Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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Good morning! I used Sandboxx, where you can attach NEX cards to your letter. They never expire, so they can take the NEX gift card with them when they leave BC.

My sailor seemed to have enough to get what was needed, and yes, he got the cheap watch there, still uses it and had bought a couple of calling cards because the one I got him just wouldn't work right and no way was I going to miss a call because of that. That first card they give them is like an advance on their pay. if he has navy fed, he can use his debit card after that. 

Good morning everyone! Just a tip on the calling card. You can purchase them from ATT online and they are US and ship to shore for some ships. Here is the info:

https://www.virtualprepaidminutes.com/Navy_prepaid_calling_cards.aspx

ATT Navy Calling Card

Sign up and pay online. You can print and send in the mail. I cut it out, wrote the PIN on the back along with a short note and laminated it. Worked great for my sailor.

So, I haven't posted much, but definitely appreciated all of the advice and comments. I wanted to share our experience from this weekend.

We heard from Ian on February 28 that they had passed Battle Stations, and then we didn't hear from him again until we saw him on Friday. They say "no news is good news" so we took that to heart, although I kept expecting a call. 

We flew into Chicago Midway on Thursday morning and drove about an hour to Great Lakes. We picked up our Graduation tickets at the big NEX (not the one on post - Turn onto Green Bay Rd. off Buckley Rd.) We needed to show our vaccine cards and driver's license, they checked us off the list and wrote our names on our tickets, we used them to get on and off base all weekend, so don't lose them!

We stayed at the Spring Hill Suites (about 10 minutes from the base) they had cute little "Graduation packs" with mints and Kleenex in it. They did play the graduation in the lobby for people who didn't have tickets.

Originally, he told us he was going to Pensacola Friday night/Saturday morning at 2am, but it turns out they went this morning. Key take away - be flexible with your plans, we had reservations in Chicago for Saturday night, so we did a lot of driving! Totally worth it. :)

We got the idea to decorate our door from another family, so it was a great surprise when we brought him to the room.

We left the hotel Friday morning about 6:20am, got to the gate line about 6:35 and were parked in the garage about 7:05am. It is a huge hall with metal bleachers, there are a couple of tables there, one with drinks (concession sales stop at 8:30am), one with pictures and coins for sale - I think they only take cash, and one with some apparel.

They have signs up where the Divisions will be, so you can figure out where to sit.

That big garage door you see in the background opens and the divisions march in when it is time. I'm getting goose bumps all over again thinking about it.

That second flag holder is my son! <3 

Will continue post I can only have 4k characters.

Post 2 continued.

Saturday morning we took him and his friend to Chicago, the friend had never been. We did some sightseeing and got deep dish pizza. Then they took showers and a nap, while my husband and I took a walk and had a snack. (Apparently their "showers" are one minute at BC, so they still smell a little funky.) We drove them back so they were there about 8:30pm, their liberty lasted until 9pm. The pic below is the walkway from Soldier Field (where the Bears play) on our way to the Field Museum.

A group of them took the Metra (station right outside of the base) to Chicago Sunday morning and did a little more sightseeing. We saw them for a bit, we were a little bummed, because obviously we wanted to hang out with our newly minted sailor, but I think it was great for them to hang out and celebrate together in "the real world." We took them back to Great Lakes and then headed back to Midway.

I can't tell you how impressed we were with the change that happened in 75 days. He's talking about how he set up his TSP (Thrift Savings Plan, the govt. equivalent of 401k) and 12% Navy Federal Savings account. 

We did use Sandboxx to send letters, you can attach one picture per letter, and like I said in a previous post, you can attach a gift card for NEX that doesn't expire. We also sent the daily motivation and the newsletter. They are desperate for things to read. We didn't get much communication back, but he has kept all of the letters he got, and apparently reread all of them multiple times.

We did see recruits yesterday at NEX buying supplies and making phone calls. They were all marching and singing, and the weather was beautiful, so they were just in BDUs, not their parkas. 

Hope this helps! Now they are off to A-school in Pensacola, excited for the warm weather after a snowy and cold boot camp. :)

IVL'sMom, great pictures and tons of valuable information. Thanks so much for sharing. So very happy for all of you!

