Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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

PIR JUNE 2022

PIR MAY 2022

PIR APRIL 2022

Lila - Thank you for sharing your PIR experience in my discussion above. I appreciate it!! Please feel free to come join the Beyond BC group now that you have a sailor!!

I hope others of you today are doing well. Continue to keep up your letter writing, and remember to just tell your SR thank you, and that you appreciate their service. 

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

I also help out on here. My son has been in for over 4 years now.

Lila- Thanks again for sharing and letting us know how PIR was. It really helps a lot. Congrats again on your loved one becoming a Sailor!!

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

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

PIR JUNE 2022

PIR MAY 2022

PIR APRIL 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).

Update from RTC - the Mask Mandate has been removed but you are still required to show proof of vaccination. 

* * * New Guidance on Revised Pass-in-Review Policy * * *

Recruit Training Command is lifting the masking mandate. There is no mask requirement for recruits, staff, and guests attending Pass-In-Review. Each recruit can invite two guests (max, no exceptions) to attend in person to maintain capacity limitations. (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. If you are unable to provide proof of vaccination, you will not be able to attend, and will not be issued tickets to attend. 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.

From Sarge:

IMPORTANT NOTICE

THERE WILL NOT BE A MEET AND GREET ON

THURSDAY 04-21-22  due to the complications of the surgery on 4-12-22. I think I will be fully recovered for the meet and greet on 4/28/22 Thank you for your understanding. 

Is anyone able to share when we might get that call “I’m a sailor?”  Is it after battle stations. My son is in his 7th week and he mentioned mentioned battle station this week.  

Hi osubuckeyegirl - First of all glad to hear that your SR is getting closer and closer to the finish line. It is a little different with the extra couple of weeks, tacked on to BC. From what I have gathered, I do believe that they are able to still call home after BS for the "I'm a sailor" (they will not refer to it that way, most likely) call but then they have to still pass their final PFA. 

As for a specific date for the call, we cannot share that on this public group. You might be able to check in your PIR group for anyone that is in the same TG, if they have received calls. The other possibility is that you can look at your SRs TG (training group #) on the BC website a then see the division #s. They generally go in somewhat of a numerical order for BS. 

In the past, I would have said that most calls came between the Sunday - Wednesday prior to the Friday PIR date but with the changes, I am not certain if BS are still being held during the same time of the week as they had been. 

hello i am new here, my husband is currently in bootcamp he shipped out yesterday we do have a 1 yr old daughter and i am 20 yrs old. what are some things you did to help you pass time? i am scared to get depression i have been very sad to the point where just by looking at our daughter i cry.....

Good morning, itza!  Welcome to the group.  When my son was at bootcamp (BC), I passed the time by writing him each day.  (I tried to be positive in the letters so it wouldn't discourage him with how much I missed him.)  I also tried to make sure I kept busy (which I'm sure your 1-yr-old helps with that)!  :-)

Also, I signed up for Informed Delivery from the USPS - they send an image of the mail that is arriving that day.  I was able to see the envelope from my son and get the address off of it.  So when the mailman dropped of the mail, I already had letters to my son in the mailbox ready to go.

Finally, remember that "no news is good news" so if you don't hear otherwise, assume he's doing great in BC and you will get to see him in 10 weeks!  Big hugs to you!

Hi osubuckeyedgirl, My son called home the Sat before PIR.  He was shocked and happy to get to make another call.  It was great!  Good. luck to your son!

Good Morning itza - I believe you have read the information already but I am posting again for anyone else - Sandboxx App for BC - 

I have not personally used the Sandboxx App, hopefully someone that has will reply. We do not recommend that you use this after BC. Don't put personal information, dates or times of Battle Station or other sailor movement in these. From my understanding, you send a message and it goes to Sandboxx, they print it out, with anyone's eyes able to read what you write and they process it and deliver it. 

You still have to have your SRs mailing address and so you have to wait for the Form letter to arrive with information about BC & PIR and his handwritten address ( do not expect any other notes or personal messages on this letter), or he might be able to send you a note with his address on the return envelope, but that is rare. Then you may mail both Sandboxx App letters and postal letters.  I do believe you are able to send pictures, but again, remember they are not private!!

DO NOT use Sandboxx once they are out of BC - too many possibilities of OPSEC / PERSEC violations. 

