Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Happy Friday!

Here's the live stream for today's PIR:

PIR JUNE 3, 2022

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

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

Reminder - no Meet N Greets in June as Sarge is having surgery.

We had a family day for my husband's work, and I proudly wore my RED shirt as I traversed our local attraction. 

Keep your phones close by and ringer on loud - I am hopeful that some of you might get calls from your SR!!

Did we have anyone at PIR yesterday? Enjoy your time with your sailor and when you come home, be sure to share your experience here for our other members to glean from and come join the Beyond BC group.

Good Morning Everyone!! 

I hope that you had a great weekend. Did anyone get a call from their SR?   Did anyone attend PIR? If you did, I am sure you are resting up or traveling home. That was one of the most joyous, but longest and very tiring weekends of my motherhood. I think even more so that two weddings, because we drove to PIR. But I am glad we drove as it gave us a lot more flexibility. 

Welcome to our newest recent members - Lisa, Athenasbow, & NWANavyMom - We are glad you have joined us. Please be sure to come here and introduce yourselves, this is where we get to know each other. Also, the more you post, the more we reply. 

Be sure to check out the discussion forum above, the information pages on the right here, and the link for the BC videos are in the upper left of this page. 

If you are viewing this site on a mobile device versus a computer, we generally recommend that you put it into desktop mode as that helps you navigate the page better, as I understand. I use my computer so I can see more on my screen at once. 

My son left for BC almost 5 years ago, several of us who have been through many changes to BC since then and prior, stick around and follow the comments, we are here to help you in anyway that we can.  

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

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

Hi Lisa, - We are glad you are here. Have you received your form letter yet with your SRs address? Some of us started writing letters beforehand and then we would number them and mail them out when we had an address. 

My son's letters always started out with, "I only have ten minutes to write." It used to be that they were only allowed to write on Sundays, mail was sent out on Monday and with my location, I generally received my letters on Thursday. Once I did not receive a letter and I had no idea what had happened. Thankfully, he was able to call that following Saturday and told me that he had gone to medical for a continuous cough. (This was pre-Covid). He knew that I would not want him to miss his PIR date so was being proactive. 

I did not know about this site for the majority of BC, so I had not learned, "No news is good news" yet. 

One of our pages from the upper right - 

Letter writing and fun stuff/questionnaire

Hi, I'm Athenasbow. My son arrived at boot camp last week and when I got his 10-second call, I was so relieved! I haven't yet received a form letter. I anticipate it in the next 2 weeks. 

My son had been living with me for the past few months. He'd moved in just prior to his dad passing away, so we have leaned heavily on one another. I miss him! Not being able to talk each day is unbelievably hard. 

God bless the Moms in this group. 

Athenasbow - my condolences to your family!! The bond between a mother and son can be very strong, especially when you have gone through so much together. I am sure it is hard to not be able to talk to your son. 

I started writing email messages to my SR, partially because it would pop up his smiling face back at me, but because it was just easier for me. Then when I had his address, I copied and pasted my messages into a word document and printed them. But I had also been able to email my messages to him so he could always go back to them later and read my encouraging words any time he needed them. 

Welcome Lisa and Athenasbow -- You have come to the Best place to get Info w/o drama of FB. 
On this page we are happy to answer general questions of what to expect and we provide support and a "Weathered hand" to guide you.  In your PIR groups you can discuss more of what and where your SR is at. (Although some of that can also be posted here)   This is YOUR training ground.  Here is where you learn about things like OPSEC and PERSEC, What life as a Navy mom may be like, what others have experienced and if it ever becomes too much... You will find the most caring people to lift you us when you think the waves may overwhelm you.

Hi Lisa & Athenasbow! Welcome, welcome! This is the place to BE...be puzzled, be nervous, be confused, be upset, AND be happy, be supported, be heard, be excited and be informed. There's a wealth of advice, comfort and help on this site! I found these ladies when I was uncertain of my daughter's choice, but they held my hand while encouraging me to have faith in her path in the Navy, and dontcha know...its been great. I've grown and learned and so will you! Both of you have  already shown great strength and patience with saying goodbye to two of the most important men in your life, so you've got what it takes to be a Navy Mom. Glad to have you both aboard!

Lisa & Athenasbow - just remembered CRUCIAL advice! Keep your phone on and turned up all the time! You never know when your SR will call. Sometimes eaaarrly in the morning!  And save all your SR's voice messages to replay and enjoy when he gets too busy or too tired to call.