On the Banking Note--- Not only does NFCU deposit their Pay a day early but When the Government had the shut-downs over budget battles and so many Government employees were not getting their paychecks, NFCU Covered those missing pay checks so our military were taken care of!  I have been a member since 1988 and while I have opened other "Bank" accounts I always ended up closing them because NFCU was sooooooo Much better!! (My kids have all had accounts from the time they were born, if not before!) I am still on all their accounts so if they need a hand I can transfer $$ to them easily.  Yes there are other ways to send money but this is just super easy for me.  They should be able to use their paperwork from MEPS to set up an account before they leave, however they may make your SR wait till their ship out week before they open it. 

Thank you for belovedbyHim. We are definitely when he’s done if he hasn’t already set him up with a navy federal credit union does he need anything military wise documentation? For that?

Also do you know of any good hotels to stay at near the base for training?

So we received our first well technically second phone call from our son Saturday morning and I said hello and he said mom and he broke down crying he left this tough as nails boy but inside I knew he was scared this whole process has really taken a toll on myself as a mother wanting to protect as that nurture. Yesterday was the fourth week starting and he has an assessment today which he’s very very nervous about so I’m asking for prayers. He never did well studying in high school as he hated school because he was bullied even as an athlete which I feel from middle school to high school is why he is where he’s at today and I know he will become more than those kids will ever be doing something so courageous and honorable by going into the United States Navy. He deserves this and deserves to do well and we are more proud than ever and his dad is a Navy veteran as well. I just keep the Lord in my heart and pray a lot he is renewing his face and has learned a lot about himself are ready just in three weeks. The past few years he has not treated me well and as he was crying told me in the phone he was so sorry and he will never be like that again to me and wrote that in the letters that we received yesterday as well. People say they leave a boy and then come back a man and what I see is a boy who’s finding himself and becoming a man and realizing and regretting many things so I just try to keep him positive and upbeat let him know that it’s OK. Is next six weeks can’t go fast enough as we try to patiently wait to see him. Again if you can provide your prayers or say a prayer for him today that would be great. 

osubuckeyegirl - you should have received a brochure in your form letter from your son with hotel information. That is what I used. I thought it was also available online at the RTC website but I can't find it. Several people have stayed at the Springhill Suites. Some will stay at the Navy Lodge. No matter where you stay, be sure to check out their cancellation policy. 

There are a couple of other groups that you might be interested in joining - Christian Navy Moms - this one is a closed group / private group like the PIR groups are. The other is Prayer Wall and it is visible to the public, but you may join and post prayer requests there as well as here. I will be praying for your SR. I am sorry that he suffered through so much as a young man in school, that is hard. 

Here is a link to another group that is not very active but I intend to post some more information over there when life is not crazy here on the homefront - I do have a link over there for the July 2021 hotel brochure if it is still viable. - Where to Go in Chicago! - Navy For Moms (ning.com)

I have stayed at the Sonesta ES suites on white oak drive twice now and will again.. very friendly, knowledgeable and navy related lol.  little style outdated but have  a mini kitchen, full stove and microwave, fridge.. very nice.. they don't make me pay to have my sailor stay overnight or two with me.. because I'm usually there 1 or 2 nights by myself

IVL's Mom - I left a comment for you on your page. 

Trey - Thanks for that input!

osubuckeyegirl, I am holding your son up in prayer. Thank you for sharing your experiences, I know their is alot of things going through their minds (Sailor and Recruit). Their Mom is their rock most of their young lives, the one constant that will never abandon them even if they latch out against us.  I know for a fact my son wasn't the nicest to me either when he was searching for who he really is. Most of the time because of frustration and I was the closest to him.  You will start seeing a change in the next few weeks and once you get to his PIR I know you will be blown away by his maturity and self confidence you will see in him.  Hold on Mom your prayers are being answered. Big hugs to you!

osubuckeyegirl , I cried when I read your post and have added your son to my Navy Mom prayer list.  It is so challenging AND encouraging to see our boys become men.  Praying that your son will do well and will continue to grow.  :-)  Big Hugs to you!

