Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Quick question!  We are looking at Foxriver Stryker for socks.  About how many pair of coyote brown and how many pair of black?  Also, someone mentioned coyote brown t-shirts, but we don't see those at Foxriver.  Where do you get those?  And about how many?  I bought him three white t-shirts.  Is there anything else they need at A school?  I know it all was mentioned already, but I'm trying to look back and find it.  If he ever gets to A school, maybe we can get these sent for Christmas and his birthday.  I also biught him a really soft blanket.  That was mentioned a long time ago.  

SHORTCAKE!!!! Bravo Zulu!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!! Awesome!!!!! Make Way for the Mom of a Brand New Sailor!!!!! Congratulations!!!!

Shanny-- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! But seriously, tell him to be safe!!

Shortcake!  Woohoo!  You've got a sailor!  

Shortcake: BZ, BZ YOU HAVE A SAILOR!  So excited for you all! Hooyah!

Shanny: LOL on the storm chaser!

VintageGal:  My parents have been married 56 years and 28 of those were in the Navy. My mom is a straight up SAINT! Back then, there were only hand written letters when he was gone (he went to Vietnam twice, both for over a year). Once I remember him sending me a tape cassette of night time stories.  I didn't know him when he returned until he spoke.  I was little. Anyway, he was mostly gone until I was 16 and he had shore duty.  Thankfully, today we do have phone (long distance wasn't an option...too expensive), text, facetime and email.  But it's still hard on marriages. 

In my dad's retirement he is a Blue and Gold Officer for the Naval Academy.  My mom and dad spend a lot of time with the cadet's speaking to them about marriage and the kind of man or woman they will need to have as a partner.  I strongly advise you to find a Navy couple that has weathered the storms of a Navy marriage.  Someone who won't sugar coat it and can really give them both insight.

One thing my husband and I did (we've been together 34 years) is write out long letters of all our expectations of marriage including: money, debt, children (how many), religion (how to practice), if I wanted to work outside the home or stay at home, how would we work together with home responsibilities, how to handle banking, investing, what we envisioned our life to look like (vacations etc), how we would handle problems or communications with our parents...etc.  I tell you it was the best thing we did for our marriage.  Today, when we look at our letters we have stuck to everything and kept our sanity (for the most part. lol).  Ask the hard questions now, especially for a Navy couple.  If you are the wife left behind, you must be able to function on your own. And be OK being by yourself a lot in the marriage.  Talking is key and laughter is helpful.  Sorry, got long winded there!

Below is the start of my Flag garden, I have a Navy flag that will go last (promised my son I wouldn't put it out until I got the "I am a sailor" call. 

We are looking on Amazon now for Coyote brown t-shirts.  What is the best company to buy from?  And what is the best price?  Are we going to be paying over $10 for one t-shirt?  And we don't know how many of everything to buy of the different color socks and t-shirts.  

My blue twinkle lights with my USCG and USN flags in the background...

Full disclosure on the lights...my daughter thinks it looks like the Harry Potter goblet of fire.  LOL! My sons would both be cool with that!  Nerds are great!

Shortcake, sorry I am late. Congratulations to you and your son, I am so very happy for you. Bravo Zulu! 

 It's been a rough day, got a message on my phone at 10:00 that our school is going back to virtual, really wanted to make it until Christmas break. Then my superwoman mode kicked in and I got every student a lunch and breakfast bag put together and delivered to their rooms before they left today. We have to get our delivery schedule back in effect but didn't want any of them to miss a meal. I am totally beat emotionally and physically. I sure will miss them and all our Christmas plans got cancelled too. Real bummer. Talk about staying flexible, this year has taught us alot. 

warriorprotector: I absolutely LOVE it!  The blue is so bright!!!  

I keep getting so behind, then I marathon read and get caught up on here.  I snapped a picture of someone giving me the information on the Facebook groups.  But I  left off the name of the person thatn posted it.  So sorry!  But thank you for the information.  I'm on a different one and am about to get off of that group.  

