Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Linda - Thank you!! I was typing while you were replying. 

 K⚓️- I would PM Linda if you need more clarification. 

Thank you Chipmunk & Linda, helpful info! 

Hi Everyone,

ChosenBlessings- Yay. So glad you had a wonderful time there. Thank you for sharing. 

LiLDsMom- Hey, glad to hear everything worked out ok. Thank goodness!!

K- We had to have our ticket back when we had PIR. We were allowed in to shop and wait for ours while he was getting cleared to go on liberty. 

Linda- Thanks for sharing as well. Thanks for the updated info about the museum as well. These are good things to know.

Thanks for sharing ladies, it really does help all the moms and their upcoming PIR's.

You ladies rock!!

Have a great evening!!!

ChosenBlessings, Jules & Linda -- I hope you all had a WONDERFUL time!!
CB- Your post is perfect!

Linda -- I’m glad you got the majority of the weekend! That is great!

Jules-- We hope you share how your weekend was.  Safe travels.

 K ️ -- You get one and your Ex Husband will get one. I saw that same post about the museum but I was unable to confirm that information on any of my sources. You may want to reach out the the museum directly. Please let us know what you learn.

 Northwoodsmom -- I’m still so sad for all our families who haven’t gotten to get together!

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

ChosenBlessings, Jules and Linda- Congratulations again and now communication will open up. Even if you only hear from your loved ones a little it's still great.  :)

Another day closer to PIR for some of our families. Remember to keep your phone on you at all times and that ringer on loud. You just never know when calls will come in. And you don't want to miss any.

How are the rest of our members doing? Remember no question is ever dumb and someone will answer.

God Bless and have a great day!!!

Good morning everyone! I am loving reading everyone's comments about PIR. I am starting to get very excited.

We had a PHONE CALL last night. It was so perfect. My husband, son and I were all sitting at the dinner table so we were already together and everyone got to chat with her. She got 30 minutes to talk to us.

She is in such good spirits it really lifted mine. She really feels like she made the right choice joining which is music to my ears.

I asked her if she got dessert and she had a funny story about that. She said there is dessert there mom and the first day I grabbed one and got yelled at to put it back. She said you don't ever touch the deserts it's a trap LOL. 

I asked her if she has had to do any ITE yet and she said how do you know what that is??? so I got to tell her all about you guys and how I have the inside track now :)

Have a wonderful Monday!

Linda - I think a mom started a group for THU a couple of months ago. Let me see if I can locate it. If not, we would love to have you come join the Beyond BC group and we can also answer you questions there about it. 

Belly's mom 25 - that is so wonderful!!! Yes, N4Ms starts becoming well known to our SRs and sailors the more they are in. 

Linda, I sent you a friend request - I also reached out to the other mom that I know had a sailor in THU for awhile. 

Here is the link for the Beyond BC group - Beyond BC - Navy For Moms (ning.com)

I do not recall there being a visitor center next to the NEX when we were there. The one we went to was at RTC and next to the Photo NEX as well as the NFCU because they had cookies and lemonade or water for us to drink. There was a parking lot between it and that chapel which is where we drove on to drop off our sailor. As I recall the parking by the train station is on the same side of RTC as the great hall where they hold PIR. So, I am thinking that things have changed since they started doing the tickets and who has access.  Thanks!! I appreciate the update. 

Chipmunk- To get tickets you go to the Burkey Mall NEX Family Welcome Center on Green Bay Road. They asked us for vaccination cards upon entering, and we were directed to the welcome center to be checked off on the approved guests list. After we got our tickets we were allowed to shop in the NEX there. We were able to shop in the NEX at RTC after the graduation.

Parking for the graduation was in the parking garage next to the Yorktown visitor center, and you entered through Gate 8. I believe sailors walking off base could meet their families there for liberty and go back there as well. We drove in through Gate 6 and past the NEX to the chapel parking lot to drop our sailor off. To enter for graduation and to drop your sailor off you had to have a ticket.

Also, if you're looking for Navy pride gear, be sure to check out the clearance area at the Welcome Center NEX. I can't recall the name of that section, but it's to the far left when entering. (I'm sure someone can point it out if you ask while there.) We were able to pick up Navy Brother/Sister shirts for our other kids for a dollar there, and I got a Navy Mom sweatshirt for four dollars. It's certainly worth a look.

Sounds like everyone has wonderful news!!!! Hope all is well with you all. 

Thank you all for sharing your PIR weekend and all the tips given appreciate you all.

