Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Good evening ladies, what a tough week.  Dropped my SR off at the recruiter on Monday so they could shuttle him down to San Diego MEPS.  He stayed at the hotel Monday night and we met him there to take him to dinner and say our goodbyes.  He went to MEPS on Tuesday to process in but could not let us know that his flight was delayed until after we had already traveled home.  He ended up flying out today and I spoke to him a few times in the airports.  I tried calling one more time but his phone is turned off.  So now the waiting game for the scripted call tonight.  It was so amazing to see him with the other recruits and see him so excited to be going. It made both my husband and I feel a lot better to see that he had no second thoughts and not freaking out in the slightest.  So now we wait….and drink wine!

Jrdsmama, Wow! That is a tough week already! But so happy to hear how excited your son was!  I will be praying that your great silence goes well, and feels short. I expect the wine will help a lot! LOL!

Elina -- {{{{{HUGS}}}}} Sometimes there is Nothing we can say or do to make it better.  The phone call blues are a thing. Just like when you workout sometimes your muscles get fatigued!! You have a MAJOR workout going on right now!!  The added stress of a Dec PIR, with all the added expectations of the season coupled with family illness stress is tough! No wonder your Semper Gumby muscles are tired!!
You may want to have a plan B for childcare.  And a Plan C should things go pear shaped close to PIR.  Plan for the Best but have a backup and a back up for the back up!  I usually have several other plans so we can adjust.  That doesn't mean I'm not disappointed but as least we have something planned. As for time together after PIR, Don't plan much.  Most of the time they just want to relax and not get yelled at!! Have a few idea of things you can do on short notice and then let the day(s) flow as your Sailor leads!! You'll get him back on time and a Zoom call should still work. 
While I strongly suggest you continue to come here if you are on FB you may want to look up your PIR Date on the Navy4Moms pages and join that group as well.  Just so you have others to plan with. (... You won't really actually do anything with them but you can bounce ideas around.  You can do that here too however.  Just another resource for you)
I hope that you are feeling stronger tomorrow and that you know you can come here anytime you need to Vent!!

A tip for when you are writing and have stress at home, or are sad or angry or stunned that your kid left you for the Navy, or...., WRITE THAT LETTER.... Get all those feeling out on paper or on your computer... Then go back and edit what you wrote to your SR. send that second letter!! Save that first letter an once you get that Sailor call (or when you get back from PIR) Have a letter burning/shredding party!! It's cathartic and helps you to let go of all those feelings without being overwhelmed!! I had an epic Melt down and freaked out my DH... this would have been a much better way to handle it without scaring the dog and making DH worried for my sanity! 

This is why we welcome you to the roller coaster!! You've had the High's of phone calls and now you are experiencing the fall's after.  It will be this way from now till ...... well, honestly forever.... But that's all just part of being a Mom!  There have always been hard days, but I wouldn't trade them for anything!!  They are my Kids!!

Mom-of-5 -- OH DEAR!!! I didn't mean to imply that he didn't fly out.  We just didn't know what happened beyond the Yelling because MY Sailor left!! They were not scheduled to Leave on the same flight and there were 4 buses of Sailors leaving that weekend.  My son was in the first group to leave for the airport.
I don't know what happened, I just wanted to stress that you do not want to not take your Sailors instructions seriously.  they have been briefed on this and will be the one to tell you when they need to be back.  Follow their lead on this!

My Tip is to 1. Relax!!! You'll remember what you need when you need it!! 
Tip 2.  Copy and paste the important stuff you think you might forget into a 1 page document.  Print a copy, Photograph it on your phone just in case it gets misplaced.... and take it with you.  That way you have it handy and in multiple formats so it's easy to find and access when or if you need it!  Chicago is a big city and they will have everything you need so if you forget something you can buy it there or send us a shout out on here if needed.

Jrdsmama -- {{{{{HUGS}}}}},  You GOT This!! You've been here long enough that you know the timeline and some of what to expect. That may not make the experience any less hard on your Momma heart but you'll Be ok and we'll be here for you every step of the way!!   Praying you get your call soon and remember... Just talk over him and tell him you Love him!!!

