Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Trey - Good to hear from you. It is frustrating not having a form letter and being able to send letters to your SRs. 

For those who still have loved ones in DEP and waiting to leave for BC, be sure to read this post with your loved one - Is your recruit leaving for Boot Camp during COVID? - Navy For Moms... - I know it seems like we are past COVID but this message is still valid. We don't know why some SRs are staying longer in ROM if they are vaccinated than others, so let your loved one know that they could end up going to ROM for two weeks and then it will be another 2 weeks or so before you will received their address to be able to mail them a letter. 

We recommend that you put a short encouraging note inside your SRs wallet or Bible that they may read when they are really struggling and wanting a letter from home. 

Welcome to the group: NavyOmah & Dole2u - We are glad to have you aboard!! 

My son is in division 385 so I’m assuming graduation is September 3 as on now?

Good Morning Everyone!! 

Be sure to keep your phones close by!

We welcome Trisha to BC Mom and Loved Ones Group. 

JenningsMom - Yes your son's division is scheduled for PIR on Sept 3rd. 

Everyone - bookmark this website - Recruit Training Command Home Page (navy.mil)  - This is the Navy BC website and it was my go to the entire time mine was at GL. I did not find N4M until I was searching for more details on PIR. 

The thing about phones and A school...it's "almost" anytime you want.  They are not allowed to use their phones while walking in uniform, they cannot take their phones into the schoolhouse, and they all have roommates, so will need to be mindful of them.  Duty days are every four days in most cases, and they cannot have their phone when on watch.  

If they are on hold on the RTC side, they are not allowed their phones.  

Good Morning and welcome to all of our new members,

Let us welcome Dole2U, Trisha, NavyOmah and Trey. 

We are glad that you are here. Let me post some links for you to read over. 

First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition

***INFORMED DELIVERY UPDATE***

For those of you who have USPS Informed Delivery,  I received an email today that they are discontinuing the App as of 6/12/2021 and you have to download the USPS Informed Delivery Mobile App to your phone.  I just did it and the process is pretty simple.

This site will explain the PFA's that need to be passed and when the form letter will be sent.

See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training (FIT). 

If you have a  August PIR be sure to join the PIR group.  Here are the links:

PIR AUGUST 2021

Please keep your phones on you at all times and those ringers on loud. You just never know when a call will come thru.

Prayers for calls and letters to be coming. 

JenningsMom- Hey and yes and that would be correct. When that PIR group is ready they will post it and let us know. 

Everyone have a great day!!!

JenningsMom- Whoo hoo on getting the form letter. That is so awesome!! I know I was so happy yelling and crying at the same time. Lol

Now you can mail those letters off and the communication begins.   :)

Good Morning all, ope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'm so happy that you all have received letters and Calls that is Awesome! it makes the time go by quicker now that most of you have gotten word from your loved one! YES!

I think what is confusing is that those who stay at RTC waiting to transport to another state are subject to a different liberty policy that those who "cross the street" and report to TSC for training/A school in Great Lakes.  Two different commands, so their liberty policies differ.  

Just got our first call this afternoon. He is behind where we thought he would be because he had to wait until enough buses arrived to fill up the division. So keep that stuff in mind when wondering about hearing from our recruits.

Hi all! Welcome new comers! So happy to hear about your phone calls and letters coming in and congrats to the new sailors this week. I'm sorry to hear about those who have had to change plans to see your sailors. So frustrating that things keep on changing. 

Pizanche-Can you elaborate on your question about jobs? Do you mean during boot camp or after? 

Got a call from our boy! Overall sounded tired but good. Said the food isn't too bad, confirmed the 2 names for PIR but said his division is struggling with getting demerits. Not sure what that means, but will be praying they are able to get into a cadence soon!

Congrats to all who received calls and letters. My SR graduates 8/20 and I have gotten 6 long letters so far, to which I am SO THANKFUL. He is my 1 and only, so he was well aware before he left how much I would need letters. 2 calls from him so far. He will be staying in Chicago for A school so I'm praying every day that graduation remains open to guests and that I will get to spend some time with him after graduation. Even if it's just a short time...I feel like I need to "put eyes on him"...and HUG him. {{{{BNMH}}}}

Pizanche - For your SR specifically, they usually find out what their rate will be around week 6 of BC. 

Mom2Blondies - thanks for asking, I noticed your reply before I saw her questions. 

Yeah!! For letters. Jules, I hope you get to spend time with your son. 

Sandy, - If you missed my comment the other day, all I know about new sailors flying out to other states, is that they are still going by military transport and you may NOT meet them at the airport. As far as liberty time after PIR I am going to assume that they will at least be able to go to your motel room before needing to return to RTC, but I do not know for certain. 

