Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

HappyintheValley, you are so welcome. We as moms share the same heart for our children, all we want is for them to be safe and happy. We however has a yearning for that simple "Hi, Mom", praying that your son's heart will be tugged on and he will write or give you a call. I know a couple of my son's commanders would yell at them to call their moms.  I work at a school and see all kinds of family dynamics, life is hard and confusing but love endures. Hoping your mom encourages him to communicate with you even if all he says is Hi Mom, I am doing okay.

Good Morning Everyone!! 

It is hard when our children don't seem to want to communicate with us. We just keep loving and offering any opportunity for them to share when they are ready. 

FYI - in the past your SR (seaman recruit) was only allowed to write on Sunday afternoons. They turn their letters over to the recruit mail petty officer, I think, and then all the letters are sent out on Monday. So depending on your location is when you will receive a letter. Mine came on Thursday. My son was a section leader and so he had other responsibilities, as well as doing some things for his bunkmate to help him out so he could be certain to attend chapel on Sunday. Most of his letters started with, "I have 10 minutes to write.!"  

Stay hopeful for a letter, but don't let your expectations on your SR be so high that if you do not receive any mail that it frustrates you and causes more heartache. They are working hard! One week I did not receive a letter, turns out my son had taken that time on Sunday to go to medical for a persistent cough, so he did not have to miss any other training time. He was doing everything in his power to make sure he kept the PIR date that his recruiter told us he would have and then his form letter stated as well. He knew I don't like my schedules messed up and was thinking about me!!! (His PIR, that is a different story and my Semper Gumby muscles grew about 2" that day!) 

Elina - B'sNukeMom posted some information about SRs who might be able to do the adopt a sailor program - it was a few pages back, if you can look for it. Not every SR is allowed to do Adopt a sailor and that is likely for Christmas only, I think. 

For your SR and any of our sailors that have to stand watch or are not able to take leave, they will likely have a nice dinner in the galley. Otherwise, it will be a normal day at BC for them. Generally sailors who are at A school, or other training schools will likely have the Thursday and probably Friday off, primarily so their instructors can be off. However, there will still be some that will be standing watch. The Navy is 24/7 - someone is always on duty which means someone is going to have to miss out. BC is no different, the SRs are being trained to be in the military now. I don't mean to seem harsh it is just the reality of it. 

Ummi - I replied to your questions in a PM (private message)  to you. Look for it in your inbox (that is in the upper left corner of your profile page.) 

Good Morning!!! Happy Friday!!! I love this site. I love the pics/comics and Bible verses.

I can't remember who said it but someone said to number their letters. Do you number the envelope or the actual letter? And should there be placement for the number (top right, bottom left). SR's girlfriend sent her letter yesterday. She couldn't wait (how cute) but in her excitement she left out part of the address. (Recruit Training Command line). It should be okay though, right?

Going to fill out the forms today (Yay)

love4Leo25 - I did not know anything about numbering my letters. I just sent them. I also wrote all of my letters in an email to my son and then printed them when I was ready to send, so the first one after I had the form letter was just in one envelope. 

You can put a small number on the back flap of the envelope, or in the lower left corner (leave the right side and bottom for the USPS barcodes they print now.) On the letter you can just put a note in the upper right corner of the letter and then explain in maybe the first one what you are doing. If you date the actual letter on the inside then if he does receive several he can put them in order. The purpose for numbering the letters is so if some are missing your SR will know. 

As for the address, it just depends. The important part is to have the street address, and city, state, zip and the SRs name properly written on the letter. The later is more for the mail sort at RTC. Everyone is known by their last name in the military, not their first like we do here, so as I recall it should be SR last name, First Name. 

love4Leo25 - I put the date on the back flap of the envelope so when my recruit would go to open the letter, she could see the date and know which order to open them.  Her first mail call she received 14 letters from us so it was very helpful to her.

Also, Happy Friday!  Only 5 more days for my SR's PIR!

Here is the info that B'sNukeMom shared - 

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.

Policy for Recruits being picked up by their immediate family is as follows:

- Immediate family members include: spouse, father, mother, siblings, grandparent, aunts, uncles and cousins. Boyfriends, girlfriends, fiancés, and family friends are not eligible to pick up their recruits. They may visit with the recruit once off base, but only an authorized family member may pick up their recruit..

- Recruits will send home a letter containing their mailing address and graduation date. The Adopt-A-Sailor application form will be included. The recruits are only allowed to send one form. Recruits are authorized to invite one additional recruit from their division to join their family for the day.

- All guests (age 12 or older) coming on base must be fully vaccinated (14 days post final vaccination) and there are no exceptions. Proof of vaccination WILL be required. Families will come on base to pick up their recruits between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 25, and return the recruits by 7:30 p.m that day.