I just received the scripted “I’m here” call.  Oh my heart! 

So in my wait thru the Great Silence to get the form letter - or any letter for that matter… I am trying to figure out what day my SR is on…. 
Do the weeks go by Sunday - Sat… or are the by the day they arrive? 
for example: 

My SR arrived on a Tuesday - day 0

so day 1 was a Wednesday for him, so today is day 14 but Friday will be his 3rd Friday gone… 

So my question is what week is he actually in .? 

Kinda feel like I am over thinking this but it is my current distraction. Can anyone help with my confusion here? 

HappyInTheValley - sending a virtual hug! 

Loretta, Did you fill out the form for guests and send it to your recruit? If not do it right away. Recruits are limited to three guests maximum, and everyone needs a ticket. You pick up the tickets in Great Lakes. Here is a link to the info on tickets.

Ticket Information

JCNavyMom --The Expected timeline will look like this
Day 0 -- Travel, Arrival and "I'm Here" scripted phone call

Week 1&2
Day 1-14 -- ROM (Restriction of Movement/ Quarantine-- Lots of studying and waiting) Unless they are Fully Vaccinated (2 weeks after final shot) in which case they skip straight to Week 3.

Week 3
Day 15-21 Arrive Onboard RTC and begin P-days (P-days- Initial Processing Days) including 2 days of P-hold (Weekend)
Day 21-- Complete P days. (Initial PFT & Run)

Week 4- First week of training 
Day 22-- Begin training and mail form letter out. Look for it to arrive around 1-2 weeks later

Week 5 -- First inspections and tests (Dental May be this week or next... Not Confirmed)(Form letter/ Personal letters usually arrive this week)

Week 6 -8 -- More training, Drilling (Flags and Marching), Fire Fighting training, Marlinspike (Line handling- How to tie up a Ship to the Pier) and weapons lessons, Confidence chamber( May or may not be happening yet, we don’t know for sure).. Warrior training in here somewhere.

Week 9 & 10 -- Stressful!! They have all their final inspections, PFA, Drills, BS21 and Tests. This is the lead up to the end!!

Possible weeks 11&12 for Sailorization.  This is life skills training.  Some have had it, Some get it at A school.  We do not have official confirmation on what all is included or if this is for Everyone or not. 

You do not list when your SR shipped out so hopefully this will help you figure out where you are in everything.

ellen0502, did they change the number of guests to three?  I've been praying about that, but everywhere I look, it still says the number of guests at PIR is 2.  Can you tell me where you saw three?  That would be so great!!!!

ellen0502-- Have they added a Third guest?  Last I heard it was only 2 but if it's 3, that's awesome!! Do you know what TG they are starting that with?

JCNavyMom, you are a kindred spirit.  Your "current distraction" is exactly what I did to try to figure out where my son was in the program.  He graduates in less than two weeks, and honestly, I still don't know which week he is in!  LOL.  It's just unclear to me when the weeks start.  (He's had 2 holidays while he's in and he graduates on a Wednesday, so there are a lot of moving parts.)  BUT, I took the list that belovedbyHim posted below and wrestled with various scenarios.  (He is vaccinated, so he didn't have to do ROM.)  But I tried to figure out the earliest date he could graduate based on the timeline.  In reality, he had 1 day wait (not sure if it was for his vaccination to be verified or if it was waiting for a division to form), but in all, his # of days at BC will be 58, barring any setbacks.  (So in every letter, I say something like "today is Day 40 of BC; it's 18 days until I can hug you at PIR."  :-)  

I hope you get your form letter soon.  Having a graduation date helped my heart so much!

Thanks, ladies, for the support and prayers. Volunteering last night helped a bit and listening to the challenges of those with young kids got my mind off things.

For sharing, I am not a Facebook person (or any social media), this is the one place I go out of my comfort zone.

JCNavyMom and anyone else entering the great silence--

take about 13 days off BBH timeline if your recruit is vaccinated (and the Navy can verify it).  