Shanny: to update you, my sailor is still at THU.   He did a status check Friday and was told all his paperwork is in order and he is just waiting to leave.  So . . . He's still waiting.  I'm trying to accept the fact that he won't be home for a Christmas.  But now I'm worried that he won't leave this week and will be stuck at Great Lakes while A school is shut down and while all those sailors are in quarantine.  So that means he could be there through January 9.  I was hoping he'd get down there so i could send him something for Christmas and his birthday.  I'm trying to get things ready to send as soon as he gets there and has an address.  But it may be way after Christmas and his birthday.  But that's why I have all these questions about where to find things and how many.  

Shortcake: I couldn't believe how to the point and calm your announcement seemed about your new sailor!  Lol  But i know you're ecstatic!  Congratulations, again!  It's such a great feeling to know they made it! 

C’sMom:. My son will spend Christmas in ROM. All alone. And he gets out on his birthday. So I can’t send anything for either one. I hope that a miracle happens and your son gets out this week!  They have messed around with him for way too long!  

the one gift he asked for was a customized Yeti cup with his rate’s symbol on it and his last name on the other side. So I am thinking of doing that. No idea on the cost though. I had some Christmas lights up inside and decorations but I am going to take them down this weekend. At least the inside looked normal for him when he was here

Good night Ladies...have a peaceful evening!

warriorprotector-- thank you for your insight too!! WOW 28 Years!! That is Awesome!! I was only a Navy wife for the first 8 years of our marriage (Only 32 for us.) But Yes, Finding a long term Military couple (Navy would be best) is helpful!! I second all of what you said!

C'sMom - I see you are trying to buy clothes for your son at A school. The only thing I have bought for my son was extra black socks and maybe some white T-shirts. All of his uniform stuff including his T-shirts he should receive. I know your son is going reserves, so it might be different, but it really should be better for him to be able to buy those items at the uniform shop at his Base. Both the Coyote Brown and the Navy Blue T-shirts are a hard color to match so my son told me not to bother. I don't even know if he has need for any of the brown t-shirts, my husband was Army and that is about the color he had I think, but he bought his at the Base or through ROTC. 

Honestly, I would save your money and wait until he gets to A school and find out what he needs. Be sure to check in your group of friends at A school. 

FYI - And I am sorry I wasn't able to reply sooner to C'sMom - Something we tell our Nuke Moms a lot - Wait until your sailor gets to A school and lets you know what they want before you start sending things to them. Yes, there is a list posted on one of our Nuke groups or discussions of things they need at A school, but that was created by a couple of moms who thought that was what their sailor needed. Not everyone is going to want or need the same things. My son didn't want most of what was mentioned or had access to it.

I know that most A schools are shorter and that is another reason to wait until you find out from your sailor what they need, because they have to pack up all of their uniform stuff they got in BC and then anything extra. Their sea bag was already stuffed and they have a garment bag, as well as their manila folder with orders in hand or may be in their backpack that they are not allowed to wear on their dress uniform, so they wear their sea bag. 

Not being able to go to the airport to see them off in their uniform and with all of their gear, is sad. It leaves you with no visual as to what they are traveling with. 

My suggestion - wrap a small box and mail it with a note inside and tell them you are willing to help them buy extras that they need and ask for what it is and how much it will cost for them to buy it and then you deposit money into their bank account for them. Even if you are not on their account, if you know their account # you can go deposit money in. They might not give you a deposit slip or they might black out the total balance amount (mine does that) but you can still deposit money. 

Good morning everyone.  I wasn't on much yesterday so I had to get caught up this morning.  We received the form letter yesterday!!  I am very excited and already sent off 3 letters I previously wrote to him!  However, didn't realize it was really going to be a "formed" letter.  LOL  I was thinking he would have wrote it himself.  I don't know if it is my son or just the process, but he didn't have a personal letter sent with it.  My son isn't one to tell us much.  In fact, since he was in Kindergarten, his friend's mothers would have to update me on things or if anything happened.  He always has kept everything inside himself.  So it is very possible that we may not get letters or very few.  But that isn't stopping me from sending him letters with love and support!  :)  

Shortcake - Congratulations to you and your Sailor!!!  That must make your day!!  Nice you got some time on the phone with him.:)

Shanny - Your Sailor sure is getting experience in all types of storms.  ;)

Warriorprotector - I love that your mom and dad shares their marriage with cadets!  What a strong couple.  And I love your flag garden.  Can't wait to see the Navy flag flying there soon.

