Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Here's the 6/10/22 PIR going on right now:

PIR JUNE 10, 2022

Just a heads up - I believe the 8/19/22 PIR will only be allowed 3 guests rather than 4.  Normally when there are more than 11 divisions graduating they cut it back to 3.

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

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

Q. How many guests per recruit are allowed to attend the graduation ceremony?
A.   ALL GUESTS, including Active Duty/Retired Military Personnel and those ages 3 and older must be on the access list. Each recruit may invite four guests max, no exceptions (three guests when there are 11 or more divisions graduating,) to attend in person. (Children 2 & under do not count toward the guest limit.) Please follow the instructions on the Guest Security Access form you received in the mail from your recruit.

it does get better after boot.. having more communication helps a lot. It helps deal with the empty nest stuff. Been almost a year for me, he is finishing up A school in GL and the thought of losing what ability I have to talk with him once he is out in the fleet makes me sad again. But it's a good thing for him and his life and for me to know he is doing great things. Still miss hugging him though.. don't know if that really changes but you do get more use to the feeling.

Thank you all.. the insight you all have shared, is priceless. Much love and gratuity. 

Lisa - you are welcome!! Staying connected to those who understand is why many of us are still around - we just understand each other and what we are going through. 

Good Morning Everyone!!

Join me in welcoming johnette to our group. 

I would like to say this is where all the action is but we have several other very active groups on this site as well. But this is the best place for connecting when your loved one is getting ready to leave for BC or has just left. 

How are we doing today? 

For those that have a SR (seaman recruit) at RTC for about 3-4 / 5 weeks now, you might receive a phone call, so be sure to keep those phones close by and ringers on loud. Some have even changed their voicemail message to just say an "I love you" sorry I missed your call. 

To clarify - When I asked "what is your SR rating?" I was asking for the seaman recruits job - what they had signed up for to do in the Navy. 

Since this group is kept public for others to easily find us, we recommend that those especially with a special ops job, or Pre-Buds not post that information here on this group. You may reach out to B'sNukeMom or myself privately if you have specific questions you are unsure about asking here on the group page. 

Hi  johnette, glad you made it here!  Hang on, it'll be a bunmpy ride sometimes, but you have your SR's back, and we have yours. Your child will grow, and so will you. Don't  hesitate to reach out... one or more of us will respond. Enjoy the BC ride!

Lisa -- I won't lie and say it gets easier but YOU do get stronger and you adjust to this new life. I was a Hot mess when my Sailor went to BC.  This group and the moms on here all those years ago were able to help and keep me semi-sane.  My sailor will be at 8 years at the end of this month.  It hasn't always been easy but that Ache is gone most of the time and when it flairs up I have resources and friends here who understand!!  You are not alone and your tears are NORMAL!!!  The ladies here and in may of the other groups you may pass through are an amazing source of comfort, help and encouragement.  Don't be afraid to share or ask for help or answers!! If we know the answers we will help!

Good Morning!! 

May you all have a good day!

To all our new N4MS: 

Becoming a Navy Mom wasn't on most of our horizons, or so we thought. Some will glide into it naturally, I so envy those Mom's but for me it was a nightmare. The raw emotions, lack of sleep and tears at a drop of hat had me thinking I was insane. So grateful to the Moms that pulled me through.

Now I spend my days growing into the role as a Navy Mom and what a amazing privilege it is. Yes I have found out just like learning your role as a regular Mom finding out the best ways to manuever through situations this is just a extension of that. Just a whole lot cooler.

Friday while wearing my Red Friday Proud Navy Mom shirt walking down a boardwalk in the middle of no where thousand miles from the nearest sea a young man came up to me. Said I saw your shirt, I was a former SeaBee. I sat contently as he told me his adventures talking almost 30 minutes to a complete stranger that I never seen as that, I saw one of my son's brothers in arms. I thanked him for his service and for sharing with me, gave him a hug. My daughter couldn't believe her eyes, whatever happened to her shy introvert of a mom. I am proudly growing into the title of Navy Mom.