- Only two personnel 18 years or older may be in the vehicle and only ONE person will be authorized inside the building. The person signing the application form is the family member authorized to pick up his/her recruit — no one else may pick them up in his/her place.

Of note, Recruits initially scheduled to graduate on January 7 but set-back in training will no longer be eligible to participate.

Full details and instructions are included in the application form. Questions may be directed to RTC Public Affairs at rtc.pao@navy.mil or 847-688-5582, ext. 2.

mytidbitz - WooHoo!!

For those of you that have finished with BC and are heading to PIR, feel free to come join our Beyond BC group. We would love to have you come join us and continue to chat and stay connected as a Navy family. Also, please continue to stick around the BC group and help us out by posting encouraging notes and answering questions for our other new members. 

Will do.  This has been a great place for me during these past 8+ weeks.  I think it was NorthwoodsMom who said sometimes her son can be a little turd, so can my daughter.  Before she left there were a few disagreements about how much time she spent with us vs her friends before leaving for BC.  Then her first few letters were how much she missed us, and now she's again choosing to spend her last night with her "friends".  But I will just tell myself it's how other mom's have said, she feels comfortable that we will always be here for her and so, she can choose as she wants.  

I've got my RED on!

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

PIR JANUARY 2022

PIR DECEMBER 2021

PIR NOVEMBER 2021

B'sNukeMom MMN- Thank you and yes I will be ok and I am taking it one day at a time. We are on break now and I am very thankful for that.  :)

I did not realize it was that long. I have missed you and the other ladies.

Thank you for thinking of me!!   :)

partyofseven - glad to have you back!  I'm sorry for everything you are going through - yes, one day at a time and know that we are here for you.  {{BNMH}}

Good morning All, Happy FRIYAY!

Party so good to see you posting once again, we Missed you my friend. Glad to have you back, and yes one day at a time!

If those of you not sure about the Meet and Greet, back when we went we had such a good time! you sit with those in the same Div. as your or not up to you. Sarge and his Wife are awesome people, they have a variety of food and i Mean lots. You will have a vendor selling flags, shirts back packs and More.....they also do stenciling. shirts of all sizes so Take plenty of cash not sure if they take card now.

Plan to arrive the day before PIR so you won't risk missing PIR and go to Sarge's Meet and Greet from 4pm to 8pm the evening before PIR at the Lakehurst Event Center (go to http://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html to RSVP). Sarge has a taxi service and he is a wealth of information. His cell number is 847-212-0246. His Meet and Greet and services have been getting great reviews. Find Sarge on N4M as OldSarge.

Here's the link to Sarge's Meet & Greet.  You will need to RSVP if you plan on attending:

Meet and Greet

I remember reading some comment about numbering the letters, too. I've been doing that so that my daughter knows how many have been sent so far, or if she's missed one in the sequence.  I also take a pic of the letter just in case she doesn't get it and that way I  can send it again. I can be anal. But she's  my only child,  what can I tell ya! 

Chipmunk Thanks for the info. I had seen the "Adopt-a-Sailor" post. It gave me visions of my son being left all alone in A School (much like Ebenezer Scrooge left alone at boarding school in A Christmas Carol). With traveling for PIR mid-December, there is just no way my family can get to Charleston for Christmas. Knowing what a "normal" holiday looks like helps 

For moms struggling with communication from their recruits--My son and I have always had a toxic relationship. I have sent him a letter every 2-3 days anyway. He surprised me with a one page letter back on Friday. (I included a self-addressed stamped envelope in one letter.) His phone call at the beginning of the month he told me how much he appreciated it. (Of course, 1 thing that may have helped is that he had to memorize my phone number in school and he doesn't have access to his cell phone contact list.)

*Fingers crossed* that your sons/daughters may surprise you as well. Keep writing, even if you don't have an address yet.

Elina-- No they are NOT left all alone!  There are many organizations nearby that take Sailors who have no where to go and If they stay on base they do have a special meal. 
You mention A school... Depending on when he has PIR that will determine his Christmas options.  You may be pleasantly surprised!  In any case they will have holiday happenings at the Base and they will be celebrating if they so choose!

Elina - I am glad that BBH replied. I did not realize yours was going to be at A school likely. The Adopt - A - Sailor information that we posted was specifically for those in BC at RTC. I will reach out to you privately. 

Good Morning Ladies and welcome to all of our new members. We have had a lot join recently and that's awesome!!

Any questions please don't hesitate to ask and someone will answer you!!

I always say keep that phone with you at all times and that ringer on loud as you just never know when a call will come thru!!

Keep wrtiing every day as I always felt it helped me as much as your loved one.

For the moms that may have trouble with their sons/daughters not writing keep writing them as you may very well be surprised because they are really going to be missing you they just don't realize it yet!!!   :)

I am another mom that helps out with Phoenixmom, Chipmunk and the other moms on here. Our sons started their service around the same time so that's pretty neat.