Each division is different in a training group as to what day they are on. My son ends his week on Mondays. I learned this from  sending my son the survey/questionnaire I found on this site. (Which he absolutely loved, so I am sending more of my own.) I also confirmed my educated guess about where he was in the first unscripted phone call.

I think one of the biggest challenges for those of us moms with kids in BC right now, or going in the next month, are all the federal holidays and stand down periods.

Our recruiter told us to count 8 Fridays, but it's actually 9 because days like today (Veteran's Day)  and Thanksgiving don't count as training days. I pray for those of you who have to navigate the stand down period of Christmas and New Year.

Note:  If your son/daughter is at RTC today, they'll probably be excited. They get to have dessert in celebration of Veteran's Day.

Good Morning and Happy Thursday - to clear up any confusion, RTC is still only allowing 2 guests to PIR - no exceptions.

Ellen - have you found something different?

Be sure to join your PIR group.  Here are the links:

PIR JANUARY 2022

PIR DECEMBER 2021

Loretta - be sure to join the December group.

morning, I am sorry to ask again but I am so overwhelmed with this whole process and not knowing anything or hearing anything from my son. How do I calculate what his PIR date will be? He went in on 10/26 and is fully vaccinated. I think I joined both December and January PIR groups. Then I read we count 8 Friday's? I am accessing this site on a laptop now and still having trouble following along, maybe it is because I am typing and reading through TEARS!!!!!!!! :)

MAV - Your PIR should be in January because there are no PIR's on 12/24 or 12/31. As to which January, well not sure.  Unfortunately you'll have to wait for the official letter. Hang in there mama!

My son arrived last night, so I guess today is day 1 of quarantine (he wasn’t vaccinated), which means that his first day out of quarantine (1st day of processing week) will be Thanksgiving day?  Trying to figure out his time there around the holidays is confusing.  If they don’t work Thanksgiving, do you think they’ll leave him in the quarantine hold until Friday?  I’ve tried to figure out when his graduation date would be, but it looks like it could be late January or early February. 

Good morning Moms.

To all the new moms, welcome.  You've come to the right place to pass the great silence and beyond.

I think until you receive the form letter from your recruit you can only estimate their PIR Date.  My daughter arrived the same day as MomofJoseph's recruit, she was fully vaccinated yet she had to wait 5 days for her division to fill, however, they're still graduating on the same day.  Also depending on their division, I think their weeks are different.  

I got excited when I read they were allowing 3 guests at PIR, that would be perfect if it's true.  Any confirmation?

I'm also worried about everything working out for PIR, like not being able to find the ticket center, or the lines on PIR morning.  And even dropping off my recruit each night.  I was telling my husband about how we have to figure out what to do because if her sister is in the car with us then we have to drop off our recruit at the gate because we only have two tickets, but then she will have a long long walk, or we drop off her sister at the hotel first and then drive back to the RTC and then we can drive up and leave her closer, by the chapel I think it is.  My husband just nodded, not worried at all about details.  I explained the importance of her being on time each night actually means returning at least 15-30 minutes earlier than she has to and he just says ok.  Wish I could be as relaxed about this as he is.

welcome new moms.. mine graduated boot end of Sept. It's tough to guess the PIR until you get more info but you can get close. The official navy RTC page is still at only two guests over the age of 3. The silence is super hard, stressed us out to the very end.  Ours even got washed back two weeks which made it longer/worse and make sure your plans are change-able. Feel free to vent here.. a lot of us got through it with these ladies. And yes there is probably a FB page for the PIR, there was for us. Made a fake account just for that group. I am a Great Lakes A school mom now, and the only group on FB I follow is one for that. also throw away account and fake names lol.. Keep asking any questions you have.. it's okay