Trey - Thanks for sharing, yes sometimes there are delays in a SR getting attached to a division. It was something we would mention a lot more often prior to the addition of ROM, but we forget about it sometimes now. 

Anifinn - Welcome to BC Mom and Loved ones group, we are glad you have joined us!

Hello,

Pizanche - is your SR will be a Nuke? They will have some testings and qualifications to see their strong point then they’ll decide on where his rate is. My son did not get EM the rate he wants, he got ET. Chipmunk and Northwoodsmom sons are also ET.

Sandy - Your son left the same day as my niece 7/20 and niece confirmed that the PIR is Sept 17th, you’ll receive hopefully your form letter next week niece said it’s already mailed out (at least for her previous division)  also she will be in Pensacola for A school 

Okay - how’d my niece said about graduation and knew about the form letter?! She called my sister yesterday, won’t stop crying as she got sick after the shot! And will be delayed for a week. Said she was just waiting on for her to be transferred to her new ship and division. Looks like her PIR will be Sept 24th

Happy for the moms that got letters and phone calls today. Moms that are still waiting- hang in there! You don’t want any phone calls during the weekdays.  Hugs to all! Congratulations to our new Sailors! 

K⚓️ Demerits in BC could be for anything, and they are common. It could be anything from an out of place thread on a uniform (gear adrift), rack not to standard, clothes not folded correctly, shoes not polished to standard, etc. Nothing to worry about to begin with, for some it takes time. There are even some recruits that the RDC thinks has way more potential than being shown, so they may get "picked" on to be pushed further.

My son (in 2012) kept getting "hits" (demerits) for not shaving in the morning. One of his RDC's finally asked him why he didn't shave in the morning, and he responded, "I did petty officer. I am just hairy." The RDC laughed, and responded. "Note taken recruit."

A few days later, and a couple more hits, he got "caught" by the same RDC, when he was shaving on his afternoon break (not an issue). The RDC asked him why he was shaving in the afternoon, and not in the morning. My son replied, "I did shave this morning, but I'm still hairy Petty Officer. I am tired of getting hits for something I can't control." The RDC laughed again, and said "So noted Wolfman." The hits stopped, but the nickname remained through BC. LOL

Hits to begin with happen to everyone. It all works out.

ellen0502- Thanks for replying to K⚓️'s question about demerits. I wanted to double check and make sure it was the same as "hits" before replying, but I also did not have a great story to tell either. I enjoyed hearing about your son's resolve to fix his demerit issue.

Good morning! Ellen0502 and Chipmunk, thank you for explaining. That story made me chuckle. My son said his "hit" was due to his underwear not being folded exactly right, so the RDC threw all five pairs across the room, my son wanted to laugh at flying underwear but couldn't.

I hope everyone has a great day! 

K⚓️ - The fact that he wanted to laugh, even though he could not, is probably a good sign that at least he is able to take all of the "hits" in stride and understands it is just a part of the process. 

Hi. I’m new to the group but love it already.   Being a grandmother instead of a mom made me a little hesitant to join initially.  After reading some of your posts, though, I feel eager and privileged to be a part of such a supportive family.

Due to circumstances beyond my control I only learned of my grandson’s PIR date this past week and hope to send my first letter tomorrow.  I’ve tried to read all the posts and links regarding mail, phone calls, appropriate language, etc.  Wow! It’s almost overwhelming.  His PIR date is listed as 27 August and I hope he receives my letters in a timely fashion.

I do have a question:  may we send cash/checks to our SR?  I saw where they have to pay for PIR professional photos personally and have them mailed directly to us. Not knowing his financial situation, I want to make sure he is able to order and pay for the photo package.  All input is welcome.

Even though I don’t know any of you personally,  I want you to know that I cry with you when you express your despair over being separated from your loved one, or your agony as you wait - and wait - for the first phone call, the first letter. Then, as the first call comes or first letter arrives, I tearfully rejoice with you.

Thank you already for your support as I walk somewhat blindly into the frightening, confusing, exhilarating world of being a Navy grandmother

I am so happy for everyone that got calls and letters the past few days. I am still anxiously waiting. When you get phone calls from your SR do you find they usually come on weekends? I will keep my phone charged and ringer up at all times but I was wondering if there is a more common time they they are allowed to call. My kiddo left 7/21 and was vaccinated before hand but it sounds like there are lots of things that could delay that first letter/ form letter so I am trying to stay patient and live vicariously through you mommas that have received something. I keep repeating no news is good news in it's own way. Thank you all for being there and always lifting us newbies up. This morning has been rough but I love having a place to come when I am feeling that way. 

