Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

CBMom, if you look at the top of this page it will give you a link to the RTC Facebook page, I never seen my son there but they do post pictures of the training. I know when Covid first started they had pictures of the Sailors making face mask too. When you get to the sight just push on photos. I hope you get a chance to spot yours.

Hey CBMom- here is some other links as well.  :)

https://www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp

Yes, check out https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand and http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/. They will have lots of information for you. https://www.facebook.com/NavalServiceTraining also has items at times.

https://www.facebook.com/ASBPGreatLakes has pics of some of the recruits who give blood while at RTC. Those donations occur about 2 weeks (10 to 16 days depending on the division) before PIR.

You may also find pics in https://www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp.

Northwoodsmom- Hey and thanks for posting that.  :)

Hello!  My SR called yesterday and requested that I send her running shoes.  Does anyone have any guidance on sending mail other than letters? 

I have always been told if they call and request that you send something specific, then they have received permission to do so.  I know the rules on running shoes has recently changed where they cam wear their own and do not necessarily have to wear those issued. 

It has always been my advice to have your recruit wear their running shoes to MEPS when they ship for BC. My son said most of the recruits throw theirs in the trash when they leave BC because they are so hard on their feet. Also allows them to have their own running shoes when they get to A School. 

Amy:  just make sure you send nothing else in that box. Maybe a note but no food or snacks or anything like that. Just the shoes she asked for. She will be required to open the package in front of the RDCs. Anything other than what she received permission for could get her in trouble

She is already at BC and did get special permission for her shoes to be sent due to injury.   I am wondering, can I send them Fed Ex or UPS?  I thought I read somewhere that they could not get mail that way.  I just want her to have them as fast as possible.

I was planning to send her a letter and some stamps along with the shoes, would that be OK?

I would say a letter and stamps is fine. No actual "things" like socks and underwear, etc.   I think mailing priority mail through the post office would be the way I would go. All mail has to go through the mail room no matter how it is shipped. USPS would give you the tracking number and insurance on it. 

Amy- That should be fine. Then she can have her stamps right away and a leeter to boot.  ;)

shanny- Hey and thanks for answering. Stay safe out there.

Just went through 15 pages of messages! Congrats Lisa and your Sailor! 

BelovedbyHim, thank you for the insurance information. I was told I could remove my son when he arrived in GL. I read another post on FB somewhere about an SR that got sent home with an injury and had no insurance to pay for follow-up. I haven't removed him yet. 

I got real letters on Thursday. He arrived in GL 6/28. He let me know where he is in his training and just started his 2nd week of training and I thought it would be his 3rd. He said his PHold was long because of the holiday. 

He said his division is immature (what I feared the most for him), goes wild after lights out, and are mean to each other. Hopefully they find their way to teamwork sooner rather than later.  

He actually asked to go home and was told no LOL He is in a better frame of mind now "medically fit for full duty and ready to kick some a$$!"

I've been wearing my red shirts on Fridays, got my blue candles, and have been sending something in the mail almost every day. I love reading everyone's comments here.

Nurse Kim:. I’m happy to hear that things are looking up for you SR!  Remind him that the real navy is not like bootcamp!  Although my sailor made some great friends in bootcamp-he left 2 years ago and is living with a guy from his division in bootcamp and is good friends with so many more. Hope his division can get it together quickly

CBMom -- From time to time they will post pictures on the RTC Facebook page but don't ask them for your Div or Sailor or they will avoid them on purpose! I haven't seen a lot posted that is not part of PIR but I've been super busy and not spending a ton of time looking.
Amy  -- Typically when they call home and are expecting the package it's not a problem.  You can send it either Priority mail or FedEx (Whichever is cheaper/easier) and she will have to open it in front of her RDC's to make sure there is no Contraband so don't send anything besides maybe a few letters in the box but otherwise it's allowed. All the information you got from Shanny was Spot On!! Normally you cannot send letters this way because they don't get delivered any faster and FedEx would be a waste of $$. That said.... Sandboxx letters are delivered by FedEx.
nursekim -- I'm thrilled that you got a Letter!! Yes P days can go long and Yes the Holiday added time to that. Now you KNOW where in his training he is and you can plan forward from there. It's not unusual for them to ask that... I'm glad that he's in a better frame of mind and doing well.  If his Div doesn't get their act together, their RDC's will be Happy to "Assist" with the attitude Adjustments!!
The Insurance issue is such a mixed bag. Yes, the Navy technically is covering them but if they get sent home before completing it, getting back on coverage is a MESS! Until Covid we always told folks to wait till completion of BC then they HAD to take them off because leaving them on coverage was a problem for so many reasons.  I still advise waiting till after BS21 then you have those 2 weeks till PIR to get it done.