Question: if your SR or your Sailor is not attending A school in GL, (my niece will be In Pensacola) are they still allowed liberty after PIR? Until when Saturday or Sunday? 

Amen to that Partyof7 - God has its own way and in His perfect time 

BBH - yep it was me so frustrated. I’m getting spoiled anyway when it comes to visit to SC, he’s 14 months there and was able to visit 4x, plus 2 weeks Christmas vacation and 3days July 4th he came home too. Trying to maximize visits while we can I know when they’re in the fleet is a different story. 

Gigi my oldest son is in Pensacola, and he was on a bus first thing the next morning.

I wanna give a BIG SHOUT OUT to ALL the moms here. This group helped me so much while my Sailor was in BC. The information and support y'all gave me is priceless. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Your compassion has not gone unnoticed. XO

Yay Jules! We made it through BC!! 

mustangmom65 - thank you! I guess we will leave Chicago on Saturday, we are just driving from Memphis. 

Hi all - Happy Monday - I'm a little late logging in today but see you all have been busy!

Linda - here's the link to the new THU group:

Hurry up and wait - THU

Glad to hear 

Be sure to join your PIR group:

 August 2021 PIR

September 2021 PIR

October 2021 PIR

I will second what Jules said, this group has been a life support during a life changing event! Even on days I didn't post or ask questions, just reading thru all the supportive messages & encouragement has meant the world. (((BNMH's)) to all of you. 

belly's mom 25 -- My sailor loved the game Portal, He said BC was kind of like that...."The Cake is a Lie!!!"

ChosenBlessings-- I'm sure that a LOT of that gear was on Clearance because there has not been a PIR in over a year!  Take advantage while you can folks!!

Jules -- It is our honor!!

Gigi-- Maybe on the A school/ Liberty question.  It depends on when they are leaving and only your sailor can tell you for sure!

K️ -- it is our pleasure to help you too.

Thank you for the kind words! We all help each other out and we also encourage anyone that is able to stick around and share with other newcomers. 

ChosenBlessings - Thanks for the clarification on the NEX and the drop offs. I appreciate it!!

GiGi - You might want to make sure your sailor is not being held in THU. If they are in THU, they might have liberty for the weekend as well. Be sure whoever gets the BS call to have them ask. 

Good Morning Everyone and let us welcome al of our new members. We are glad that you are here. Please come and introduce yourself and let us know where you are in this journey.

No question is ever dumb and someone will answer you.

Jules- You are very welcome. It has been our pleasure!!!  :)

K- You are very welcome. Thank you ladies for saying that. It is appreciated and we love helping out our new moms.  :)

Another day closer to PIR for some of our families. Remember to keep those phones on you at all times and that ringer on loud. You don't want to miss any calls that may come thru.

Trey- How's it going?

Dadyoftwins- How are you doing?

ChosenBlessings- thanks for the updated info.  :)

God Bless and have a great day everyone!!!

Pizanche, that's cute, it should actually be the Navy Mom's Motto because it seems we are always waiting no matter where you are in the journey.  Waiting for phone calls, pictures, ships coming in, ships going out, boots in the house and that next hug. We are always waiting!

Northwoodsmom - I took that pic at a VA.  So I guess it is the motto for the military!! LOL.  I am awaiting the "call".  Trying not to think about it - and it isn't working. My mantra - relax - walk away - WAIT was the the phone!!  Here's to wishful thinking

Just a suggestion for those attending upcoming PIR -- dont overplan your time with your SR. My Sailor stayed in GL for A school. I literally got 15 minutes with him after graduation and then I didnt get to pick him back up until after 8pm Friday night. Processing takes a long time...and they have to wait until everyone else in their school is ready as well. They let them out in groups. The "brief" they get beforehand is not brief at all. They want to make sure everyone understands all of the liberty rules. You are going to have to be the MOST PATIENT you have ever had to be, that's for sure. In the end, it will all be worth it! 

Jules - thanks for the heads up.  

Wow sounds like things have changed quite a bit from when my Son was in BC. so question are the Sailors allowed to stay over night? or just visit and go back? I was reading that you can only drop off and they have to walk back, we were able to take him on base park at the Mcdonalds and walk him across the street to his barracks sign him in or out. just bizarre.

Jules - I had heard that the wait for those staying at GL was a long time. Thanks for sharing! 

Happy Tuesday!

