Looks like our sons left the same time and are PIR 1/28 together! :)

PartyofSeven: Yes, I was able to get information that I needed.  Thanks for asking! :)

VintageGal: Thank you for the screen shot!  Finally got it to delete! LOL! :)

Shanny: Hang in there lady!  I can't imagine but I would be giving him the dried cup of noodles, granola bars, oatmeal cups, jerky and trail mix for starters.  

Phoenixmom: Grateful for the morning prayer!

Have a blessed day ladies!

Here are some sites for the ones who are beginning

First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition

Informed Delivery®