Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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

PIR MARCH 2022

PIR FEBRUARY 2022

PIR JANUARY 2022

BZ to all the new Sailors today!

I was watching the live PIR on you tube this morning and I think I remember someone asking here previously how to know which side of the ceremony hall your kiddo will be on so you know where to sit?  My son is in the last division (060) for 1/21.  Does anyone know if I should be on the right or left side? 

Does anyone know what the Sleep Inn is like? We have reservations there and are wondering if it is a nice place to stay?

HappyInTheValley - I have not watched the PIRs recently to know if they have changed the orientation of the ceremony any while the sailors are in the hall or not. When you arrive, they will have stand with the Div#'s marked on them so you will know where to sit. 

Suki - I do not know about the Sleep Inn, I generally get online and look at the ratings and any comments that are made. Maybe someone that has been there recently will be able to reply. 

Krystal....I found this info... listed above in physical assessment

f any of the recruits fail the initial run, then they are moved to DIV 744 where they do not receive any training since they should have come to RTC with sufficient training to be able to pass the initial test of the 1.5 mile run. They are given another opportunity to pass one or two business days after the first attempt. Those recruits who pass the run on the second attempt are moved to a division to begin training and will send the form letter. It won't necessarily be the division that they were originally assigned to when they arrived at RTC. This is why it is important not to send letters to your recruit if you get an address from your recruit's recruiter since it may not be correct. We have seen some who have been given up to five chances to pass once they have arrived at DIV 744 before being sent to SEPS.

HappyInTheValley-- when we were at PIR in December, they had large signs posted where each division would stand and they remain in place until 8:45. Also, any one of the greeters (900 division members) at the door with hand sanitizer and yellow cord on their shoulder, would be happy to point you in the right direction. 

Thank you Chipmunk and Elina!  I feel like I’ve got a lot of little questions, but they’ve mostly slipped my mind!  I was going to bring him an outfit to lounge in while we’re in the hotel.  Any other suggestions of thoughtful things I could bring along? 

HappyInTheValley, my son asked for a phone charger, his own underwear( he liked the long legged boxer ), a good pair of tennis shoes and his hand held game player. Excited for you!

Thank you Chipmunk for the information.  I do want to thank those who are suggesting items to bring for PIR weekend. Very helpful!

HappyInTheValley -- is he staying at GL or leaving for A school?  If leaving, don't bring or buy too much. They cannot bring anything back on base with them that they didn't leave with (Civies, Shoes, Phones, Boxers) so you will then have to take that stuff back home and mail it to them once they get an address. IF staying then you can give them those items.
When he calls you can ask them where in the formation they are standing. (ie: 3dr row 6th back...) They will ALL look alike!  You may think you would know your child anywhere but if you've ever played "Where's Recruit Waldo" with the pictures that RTC posts on their FB page.... You Know how hard it really is!
The first Div usually stands nearest the Big doors and the Last Div stands farthest from them.  There are signs to tell you where to sit and yes the young Men and Women who are working there would be happy to direct you.

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

Anna, That information comes from one of our seasoned moms. I hope it helps you.

Jrdsmamma- Whoo Hoo safe travels as you leave today. Give your loved one a big hug from us and enjoy every moment with your loved one!! It's so exciting.

Marienavymom4kk- Good Morning and I hope you were able to get more information. Prayers for your daughter. Big Navy Mom hugs to you both!!

Autumn96- Hey and I know what you mean. It is so hard getting that first letter when they are so down. I also sent mine bible verses and just kept on encouraging him in my letters and when I would talk to him when he called. I'm glad that you are feeling better and yes when your at the halfway mark you are going on the down slide now. Hang tight and you got this!!

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

PIR MARCH 2022

PIR FEBRUARY 2022

PIR JANUARY 2022

Another TG was added to the March PIR.

Suki - You are welcome!! I hope you find some information out about the Sleep Inn. 

