Wow B'sNukeMom that is awesome. You deserve it  along with all the administration on these sites.  I wonder if he really knows your impact  on all our lives. The calming stability you and others bring to a bunch of hysterical moms truly deserve it.

Happy Monday! 

Thank you ladies - it was pretty amazing ;-D

Good Morning! 
Just got back last night from Great Lakes. Such a great trip! 
We stayed at the Navy Lodge and I have to tell you that the service was the best I have EVER had at a hotel. We rented a car for the weekend however we took the shuttle to graduation. 
The walk from shuttle drop off to the Ceremony hall was not bas at all but the -15 windchill sure made you lengthen your stride and pick up the pace!! We only had Friday with my brand new Sailor so not a lot of activities. Lunch,  Dinner and relaxing in the hotel. 
Anastasia restaurant/bar is AMAZING!!! Also we went to Mission BBQ in Gurnee.  BEST BBQ since I left Texas 10+ yrs ago and they are solely about serving and supporting first responders and military.  My Sailor has already arrived at A school and is settling in.  

Northwoodsmom -- He likely gave her the coin BECAUSE he knows what we do here!! I'm always dismayed when I see moms on the FB pages suggesting that frantic moms call GL to check in on their SR's  when they haven't heard from them in a while!  That is not how this works Ladies! The Navy sees them as independent adults even if they are just barely 18! They are NOT going to Nanny them!
Again B's Congratulations on the Honor!

JCNavyMom -- Congratulations!!!  Sounds like you Loved every minute of it!  Now that he's at A school, You should have better and more regular communications!

belovedbyHim, I can't say anything because I am at fault, maybe not in BC but I did call his ombudsman over Christmas stand down because it was over 4 weeks and I hadn't heard from him. I hated to do it and I know he got yelled at by his commander for it. Adult or not you should have the common sense to let your mom know your alright and I feel he deserved to get yelled at. I would never do that to my mom and now days it is even easier to send a text. I know once he is deployed that communication will be close to zero and I am expecting it but until that happens CALL YOUR MOM!

I’m so excited I can’t sit still!  PIR is Friday, we leave for GL on Wed and right now I’m trying to work but cannot concentrate to save my life!  What a wild ride this has been and I am so thankful it is almost over, LOL. We last spoke on Christmas and he was doing really well and very happy.  My heart is full but I can’t wait to hug my son!  I will make sure to post when we get back about our experiences and keep the knowledge train on the track!  Thank you ladies!!

Jrdsmama-- I'm excited for you!! I remember those feelings!!! Has he called yet?? Be sure to let us know when so we can join you in celebrating!  This is a big group on here if memory serves??

Yes, his graduating class is huge.  14 divisions!  BS started yesterday and calls are coming in from divisions 907, 035, 036.  My son is div 044 so I’m guessing I will be in GL by the time he calls. I cannot wait!  I have my anchor all ready to go and have packed him some lounging clothes.  His RDC said he will go to THU so we will have him for the weekend.  Super excited about that and I hope nothing changes!!  Pensacola can wait, LOL!

That is so awesome B'sNukeMom!!!!!!

I just have one thing to say about attending PIR. Rent a car!! We weren't sure of the plans and I figured we'd just stay around the hotel because I don't do cold lol. My sailor got liberty for the whole weekend. It was awesome!

B'sNukeMoMMN - Congratulations! What a special honor.  You make such a difference to this group. We know it, but it is wonderful to have someone at RTC notice as well 

FYI...Just saw this posted on the Navy Facebook page...

Navy Extends Boot Camp Training to 10 Weeks

DETAILS https://go.usa.gov/xt4Fr

I am struggling today.  I don't really want to share in a FB group, and I don't want to share with family/friends - I'd rather keep positive attitude with them.  BUT, I figured some folks here might be able to relate - or give advice.....

It happened yesterday - and I thought I'd feel better today, but I'm really struggling with it. 

I received my first letter yesterday, from my son. (I've had a phone call that lasted 25min on NYE, he sounded great).  