Be sure to join your PIR group:

 August 2021 PIR

September 2021 PIR

October 2021 PIR

Really wish this was easier for me to use and understand lol sorry if I post or comment wrong place am trying!! Oldest is In week 4.3 no call no mail yous say no news good news stay busy I say not Being able say hows it going is hair pulling out.

Dadyoftwins360 - It is hard. I still occasionally send messages or funny memes to my daughters instagram account, just out of habit. My oldest son is in A school now, so nice to have some communication again. My middle son wasn't able to get vaccinated before he left for BC, so it was four weeks of no contact with him. I literally squealed and jumped up and down at the post office when his first letter arrived.

Agreed! It's been well over 5 years and the shoes you all are in are the toughest (minus sub deployments)! Once life gets back to "normal" please checkout www.thefamilycore.com/freedom

My husband and I have a 5 children and created this family management platform to keep everyone connected and organized as military life can be stressful and rewarding all at the same time. Be blessed, know PIR is closer than you think and your Sailor misses you just as much as you miss them!!! - gld

Phoenixmom - My Sailor was permitted to stay with me Friday and Saturday night, he just had to call and check-in every morning. But only because he was staying at GL. He also was ONLY allowed to wear civilian clothes. He said in the brief they didnt want them to be targets so they had strict orders NOT to wear ANYTHING that was issued to them by the Navy. For those who were going on to A School somewhere else -- they all had to stay in their whites from graduation and they had to check back in on base by 9pm, I believe it was. If they dont leave under Sunday, you can pick them back up the next morning and they will know when they have to check back in. 

I was able to drive him back to his school when I dropped him off Sunday. But that can change at any point. There is a parking lot, with a small Navy museum next to the gate. That's the best place to pick up your Sailor when they are ready Friday evening. Also, even if you are able to drive them back on base...a lot of the buildings look the same so tell your Sailor to pay attention the the building numbers and where they are on base. It can get confusing. 

As always -- things can change at any time so just be flexible. 

Hi Jules My Son is Out of BC and A school he has been in 4 yrs now. But Indeed everything has changed. Good Info thank You. My Son wasnt allowed to stay the night and we had to take him back on base and sign him in and out. and He had to be in his Uniform unless indoors at hotel. so there is a drastic change in things. Thank you! Best wishes to your Son!

Dadyoftwins360 - be sure to go to your profile page. And look in the upper left corner of it to see if you have any invites for a friend request. One of the other dad's on this site has reached out to you. If you are viewing this site on a mobile device be sure to put it in desktop mode. If you can look at it on a computer the site is easier to manage that way. 

Jules - Thank you for the new update on especially wearing or not wearing their uniform. Most importantly, your sailor knows what they have been told, so we always listen to them first!

Packed and ready to go - all that is missing is the phone call!!! I am a bundle of nerves. trying to stay busy so I dont think!

Goodluck everyone

mwsrn- Welcome! Our son just graduated last Friday. He was in the DEP for nine months before going to RTC. It seems a lot more "real" now, doesn't it?

Hopefully your son can get by without quarantine since he's vaccinated! My son's division was split into groups of four during quarantine, and he was the odd man out. He spent two weeks all by his lonesome because he wasn't vaccinated until he got there.

Stay positive for him. It's going to be worth it. PIR on Friday was amazing. We're fresh out from the experience, so I'll answer any questions I can for you.

I did call the Museum today & they are NOT live streaming PIR. 

K⚓, I know when we booked at Spring Hill Suites in Waukegan that they had live streaming at the motel. They also had shuttles to the PIR. Your motel might offer the same, call and check.

That's great to know Northwoodsmom! That is the hotel I'm staying at. I'll call tomorrow. Thank you. 

Hey all, we are leaving for PIR September 2nd from Florida. Our son graduated 9/03! I’m hoping since he is doing Aschool in GL that he has liberty time. If so,  Are they wearing uniform out or they allowed to wear civilian clothes? I’m excited to visit the welcome NEX shop!!! I’m praying all goes well. 

No civilian clothes until they reach phase two liberty.  That takes two to four weeks.

Hi all, please go back a page or so and read what I think Jules shared about Liberty for those staying in GL. Stuff has changed and they are letting them wear civilian clothes. But not those that will fly out to their A school. 

Anti M - this is all new and not following normal protocol so not sure if it is just PIR weekend or all the time now? I would have replied as you did until I saw the message earlier. 

Pizanche - you are ahead of where I was with my son's PIR. He's got this!!

Welcome to our new moms we are glad you are here. I have had a long day, I will do my best to reply tomorrow.