Thank you! I appreciate your good advice.

Hello everyone!  I haven't commented much but I am still here.  We are 3 weeks away from MEPS drop off.  My SR just graduated HS and was Salutatorian.  We have just finished our 2nd and last graduation party and ready for some fun in the sun before he leaves.  I am trying to keep it together, but I think I fail more than I succeed.  He is always saying "Are you crying again?"  I can't help it.  He is my only one and I am his only parent left, with only my mother left as being a part of his support system.  Is it over-reacting as he hasn't left yet?

Welcome everyone! Nice to see some new faces!  I'm Shanny. My sailor is coming up in his 2 year mark next month!  Not even sure how we got here already!  

So I want to say, whatever you are feeling, whenever you feel it, that is normal. We all process differently at different paces. I knew forever I would be dealing with it eventually. He just wasn't sure which branch until he was late in his sophomore year of high school. Then when he was a junior, he spoke to the recruiter for the first time. The day he became officially a senior in high school. We met with the recruiter and signed the paperwork for him to enter DEP. So I had a lot of time to prepare myself. I still cried my eyes out when he left. And every time I got a letter. And whenever someone asked me how he was. I was hysterical when we found out there would be no graduation because of COVID.   Then as I sat and watched the video I cried when I saw him March by the camera. And every time he goes out underway. Still two years later. And man. I got teary when I saw his name come up on my email this morning. Been missing him like crazy today for some reason. But those emails cravl me up and his daily calls,, texts and snapchats when he is in port,, well, those make it worth it. The life of a Navy mom is a crazy one. 

Oh and I apologize for any spelling and horrible words choices....  lights are off and my glasses are on the other side of the room...  watching the lightning show going on outside is better in the dark!

JNMnavymomOH - it is good to hear from you! Shanny did a great job sharing about emotions. We call this the emotional roller coaster ride. 

My heart always goes out the most to the single moms and those who are sending their only to the Navy or other military branch. 

JNMnavymomOH --   I'd suggest reading my blog.  Ignore the stuff about changes happening with COVID but the stuff for before they leave is still relevant.  I just haven't had a chance to update the blog (Add 2 weeks for Sailorization classes that happen after BS21.)  I'll be working on getting a new blog up soon but there is good info that will help you get through the first weeks of the "Great Silence"!  For our other new moms... You are welcome to read it too.  It's just not quite as up to date as I'd like.  Spring was a bit chaotic for me.

Shanny ---- Ohhh.... Yes I LOVE thunderstorms and watching the Lightning shows!! (My pupper hates it though!!)

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!

Welcome to our new members - nice to see you asking questions.  Looks like you've got some responses and if there's anything else you need - feel free to reach out.

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

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

USPS Informed Delivery - Sign up and receive an email from the US Postal Service showing what mail you will be getting each day (if available in your area).  

Informed Delivery®

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).

Here is my discussion on the Sandboxx App (to be used during boot camp only!). Click on the link:

Sandboxx app while in BC

Good Evening - I hope everyone had a great day! I had a very busy one, so I appreciate B'sNukeMom posting the links. 

Be sure to join your PIR group.  A second training group was added for August.  Here are the links:

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

Good Morning Everyone!! 

I want to welcome CindyJill to our group as well!. 

Has anyone started a new hobby, or a project to help them get through this time of silence?  If you plan to stay at the Navy Lodge for PIR, I do believe that they allow you to decorate your door - However for other motels or hotels, most will not, and it is also not a good idea to "adverstise" your sailor. However, some of the moms will take things to decorate the inside of their hotel room. 

During the PIR shut down many of our moms picked up on the Blue Lantern idea and some of them are posted in the discussion above - Blue Candle

A third training group was added to the August PIR group.

Good Morning Everyone!!

For those of you that have just recently sent your SRs off to BC - {BNMH's} - Big Navy Mom Hugs!! 

We refer to this time of no communication as the great silence and share a few of our Navy Mom mantra's with you. 

"No News is Good News"

"Semper Gumby" - Always Flexible

"Phones close by and ringers on loud." - Just in case they do get an opportunity to call you, or they might need some additional information. 

We also refer to the emotional roller coaster ride of BC. It is okay to talk about it and share how you are doing, or feel like you are not doing well. We all have been there. 

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

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

Hang in there.. Those roughly 3 months of boot camp were one big anxiety attack I swear.. but we got through it by trying to stay busy and writing letters/taking pics to send him.