Things might seem to be a big mess right now for many of you but I promise you will grow into your new title as Navy Mom and you will wear it proudly. It just takes time and a open heart full of compassion learnt from the seasoned Moms on here. 

Happy Monday!  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

We saw Top Gun Maverick.  I definitely recommend it. And it was filmed on the Lincoln and the Vinson.

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

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

Here's a new video posted online that shows the 10 weeks of boot camp:

What US Navy Recruits Go Through

Per Sarge there will be Meet N Greets on 6/16 and 6/23 but not on 6/30.

Be sure to RSVP.  Here's the link:

Sarge's Meet N Greet

Good Morning Everyone!!

How are we doing today? Yesterday was a hot, busy one for me. For our newest members please come say hello to tgcunny who just joined, so that she might know who else has a loved one at BC currently or getting ready to leave for BC. 

Thank you to all of my "seasoned" moms for your words of encouragement. Northwoodsmom, I am so glad you shared your story. 

My sailor is coming up on his 5th anniversary soon. It is hard for me to fathom because it still seems like yesterday when he left.

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

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

Reminder that the 8/19/22 PIR will only have 3 guests allowed due to the # of training groups graduating.

**NOTICE FROM RTC 6/1/2022*** - MASKS ARE REQUIRED AGAIN

Lake County, Illinois, has moved to Community Transmission level HIGH.

Effective immediately, everyone must wear masks indoors at Naval Station Great Lakes, which means all guests attending the graduation ceremony are required to wear a mask while indoors for ticket pickup at the Welcome Center and while indoors at Recruit Training Command. The number of guests allowed has increased 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. REMINDER: Policies regarding the graduation ceremony can change at any time due to changes in our health protection status and policy. 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.

Here's the link to the Security Access Form for 3 guests:

SECURITY ACCESS FORM - 3 guests

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'm arranging my travel for PIR August 12. Is it better to arrive the evening before (Thursday) to pick up my ticket rather than Friday morning? What has your experience been with lines and crowds? Thanks!

we aimed for thursday evening.. airline had other ideas so we got in too late, but it wasn't terrible grabbing them the next morning.. trust someone like sarge's taxi guys to get you there and such... really didn't have a line but family was limited to 2 when I was there september..

Athenasbow - My son's PIR was prior to the "ticket" requirement, but we wanted to attend Sarge's Meet n Greet on Thursday evening, so arrived late Thursday afternoon. We drove to GL, so we had a little more flexibility and I wanted to get to PIR early for a good seat. We had planned to take a shuttle from our motel, but somehow our name got bumped later from what I had asked for, so we ended up driving over to PIR as well in the morning. 

I agree with Trey, if you are flying in, check into Sarge's Taxi service.  

Athenasbow - if there's any way you can make it to Sarge's Meet N Greet on Thursday I would try for that.  We went back in 2012 and had a great time - got to meet lots of moms and even a few from on here. We also used Sarge's Taxi service for our whole time there - Wed PM through Sunday PM and he was very helpful.  We also took the train into Chicago and then got a day bus pass on Saturday.  Did a lot of walking around - and this was in December! 

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

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

Have your RSVP'd for tomorrow's Meet N Greet?  Here's the link:

Sarge's Meet N Greet

Thank you! This is very helpful info. I'm planning to rent a car at the airport. I'll try to arrange my flight to allow me to make it to Sarge's Meet n Greet. :)

Athenasbow - You are welcome.

Welcome to all of our new members! We are glad you have joined us, please come introduce yourself to all the other members in the group, it is the best way for us to get to know you. 

Northwoodsmom-- WOW!!! Look at you!! I remember your first days and now you are a fully fledged PROUD NAVY MOM!!! Kudos to you!!!

belovedbyHim, I had great teachers and owe you all so much. Can't believe my growth, talking here to you moms is one thing but face to face with a stranger is beyond normal for me. 

I hope our New Navy Moms can learn to embrace this new journey and grow into Amazing seasoned Moms filled with compassion and knowledge. There is nothing like it!