Good morning Ladies, before I found this site I searched the web just to get a clue what was happening at Boot Camp. I thought if I knew what was happening and could understand what my son was doing it would keep me connected somehow. I found this site (http://www.navydep.com) it had a day by day schedule for 6 weeks of what your recruit would be learning and whoever made it did a fantastic job of explaining things. I copied the schedule and every morning I would get up and see what his day would be like. Not only did it help me but then I had something's to write him about also. He of course couldn't talk about alot of it but I just wanted him to know I knew what he was learning. I wasn't close on his PDays all the time but by the time he got my letters he was through them. I think knowing what they are doing will help some of you more than worrying the exact day you recruit is on.  Any information helps calm your anxiety.  I am computer illiterate so I am don't know how to post the link like most of the Ladies but if you get it time check it out, helped me alot.

https://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/graduation.html

They have pretty much all the info you need about getting tickets and so forth.. and have your recuits after graduation ask for overnight/weekend chits.  then you won't have to bring them back each night, just Sunday evening.. this is for Great Lakes btw.

The RTC website still continues to indicate only 2 guests max.   It would be nice if they changed it to 3 but not seeing anything yet.

 * * * New Guidance for Pass-In-Review         Ceremonies Beginning August 13th * * *

Recruit Training Command will re-open boot camp graduation, or the Pass-In-Review ceremony, for a limited number of family members and guests beginning with graduation ceremonies August 13. Each recruit can invite two guests (max, no exceptions) to attend in person. (Children 2 & under do not count toward the guest limit.) Guests 12 or older need to provide proof of immunization (14 days post final dose,) in the form of a COVID-19 vaccination record card, to attend. In accordance with DOD and local policy and in order to ensure the health and safety of all, every person attending is required to wear face masks and observe social distancing protocols. If you are unable to provide proof of vaccination, you will not be able to attend, and will not be issued tickets to attend. If you are unable to wear a mask, you will not be able to attend, and will not be allowed into the facility. This policy is subject to change as leadership continues to monitor the spread and impact of the Coronavirus. Please continue to follow RTC social media accounts for updates and check www.bootcamp.navy.mil for the most up-to-date information. For specific questions and inquiries, contact the RTC Public Affairs Office.

Happy Veteran's Day!! I am a little out of pocket these days and way far behind on catching up with the chatting but I wanted to say hi and welcome to all of our new members!!

Hello ladies, I am a mess! I totally blew it! I was on the phone last night with a friend and that is when my son called. I tried to switch lines and grab his call but it went to voicemail. Aaaaaaaaahhhhh! I cannot believe I blew it. But then again I now have his scripted call on my voicemail so that doesn’t suck either. What day it was yesterday. I was speaking to him while he was at O’Hare and he said really quick, mom I gotta go. Then his phone was turned off when I tried to call a little later. That was the moment my heart stopped. Unfortunately I was driving so I had to minimize the tears. I cannot imagine going through this without the knowledge that you all have provided me with. Yikes, I need to get over myself and trust the process. I mean my brain is totally trusting the process but my heart is telling my brain to get lost. So now we wait, freak out a little, write letters and stalk the informed delivery emails. Oooooof!

Jrdsmama - I don’t think you blew it! I understand being upset that you missed the call, but at least you can listen to it over and over. I’ve only been dealing with the Big Silence for 2.5 weeks, but I’ve read a number of different strategies for the scripted call including letting it go to voicemail. I almost wish I had done that myself. Anyway, big hugs to you and hang in there!

Happy Veterans Day!!

I understand a bit better what you all are trying to find out.  The "Week" can start on any day of the week.  Saturday and Sunday will always be hold days.
So to use HappyInTheValley  as an example.  Her SR left on Wednesday.  That would be day 0.  He has 14 days of Quarantine.  Day 15 is when he would Normally move to RTC for Processing Days.  There is NO WAY to know for sure if they will move him a day earlier or on Friday, Either way Nov 25-27 are P-hold days.  They will have a Turkey meal on Thanksgiving. Because of the P-Hold for the holiday his P1 will be on Monday (Nov 29) and he will finish on Friday (Dec 3) They will move to their new location that Night.  Their letter will Mail out on Monday (Dec 6)  Because of the Holiday His Week will start on Mondays. 