Northwoodsmom - sorry to hear it is back to virtual.  The time and energy you put into "your" kids is amazing!  Thanks for being a teacher.  :)

C'sMom - I can't find that chat either on what they need and where to get it.  I can't even remember who told us all the information.  I am sending it for Christmas after he arrives in A school...at some point.  

Have a wonderful day everyone.

proud and grateful:. My understanding is that the form letter is just that. A typed letter everyone uses with fill in the blank spots. Someone told me they are allowed to add any notes to it. But it also means they can start sending you personal mail and you can start sending letters as well!  I never received it. My son and I have a joke that I will probably finally receive it when he leaves the Navy!

Chipmunk:  I have a picture of my sailor walking into the airport with his stuff I will have to post but he had the same things he as far as bags that he did when he went to A School from BC. He had a full sea bag, two back packs and a garment bag. He looked like he was going to fall over!  

NorthwoodsMom:. I am so sorry about the virtual school stuff. Seems like this close to winter break they would just start early. But I know at least here, this is exams week. I am sorry you are left scrambling. I just got an email from the school reminding me to pick up breakfasts and lunches for my kids before school lets out. (I don’t have kids in school I still randomly get email notices from the school). I can’t imagine what it takes to coordinate all of that. 

well, the winter storm has shifted a little and we are now expected to get snow-not much and I am beyond happy it won’t kick on the lake effect snow. I am off for appointments and grocery shopping. And then hibernating as the pup and I watch it snow

have a great day everyone!!!  I’ll probably harass you all while I sit in waiting rooms!

I still can’t look at this picture without an allergy attack..  but here he is walking into the airport. He wouldn’t let me help. But that is A LOT to carry

Proud and grateful - Yes, it is a "Form Letter"  but that is not very clear to help our new members understand. It is just a pre-printed letter with information for the parents - I don't know if it has been updated to explain the video feed for PIR or not. There is a place for your SR to write in his mailing address and that is it. No other personal mail is placed in that envelope and they aren't even to write anything else on the form letter or inside flap of the envelope but someone might. 

For me, I received the form letter and then I think it was still a week before I had a personal letter from my SR if even that soon. 

Shanny - Thanks for posting the picture!! I was going to need to dig for one of mine on my old computer!! And my sailor was in his dress whites when he traveled to A school, so they were also trying to keep their uniforms clean!!

Good Morning Shanny - Posting simultaneously here. I am glad you got that picture though because it is a good visual!! One of the new sailors that flew with my son was short like his sister, not quite 5'. Her sea bag was almost as long as she was tall!!

If it helps with the visual..  my son is 5’9. And last I knew 145 ish lbs. he said he was down to wrestling weight and he wrestled at 145. 

WarriorProtector - I love your lights and flag garden. Thanks for sharing about your parents and their ministry. We have a couple on this site - John and Yvonne - they reach out to moms who they know have sailors that will be in their area. He is a retired chaplain and they minister to the young sailors in their area as well. 

Northwoodsmom - Love and Hugs!  Changing plans midstream is always hard - especially for me and without notice! Yuk. But I will say that I think our schools did a two week virtual prior to Thanksgiving, I assume so that the kids and teachers could be somewhat "quarantined" before holiday time. Even if it is last minute, that might be the logic behind your school district making the change. They may not have thought about it, and someone heard about another district doing that and so they told the higher ups and  - "light bulb goes on" - maybe they should do that too! - Hugs and prayers as you scramble with getting food ready for your kiddos.

Good Morning All Happy Hump day Wednesday!

I see we have a Sailor in the House! CONGRATULATIONS Shortcake! HOOYAH! So Exciting!

Shanny Love the Picture of the backside LOL! He will do Great things!