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

PIR MAY 2022

PIR APRIL 2022

PIR MARCH 2022

osubuckeyegirl  Your son sounds similar to mine - he hated school too and was often the target of bullies.  I know some of his frustration about being an unhappy High School student boiled over on me but not too much.  He worked for two years after HS full time to take the time to figure this all out and he did it on his own.  He wants this and wants to be proud of himself and wants you to be proud of him too, same here from mine.  We talked about the fact that he would become a man while there and when I saw him next he would be different in many ways.  My son has been there a little over 6 weeks now and I can tell you from his letters, he is learning to admire the confidence and stature of the officers and he is learning to find his way.  He was tremendously homesick early on and I probably did a little too much protecting of him and thus he had to find his way here and well, birds must fly the nest as we all know.  Even while Mom keeps an eye out.  Trust in God.  My son is working for the chaplain and has been praying on his own.  This is a step out in faith and trust for all of us.  I know your son will do great things!  This is where he may become a man but now he will realize where his foundation is...  They learn to appreciate what they had a home when they are cut off like this.  It is a temporary angst.  He will gleam with pride at his PIR.  Good Luck to you and Blessings on your journey through this.  

osubuckeyegirl :

Hello! Welcome to the site!

I was reading your post and my eyes filled with tears bc I can relate to you. 

It is funny how our boys leave exactly that, "boys" and learn and appreciate so much while in bootcamp. My son went into bootcamp last March he did 2 weeks of ROM and  10 weeks of  Bootcamp and he changed. I remember when we took him to the recruiter's office to leave he was very upset and then when he got off the plane in GL and even on the "I'm here call" he is also a very tough kid (wrestler, dirt biker, hard worker), but a family kid. He graduated high school in 2020 and knew for years he wanted to go into the military not sure the branch until he did some research about the Navy and we spoke to several recruiters. 

He called us his first time and when my husband answered the phone my son was cool and normal conversation as soon as he handed me the phone my son starting crying and he said he missed everyone and can't wait until graduation to see us. The next 2 more calls he choked up and was really down in the dumps and homesick. We kept telling him how proud we were and we can't wait to see him (at the time there was no graduation allowed in person) We did go that graduation weekend to see him and he stayed at our hotel for a few days (they were given time off if they were staying in GL) 

Back story:

His idea was college was not for him, he had no idea what he wanted to do (we encouraged a year or two off to figure it out) he just knew there was nothing here in our town for him and in his own words, "I want to travel and see the world" Well he he is getting that now.I can tell you he really dislikes what he is doing and wishes he was back in this small town he says. My husband and I are encouraging him to give it time and it will be ok. 

Right now he struggles being 20 years old, married and being away from his wife and not talking to us and other family members. We tell him the job you are doing is very important and we will talk when you can. They leave our house a boy and blossom into a man over time. 

I am excited you will get to see him graduate and feel that excitement when those doors open. Many of us did not experience that, but that was COVID time for ya. 

Best of luck to you, the family, and your son! hugs

Thank you Jeniffer, our son's sound almost identical. My son had the same attitude. I did after I posted, found out he passed his first test of 75 points 69/75 which is amazing and perfect score last to inspections. I hope this gets better. i just want to hug him so badly. I never expected to feel like I do, helpless to protect and be there. I protected him and sheltered I think a little too much, but some of the things he is saying are major changes and hopeful. I will pray for your son and family also:)

osubuckeyegirl -- those tears are 10000000000% normal!!  It's soooo hard though to hear them and stay strong!  I'm willing to bet that the next phone call he sounds so much better!! Part of this whole process is our kids becoming adults as well.  It's a tough transition but if you all do it well, you can find that they are decent humans to be around. 
{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

osubuckeyegirl 

YAY for him getting a 75!!!! See he will be ok. I am so happy for him!!!! 

that will boost his spirits for sure!

Boot camp was last July-Sept for me. oh man it was so hard. we only had him and I even homeschooled and took him to community college for dual credit, He got his associates. I get being a bit over protective lol.. or more.  Dealing with tidying/packing up his stuff so we can repaint his room and make it a bit more guest room, but he knows the bed is always his and we will keep his stuff until he has room.. We kept every single toy/stuffed animal since he was born.. our attic is packed.. told him he has to clean it out, we are getting too old lol. I have loved watching him grow up in this last year. Still tough at times, and for him too. But we are and will get through this. Hearing from other moms that it does get easier over time learning to be an empty nester.  There was the first part of boot where he was just stressed and down.. it did get better towards the end.. He dealt with getting washed back two weeks as well.. That was the point I think he realized, this is my career and dug in. So proud..Easier now in A school.

June PIR group is posted:

PIR JUNE 2022

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

PIR MAY 2022

PIR APRIL 2022

PIR MARCH 2022

IMPORTANT NOTICE - THERE WILL NOT BE A MEET AND GREET ON THURSDAY 04-14-22 

(Sarge is scheduled for surgery.)

