Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

bellysmom I remember you posted about your daughter being in the performance division and just seen a pile of pictures of them on Navy Strong on Facebook. Not sure if your on that sit e but wanted you to have the opportunity to see your daughter if you could.

Hi all. I got the same email as Sandy. 

Sandy and Pizanche, that is very sketchy and I would not respond. Stay safe. 

Sandy and Pizanche, way to stay vigilant. This happened to a few ladies last year and the administration took care of it. Good job, if something or someone makes you feel uncomfortable go with your gut. So proud of you Ladies.

Trey-- His “Week” can start any day, M-F but the final week will end on Friday with PIR.

You count them as W(x)- TD(y) So If your SR had to quarantine then Week 1 Training Day 1 would have been July 29. (W1-TD1 = 29July), Week 2 would start on the following Thursday and so on, so Day 1 for each training week will be on Thursday. (He’s in the middle of week 6) 

Dadyoftwins360 -- I can’t use my cell to answer here. That’s part of why I’m a few days behind! 

Jules-- Congratulations!!! Enjoy every minute of your time with your sailor!!! When you get home let us know how it went and any changes that would be helpful for the other moms (and dads) awaiting their turn! Oh and be sure to get all the hugs for us too!!

mustangmom65 -- He will learn to eat fast and then he will be able to eat more! My sailor can eat an entire Meal in under 10 minutes!! I tease him about if he even tasted it on the way down. His reply if if the Navy wanted them to taste their food they would order them to do so! (Gordanos Pizza is near GL and has really good Pizza. It will be crowded--- So you can plan!) I hope you thought to get her address!! Phone calls, even business calls are wonderful!

MIssy32446-- Time is a fickle thing! It will feel like it’s taking forever for your next phone call but it will also fly by!! You should also be looking for a possible phone call soon unless you already got the “I’m still alive” call.

Sandy & Pizanche -- I saw that same message posted on a new moms page. It is a scammer. DO NOT respond. Take a screenshot and report it to the Admins!!

Hi everyone, I received this same message too from A Maris and it made me nervous and I responded but haven’t heard back yet so interesting to hear that a lot of us got the same message , but you know you have to be careful .

LilDsmom -- Did you respond through here or did you reply to the email address? 
It looks like she may be selling CBD products based on the email address.  Either way this is not what we are about here and I'm sure Admins will be removing her shortly.  If she email's you back, Block her and don't engage.

That person is suspended and all message should have been removed when I booted the person out.

Never respond to those types of messages, but do let us know when they happen. Every effort is made to keep them out, but once and a while one sneaks in.

Please let me know if you receive any more messages similar to that.

ellen-- Thank you.

Thank you Ellen! It is gone from my page!

Good Evening everyone!! I saw a lot of messages come in but did not have a chance to check them. I am sorry that you experienced this issue with a scammer. It is important to remember not to respond if someone gives you their personal email or asks for you to contact them with personal information or seems to be soliciting something. 

If you ever have issues, there is a place at the bottom of this screen (again why it is easier if you are on a computer, I think), in the grey ribbon at the bottom that says, Report an  Issue,  where you can click that and send a message to the Admins. Please give the admins the "name" of the member and don't delete posts until they can suspend that person from this site. 

Partyofseven— yes it does. Every letter I feel a piece of the puzzle is put together :-)

Hi, I put that email in and responded that way but I just said hey, but I'm not doing anything else thanks you guys.

Jules- Whoo hoo great picture.

Sandy and Pizanche-  Glad you didn't respond. Sometimes that happens. Our admins will boot them out and block them when they need to.

ellen- Thanks again. 

mustangmom65- Glad you got a phone call.   :)

JenningsMom- Yes it does feel like that doesn't it?  :)

Reported to Admin! Thanks

So I woke up super stressed out. I am anxious to hear from my son.  I am done writing letters and now it's truly a waiting game.  We leave on Wednesday and I am really hopng and praying that call comes in before that.  For now - I will clean the car, clean the house, mow the lawn, pack and get ready to go! Anything to get my mind off of this - but it's always there!! I did bookmark this site on my phone and of course I get all the emails.  For you new ones - it does go by pretty fast (I can admit that) but it's a roller coaster - but hang in there you got this and so does your child!.

Thanks for the 'week' info.. He didn't have to quarantine but did get about 4 days waiting for enough recruits to make a division. And his form letter finally showed up lol.. we would have died by now if we had had to wait for that.

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to our group.

I am up early this morning after finally getting a great night's sleep. Lol I survived my first week of school so I am happy!!!

Pizanche- Hey and I swear sometimes it's like nesting. Lol We just play the waiting game until it's time to go. But remember you might not get the call until Thursday night and that is ok.

I was saying in another post that a friend of mine kept saying should we go because we hadn't heard from him. And finally I had to say look if you don't wanna go then don't. But I am going. I was like you I was packed and ready to go with hotel reservations and plane tickets and a little bag for my son to go thru. Lol

I know even after boot camp thinking about your loved one will always be in the back of your mind and that's ok. 