If it wasn't for the holidays His week would start on Thursdays. 
Federal Holidays are usually treated as hold days but they don't usually add time to BC over all.  The Late Oct & Nov, folks WILL have a longer BC experience due to the multiple holidays that you encounter.  (Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years)  One day they can absorb into the training schedule but 4 days they cannot.  Just remember while I can help point out the Expected Timeline I cannot guarantee that it will go this way for YOUR SR.  Stuff happens.  I also kept the page that Northwoodsmom shared open the whole time. It did help to know what they were doing and when, However I think my SR didn't appreciate it.  He still says I know more about what he's doing than he does! 
One of the things that was pointed out to me was that they cannot vary the schedule by much. 180(ish)  Recruits are Starting Every day of the week M-F and they need to keep to that schedule to get everyone through everything by the end! 
Individuals may be moved but the Division has a strict schedule to follow otherwise it causes a Jam for those who are following.

BelovedbyHim!!!  Thank you for your estimate!  Even if it does change, it’s nice to have something to focus my mind on.  I really appreciate you ladies who’ve been through all this sticking around to hold our hands. It really does help to feel like I know some of what’s going on during this time of huge transition for our family.

I tried to record the I'm safe call while I was on the phone and couldn't.  I don't know half of what she said.  So sometimes I do wish I had let it go to voicemail and kept the recording.

Tonight I'm stressed because now that I know her orders, I can now book our flights home.  I had only booked one way there.  So the problem is she's leaving for A-School on Saturday 3am, so now the only flights back home are either Friday at 8:30pm or Saturday at 6am.  The big deal is the Friday flight is $97 vs, Saturday at 6am is $178.  If we leave after 6am on Saturday then they go up to $229!  I'm just bummed and feel guilty flying back on Friday night because that means we would have to drop her off at about 6:30pm to make it to the airport on time and I just want to spend as much time as possible with her and I don't know when we'll get to see her again.  No idea if she gets leave for Christmas or when.  

I was speaking to my husband about it, but honestly he is just stressing me out about it more.

Now I'm even questioning the hotel I chose, no reason why, I think just because I'm good at stressing myself out.

It's times like this when I wish I could just call her and ask her, what time do you have liberty until on Friday since you fly out Saturday? And just be able to talk it out with her.

mytidbitz - Here's the info currently listed on the RTC site regarding liberty.  

Graduating Sailors are authorized liberty following the Pass-In-Review (PIR) ceremony. Liberty comes with rules and regulations Sailors must follow.

While on liberty, RTC Sailors will not consume alcohol (regardless of age), use tobacco products or drugs, visit tattoo or piercing parlors, hitchhike, or drive a motor vehicle. Sailors must remain in the complete uniform of the day at all times.

For all Recruit Training Command (RTC) Sailors NOT transferring to Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes, liberty expiration is at 2100 (9 p.m.). If “A” school is at TSC Great Lakes, Sailors will immediately return to their compartment after PIR to transfer and they will get liberty upon arrival to their new command once checked in and completed with any administrative actions. For Sailors not immediately detaching RTC, Saturday and Sunday liberty hours are from 0800-2100.

The expiration of liberty is in the division compartment, NOT at the front gate and late Sailors will be subject to disciplinary actions that could impact subsequent liberty. Sailors are NOT permitted to ride in private vehicles to their barracks from the main gate, so be sure to return your Sailor to the main gate with enough time for them to walk back to their barracks.

Upon return from liberty, all bags will be inspected for contraband. Contraband includes, but is not limited to: drugs, alcohol, tobacco products or associated paraphernalia, medication unless prescribed by a military doctor, food, magazines or papers, and portable electronic devices (cell phone, ear pods, etc.).

Thank you for helping us complete the mission of liberty while keeping the Navy’s newest Sailors safe.

Thanks B'sNukeMom.  I had read that too.  What's confusing is that in the last two calls she said she had liberty until 8 not 9.  And then I started to wonder since she leaves Saturday morning will she be required to return even earlier on Friday night?

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

mytidbitz - your daughter will have the best info - I would go with what she says to be safe.  And maybe she's just making sure she is back on time - remember, early is on time and on time is late!

