Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Great news K!

VA1983 -- Glad to help.  There is a TON of information on this site so read as much as you can!  If you can't find an answer or it seems confusing please ask!  A lot of the information is from the "Before Times" and it may be altered due to COVID so when in doubt, ASK!  We are here to help as best as we can.  Some stuff we don't know for sure and other stuff may have changed but there is still a Lot that is always the same! 
If you can master Semper Gumby and No News is Good News... You'll be fine! (And let me in on your secret would you...8 years in and I'm still working on it!)

VA 1983- You are very welcome.

K- That is awesome!! Whoo Hoo Now you can mail out those letters and let the communication begin. So exciting.

Sandy- Big hugs to you as you wait. I wrote mine twice a day while I was waiting to hear from him. It helped me alot and made me feel like I was actually talking to him like when he was at home. Keep busy and start writing now.  :) 

Hi all, sharing my experience, my SR's  form letter received today for September graduation stated no guests allowed. Not knowing if it was an old form & hadn't been updated yet,  or if the rules had been changed (again), I messaged RTC on FB and they responded right away! They confirmed graduation is still OPEN for 2 guests. Just didn't want any other moms or loved ones to panic like I did! Lol

You all are awesome faith for us moms in this time in need.

K - that's awesome they responded so quickly about attendance at PIR. My heart would have certainly been in an uncomfortable place wondering, is it or isn't it?! So happy for you all that get to attend. Our state is already discussing mask mandates again for fall. It feels like we just reopened. I don't know how people are supposed to plan anything more than a week in advance these days.

Thank you AgnesB Yes, in this uncertainty we will book refundable airline tickets for sure! I got a hotel room that doesn't require prepayment either. Semper Gumby, I'm learning! 

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

If you have just joined please come and post on here and let us know where you are in this journey. We love to celebrate with you.

We are glad that you are here. Please keep those phones on you at all times and those ringers on loud. You just never know when a call will come thru.

K- thank you so much for the update. It is good to hear that's for sure. It is very important that's for sure Semper Gumby and No news is good news are words you will live by. :)

Have a great day ladies!!!

Pizanche & VA 1983 - You are both welcome!!! 

Links to July, August, September PIR groups:

 PIR JULY 2021

PIR AUGUST 2021

PIR SEPTEMBER 2021

Good Morning all, so when buying tickets and grabbing hotels we were told to wait until after we received the form letter, but then just know anything can happen they have to test for the PFA 3 times first is 5th day of getting there then on the fourth week and then 6th week. each time they need to pass. here is the site for more info See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training (FIT). 

The brochure that is included from MWRGL about hotels and other things is at RTC Friends and Family Brochure October 2017. The form letter includes your recruit's address, so now you can mail out all the letters you have been writing. There is more on this in Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

The form letter will also tell you the date of PIR, so you can start making plans for your trip. There are many hotels in the area and there is information in the grad pack and on this site about them. If you fly in, renting a car will make your life easier. Also, if you are flying, some airlines, such as Southwest, will allow you to change your flight without a charge if something happens, so you do not have to book refundable tickets.

The brochure that is included with The Form Letter from MWRGL about hotels and other things is at RTC Friends and Family Brochure July 2017 rev.pdf. It should have some suggestions with contact information. 

The Page, Saving Money PIR Weekend, has information on hotels, transportation to GL, and more. 

The Navy Gateway Inns & Suites is located on the main base, about 1.5 miles from RTC. Only those with military IDs can access the base to stay there.  http://dodlodging.net or 1-877-NavyBed (1-877-628-9233). 

The Navy Lodge is located 1.9 miles off base from RTC and guests of graduation are allowed to stay there.  https://reservations.staydod.com/hotelSearch.do?action=View&pro... or 847-689-1485. 

There are also hotels in Vernon Hills, Gurnee, and Waukegan.  the Hotel Indigo-Vernon Hills .  Here are other places that people have mentioned (listed in the order I found them and I added the links for your convenience; I do not recommend or endorse any particular one): Ramada Inn Waukegan (some like the place and others do NOT), Hampton Inn in Libertyville, Residence Inn Waukegan, Red Carpet Inn in North Chicago, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham at Wadsworth Waukegan,  La Quinta Inn & Suites in Gurnee... That should give you some places to try. 

 within PIR Reference Information may give you some ideas. Check http://www.tripadvisor.com/ to see what others have said about any hotel you are considering.  