Got my 1st phone call tonight. It was wonderful but so hard to listen to him cry at the end of our call. He choked up some during, but man did his tears fall when we were saying goodbye. I cried as well during the goodbye. He passed the running on his 3rd attempt. He is the (potential) Education "something". They are not yet done testing, so he is unsure if he will be needed. He did not get his wisdom teeth pulled, which I am surprised. He says that he is fine and learning lots. He did say the "peanut butter shot" was painful, but not as bad as his arms. He said that he has made a couple of friends. They have a Master Chief for one of their RDCs and it is possibly his first time being a RDC. They just got fitted for their dress uniforms. I got 36 minutes, he didn't want to be late. I couldn't get my son to talk to me for 5 minutes on the phone before. And a letter, but no Happy Birthday. He has more important things on his mind. This mama's heart is so overflowed. 

JNMnavymomOH - So happy to hear that you had a phone call!!, Hopefully his comments will give you something else to write to him about. 

BelovedbyHim - I did not realize that the Sandboxx letters are delivered by FEDEX, that is good to know. 

Shanny and Partyofseven thanks!!

Nursekim - Good to hear that you have had some communication as well.  I am sorry to here that your son is in a tough division that is having a hard time figuring out how to get their act together!

CBMom - Hopefully, you will see your SR in one of those pictures!!  

nursekim- Hi and welcome to our group. I am another seasoned mom that helps out on here as well. My son has been in for over 5 years now and I am part of the pre COVID group.  :) So lots of things have changed that's for sure!!

Whoo Hoo for getting letters. I know the first couple of letters and that first phone call can be hard but just keep encouraging your loved one like we always do.  :)

Sorry to hear that about his division and it's a shame that there are some that just don't get it and it takes a while for everyone to get on the same page and work together. They will work it out it will just take time. 

That is great that he is in a better frame of mind. He's got this!!!

I also kept mine on my insurance until after he had PIR and everything was a go. You will be fine if you leave him on there for a little longer.

I love my red shirts to.   :)

JNMnavymomOH- Hi and welcome to our group. We are glad that you are here. It is good to see you ladies posting.

Whoo Hoo for a first phone call and a letter!! That is awesome!! Those first calls and first letter can be hard as they are figuring things out. They are missing you as much as you are missing them. 

Have a good rest of the evening ladies!

JNMnavymomOH -- Those tears on his end are normal.  Education Petty Officer -- he helps organize study sessions for those who need it.  He may or may not keep it the whole time. (Losing it is NOT a bad thing!!).  Not a Surprise on the Wisdom Teeth... They may still come out at some time in the future. 
There are always NEW RDC's it's just not common for the SR's to know.  36 minutes of Heaven when those phone calls come.  Be prepared that he may call again in another week or 2.  I kept a small notepad on me that I wrote down all my questions and his answers.  I'm so glad that you got that call!!

Chipmunk -- That info was released during the insanity of COVID .  If they were moved to a different ship or placed in ROM Sandboxx letters were returned to sender since they and FedEx packages cannot be rerouted by the RTC post office, Unlike USPS mail.  I'd still send anything to RTC via USPS where ever possible.

nursekim, so happy you got a letter.  I know it is upsetting to hear he is in a division that isn't working together. They will weed out the trouble makers and growup the division by extra helpings of IT(intensive training) not fun for those that have the S together but absolutely necessary to teach them they are a team and will need to depend on each other to make it not only through BC but in their future Navy life. The great news They will be awesome! As a rule those that survive and persevere through such hardships become the best Sailors.  He will need all your encouragement because being punished for all the mistakes of others is a downer but he will shine in the eyes of his commanders. Perhaps in some kind of leadership.  Prayers to your son's division that they figure things out soon and to you also for the worry it causes on a Mama's heart.

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. 

God Bless and have a great Sonday!!!

Good Evening Everyone!  Please join me in welcoming 0914mel to our group. Her loved one is at BC and I missed posting the other day. 

Welcome 0914mel! My son went in on 7/21. This is a great place to get info and support. 

Welcome!!!   My SR went it on 6/30.

Welcome 0914mel! My son went in 6/9. 

Good Morning and welcome to 0914mel we are glad that you are here.

No question is ever dumb and someone will answer you. 

We are here for you. And we all have been where you are at now.  :)

Good morning all! 