One thing I recommend for those of you staying at motels, be sure to check about what their breakfast options are and what time they start. Even still now, there are some motels that do not offer what might be listed on their websites. You might want to consider calling and verifying any information that is posted on the websites. Also, be sure to check on discounts for PIR weekend and also verify what the cancellation policies are.

HappyInTheValley - I apologize for not replying sooner. I saw BBH & Northwoodsmom had replied. 

If your sailor is going to THU or staying in GL for A school, then you might be able to give him his computer, Kindle or other small electronics. However, if he is going to THU for a bit, but will still be transported out of state to his A school, he will have limited space for a lot of extras. 

My SR has really made me see how she's matured in 4 months. She's doing well and is so focused on her PT, adjusting her running technique according to her coach's recommendations. She's already done 2 practice runs and said her legs burned a little afterward, but felt fairly strong. She's keeping her mind active with the workbooks I've been sending her and sharing them the other SRs. We're both keeping positive. Thanks for the prayers!

Ummi - That is such good news!! I am glad to hear that your SR is doing well, staying positive & focused, and receiving the extra coaching and instructions. You are doing a great job with encouraging her and it sounds like she is doing her best to encourage other SRs in her situation as well. 

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

PIR MARCH 2022

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).

I sent her word puzzle workbooks like cryptograms,  word search, and Korean language workbooks and a Korean dictionary. She's hoping for a CTI rating and she can read and write some Korean, which she learned in grade school. She loves anything Korean. Also, I sent adult coloring books for her artistic side.

B'sNukeMom - how come there's no PIR in January and February? 

Krystal - I don't recall whether or not your daughter is in RCU - ship 2 or not, but I believe they are able to receive some extra things that those in BC are not able to have during regular training.  

Ummi - During the holiday standdown, no new SRs are brought into BC, therefore we have some gaps in actual PIR dates. 

Four more days til graduation!  I’m expecting my SR’s call sometime Wednesday hopefully!  We haven’t heard from him since December 26th!  I’m nervously confident that all is well.  We fly out Wednesday night.  Trying to focus on getting all my ducks in a row.  

HappyInTheValley - All the best to you!

Krystal - my daughter told me that the SRs don't have much to do in RCU due to their injuries, so many of them need the distraction of reading materials. Stuff that challenges them mentally and/or spiritually helps keep them sharp. The adult coloring books are just fun eye candy, but they also stimulate the left brain. Her grandmother, bless her heart, sent her a small paint set with a watercolor tablet. Of course, my SR couldn't  keep it.  That was definitely NOT allowed. Gotta love those grandmas! But there's some kinda workbook or puzzlebook for whatever interest your SR has. If you do send coloring books, send with them colored PENCILS, not markers or gel pens. Anything that can mark up their uniforms or bedding won't be allowed.

Chipmunk thank you so much for the information and idea to confirming with the motel on breakfast etc. I will do that.  I can also report back on how our stay turned out.

If you have a SR in RCU be sure and check with your sailor before you send anything.  They will know what can and cannot be sent and they will still have to open the package in front of the RDC on duty.  Better if they know the package is coming than not.
THIS IS ONLY FOR SR'S IN RCU!! DO NOT send anything to any other SR who is in regular training or ROM unless they specifically ask you to!!

Suki - We look forward to hearing from you after PIR!

Ummi - I think you're referring to the limited PIR's in February and March - they are having them, just fewer of them.  I'm wondering if it has to do with the new 10 weeks of training now.  This might be the adjustment period for the new groups coming in.  But I don't know that for sure - it's just a guess.