Just keep that phone on you at all times and answer every call. You've got this!!!!

Trey- Hey you made me smile at that comment. It truly is a waiting game and it is the Navy's way. You will see that as you go thru this journey with your loved one!!!

But yay for the form letter!!! Whoo Hoo Now you can send those letters off right away and keep writing.   :)

Jules- I hope you had a wonderful time last night. Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!

Please keep all of our troops at the Kabal airport and in Afghanistan in your prayers. 

God Bless and have a great day!!

Hello all,

My SR niece called her mom yesterday just another scripted call for a few seconds reminding to BRING YOUR VAX CARD WITH YOU ON PIR and that’s it. So moms have your phone with you all the time even it’s just a few seconds we don’t wanna miss their voice. My sis said she sounded good. 
Her 4th call btw - im here call, next she was set back (crying overload), 3rd was last Saturday she also called me was given a 30 mins and yesterday. So far so good, praying for her test on Tuesday and she’ll make it on the 24th and all of the SRs

I am invited to her PIR and so stressed for my niece than during my son’s lol Have a great weekend all 

Pizanche - I was so nervous waiting for my son's "sailor" call that I had not gotten myself packed up ready to go, so we were an hour late leaving. We took two days to drive and so now I tell everyone be packed the day before. Because once they do call you, you want to talk.

Gigi - So excited for you to get to attend PIR!!  Thanks for the reminder about the VAX card.

Trey - So happy for you! 

Thank you Chipmunk- really excited for her PIR and I volunteered myself to go LOL.  remember last year I didn’t experience this with my son.

Oh wait did you all remember that I still went to Chicago not for the PIR (since we all know they don’t have one) but was just trying to catch my son at the airport to see him. Until he called (I’m a sailor call) and mentioned they’re not flying out thru commercial plane — urghh I think I was froze for a minute (this was just one of the many crying moment) I was a mess during my time and the veteran moms here were so patient and helpful with me. My son is my one and only and I think he brought my sanity with him when he left. Lolol 

So new moms/dads welcome to this group, welcome to this roller coaster ride of emotions. I made it and y’all too!! Semper Gumby :) 

Hi Northwoodsmom - Thanks so much for the tip about the performance divisions being on Facebook. I really appreciate it. I will check that out. Any chance to see her! :)

Gigi- Yes you did go to the airport. I remember now. And look how far you've come. And now you get to go to PIR to see your niece. God always has a way doesn't he?

I am so happy you got to talk to her to. Whoo hoo for phone calls!!! You will totally love it!!

belly's mom 25- Hey and how are we doing? Hopefully you got to see your daughter.   :)

Have a great day!!!

Hi everyone, ok that A Maris sent me an email you guys and I thought I heard the end of it when she got blocked but can I block her from my email? this is really weird, it one of those Dubai asking for money kind letters.

LilDsmom - depending on your email server, there should be a way for you to block a specific person, or just tell it that it is spam and to go to your spam folder. 

Thank you Chipmunk I'll try it

Got a phone call from Son #2!! We almost missed it (how many times have we been warned to keep our phones on us and the ringer up loud?), and ended up only having about 10 minutes, but they were 10 wonderful minutes! He started the call with, "Hi, this is your favorite son!" He sounds so happy and confident, which fills me with such joy. He ended the call with "I will see you on the 17th!" Oh, I can hardly wait!

Yea!!! Mustangmom65!!!!

mustangmom65 - WooHoo!! So happy for you!!

LilDsmom  - I hope that works, if not reach out to me and maybe we can figure something else out. 

LilDsmom -- I’m so sorry that they now have your email address. Good luck with blocking her.

mustangmom65 -- YEA!!! Phone calls are Awesome!! AND Yes Keep your phones handy and the ringers on loud!! You don’t want to miss those calls!!!

Gigi-- I knew someone went but I didn’t remember who it was. I’m so sorry you were not able to see your Sailor but I’m excited for you to be able to see your Niece. It was so hard to watch what you moms were going through back then. It was truly heartbreaking because I know how much PIR meant to me.

Pizanche -- Breathe!!! Repeat after me... No News is Good News, and again, and again.... I know you are at the second hardest point of Bootcamp but you will get through this!!! In next to no time you’ll be seeing your sailor!!! Your sailor never leaves your mind but working yourself into an anxious frenzy isn’t good either!! 

LilDsmom - she shouldn't have your email address - members on here cannot see each others emails.  If someone sends you a personal message on here then it does show up in the email you used to sign up, but that person does not know the email address.  So since she is suspended now you shouldn't get any more emails from her.  If you do please let me know so we can figure this out.

Good Morning Everyone!!

May you have a wonderful day today!

Reminder: for those of you with a sailor now - Be sure to change their status on your My Page to Enlisted ! Also please come join us in the Beyond BC group. 

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

Jules- I can't wait to hear how it went. I know that you are having a wonderful time.