Athenasbow -- It is BEST to arrive on Wednesday if you can afford it!!  With Airlines canceling flights and possible weather issues you CANNOT Fly in on Friday morning, Get to GL and Get your tickets in time to make it to PIR that same morning.  IF you cannot afford to get in earlier then Fly in on Thursday but be aware that you may get very little sleep the entire weekend just because of long travel days and very early mornings with the Navy. (Or very late nights if there are any delays).

If you are driving you will want to be well rested, so plan to check into your hotel on Thursday. You can pick up your tickets Friday morning but you will want to be there before they open so you have time to get them, drive over to base and then find a good spot to sit!  Late is to LATE!!! They will NOT admit you once they close the doors for guests for any reason!  If you can get your ticket on Thursday then all you have to do on Friday is go to the Base and Find your seat.  Much less stress!!

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to all of our new members. We are glad that you are here. 

No question is ever dumb and someone will answer you. 

Keep your phone on you at all times and answer every call you just never know when a call will come thru. Keep your ringer on high as well.

Athenasbow- welcome and if you can I would fly in on Wednesday to. It gives you an extra day to find everything and get settled in with out having to rush around.   :)

Northwoodsmom-You are awesome and a great person.  :)

Have a great day ladies.  

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

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

Here's a new video posted online (6/13/22) that shows the 10 weeks of boot camp:

What US Navy Recruits Go Through

8/26/22 PIR group added - TG 37. 

Due to size only 3 guests allowed.

Good Evening!!

Welcome to our newest members on this group. Be sure to stop by here and say hello, so we can get to know you and where you are at in your Navy journey. 

My son left for BC almost 5 years ago this month, made it through all of his training and has been out in the fleet on sea duty for almost 3 years now. We all have different stories to tell, different emotions, but one thing we all have in common is sending a loved one off to BC and learning to navigate Navy Life. 

Come here as often as you need for encouragement and support. 

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

PIR 6/17/22

Congratulations to anyone that might have a sailor graduating today!!

Once you have an official sailor be sure to come join us in the Beyond BC group. We would love to have you join us there as well. 

Proudly wearing my RED socks today with my sundress! The RED T-shirt is just too hot, I do not like a lot of A/C, so I tend to dress to stay cool whether inside or out. 

PHONE CALLS -  I had someone ask about phone calls. 

No phone calls are guaranteed but in general we refer to at least 3 calls that we have coined, "I'm Here", "I'm Still Alive", and "I'm a Sailor" call.  Your SR (seaman recruit) will not know these calls by those names but that is how we refer to them.

The "I'm Here" call is a placed after they arrive at BC and usually from their cell phone. It is a very short scripted call. I actually thought it was an automated call, my son sounded so different. I just kept saying, "I love you" over and over again. 

You might receive another call about 3 - 4 weeks into BC. My son called on a Saturday afternoon, this one they call from the pay phones and use their calling card. If they did not take one with them to BC, they may purchase one at the Navy NEX. The length of time depends on many factors, so please do not compare your call with someone else's. It is best to just be happy with what you get - if the connection is bad, ask them to hold the cord into the receiver or see if they can try another phone, if available. 

Some sailors might also make another call around the 6 - 7 week mark. 

"I'm a Sailor" call. - In the past these are generally done following Battle Stations. I believe that is still the case, but now BST-21 is done, and then the final physical fitness test takes place afterwards and they have their two weeks or so of "Indoc" & life skills training before PIR - so, it is not quite the same ecstasy as when we would all get on and share that we had a sailor and knew for certain we were headed to PIR, but it is still an exciting call. 

I think one of the other recent moms mentioned that they do get to call again after their PRT. 

Here is more information on Phone Cards and Phone Calls from the pages in the upper right. 

Remember where you see blue letters on this site, those are hyperlinks to that information. 

Also, be sure to read my discussion above about Private Messages - Creating & Sending + OPSEC

I explain a little bit about how this site works with setting up friend requests and replying and also security issues to consider with your profile pages and posting.