Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

 Another link - Wear your RED SHIRT on Friday! - Navy For Moms (ning.com)

Welcome to all our new members!  You'll find it helpful if you are able to take some time and read through the comments.  Even if you only go back a few pages, you'll find lots of info regarding the happenings in boot camp.  

I also try to keep the "Answers to Common Questions" up above current.  The last couple of years it's been crazy though and things can change at the drop of a hat.  If your SR gives you info that is different than what we post then please let us know so we can update!

The main thing to remember is to be flexible lol!

Today's PIR is happening now.  Here's the link to watch:

LIVE PIR 6/24/2022

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

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

PIR JUNE 2022

Question:  One of our new members mentioned elsewhere about timeline and their SR is doing a 2 week quarantine / ROM/.

Calling all of my COVID moms - did that extend your SRs BC  time an extra 2 weeks - when they had to ROM? Or did Day 1 still start as the same with BelovedbyHim's schedule above? 

I am just trying to remember - Thanks!

Our 2 week ROM was built into BC. But that was in 2020. He didn’t have the gas chamber, firearms training, and a few other things. He was there a total of 8 weeks and that included ROM. If they got sent to ROM after BC started, then it extended their BC by two weeks. 

My son went in Fall of 2020, if I remember correctly they started with 2 week ROM and then had 8 weeks of BC, so total of 10 weeks. 

What I recall is some of the delays in training meaning changing their PIR date occurred depending how far they were along in the training or how many times they ended up being quarantined.

Thank you all for the warm welcome!  I am a letter writing fool right now!  I am stacking them up waiting for the form letter with his address so I can send them LOL.  Not knowing how long he had quarantine and when he actually started P-days makes it hard to be patient but that is what we get to do now... learn patience

warypryncs - Yes, for all of us A type personalities and planners - BC teachers us that we have to be flexible and bend so we don't break - it really is okay to plan a trip or holidays at the last minute and even then, something might change in the middle of it all!!

Some of the moms recommend numbering the envelopes, & letters inside so that your SR knows what order to read them in. You might even want to make a copy, take a picture or if typing them on the computer, you can save them. I wrote emails to my son and then I printed those out, and he still had the emails as well after BC. 

Ladies - Thank you!!! 

navymom57 - I hope this helps. 

I have tried to post this on everyone's wall but just in case I missed someone:

Welcome!! Please read my blog to give you an idea of what the first few weeks may look like.. Welcome to the Navy... Everything will be ok!  The First part is some things to do before your SR leaves IF you Can, It’s NOT ESSENTIAL! Up and to the Left is a link to all the Navy Lingo! It is titled Navy Speak and you can find it here. We are here to get you through the “Great Silence” of the next 4 weeks (ish) and the 10 weeks of BC (ish). You will come to learn that No News Is GOOD News and everything is Needs of the Navy. You life will be Hurry Up and Wait and it’s ok to make plans but they are subject to change until after they have happened so it’s best to embrace the Motto: Semper Gumby!! (Always Flexible!!)

Q’s Momma -- Just a Comment on Sandboxx -- It's fine to use in during Bootcamp but please think of it as a post card.  NOTHING you say on there is private.  Also it is treated different from regular mail.  If they are moved that is the last mail to get rerouted.  After Boot camp, Forget you EVER heard of this app.  In the fleet (And at A school) they will have better and more secure forms of communication! 
My Sailor was on his way home from deployment.  Because he's a Seabee they FLY to and from.  Well, a GF of one of the bees decided to send a "Booty Call" Sandbox complete with dates, times and Explicit content.  The Bees who were already en route were held at a layover location in a hanger for 3 days, eating out of a vending machine till there was no more food and sleeping on the hanger floor.  (The Bee was on that flight) . The other bees were held up at their locations and we were not told when they would be returning.  We had made plans to go out to welcome him home and were already en route when he called to tell us that he would be delayed for a while.  He didn't know how long but at least a week.  Unfortunately we were unable to rearrange our plans to reschedule our trip.  They arrived back unannounced in the middle of the night and many had to call and wake up family or friends to come and get them.  They didn't get a normal Homecoming all because one girlfriend wanted to send a sandboxx instead of an email or text!! 
Don't EVER, EVER, EVER! Use Sandboxx outside of bootcamp!!

