Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

My husband has said for years that he had a ball in BC, that it was the easiest money he ever made, etc. Just before my daughter left, I found his "yearbook" from BC. Every picture of him has that deer-in-the-headlights look! He said, "Huh, maybe it wasn't as much fun as I remember..." LOL

Pizanche-I think all of those emotions and doubts are totally normal. My sailor was so excited to leave, said he wouldn't miss anything about home, yadda, yadda. A few letters in he sounded so homesick. I sent his next letter with a bunch of motivational quotes and pictures of his favorite people. A few days later he earns a call home and he sounds perfectly fine. I told him I was worried about him from the letter I just got and he seemed to forget he was even feeling that way. I told him the next letter he got from me might be confusing then, haha! He thought BC was going to be hard for much different reasons that it actually was for him. They really cannot be prepared or know what to expect so they are having to constantly adapt which can be as much of a roller coaster for them as it is for us. Hang in there! I'm sure he'll do great! My sailor loved BS and said it was the most fun part of BC. 

This is the 1st PIR I've watched, so I know what to expect next week when my SR graduates. I can tell you I'm going to start crying from the 1st tap of the drums. The whole ceremony gave me chills ..just from watching from home. Congrats to the new Sailors and their families!   

Jules- Same for me. I am one hundred percent going to cry next week. I can't believe the end is finally coming.

Jules and ChosenBlessings- That is exactly how I felt almost 4 years ago. It still gets me!!

When they open those big doors and you see all of them standing there your heart does a jump amd your eyes start to water. 
Won’t be long now ladies!!!!

Hugs!!!!

Welcome to our newest member - Dadyoftwins360!! We are glad you have joined us. We have had several fathers come join us over the time that I have been on this site. Please feel free to ask any questions that you have and to share your journey with us. 

Jules, ChosenBlessings and others - Yes, PIR can be very emotional. It is also very helpful to watch a live or video recording of the previous one and have an idea of what to expect, to get a feel for what the layout is and the ceremony. 

HUGS!! It is exciting to have live PIR again.

Thank you! I watched some of the PIR just to see what happens.  I’m hoping I hear from my son again and it was just jitters from him. Congrats to your new SAILORS and to those who graduated the other schools!

mustangmom65 - your husband's comments cracked me up. Sometimes I wonder if my husband "really" remembers things they were when he was in as well.

mom2blondies - my son also commented that BC was hard for different reasons than he was expecting. He made the comment that honestly the hardest part was trying to motivate other recruits into positive behavior. I think he really like BS too, but he said he can't talk about it. The big grin on his face did speak for itself. :)

Big Congratulations for all the new sailors and their families!!

Good evening Ladies. Had a question. If my son called and asked for the guest information for PIR, do we still need to send the Security Access form to him in the mail? 

mamabearto3 - I would send it to him just so he has it if it is needed. And add an extra note just for your SR!

I would also send the form back. I would rather him have too much information than not enough. I sent ours last year even though we knew there was no chance of an on person PIR

Sounds good! I will be heading to the Post Office early and sending it as fast as we can. 

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to all of our new members we are glad that you are here.

Pizanche- I'm glad that you watched the PIR. It's pretty exciting right? Can't wait for you ladies when you have yours.

mamabearto3- whoo hoo for getting a call and yes I would send in the form to him as well. It can't hurt that's for sure!!

It is so exciting to have live PIR again. You truly will be amazed at how it is.

Keep writing those letters, keep staying busy and always remember No news is good news.

Prayers for letters and calls in come in today.

God Bless and have a wonderful day today ladies!!!

AgnesB- Yes!! Our kids come from similar backgrounds so that doesn't surprise me that they had that similar experience. 

My son just called & sounded so good! He said overall it's not terrible and better than he thought, just tiring. His division is working much better together and getting along. They are doing firefighting drills which is fun & gas chamber next week, he's looking forward to that. Lol  He said he mailed me a letter but couldn't remember what he wrote :)  He said what is good about wearing masks is he's not caught laughing or making faces at people acting dumb. Glad to see he hasn't lost his sense of humor. He said only 26 days left MOM! Told him we are so excited to see him, proud of him and how much he is loved! 

It was so good to hear his voice! 

Does anyone know how long it takes to get letters at boot camp??

I sent a letter to my son on 8/5/21 and he called today & has not received it yet.  We received letters from him which only took 3 days.  I live in Illinois.