Keep phones close and on High, those that will be having PIR this week will be calling with I'm a Sailor calls.

This site will explain what needs to be done to pass the final test.  Battle Stations-21 (BST)  you can also go to youtube type in BST- and will show a video of what takes place.

Thank you to everyone 

Trey - Welcome to BC Mom and Loved Ones group! 

Navy lodge is a Good One call the number below and ask questions is what I can recommend. I would call Sarge and ask him questions only he can tell you what he does and doesnt do.

to http://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html to RSVP). Sarge has a taxi service and he is a wealth of information. His cell number is 847-212-0246. His Meet and Greet and services have been getting great reviews. Find Sarge on N4M as OldSarge.

Sandy, 

Hey, Phoenixmom posted a really good link a few comments down. I stayed at the Navy Lodge and it was great. I also used there service. You will need to tell them you are wanting to go to the PIR. 
Let us know what you find out. :) 

Good Evening Everyone!! With all of the talk about PIR and making plans to visit GL, I reached out to RTC to find out if loved ones would be able to meet their sailors at the airport on not. - This was their reply, "Unfortunately, the recruits are still currently transporting by military means; no commercial air. Meaning: families cannot meet them at the airport."

I know there are several of you that might have sailors flying to their A school, I do not know how their liberty will look after PIR. I wanted to glean as much information as I could so that you would not get your hopes up from the way liberty happened prior to the lock down. Also - Masks are mandatory in every area of RTC and just keep in mind that at any time RTC can shut everything back down again. 

This is probably not the news you would like to hear but it is the most up to date that I have acquired. 

Great info - thanks for the update Chipmunk!

Hello Everyone and I hope everyone has had a great day,

I just wanted to let everyone know that No news is good news and to be prepared as you are making your plans to go to GL to see your loved one is to be flexible and don't make any firm plans.

Your loved one will be the best one to get your news from on what will be happening after PIR and how much liberty they may or may not have. 

Everything is still being planned and focus on seeing your loved ones at PIR. 

Pizanche- that is the best thing wait and see what your loved one tells you. 

I know it does, I feel for all of you but the blessing is you get to see your loved one at PIR and that will be awesome!!!

Sandy- Hey, They didn't close the airports down last time and I wouldn't think so. 

Linda- Hey and oh no!! I hope your sister gets all the info so she can tell you everything. Prays for that form letter to get to you. 

Pizanche - You were one of the moms I was thinking about when checking on the information. 

Sandy - like Partyofseven said, they did not close down the airports before. The Navy is doing what they can to keep the sailors as isolated as possible and that is why they are doing military transport. 

You all have been the absolute light of my day! I look forward to reading your daily posts. It keeps me focused.

Chipmunk - Thanks so much for that info. My SR is staying in Chicago for A School. I'm praying everyday that they don't shut everything down again. 

Linda When does your SR graduate? Mine is 8/20.

JenningsMom  - I agree, it keeps me focused too. Such a blessing!

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

We are glad that you are here. Remember no question is ever dumb and someone will answer you.

Please keep your phones on you at all times and your ringer on loud so you don't miss any calls. You just never know.

Jules- Good Morining and yay for him staying in GL for A school. Like I said you ladies will be our go to when you guys go to GL for PIR.

I am praying as well that we continue to move forward the best we can.

JenningsMom- Good Morning and welcome to our group. It is good to see you post on here.  You are very welcome. When did your loved one leave? 

Hi all - Happy Wednesday - one day closer to PIR!

Here are the links to July, August, September PIR groups:

 PIR JULY 2021

PIR AUGUST 2021

PIR SEPTEMBER 2021

 Pizanche  great news!

Part of seven— my son left June 23rd and had to quarantine. I’m waiting on a letter and graduation information now. I really wanted to write him on sandboxx but I don’t have his ship or division number yet. He is our oldest son so this is a struggle for me.. but I’m hanging in there and all of you have been a blessing of support for me. 

Mamabear, please do stay on, your experiences are so highly valued. All you seasoned Moms are our lifelines. I know you probably have a busy life but you are going to have a whole new story about leaving the Navy that none of us know anything about. Thank you for the service you provide to us. God Bless.

JenningsMom - Once you get the form letter with the Ship & Div # then you can send both postal letters and Sandboxx letters!!