Q's Momma - I did not even know about Sandboxx when my sailor was at BC. It is a nice option, but the handwritten notes are very heartwarming!! 

Q's Momma -- As I said, it's fine to use in BC.  Those letters get to them in 3-5 days vs a week to 10 days via USPS.  Sometimes they need a Quicker word of support at BC.  Just don't use after BC.  (So you don't buy too big a package of "messages") 

This is also a reminder for all the other BC moms as well!! It's part of the process of learning OPSEC and PERSEC!! 

Please don't feel that just because we comment to you that you are in any trouble or have committed a Major crime.  We may point stuff out here to help you learn.  (Major stuff usually is posted as a PM)  This is a Learning page and you are all in A boot camp of your own.  Navy life is an adjustment for the whole family!!

Q's Momma - here's my discussion on the Sandboxx App with a response from RTC:

SANDBOXX App for letters to boot camp

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Q's Momma - Welcome to BC! It's YOUR BC, too! Regarding Sandboxx, it's got pros & cons. Some moms find it convenient and easy because it gives you a format, "stationery" and a way to send pix (you keep the originals). I found it a great idea, but a bit expensive. So I wrote my own letters to my Sailor when she was in BC and numbered each one on the outside of the envelope, and took a picture of each page. That way if it got lost I could remember what I said and reproduce it for her. You'll figure out what works best for you, but keep those letters coming because SRs really do look forward to them. But don't expect replies to each one... the RDCs keep these kids BUSY!  If you run out of things to say, look further up on this page to the section When will the form letter come? and click on Letter Writing and Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit. If you wanna send anything else to your SR, resist the urge until you find out from him/her EXACTLY what, if anything, you can send. You don't want to get your SR in trouble by accident because it might cause the whole ship to be penalized.

Oh My Ummi -- That reminds me of the story I read when mine was in BC.  A Mom sent a singing card to their SR.  The whole Div had to do IT while the SR who got the card sat in a chair opening it to play and closing it to reset till the battery died!!
Do NOT send your SR anything that makes noise or has glitter or newsprint that can smear ink onto their hands or uniforms!

Ummi - Thanks for sharing!

Here is the link she was talking about   Letter writing and fun stuff/questionnaire   -  but do be sure and read through the information pages in the upper right. Lemonelephant put those together for this group when she was able to spend more time moderating it. She helped a lot of us through this BC process as well as others that are not as active as the baton is passed on.

If I recall correctly IT stands for Intensive Training and generally means doing extra exercises and such. Your sailors might also refer to it with another slang term that I can't recall at the moment. 

May you have a wonderful day today everyone!!!

If anyone makes a blue candle or other decorations, be sure to post a picture in the discussion above and down here in the comments. Just remember that if you put your SRs last name on something, do not post that here or in the discussion. 

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

BBH- Thanks for the update and it's good to see you back. :)

No question is ever dumb and someone will answer you. We are here for you every step of the way. 

I began this journey almost 5 years ago and I still help out. I remember my first time like it was yesterday. 

It's definitely a roller coaster of emotions but you will get thru it as your loved one will to. Boot camp is for us as it is for our loved ones, while they are getting stronger we are to.

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

Staying busy is key and it does help the days pass away. I wrote to mine twice a day and when my form letter came I had letters already ready to send out to him. They want letters they want to hear from you. Keep it upbeat and keep the encouragement going.

Sign up for the mail delivery app. It is the bomb and you can see what mail you have coming every day!!

God Bless and have a great Sonday everyone!!!

Good morning, I seen where one of the moms noted that when you share a picture of your lantern or anchor make sure it doesn't have your recruits name on it. 

You might be already aware of this but if your technology deficient like I am I have a tip that will help. Don't laugh at me but I just discovered this. When you pull up your picture you can edit them. In the edit there is a mark-up, just pick a color and erase the name.  Okay Ladies I am letting my age show, but just in case there are more of me I just want to help! 

Good Evening - I see several of our BC members online but no one posting here, so I hope you are connecting in your PIR groups!!

Northwoodsmom - That is great advice!! 

Hello! My future sailor has been at BC for almost four weeks. I got a phone call from him last weekend (which was heaven), but I haven't yet received a personal letter. I'm anxiously awaiting one. I've summitted the form to get my ticket to PIR and I've made my flight/hotel/car reservations for that weekend. I plan to attend Sarge's Meet n' Greet and I hope to see some of you there. 