This letter was written on Jan.2nd (so 8 days ago). It was brutal. He was miserable, and regretted joining, hating himself, doubting himself.  Said he got in minor trouble, for sitting, and lost his 'job'.  I know that's not a big deal - but HE felt like it was end of world. I could tell from his words, that he was truly in despair. 

Now, he's an independent 20yo, so it's not like he's been super sheltered - or that I'm a hovering momma.  I have 3 young adult sons - and I have always promoted independence. 

But this letter is really hurting my heart. 

And I KNOW it was over a week ago, and it probably passed, and it's probably fine, and he probably barely remembers that awful day.... I know all those things, in my head. 

But my gosh, my heart is really hurting today. 

After reading the letter, I spoke with his gf, and we both wrote to him, with similar messages.  I also shared with hubby and his brothers - so they will take time to write him this week. 

I guess I'm not sure if I'm looking for advice, or just to vent. I just feel terrible. I didn't expect this feeling. I knew I would miss him - but this feeling of being HELPLESS stinks!  I feel like he reached out for help....8 days ago....and I couldn't be there for him.  

It may not make sense rationally - but my MOMMA instincts/habits are in overdrive. My whole body and soul wants to do something - but there's not much to do. 

Autumn96 - Your emotions and feelings are very real and there are many mommas and others on here that can relate to what you are going through. The self-doubt and feeling down on themselves is common. I won't sugar coat - for some this may be a time of reckoning for them to realize that the military isn't all that it is portrayed to them. Encouraging your son, sending prayers, scriptures, inspirational quotes are all things that will help them through BC. Once they are done with BC, and they start with A school, continue with open conversation - letting your son know that you are able to listen and hear what things he needs to share with you as he decides moving forward whether or not he wants to continue as a career in the Navy or just complete his enlistment. 

They want to make us proud, and losing his "job" can be hard, but the rotation of jobs in each division is common. Encourage him to continue putting his best effort into everything he is doing, and it will be noticed. He may not get his job back or receive a new one, but his attitude will make a difference if not just for him for everyone else in his division. 

I can totally relate. Things were great and my sailor was mostly upbeat then I received a letter that devastated me and made me truly sad for him. I attributed a lot of the self doubt and negative self talk to being somewhat homesick and not hearing timely from friends and family. It was so hard for me to be positive all the time but I knew I had to be to help him get through it. It was a short period because by the time of the next letter exchange all was good again and he had passed his tests and inspections etc. I can tell you I joined Sandboxx for this reason knowing I wanted my letters there faster to help him mentally. Keep sending those pep talks and encouraging letters and all will be fine!!! My sailor graduated Friday and is saying things weren’t that hard, it wasn’t as hard as he thought lol. I want to pull the letters out to remind him but I won’t. He is feeling great and extremely confident. This experience has already helped his self esteem and confidence in so many ways. 

Best Wishes! 

Mine was similar, there was a period where he was just stressed, sad, etc.. but it too passed and later told us the same thing, wasn't that bad and that BattleStations was fun...  we did sandboxx for that reason too. letter every day being positive.

and oh yes, the feelings of helplessness were one of the worst feelings and it lasted forever. being cut off and not knowing,, argh.  it hurts and we deal by reaching out to others who know what those feelings are.

Hi all - Happy Tuesday!

mom2blondies - thank you about the reminder for boot camp being extended.  I also posted that link back in December and I went ahead and added the info to the main N4M page and the pages on here.  I also updated the info at the top of the page here "Answers to Common Questions" to reflect this change.  It was something that the Rear Admiral and I spoke about in great length on Sunday.  This is something that should be very beneficial to our troops.

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2022

PIR JANUARY 2022

REMINDER FROM THE US NAVY RECRUIT TRAINING COMMAND FACEBOOK PAGE:

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.

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).