Also check out this page from our information in the upper right! Letter writing and fun stuff/questionnaire

As for ways to stay busy - Start a hobby, plant some flowers, an herb garden, (especially if you are in an apartment.) Take your daughter to a park, for a walk, both of you will benefit from fresh air, sunshine, she needs to be outside playing as much as possible. Do activities with her. I know that some things might still be closed, but see if your local public library has a story hour or a toddler / preschool to take her to. 

If your family lives close by - see about spending more time with them if possible. Remind them that once you are able to be with your husband, you may or may not be as close for visits, so they will want to get as many baby snuggles in as possible. 

I had an 18 month old when my husband was in the Reserves and had to do a 2 week training. Granted, that was not 10 weeks, but it was still hard on me. I was feeling down and my mother (I was staying at their house during this time because my mother was babysitting while I was working evening/nights) looked at me and said, "Chipmunk, you have family around, you have your daughter, and work. I know this separation is hard, but it is likely harder on your husband. He is out in the field, in the hot sun working every day and doesn't have anyone to come home to." She did not exactly tell me to buckle up, or put on my big girl panties, but I realized I had to change my perspective on things. 

It is not easy being apart, but it is important to take care of your own mental health, listen to positive music, even classical, find something to do with your hands, gardening, painting, sewing, working with clay - Look up online recipes for edible playdough for your daughter, make yourself activities for her, from things around the house,  - Make an effort to find those things which are beautiful, pure and lovely to think upon instead of allowing yourself to get into the habit of worry, fear and negative thoughts. 

Anything to help you stay upbeat. You will want to watch what you write and say in your letters to your husband, they need to be encouraging - but one of our veteran moms on here has shared before about writing out all the feelings of uncertainty, frustration, even possibly anger and journal them, but then destroy those because you don't want them around later. Some have even looked for other "healthy" ways to deal with their emotions (and we are moms, not wives - it is a different scenario) but all in all, we understand what you are going through and are here to offer as much encouragement as we can. Feel free to share here how your day is going. 

We have had other wives on this group in the past as well, you are not the only one. 

Happy Friday!

itza - hang in there!  Count Friday's - don't count individual days.  This will help the time pass quicker.  Write lots of letters and number them in the corner so when you get your husbands address you can mail them all out and he'll know what order to read them in.  Do some fun things with your daughter and take lots of pictures to share with your husband after BC.  Stay positive - remember, this is a good thing for your family!  And keep your phone handy and answer all calls because you never know when it might be him!

Hiya itza! - Glad you've joined the moms! These ladies have been thru it all and have such GREAT advice, suggestions, reminders and more. No question is silly and most times you'll get answers from more than one mom or wife or girlfriend of a SR. The Informed Delivery Service (it's FREE!) from the U.S. post office is really handy. My daughter finished BC in March, but I still hang around because this is a very supportive site.

One of the fun things you can do to involve your daughter is to invite her to draw "pictures for Daddy". Include one in every letter you send him. For my Sailor girl, I used to take a pic with my phone of each page of my letter so I wouldn't forget what I'd written about, and the envelope with the number on it.  That way I could recreate the letter if it got lost between my house and BC.(Happens!) Also, look for kids books at the library about sailors and stuff so she can relate. 

Lastly, take the difficult but true advice...no news is good news. Believe me, your husband is BUSY with new skills, information, drills, procedures and lots of physical fitness! If you don't hear from him then everything's going as planned and the Navy is working his butt off. He will let you know what you need to know as soon as he knows! 

We have a windy, cloudy day today, but hopefully some of you are able to have some nice sunshine, maybe plant some flowers, or an herb garden, take a walk, write letters, anything to help you stay busy, but also be sending love and prayers to your SR. 

Welcome to all of our new members! The best way for us to get to know you is for you to come post and say hello here!

My son has been in almost 5 years now and is currently out in the fleet. I am active on several of the groups here, both public and private, so if you need any help looking for information please don't hesitate to ask.

Some of our veteran regulars have been busy with their jobs and other family home front needs, and I am not able to keep up with who has had PIR or not. So, ...

If you now have a sailor that has passed Battle Stations & their final PFA - remember to change the status on your profile page to Enlisted. Also, feel free to come join the Beyond BC group.  

Welcome Aboard to Navy Life and the emotional roller coaster as we sometimes refer to it. 

Meet N Greet is back on for 4/28.  Be sure to RSVP.  Here's the link:

Sarge's Meet N Greet

The July 2022 PIR group is up now:

PIR JULY 2022

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

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

PIR MAY 2022

PIR APRIL 2022

Good Evening Everyone!! 