Well Oncologist report was good, Just need to set up another Mammogram and Ultra sound, will be seeing a New Oncologist due to my Ins. changing but heard good Reports on the New one! Today my Kitchen should be done, Thank You Jesus!

WarriorProtector Loved your Garden, I have a Navy Flag but hanging in my Son's room it's huge, bought it when we were at PIR. It has his Name, PIR date Div# and the ship/ USS Constitution on it. It was a surprise for him. He didn't get to see it until he came for Christmas during Stand down from A school. a Nice Treasure for them!

Hoping everyone is doing well today and staying warm!

Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for this precious picture in the upper room, when in humble submission to the Father's will, the Lord Jesus laid aside His garment and began to wash the feet of His bewildered disciples. Lord there are many times in my life that I do not understand the reason that You allow certain things to happen, but help me to simply trust You in all things and enable me to pray, Thy will not mine be done. Open my understanding to all that You are seeking to teach me and may I grow in grace as I submit to Your will for my life - in Jesus name I pray, AMEN

PhoenixMom:  i am so glad you had a good report!  Happy your new doctor has great reviews and recommendations!  Good, caring doctors are hard to find!!  (I say that as I am on the waiting room for a doctor o don’t like)

Good morning Ladies!  Have a fantastic day!  

Shanny, love the picture!  Makes a mom teary! 

C'smom: The only clothing item I buy my son in the USCG and now will continue with my 1st born in the Navy are the boot socks because they wear out so fast and they are expensive.  My Coastie son says it's very helpful.  All the other items he gets himself since he'll know the right color etc.  I also electronic send cash whenever the mom fairy feels like it!

Phoenixmom: Prayer blessings! Glad your check went well...Yea!  

Have a great day all!

I would like to say to each of you that I so appreciate having been here to Help and Learn from each of you the different side to as what can happen in the Navy (boot Camp). To have come to learn about each of you has been a Pleasure to me. This also goes for all the Wonderful Admins on here. I couldn't have made it through without many of You. And everyday I learn something New and the Wisdom you bring to the site is Marvelous. So Thank You!

I know how hard it could be starting out, As I was one of you in the beginning, so Lost and Missed My Boy! I felt like I was Mourning My Son, and this site helped me through each day. Taught me how to focus on other things,  as back then I couldn't eat or sleep even work. You couldn't say his name without me crying my eyes out. So the staying Busy was right on point for me. That's when I gutted his whole room and decided I was going to remodel his room. That's when Hubby came home and thought I had went Mad/Crazy LOL! but he went along with it to make me Happy and knew this would comfort me to stay busy. so I just want to say you are not the Only Momma who has felt the way you do. And I appreciate you All sharing your stories and helping all the New Mommas on the site. Because that is "what we do".

 "Wanting to Wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year"!

Keep your Head up High and continue Learning everything there is to Know about Your Loved Ones Journey!

With much Love and Respect to you All!

Chipmunk: Thanks for the very helpful advice.  I was starting to rethink that, anyway.  And your words confirmed it.  Thank you!  One more question.  I got him a USS Arizona boot camp challenge coin.  Should I send that as a gift for him to open, or should I keep it at home for him to get when he returns?  Whenever he classes up (which I feel could still be a longtime off since he hasn't even left Great Lakes yet), his A school is only 7 weeks.  

proud & grateful:  if your son wrote any letters during ROM, you should get them within the next couple days!  Be on the lookout!  You have informed delivery, correct?  I didn't know if my son would write, either, but he did write quite a few letters full of humor and insight into what he was doing.  

Shanny: thanks for sharing that picture!  It caused me to have an allergy attack of my own.  And it gives us all an idea of what they have to carry.  Also, thsnks for your sons description.  My son is 5'6" and maybe 130 lbs (don't really know his weight now)  So it will look like even more for him.  

Phoenixmom: so happy for your good oncology report!   And how exciting to have your kitchen almost done!  