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

PIR MARCH 2022

PIR FEBRUARY 2022

PIR JANUARY 2022

Krystal - my daughter told me that the SRs don't have much to do in RCU due to their injuries, so many of them need the distraction of reading materials. Stuff that challenges them mentally and/or spiritually helps keep them sharp. The adult coloring books are just fun eye candy, but they also stimulate the left brain. Her grandmother, bless her heart, sent her a small paint set with a watercolor tablet. Of course, my SR couldn't  keep it.  That was definitely NOT allowed. Gotta love those grandmas! But there's most likely kind of workbook or puzzlebook for whatever interest your SR has. If you do send coloring books, send with them colored PENCILS, not markers or gel pens. Anything that can mark up their uniforms or bedding won't be allowed. All this may seem juvenile, but the SRs seem to like them and if it ups their morale and keeps them out of SEPS, then by all means try it. Just remember to send stuff by USPS. The BC post office CANNOT accept FedEx or UPS mail.

B'sNukeMoM - thanks for that PIR update.

HappyInTheValley - I hope that phone call comes in soon!

Navy recruits will complete 10 weeks of boot camp in 2022, rather than the eight weeks that has been the standard.

The additional two weeks of Basic Military Training at Recruit Training Command aboard Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, will be devoted to the completion of a “Sailor for Life” module that targets the conversion from civilian to sailor, according to Capt. Dave Hecht, a spokesman for the chief of naval personnel.

“This will focus on character development through lessons in mentorship, small-unit leadership, professional and personal development and advanced Warrior Toughness,” Hecht said in an email to Navy Times.

A few other changes in training and personal development are also slated for the new year.

That includes expanding the Warrior Toughness training that recruits go through during boot camp to the entire fleet. First introduced to recruits in 2018, Warrior Toughness is designed to help sailors perform in stressful situations and is based on concepts originally developed by Naval Special Warfare.

“The fleet-wide campaign will ensure all Sailors benefit from the psychological skills and character development needed to maximize their performance in challenging environments,” Hecht said.

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Thank you B’sNukeMoM and Chipmunk!!!  Saying a little extra prayer for division 060 today!

BelovedbyHim - Yes, you're right! Ladies take heed...ONLY the SRs in RCU can have this kind of stuff. Please don't try to send these things to your SR if she or he is not in RCU. They may get in trouble with the RDC (depending on his/her mood) and may have privileges taken away. And we don't want that!

There are always two weeks of no graduation in February. It is because during the two week holiday stand down no recruits enter RTC, so no graduation at eight weeks. Yes, the next two weeks are because those coming into the RTC after stand down are at BC now for ten weeks.

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

PIR MARCH 2022

PIR FEBRUARY 2022

PIR JANUARY 2022

Ah yes Ellen - I forgot about the 2 week holiday stand down.

Well hello ladies!  Just got back from PIR and it was amazing! Getting to hug my son was incredible.  We only had Friday with him which was a bummer but a blessing for sure.  He thought maybe he would go to THU and we would have the weekend per what his RDC told him but it didn’t work out that way.  He was on a bus to Pensacola at 6am Saturday morning.  They arrived safely and we have been able to FaceTime a lot since then which is amazing!  My husband asked if I was better now…LOL!  I will tell you, it is so much better to see how he is doing with everything in person and see him during our conversations on FaceTime.  The body language and facial expressions tell me everything I need to know and I didn’t have that while he was in BC.  He is so happy it makes my heart smile.  He said they had a 25% attrition rate which is just insane to me.  But he also said that a lot of recruits focus on what they no longer have and you just can’t do that.  Our letters and knowing he had a cheering section got him through and he focused on the job of being in BC.  He actually said I’m getting paid to march (which he loved)  and have someone yell at me.  So go for it, yell away!  I was really taken back by his maturity in how he handled the stress of it.  Make no mistakes, he is still my knucklehead but he walks a little taller and has a bit more confidence.  What more can a mom ask for?  I know this is just our first hurdle but I’m not lying when I say this is the second hardest thing I have been through only second to my dad passing in 2020.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me get through this.  I will post my trip details separately so we have current info.  I told my husband how grateful I am to all the sites, pages, FB groups that have helped guide us in this journey.  I would have been so unprepared for PIR and more of a mess than I already am without you all.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!