Welcome again and we are glad that you are here.

Thanks for all the replies and info.

Our family's PIR is December 10, Div 902.

Yes, my son is going Nuke and is looking forward to the warmer weather of SC.

We know it will be a long haul with many holidays apart. (We look at the bright side. All the different places to go visit him on liberty when his brother and sister are off from school.)

I have joined the Nuke group, but am waiting until he's going to transfer before being active there.

Elina, my son will also be in Charleston. And I did the same as you - I joined the Nuke group, but I haven't participated much.

MomofJoseph  I'm so glad you shared about your son. It's a comfort to know that another mom from here is paralleling the journey. Are you too excited to sleep, yet? Only 4 more sleeps until your family's PIR!

Elina, I think I'm at the "too anxious to sleep" phase. The last two letters and the last phone call, he has said, "Please pray that I graduate on time." That does not put my heart at peace! 

MomofJoseph and Elina - I posted a question on the Nuke Mom page to see if we can get some information for you regarding the Holiday stand down time at GC. Last year, there was very little traveling allowed so I am not sure what information I am going to be able to glean.

Partyofseven - It is good to have you back as you are able. 

Good Morning Ladies,

Elina and MomofJoseph- thats what we would do when my children and grand children were little. We counted by sleeps and they loved it!!

It won't be long now ladies and MomofJoseph I'm sure your loved one is anxious to and can't wait to be done. That's how mine was. Lol

I still do that to this day and I would tell my son 4 more sleeps and then you are home!!  :)

God Bless and everyone have a great Sonday!!!

Good Morning ladies.  

Love the stories about how many sleeps until PIR.  I have one more sleep until we fly out and then 3 more sleeps until PIR.  I'm so excited.  My daughter is in a 900's division so I tried to see her at Friday's graduation, and didn't.  But just knowing she was in that room was great.  And knowing when we get there tomorrow that now we're not that far from each other will be even better.  Her younger sister keeps asking do you think she's going to be very different, and I say nah, she'll still be a brat.  LOL

Bad news though, I received an email that the meet and greet was canceled.  Didn't say why, just circumstances beyond their control.  I was hoping to meet some of the mom's from here there.  

Just got off the phone with my son. Breaks my heart to hear him beat himself up when he's not perfect. He's worried about how he ties his shoes and how he contributed to one of the 21 hits in Marlinespike.

He's counting training days--8 more for him.

I'm counting Fridays still-- in 3 Fridays I can give him a big hug.

Safe travels mytidbiz and MomofJoseph.

Chipmunk--thanks for looking out for us.

Elina - You are welcome!! I am sorry to hear that your SR is struggling - I would like to say it will be better when they get to A school but that is not always the case, there is a lot of pressure for perfect in some ways, at least my sailor felt it a lot. 

Thank you Elina.  

I'm sorry to hear your son is beating himself up.  I know how you must feel, being so far and not being able to help.  But at least he was able to confide in you and I'm sure you gave him some great advice and I'm sure you can't wait to follow that up with a hug soon.

Elina, so happy you got a phone call from your son. Even though he is upset with himself remember all of the recruits get hits and he is by no means alone. The RTC stands for Recruit Training Command. It is a training command for a reason and they are all learning to do it the Navy way.  Because this bothers him shows how much he cares about being better and how much it effects the other recruits that he cares deeply about. This is the kind of Sailor they are looking for, one that learns by his mistakes, sees how it effects his division and tries harder. My son was told in A school by one of his commander's, "we like those Sailors that struggle because in the end they are the ones that make the better Sailor".  Prayers for your son to finish strong.

Good Morning Ladies and welcome to our group,

We are so glad that you are here.

Elina- So glad that you heard from your son. Prayers for your son to finish strong!!

mytidbitz- Good Morning and I am so excited for you!! PIR is so exciting and enjoy that great first big hug that you will get from her. Tell her thank her for her service and give her a big hug from us!!!

That's to bad to hear about the meet and greet. Prayers for Sarge and his family that everything is ok.

Let us know how it goes when you can. Safe travels as you head out. Enjoy this time with your loved one and be safe out there ok.

This is the beginning of Thanksgiving week. There is a lot to be thankful for that is for sure!! 

mytidbitz - I am sorry to hear about the meet and greet. There is a lot that goes into the preparation for this, hopefully things will come together for future ones and as Partyofseven said, hopefully all are well. 

Enjoy your time! And remember to come join us in Beyond BC !!

Partyofseven - May you have a wonderful day!! Glad you are able to be back with us from time to time. 

Chipmunk- Thank you. Things are pretty quiet right now. I believe the family is not due to come in until after Thanksgiving but this could change.  