It was great to hear his voice though.  

K— aww I bet that made your day. I’m happy you got your call. 
To Everyone…..what is your sons/daughters division number? My sons is 385

Evening, I got 2 letters from BB my son. He sounds so much better, I think he is at the end of BC and got a worried about not passing. He puts a lot of pressure on himself. He told me they did pictures and was offing them for me! On serious and one with a goofy grin. I’m relieved he sounds better. BS is coming up, he doesn’t know what to expect so that makes him worried, but I think he’ll be fine!! Hope you all are doing well!

K - That is funny!! I am glad that your SR is able to laugh behind his mask!!

JenningsMom - You might ask in your PIR group. Everyone may not be comfortable sharing their division number here since this group is not private like the PIR groups are. 

jonna 18 - It is good to see you posting. It looks like you had a couple of replies to your discussion above. Mail to our SRs always takes longer than their mail to us, primarily because each division has to train a recruit mail petty officer. I would also see about mailing more letters to him in the event that some get lost. 

Pizanche - Good to hear your son is doing better. Yes, BS can be daunting to our SRs as they don't really know what to expect and how they will all do. I also sent you a new friend request. 

Joanna 18, it takes about 10 days for my mail. 

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

Let us welcome Dadyoftwins360, it is good to have you here. You will find a lot of great support on here and no question is ever dumb. Welcome again.

K- Whoo hoo for phone calls, aren't they the best!!! I am so glad he is sounding good and has a sense of humor about things!! That is funny thou about what he said about the masks!! Lol Let the countdown begin!!

jonna18- It is good to see you posting on here. I'm on the west coast so it took about 5 days for me to get mine but that was before covid. It has to do with their mail person and how fast the SR's are able to get their mail. But it is good thou that he is receiving your letters and that you got a phone call. Whoo hoo!!

JenningsMom- Hey, if you don't get a lot of responses on here try in your PIR group. That's where I made friends and still keep in touch with some of the ladies to this day. 

Pizanche- yay for letters and I'm so glad that he's sounding better. It takes a letter or two before you see the change so that is great!! BS can be intense at times, but they all know that's the last thing they have to do!!  :)

Mine did that as well I have serious pictures and then I have goofy ones. They turned out really great!!

And yes he will be fine!! Have a wonderful day!!

So glad to hear of all the letters and calls that came thru. Keep those phones on you and those ringers on loud you just never know when a call will come thru!!

God Bless and have a great Sonday!!!!

Good Morning Dadyoftwins360,

I know it is hard. I was the same way. Mine has been in for almost 4 years now and I still can't believe it. 

I read everything I could, found this group which was a life saver and now I pay it forward and help out with all of our new members.

hopefully you will hear soon from the youngest and you've got a little bit to go with the other one. 

There is a lot of great people on here and a whole lot of support on here as well.

Keep posting as much as you need to and someone will reply. Take it moment by moment and it will be ok. 

We've all been there and it will get better!!

Big hugs to you!!!

Good Evening Dadyoftwins360 - I saw you message earlier today but I have literally been on the go all day long. I think the not knowing is the hardest part about BC. My husband found me a timeline that I don't think is accurate anymore, but it at least made me feel connected to what my son might be doing. Have you watched the videos that are posted in the upper left of this page? 

We remind the members that BC is as much for us as it is for our kids, the great silence helps us all to be prepared for those days & nights in the future when we are without any communication. Especially if your SR is planning on going Subs. 

Welcome to our group - Kathi   We are glad you have joined us!

Good Morning Everyone and we are glad that you are here.

Welcome. No question is ever dumb and someone will answer you. Please keep those phones on you at all times and those ringers on loud. You just never know when a call will come thru.

For those that had PIR this past weekend and you went please share with us and let us know how it went. One mom already did. Was there anyone else?

Welcome Kathi and let us hear from you. Tell us where you are in this journey.  You have come to the right place.

Happy Monday Everyone!!

Just to be clear -- (I'm super anxious) -- IF for some reason, my SR didnt pass the final PT test or something...I would have heard by now, correct? Should I be expecting a call from him this week or no? I have heard some stories about their graduation date being extended because of some sort of test failure. I don't expect that would happen out of the blue...but I just wanted to ask. I fly out in 3 days! 