One note that I noticed.. all the calls I received while he was in BC has the area code 847, which is Waukegan..  don't take it 100%, I answered more spam calls than I care to admit, but this area code always came through for us.  

Good news! I received a message from Sarge and he plans on having the next Meet N Greet on 6/16.  Hopefully he'll have his page updated soon with the dates.

Do we have any of our BC moms going to PIR this week??

CindyJill - hi there lady! We're all here to help, listen, answer questions and offer suggestions. NO question is "silly"...we've asked them all ourselves at some point LOL! Glad you found this site. You'll make some good connections here.

Hi moms. 
I was just wondering if it gets better after boot camp? My heart aches so much and I can’t imagine missing him like this for the next six years. 
thank you all so much. 

Lisa I wish I could say it gets easier but after 2 1/2 years in I just think your heart learns to adapt. I could of never imagined the deep emotional feelings I still would be enduring through this rollercoaster of a journey. It is truly different than the college route my daughter took and trying to figure out where you fit in on their journey is mind boggling. You want to be supportive like that cheerleader mom on the sidelines at a little league game but still their go to comforting listening mom when things don't go the best for them. They don't want to disappoint us either but there are times they struggle. Knowing just the right amount of encouragement without making them feel like a failure if they just can't meet the potential they set before themselves is a important job we take on as Mom. You will always be needed it just is different. They are trying to figure things out for themselves becoming a incredible amazing person you always knew they were and you will always be a part of that. Prayers as you learn to navigate your part through this journey.

Lisa - We don't hear a ton from our sailor, but knowing that we can communicate makes all the difference. I actually loved getting the boot camp letters. Our sailor hates to write so probably the only time we will get those. If your sailor isn't much of a writer there are some fun questionnaires on here that you can send for them to complete and return. I did some editing to break them up, mixed in some funny questions with some serious and sent extras in case there is anyone who needed mail. Got one back from our sailor's bunk mate that made me cry. He did eventually hear from his family but that point in time he had not and needed a boost.Hang in there, it does get better.

Good Morning Everyone!

I would like to welcome justmissbecky to our group as well!! Please come say hello to the group.

Lisa and others - one of the best parts about this N4M site in my opinion is that you can stay with people that you get to know and continue on your Navy journey with them, both as friends or in various groups. Right now, you are just getting your feet wet with your Navy Mom training and while we are feeling overwhelmed with our emotions, remember your SRs (seaman recruits) are thinking the same thing. 

Do not be surprised when you receive your first letter or phone call that they are sounding very down and miss you, but our part is to be the encourager - so coming here for us to encourage you will hopefully help in that role. 

Your first communication is generally the "I'm Here" scripted phone call. Then you will receive the "form letter" with their address. The only writing you should see on this is where your SR hand wrote in their mailing address in the otherwise typed information letter from RTC (Recruit Training Command). 

Start writing letters of encouragement now, number them and then you can mail them as soon as you have their address. I emailed my son almost every night, just sharing something about our day - NO, he did not receive the emails at BC, but they were there for later but I use that method to write my family a lot and so I then printed those emails out, and would add a handwritten note to him each time and mailed my letters. 

We have members on this group who have sailors in all various areas of the Navy, everything from Seabee, Hospital Corpman, Nuke, Airmen, Air Traffic Control, Security, to name a few. 

We also have members whose sailors are on subs, aircraft carriers, and probably other surface vessels not mentioned often.

We also have members whose sailors were set back in their BC training for various reasons or had to change their rating once they started going to A school. 

If you need help, do not hesitate to reach out here, even if you need to just say, "can someone reach out to me", or feel free to click on our pictures and reach out to us. 

Here are a few links to some helpful information - 

RTC Bootcamp website - This was my go-to before I found this site and is still our source of updated information. 

Informed Delivery - USPS - Sign up to see what mail you are receiving (depending on your area there may be a 1-2 day delay.)

Sandboxx App for BC - PLEASE only use during BC.

Wear RED on Fridays - On Friday's we wear RED to Remember Everyone Deployed

Letter writing and fun stuff/questionnaire- Agnes B mentioned this below

Be sure to check out the Pages of information above in the right hand corner (under the member pictures) of this group for a lot more information about BC. 

Here is the group for my sailor's rating - Nuke Moms Group

Good Morning all and Happy RED Friday!

Lisa - it doesn't get easier - you just get stronger!