B'sNukeMom - Thanks for the update - Sarge our prayers are with you!!

The RTC website has this information posted - Great Lakes (navylifegl.com)  If you scroll down the page, there is information about getting an App for information on graduation. 

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

PIR JUNE 2022

PIR MAY 2022

PIR APRIL 2022

PIR MARCH 2022

Two questions one is about meeting greet with the sergeant and the other is have any of you ever received an email from your Senior recruit sneaking in emails?

What is your question about meet n greet? 

As for SRs getting to use email, No, I have never heard of them being able to do that. Also, I would not share a lot about that as sometimes the RDCs have been known to read through these BC Mom messages in the past. 

The RSVP to Sarge's Meet and Greet can be found here! Navy Family Social The only Meet and Greet for Navy Boot Camp gradu...

Reminder:  If your SR calls and they have had a change in ship or division, Be sure to ask them for their Ship # and Div #. Then we can help you get the address. 

Some of the older members on this group might have the actual names for the ships but I can't find them on the RTC website and never made a chart for myself if they shared them once before. {Also, I have had a lot on my home front plate.} So, if someone does have that information, can you please PM me or post a comment on my page. I am trying to help another mom whose SR called and gave her the name of his new ship but did not have a ship # or a Div #. 

Thanks!

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to all of our new members. We are glad that you are here. No question is ever dumb and some one will answer you!!

For the mom that was looking for the ship #'s and divisions. Try this link:

Ship/Division--How it Works. 

Right click the link and hit the one that says open link in a new window. It will come up. You have to scroll all the way down and then you will see where it lists the different ships and their numbers.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any trouble.  :)

osubuckeyegirl- Good Morning,

Me personally I have never received an email from my son while he was in bootcamp. 

Recruits do not have access to the internet, period.  Now and then someone sneaks a phone in, although it is considered contraband.  Contraband can potentially get an SR kicked out of boot camp.  So no, no one ever, ever receives emails from their recruit.  Repeat after me, it didn't happen.  

I appreciate everyone’s comments I was simply asking a question maybe I should’ve worded it differently I know someone who used to be in the military and they used to get emails but I wanted to use Sandboxx and I wondered how they can access it because it would require been on a computer I should’ve been more clear but my son has not sent me anything I was simply asking a question

I wasn’t sure if that would be sneaking or not or if they’re allowed or how they even get it

I am new to this. My son. Wouldn’t want to jeopardize anything. 

osubuckeyegirl - Once my son was assigned to a ship after his schooling, then he received a military email and that is how I can communicate with him when he is out to sea. Otherwise, I use his personal email when he is on land. This might have been the situation with your friend. 

Here is the link for information on the Sandboxx App for BC

- please use it only for BC, otherwise, it is just like writing a postcard, anyone can read it, so it is not okay once they are in the fleet and also even in BC, do not share dates, or personal information. 

Your questions are fine, we were all new to this at one time as well. 

Chipmunk-- I sent you a Message.

The ship and division information is on the upper right hand side of this page right under the members pictures. Just click on the blue links.

osubuckeyegirl -- It's fine to ask questions but we also don't want that to result in your SR getting in Big trouble.  Some branches have different rules.  The (Ch) Air Force is the most lax, followed by Army, Marines and Navy. I don't know about Space Force yet.  Sandboxx they print off your email and put it in an envelope for you (Thus the reason I don't get the appeal!) someone else can read what you wrote.  It's also not handled like regular mail so if Your SR gets moved the SB letters are not forwarded.  If something happens where time is of the essence (A set back and you need to send encouragement ASAP) then in BC I could see using it and during the insanity of COVID it made sense because of all the changes happening with ROM and set backs and just.... COVID... DO NOT Ever, EVER for any reason use it after Boot camp!!

Beloved by Him - Thanks!!

CaliMom - We are glad you are joining us. This is the Comment Wall area that Northwoodsmom referred to in her reply to your discussion. Most of us follow the site via our email feeds and this one will generally go to more members than the discussions. When I first joined, I was confused as to which area was best to post. 

Also, Lila posted a message about the Sandboxx App, but it went into the CaliMom's discussion.

I find using my computer is the easiest way to utilize this site. For those that use a mobile device, we generally recommend that you put it in desktop mode.