I have been doing pretty well lately, but the wierdest things put men over the edge and I start crying uncontrollably more than the situation warrants. And I have a hard time stopping.  Like I'm literally sobbing  I think my husband and daughter might be thinking I'm losing it.  Yesterday, my son's longtime, since 4 years old, female friend posted a picture of them from their senior year after the band concert where they were being silly together then hugging.  And she told him on then post that she misses him.  It hit me right out of the blue, and I started sobbing!  And I should be fine, because unlike alln of you, I will be seeing him again when he comes home from A school, at least until he gets a job and moves somewhere else in the state.  But then I'll be facing the reality that he is a police officer.  I guess I need to face reality that mynuoungest is a man now!  But how can that be?  He will only be 23 at the end of this month!  23 sounds so much older than I actually see him as being!  Crazy!  

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

It has been a busy morning and a very cold one at that!! I love it thou!!!

Phoenixmom- Good Morning and thank you for posting the verse. Whoo Hoo Yay for a good report. I also have to have my monogram done here soon. Glad to hear the kitchen is almost done.

Can't wait to see all the pictures.

I appreciate you so much and have learned so much from you as well. Thank you for being there and for your knowledge and helping this ole gal out. Big hugs!!!  :)

Shanny- Love the picture.

proud and grateful- Whoo hoo for the form letter and yes it is exactly that.  :) Yay and I'm glad you already sent out letters. That is awesome!!! No personal letters are allowed with the form letter. Sometimes some one will write a quick note on there but it doesn't happen often.

So glad you got it!!! Now the communication begins!!!

warriorprotector- Good Morning- I will try to catch you later to answer back.  :)

I love the garden and the lights. I have Navy flags in my yard as well.   :) You have a great day as well!!

C'sMoM- Mine usually will ask and then tell me what he needs and or when I've been there to visit him we've gone shopping and I've helped him buy his uniforms and the clothing that goes with it. 

warrierprotector:  what is USCG and where do you buy the boot socks from and do you get white and black?  

Trying to get caught up and then I have to prepare in case sailor #1 and her soon to be fiance come for Christmas (but for 3 days as splitting time between his parents in TX and me)
If I miss anything I apologize. Hubby is off the rest of the week so not sure when/if I will be on the group. I could not click on any photos from my e mail so I am in the dark so to speak.


FB - maybe FB is trying to crack down on “fake” accounts?

As for RTC groups - there is the main “official” one run by Natalie, and then I am not sure how official the one Carolyn Mor runs  - but I found her to be a warmer/gentler/kinder admin..They both keep OPSEC. Carolyn breathed a sigh of relief when I joined the PIR for #4 so I could field questions, lol.

I have a different perspective on “buying what they need” - maybe because I have 4 who joined this year - the Navy provides what they “need” and they have way more disposable income than I do. The perks of my kids being adults now is they can “fend” for themselves with the tools they were taught growing up...I know they have a roof, food and clothing...everything else is icing and they can afford it. Not to say it is not fun to surprise them once in a while - but I see so many on FB even trying to buy all their sailors need and worrying their child is doing without.


Shanny - sorry you are having a difficult time (and I know that is an understatement)  BNMH Yay glad the referral got him 5 days leave credit :) My goodness - I guess if anyone is having a drought they should send your son!

Warrior - how sweet of your daughter to try and cheer you up!

Csmom - goodness! Hand sanitizer? Good thing drunk is all he got and not dead! My daughter was on the Arizona at RTC :) Hey, your emotions are YOURS and whatever you feel like doing is right. My hubby teases me cause I cry when I am happy and I cry when I am sad. I cried like a damn baby when  I got the photos of my #3 sailor back from the professional photographer - seeing him in a photo with dress blues vs the NWUs choked me up. I had to hold them in when I picked them up but let them fly when I got  home. No matter how old they are we still see them as this little baby we just brought home from the hospital (or at least I do - it seemed like it was just yesterday!?) Sunrise….sunset….


Shoosh - hoping your daughter gets home this week!