My son called his girlfriend on Saturday night. I'm a little sad about it, but I understand. That was the first real phone call he could make. When is the next time they can call again? (He’s been there just over 3 wks)

thank you and welcome 0914mel!  

Good Morning Everyone!!

Nursekim - Oh, I am so sorry that you got bumped for the gf!! That is hard. I have always been my son's first call, even when getting back from being out to sea, until just recently. Now that he is married, his wife gets the first call, but that is easier to handle somehow than a gf. 

As far as when the next call will be, there are no guarantees. Even if the division gets to make calls, a SR might have other duties that prevent them from being able to call with the rest of the division. During the height of COVID and no PIRs, we even had a couple of moms who never got calls after battle stations - not till they were on their way to A school. So, now that you know the worst-case scenario, I believe my son called again around the 6-week mark and it was at about the same time of day on a Saturday as his 3-week call had been.  

Happy Monday!

Thanks chipmunk! Happy Monday!

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

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

Thank you so much for the warm welcome everyone. My son left to GL on 7/7 and I have yet to receive a letter from him so needless to say I was shocked to have received his first call last night. I honestly thought I could shake some of this sadness after hearing from him but to be honest I just feel worse. He never said it with his words, but his tone and sniffles told me he is hanging in there as best as he can. He too seemed discouraged with, in his words-"one of the worst divisions here" so I know he is enduring lots if IT. I pray to the Lord that he give him and all our loved ones strength to continue each day.  I really am so grateful to have found this group. 

Just thought I would share this with anyone who was curious about the flight deck "skittles"   

This was posted by the USS Gerald R Ford on Twitter!

0914mel-- I know those first phone calls home can be tough.  They may have the Ricky Crud (They are exposed to germs from all over so getting sick is normal.  They are still testing for Covid to make sure and they watch for more serious illness.), and they are Missing home.  Every thing they do is wrong, even if it's right and Every Division is "One of the worst Divisions EVER!!!" no matter how well they may or may not be doing.  At 3 weeks in they have been torn down about every thing.  This is part of the process of getting them working together! I Promise it's not nearly as bad as his mind is telling him or your imagination may be making it in your mind.  That DOES NOT mean it's easy, just that they all go through this.  Around week 4/5 they start "Getting it right!!"  (remember BC used to only be 8 weeks so they are 1/2 way through the "Hard stuff" and they are on the rebuilding side of things now.  The 2 new weeks are for "Sailorization" Basically life skills that used to be covered at A schools but was more random and haphazard, Now it will be done for ALL Sailors before they leave so no one slips through the cracks, but the process of going from Civilian to Basically Trained Sailor is still mostly completed in the first 8 weeks of BC. (At least as far as I can tell from the Info gleaned from those who have recently been there.) )
I hope you had the presence of mind to ask for his address and PIR date since you didn't get a letter yet.  Hopefully that letter arrives soon!  I know it's hard but try and keep a positive outlook.  It will get better as you (and you SR) get stronger!

Thanks belovedbyHim. Good to know that about the divisions in the beginning. I guess that's why they call it growing pains. And yes, I was very certain to get his mailing information and PIR in September :) Can't wait to hug him!

Hi Everymom, if you haven't already, sign up for Sandboxx. My recruit arrived at Great Lakes 7/20. I opened an account same day. Today, 5 days later, I got a msg from Sandboxx saying he signed up as well and they matched him to the phone number on my account. I was able to send him a letter an hour ago with tracking so we get an idea of when he gets it. I am so happy right now. Its about $5 but its faster than usps for them to get that first letter asap. Plus you can send an image with the letter. Link to sign up https://link.sandboxx.us/XsTFVqrzXrb

SoS_Survivor_45 -- Yes Sandboxx can be helpful in BC but it's a tradeoff.  EVERYTHING you write on that app CAN be seen by  the Sandboxx employees.  DO NOT put sensitive or personal info in those letters!! Also DO NOT EVER, FOR ANY REASON, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL SAILORS  Use Sandboxx after Bootcamp!! Close the Account, Forget it exists!! Just Don't use it!! It is NOT OPSEC or PERSEC compliant.  It can cause Nightmares for Sailors and those around them! 
My Sailor is a Sea Bee. They fly to and from their deployments instead of taking a slow ship.  Flights are usually under 20 hours and often have at least 1 layover. (They are not River City for long or often!) Well, when my Sailor was due to come home from his first Deployment a girlfriend decided to send a "Booty Call" Sandboxx to her returning SeaBee, Complete with dates, times, and from what I heard some explicit suggestions!  As a result the first wave of Bees who were already en route got to spend a few nights sleeping in an airport hanger till the food was gone (Vending machines only! This included the Bee who the letter was addressed to!)  Our Bee was supposed to leave a few days later.  He called us to tell us not to come to his base since he wouldn't be there and didn't know when he would arrive.  We were en route to Welcome him back from his first deployment. We adjusted our plans and visited his brother and my sister before we had to head back home.  He arrived home in the middle of the night to no Welcome home committee (As did the group who had left before him. ) They had to call and get family to come get them in the middle of the night or find rides if they lived off base.  We were so sad.  We have not been able to arrange our schedules (or not have a medical issue come up) that has allowed us to attend a homecoming since.  All because instead of sending a standard text message, a girlfriend decided to send a Sandboxx message!! 
DON'T Do It!!!