I've got my RED on today ;-D

Be sure to join your PIR group.  Here are the links:

PIR JANUARY 2022

PIR DECEMBER 2021

Great news if your SR has a 1/7/2022 PIR.  From the RTC Facebook page:

2021 CHRISTMAS ADOPT-A-SAILOR

Recruit Training Command will resume our annual Christmas Adopt-A-Sailor program.

Recruits graduating January 7, 2022, have the opportunity to spend Christmas Day in the local area with their immediate families or be adopted by local civic organizations such as VFWs, American Legions and churches.

The Christmas Adopt a Sailor does not apply to my SR, but this announcement brought tears to my eyes! I am so happy for these families!

mytidbitz--  No they do not make them come back earlier even if they are flying out early.  The first buses that leave to take them to various airports don't leave till Midnight. (Those are the ones that just picked up incoming recruits.) I agree with B that she is making sure she's on time (early) not late (On time).  Follow her lead on this!  They are extensively instructed on what is and is not allowed while on liberty, Don't dismiss those concerns based on something you read.

MomofJoseph -- Mine too!!

Belovedbyhim - Thanks for the update that they don't have to return earlier on the day they're flying out.  

I'm not dismissing her concerns at all.  If anything I'll be the one checking the time consistently to make sure we drop her off with extra time for her to get back.  I even picked the restaurant for thanksgiving dinner close to base so that we can have dinner at a decent time and still get her back on time - early.

Love the Adopt a Sailor program  That's so heartwarming.

Does anyone have information about Sarge's Meet and Greet? I saw on this page that their postponed due to covid, but today I saw a sign up sheet saying that one is being held on November 23rd.  Anyone have any thoughts?  It looks like it lasts about 3 hours; trying to decide if I should signup for it.

MomofJoseph-- If Sarge is restarting the Meet and Greet it's well worth your time.  I was so sad to miss mine due to our flight being weather delayed but I have heard nothing but good from everyone who has gone in the past.  It's also a chance to meet other parents of the SR's in your child's DIV.  You won't really be able to get to know them at PIR.  He has tons of tips and hints on how to get around and where to go with your Sailor.

MomofJoseph, I would definitely sign up. Just for the opportunity to meet other parents that will sharing the same experiences that you will be would be well worth it. I worked for months creating my basket that he raffles off to help fund this Meet and Greet. Unfortunately it was canceled the Monday before we would of had PIR. I heard many who attended are still friends with others they met there.  That was where I planned to pass out all the ribbons I made. Our motel that I booked was across the street from the Meet and Greet so we would of had easy access to go. Enjoy yourselves, how exciting for you and all the Mom's who will now be able to go. 

MomofJoseph - Do you have the link?  I would sign up if you sign up.

Loretta - I left a reply to your private message!

MomofJoseph and Mytidbitz - If Sarge is doing Meet and Greet, it is a good three hours or more and I think we left before it was over but it was and is about the only opportunity that we as Navy families have to come be together with a large group of other new Navy families. Other branches do much more family stuff after their boot camp or basic training.

Be prepared to make a cash donation for the food that he brings and try to be in the front of the line and if you are, try to leave food for those in the back. It is very helpful for him to have a reservation, so see if you can contact him. 

I am not able to be on the group here much lately otherwise I would look into it more. 

Mytidbitz - here's the link: https://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html

I'm driving back from the mountains today, so I can't register until tonight. But we are up for going

Just a note on the baskets for the Meet and Greet -- That was a relatively new thing that was started by a mom on here after My PIR as a way to thank Sarge for providing a free meal and tons of helpful tips.  If it isn't started you can always just give Sarge a tip(or a wad... Up to you) to thank him as well.  The first few may be sparsely attended. So bidding may not be much. 

That is great news about Sarge's Meet and Greet!  We went back in 2012 and had a wonderful time.  I updated the info up above stating that the Meet and Greet's have resumed.  Please consider tipping Sarge as he and his wife provide everything out of their pockets - donations definitely help!