Good Morning Ladies - 

NavyOmah - DO NOT send cash/ checks or gift cards. There is no guarantee that your letter will reach your SR.  And if you send a check they may not have an opportunity to deposit it to their checking account. 

Posting more as I wanted to make sure that was sent. 

With regards to pictures, your SRs should have an opportunity to purchase a package of pictures, (the link on the bottom of the Pages list which is in your upper right corner of the screen) has information on the basics and there use to be a link for a reorder form. Your SR will have a chance to order pictures and then also have an order form where additional pictures can be ordered. 

They also receive a gift card for the NEX to purchase immediate supplies that they need before their pay checks go into their bank accounts. I would wait on offering any money for things until after BC and then if you still want to help with something, check with your sailor and see if you can set up a deposit directly into their bank account. Unfortunately, their mail goes through a lot of different hands both at BC and at their schools and in the fleet. We want to believe the best but the fact is items do get stolen. 

Belly's mom 25 - Keep your chin up - write those letters and know that as tough as you are having it, all of this is new and a lot for your recruit to be adapting to so send your prayers and love daily. Have you started a project or are you doing anything special to pass your time? 

I have to scoot but BNMHs (Big Navy Mom Hugs) and keep sharing. This is the best location for someone to see your post throughout the day!

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to our group. We are glad that you are here.

K- Whoo Hoo for phone calls. Mine's division struggle to when he was in. Hits and or demerits are when they are not doing something correctly. I'm glad your son had a great sense of humor about it and didn't laugh.

You have a great day as well!!!

ellen0502- Hey and it was good to see you post on here. Thanks for sharing. Mine has some stories when some of his mates weren't following directions either.   :)

Jules- yay for letters. I am so glad you have been getting letters. That is awesome!!! It really is a blessing and when you are missing each other you can read them over and over. :)

NavyOmah- Good Morning and I am sorry I am late in replying back to you. No mam you don't need to send any cash or checks. they might not be able to deposit a check while there.

It is good to see you on here and welcome to the roller coaster ride of emotions. It is awesome being a grand mother. I love it!!

Let us know if you have any other questions.

belly's mom 25- Good Morning and I know how you feel, we all do those first few weeks are tough until you get that first letter and the communication begins. It is hard to say exactly when the calls will come in.

I always say keep your phones on you at all times and those ringers on loud. 

Have a wonderful day!!!

I agree with Chipmunk, please do not send money to BC. Letters get lost all the time and may never be found. Your SR is being paid while there. It is going directly into either a Navy Federal Credit Union account they open while there or into their bank account at home if they took that information with them. Your SR will have enough money from his pay to purchase pictures.

My SR called yesterday morning. A short scripted call about the required vaccination of PIR guests. It was great to hear his voice, he sounds so MANLY now. The only other thing he said, off script, was "I love you Mom."  

We received letters from our son. He got his wisdom teeth removed and asked for us to ship food. I didn’t think that was allowed. Also, his grandfather passed away yesterday and not sure if we should write to him or just wait until he is finished with boot camp Sept 10th. We don’t plan on having a service possibly just a memorial in Phoenix. He will be cremated and we can wait for our son whenever that may be. This is very hard time to have no contact. We are just not sure what to do. 

TNNavyMom, you are correct, do not send food, it would just be thrown away and everyone would get in trouble.  

I am so sorry for your loss.  It is a hard decision when a loved one passes.  Your SR would not get any time off, although they probably would have him talk to a chaplain.  You know him best, waiting is an acceptable option.  He probably won't get a chance to come home until the holidays, and even that is not assured. When you do tell him, you can make a decision about the memorial then.

TNNavyMom. I am sorry to hear about your recruits Grandfather passing. It is never an easy decision as to whether to let your recruit know when something like this has happened. It really depends on how close the two of them were. I do however, recommend that if the news is something that will upset your recruit, in any way, you either wait until your recruit is done with BC, or you contact the Red Cross to let him know instead of telling him in a letter. 

The Red Cross would be the ones to contact the RTC, and the RTC would call your son aside to give him the news, and offer any support he may need.

Thank you Chipmunk, Shanny, and party of seven for your kind welcome and words of wisdom regarding sending money. 
There is so much to learn and you are all great teachers.  Many blessings! 

K⚓️ Folding clothes properly is an issue. Happy to hear your recruit took it in stride with no laughing. Another story for you.

One of the recruits in my sons division complained in a letter to his grandma about having to wear tighty-whities. She immediately ran out and bought him boxers and sent them to him. When he received them, of course he was questioned about it.