I'm on a holiday schedule this week and for that I am thankful. Hope everything is going well with you as well.   :)

Good Morning Ladies, Party so good to see you online! you sure was missed and I'm glad that you will have time off to enjoy and relax.

Wow! so much to Thankful for although this year flew on by and left me behind I Have to say Im all caught up with turky day and christmas, although my Daughter and her family all caught the Covid, they have been so sick and I cant go and help them without me catching that darn illness. seems like they are at the end of it but still very fatigued. 

Hoping you all Have a Fabulous Turkey Day with family and friends close to you, Being together giving Praise is the Best! Again so much to be Thankful for! Spoke to my Son Last night and was telling me its getting cold in WA. Told him to bundle up and be safe and healthy and as always he tells me he gots this. Have a Great day all!

Partyofseven - We are good! Busily preparing for time to see family whether we are coming or going. I have been shopping and have more to do. With kids farther away, I am having to think a little more about mailing packages!

Phoenixmom - Yes, we have a lot to be thankful for!

May all of our new members have a wonderful week!

I know many of you are missing your loved ones who are not able to be with you this year. I will say that is one of the great things about this group - and our other groups on the site as well! We get where you are coming from even when others don't and we sort of band together to support each other. We might not say a lot on this group itself, but some of us has stuck together through thick and thin behind the scenes or in some of the more private groups and even if we haven't meet each other in person, we are as much of a family / community as if we were. We rejoice with each other and we grieve with each other. 

But we also encourage each other to be thankful for the things we do have, all the while missing our sailors. 

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.

Policy for Recruits being picked up by their immediate family is as follows:

- Immediate family members include: spouse, father, mother, siblings, grandparent, aunts, uncles and cousins. Boyfriends, girlfriends, fiancés, and family friends are not eligible to pick up their recruits. They may visit with the recruit once off base, but only an authorized family member may pick up their recruit..

- Recruits will send home a letter containing their mailing address and graduation date. The Adopt-A-Sailor application form will be included. The recruits are only allowed to send one form. Recruits are authorized to invite one additional recruit from their division to join their family for the day.

- All guests (age 12 or older) coming on base must be fully vaccinated (14 days post final vaccination) and there are no exceptions. Proof of vaccination WILL be required. Families will come on base to pick up their recruits between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 25, and return the recruits by 7:30 p.m that day.

- Only two personnel 18 years or older may be in the vehicle and only ONE person will be authorized inside the building. The person signing the application form is the family member authorized to pick up his/her recruit — no one else may pick them up in his/her place.

Of note, Recruits initially scheduled to graduate on January 7 but set-back in training will no longer be eligible to participate.

UPDATE: Divisions 023/024 will send their Adopt-A-Sailor forms separate from the form letter.

Those that have Loved Ones in A school they will also be able to get adopted for Thanksgiving. they will also be able to fill out the form and put in for it. It is a great Program, my Son at the time was adopted out and he had a great time with this family. I was so Thankful for that.

Word from Sarge:

The meet and greet for Tuesday 11-23 is CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.

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

PIR JANUARY 2022

PIR DECEMBER 2021

Reminder - PIR is Wednesday 11/24/2021 this week

TICKETING: Everyone who is planning on attending a graduation ceremony MUST personally obtain a ticket, which will be distributed at the Recruit Family Welcome Center the week of your recruit's graduation. Tickets are free of charge, but you must have valid photo ID to obtain your ticket (driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport, or, for minors, a student ID, driver's permit, SSN card, birth certificate,) AND you MUST also have your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. Once you receive your ticket do NOT lose it, as this will be the only ticket you will receive. These tickets are not transferable and are the only means to access the base for attendees.

WELCOME CENTER ADDRESS/GPS: Navy Exchange (NEX) Burkey Mall, 2650 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60088 (Do NOT use generic terms such as NEX, Recruit Training Command or Naval Station Great Lakes).

RECRUIT FAMILY WELCOME CENTER HOURS:

Thursday [10:00 AM to 7:30 PM] and Friday [5:30 AM to 8:30 AM]
Nov.10, Nov.24 and Dec.15 all are Wednesday graduations. For these, ticket pickup
will be on Tuesday and Wednesday of those weeks, with hours the same as those on Thursday and Friday.
**Certain federal holidays may require adjusting days and times.
Please refer to the website for those specific updates**

Plan accordingly so each person can check-in to receive a ticket for the graduation ceremony. If you don't have a ticket you will NOT be allowed entry to the base. Tickets will only be issued to guests who the graduating recruit has verified will be attending. Please ensure those who check-in to receive their graduation tickets are the same as those who were listed on the security form.

**DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE BASE WITHOUT FIRST PICKING UP YOUR TICKET**

Happy Monday!