How are we doing? Anyone started any new hobby projects to keep yourself busy? 

B'sNukeMom - Glad to see the July PIR group up and also that Sarge is going to be able to have the Meet N Greet for this week!!

For those that might be considering going, be sure to RSVP, this helps to make sure he plans for enough food so they do not run out!! 

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

Any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Someone will answer you!!

Always keep your phone on you at all times and that ringer on loud. You just never know when a call will come thru.

Itza- Good Morning and how are you today? Oh how I remember those days when my son first went in. You will be ok and you will make it.

You learn to live for those phone calls and letters that come in. Staying busy is key and I wrote my son twice a day. I would start a letter in the morning and then before bed I would finish it and get it ready for the mail the next day.

All of us have been where you are right now so don't hestiate (sp) to post on here at any time of the day or night.

If you need to cry, cry but you will make it thru boot camp with your loved one. Boot camp is as much as for us as it is for them!!

God Bless you and have a wonderful day!!

* * * New Guidance as of May 6th, 2022 - Revised Pass-in-Review Policy * * *

Starting with the graduation on May 6, 2022, the number of guests allowed will increase to four. If you have already submitted your guest security access form listing two individuals, please have additional guest information ready to provide to your recruit when they call. All guests must have a ticket including active duty personnel and veterans. (Children 2 & under do not count toward the guest limit.) COVID-19 immunizations are still required for guest attendance. 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. If you are unable to provide proof of vaccination, you will not be issued tickets and will not be able to attend graduation. 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.

I posted info from RTC below - effective the 5/6/2022 PIR they will be allowing 4 guests again.  All must be vaccinated.  I have updated the info up top and will revise it again after 5/6/22.

Here's the link to the Guest Security Access Form:

Guest Security Access Form

If there are more than 10 divisions, guests drop tp 3.

Anti M - I was wondering about that as well, because I know that in the past, if there were too many divisions, they only allowed 3 guests, but I wasn't sure of the cut off. 

The last PIR with 10 divisions is this Friday, 4/29/22.  After that they seem to be maxing them out at 7 (occasionally 8). 

Hopefully it continues this way so 4 guests can attend.

Looks like Sarge won't be holding Meet N Greets in June. See below from Sarge:

There will not be any meet and greets on the following dates due to other surgery appointments. I will keep everyone posted.

DATES NOT AVAILABLE - 06/02/22, 06-09-22, 06-16-22, 06-23-22, 06-30-22

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

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

PIR MAY 2022

PIR APRIL 2022

Anti M- Thanks as always. I had remembered that to.  :)

Have a great day!!!

Good Morning Everyone!!

I have a busy day today but I wanted to welcome any new members that we have had join us. This is the best area on this site to post your questions about BC, whether you have one leaving soon or at BC. 

Like Partyofseven said, feel free to come share, we are here to help you. 

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

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

PIR MAY 2022

PIR APRIL 2022

For our new members, I hope that you are reading the information pages to the right side. Be sure to click on View All. There are also links to videos that may be of interested posted on the upper left side. 

We always love to rejoice with you when you receive your "I'm A Sailor" call, so please come share with us, but also don't hesitate to share about other calls of injury or set back that might happen as well. 

Hi everyone! RTC has posted on their Facebook page that as of May 6, four guests will be allowed to grad. 

I just spoke with my son regarding the updated graduation attendees numbers, but couldn't tell him for sure the additions I want to make. I remember a link was sent for adding or redoing the form? Is this available or did I imagine it? 

SuzyChicago - If you go back a day or so you will see that I updated that info regarding the 4 guests (and I updated it up above too).  That is wonderful news!

Here's the link to the Guest Security Access Form:

Guest Security Access Form

B'sNukeMom - Thank you for posting, I had just seen the request and was going to post. 

SuzyChicago - Thank you!

Here's the post from Tuesday:

* * * New Guidance as of May 6th, 2022 - Revised Pass-in-Review Policy * * *

Starting with the graduation on May 6, 2022, the number of guests allowed will increase to four. If you have already submitted your guest security access form listing two individuals, please have additional guest information ready to provide to your recruit when they call. All guests must have a ticket including active duty personnel and veterans. (Children 2 & under do not count toward the guest limit.) COVID-19 immunizations are still required for guest attendance. 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. If you are unable to provide proof of vaccination, you will not be issued tickets and will not be able to attend graduation. 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.