The RDC took a pair of the boxers hung them on the post of the recruits rack, went and removed all the other recruits underwear out of their rack, tossing them on the floor. The recruits just stood there in wonder.

The RDC explained what happened, and then told them "No contraband allowed." The recruit that received the underwear had to stand by his rack next to the hanging boxers while everyone else had to refold and put away their tighty-whities. 

My son sent me a letter telling me the story, knowing that I wouldn't do that, and added a P.S. to his letter. "DON'T SEND ME BOXERS. LOL"

Thanks ellen0502 and Anti M very helpful. I think we are just going to wait until we see him in person. 

K ️ -- That’s great that you got the phone call. They all get hits. Sometimes for the dumbest things! My Son got the Hiccups and couldn’t contain them and got a hit for it! 

Trey - Yep, getting placed on P-Hold may be much more common now for those who arrive fully vaccinated since they will need to wait for enough SR’s to arrive or for a group coming out of ROM to have an opening. 

ellen0502 -- That’s Hysterical!!! Wolfman!!! Poor kid! 

NavyOmah --- NO DO NOT send money to BC. They don’t have a good way to secure it and so it is more likely to get stolen! 

belly's mom 25 -- Calls can come any day of the week. We used to say Sunday Morning was safe but then due to COVID they changed the worship services around and now.... Any day from 6am -9pm Central is a possibility. Keep your phone close and Ringer on LOUD!

TNNavyMom -- I’m so very sorry for your loss.

 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.)

The Red Cross has an app - you can search “Hero Care” in the App Store.  You can load all of your sailors information and have it ready to go in the event of an emergency.  At that point you would just need to provide the emergency details for the Red Cross to verify and notify. :) 

Just remember to update your sailors information so that if you ever need to use HeroCare, you have it readily available.  I pray that none of you will ever need to use it but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Hey how is everyone doing?

TNNavyMom - My condolences to you and your family!

NavyOmah - You are welcome!

JenningsMom - I am well, how are you doing? While many of you are waiting to see your new sailors at PIR, there are many families with sailors in the fleet hoping and waiting to see our sailors as well, so we understand how hard this BC time is. 

TNNavyMom - sorry for your loss

NavyOmah - looks like lots of people responded about sending money. Rest assured they will make sure your SR orders pictures, most likely lots of them if our son is any indication. 

ellen0502 - loved the Wolfman story! :)

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

We are glad that you are here. Another day closer to PIR for some. Keep those phones on you at all times and those ringers on loud. You just never know when a call will come thru.

TNNavyMom- I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for you and your family as you go thru this difficult time.

JenningsMom- Hey, I am good. How are you? We are getting ready to have another extreme heat wave but for us in the Phoenix area this is common for August. How is your weather?

How is everyone doing this morning? Have a great day Ladies and Happy Taco Tuesday!!

NavyOmah- You are very welcome. And thank you. You will learn so much as you go thru this journey. Blessings back to you.

Pizanche- Good Morning, Since your loved one is going to be a Nuke Chipmunk and B's Nuke Mom MMN will be your go to ladies. B's have already been thru the program and out and Chipmunk's is in the fleet. There's also Nuke groups that you can join as well. If you have any questions for them don't hesitate to ask.   :) 

Have a great day ladies.

Good morning from Texas where it is 72 this morning.  You are so right, partyofseven. I’m keeping a list of things I’ve already learned:  send no money, send no food, send extra razors, and never ever send boxer briefs.  Never!   It’s a great way to start the day—reading stories that make me laugh and help me feel a little closer to becoming a true NavyOmah.  Now, on to the task of learning how to speak “Navy”.   Blessings all day long!

Good Morning to all the beautiful navy Moms, hoping you all had a great start to your Morning. I'm back at work this morning and all is well. So Glad to see all the new comers posting away and learning the trick of the trade that is always a Plus!

And to see all the letters and calls received, that makes you all Happy Mommas!

Thank you Party for the scripture!

Have a great day all!

Mornimng Prayer,

Dear heavenly Father, it is hard not to be able to see your face, yet I know my imperfection makes that impossible in light of your awesome holiness. Until that Day I see you face to face in heaven, please make your presence known in my life as I seek you with all of my heart. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition

***INFORMED DELIVERY UPDATE***

For those of you who have USPS Informed Delivery,  I received an email today that they are discontinuing the App as of 6/12/2021 and you have to download the USPS Informed Delivery Mobile App to your phone.  I just did it and the process is pretty simple.

This site will explain the PFA's that need to be passed and when the form letter will be sent.

See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training (FIT). 

If you have a  August PIR be sure to join the PIR group.  Here are the links:

PIR AUGUST 2021

PIR SEPTEMBER 2021