This BC learning curve is a steep one (for all of us). I wish each of you peace, calm, patience, and faith to get us through this journey. Have a good night! 

Athenasbow - They have to train a mail room petty officer from their division, I believe, before the personal mail starts flowing to and fro. - It seemed like forever before I had my first personal letter. My mail always arrived on Thursday, except for the week when he went to medical for a cough on a Sunday and did not have time to write that day. When my son was in BC, they were only allowed to write letters on Sunday. 

I hope you made all of your reservations with changeable or refundable tickets and motel cancellation. 

Enjoy Sarge's Meet n' Greet! I have yet to meet in person any of the people I have met on this site, but I enjoyed meeting the ones that I did at Sarge's Meet n' Greet. We were seated according to our sailor's division. After 5 years there are still a lot of my N4M friends that I keep up with as best as I am able to in my groups and with PMs. 

Athenasbow -- Be watching for that letter this week.  4 weeks is the normal time frame.  Did you think to ask you SR for his address when he called?  If so you can go ahead and mail out all those letters that you have!  It's awesome that you got a phone call already!! THIS is why we advise you all to keep your phones handy and ringers on LOUD!!

September 2022 PIR group is up.  Here's the link:

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

FYI - due to the size of the 9/2/22 PIR group only 3 guests are allowed.

Good Morning Everyone!!  Have a Great week!

Happy Tuesday!

Sarge's Meet and Greet what a wonderful time! he will put you in your div# so you will meet others who are in the same group as your Sailor. I would put your name that you use on here so others will know who you are and maybe your Name underneath. Dont forget to take cash, they had a vendor inside of one end of the hall. They will sell all sizes of shirts, flags, also stenciling. they will have a cash bar as well and lots and lots of food. many folks made up baskets to be raffled off so they will sell tickets and you put your ticket on what you would like to win. It was a fun night! next day PIR!!! Inside the Hall at PIR there will be vendors as well, they sell challenge coins and more!

Sarge will also go over the route to the PIR and ways to beat the traffic. Also every Hotel should have a shuttle, it was 3.00 a person. they took us and picked us up and we paid only once. 

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

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

just click on here and you will find info in regards to Sarge's meet and greet

Sarge's Meet and Greet

http://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html to RSVP).

Good Afternoon Everyone!!

Hi Phoenixmom - Thanks for posting! It is good to have you sharing. We have missed you. 

I agree with Phoenixmom - if you can make the meet n greet, it is a nice evening of getting together with other Navy families. Unlike some other military branches that might had a weekend long celebration, we only have PIR, so Sarge's Meet and Greet is a nice way to get to meet other Navy families. 

Welcome to our newest member Momof1 !! 

Hey Everyone, just got a call from my son who has only been at RTC for a week and needs to quarantine.  He called to tell me they are switching his division and when he called he was crying.  He said its because he was in Medical for his mental health.  I understand my son is sensitive and im sure a lot of recruits cry.  Has this happend to anyone?  What does this mean.  Im sure he is bored as he hasn't started training due to the quarantine.  Hes never been away from family and im sure its hard.  Does this mean they will kick him out?  Can he quit? I wish there was some way for me to know and help encourage him to push through.  Any help or advise would be appreciated.

NavyMom57, I dont want to sound rude or mean or insensitive But this Happen more than its mentioned. they are going in and being shut from the world right now. no communication no news no nothing. so I am sure that has a lot to do with it. I would read on whats happening in BC.

These that I am listing is what is going on or what needs to be passed in order to pass.

See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training (FIT). 

• Arrival and What Happens at RTC
• Ship/Division--How it Works
• 800 and 900 Divisions
• Phone Cards and Phone Calls

Some dont realize how hard it is to be shut out from anyone and everyone, they do this to see who can handle the pressure or who will crack. its much of A TEST  for them as it is for the Parents. as Your Loved one moves up they will be on a duty station and head out for deployment and sometimes there is no communication , they cant have those that cant handle it to be somewhere where they are needed and focused. if that makes any sense. I have been at this for 5 yrs now and my Son has been on deployment at least 4 times already. its long hours for them and little sleep. so they must remain focused at all times.