Linda - glad to hear you finally received a personal letter!!  

Pizanche - WooHoo on a phone call!! 

Jules - You are welcome! I hope that they are able to keep PIR open as well! 

Pizanche -- Yea For phone calls!!! Especially that you got to visit too!!

Jules -- You’ll have more time than those who’s sailors are going elsewhere for A school. As you make your plans, look at leaving LATE Sunday or Even on Monday if you can swing it!

Mamabear-- You do NOT have to leave. Enjoy having your sailors Home!! So glad that we were able to help.

JenningsMom -- He should have completed ROM on July 7, Completed P days on the 15^th and the form letter should have gone out that day. You should be getting it any day now. You may also get a personal letter soon.  He may call next week so keep your phone handy and answer ALL calls, just in case!

Ladies, This is a Regular Announcement: Please put this information in your Phones:
I have a contact labeled {sailor ICE} with this phone number and text number as the phone number under the contacts, then I have the needed contact info in the notes section. The info in Italics below. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it or have to remember where or what you need! In the event of an emergency I can just pull up the info on my phone and hand it off if I’m not able to think clearly!!

If an emergency (such as a serious illness, death or birth) of an immediate family member takes place then military families can initiate a request for Red Cross emergency assistance. The message will be verified and then delivered. If the emergency requires leave for a service member, the Red Cross will verify the emergency to the service member’s commanding officer. Eligibility for emergency leave will ultimately be determined by them. Throughout the process, the family member will be able to track the progress of the message from anywhere in the world online, by phone, through our mobile app or in person.

To best prepare for an emergency, please have this information ready when reporting an emergency message:

· The service members name, rank, social security number and unit address {SR Davy Jones, 123-45-6789, Great Lakes Naval Training Center Ship 99, Div 1904.} {In Fleet This would be their Ship Name and number}

· The name of the person with the emergency and the nature of the situation {King Neptune, Hospitalized in critical condition}

· The name and contact information for the medical authority to contact regarding the status of the emergency {Doctor Jack Sparrow, Barbados General Hospital, 555-123-4567}

To access these services through the Hero Care Network, create an account and send the message here or send through the Hero Care app by texting “GETHEROCARE” to 90999 or call a Hero Care specialist at 1-877-272-7337.

This is a reason to have the discussion before your sailor leaves or ask in an early call or letter (Reassure them that all is well at home but you have learned you should have asked sooner.) No one likes to talk about the possibility of death but it happens and it’s easier if you have a plan for how to handle these situations. When you can, ask if they want to know about anyone not parent or sibling while in boot camp (They likely will not be allowed to leave anyway), ask if they want to come home if it’s a parent or sibling ( It will be short 2-4 days at most then 2 week Quarantine and a delay in BC training-- Fleet still short followed by quarantine.)

Linda— wow that is terrible but I feel your pain… 

Belovedbyhim— thank you!! I can’t wait!!

chipmunk-thank you

 MamaBear- Hey and it is so good to hear from you. That is excellent news!! I am so glad and happy with you that they are coming home. Give them extra hugs from me when they get there. Tell them Thank you for their service. Prayers for safe travels for them as they are traveling home.

Don't leave not yet.   :) How are you?  you are very welcome and I am glad I was able to help.

JenningsMom- Hey and I totally understand. You have passed the one month mark in bc and that is good. I hope you hear soon and that letter comes even sooner.  :) Then you can mail those letters off right away.

Another day closer to some of our moms for their PIR.

Keep those phones on you at all times and those ringers on loud. Prayers for calls and letters to come thru today. Remember no question is ever dumb and someone will answer you. 

JenningsMom - My SR left the same day but he did not have to quarantine. I got the form letter, with his address, 8 days after he left. Stay strong. 

 Pizanche - Congrats on getting a phone call! 

belovedbyHim - I do not leave Chicago until 4pm on Sunday. It's the latest flight I could get that wasn't $400+ one-way. 

Praying for all of our SR's everyday, that they stay safe and healthy and that we Mom's get to see/talk/get letters as soon as they are able. All forms of communication help on both ends., I believe. 

Mamabear - Congratulations to you and your family. Thank you all for your service. 

Mamabear - wow! Time flies, right?!?  Thank your sailors for their service and if you do choose to leave, please don't delete your profile as all your posts will be deleted.  Keep us posted on what their next adventure is!