Jules  yes you would of received a call stating he would be coming home. here is the site to read has all your answers to your questions. but they will help him to pass as well

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

Linda that being said keep phones close tomorrow because you will be getting the I'm a Sailor call! from that div#.

Hi all - Happy Monday!

Linda - just to let you know - I edited your commented to remove the date for battle stations.  That is considered "ship movement" and is an OPSEC violation.  It's boot camps way of preparing you for when they actually deploy.

Here are the links to the  August and September PIR groups:

PIR AUGUST 2021

PIR SEPTEMBER 2021

Be sure to join your group.

We have 3 October PIR dates now:

October 1, 2021 TG-45 (429,430,431,432,433,434,435,436,437,439,440,908)

October 8, 2021 TG-46 (441,442,443,444,445,446,447,448,449,450,451,909)

October 15, 2021 TG-47 (453,454,455,456,457,458,459,460,461,462,463,464,910)

Once we have the remaining dates we'll get the group posted.

Aw Linda - you didn't need to delete it - I had xxxxx'd out the date.  

But yes, to make sure everyone understands, battle stations is considered "ship movement" and we aren't allowed to post the dates until after it has occurred.  And don't worry, you aren't the first person (and I'm sure you won't be the last) that has posted a battle stations date.  There's a lot to learn lol!

Linda you can speak on it in your PIR group and can even put what div# but here on BCM You cant just make sure you let others know on your PIR to watch for calls as they will be coming tomorrow. Your loved ones will be tired but excited. a Call none of them want to miss!

I got a letter today!!!! Hello my friends.. I got my first letter / s today from my daughter. I am so excited. No form letter  yet  but now that I have her division # 908 it looks like she will be an October 1st graduation providing all goes well. So I still need to wait for security forms right? 

She sounded so good in her letters. She was vaccinated but had to wait for her division to form and that was part of the lag time. She said that she isn't getting yelled out to much because she tries to listen and do what she is told right away.

She has even made a few friends in her division.

  She said she was put in a performance division because of her marching band experience. Anyone know what that means? I am over the moon right now. I have 25 letters to get ready to mail out. I am thrilled she is well and taking everything in stride!!!!

belly's mom - Yay for letters!

Here's the link to the 900's division group.  It explains the different things they can do as a 900 division:

900s Division

Jules and everyone else expecting the call. Prayers to all of SR's as they prepare for Battle stations and finish strong. They got this and are well trained.  Hope you get a call real soon.

belly's mom - here's the link to the Security Access Form.  You can print it out and mail it to your SR.  The form they are using still has a place for 4 guests but they are still only allowing 2 guests.  Of course, you need to verify with your SR who she wants.

SECURITY ACCESS FORM

And just so you know, by being in 900 division she will participate in the 2 PIR's right before hers so you will want to watch them because there's a chance you might see her.  

So be sure to watch the 9/17 & 9/24 PIR's.

For family and friends planning to travel to Naval Station Great Lakes, be sure to check out MWR's (Morale, Welfare & Recreation) website for information regarding area hotels discounts along with discounted tickets to area attractions. Here's the link:

MWR Program & Travel Guide

 belly's mom 25 Congrats! Now as Shanny mentioned start writing and send! the Communication door has now opened!

LAST-MINUTE GRADUATION REMINDERS:

* All guests are required to wear a mask indoors to include, but not limited to: RTC visitors center, Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall and the Navy Exchange. No mask, no entry.

* Shuttles, taxis and share rides are not allowed on base at RTC. Guests will be dropped off at the gate, and then it is about a quarter-mile walk from the gate to the visitors’ center where all guests must check-in before proceeding to the drill hall.

* Flowers, banners, posters or gift bags are not allowed inside the drill hall. Guests entering the visitors’ center with such items will be asked to either return said items to their vehicles or leave at the front desk reception for retrieval following the ceremony.

* The use of strollers is discouraged due to space. Guests are not allowed to keep their strollers in the bleachers and will be directed to park them in a designated area inside the drill hall. Guests will not have access to their strollers until the conclusion of the ceremony.

* When returning Sailor from liberty, be mindful of the time as they cannot be late and there will be a line of cars at the gate. Recruits will be dropped off in a parking lot on base and must walk the remaining way back to their barracks. Also, all guests inside the vehicle must have a ticket or they will be denied entry. Once your Sailor has been dropped off, guests must leave the base and are not allowed to freely drive around the base or guests risk receiving a citation.