LiLDsmom- You'll just have to delete her and unscribe if another email gets thru. But as B'sNukeMoM MMN said if you get any more on this page please let her know.

mustangmom- Whoo Hoo You made me laugh with your phone comment. Now you know why I always say it!! Lol

Yay for phone calls. So glad you got to talk to him. The 17th will be here before you know it.   :)

God Bless and have a great Sonday!!!  

Ladies, PIR was wonderful! We drove up to Great Lakes on Thursday, and went straight to pick up our tickets. (Very easy, streamlined process.) Then we shopped around the NEX for a while, buying Navy pride gear for the family.

The next morning we just couldn't sleep, so we were up and grabbing hotel breakfast to-go at six. We left the hotel at six ten and by six twenty we were in line. (We decided not to use the shortcut/u-turn because we didn't want to block traffic, and there were only about twenty cars ahead of us at that point.) The line started moving at six thirty, and we were on our way in. Everything is well-marked and they direct you everywhere, right down to the parking spot.

By seven we were seated in the drill hall. The division numbers are posted on pedestals so you can find the right spot. They had a video going on the big screens to watch while waiting. Every five/ten minutes or so they made a social distancing announcement, and encouraged people to sit up in the balcony. There are concessions available, and you could buy division pics/coins.

The ceremony was great, although it's true that everyone looks so similar. And our sailor couldn't see us, so he thought we hadn't been able to make it until we found him afterwards. They staged the divisions apart for liberty meet-ups, some inside and some outside.

We shopped at the base NEX while our son checked out, and then we had about eight hours together. Getting back on base to drop him off was easy. We brought him back at 7:30 because he had some things he needed to take care of, and when we left ten or so minutes later, there was a line starting to build up to bring sailors back, so be aware of that.

All in all, it was a fantastic day. I feel for the parents that had to miss it, and I am so excited for everyone who gets to go to their PIR soon. Hooyah!

Good morning everyone and thank you I pressed spam and that resolved everything, now congrats to chosenBlessings 11 I'm so excited for you and your family, I can't wait for my turn in October.

Thank you ChosenBlessings. I’m glad you had a good time!!! Looking forward to next week!

I am so happy for all of you who get to go to the PIR ceremony. I pray that continues for everyone. I know it was hard on us that couldn't attend but my heart also goes out to all of those Sailors who wanted so much to stand in front of their families and share that very special moment with them. There still are many who haven't been able to see their families since the day they left for BC, I pray for all of them that they stay positive and that their time with family comes quickly. Congratulations to Chosen Blessings and anyone else I might of missed.

Good Afternoon!! 

Chosenblessings thanks for sharing! - Your comments reminded me about some things we use to mention to our PIR attendees. If you have a special blouse or at least a certain color that you know you are going to be wearing to PIR, you might mention that to your sailor when they call after BS. Also, let them know that you will do your best to sit in the section in front of their division and if not down below, up above in the bleachers. 

We were on the very top row in the bleachers and thought we would be able to stand through the ceremony, but NO, we were told to sit down. 

LilDsmom - I am glad that you were able to get the spam issue resolved!!

Jules and I think Mamabearto3 - you also had PIR? Did anyone esle? 

Can't wait to hear about what goes on at graduation, how it was to wait, etc..

Another question. watching the 20th ceremony.. What is that piece of clothing that they are carrying as they march out? Couldn't make it out.

Trey - My son that had PIR on the 6th told us that was in case it rained. I can't remember what it was exactly, maybe a slicker or poncho?

thank you.. was curious..

ChosenBlessings, thank you for sharing your experiences!

My SR's Dad and I are divorced, so each of us will get a PIR ticket. I am remarried so my husband will be coming with me. Question, a PIR ticket is not required to shop at NEX, correct? 

Does anyone have info on the Museum giving out free tickets to view the graduation live streamed there at the Museum? It's limited to 40, first come basis.  I saw a post on FB but cannot find it now! 

What they generally carry is the Navy All Weather Coat.

All Weather Coat

 K⚓️ - Phoenixmom posted something last week about the 40 slots available at the Museum, you might be able to scroll back through the pages here or do a search on your email. I don't think I still have it in my email. 

As far as the NEX, I am going to share based on my experience which was Pre-ticket. - So, we had to have a gate pass and have anyone allowed in on the security form that was checked with our ID before we went into the hall, we parked in the parking garage at RTC. After PIR my son did not have liberty until he got his orders squared away so he could fly out the next day. He told us to wait for him at the NEX, which is on RTC proper. 

You may be able to go to the NEX and either wait for your sailor or shop, since you have a ticket, but I doubt that your husband will be able to. The ticket is what allows you to get into the gate at RTC which is where the NEX is. 

I also believe that when you are dropping your sailor off, you need to have your ticket with you, if you are driving back on to RTC. I don't know, that may have changed with COVID. 

ChosenBlessings, Jules or Mamabearto3 are any of you able to verify and of this please. 

 K⚓️, it is possible that if you get a ticket for your husband at the Museum that might allow him to access RTC as well where the NEX is.