**Thank you for attending my Ted Talk**

***Steps off Soapbox***

0914mel-- I'm glad you got the info and the call!  I know it's hard and it's so painful to our Momma hearts to think our kids are struggling but think of it this way... When you first start working a muscle that hasn't been used much or at all before... It HURTS!! It Aches all the time!! But eventually you get past that ache and that muscle keeps getting stronger and before you even realize it you are using it without even thinking!  Most all of us here were right where you are now, we kept offering words of comfort and encouragement and now we can't imagine not helping those new moms who come behind.

Hello!  I received a letter from my SR today. She is asking me to send her lotion, razors, chapstick, etc.  She says other SRs have gotten packages from their families and they just have to open the box in front of the RDC.  I have read over and over not to send packages so I am very conflicted about this ..please advise.

Amy - I would say that while our advice is to always not do something, if your SR has written you asking for specifics you might send her a note first and tell her that you are sending a small amount (I would not buy a large bottle of lotion, especially), so she knows to be prepared. I believe they are to ask for permission first, but I am also wondering if there is a shortage supply with getting things to the NEX and with it being summer, that is why they are saying okay on the ChapStick. 

This is a hard call - I would probably go with what my heart says is the best thing to do in this situation. 

0914mel - We are glad to have you here joining us and posting! 

Just in case you don't receive the form letter, one of the things you need to return to your SR is the Guest Security Access Form. If you go to the RTC website - Recruit Training Command Home Page (navy.mil) - In the large yellow band, there is a green oval that says Guest Security Access Form. If you click on it, it will automatically pop open a pdf file, so you can print it and then mail it back to your SR at his address. 

The addresses are there under the FAQ but it should link with this - Recruit Training Command - FAQ (navy.mil)

SoS_Survivor_45 - I am glad that you have found Sandboxx to be useful. I did not know anything about it during my son's BC. Here is the information we have about it posted on the main page - SANDBOXX APP for letters to BootCamp - Navy For Moms (ning.com) - I am always glad when BelovedbyHim is available to post her tale with regards to it though, as I can't quite do it justice. 

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

0914mel- Hey, that first phone call and letter is always hard. They are adjusting and so are you!! I did the same thing with mine I choked up a little bit as he was doing the same. But I just kept telling him I was so proud of him and I supported him every step of the way. It is a wake up call for most of them and they do learn how to get thru boot camp. Your loved one will get stronger and get thru it!!

Some divisions have it harder than others as the ones that don't wanna learn make it harder for the ones that do. They will adjust and it's been known for the Navy to weed the ones out if they have to.

And yay for getting a phone call. 

SOS_Survivor_45- Hey,  Sandboxx is faster. Just remember that what you write they can see to. Also, don't use it after boot camp. It's for security reasons. :)

Amy- Whoo Hoo on getting a letter. I would ask her first if they don't have that stuff at the NEX and to make sure with her RDC that it's ok. Things could have changed again but I would ask just to make sure.

If it's ok then I would send a small bottle of lotion nothing to big.  :)

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

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

PIR JULY 2022

Amy - I agree with the other moms on here regarding a double check with your SR regarding sending "stuff". My sailor had a story of humiliation from someone in his division regarding underwear and socks sent by his mom. I would think if she is asking and it is specific it might be items that NEX doesn't have right now, but it wouldn't hurt to double check. 

Shanny - I think my husband was a white skittle. I'll have to ask him about that.

This is in NO way posted to scare anyone. 

It's just a reminder from GL to be careful if out with your new sailor after PIR.  Your Sailor will have been made aware of this by RTC too.

This was posted by Naval Station Great Lakes on Saturday.

Be sure to RSVP for Friday's Meet N Greet.  Here's the link:

Sarge's Meet N Greet