Autumn96 my son has struggled through alot of adversity, some self inflicted. Remember his commander's are not looking for perfect recruits, they are looking for ones that struggle through adversity and how they react to it. They are going to face all kinds of different scenarios throughout their Navy careers and their commanders are watching how they handle themselves and pull through tough situations. My son's Commander told him those are the ones that make the best United States Sailors because they learn from their mistakes and become better.  Tell him to keep his chin up he is heading for great things. Even though it breaks our hearts we have to keep in the back of our minds these commander's are there to mold them into young Sailors that will need to protect each other and their whole Nation. What Loving Father doesn't discipline their children? Hang in there Mom we all have been through this at one point or another, just be encouraging!

Autumn96- Our experience with our son has been similar.  In his letters he’s seemed frustrated, discouraged, and questioning his decision to be there.  It’s been terrible to sit with that at home.  Knowing it’s old news, wondering what (if anything) has changed in the 10 days since he wrote.  We’ve gotten very little communication so that’s made it even harder.  Just waiting, praying, hoping… writing letters that go mostly unanswered.  But then he called and sounded upbeat and darn near happy.  He was confident and motivated.  And I didn’t detect much of the frustration aired in his letters.  I think they’re going through a lot of ups and downs there.  Little things (to us) are big deals… how they leave a toilet paper roll hanging, how tightly their beds are made, whether there’s a wrinkle on a clothing item or dust under their bed, how their shoes are tied… I think it’s very discouraging when they get it wrong and very uplifting when they get it right.  They’re not supposed to talk to each other that much so writing home maybe the only opportunity your son has to get those negative feelings out.  Hopefully, in the process, he’s lightened his load and that by sharing his frustration and knowing that mom at home knows and cares what he’s going through helps him to feel connected and supported.  Praying that when you hear his voice you’ll find too that he’s worked through his discouraging days and feeling more confident. 

B’sNukeMom- How very exciting to hear about your meeting the Rear Admiral and that he honored you by giving you a coin!  What a special experience!  You, along with all the other admins and veteran moms who’ve hung around here to support us newbies in crisis, absolutely deserve recognition for all you do!  This site, and the encouragement and community, has blessed so many people during difficult times!

B'sNukeMom-Awesome! I saw that and it seems like a very new development so didn't want anyone to miss the news! I think it will definitely be time well spent although hard for the mommas to have them out of touch even that much longer. 

Oh those letters of despair and struggle without the follow up are so hard on our momma hearts! I remember getting one of those and then got a phone call a few days later and he was completely fine and having a great time. Then when he finally got my letter of encouragement he was super confused by the motivational quotes and 'pick me ups' haha! We are so used to instant communication that the whole 'snail mail' thing is so foreign. And remember....even if your kid thinks they messed up or got in trouble, there is a method to their madness and what their perception is of what is happening isn't always the case. There are 'tests' happening all the time. 

Hello everyone,

ive been writing my Son who is in Ship 14, DIV 088.

Can someone please tell me how to join Sandboxx?

 Thank you so much in advance.

Good Morning Anna,

Here is the information about using Sandboxx.

There has been much discussion regarding sending letters to SR's in boot camp via the SANDBOXX App.

Here is information I have received from RTC:

"While RTC does not endorse or promote the app, recruits are most certainly welcome to receive letters sent through them.

The RTC mail room does not deal with ANY FedEx or UPS mail (Sandboxx falls under this category).  They strictly only deal with misdirected mail, such as wrong addresses or ASMOs.  All mail that the post office on the main side of the base deals with goes straight from that post office directly to each ship.  There, it gets sorted by division.  Any mail for a recruit no longer in that division then gets sent to RTC's mail room where the two staff members must look up each individual letter in the computer to find the correct division for that recruit.  Those letters are then sent out for redelivery.  Thus, which explains such letters get delayed.  Plus, anyone sending letters to a recruit whose division isn't even in their permanent ship yet will also have their letters sent to the mail room.  Which is why we constantly stress: wait for the form letter!  Especially if the recruit gets ASMOed from failing baseline PFA.

Which bring us to the FedEx letters.  Because the mail room is only authorized to deal with USPS mail, any letters sent via FedEx or UPS which cannot be delivered due to a wrong address, get sent back to the carrier. " 

So you may continue to use the Sandboxx app but keep in mind IF your recruit changes divisions for any reason the letter will NOT be forwarded to them - it will be returned to you.  And remember someone else (at Sandboxx) is reading your personal letters and has access to your information.