Shortcake - holding my breath right alongside you! I am on 12/14 posts right now so I am sure there is a sailor call post coming! Thank you for the PM - so sweet of you to remember! - so I see from congrats and BZs and all that that you have a sailor but for some reason I did not get your post about it. So here is a big BRAVO ZULU for your sailor :) and to YOU - you made it through boot camp!

DallasNavyMom - you’re welcome - technology can be used for good, lol

Chipmunk - we used to decorate the day after my birthday so we actually had it up early this year, lol.

Party - yay for your son being home :) Soak him up! Gab is like Twitter but for conservatives - and no censorship.

Phoenix - just breathe and picture your beautiful kitchen all done! SO glad you have an advocate with you at  your appointments - it is always good to have another human there who can ask questions and process the info better than the patient...

Vintage - the not coming home for Christmas sailor is not an overly emotional kid - he says it sucks but it is what it is. Hopefully we see him after sub school. Your definition of this group - nailed it!  Commenting on your men/mars - there is another saying (may be a book) Men are waffles and women are spaghetti =  meaning men can compartmentalize emotions and we women have each situation’s emotions affect all situations..

Mom2blondes - their words may be harsh, but their tone and intent may not be. It is so hard to convey tone in ASCII.

Proud - yay on the form letter! Now get those letters flowing! Yep the form is just a fill in the blank. None of my kids snuck in a personal message - may have been too scared to “go off script”. One mom here sent her son a letter where he could fill in the blanks something like “Dear mom and dad, Boot camp is _______. “ and so on. Or you could send him questionnaires - anything you get from them is so special even if it is a short letter….just know if you do go the questionnaire route they have a limit of 3 pages per envelope...

C'sMom - I would keep the challenge coins at home!! I bought some at PIR and then showed my son in the motel, but they came home with us. 

Items like that can get lost or stolen at school or in the fleet. I need to see about getting a small shadow box and put my son's in it so I can hang it on the wall. 

I think I got all caught up. I am finishing up my coffee. Yesterday I wiped down all surfaces (walls included) in the upstairs spare room, and then vacuumed. I have done the same wipe down in the downstairs master suite and need to vacuum. I also wiped down the banisters/railing on my stairs - so dusty!

We then need to move one twin set bed upstairs to that just cleaned room. (we have 2 twin box/mattresses in our old king frame which is downstairs) We need to fold sailor #4s flag and put it in the display case. Also my grandfather's 48 star flag and his funeral flag. 

I need to get my oil changed - though after 5 years I have less than 8k miles, lol. But it has been a while.

Then I have to teach my son how to wrap and also need to wrap his gifts. 

The memory books I made for my 2 sailors (whose mom died when they were little) came and I need to wrap those. 

I need to clean off the front patio furniture - living where we do it all gets so filthy so quickly!

Want to make a "good" impression when sailor #1 brings her beau home with her.

LadyBluefire:  I think this was referral 4 or 5. He had credit for 3 going into BC!  I told him he better watch it or he will end up a recruiter!  

Shanny - those referrals are nice - my daughter did it to make E2 and she did anyway due to her DEP - I knew my #2 would not pass his written DEP test so tried to encourage her to let him have credit for their 2 younger brothers...

phoenixmom-I am so glad you got a good report and that you have heard great things about your new doctor.  

Shanny-I took a pic of my sons backside as he was walking towards the recruiter's office for the last time before he left.  He only had one backpack but I can see from your pic that he will be increasing his baggage by about 3.  I know you enjoyed your time with him at home.

proudandgrateful-Yay! you received your form letter.  I just saw my informed delivery email and it is showing an envelope with my sons writing.  My postal carrier may see me dancing down the driveway today.  I hope I dont frighten her with my moves. 

DoriBry- Yay that is awesome!!! Yay for letters coming. 

Good Morning LadyBlueFire - glad to hear all the new news in your house. 

DoriBry - I had a nice little laugh over your dancing to the mailbox!! If you know your mailman well then you might let her know to take extra special care of those letters because they are from your son in BC!!  

Chipmunk-I may just invite her over for dinner so we can discuss the importance of these letters.  And throw in dessert if she can promise crinkle free envelopes.  

PIR January 2021