I guess Im worried about him getting discharged before he even starts.  I think if he was actually in bootcamp and busy his mind would stay busy.  What do they do with guys having a hard time and why would they switch his division?  I have no idea what it means.  I feel so helpless.

navymom57 please dont worry to much, you cant overthink it. he will be fine, is there anything  they need to know or wasnt said about mental health? if not, then I wouldnt worry.. if they were going to send him home you will get a call in regards to that. best thing to do is to keep your mind busy and occupied. Us Navy Moms go by "NO News is Good News" as long as there are no calls early on then he/she is good.

Thank You Beloved!

Thank you all for any and all advice.  I want him to get through this.

navymom57 - I apologize that I wasn't able to reply earlier, I have been with family. But belovedbyHim and Phoenixmom have all had sailors in as long or longer than I have. During the height of COVID and the extensive ROMs (restrictions of movement) also referred to as quarantine, there were many of our members posting about their SRs being down, frustrated and homesick. 

As I recall my son telling me, they would ask them specifically if they were homesick. It is hard to know exactly what is going on and for us moms that is the hardest thing. We have been used to being the ones who could maybe "fix" things for our kids, be in control of their comings and goings to some extent, and even what atmosphere they have been in. As the ladies shared, BC is about tearing down the individual and trying to build them back up as team players. For those of us not familiar with the military and this way of thinking, loud verbal yelling and even cussing, it can be difficult to deal with. We have to be the encouragers for our SRs and only they know whether or not this is a place they really want to fight for and be a part of. 

Also, during 2020-2021 there were a lot of SRs who had to change divisions, especially if they were found in the "ring of fire" - that was a group of SRs who had their berthing around someone else who "popped" (tested positive for COVID) and they would all be sent back to ROM. Even those who just had to quarantine for the 2 weeks prior to BC it was rough!!

You are not alone, and your son isn't the only one who has gone through this before either. We are not here to judge - but to encourage and offer whatever support we can. 

JNMnavymomOH - Please feel free to update us with what his recruiter told you. 

We rely on our own information or what has been the case in the past and the recruiters don't always have the same information as well. 

If you do not have a calling card - that is okay, he may buy one at the NEX. 

I am fairly certain that he will need his Photo ID - preferably a State issued driver's license. His Social Security Card. And his bank information. He may take his cell phone and his charger, they are now keeping those there in their box, it is no longer being shipped home. 

His wallet should be black or a Navy, I think, all other accessories such as watches or umbrellas have to be all black. My son was able to have a small, memo-sized, breast-pocket sized notebook and a disposable, retractable pencil to take notes. 

They are also able to take a small Bible, some people put a card in there with phone numbers and addresses or I think my son had his in his notebook, or on a piece of paper in his wallet. 

They should have very little cash on them, they may have their bank debit card, but they need to keep track of their wallet at all times. 

Some moms have cut small pieces of moleskin and put them in their wallet - great for the blisters that develop on their feet from the shoes. 

It may be too late to help you - I am sorry, this is why we encourage people to post and ask questions here, but it is a lot to take in. I did not even know about this site until right before my son's PIR. Maybe this information can help someone else. 

Depending on the distance to the airport, you might be able to meet your son there and receive a gate pass from the airlines to follow him to the gate. 

I was in your exact shoes 5 years ago!!! 

May all of our members, have a restful, peaceful sleep tonight!

JMNnavymom - Try not to stress about the packing. Our sailor had very short notice from when he got notice he was leaving and the date he left. I didn't know about this site yet and reality it wouldn't have mattered as our focus was on getting him moved out of his apartment. We dropped him off with a backpack that only contained his wallet, toothbrush and a change of underwear and socks. His recruiter did tell him he could have a pocket size notebook so we put put some addresses and phone numbers of family members in it. He told me more than once the Navy would make sure he had what he needed and they did. Our bank was in mid transition of a merge with another bank so he didn't even have up to date account info or debit card, (all that showed up the week after he left). They got him signed up with the Navy Federal CU. Try not to stress. It will be fine! Take care 

navymom57 - my sailor said quarantine was hands down the worst part of BC. Everything at BC is a test. Our sailor said he approached it by trying to figure out what they were testing. My thoughts are with you, nothing is worse than an unhappy phone call or letter and you not being able to do a darn thing about it. Just remember the military isn't for everyone. Our older son tried ROTC and hated it. If he is separated help him see there are many ways he can serve his country, get an education, etc. whatever his reasons for joining in the first place. Help him see it's not a block in the road, but a detour. Hang in there.