To clarify - it is important to wait for the formal letter to send mail to your recruit whether or not you are using Sandboxx or USPS.

Also - it is not recommended to use the Sandboxx APP after they finish boot camp and are in the fleet.  Use of Sandboxx once they are in the fleet has been known to delay homecoming.  Please consider this once they are out of boot camp.

Hope this clears up some of the confusion!

Here's the link to the app:

Sandboxx App

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2022

PIR JANUARY 2022

I wanted to pop back on - and post a big thank you to everyone's kind comments.  While I am not happy that so many of you have experienced the same dreadful letter - I'm relieved to hear it is common. USPS says I'm receiving another letter tomorrow - I hope it's more upbeat. He was previously telling us how he was doing really well, and getting praise.  Hopefully this was just a 'bad day'.  He's at the halfway mark now, though!  

Again - thank you all so very much - it helped me immensely!

Autumn96 - being he's at the halfway point you should see a big turn around/improvement in his attitude/feelings.  Remember, they break them down so they can build them back up together as a TEAM!  Hang in there mama!

New members......

If your SR has a SEAL/Spec Ops contract please reach out to me and I can put you in touch with the group for this (it is a private group).

Marienavymom4kk, I am so sorry your daughter is going through such a hard time and even worse when you can't be the shoulder she cries on. There are so many that second guess their decision but you are doing so incredibly well at encouraging her through your letters. The first 4-5 weeks are so tough, they will start making friends and draw their strength from each other. Those friendships are more like sisters and brothers, they become family and then things get better. Give it time, next week she might have a brand new outlook. Mean time I will keep her in my PRAYERS! God Bless your aching heart.

Marienavymom4kk - I wish I had more that I could share about RCU and what it is like for your SR to be there, but I really just don't know. This would be the time to use Sandboxx if you are able, but even that, it is just hard to encourage at times from a distance. 

I have not heard of getting a moral phone call to go through to RCU. With Red Cross saying you have to get ahold of the ship chaplain, I wonder if they misunderstood where your daughter was at. You might look on the RTC website and see if there is a contact for the chaplain there.  Recruit Training Command - Chaplain (navy.mil) They might be able to visit with you. 

Marienavymom4kk - You are welcome! I am fairly certain they are probably just 0800 - 1630 maybe on their office hours. 

Contacting RTC via email:

• For legal matters (SEPS, FIT, RCU, medical hold), the RTC Legal inbox at rtc.legal@navy.mil is temporarily unavailable. For immediate assistance, please call 847-688-4949 ext 247 and leave a voicemail. Someone will return your call as soon as possible.

Marienavymom4kk - I'm sorry to hear about your daughters situation.  I posted below a phone # that you can try to reach out to for help.  Do you have her address?  If so, keep writing her letters and keep encouraging her!  She's probably feeling defeated right now but she needs to be strong and push through this.  She can do it!  

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2022

PIR JANUARY 2022

Latest updates from RTC:

February 18, 2022 - No Graduation

February 25, 2022 - No Graduation

March 4, 2022 - No Graduation

March 11, 2022 - No graduation

March 18, 2022 - TG-14 (099,101,102,103,104,105,106,107,108,913)

Here's the link to the March 2022 group:

PIR MARCH 2022

Happy Thoughts for those at PIR!!  May you get lots of hugs from your new sailor. Be sure to come join us in the Beyond BC group when you are finished with PIR. Also, remember to change the status of your sailor on your profile page to Enlisted!!!

Happy RED Friday everyone!!  I've got my RED on how about you. 

When you are struggling with those days of no communication and radio silence, remember this is BC preparation for you as well. Learning to write encouraging letters, email messages, texts (even if they can't read them yet) prepare us for the days, weeks, months when they might be out to sea. 

Happy Friday! I've got my RED on too!

Krystal posted a discussion up above - "Another New Mom" - I copied it below.  

Krystal - sometimes when people are using the site from their phone they don't always see everything in the discussion forum.  This will bring it to their attention.